*

[Teflon Billy]

Vancouver is a graveyard for goalies as a rule (Cloutier notwithstanding)

We've had Artus Irbe, Sean Burke, Felix Potvin and a host of others...they all seem to come here, play like spastic, blind paraplegics and invariably get the crowd behind the backup

I never thought I'd see a sight like useless Felix Potvin standing in net, giving another lame, useless performance....and the crowd beggining to chant "WE WANT BOB!" hoping that their hero, Bob Essensa would get between the pipes.

Same thing happned with Burke and Garth Snow.

Funny as hell.

 

[Mista Collins]

I think Legace is great, but I'm not convinced he's an everday guy.
Osgood is a proven play-off choke artist, as a Redwing fan, you've seen this first hand.

You're right, all would be strong back ups, with the exception of Irbe, I really think he's done.

I think Legace is a very capable everyday huy. Not the greatest by far, but he did a great thing with the Wings the last season.

I feel sorry for whomever decides to pickup Osgood. He had I think one good post-season with the Red Wing

And I agree that Irbe is probably done.

Who do you think is gonna be one of the strongest teams this year?

 

[Teflon Billy]

Who do you think is gonna be one of the strongest teams this year?

I know you didn't ask me, but...

Columbus
Vancouver
Calgary
Edmonton

and maybe...

Pittsburgh.

Looks like my conference will be interesting

 

[Lefferts]

Who do you think is gonna be one of the strongest teams this year?

It's hard to say since we don't know how the year off will affect some of the older stars and how teams will mesh together since a lot of teams have lots of new players.

That being said, I think the Flyers are going to be great!

 

[Welverin]

and maybe...

Pittsburgh.

Which begs the question, what's up with them? Did they build a new arena without me hearing about it?

That being said, I think the Flyers are going to be great!

Not unless they figure out how to get some more wingers, Gane and Kapanen may be good, but not enough to make up for four other guys.

 

[Mista Collins]

I know you didn't ask me, but...

This question was for anyone wanting to answer .

I would love to see Pittsburg be a strong team. Then Crosby can live up to all this hype. I have watched him play a lot and he impresses me. But with the season they had in 2003-2004, I don't see them being that strong.

Vancouver? Vancouver?! VANCOUVER?!.... as a Red Wings fan I am required to dislike them. (But do agree they will be a strong team this season.

I don't think my home town team will be that strong this season, but I see them making the playoffs and dropping at some point during the playoffs (per usual).

I don't think Columbus picked up the players they need to go from the losing season they had last year (2nd to last in Conference), to being a strong team this year.

And i agree that the flyers could use some more wingers, but I think they are looking pretty strong with the roster they have right now.

 

[Welverin]

And i agree that the flyers could use some more wingers, but I think they are looking pretty strong with the roster they have right now.

I was looking at their roster a few days ago and other than Gagne, Kap, and Brashear they're all young guys I'm not familiar with. I don't keep up with the minor leagues or juniors, if anyone knows about some of them and could comment I'd be glad to hear it.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

There was a great quote in the Boston Globe yesterday:

Yes, it's the new salary cap era, but boy, the first week of unrestricted free agency produced a lot of TJ Maxx value at Neiman Marcus prices.

If somehow the Bruins sign Thornton and Samsonov, we will have spent almost $26 million towards the cap on seven players. That would leave $13 million to fill out the remaining 13-16 slots. Hmmm...

 

[Lefferts]

I was looking at their roster a few days ago and other than Gagne, Kap, and Brashear they're all young guys I'm not familiar with. I don't keep up with the minor leagues or juniors, if anyone knows about some of them and could comment I'd be glad to hear it.

Jeff Carter and Mike Richards are both 2003 first-round picks who played in the AHL playoffs last year after their junior teams were eliminated from the postseason. Carter led the AHL in playoff scoring and the Flyers are looking at him as a RW with Forsberg and Gagne. Richards also played in the AHL playoffs, scoring 7 goals and 8 assists in 14 games. He was named the captain of Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in 2005. (Canada won the Gold). A good face-off and penalty-killer, he is being looked at as a center right now. That may change with all the natural centers the Flyers have on their roster.

They also signed Mike Knuble before the lockout. He can score when given ice time with some good players.

Where the Flyers (and a lot of other teams, I expect) will have problems is with injuries. If their top line players get hurt, they are not going to be able to replace them.

 

[devilbat]

I feel sorry for whomever decides to pickup Osgood. He had I think one good post-season with the Red Wing

Mista Collins, dude, I'm so sorry. Ozzie signed with your Redwings today.

Who do you think is gonna be one of the strongest teams this year?

Philly - As long as Esche stays strong. Don't worry about the wingers, the rookies (Carter and Richards) will tear it up.

Ottawa - Until the playoffs, they'll be one of the best in the league.

Edmonton - Look for a fast and re-tooled team.