ch_nl

English is language of the world. Whom speaks french? France, Quebec and the former colonies in Africa. But in all thoose countries, except France English is the second language. Realize that Saku Koive allready isn't talking his mother tounge when he speaks english. It's not even his SECOND language but his third or fourth if he took german at school. And aren't journalist in Quebec at home with both english and french? Can't they just translate themself?

Didn't realize that. I think Brodeau had a great finish but I think both Legace and Huet played better.

Was thinking about the WC Paradox... What would the NHL be without the players from outside north america? Just look at the Habs. No goaltender and no captain. No pointwinning Kovalev or best defenceman in Markov. The europeans are important to the NHL and maybe even vital the the leauges exicistance today. Still the least popular of the big leauges (NFL, NBA and MLB) but world wide I'd guess NHL is second after NBA as American Fotball and Baseball isn't played alot outside the american continents. So what's my point? The development of hockey in Europe is of importance to the NHL. Sweden, Finland, Russia, Slovakia and Czech Republic is at top level but Switzerland, Germany and all the other countries where hockey still is a "odd" sports has shown in recent year that they contribute to the NHL. I will cheer for Latvia, Switzerland and all the other "blueberry-nations" this time. Still hasn't come to the point yet but I think the World Championships are just a shadow of what it should be. Don't know the reason why but I think that the NHL and the Canadian hockey assiciation are the ones to blame. They don't pay enough attention when their own future depends on it in a way. I think there's a lot that could be done to give this tournament the same status as it have in Europe. For the best of the NHL and global hockey.

Wade Redden and Manny Legace not nominated. Cristoball Huet could have been a Vezina candidate if he had played a full season. Same as Redden I suppose...

This is idiotic. So what if Saku Koivu speaks some french? I think it's good enough that he took classes in french. That says something about Koivu as a person. He want's to adapt and learn the culture and language. There's a whole different story to speak french with media. Just imagine how many missunderstandings there's room for. The alternative captain could be french-speaking just to please the press, but captaincy will never be about wich language one speaks.

Will the Habsworld forum match the outcome?

I haven't voted yet. Hasn't decided. Ovechkin KNOWS where the net is. Like a sick sixth sense. Amazing and unreal. I think Ovechkin will score more sick goal in the NHL. I don't like Patrice Bergeron for beeing a Habs-killer but that goal was perfect. Every player made the right thing and the Habs couldn't do a thing. It's not an spectacular individual play but more a perfect offensive play. Tim Conolly... That's a goal. Amazing but the defence was passive. Still... A great goal. Nikolai Zherdev does it all by himself when the team needs it the most. That's special. Nikolai Zherdev versus 6 players and Zherdev wins. Marek Maliks goal... I don't know how many times I've seen it before. Don't know if it's because I live in Europe but that move is made by most kids in the bantam series. If it had been during regular play then it would have been different. Now it's a penaltyshot and he has all the time in the world and the move itself isn't new... Jason Spezza's move was cool but Souray should have nailed him. Ovechkin or Bergeron. Maybe even Conolly. I'll sleep on this one.

Komisarek had a helper in todays win against Norway. Dustin Brown got the hattrick.

Finland won the game 5-3 but Slovenia did a good match. Anze Kopitar had two goals.

Finland is down 2-0 versus Slovenia after just 15 minutes of the first period. Anze Kopitar are leading the way. Slovenia has so far spend 10 minutes in the penalty box.

Canada dictate the rules. Without Canada hockey is nothing and the World Championships doesn't mean that much to Canada, still they are they most vital team to the tournament. Keep Canada happy and they will continue. The World Championships has never been played in Canada. World Juniors is a bigger event.

The World Championships in Riga, Latvia starts tomorrow. Group A. Czech Republic, Finland, Latvia and Slovenia. - Finland lost the Olympic final to Sweden and a lot of the players from Finland wan't revenge. At this very moment 9 NHL players have accepted the invitation and Finland have the best team in ages at the world championships. Czech Republic hasn't played good all season. There's talk about controvercy between the players and the staff. I think Czech Republic will finnish 3rd in their group as Latvia will have a seventh player on the ice all tournament as their fans could be the most passionate. Slovenia will finnish last and the only reason to watch their games are Anze Kopitar, drafted by the Kings whom likley will play in the NHL next season. Prediction: Finland Latvia Czech Republic Slovenia Group B. Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and Italy - The weak group. Switzerland could acctually win the group but if so they have to win all of their games. As a swede I think Tre Kronor will win the group but it could be either way. Ukraine should beat the Italians and claim the third spot. Prediction: Sweden Switzerland Ukraine Italy Group C. Slovakia, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhztan. The old east. Slovakia had a great Olympics and I think they can do it again. Russia has impressed be a lot. Alexander Semin, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin. This trio could be the best players in the world in a few year time. Russia will go with young hungry players and therefore I see them succed. Belarus has more routine than the Kazaks and claims the last playoff spot. Prediction: Russia Slovakia Belarus Kazakhztan Group D. Canada, USA, Norway and Denmark. Canada has better players and Im sure Canada won't be pleased with anything but a gold medal. USA is a solid team and Denmark has the potential to upset. Peter Regin could be the first NHL players from Denmark. Look for him. Prediction: Canada USA Denmark Norway

Saku Koivu has the chance of getting a medal this year if he's healthy. I think the finns are hungry this time and I expect them to get home with a medal. Russia and Canada are the other two that I expect to go far.

