Toren

Theo stops a Bondra penalty shot. First one against since 2001.

Allright boys, this is the game thread, not super happy Swedish fun time This game hurts to watch. Even RDS is getting bored. They made fun of that fan who looks like ZZ Top again....

He needs just one more to hit 25 on the season.

I love how people automatically assume that they know more than the coach. This guy's not an idiot. He's put this team in the position they are now. I'd consider him a candidate for the Jack Adams. When's the last time anyone who bashed Julien won a Jack Adams? Or was even nominated? Julien is trying to juggle the lines and see if he can produce three strong offensive lines. Bulis is our former first line winger, and Perrault can be a top-two center when he wants to be. Julien is hoping that Sundstrom can finally break out and put that slick skating and playmaking to work.

They had the McDonalds Skills Competition thing. I couldn't find results anywhere I looked, or I would have posted 'em.

Just like some asshole on CHFans ripped my avatar off. Damn bastards. I'll hunt them down.

Welcome to the boards, NB-Habsfan! We're glad you found us. Enjoy the site!

Hey, Guy10, welcome to the boards buddy! And, I had really high hopes for this team at the begining of the season. Then again, I had high hopes in 2002-03. But I didn't think we'd do this well. We have to remember, though. Every streak dies sometime. Gotta hold on tight so we don't fall off the bandwagon

The one WE stole from Star Wars?

We were already, what, 7th? And we're missing our top PP point man. Especially considering we had and asstastic PP at the start of the season. I still wish we had Carbonneau to teach this guys the benefits of a strong PK.

Souray will take his spot on the top pairing with Quintal. Brisebois will go back with Cube, and Markov will stay with Rivet. Komi is the odd man out, because he's playing the worst out of all of them (which isn't a bad thing. Every defenceman on this team is playing excellent hockey right now) Komisarek was named to the Bulldog's available playoff roster, so that option is always available to him. But with the playoffs coming, I wouldn't be suprised to see another defenceman, probably Dykhuis, get called up to practice with the team and play the odd game (same with Komo) so that in case of an injury in the playoffs, there's a guy who can step in right away without any problems.

Damn you eastern bastards.

The point is, we don't need two defence-only lines. These give us two solid scoring lines on top, a two-way line on the 3rd, and a defensive line with some sandpaper. I don't like Ryder's reduced ice-time because he deserves better, but this will help his future development (at the cost of a Calder Trophy). Playing with Bulis, who's a speedy defensive winger, and Dowd, whom Ryder could try to emulate, would only help this kid's two-way game. He's already learned a lot of offensive skills from Koivu, so I'm not so worried about that. And I'm pretty sure Ryder will continue on the first powerplay unit. The bottom line is - flexibility. Teams will use their top defensive line against the first line. Then they'll use their 2nd line on our 2nd line. So that leaves their 1st line to our 4th line (good matchup), and our 3rd line (which has scoring potential) to their 4th line (which if it's anything like Toronto's, we should be getting a goal a game from these guys ) This is the time to experiment a bit. Let's hope it works.

It's official. Corey Locke finishes the year with 117 points, and 51 goals in 65 games. The only player to finish with 50 goals (by a long shot) this season. Perry finishes with 113 points and 40 goals. [Edited on 2004/3/15 by Toren]

With one game left for Corey Locke and the Ottawa 67s, it seems that CHL scoring phenom Corey Locke will once again take top scoring honours in the OHL. Unfortunately, one Sydney Crosby will win the CHL scoring title, as he has been on an absolute tear the whole season. Locke has 115 points in 63 games and had a 4 point night today, which included a hat-trick and his 50th goal of the season. Corey's closest competition comes from Anaheim prospect Corey Perry, who has 110 points in 64 games. Perry would have to get 6 points in his final game (due to Perry's goal total of 40), as he was shut out early tonight. So, I think it's safe to say *knock on wood* that we drafted a two-time OHL scoring champion, and this kid's only 19. He's got one more strong year of junior ahead of him. You may say that Corey had a dropoff year from the last one, but you have to look at the 67s team last year. They were completely stacked and Locke was playing with top-notch linemates. This year, his closest teammate in points has 62 (including the 4 points from tonight), and Locke is developing his skills well. :ghg: [Edited on 2004/3/13 by Toren]

Which is suprising, because their broadcast team were old enough to watch it live.

He's 23 and he's been playing in North America since he was drafted in '99. I'm thinkin' that's long enough Worst case scenario, we have Karl Dykhuis 2 on our farm. Best case scenario, another decently sized puck-moving defenceman. [Edited on 2004/3/10 by Toren]

It's really just getting tiring for me. Dealing with Avalanche fans (which are obviously pretty angry fans right now), then dealing with the casual fans who know shit all about hockey. Knowledgable hockey fans know what he did was wrong, but throwing him out of the game for life is not a solution. 10-15 games will certainly send him the message. You think Bertuzzi beleives it's worth it? Canucks loose one of their best (deservedly), and it could cost them big in the standings. So I don't beleive suspending Bertuzzi for more than 15 games will do anything but add to the spite. But then again, it would take a knowledgeable hockey fan to know that. I guess you're in the dark. And yeah, Moore will be fine. He's got two fractured vertibrae, but that's not nearly as serious as people make it out to be, as a "broken neck". He'll walk fine. [Edited on 2004/3/10 by Toren]

Hey, let's butcher quotes and make ourselves look high and mighty! Damn tools of the media. From talking to people around the world, I almost hope Bertuzzi gets nothing but a slap on the wrist (5 games) so it can piss all of you whiny punks off.

We lost a 2nd rounder and a 4th rounder, but I do beleive we have an extra 4th round pick from last year.

It's just a case of teams getting rid of players they've given up on, or have no use for in their future. The Canucks like to have tough 4th line, and Blouin will be there if an injury happens.

I've learned that there's a press conference scheduled at the Bell Center. I'm sure none of the English networks would carry it, but some of you French-speaking forum guys should check RDS. I'll keep you as updated as possible.

Hill wants a two year extension at 2 million a year, so nobody wants him.

Grier's gone to Buffalo. And the pool of big players who can play hockey gets that much smaller.

What goes down on the ice stays on the ice. Keep the law out of it. Half the damn Colorado line jumped on top of Bertuzzi and Moore, so how was that not the factor that broke his neck? So maybe we should suspend Nikolishin and give him criminal charges. Or maybe we should suspend the ice makers for making the ice too hard, and give them criminal charges. And as for premeditated murder? Get off your damn high horse. If you've ever played a game of hockey, you know it wasn't ######ing murder. He wanted to hit him hard, but you know he had no intentions of this. Bertuzzi's a tough guy and a guy who plays the game hard and to the edge, not some common thug. Anyone who's followed the Canucks would know that. And everyone who thinks he should be suspended for the playoffs and more, or face criminal charges...come off it. He'll be back in no more than 20 games. And he deserves every one he gets.