Chips

Kids were pissed at what they thought were bad calls by the ref. After the game the police had to step in to protect the refs. The kids got out of hand while boarding the bus; and things escalated, the entire team came off the bus in support of their teammate and more cops showed up. The rest got worse and worse. I wasn't there but I'm sure it had more to do with kids still worked up and everyone feeling edgy and itching for a release. Now the politics of this will make this much bigger than it really is, I do hope that everyone is ok and no one got seriously hurt.

The kid has a great junior career but I'm not sure thats translated into his NHL career. Defensemen take a bit longer to develop and he has loads of potential. For now he makes a good 6/7/8th D-man. Good depth and value.

Point well taken again... Not everyone can be Montreal. or Toronto. Those markets are a cut above. Strangely, not every team needs to sell out but they need to have sufficient support so that a team can afford to operate in a given market. I guess your point brings up an interesting question where is the line? at what point do you say that a team does not have enough, in support, revenue, sponsorship and future? Winnipeg and Quebec went through this and they moved. Of course the economics didn't make sense then and is different now; plus the taxation situation here is yet another issue but nevertheless a concern that needs addressing at some point.

another good point but they are established and financially are probably better off in being able to maintain and ride a season of below average attendance, but those markets have proven fan bases that will come out at sometime I hope, and if they don't then fair ball; they should be on the chopping block in due course.

I don't disagree with you that now. there is some established youth leagues that will develop the love of the game and the passion in the hearts of kids... but don't forget football, baseball and the NBA provide very large scholarships for kids and those established choices as they grow up will be more attractive than a few prof. hockey options available. Hockey is an expensive sport to continue and its not on the afforded list of sports for most families; Add to that negative media in those markets that make it out as the joke of all leagues.. "ESPN" tell me how do kids then strive to be part of that great future? We are attempting this and doing it the wrong way. Most importantly; are you suggesting that, to help grow a fan base for an NHL franchise we need to go into a new market with a full TEAM and wait 10, 15, 20 years for kids to grow up with a passion for the game so that we can finally make money? and finally draw even? until then who will continue make up the difference? we have only a few Canadian teams making money. I just don't see how we can afford this option... I'd agree with you that we need to try to expand and get new fans and markets. but not so aggressively and with no solid base to help drive that new growth. NO Sponsors. NO fan base. NO media. NO owners with deep pockets. must equal no NHL TEAM.

JCC. I did see quite a few games in Hamilton specially the last few and listen to many on the radio. of the players you think are NHL ready. you left out D'agostini. He's probably NHL ready too if your going to create an entire list. But here's the problem. Many of them still do need time to develop in my mind. Can they jump in and make a contribution in an injury situation, yes indeed and at that point I think they would give BG and company a moment of pause. And your right about another thing. during the calder cup run. there were scouts all over the arena. Scott Bowman was at one of the games in the final series. They weren't there to only enjoy an entertain game; they are looking to grab our kids anyway they can. This all adds up to options in BG's pocket. Trust me he will be wheeling and dealing soon but not right now and not when we can hold as many as 50 players in Hamilton, the ECHL and in other leagues, juniors and development teams. Is it fair to hold on to talent and prevent them from a shot at the NHL. No but those are the choices that need to be made to develop a great NHL caliber team from within; And the time is right for a few. O'bryne, Chipper, Grabs, D'agostini, Price (specially this kid) will get a chance to step up taste the NHL and try to earn a spot. At the same time they will be watched by all in the league and they will be asking for our youth in any trade deal for established talent, if we are ready next season for a solid playoff run.

Ok. I do see your point and I don't disagree completely. However, why not let the NHL continue to draw strength from its base here in Canada and continue to grow in new markets. Now that the formula has been established with the Cap to create an environment for teams to grow and flourish. And I see that you too feel a return of Canadian teams would be a good move. So why pray tell me is the league seeming to be negative on a move back to a Canadian market and pro. US startups? I'm not saying that they should move away completely at the slightest sign of a faltering market in the US. But Nashville has had its shot, the current owner has tried every trick and there just isn't enough of a base presently to maintain a sound financial revenue. How long can you try to keep a team in a market that just does not have support from sponsors or fans? Even in a subsidized system now that the profitable Canadian teams are helping out the rest of the league... I'm sorry but its not right to go so heavy into a new markets and try to establish a new sport that just does not have the help to thrive. We need to heal as a league and a sport, and regain credibility. The ESPN's of the media will continue to make fun of us as long as we maintain this hopeless attempt to gain a foothold in a market that does not want, understand or believe in our great game. Again I'm not saying we stop cold turkey, not at all but lets not continue to hit our heads against the ice in markets where the ice cannot be maintained, just not cold enough, yet! One day maybe but not today.

I'll second that motion.. hrm.. lets see Hamilton has had a similar type of past... Lets see, yep they should be ready for an NHL expansion team.. or at least a relocation of one...

