Hockey is Back

The NHL preseason is well underway and opening night is around the corner. This will be an exciting season. The new salary cap has caused a serious reshuffling of talent in the league and rule changes should lead to an increase in goals. I'm not a fan of the shootout, but maybe I'll change my mind after I see a few of them.

I'm heading to the Thrashers-Panthers preseason game tonight. The Thrashers have added some serious talent in Peter Bondra and Bobby Holik, as well as shored up the defense. If young goalie Kari Lehtonen can stay healthy, he will challenge Sydney Crosby for Rookie of the Year. If we can just get Ilya Kovalchuk to come back from Russia, we will be set. Mark my words: the Thrashers are playoff bound this season!

Any other hockey fans in the house? Favorite teams?

 

I want the Blackhawks to do well, but by no means am I a big fan. I will not be attending any games this season and I will probably not watch much on TV. I am more of a hoops fan than hockey.

 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

I am very happy that hockey and the Bluejackets are back. It's the first team MrsJux and I really supported together. Last year was a real loss, but could ultimately save the sport and give smaller markets a chance (down with the Red Wings). I don't think we'll be able to go to that many games, but we will definitely be there to see them take on the Penguins (MrsJux is a western PA girl, after all). Most Jackets games on Fox Sports Ohio, so many non-soccer nights will probably be spent watching them.

It's also nice to have steady revenue coming back into the Arena District. It took a big hit, but was able to stay afloat while the owners and players got their acts together.

I doubt the Bluejackets will make the playoffs, but I think you will see a re-surgence from Pittsburgh.

 

LETS GO RANGERS!!!

 

PRED-HATERS

 

I'lll throw a wrench into the views on here...The new contract is great for both the fan and the business; Especially for the canadian teams... but in that vein, I'm hoping for a contraction of the league.

Where the lesser attended franchises drop back to minor league status. Wont happen, I know... but the market forces should be played.

 

I don't know how it is in the rest of the country, but we here in Minnesota survived last year just fine without pro-hockey... We can always get our fix from any of the multiple college teams (Go Gophers!), High School hockey (annual sold out state tournament), or USHL/Juniors... yeah, we're hockey addicts...

My first preference is always Gopher hockey... next-to-impossible to get tickets... great atmosphere... always a top 5 or 10 team...

But there is something to be said for seeing the Wild play at the X

And Mike... Let's go Rangers? I feel sad for you...

 

OSU hockey also did well last year. They are not always at the same level of play as the Gophers, but the Schott is a great place to see a game.

I had to get most of my fix through the OHL last year (Go Otters!). I highly recommend catching this league if you have a chance. Quite a few top NHL rookies cut their teeth in the OHL.

 

Go Wild! nah, actually i lost a bit of interest in the nhl. well i had been losing interest gradually and then last season killed it. it actually started years ago during a flyers/panthers playoff series...around '96 or '97 i think. it was at that time that i decided cities that don't get snow in winter shouldn't have nhl teams. maybe i'm just anti no snow cities cause i still wish the north stars never left for dallas...

My brother graduated from Denver University, so I'm a Pioneers fan first. But after them i support the gophers over the badgers, and any team playing against UND.

as for the MN H.S. state tourney that mnlandshark mentioned...it's more fun than any NHL game!

 

Go Blue Jackets!!!! Rick Nash the best in the world.

 

He is definitely one of the main keys for a successful season. That, and a defense that supports Denis!

 

Ermm... I like the atmosphere.

Go 'jackets! but the best time I ever had at a game was at Raleigh!

1. Good for the rules changes! I despise WWE and anything like WWE, so It didnt go far enough.. but hey!

2. Reduce team rosters. Sorry, let's turn those guys into athletes rather than tag-team exhibitionists.* And doing so MIGHT rescue the lesser franchises... only alternative is contraction.

- *A year or so ago, there was an article on an ex-NHL player who bought into a Toronto Indoor soccer team: His commented that he never could have lasted in thet game.. took too much stamina.. how sad is that?

 

It's only been a few days, but I like the "new NHL" so far. The games are wide open with lots of scoring. Hopefully the officials will keep calling things close and not let them revert to the old clutch-and-grab stuff.

Tonight is the Thrashers home opener. Rumor has it that Kovalchuk is close to signing and may even be in the building tonight, albeit in street clothes. Tonight is also mini Stanley Cup night. Sweet!