How are the leafs looking this year? Hopefully they can clash in the playoffs this year, as long as the Sens can keep Karlsson et al on the ice most of the season, and the young guys step up again.

Yeah, Karlsson is unbelievably good. Bobby Ryan was a great pick up as well...I'd love to have him on the Leafs.

I like the look of the Leafs this year, but I'm not thrilled with a couple of the moves they made in the offseason (massive contracts to Clarkson/Kessel/Kadri). Last night was a great game though!

Yeah, Karlsson is unbelievably good. Bobby Ryan was a great pick up as well...I'd love to have him on the Leafs.

I like the look of the Leafs this year, but I'm not thrilled with a couple of the moves they made in the offseason (massive contracts to Clarkson/Kessel/Kadri). Last night was a great game though!

Good start for your Maple Leafs 'GTG'. Great to have the season back. The Canucks went down again to San Jose (that's 10 losses in a row to the Sharks apparently!) Word out of Vancouver is that we've drafted well but who knows?

I like the set-up of the conferences and the divisions. I thought they might have put old rivals the Blackhawks and the Red Wings in the same division but not to be. Your division looks strong and so does the Pacific division.

The new Avs coach Patrick Roy seems to be up for the contest ... check this out from yesterday's game against Anaheim. And Colorado won the game 6-1!

Partick Roy has always been a petulant brat. Comes with being freakishly good I suppose

..... for all of his ability in goal and his history with the Avs winning I have a real hard time not being disgusted by him and his sons. He does not seem like a very nice person, in fact the complete opposite. 6-1 win first up is nice way to start the year since they finished last... will it last with such a young team and an average defence.

How long until Roy angry nature start to wear off and grate on the players?

From wiki...

Roy was arrested for domestic violence on Sunday, October 22, 2000...

On January 19, 2007, Saguenay Police investigated an incident involving Roy and co-owner of the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, Pierre Cardinal. There were reports that Roy threw punches at the co-owner after he intervened in order to disperse a crowd of hockey fans that were blocking the Remparts bus after a game between the two clubs. A complaint for assault had been filed against Roy who faced possible assault charges in the matter. Montreal newspaper Le Journal de Montréal reported that Roy later apologized to the victim by telephone.^[18][19]

In a press conference following a Remparts game on January 21, 2007, Roy said that he was "suffering prejudice on the part of the media" and believed that he was not guilty of the incident. He then questioned his future as head coach and co-owner of the team, even considering resigning from his duties.^[20] On January 25, 2007, Cardinal announced that he removed his complaint against Roy, before Roy made a press conference about his future in the Remparts, where he announced he will stay coach and co-owner of the team.^[21][22]

On March 22, 2008, in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Roy was involved in another on-ice incident during Game 2 of a first-round playoff series against the rival Saguenéens. Late in the second period, in which the Saguenéens were leading 7-1, a brawl started and Remparts goaltender Jonathan Roy, who is also Patrick Roy's son, charged towards opposing goaltender Bobby Nadeau. Roy hit Nadeau numerous times despite the other goalie indicating he didn't want to fight. After knocking Nadeau down, Roy continued to hit him. Roy fought a second Saguenéens player, then skated off the ice while holding both middle fingers up to the crowd. Coach Roy denied inciting his son to fight even though cameras showed Roy making a gesture towards his son while he was advancing towards Nadeau. After investigation by the league office, Jonathan was suspended for seven games and fined $500 while Patrick was suspended for five games and fined $4,000. The Quebec Ministry of Public Safety has launched a police investigation into the matter.^[23][24][25] In late July 2008, Jonathan was charged with assault in Saguenay courts.^[26]

On November 21, 2008, Roy's other son found trouble playing for the Remparts, when centre Frederick Roy cross-checked an opponent in the head after a stoppage in play, Frederick was ultimately suspended 15 games by the QMJHL for that incident, which occurred the night before Patrick Roy's jersey retirement ceremony in Montreal.