Its great publicity. Soccer Holigan's in Canada I love it! GO Holigans GO!

Very good point. Its one thing to speak with a player about his weakness through the season and get him to improve; And a completely different scenario to do it in arbitration and leave a sour taste with a player, who has to suit up for you that season.

but will RDS be in HD this season 07/08 ? if so that would be brilliant! and ATHLÉTIQUE.CANADIEN was talking about HD being a technology that might be replaced, therefore he was going to wait before buying an new HD tv. Not really. HD just is more lines of a program being broadcast therefore the picture quality is sharper if you have a tv that can display all those lines in the new signal. if you looking to really upgrade to a new TV wait for this new technology in TV's.. its called SED tv. from Toshiba and Cannon; there is also a similar tv technology call FED thats closely related to SED and its original R&D. they all can display HD signals. but the quality of the display and size of the actual unit will be larger, manufacturing costs will also be less, it will be lighten in weight and use less power. it will put LCD and plasma out of business one day. thats a major reason for LCD and Plasma prices dropping so fast and so much, they are trying to keep SED tv at bay for as long as possible.. google SED TV and read all about this next generation of TV's. There is court battle that was brewing between Cannon and a company that created the R&D around the new technology thats the basis/design concept for SED tv's. but that will be settled and we should see this new technology hitting the market in the next few years, if not sooner. That will be my next purchase for my enhanced hockey watching experience.

thanks cfposi and fanpuck33. that makes sense now. I was trying like mad to find out who was named captain. it makes for good bulldogs trivia. Which AHL team won the cup with no single named team captain? Has that happened before I wonder?

First of all Welcome to HW JCC; Hope your stay here is fun and permanent. You will find this crowd more of a realistic group of fans. Although, like your post many here enjoy the fantasy posts as well. I say continue to dream. Just as long as your having fun! Welcome home to HW fellow habs FAN!

And another team in Canada won't ruin his grand plans for dominating that glorious hockey market in the US. Stop trying to create something that just will not happen over night!. HOCKEY belongs in Canada!

Bettman's, an idiot! I'd take Balsillie's cash bank it; allow the rest of the league to enjoy the increase in value of their own teams and use that to justify marketing the league throughout. Let Jim, buy the team and move it. Jim's marketing power and ownership smarts will bring big time credibility to a league that needs it badly. The NHL made a big mistake in treating Jim this way and will suffer if we stick to this lame ass idea of keeping a team in a city that cannot support it. Bettman needs to pick his battles. When the NHL is fighting for television airtime and more sponsorship and marketing, what does he do; Turn down a potential marketing guru and spit in the face of increased franchise value and future guaranteed revenue. He should be fired on the spot for this lousy, dumb ass, idiotic, completely biased behavior! I'm sick of it and it needs to end now! The owners need to stand up and sack that bag of spoiled potatoes. They talk about creating a cap to help a league in financial turmoil and then turn down a potential cash cow! What kinda bull crap are they trying to feed us fans! Someone needs an education in economics! FOOL! And anyone who thinks the owners are putting Bettman up to this then they too should be taken out and given a few lessons in economics and business. Afterall, they are the ones who are proving to us that this is not a just game any more its about BUSINESS, so then shut up and let JIM buy a team! DAMN FOOLS! there.. I feel better now.

Ouch! and now they are into the lets over pay for everyone and then buy them out! A la Yashin. Best of luck to him in Russia. I'm sure he will do just fine there... playing for his old team. Yaroslav.

really.. B) sign me up french lessons. And where can I find those hot chicks?

The article mentions that Ferland was the assistant captain for the bulldogs last year... then who pray tell me was the captain of the bulldogs last year.?

Great for Abi; wish him the best or continued play with his game; which should make it easy for others to register two points. Either way he's not a habs goalie, thats good any day in my book.

If the gap between them is not too large then they should settle on a number in the middle. End this nonsense and lets get cracking with preparing for the new season.

Huet better keep one eye on the two kids behind him.. Halak and Price will be ready to step up and shoulder the team if he isn't up to it this season. Don't get me wrong Huet will start and well I'm happy we won't be seeing Abi any where near our team but keep your eyes pealed for Halak and Price they are ready.

Bottom line is anyone who does not perform will be jumped on by the media and management. All I'd ask and I'm sure any fan would ask is for average production. Special would be nice but average is better. Lets not under perform, over achieving is fine. but no lets downs.

Ah! Those Decepticons... aren't they really toronto maple leafs in disguise...?

I think he's emailing Dark Fahrie; because of his connections with Saku... but I could be mistaken...

Very interesting study on age vs. goal production. And on a pure goal by goal basis; its valid. But what about other aspects that a player brings to a team. Experience, Leadership, Coaching, Special Teams. Thats not easy to factor into the equation, when deciding money. The market has always dictated salaries.. It does matter what others would pay for the right player at any age. And that drives the free market.