2011-2012 NHL Thread

[hockeyfan1]

I mean, if you look at what Snow took over from, where his organization is now and the resources he's had to get there you can easily argue that Snow's done as good a job as Brian Burke.

I hate agreeing with Nik but I think I'm obliged to here.

I was one of the people who laughed at the fact that the islanders signed their backup goalie, a guy with apparently no managerial experience, to be their GM.  On the face of it, it is absurd.  But if you can get by the circumstances in which he came to be GM and look at his overall record and the relative difficulty of his situation, he has done a solid job. 

There is nothing presently to laugh at about the Islanders.  They have a solid core group of players on their roster -- Tavares, Mouson, Streit, Okposo, Montoya (goalkeeper), Comeau, and some up and comers such as Neiderietter,(who may or may not make the team this season).  While no one is expecting the Islanders to win the Stanley Cup so soon, many believe the team can issue an improvement of their on-ice record, and they should.  Of course, all hinges also on whether the Lighthouse project will get the voter's approval, with the day of ballotting ever nearer -- August 8, 2011.

If all goes according to plan, and the voter's of Long Island decide that they do indeed want the team to stay on the Island by approving the new arena project, then it will be the beginning of more good things to come for the New York Islanders hockey club, and for hockey in general, for the area.

Garth Snow, while not the greatest or brightest of GMs in the league, and owner Charles Wang, certainly not the best or most knowledgeable NHL owner, have and are doing to the best of their abilities the idea of improving the club, however it takes.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Top 25 right wingers:


From:  http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-s-top-;_ylt=AgHVM3ORQFUi_RtBqTx9FEB7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp9710




25. Jaromir Jagr ,Philadelphia Flyers:Boom or bust? Who knows, but it'll be fun to watch.

24.Martin Erat,  Nashville Predators: He scores in the 25-goal range for the Preds, which is like potting 40 anywhere else.


23.Brian Gionta, Montreal Canadiens]The Little Giant commands respect by leading by example, and is a worthy Habs captain.

22. Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs:Few are faster, and even fewer have his pure scoring

]21. Shane Doan, Phoenix CoyotesClassy veteran won't win many races for the puck, but he's more about the battle along the boards and the will to win.

]20. Teemu Selanne ,Anaheim DucksRetire? Are you crazy? With 80 points in 73 games last season, his points per game ranked eighth in the NHL

19. Nathan Horton, Boston BruinsPower forward with skill made good in his first playoff taste, scoring two overtime winners plus another Game 7 clincher en route to the Stanley Cup. Here's hoping he has recovered from that Game 3 hit.

18. Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings:There are more talented players on the Kings, but he leads the way with his physical play ? and he's got a decent set of hands, too.

17. Johan Franzen, Detroit Red Wings: The man they call The Mule had a five-goal game against Ottawa in early February, then scored just twice in his final 27 contests. Good news is, he saves his best for the playoffs

6. Chris Stewart, St. Louis Blues:]Scored 15 goals in 26 games after being traded to the Blues, this blossoming power forward is scratching the surface of his potential.

15. Loui Eriksson, Dallas Stars:Two-way Star will be in tough to flirt with 30 goals without Richards setting him up.

14. Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers: Like Eriksson, he's underrated and a great penalty-killer; unlike Eriksson, he has lots of help in Philly.

13. Alexander Semin, Washington Capitals:He either lights it up or is a lightning rod for fans' criticism

.12.Ales Hemsky ,Edmonton Oilers[A point-a-game player with a sublime skill set, but he's missed 95 contests over the past two seasons and all those injuries have to be taking a toll

]11.Dany Heatley, Minnesota Wild:Few possess his laser shot or scoring knack, but has the 30-year-old lost a step?

10.Martin Havlat, San Jose SharksTantalizing skill, and joins a contending team where he won't be the sole focus of opposing defenses.

9.Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers:Scored a career-high 34 goals, then was even better in the playoffs. The Flyers' offense will largely revolve around this anti-Broad Street Bully, 5-foot-10 dynamo.

8. Marian Hossa, Chicago BlackhawksThe 40-goal plateau is within reach if two-way 'Hawks star can play 75 games or so.

7. Martin St-Louis, Tampa Bay Lightning:Exhibit A of good things coming in small packages. His skill level is exceeded only by his desire; here's hoping he can defy Father Time for another season or three

6. Marian Gaborik, New York Rangers: If this Brad Richardsthing works out ? and if he can stay healthy ? there's no reason Gaborik can't challenge for the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal-scorer

5. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks:Speed to burn, sniper's shot and the bigger the game, the better he plays.