Edited October 4, 201311 yr by Cards13

I remember seeing footage of Roy's son in that goalie 'fight'. It was absolutely disgusting. A complete coward who I hope was never allowed to play again.

Now that's off my chest, it's great to have the hockey back! The Sharks have a few out to start the season so it was good to see a couple of youngsters in Hertl and Nieto play. Hertl, a first round pick from last year, will be a regular this season, probably on the top line alongside big boys Thornton and Burns. I like the new jerseys too. They've copped a bit of criticism for looking like boring practice jerseys, but I like them. They're less busy than the previous ones, there's less orange, and it emphasises the teal. Yes, teal is very 1991, but it's our colour so we might as well embrace it.

There you go, 3-1 Avs. Downie being a goose most of the game, only Avs player to sit in the penalty box... 5 times during the game and lost his hearing aid.

Nice win by your boys, GTG. Sens just ran out of legs I think. Bit worrying for both sides, conceding 4 goals each

When looking at the Sharks lineup in the offseason, Tomas Hertl was a guy I hoped would be able to come in and earn his spot. If you haven't heard the name yet, you will soon. Picked at #17 in the 2012 draft, this is his first season in the NHL. He scored twice in his second game and then tied a franchise record with four goals yesterday in a 9-2 rout over NYR. I recommend viewing his fourth goal, an absurd party trick. Sorry I haven't included a link, but it's on the club website. Anyway, he's one to watch. Totally the right move from McLellan putting him on the top line with Thornton and Burns too. It's a physically big line, and Thornton has always made sure his line mates have plenty of opportunities to score.

Here's that goal from Tomas Hertl pantaloons ... Hertl's 4th goal vs NY Rangers

Canucks are at home to your blokes tomorrow - can we snap that 10 game losing streak? Vancouver have won their last 3 so it could be quite a good contest. Starts at 1pm our time.

When looking at the Sharks lineup in the offseason, Tomas Hertl.....

Wowza!! Nice hands

Hertl's mum was crying hard out....... So was I. It was poetry in motion

Avs 4-0.... I know, I know! It is only 4 games into a looonnggg season and we are a young team and we started the last 2 seasons ok before dive bombing into rubbish town but good start.

Incredibly, Hertl's goal celebration drew criticism from Adam Oates in Washington. What a sad man. Jumbo Joe Thornton followed it up with one of the quotes of the year. Sorry, it's a bit crude:

http://www.fearthefin.com/2013/10/10/4824938/joe-thornton-[censored]-hertl-four-goals-oates

Incredibly, Hertl's goal celebration drew criticism from Adam Oates in Washington. What a sad man. Jumbo Joe Thornton followed it up with one of the quotes of the year. Sorry, it's a bit crude:

http://www.fearthefin.com/2013/10/10/4824938/joe-thornton-[censored]-hertl-four-goals-oates

Hahaha that is great! Kudos Thornton. It's just a game, the kid is really good and was having fun, best way to stop it is be a better team and not allow him to "show boat". I do hope teams don't go out targeting him now (of course they will).

Edit: just had a lookie loo to see the below, controversial hit on Hertl. It wasn't a huge cheapy but did get him high.

"Tomas Hertl was held off the scoresheet during the Sharks' 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He recorded three shots on goal and was also on the receiving end of a controversial hit from Canucks defenseman Alex Edler."

Edited October 11, 201311 yr by Cards13

Edler got 3 games from Shanaban. he was always going to bein trouble, as his ht was basically solely to Hertl's head. Brad Stuart got 3 games for hitting Rick Nash the previous game and putting him out for the game, though contact with the head there was minimal if at all.

