The Leafs have not been the same since four time Cup winner Bobby Baun was traded following their last victory. Now there was a player – hard but clean hitting, a master at stopping shots with his face, and not one to let little things like a broken ankle slow him down. He let the offence get on with the job of scoring goals.
I’ve met Bob a number of times, and he’s a fine fellow. Lots of great stories about those old days with the Leafs, both on the ice and off–and when he gets going on the latter, you get a fascinating look at the problems players had with contracts, with management, and so on. If you’d like to know more about him, you might look for his autobiography, Lowering the Boom. (His nickname, as you may know, was “Boomer,” hence the title.) I’m not sure if it’s still in print, but it should still be available somewhere.
To answer one question of the OP’s–my teams are the Leafs and whoever is playing Montreal. This made things very difficult when I was living in Edmonton, the city that eats, breathes, sleeps, watches, and incessantly discusses the Oilers, no matter the season.
Make that 5 of 6. The Rangers uniform has always struck me as a shield that a 4 year old would come up in his first attempt at designing something “powerful” looking.
My favorite jersey is still the Habs’.
Ditto on the Habs jersey. Especially since Les Boys won again tonight against Florida. I’m very much liking Halak’s performance as goalie.
What websites or news sites do you use for following the NHL? Obviously, nhl.com but there have got to be some good websites out there. ESPN doesn’t know there are teams outside of NY, NJ, and MA.
I feel that fighting is an integral part of the game, and I disagree with those who say it should only take place spur of the moment. Hockey, in my opinion, relies heavily on momentum and fighting is just another way to try and get the pendulum to swing in your favor. A team scores a couple of quick ones on ya and what do you do? Send out the fighter to spark a fire in your team. It is a way to inspire your players and show the other team that you aren’t just going to sit back and get whupped. Also, in hockey you need to know that your teammates are willing to throw down the gauntlet and back up your play; players without someone willing to go toe to toe on their side start to feel vulnerable, play back on their heels, and think twice before going into corners. Fighting is an equalizer if someone is taking liberties with your team, and very few things promote camaraderie like a good fight. It works towards keeping everyone honest. Sometimes fights are happening in response to things that occurred in past games - hockey players don’t forget.
Of course, some of the other factors already mentioned come into play as well. Young guns looking to take on an established name, players putting in work to earn their spot on a roster, proving you are a part of the team, marquee fights - I’m a fan of all these situations.
dalej42, what are your thoughts on the 'Yotes thus far?
I am VERY happy with the Coyotes this year so far. This team is a complete 180 from last year. They’re playing agressive and they’re fun to watch. Jokinen has been great. Shane Doan has been a bit lifeless the past couple of games, but I’m sure he will come around as well. The two goal game against Pittsburgh was nice and I think that has been our most impressive game so far this year.
The main weakness so far has been goaltending. Ilya Bryzgalov is an average goaltender, but Mikael Tellqvist hasn’t shown much in the backup role this year. Still, the Yotes will score enough that they won’t be on the end of too many shutouts this year.
Look on the right side for other teams blogs
The most active general message board I am aware of.
This may also be the most immature message board I have ever seen. You begin to wonder about the Canadian school system after reading this one. This board is full of hockey memes but honestly you can act like a tool if you want to, moderation is a bit slim.
It stands without reason that you should root for the Detroit Red Wings, but this new hockey is taking me some time to get back into. It’s not the old game that I knew and loved. It may take time to get completely back in, though.
I think you meant, it stands without reason that you should root for the Phoenix Coyotes.
Still feel that way after today’s game? The game was incredibly impressive, and it exemplified where I think the Coyotes have been improving the most - team identity/cohesion/strength. Recently, we have been floundering around and looking to role players to give us character rather then forging our own. Go behind by 2 goals early against a great team like the Sharks and then turn around and win? That doesn’t happen without the players believing they are a team. You could see it starting to happen towards the end of last year, and especially before the season started this year. I went and watched a few of the pre-season ice sessions and you could see them coming together. In one of the the prospect games against the Kings, some fool was getting chippy and a Yote who isn’t really a fighter immediately stepped in and got in a donnybrook. That is the stuff that we’ve been missing in the past (aside from a couple of the core dudes). And guess what happens today? After a Sharks goal one of the Yotes came off the bench and got into a lil’ tussle. Nothing big, but he helped keep his teammates in the game for a little while longer 'till they got going. This conveniently backs up my earlier post in this thread. 