4. Rick Nash, Columbus Blue Jackets: Big-bodied scorer finally has an elite center in Jeff Carter Goalies, beware.

3. Ilya Kovalchuk, New Jersey Devils:Season 1 of that 15-year, $100 million deal didn't exactly unfold as planned, but there's too much talent here for that to happen twice. Right?

2. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames:The league's standard bearer for power forwards keeps on chugging, one 40-goal season at a time.

1. Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks: Fifty goals, an MVP award and a prickly physical presence.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Top 25 left wingers:


From:  http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-8217-;_ylt=At6DJ7zOj7jtAYCUZ3.Gpxl7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp9767




25. Sean Bergenheim, Florida Panthers: Let's see if he uses his playoff scoring binge as a springboard to bigger and better things. His new team certainly hopes so.

24.Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers: The Oil are getting better, and here's a big reason why.


23. Simon Gagne[, Los Angeles Kings: Not as dynamic as he used to be, but his elite scoring skills will be on display given the Kings' strength down the middle.
22.James Neal, Pittsburgh Penguins: Was a disappointment after joining the Pens in a mid-season trade last year ? one goal in 20 games ? but big shooter is poised for breakout if Sidney Crosbyand/or Evgeni Malkin can stay healthy.

21.Alex Tanguay, Calgary Flames: Found his stride playing with Jarome Iginla, and turned in his best offensive season since 2007.
20. Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers: A lot of NHLers turn up their noses at northern Alberta. Suffice to say, Smyth is not one of them.19. Evander Kane, Winnipeg Jets: Fans in Manitoba ? and opponents around the league ? will want to keep an eye on this burgeoning power forward.

18. Nikolai Kulemin, Toronto Maple Leafs: It's hard to fly under the radar when you're a Leaf, but Kulemin managed to score 30 goals last season without too many taking notice.

17. Brooks Laich, Washington Capitals:[/color] Gritty leader and core Cap is good for 20 goals and a consistent physical presence.

16.Erik Cole, Montreal Canadiens: Veteran is a gamer with speed and skill, as long as his body doesn't betray him. As always, the pressure will be on in Montreal.

15. James van Riemsdyk, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/phi/Philadelphia Flyers:
Part of the reason the Flyers traded away [/color]Mike Richards
and [/color]Jeff Carter] was the growth of this young behemoth.
14.Ville Leino, Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres made a six-year, $27 million bet that he's more than a 19-goal scorer. We'll see how he fares in his first real chance as a go-to guy.

13. Alex Burrows, Vancouver Canucks: He agitates, he scores, then he agitates some more. He was one of the Canucks' clutch performers last spring.

12. Andrew Ladd,Winnipeg Jets: As captain, he's the first face of the franchise and his physical style should quickly endear him to the locals.
11.Scott Hartnell, Philadelphia Flyers: Classic Broad Street winger plays it big and burly; he'd be top five on this list if he had more finish.

10. Patrik Elias, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/njd/New Jersey Devils: He's not the offensive threat he was a decade ago, but 30 goals and 70 points aren't out of the question.

9.Michael Cammalleri, Montreal Canadiens: The Habs' best scorer plays with heart and collects goals in bunches.
8. Thomas Vanek, Buffalo Sabres: A pure sniper who needs someone to get him the puck. The Sabres' offseason spending spree will help, even if the talent upgrades didn't include a playmaking center.

7. Brenden Morrow, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/dal/Dallas Stars: Team captain bounced back with 33 goals, and he'll get all the ice time he can handle as franchise rebuilds.

6. Milan Lucic, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/bos/Boston Bruins: Power forward enjoyed a breakout regular season with 30 goals, then celebrated with a Summer of Cup.

5. Bobby Ryan, http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/ana/Anaheim Ducks: Bruising style and soft hands, and he's only 24. We're finding out why he was drafted second overall behind Crosby in 2005.

4. Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils: A knee injury at the end of October derailed his ? and the Devils' ? season.
3. Patrick Marleau, San Jose Sharks:Too soft? How about, too talented? Sharks shooter is aiming for 30-plus goals for sixth time in seven years.

