OFFICIAL: 2011-2012 NHL Thread

[The Red Baron]

If Webber goes, I imagine Sutter will as well when he's a UFA next year.

This is the problem with small market NHL teams...gotta pay to play and they can't afford it.

[chuque]

kinda OT... I follow this thread... is there a way to save the shortcut to go to the last thread?

i know there's a few mods on here that might now...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthrea...HL-Thread/page

[MrMarkyMark]

I had a good laugh!

[KoolLaid]

I had a good laugh!

Then Hammer throws him a hip check
Or Bieska could do the job too

I like how the media are laughing at his jokes too. What a wonderful idea, who's ever it was, to put our farm team in the same city.


But im ready for hockey to be back, i think 58 days or so until the preseason!

[Yzerman]

But im ready for hockey to be back, i think 58 days or so until the preseason!

You said it, I am getting my fix by playing twice a week, playing NHL 11 on xbox, and preparing for hockey pools but I need NHL hockey soon!!

[Yzerman]

It appears the Detroit Red Wings are the latest team to take a chance on Fabian Brunnstrom.

According to the Detroit News, the Red Wings signed Brunnstrom to a pro tryout with an invite to training camp next month.

This guy has to be one of the most overrated prospects in the past few years. I remember when he was a FA and every team was courting him trying to get him to sign with them. He had 17 goals on year for Dallas but I think he lacks the work ethic. Maybe being a sweede, he will learn from Lidstrom, Holmstrom, Zetterberg, Franzen, Ericcson. It's only a tryout anyway.

[GPHawaii808]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/68...ad-home-age-27

COLEMAN, Alberta -- Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien was found dead in his home Monday, nine months after he took a leave of absence to deal with an undisclosed personal matter.

An official with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police called Rypien's death sudden, but not suspicious. Rypien, a cousin of Super Bowl MVP quarterback Mark Rypien, was 27.

Rick Rypien, who spent parts of six seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, was found dead at his home Monday at the age of 27.
"We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Rypien family as well as Rick's friends," the Jets said in a release. "We also appreciate all of the support that has come pouring in from Rick's fans. Rick was a talented player with an extremely bright future. His hunger for the game made him a valued team member both on and off the ice. This loss has impacted us as more than just a hockey team."

Rypien is the second active NHL player found dead this offseason. Former New York Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died in May due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Rypien signed a $700,000, one-year deal with Winnipeg last month after spending parts of six seasons with Vancouver. He had nine goals, seven assists and 226 penalty minutes in 119 career NHL games, often dropping the gloves against much larger opponents.

"Rick has been a beloved member of the Canucks family for the past six years," the team said in a statement. "Rick was a great teammate and friend to our players, coaches and staff. We send our deepest condolences to the Rypien family at this most difficult time."

The Canucks announced on Nov. 25 that they had granted Rypien an indefinite leave of absence. It was the second time in three years the forward had left the team to deal with an undisclosed personal matter. Rypien also received a six-game suspension from the NHL last season after grabbing a fan on his way to the dressing room in Minnesota.

Rypien also took an extended personal leave after a rash of injuries two years ago, missing 70 games during the 2008-09 season.

"All players and NHLPA staff are saddened to learn of Rick's passing," union executive director Don Fehr said in a statement. "He was a respected member of our association and will be greatly missed throughout the hockey community. Our sincere condolences go out to Rick's family, friends and many fans."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[k0nky]

just what I thought, crosby won't be ready when the season starts... will he ever?

[Yzerman]

just what I thought, crosby won't be ready when the season starts... will he ever?

I dunno man. I was asking myself the same question. He is working out but it's with no contact and he hasn't played in any sort of physical game since the beginning of 2011. I think he is in trouble. At one point they will have to clear him to play and give it a shot and see how it goes but damn, that would be a crushing blow to the Pens and the game of hockey if he is forced to call it quits.

That's the problem with concussions, doesn't matter how long you rest up, the symptoms can come back even worse with 1 hit. It's not like a broken arm where if you wait longer, it will heal better and stronger.

[The Red Baron]

I wouldn't take too much stock in any of the reports just yet. The most important thing is for SC to get his conditioning back up to par, the non-contact part doesn't worry me yet because it's not like he'll even see a real hit until the pre/regular season. I can't imagine anyone on the Pens even giving him a 50% hit in camp.

The Pens are obviously being very cautious with this, but I'll be pretty surprised if he isn't ready to go for Oct 6.

[konkomania]

I can't wait for hockey to start. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Sabres' blueline performs with the additions of Ehrhoff and Regehr and the extra year of experience with Myers. It'll also be interesting to see how we get under the cap...

[skevo]

I can't wait for hockey to start. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Sabres' blueline performs with the additions of Ehrhoff and Regehr and the extra year of experience with Myers. It'll also be interesting to see how we get under the cap...

You and I both. A lot of teams look really good on paper this year. We will see what happens.

[VR6GTI72]

I can't wait for hockey to start. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Sabres' blueline performs with the additions of Ehrhoff and Regehr and the extra year of experience with Myers. It'll also be interesting to see how we get under the cap...

Im in the same boat. Sharks made some interesting moves. Cant wait to see how Burns and Havlat fit in. Colin White Im not too familiar with. Hanzus plays a solid D, slow but solid from what Ive seen.

Since San Jose and Min seem to be trading with each other for the most part I cant wait to see how Heatley and Seto settle in. For some reason I have a feeling they will end up doing really well over there and being a pretty good scoring combo.

