Official NHL/hockey thread

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Originally Posted by DexDexter

It was a big deal over here back in 99? when we won it here in Helsinki but these days people have so many alternatives and if you can't see something without paying, that's not good.

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I think a sports station in Finland should cultivate it. IT wasn't a big deal in Canada when the tourney first started in the late 70's. Canada didn't win it much (we sent a club team over to represent us rather than a true national team) and even when the national program got going, we didn't take to the tournement really until TSN, our first national sports network started pushing the program and the fact we were in a quest to win it. Then Canada had a string of 5 wins in a row, and it is now a Christmas staple for people who even just casually watch hockey. The networks there are making a mistake selling it as a pay per view.

My Finnish Friends, I heard that Selanne is likely going to miss the Olympics....THAT sucks.

One of the classiest guys in the sport should be there for his 5th Olympics....

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Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

My Finnish Friends, I heard that Selanne is likely going to miss the Olympics....THAT sucks.

One of the classiest guys in the sport should be there for his 5th Olympics....

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whats even worse for Selanne, he just got off the injury list :(

even though its a broken jaw, He might still be able to play with a special protected helmet. its a shame cause this was most likely his final Olympic game, I really hope for a good recovery for the guy

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Originally Posted by harvick#1

whats even worse for Selanne, he just got off the injury list :(

even though its a broken jaw, He might still be able to play with a special protected helmet. its a shame cause this was most likely his final Olympic game, I really hope for a good recovery for the guy

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I hope so. He has always been one of my favourite hockey players, going right back to his 77 goal season as a rookie with the now almost forgotten Winnipeg Jets.

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Originally Posted by Mark in Oshawa

I hope so. He has always been one of my favourite hockey players, going right back to his 77 goal season as a rookie with the now almost forgotten Winnipeg Jets.

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I hear he may be able to recover in time for the Olympics. Selänne is probably the best Finnish hockey player of all time but I'm afraid he's not as good as he was in the past, same goes for Saku Koivu. In a way their presence in the Olympic team is not entirely positive thing since they will play a lot regardless of how well they are playing simply because of the names in the back of their jerseys. A more worrying thing IMO is the injury of Tuomo Ruutu, since Ruutu and Mikko Koivu are an excellent duo and the two guys that can make it or break it for us. At least our goaltending is in "order" with Bäckström and Kiprusoff.

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Originally Posted by DexDexter

I hear he may be able to recover in time for the Olympics. Selänne is probably the best Finnish hockey player of all time but I'm afraid he's not as good as he was in the past, same goes for Saku Koivu. In a way their presence in the Olympic team is not entirely positive thing since they will play a lot regardless of how well they are playing simply because of the names in the back of their jerseys. A more worrying thing IMO is the injury of Tuomo Ruutu, since Ruutu and Mikko Koivu are an excellent duo and the two guys that can make it or break it for us. At least our goaltending is in "order" with Bäckström and Kiprusoff.

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How long is Ruutu injured for?

What is up with Detroit? They only lost Hossa to free agency and at the moment the finalists from last year are struggling to reach PO?

Poor Detroit.......my heart bleeds for 'em.

Watched the Leafs vs Penguins last Saturday on ESPN, and thought the Leafs were pretty average.

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Originally Posted by DexDexter

I hear he may be able to recover in time for the Olympics. Selänne is probably the best Finnish hockey player of all time but I'm afraid he's not as good as he was in the past, same goes for Saku Koivu. In a way their presence in the Olympic team is not entirely positive thing since they will play a lot regardless of how well they are playing simply because of the names in the back of their jerseys. A more worrying thing IMO is the injury of Tuomo Ruutu, since Ruutu and Mikko Koivu are an excellent duo and the two guys that can make it or break it for us. At least our goaltending is in "order" with Bäckström and Kiprusoff.

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You guys are a dark horse threat to win, and I always cheer for the Finn's over any other nation outside of Canada. You are the perennial underdogs...

Best Finn ever? No question, Jari Kurri.....

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Originally Posted by Garry Walker

How long is Ruutu injured for?

What is up with Detroit? They only lost Hossa to free agency and at the moment the finalists from last year are struggling to reach PO?

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Detroit is finally having time catch up to their older players, the younger players drafted are not filling the holes, and as for Hossa leaving, that is a salary cap thing. Chicago was willing to give him more.

The Cap is the one thing that stops teams from really building a dynasty with the same players. If they draft and trade well, then maybe they can stay on top. What Detroit has done in the last 20 years in the period prior to the cap, and the years after it is truly amazing, but this year, injuries and circumstance are killing them. THAT, and Osgood really was awful in net. Jimmy Howard is starting to play beyond what people thought he was capable of tho, and maybe that saves them in the playoffs...providing they make them.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Poor Detroit.......my heart bleeds for 'em.

Watched the Leafs vs Penguins last Saturday on ESPN, and thought the Leafs were pretty average.

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If you think the Leaf's are pretty average, you would be a Leaf's fan. I am actually a realistic Leaf's fan, and they just plain suck most nights. Mind you, last night they tuned up the Flyers pretty good......4-0 I believe.

I figure the Leafs will consider this year a success if they don't finish in the bottom 3 of the league, hence saving their draft pick they traded to the Bruins from ending up a potential number one. The idea of Taylor Hall in a Bruins uniform probably is giving GM Brian Burke an ulcer....