2. Daniel Sedin, Vancouver Canucks: After Stanley Cup disappointment, the league's defending scoring champion will be motivated to light it up again.

1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals: Thirty-two goals for Mr. 50? Look for the NHL's post-lockout goal-scoring king to rebound after an off-year.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Top 25 defencemen:


From: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-8217-;_ylt=AvX.wehca3LId5lmspnBhlB7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp9802




25.Victor Hedman, Tampa Bay Lightning: Boston has Chara, Buffalo has Myers?and the Bolts, they hope, have Hedman.

24.Anton Volchenkov, New Jersey Devils: Throwback defenseman might never score a goal, but he has few equals in clearing the crease, banging bodies and blocking shots.

23.Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins: Smooth operator elevated his game last season.

22. Alex Edler, Vancouver Canucks: Strong skater delivers big-time bodychecks and slapshot blasts

21.Christian Ehrhoff[, Buffalo Sabres: Sharks castoff turned Canucks star turned Sabres savior. At least that's the $40-million belief in Buffalo.
20. Marc Staal, NY Rangers: Physical rearguard is blending in some offense to his no-nonsense game.

19.Dustin Byfuglien, Winnipeg Jets: Converted forward was a force in the first half of last season thanks to big body and booming shot.

18.Mike Green, Washington Capitals: Caps hope he can come back from concussion issues and reclaim his place among the league's preeminent offensive defensemen.

17.Dan Boyle[, San Jose Sharks: Veteran sparkplug is a leader with mobility and puck smarts.

16. Dan Hamhuis, Vancouver Canucks: It's no coincidence that Vancouver's fortunes took a turn for the worse after they lost Hamhuis in the Cup final.
15.Dion Phaneuf,Toronto Maple Leafs: Boom-or-bust performer hit his stride in the second half last season; his signature strengths are big hits and lethal slapshots.

14. Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators: All-around talent joins Weber on one of the NHL's very best pairings

13.Brent Seabrook, Chicago Blackhawks: Rough and tumble ? and talented, too ? he's the other half of Chicago's top tandem.

12. Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens: A great defenseman who comes with an injury proviso. He can do everything but stay healthy, having missed 112 games over the past two seasons mostly due to knee injuries.
11.Chris Pronger, Philadelphia Flyers: A warhorse, his credentials speak for themselves. The only question is how his soon-to-be 37-year-old back reacts after surgery.

10. Erik Johnson, Colorado Avalanche: No. 1 overall pick in 2006 is highly motivated to show the Blues shouldn't have given up on him.

9. Tyler Myers, Buffalo Sabres: Boston has Chara, Buffalo has Myers.

8. Alex Pietrangelo,St. Louis Blues: After 11 goals and 43 points in his first full NHL campaign, get ready to hear a lot more about this 21-year-old.

7. Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks: Hit a few roadblocks in Minnesota over the years, but 17 goals last season speaks to new Shark's scary upside.

6. Keith Yandle, Phoenix Coyotes: Maybe the best-kept secret in the league, but we're starting to clue in to this mobile defender's all-around game.

5. Drew Doughty,Los Angeles Kings: If Lidstrom ever slows down, Doughty is poised to take over as the game's next great blue line.

4. Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit Red Wings: At 41, he's still the gold standard for defensmen. Needs one more Norris Trophy to tie the immortal Bobby Orr with eight.

3. Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks: Great wheels, great vision, great passer, and loves to play it physical despite usually giving up a few pounds.

2. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators: He's like a mini-Chara. Except he skates better and he's not mini.

1. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins: Literally looms larger than anyone else in the league, and is the most intimidating presence in the game today ? just ask any opposing forward.

 

[maplesyrup]

I mean, if you look at what Snow took over from, where his organization is now and the resources he's had to get there you can easily argue that Snow's done as good a job as Brian Burke.

I hate agreeing with Nik but I think I'm obliged to here.

I was one of the people who laughed at the fact that the islanders signed their backup goalie, a guy with apparently no managerial experience, to be their GM.  On the face of it, it is absurd.  But if you can get by the circumstances in which he came to be GM and look at his overall record and the relative difficulty of his situation, he has done a solid job.

Don't get me wrong. I agree. Like I said, he's done nothing really stupid and given the circumstances, he's done okay. While I clearly think Lou got the best of him in the Rolston trade, it isn't really a deal I'd fuss over too much given the cap implications. I just might have taken a look at player like Wolski over Rolston or signed a FA or two, that's all.

