OFFICIAL: 2011-2012 NHL Thread

[MotownSVT]

Given what happened today and the fact that Crosby really didn't reveal anything in the press conference, I'm more than a little surprised that they went ahead with it.

[GPHawaii808]

ESPNBoston:

Former Boston Bruins player Brad McCrimmon was among those killed in western Russia on Wednesday when a plane carrying a KHL hockey team crashed into a riverbank while taking of.

The KHL confirmed the death of the 52-year-old, who was in his first year as head coach of the Lokomotiv team.

McCrimmon was drafted by the Bruins as a defenseman in 1979 and played three seasons in Boston among his 18 years as a player in the NHL. He also played for Philadelphia, Detroit, Hartford and Phoenix. McCrimmon was most recently an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings.

"It's shocking. I think everybody in the hockey community is probably in shock and numb, myself included," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "I've known Brad going back to the late 80s when we acquired him here. He was a real popular player. Then we had him as an assistant coach here. He loved hockey. He was a tremendous guy and wonderful family man. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife Maureen and two children.

"Our thoughts and prayers go to everybody who had family on that plane. This affects the entire hockey community. It's a real sad day for the hockey world."

Barry Smith has won five Stanley Cups as an assistant coach and also coached several years in KHL. He had spoken to McCrimmon about the league.

"Before Brad McCrimmon went over he came to see me to ask about what to expect," said Smith, who currently coaches in Switzerland. "I mentioned to him how difficult travel was because of all the time zones. Brad was really excited about the opportunity to be a head coach. It's really sad."

Smith added that he flew the on same type of airplane when he was in Russia.

"But I must say Lokomotiv is one of the better organizations in the KHL," Smith said

McCrimmon was drafted by the Bruins 15th overall in 1979. He roomed with fellow rookie defenseman Ray Bouque during the 1979-80 season in Boston. In his three seasons with the Bruins, McCrimmon totaled 54 points.

ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun contributed to this report.

[Yzerman]

Given what happened today and the fact that Crosby really didn't reveal anything in the press conference, I'm more than a little surprised that they went ahead with it.

I agree, they didn't mention anything that we didn't already know. The point of a news conference is to add more information or reveal a new course of action. It was all the same "We will not know" and "It's a slow recovery" that they have been saying for 8 months. They would be better off saying "He won't be starting the season, bye".

[lostmypassword]

Looks like more and more confirming Salei was on the plane and did not make it.

http://www.freep.com/article/2011090...text|FRONTPAGE

[steveo27]

its been a bad summer for hockey players

[skevo]

its been a bad summer for hockey players

Yea man so true.

[VR6GTI72]

I was thinking the same thing.

[KoolLaid]

i was hoping demitra wasnt on the plane

RIP Dem... always loved watching him as a canuck. such a nice guy too

Just like Rick, and Luc...Forever a Canuck

can the summer be over yet? its been a really bad summer for hockey

[Bains]

out of every team....it has to be my devils....god dammit

Devils could be in bankruptcy danger

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/n...-danger-091211

[The Red Baron]

Not remotely surprised about the Devils being in financial trouble. High payroll, terrible fans.

25th in the league in attendance last year. In fact they've been 20-26 consistently for the last decade pretty much. They don't even sell out playoff games and they've been a perennial contender for the last 17 years.

Embarrassing in a region with money and hockey fans. I think their old stadium killed fan interest since it was the most god awful place I've ever tried to drive to during rush hour, and had zero decent transit options.

And now their new rink is in downtown Newark?! Pretty sure their demographic fan base isn't thrilled about venturing into Newark for home games.

[VR6GTI72]

out of every team....it has to be my devils....god dammit

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/n...-danger-091211

Problem?

[The Red Baron]

Within the next few years there are going to be several more teams in this situation. There have been persistent reports for the last 2-3 years that there are upwards of 10 teams in serious fiscal trouble. There are just no buyers interested in keeping them in their respectively underperforming markets.

[NHDUBN#2]

High salaries and overhead are choking the life out of the NHL. With a scattered TV contract and as much as i hate to say it we are a third or forth tier sport in the US. And before the Canadians among us yell and scream TV contracts with the most money come out of the US. That on top of a sub par economy equaling low ticket sales the NHL as a whole is in trouble.

[VR6GTI72]

High salaries and overhead are choking the life out of the NHL. With a scattered TV contract and as much as i hate to say it we are a third or forth tier sport in the US. And before the Canadians among us yell and scream TV contracts with the most money come out of the US. That on top of a sub par economy equaling low ticket sales the NHL as a whole is in trouble.

Hopefully with the NBA lockout the NHL can get some new fans / coverage.

[chuque]

http://video.mapleleafs.nhl.com/vide...=616&id=122969

NHL Rookie Tournament: Leafs vs. Senators

Watch here as the Leafs rookies take on the rookie squad of the Ottawa Senators in Oshawa.

woohoo! can't wait for the real thing.... but this is good enough,

[Yzerman]

High salaries and overhead are choking the life out of the NHL. With a scattered TV contract and as much as i hate to say it we are a third or forth tier sport in the US. And before the Canadians among us yell and scream TV contracts with the most money come out of the US. That on top of a sub par economy equaling low ticket sales the NHL as a whole is in trouble.

