The official NHL 2009-10 thread

[BoylenOver]

Not NHL-related, but I went to a Grizzlies game tonight. They look good. I wouldn't expect a soul to recognize any of the players on the roster, but they swept a three-game set against divisional rival Las Vegas, outscoring Vegas 12-3 in the three games.

[BoylenOver]

In a battle of the top two teams from the Western Conference, it was no contest. The Blackhawks got two goals from Marian Hossa in his first game with Chicago, and they blew out the Sharks in San Jose 7-2.

That could very well be the western conference finals preview.

Meanwhile, my Blues were on Versus. They gave up the tying goal with 26 seconds left, but won it in a shootout, their first shootout win of the season.

[BoylenOver]

If you can, turn it to NHL Network right now. The Canadiens are honoring all their surviving greats. This is pretty incredible. The closest comparison I could make is if the Yankees could trot out Mantle, Gehrig, Ruth, DiMaggio, Berra, Jackson, Munson, Rizzuto, and Ford at the same time.

[beefytee]

If you can, turn it to NHL Network right now. The Canadiens are honoring all their surviving greats. This is pretty incredible. The closest comparison I could make is if the Yankees could trot out Mantle, Gehrig, Ruth, DiMaggio, Berra, Jackson, Munson, Rizzuto, and Ford at the same time.

Dang. That would be great. I only get versus though. There were so many greats that went through Montreal.

Today is the franchises 100th anniversary.

[BoylenOver]

Dang. That would be great. I only get versus though. There were so many greats that went through Montreal.

Today is the franchises 100th anniversary.

I'm sure it will be online at some point. They had Howe there as well, and Beliveau was the last to speak.

[BoylenOver]

Standings watch: the Los Angeles Kings lead the Western Conference with 47 points. Alex Frolov is turning into a superstar, Jonathan Quick is blossoming as a young goalie, and the rebuilding process should finally yield a playoff berth.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Blues are 2nd-to-last in the West. They have the worst home record in the league, and they've scored the lowest number of goals in the league. Mason and Conklin have played pretty well, they just aren't getting the job done on offense, especially the power play.

[beefytee]

Don't miss the Winter Classic today.

They are playing in Fenway park today.

The ones that I have caught the last few years have been pretty cool to watch. The Buffalo snow storm was great.

[BoylenOver]

Don't miss the Winter Classic today.

They are playing in Fenway park today.

The ones that I have caught the last few years have been pretty cool to watch. The Buffalo snow storm was great.

And both teams are playing well right now. It will be a great game, and apparently the conditions are perfect. It snowed a little yesterday during the Bruins skate-around.

I just hope Bettman doesn't blow it by oversaturating the concept, because it really is an awesome event.

[BoylenOver]

Bobby Orr and Bobby Clarke were at center ice for the ceremonial puck drop. Very cool.

[BoylenOver]

The surface looks great. I missed last year's Winter Classic, but the one in Buffalo, they were constantly resurfacing rough patches.

Good action so far. 0-0

[beefytee]

The surface looks great. I missed last year's Winter Classic, but the one in Buffalo, they were constantly resurfacing rough patches.

Good action so far. 0-0

I missed last years too.

This years wasn't very exciting until the end but it had an exciting ending.

[BoylenOver]

I missed last years too.

This years wasn't very exciting until the end but it had an exciting ending.

I was watching the LSU/Penn St game, so I missed the game-tying goal. I saw overtime, though. Good stuff.

I missed last year, too.

[beefytee]

I was watching the LSU/Penn St game, so I missed the game-tying goal. I saw overtime, though. Good stuff.

I missed last year, too.

I missed last year too, I was on my way back from China.

[beefytee]

It's not NHL, but the US won the Junior world championship tonight.

http://www.canada.com/sports/America...282/story.html

[BoylenOver]

A couple of big trades the last few days:

Leafs get Dion Phaneuf and J.S. Giguere; Flames get Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, and Ian White; and the Ducks get Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala. The Leafs are getting two former stars in Phaneuf (who hasn't displayed the mental side to make up for his immense physical talent) and Giguere (who was backing up Jonas Hiller), and killing their current team by trading away four forwards from a goal-starved squad (but opening up cap room).

Last night, the Flames finalized a deal that sends Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust to the Rangers in exchange for Ales Kotalik and Christopher Higgins.