Edit: I did just hear on the radio that Snow got a conditional pick in the deal (I have no idea what it is) but it might even the deal out more smoothly in my mind. 

 

[Kin]

Don't get me wrong. I agree. Like I said, he's done nothing really stupid and given the circumstances, he's done okay. While I clearly think Lou got the best of him in the Rolston trade, it isn't really a deal I'd fuss over too much given the cap implications. I just might have taken a look at player like Wolski over Rolston or signed a FA or two, that's all.

Wojtek Wolski and hypothetical free agents are all well and good but the reality of the situation is that Snow very well may have to do that in addition to the Rolston trade in order to get to the cap floor. That's even assuming they're available.

And, again, this is with you assigning an absurd value to a 31 year old player who can't stay healthy, doesn't PK or score much. Rolston does have valuable experience and leadership to lend a young club, something that Hunter, Wolski and Free Agent B don't even if you continue to want to ignore any and all statistical comparisons of the two players.

 

[maplesyrup]

Don't get me wrong. I agree. Like I said, he's done nothing really stupid and given the circumstances, he's done okay. While I clearly think Lou got the best of him in the Rolston trade, it isn't really a deal I'd fuss over too much given the cap implications. I just might have taken a look at player like Wolski over Rolston or signed a FA or two, that's all.

Wojtek Wolski and hypothetical free agents are all well and good but the reality of the situation is that Snow very well may have to do that in addition to the Rolston trade in order to get to the cap floor. That's even assuming they're available.

And, again, this is with you assigning an absurd value to a 31 year old player who can't stay healthy, doesn't PK or score much. Rolston does have valuable experience and leadership to lend a young club, something that Hunter, Wolski and Free Agent B don't even if you continue to want to ignore any and all statistical comparisons of the two players.

Wow! You're certainly on some kind of misguided mission to prove I'm ignoring the stats, aren't you? Not sure why but hey, what ever floats your boat I suppose. Anyway, I'm operating under the assumption Hunter will be healthy and I think the stats show that when both players are, there is probably (like I said) a 8/9 point difference between the two. Is that worth 3 mil more on the cap hit? In Snow's situation? Sure. Most other places? Probably not.

 

[dappleganger]

Top 25 left wingers:


From:  http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-8217-;_ylt=At6DJ7zOj7jtAYCUZ3.Gpxl7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp9767

Kulemin going into this season is better than Laich, Erik Cole, JVR, Leino, Ladd, Hartnell and Cammaleri. No love for Kuley.

His defensive play is what sets him apart from those guys, but to say Cole and Hartnell are better than Kulemin is laughable. 

 

[Kin]

Wow! You're certainly on some kind of misguided mission to prove I'm ignoring the stats, aren't you? Not sure why

Largely because you are. Or were anyway. A little while ago it was that Hunter was a good bottom six player while Rolston probably shouldn't be in the league. But Rolston is the guy who outscores Hunter and is used on the PK.

Debating whether Rolston is three million dollars better than Hunter isn't something anyone here is doing other than you now. Nobody thinks Rolston is appropriately paid for what he's providing. That doesn't change that by any measurable yardstick Rolston is the superior of the two players these days.

Anyway, I'm operating under the assumption Hunter will be healthy and I think the stats show that when both players are, there is probably (like I said) a 8/9 point difference between the two. Is that worth 3 mil more on the cap hit? In Snow's situation? Sure. Most other places? Probably not.

But being as Snow is in Snow's situation the trade needs to be judged as such. He got the better player and a player who helps him hit the cap floor.

Is 8/9 points worth three million dollars? Maybe not. But that's not the issue in this deal. Rolston isn't just 8-9 points better than Hunter, he's also more versatile and brings leadership and experience. Is that worth three million? Again, it's immaterial to the conversation. The issue from the Islanders point of view is that Rolston is probably a good guy to be on the Islanders and his inflated salary is an asset.

If the Leafs were under the cap floor and had no intention of touching the maximum then what they paid players on a one year deal would be irrelevant to me.

 

[hockeyfan1]

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Aq887ktOej.TiW.sydJLGOEJfwM6?slug=capress-hkn_nassau_coliseum_development-7642605

As per the New York Islanders situation concerning the referendum vote for the Lighthouse project....


