Less than a week to go and …

Even though the Kings and Ducks will be the opening match-up for the beginning of the 2007-08 season, the rest of the NHL teams start next Wednesday, October 3rd. That is what really interest us hockey fans, where it’s suppose to be played. Before that can start,teams have to trim their rosters down to 23 and be cap compliant by 5pm eastern time on Tuesday October 2nd, as the cap count meter gets turned on at NHL headquarters.

I’m not really sure If I will be interested watching the game,on either day, especially on Sunday, as it’s my football afternoon.A game and entertainment that filled the gap when the boys of winter where fighting over their millions and billions,why should I turn my back on them ?Maybe Saturday I will take a peek, but no guarantees.My Saturday hockey nights start next week, with the good old Montreal-Toronto rivalry, an evening game, the time and place that it should be played at.Of course, I won’t miss the opener on Wednesday between Montreal and Carolina, and sneak and check out the Sens and the Leafs.It will be great to see the boys back on the tube on regular basis for the next 6 to 8 months.

NHL Center ice online

I signed up for the free preview of NHL center ice online, hopefuly I can catch a few of the remaining pre-season games and and a few regular season games.

McKeen's Projections

McKeen’s magazine has made projections in the last two seasons since the end of the lock-out. It has faired pretty well, in it’s projection on teams that would make the playoffs.

In 2005-06,It projected that,Ottawa,Philadelphia,Tampa, Boston,Montreal,Atlanta,New Jersey and Toronto. The Leafs, Trashers and Bruins did not make it. McKeen’s gets a score of 5 out of 8.

In the West, they pegged Calgary,San Jose,Nashville,Vancouver,Edmonton,Detroit,Colorado and Chicago to make it. Vancouver and Chicago did not. A score of 6 ou of 8. Total for the season, 11 out 16.

In 2006-07, McKeen’s projected Buffalo,Rangers,Carolina,Ottawa,New Jersey,Philadelphia,
Florida and Montreal to be part of the Stanley cup tournament. Only the teams in italic made it. A score of 4/8.

In the West, they chose, San Jose,Nashville,Calgary,Anaheim,Dallas,Detroit,Edmonton and Minnesota. Edmonton did not make it. A score of 7 out of 8. Total for the season, 11 out 16. A grand total of 22 out of 32, which comes up to 69%, a good average.

If you look at the scores they got in the West, it seems easier to pick the teams in that conference than in Eastern, where they got 9 out of 16 compared to the West, where they scored 13 out of 16. Would this mean that, parity is more obvisious in the East than in the West ? I will leave it up to you to decide.

Robinson and Gainey Honoured

The Habs will honour two of it's greats.Larry Robinson's number 19 and Bob Gainey's number 23 will be retired in ceremonies to take place during the season.

Robinson and Gainey played in Montreal during the last dynasty, under the smothering hand of William ''Scotty'' Bowman.They were the leaders on the team when the Canadiens won the cup in 1986.

Both were draft choices of the late Sam Pollock.Robinson along with two other hall of famers, Guy Lapointe and Serge Savard became the best trio of defencemen thru out the NHL in the 1970's, and got the nickname of ''big three''.Robinson due to his size, got nicknamed ''Big Bird'' after the affectioned character from Sesame Street,the fans in Montreal loved Robinson as they did Big Bird as you could say and the opposite may have also been true.

Gainey in his role, redefined the job description of defensive forward, that forced the league to name a trophy to honour him.The Frank Selke award was created for that matter, he won won it four times, and the actual coach of the Canadiens,Guy Carbonneau also won it. Victor Thikonov of the Soviet Red Army team,called him ''the best technical player in the world''.Gainey was elected to the Hockey hall of fame in 1992,and Robinson got the call in 1995.

Gainey went on to coach the Minnesota North Stars and won the Stanley cup in Dallas in 1999 as Gm.Robinson won the Stanley cup twice in New Jersey,in 1995 as an assistant coach to Jacques Lemaire, and won it as coach in 2000.

Thank you Bob and Larry for the great memories,and for all that you have did to make the organization proud.

Robinson et Gainey Honoured

The Habs will honour two of it's greats.Larry Robinson's number 19 and Bob Gainey's number 23 will be retired in ceremonies to take place during the season.

Robinson and Gainey played in Montreal during the last dynasty, under the smothering hand of William ''Scotty'' Bowman. They were the leaders on the team when the Canadiens won the cup in 1986.

Both were draft choices of the late Sam Pollock.Robinson along with two other hall of famers, Guy Lapointe and Serge Savard became the best trio of defencemen thru out the NHL in the 1970's, and got the nickname of ''big three''.Robinson due to his size, got nicknamed ''Big Bird'' after the affectioned character from Sesame Street,the fans in Montreal loved Robinson as they did Big Bird as you could say and the opposite may have also been true.

Gainey in his role, redefined the job description of defensive forward, that forced the league to name a trophy to honour him.The Frank Selke award was created for that matter, he won won it four times, and the actual coach of the Canadiens,Guy Carbonneau also won it. Victor Thikonov of the Soviet Red Army team,called him ''the best technical player in the world''.Gainey was elected to the Hockey hall of fame in 1992, and Robinson got the call in 1995.

Gainey went to coach the Minnesota North Stars and won the Stanley cup in Dallas in 1999 as Gm.Robinson won the Stanley cup twice in New Jersey,in 1995 as an assistant coach to Jacques Lemaire, and won it as coach in 2000.

Thank you Bob and Larry for the great memories,and for all that you have did to make the organization proud.

The Hot Seat and ...

Who is on the Hot seat ?

The NHL's season is due to start at the end of this month,and training camps are not too far away,but a question every hockey fan must ask him or herself,who will be the first coach to be fired ?

Let's look at those that could be in danger.Let's start in the Eastern conference.Atlanta's Bob Hartley could be in trouble if the team fails to make the playoffs.The Thrashers made them for the first time last spring, but were eliminated in four easy games by the Rangers.Peter Laviolette in Carolina could possibly be a victim if the Hurricanes don't bounce back from a sub par season after the Stanley cup in 2006.John Stevens in Philadelphia could also be in danger, if he can't get the maximum out of his team, after seeing Gm Paul Holmgren make a splash on the UFA market.

The Western conference potentially in danger candidates.Joel Quenneville in Colorado,if the team fails to qualify for a playoff spot.Craig MacTavish in Edmonton.Barry Trotz in Nashville. It will be interesting to see who will be the first to get the boot.