I feel that Bryzgalov is above average (along with stints of awesome) with loads of talent, but he ain’t shining as he should right now. I feel he suffers from some of the same problems that the Coyotes have long been plagued by - sometimes it looks like he flat out doesn’t want to be there. You saw it today, he looked like he didn’t want to put in work after getting (acceptably) beat twice rather rapidly; but he had it on lock after the guys in front of him stepped up. That’s actually pretty common for goalies, a lot of them are pretty damned quirky and temperamental and he’s no exception. He just needs to let that manifest as a passion for competition. Be on the lookout for Montoya. I like what I saw during some of the practices and I think he just may have that edge I believe all great goalies must have (I got a kick out of him while watching the practice). He looks like he may be a scrapper too, which may play out as he and Tellqvist battle; especially if Bryzgalov thinks he can just coast.
Off topic - are you the cat that just moved here from Texas? If so, at least you’re not a Stars fan. The best thing about the Wings, in my opinion, is that every time they take the Cup, the Stars don’t get to.
You’d have to be without reason to root for the modern-day Wings. Though since you’re reppin the D, I guess I can let it pass. 
It took me a while to get back into hockey (along with quite a few others) after the lockout, if you allow yourself to be pulled in then you will be. Especially with the talent you got (and keep friggin’ getting) out there.
I knew what jersey it was before I even clicked on it.
Hockey doesn’t belong in Phoenix, Arizona. Case closed.
Brandon: Being a Wings fan before the cap era was a lot like being a Yankees fan. I freely admit it and when I did realize it, I was off the bandwagon (just in time for all the other bandwagon folks and puck bunnies to hop on).
I’m still biding my time to get back on.
The amount of talent our scouts keep digging up from all over the world is abnormal. Even the talent we let go, like Mike Knuble, Aaron Ward, Sergei Fedorov et al.
Last night Coyotes game was amazing. I really hope that Bryzgalov, playing on a team which will be in the thick of things, will dial it up and stay sharp throughout the season. I’d be very happy if Mikael Tellqvist can step it up or someone can challenge him. Western teams end up with some brutal road trips and I think a strong backup goalie is very important.
I’ve heard an awful lot of hate towards Ed Jovanovski. Yes, he’s slowed down some, but you’re not going to pull a good defenseman out of your ass.
Yes, I moved here from Texas recently. Never was a Stars fan. I followed the Blue Jackets as well as the Coyotes, Ducks, and Kings.
Well, it’s good to see a new fan, but sheesh. You’re a fan of hockey in all the places where hockey shouldn’t be.
Coyotes look pathetic tonight. Nice to get them in HD, but they’re making Minnesota look like a Stanley Cup champ. Bryzgalov looks like someone dragged him in from happy hour.
Naturally last night’s win was not televised!
I was at the Senators game tonight. (NYI 3 - Ott - 1) I’m happy to report that they genuinely suck this year. There was zero effort by any of the “franchise” players, save maybe Alfreddson. Heatly and Spezza turned in a pathetic effort. Something’s gotta give. Trade Spezza to wherever for a youngster, a veteran and a draft pick. And get a number one goalie for God’s sake.
Just finished watching the Sharks trample Calgary 6-1 behind our backup goalie, Brian Boucher. The Sharks are on a roll and always entertaining, but I’m still having trouble explaining to new hockey fans exactly what icing is. I “get it” and I can recite the rules, but somehow my visiting sister-in-law didn’t really “get it.” My wife took a long while to finally “get it,” but I was finally able to show enough examples this year to make it clear.
It’s not that complicated, what am I doing wrong?
See, before the cap, we’d get Spezza for a decent youngster and a bag of pucks (used, natch).
Now he’ll just play for us for far below market value when he’s up for free agency.