UNIONDALE, N.Y. - Residents who pay some of the highest property taxes in America are being asked to approve a plan to borrow US$400 million to construct a new hockey arena and minor league ballpark.

The midsummer referendum in New York's Nassau County, which is already struggling to close a $100 million-plus 2011 budget deficit, is billed by supporters as a last-ditch effort to keep the NHL's New York Islanders from relocating when the team's lease expires in 2015.

County officials envision a new hockey arena, a minor-league baseball park, as well as a possible track and field facility. Decisions about developing the rest of the site, one of the most valuable remaining parcels in the densely populated suburb, will be made later, county officials say.

Nassau residents last year paid an average property tax bill of $11,500, nearly the highest in the country. The county portion of that tab is 16.4 per cent. The rest goes to finance schools, although the county has no say over school district spending, which is decided in each local municipality.

Those tax bills are sure to be on the minds of voters Monday.

The proposal has won support from a wide spectrum of business groups, tourism officials and union leaders, who argue it will spur economic growth and create construction jobs in a weak economy.

County Executive Edward Mangano, a Republican, staunchly opposes property tax increases but insists the project would generate income to overcome any initial taxpayer investment. He says a management company created by Wang would be required to pay 11.5 per cent of revenues generated from all events, including hockey games, with a guaranteed annual minimum of $14 million. He also said the county would reap sales tax revenue.

The Islanders are financing a high-profile ad campaign encouraging a yes vote. A television commercial features actor Kevin Connolly of HBO's "Entourage," model Carol Alt, former Islanders star Bobby Nystrom and former NFL quarterback and broadcaster Boomer Esiason, all urging voters to approve the referendum. James Dolan, who owns Madison Square Garden, the rival New York Rangers and Cablevision, also appears in the ad favouring the project.

Even if voters approve the proposal, there are still major hurdles. The county legislature must sign off on the borrowing, as does a state fiscal watchdog, which earlier this year declared a fiscal emergency in Nassau, citing a soaring county budget deficit.

The six-member Nassau Interim Finance Authority is not taking a formal position on the coliseum deal until after the vote, but members said earlier this month that borrowing $400 million would actually cost the county $800 million over 30 years when interest payments are included. It estimated county residents would face a nearly 4 per cent property tax increase, or about $58 a year, over 30 years to fund the project.

"We will be watching closely to see if the residents of Nassau County, the highest-taxed county in the nation, have an appetite for a property tax increase," authority member Leonard Steinman said at a meeting earlier this month.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Top 25 centres:

From:  http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-8217-;_ylt=AiFJTueaXgF4.Em96h.mZiMJfwM6?urn=nhl-wp9636


25. John Tavares, New York Islanders: No man is an Island, but this young goal-scorer is as close as it gets.

24. Dave Bolland, Chicago Blackhawks: Just ask the Sedin twins about the effectiveness of this two-way 'Hawk.

23. Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens: Known for his sweet playmaking and even sweeter turtleneck sweater.

22. Matt Duchene, Avalanche: He might not be the next Joe Sakic, but close enough.

21. David Backes, St. Louis Blues: Known for his devastating hits, the big Blue is coming off a career season (31 goals, plus-32 rating).

20. Jordan Staal, Pittsburgh Penguins: A two-way force and he's only 22. He's really a No. 2 center, but on the Pens he's a checking demon who can score 25 goals.

19. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings: Teams up with Mike Richards to give the Kings one of the league's best 1-2 punches down the middle.

18. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins: A key contributor to Boston's Cup win, he's overcome the concussion problems that once threatened to derail his career to develop into a complete player. Can play, and excel, in any situation.

17. Mikko Koivu, Minnesota Wild: Big, powerful pivot will benefit from additions of wingers Dany Heatley and Devin Setoguchi.

16. Jeff Carter, Columbus Blue Jackets: Like Richards, he was shocked and unhappy to learn he'd been traded by the Flyers. But at least he lands on a line with Rick Nash.

15. Nicklas Backstrom,, Washington Capitals: His numbers dipped significantly last season, but that's what happens when Alex Ovechkin scores a mere mortal 32 goals.

14. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings: Underrated two-way player who delivers in crunch time.

13. Brad Richards, New York Rangers: No pressure, Brad. It's just New York City and a $60 million contract.

12. Mike Richards, Los Angeles Kings: The ex-Flyers captain shouldn't lack for motivation. Look for a big year on the West Coast.