I agree, in fact I think they were saying that in some parts of the US, hockey is the 5th most popular sport behind Nascar too (if that's a sport).

Too bad those low ticket sales didn't come here to Montreal. Tickets sold out in a day as usual and decent seats cost an arm and a leg. Especially to a premium game.

[NHDUBN#2]

I agree, in fact I think they were saying that in some parts of the US, hockey is the 5th most popular sport behind Nascar too (if that's a sport).

Too bad those low ticket sales didn't come here to Montreal. Tickets sold out in a day as usual and decent seats cost an arm and a leg. Especially to a premium game.

Wait a sec did Yzerman and I just agree on the same point? haahahahah

[GPHawaii808]

Sources: Brad Marchand gets $5M deal

The Boston Bruins and restricted free agent Brad Marchand have reached agreement on a two-year deal, the team announced Wednesday.

It is a $5 million deal, sources told ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun.

The 23-year-old gets $2 million this season and $3 million next season.

The left winger had been skating with the Bruins at captain's practice even without a new deal in place. He took to the ice again Wednesday at Ristuccia Area in Wilmington, Mass., but left without talking to reporters.

Marchand had a solid rookie season (21 goals, 20 assists) but stepped it up in the playoffs, providing 19 points in 25 playoff games, including two goals and an assist in the Cup-clinching Game 7 victory in Vancouver.

"I am a part of this team and there's no reason for me not to be," Marchand said Monday. "I want to be here and I want to show them I'm in shape and I'm ready to go this year. I'm just waiting to see and get it done here."

http://espn.go.com/boston/nhl/story/...-two-year-deal

[spoonie]

Good for him. Kid was a beast in the playoffs.

[EdRacer71]

Great news...means my new shirt won't be outdated....

[GPHawaii808]

Nice shirt Ed!

[VanHalen]

Flyers Rookies>Caps Rookies

That is all

[yellowbird]

out of every team....it has to be my devils...

On an unrelated note.....this is the first time i have ever heard an NHL team being referred to as "my - - - -". I work in NYC with about 500 guys and have really only heard that term used with either the L.A. Lakers, or the Cowboys, as in, "My Lakers". Really, its just the lakers. I never hear guys sayin "My Rangers" , "My Yankees", "My Flyers" "My Phils" etc.

Anyone agree, or am I just crazy?

Still gotta get my Flyers Jagr jersey.

[VanHalen]

On an unrelated note.....this is the first time i have ever heard an NHL team being referred to as "my - - - -". I work in NYC with about 500 guys and have really only heard that term used with either the L.A. Lakers, or the Cowboys, as in, "My Lakers". Really, its just the lakers. I never hear guys sayin "My Rangers" , "My Yankees", "My Flyers" "My Phils" etc.

Anyone agree, or am I just crazy?

Still gotta get my Flyers Jagr jersey.

Devils are a horrible franchise. No real city/fan base, a historically boring style of play etc. Can't stand them.

Got my Jagr name/number t-shirt and rocked it down the shore. That was interesting trying to get through crowded bars/dance floors wearing it. No shortage of comments for sure.

[The Red Baron]

Anyone agree, or am I just crazy?

not crazy, just american...people use possessive verbiage around NHL teams up here all the time.

[spoonie]

even if its just pre-season, finally, some games tomorrow night!

[skevo]

even if its just pre-season, finally, some games tomorrow night!

Yup I don't even care. Can't wait!

[KoolLaid]

even if its just pre-season, finally, some games tomorrow night!

i said that about the prospect development camps, As long as its hockey, and its on tv, Thank God!

[ban eighty]

Is the VWVortex NHL Fantasy League 2012 not happening?

[spoonie]

makes me sad, i actually won last year - but probably because everyone else left their teams idle

[VanHalen]

Flyers put a hurtin on those Leafs tonight. 4-0!

[Yzerman]

Who cares what happens in pre-season LOL

It's for the team to try out some young guys and new line combinations. Some of the older guys get to shake off the rust from the summer, that's pretty much all pre-season is good for. All I hope is that no Detroit players get hurt, that's ALL I care about.

[VanHalen]

Who cares what happens in pre-season LOL

It's for the team to try out some young guys and new line combinations. Some of the older guys get to shake off the rust from the summer, that's pretty much all pre-season is good for. All I hope is that no Detroit players get hurt, that's ALL I care about.

Relax dude. I realize what pre-season is for. Especially in Philly this year where you lost 6 forwards in the off season with 3 of them being star caliber players. There's a lot of ice time available and the main thing is giving all those 18-20yr. olds a good long look.

That being said, you want to see your young players do well and ultimately win the game. Winning is contagious. I've never been able to turn my "compete" on or off.

[yellowbird]

10 games for the jody shelley hit....lets hope NHL is consistent in handing out discipline this year.

[The Red Baron]

I really liked the video explanation from Shanny too. I think the league must have listened to all of the complaining about it being such a cloak and dagger process with completely illogical rulings and very little disclosure on the process.

Good step in the right direction.