Do not agree. Some player blossom fast. Forwards tends to do so. Higgins, Plekanec and Perezhogin should be there in a 3 years time. Kostitsyn the older and younger are 4-5 years away. Komisarek could realize his potential the very next season. Kyle Chipchura could be a Ryder-type who learns fast. That's my impression. With using the Theodore-money right in the offseason this shouldn't be an issue.

New Jersey are red hot and has been so for a while. Maybe they can keep it up. Carolina on the other hand has just started to find their game after adding Weight and Recchi. I think they will be even better this series. Cam Ward and Saku Koivu are the reason why Carolina made it to the next round. Why shouldn't Ward continue? Ottawa-Buffalo will be a really interesting series. Ottawa who has the best player versus the "best team". I think Buffalo is a great example of that hockey is a team sports. Ottawa should be good enough to get the series but Im uncertain on this one.

EAST (1)Ottawa vs. (4)Buffalo: Ottawa in 7 (2)Carolina vs. (3)New Jersey: New Jersey in 7 WEST (5)San Jose vs. (8)Edmonton: San Jose in 5 (6)Anaheim vs. (7)Colorado: Colorado in 5

The talk has begun. It's easy to call for heads but this team made it to the playoffs and IF Saku Koivu would have played things could have been different. But the team needs to improve. How? There's a lot things that could be done but at the same time the Habs finnished the season as one of the better team if you look post olympics. I don't think the Habs needs any major changes. Maybe a small tweak... Rivet, Souray, Boullion, Komisarek and Markov should all be back for next season. As a group I like them all. Dandeanults contract makes him hard to move and Mark Streit did it OK but not more. I hope that Gainey only moves a defenceman if he can lay his hand on a major upgrade.

Last dance of the season comming up? The Canes have the momentum but there is one good thing. Montreal won't lose 3 straight on their home ice. Aint happening. Whatever the score will be tonight I'll be happy that this team made it to the playoffs. Without Koivu in the lineup the Hurricanes looks like a better team and Im sure the Habs will be back better than ever next season. Let's get the dance starting!

I don't get why one must like the personal opinions of a bands front person in order to like the music. I like Dylan but I don't share his political opinoin. I do think Bono has some good ideas but at the same time I do realize that he's naive.

This is interesting. Detroit didn't have a goalie that could steal a game or two and at the same time it seems like the Oilers got the right players on the trading deadline.

U2 fan here. Have all the albums. Best overall album from U2: The Joshue Tree. Could be one of the best albums ever. Best song: Staring at the sun and Sunday bloody sunday.

The only player the Habs can't replace. I was thinking of it and how to solve the situation. Here's my conclusion. Let the line with Ribeiro, Kovalev and Bulis be our first line. Kovalev has been great thus far and Ribeiro should grow with the task. I know some of you question his character but this is an oppertunity for Ribs. If he get's the chance I think he will take it. On the second line it would look tempting to rebiuld the rookie-line with Perezhogin, Plekanec and Higgins. But this is the playoffs and one with some experience should replace one of the rookies. Sundström, Bonk or Zednik? Bonk has been great so far and here's the problem. Do you promote him to the second line or do you keep the lines intact? I think Bonk deserves to be on the second line and therefore I suggest a line with Bonk, Higgins and Ryder. Sunny has 3 points in 3 games and he's up next. Zednik is a playoff performer and Plekanec is next in line when it comes to centers. Fourth line. Garth Murray. Alexander Perezhogin and the call-up. My vote goes to Andrei Kostitsyn. Why? Montreal scored just one goal last game. Any offense is welcome even at a loss of saftey in the defensive department. Huet might be the best goaltender in the leauge and the defesive is intact and has done a fantastic work so far. I trust them. And maybe Kostitsyn and Perezhogin can work some red-machine magic? Bulis - Ribeiro - Kovalev Higgins - Bonk - Ryder Sundström - Plekanec - Zednik Kostitsyn - Murray - Perezhogin

And no penalty... The referee had a bad night. Just as anyone can have. Unfortunally for us it was the Habs that got hurt. A hockey player is responsible for his stick. Even in acidents. I won't blame the game on them as I think the Habs should have scored more goals but the puck went Canes way all night and 2-1 in the series after just one game at home is still a good.

No! Aeroplane comming in. Have to work.

Ryder. The presses has allready started. Ryder AGAIN!