11. Vincent Lecavalier, Tampa Bay Lightning: Slowed by wrist injuries the past couple years, the Bolts captain is too talented to be a minus player who struggles to score 70 points.

10. Ryan Kesler, Vancouver Canucks: Forty-one goals and one of the game's best defensive players, plus toughness and leadership. That's pretty much the complete package.

9. Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks: Don't expect another scoring title or MVP award, but that's an acceptable tradeoff for improved playoff performances. The window of opportunity to win a Cup is closing, but it hasn't shut yet.

8. Eric Stall, Carolina Hurricanes: Great skater, great shooter, great size.

7. Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks: Prototypical No. 1 center is big, talented and tough. The perfect pivot for Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan on the league's No. 1 line.

6. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins: Combination of size and skill allows Pittsburgh's "other" franchise player to take over games. The prognosis on his February knee injury is encouraging.

5. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning: When he's on, he joins Crosby, Ovechkin and Co. in the conversation as the game's best player. The kid just needs to be more consistent, more of a factor in every game, to reach the highest level.

4. Henrik Sedin, Vancouver Canucks: He's the playmaking twin, not the goal-scoring twin.

3. Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks: Heart and soul of the 'Hawks is a big-stage star who leads by example.

2. Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings: You know, he just might be the best all-around player in the game today.

1. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: Yes, we're making the big assumption that the face of the NHL will be fully recovered from the concussion issues that caused him to miss the second half of last season. Why? Because the alternative is too awful to acknowledge.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Top 25 goaltenders:

From:  http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Looking-ahead-to-2011-12-Ranking-the-NHL-8217-;_ylt=AipJ03kAI1Qoyc.CIFkyC24JfwM6?urn=nhl-wp9870


25. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators: He's had world-beating stretches and is used to seeing a lot of shots, which bodes well for the Sens.

24. Steve Mason, Columbus Blue Jackets: At his best, he's one of the best. His challenge is to consistently play at that high level.

23. Nikolai Khabibulin, Edmonton Oilers: Age and injuries are the big cracks in the Bulin Wall.

22. Ondrej Pavelec, Winnipeg Jets: He's improved every season, and could be much higher on this list next year.

21. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings: Steady, reliable stopper with flashes of brilliance.

20. Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars: Finally managed to play a whole season, and enjoyed a career year as a result.

19. Dwayne Roloson, Tampa Bay Lightning: He turns 42 in October, but the Bolts believe he has at least one more good year left in him.

18. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks: It's not often that a rookie takes over starting duties for the defending Cup champions, but Crawford performed admirably and nearly rallied the 'Hawks past the Canucks in the first round of the playoffs.

17. Jaroslav Halak, St. Louis Blues: The Blues are getting better, and Halak is a big part of the equation.

16. Jonas Hiller,  Anaheim Ducks: A bout with vertigo torpedoed his season. Here's hoping the dizzy spells are over.

15. Niklas Backstrom, Minnesota Wild: Minny hasn't had much success in recent years, but goaltending isn't the problem.

14. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings: A statistical star the past couple of seasons, the aptly named netminder needs to follow through in the playoffs, too.

13. Tomas Vokoun, Washington Capitals: Veteran stopper gets his first crack at starting for a bona fide contender after signing one-year bargain deal ($1.5 million) with the Caps.

12. Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks: Started slowly, but was dominant during the Sharks' red-hot second half and playoff run to the Western Conference final.

11. Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils: The all-time gold standard for goaltending, but age is finally becoming a factor. Injuries have sidelined him for big chunks of two of the past three seasons, including last year when he posted his first-ever losing record (23-26-3).

10. Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames: The eternal Flame has started between 71 and 76 games the past six seasons and averaged 40 wins.

9. Ilya Bryzgalov, Philadelphia Flyers: The Bullies' best goalie since Ron Hextall? He better be ? because Toto, you're not in Phoenix anymore.

8. Cam Ward, Carolina Hurricanes: Firmly entrenched in the NHL's fraternity of elite netminders.

7. Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins: Something of a slow starter and sometimes inconsistent, but when he's on his game there's nobody better.

6. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks: Rocky performance in Cup final stings, but he's still a Grade-A goalie on a Grade-A team.