Its going to be a good season all around.

[konkomania]

Chris Drury just announced his retirement. I loved him when he played for the Sabres. I'll never forget this goal:

[.je]

What on earth is going on around here?

PREDATORS: FORMER NHLER BELAK FOUND DEAD IN TORONTO

Former NHLer Wade Belak has been found dead in Toronto, according to a Nashville Predators spokesman.

The cause of his death is as of yet undetermined.

Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February of this year. He retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed.

The 35-year-old Belak spent parts of 14 seasons in the NHL with Nashville, Toronto, Florida, Calgary and Colorado. In 549 career games he scored eight goals and added 25 assists, while racking up 1263 penalty minutes.

He was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, 12th overall, at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

I guess there's more:

Former National Hockey League enforcer Wade Belak has reportedly been found dead in a Toronto hotel.

The Toronto Sun reported Wednesday that the 35-year-old, who had retired this past March following a long NHL career, was discovered at the 1 King West hotel and condo complex -- an upscale establishment in Toronto's financial district.

The report said Belak's death was ruled to be an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Last week, Belak was named as one of the contestants on the CBC's Battle of the Blades, a figure skating reality show.

[konkomania]

That's terrible. That's three NHLers this offseason. RIP Belak

[EdRacer71]

Listening to NHL Home Ice on Sirius/XM today and they said the police are treating it as a suicide. Damn shame, married with kids as well..

[Yzerman]

So Crosby is having a press conference tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss something. Maybe his progress on his concussions? I don't think this is good news. You don't call a press conference to say "Everything is perfect and I will be playing"... do you?

[jagt21VR6]

Its just nice to get back out onto the ice. I had shoulder surgery at the end of last season, so early April...finally got back out there about a month ago just in time for refereeing to start...I have had placement and preseason games the last few weekends so I am ready for the season to start!

When I lived up in Burlington I was unlucky enough to have games at Stanstead...god that place was a dump, I guess Pat Burns or something/someone donated enough money to build them a new rink though?

[KoolLaid]

RIP Rick one of the better fighters to play for the nucks.

sad to hear about all these players dying man... but on a happier note....

32 days







oh and GO CANUCKS GO!

[VR6GTI72]

RIP Rick one of the better fighters to play for the nucks.

sad to hear about all these players dying man... but on a happier note....

32 days







oh and GO CANUCKS GO!

Eff that Im counting 6 days until preseason. Sharks are playing winnipeg Mon 12th and Nucks on the 14th. Cant come soon enough.

[EdRacer71]

So Crosby is having a press conference tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss something. Maybe his progress on his concussions? I don't think this is good news. You don't call a press conference to say "Everything is perfect and I will be playing"... do you?

Hopefully he won't be taking the same route that Savard did. As much as I hate other players on the Penguins, who will go unmentioned, I wouldn't want to see anything happen to Sid.

[steveo27]

woah, forgot about this thread.


i really hope there is some good news with sid, but i wouldnt be surprised if they came out and said the same thing thing they did with marc savard

[spoonie]

Holy ****
Reports: Plane crash in Russia involves KHL team

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587792

[Yzerman]

Holy ****
Reports: Plane crash in Russia involves KHL team

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587792

OMG, anyone we heard of play for that team??

[spoonie]

Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei and Karlis Skrastins.

[Yzerman]

Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei and Karlis Skrastins.

Holy ****....

Can they confirm they were on board the plane? I assume they were but maybe it was pre-season and they didn't make the trip?

[skevo]

Holy ****....

Can they confirm they were on board the plane? I assume they were but maybe it was pre-season and they didn't make the trip?

I was reading on the Russian websites Demitra, Salei, Skrastins were all on board. So was a former Devil Alexander Vasyunov. Man this is some sad stuff.

[Yzerman]

I was reading on the Russian websites Demitra, Sulei, Skrastins were all on board. So was a former Devil Alexander Vasyunov. Man this is some sad stuff.

OMG Brad McCrimmon was on board!!!! NO...

[k0nky]

woah, forgot about this thread.


i really hope there is some good news with sid, but i wouldnt be surprised if they came out and said the same thing thing they did with marc savard

12:30 press conference today.

[konkomania]

Holy ****
Reports: Plane crash in Russia involves KHL team

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=587792

So sad. RIP

[KoolLaid]

wow, the news keeps getting worse and worse eh?

RIP to more great hockey players that have left us this off season

Msn has a picture of the wreck... Oh my...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44422789...d_news-europe/

[MotownSVT]

Just saw something come across my Twitter feed that said Salei wasn't on the flight... he was already in Minsk.

[lostmypassword]

Oh man, I think Salei just had a child during this last season.

Dang just had a baby in March. I remember him getting time off to be there last season.

Congratulations to Ruslan Salei and his wife, Bethann, who on Wednesday, gave birth to the couple’s third child.

Ava Ruslanovna Salei entered the world late Wednesday evening in California. She measured in at 7.98 pounds and 18.5 inches long. Ava is the couple’s third child, joining older sister Alexis, 5, and brother Aleksandro, 3.

[Yzerman]

Just watched the Crosby conference. They didn't say too much and really tried to avoid saying anything about when or even IF he will be back this year. If you read between the lines you can tell he won't be back any time soon. They kept saying how well he is doing but then would say how far he is from physical play so I wouldn't expect to see him back before the end of this calendar year.