.... Well so much for the season.... Good to see Roy is teaching his goalies all his skills.

varlamov-avalanche-arrested-domestic-assault

http://nhl.si.com/2013/10/30/semyon-varlamov-avalanche-arrested-domestic-assault/?sct=hp_t2_a6&eref=sihp

Edited October 31, 201311 yr by Cards13

.... Well so much for the season.... Good to see Roy is teaching his goalies all his skills.

varlamov-avalanche-arrested-domestic-assault

http://nhl.si.com/2013/10/30/semyon-varlamov-avalanche-arrested-domestic-assault/?sct=hp_t2_a6&eref=sihp

Pretty disgusting news; any sort of domestic abuse is terrible, but it's even worse when athletes do it because they are role models to so many people. I hope he is punished appropriately.

On a side note, my Maple Leafs are killing it so far

Edited November 2, 201311 yr by Good Times Grimes

On a side note, my Maple Leafs are killing it so far

The Canucks are hangin' in there but pantaloons and Cards' teams are flying (Sharks and Avs) Pittsburgh are dominating in the "Metro" league. (Queen C's team)

The Sens need to get a move on for Mickey 'O' ... but overall, not a bad result (so far) for the regular posters on this thread 'GTG'!

Your blokes are in Vancouver tomorrow (our time) As always, may the better team win! (as long as it's the Canucks )

I don't want to sound like a ninny as ive complained here about this sort of thing before, but Ray Emery's effort today in Philly was an absolute cowardly disgrace. During a brawl, he went down and fought his opposing goaltender, who clearly didn't want any part of it. I usually hate sporting suspensions as they are often overkill, but he should be gone for the season. It's bordering on assault if you're beating the heck out of an unwilling participant.

I don't want to sound like a ninny as ive complained here about this sort of thing before, but Ray Emery's effort today in Philly was an absolute cowardly disgrace. During a brawl, he went down and fought his opposing goaltender, who clearly didn't want any part of it. I usually hate sporting suspensions as they are often overkill, but he should be gone for the season. It's bordering on assault if you're beating the heck out of an unwilling participant.

I don't get the whole fighting thing in general and that was pathetic! The refs should have stopped it and his team mates, 3rd man in rule or not should have stopped it. The commentators... Idiots. "This is about getting so fire, we're getting waxed on the score board but this is getting fired up for tomorrow...." WTF? How about you do it on the ice playing where you were getting smashed 7-0 you soft c ocks. My old mate Downie was at stretchered off I see.. Goose.

Varly played last night... Don't like it but the whole innocent until proven guilty thing I guess.

I don't get the whole fighting thing in general and that was pathetic! The refs should have stopped it and his team mates, 3rd man in rule or not should have stopped it. The commentators... Idiots. "This is about getting so fire, we're getting waxed on the score board but this is getting fired up for tomorrow...." WTF? How about you do it on the ice playing where you were getting smashed 7-0 you soft c ocks. My old mate Downie was at stretchered off I see.. Goose.

Varly played last night... Don't like it but the whole innocent until proven guilty thing I guess.

Fighting is an interesting debate. Take a read of Brian Burke's recent article in support of fighting: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2013/10/30/pro-fighting-column/3320245/

There's good points to be made on either side, but ultimately I think it should be removed from the game.

Nice to see the sens on the winners list again. But clearly off the pace at this stage. Long season to go but they better get moving.

Karlsson continues to get it done. Man crush confirmed

Here's a interesting doco that aired recently on ESPN ... 30 for 30 - Big Shot (the story of John Spano's short lived ownership of the New York Islanders back in the 90's)

Edited November 30, 201311 yr by Macca

Almost time for the Winter Classic...can't wait to see the Leafs and Wings go at it tomorrow.

If you haven't already seen it, I highly recommend checking out HBO's 24/7 program. They've had behind the scenes access in the month leading up to the game, and have released one episode each week which gives some interesting insight into both teams. I think all the episodes are available on YouTube, the first is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-HOPxV_dlw

Flames v Canucks, 2 seconds into the game a full line brawl. Canucks coach going nuts, tries to get into the other teams liner room during the first period break. Nuts. I don't get the fighting in hockey, it doesn't make sense to me...