5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens: Superlative breakout season turned all those boos into cheers.

4. Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres: An improved defense corps in front of the Sabres MVP is bad news for goal-scorers everywhere.

3. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers: Give Captain Shutout a goal, and he gives you a victory.

2. Pekka Rinne , Nashville Predators: Yes, he benefits greatly from the Preds' defensive shell game. Just like the Preds benefit greatly from his stellar netminding.

1. Tim Thomas, Boston Bruins: In the span of a couple weeks, he won the Vezina Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and Stanley Cup. Who else did you think would be no. 1?

 

[princedpw]

Anyone care to post some real player rankings as opposed to rankings that put Lucic as the 6th best left winger in the league?

 

[hockeyfan1]

$400M proposed redevelopment of Nassau Coliseum....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Future-of-the-Islanders-hangs




According to the plan Mangano and Wang presented in May, the $400-million being asked from taxpayers will be paid back trough revenue-sharing over a 30-year lease. According to an independent economic developer, $1.2-billion will be generated in gross revenue over the term. There will be $350-million of that going towards construction costs and $433-million to paying off debt, which leaves $403-million going back to taxpayers. Approximately, 1.5-percent of every dollar generated will go back to residents of Nassau County.

The cost of doing nothing and losing the Islanders and Nassau Coliseum? $16 per household per year, with $243 million and 2,660 jobs projected to disappear from the Nassau County economy should the team move and the arena be shuttered.

 

[Madferret]

Yeah those "lists" are pretty dodgy. No Jesse Winchester?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

$400M proposed redevelopment of Nassau Coliseum....

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Future-of-the-Islanders-hangs




According to the plan Mangano and Wang presented in May, the $400-million being asked from taxpayers will be paid back trough revenue-sharing over a 30-year lease. According to an independent economic developer, $1.2-billion will be generated in gross revenue over the term. There will be $350-million of that going towards construction costs and $433-million to paying off debt, which leaves $403-million going back to taxpayers. Approximately, 1.5-percent of every dollar generated will go back to residents of Nassau County.

The cost of doing nothing and losing the Islanders and Nassau Coliseum? $16 per household per year, with $243 million and 2,660 jobs projected to disappear from the Nassau County economy should the team move and the arena be shuttered.

Voters in one suburban New York community already paying some of the highest property taxes in the country will decide whether to back a $400-million referendum for a new hockey arena and ballpark.

Nassau County officials supporting the effort say the August vote is needed to give officials enough time to build a replacement for the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum before the New York Islanders' lease expires in 2015. Without a new building, the hockey team's owner, Charges Wang, has said he may have to move off Long Island.

...

Turnout was reported to be extremely low by early afternoon Monday. Elections Commissioner William Biamonte said the turnout was only about 5 percent of all registered voters.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/early-turnout-abysmally-low-for-islanders-arena-vote/article2116171/

 

[bustaheims]

Turnout was reported to be extremely low by early afternoon Monday. Elections Commissioner William Biamonte said the turnout was only about 5 percent of all registered voters.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/early-turnout-abysmally-low-for-islanders-arena-vote/article2116171/

Even if the vote ends up in their favour (and, reports on that end aren't particularly favourable so far), such a low voter turn-out isn't going to help them get past the other hurdles in the way of getting this thing approved. The Islanders may be the next franchise on the move.

 

[Kin]

Even if the vote ends up in their favour (and, reports on that end aren't particularly favourable so far), such a low voter turn-out isn't going to help them get past the other hurdles in the way of getting this thing approved. The Islanders may be the next franchise on the move.

Although if they are I'd bet on them not moving very far. I think they'd be a natural fit to move to Brooklyn to share the arena with the Nets. Prokhorov may very well be a hockey fan.

 

[seahawk]

Not looking good for the Islanders proposal. With just over 54% of polls counted, the proposal has 57.7% voting against it.

http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/BOE/results.html

 

[bustaheims]

Although if they are I'd bet on them not moving very far. I think they'd be a natural fit to move to Brooklyn to share the arena with the Nets. Prokhorov may very well be a hockey fan.

THat was my first thought, but I read somewhere about changes in the plan for that arena and cost cutting measures and such that lead to it no longer being able to accommodate an NHL arena. Not sure how accurate that is, but, if it's true, Brooklyn would be out of the picture. I'd say odds are that the Islanders become the team to finally fill that arena in Kansas City.