Alright here are the Red Line's NHL Round 1 playoff predictions for the Western Conference:
Chris Matt Nick Ron Colin
SJ Sharks Vs Ducks SJ SJ SJ SJ SJ
Wings vs NY Blue Jackets Wings Wings Jackets Jackets Wings
Canucks vs Blues Blues Blues Canucks Blues Canucks
Blackhawks vs Flames Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks Hawks
Wow, I thought for sure Mats would sign with the Rangers. Here is the TSN article. I love this line: "I am truly excited to be joining the Canucks," said Sundin. Oh BS c'mon that's why you dragged this out for six months. If he really wanted to be a Canuck he would've signed the deal ages ago. Sundin is a crock, enjoy your stay in Vancouver as you cash your checks Mats.
Can't wait for his quotes from the press conference, oh that will probably take place in 09' when he decides to fly in from Sweden.
The NHL is introducing 4 new rule changes for the 2008-2009 season. I am not always in agreement with changes that are introduced by the league but I have to say that 3 of the 4 new tweaks should help the game. I think that #2 could be a good rule but it is very subjective and the refs will not enforce it properly.
Now next year, slim down the goalie equipment.
Alright people, I just don't think Mats Sundin is going to the Vancouver Canucks, i just don't see it happening. I know all the latest rumors suggest that he will sign with the Nucks but I just don't think so. I think based on the teams left with enough cap room, Mats is going to decide to re-sign with the Maple Leafs in the end. His agent is pushing him hard to go elsewhere, but I think Mats will return and end his career as a Leaf.
If Chris Pronger doesn't get at least 15 games for intent to injure Ryan Kessler I will be convinced that he has photos on Colie Campbell or his son Gregory Campbell. Maybe one of the Campbell's are client #8? Haha just kidding but Pronger has been getting away with murder for years and the league really needs to clamp down. If you watch the video you can clearly see Pronger look down and stomp Kessler's calf. This is clearly a case of intent to injure. Both players are very lucky that Ryan didn't suffer a major injury as the back side of players calves are not protected well by hockey shin guards. Its funny how the NHL treats the haves and the have nots differently. If a 3rd or 4th line player with Chris' rep did this they would be gone for at least 20 games. Here's a look at Pronger's most recent dirty plays and soft suspensions.
Compliments of TSN.ca: Pronger has been suspended seven times in his career, with the most recent ones handed down during the Stanley Cup playoffs last spring. He received a one-game suspension from the NHL last May for his hit on Detroit Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final, and was suspended for a game in June for hitting Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the head with his forearm during the third period of the Senators' 5-3 win in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final.
I can't wait to watch the greatest group of players to be inducted at once into the HHOF. Being in my mid 30's I've watched, cheered and jeered these guys for the better parts of 2 decades. They all have 2 very important things in common. Each one is a winner in every sense of the word and they are all ferocious competitors. Thanks for the memories Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and Al MacInnis, you guys represented what this league is all about and is lacking today. For those of you lucky enough to have the NHL Network they will be showing the induction ceremony live tonight.
Larry Brooks has a great article blasting the league for scheduling games tonight, for once Larry has a decent article, Hall of Shame.
How bad are the Rbk EDGE jerseys failing? They are such a failure that Reebok has offered alternative fabric jerseys to any players that request them (as per a Boston Herald Rbk EDGE article on Saturday). This is due to increasing NHLPA complaints that the new Rbk Edge uniforms are leaving players drenched in perspiration. The Canton company said it made the decision after soliciting feedback from players, teams and equipment managers. So much for two years of research Reebok spent developing and testing a new lighter and streamlined NHL uniform that they claimed would wick away moisture to keep players drier and create less drag to make them faster.
More from the Herald article: But some Boston Bruins and other players started complaining last month that the jerseys were collecting water that ran down their arms and legs, soaking their gloves and skates. Others complained that the new jerseys made it hard for them to grab onto opponents during fights.
“Many NHL players are satisfied with the current Rbk Edge jersey, but since the start of the season we have received player feedback about the jersey’s moisture management and durability,” Reebok said in a statement. “. . . Reebok will provide players with the option to wear a version with slight sizing and fabrication adjustments.”
Reebok has removed its Bead-Away technology in the alternative jerseys and added a new air-knit fabric. The jerseys still will have PlayDry moisture-wicking technology and a stretch mesh fabric for increased range of motion and ventilation, Reebok said.
Reebok plans no changes in the jerseys that it sells to the public, why of course not. They have to bleed consumers of all of their sunk R&D costs, thanks Reebok. Anyone looking to buy a new jersey BUYER BEWARE, I wouldn't buy the new Rbk EDGE as I'm sure they'll have a new style out next year so people have to buy the next latest and greatest "sweater".
For those of you who truly hate the new Reebok Edge Jersey's or want to save some dough, now is the time to pick up the "old" style jerseys before their sold out. Check out these great deals on NHL Jersey Deals.
Want to know all the specifications and the advantages (as per Rbk Marketing) of the new Reebok EDGE uniforms, check out this link: Facts about New NHL Jersey Reebok EDGE. Or those in the mood for humor check out this blog Why You Need to Buy a Reebok EDGE Jersey!
Check out my previous rant about the new Reebok Edge Jersey and Top Reasons to Boycott Reebok EDGE.
There are a lot of rumors floating around so I'll try and separate out facts from speculation:
Fact: The NHL Network has signed a carriage agreement with Directv, click here for the NHL Directv agreeement.
Fact: Directv has no capacity to add the NHL Network in SD, it will supposedly be adding it in 2008.
Fact: Directv is said to be launching the HD version of the NHL Network by the end of October.
Speculation: Heavy speculation is that the NHL Network will be added for Directv HD subscribers Weds Oct 24th. Hopefully when subscribers wake up and check their guide it will be appearing on channel 215.
For the full list of Directv HD channels that are currently available check out this blog: Directv Complete HD Lineup. For New York Rangers fans check out Matt's latest blog on the status of MSG HD.
If you've tuned to any of these channels and cannot receive them you might not have the proper equipment. You will need the following in order to receive the new HD channels: a 5 LNB Dish, and one of the following MPEG 4 boxes: a HR-20, HR-21, H-20 or H-21 model. Without this equipment you will not be able to receive the signal from the new bird.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, lots has been said about the new NHL uniforms. You may want to check out Matt's recent posts where he lists all the NHL rbk edge uniforms on one page. While everyone has their favourites, you can't help but notice the trendsetters and... of course, the absolute worst of them all.
To be honest, I've never been a big fan of any Dallas Stars hockey jerseys from the past. Over the years, they have never had a good, simple looking jersey. If you ask me, a hockey jersey should never have a large white/ gold/ green star across it... no matter what. And just when I thought they couldn't make it any worse, they released the new rbk edge style. Have a look for yourself:
While I don't mind the away jersey all that much, the home version just looks horrible. Who thought it was a good idea to make a completely dark jersey with only name of the city on there...? The only other team that was dumb enough to think of doing this were the Vancouver Canucks. Both their new home and away jersey has the name of the city written across the front of it. Is it just me, or does it look just awful? Maybe I'm missing something.......
Check out this video that shows the new Reebok EDGE NHL Jerseys for all teams both home and away. Please note how the Panthers and Oilers have the exact same jersey, shame on you Edmonton.
For those of you who truly hate the new Reebok Edge Jersey's or want to save some dough, now is the time to pick up the "old" style jerseys before their sold out. Check out these great deals on NHL Jersey Deals.
Want to know all the specifications and the advantages (as per Rbk Marketing) of the new Reebok EDGE uniforms, check out this link: Facts about New NHL Jersey Reebok EDGE. Or those in the mood for humor check out this blog Why You Need to Buy a Reebok EDGE Jersey!
Check out my previous rant about the new Reebok Edge Jersey and Top Reasons to Boycott Reebok EDGE.
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