It's Hockey Season!!

“Anyhoo, supposedly this kid is better than Lindros

Geobeet
11:52:46 AM
7/22/05

I'm better than Lindros and tougher too!!”

“I would not doubt that for a minute. And if you were not, you'd still be able to catch him with his head down.”

“Dear George,

This is a letter I had hoped to be able to send you several months ago. I am certain it is one you had hoped to be able to read long before today, and I will never be able to express adequately my appreciation – along with that of the entire National Hockey League – for the patience you have shown through the most difficult period in our history.

While it may be said that the greatness of hockey, and the NHL, is best measured by the character and tenaciousness of its players, I would add that the greatness of our game is also reflected by the character and tenaciousness of you, our devoted fans. I thank you all for that passionate support and I apologize to all of you, on behalf of everyone involved, for testing that support as severely as we did.

The negotiation of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement was an extremely complex undertaking and it took a painfully long time to complete. I promise you it did not take one second longer than absolutely necessary; and while it required a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice by a lot of people – including you – the result is that a great game will be even better upon our return.

As we move forward now in partnership with our players, we move equally, to a new era of exceptional entertainment, in partnership with you. We will come back with new rules, with a new spirit of cooperation and with a renewed sense of excitement as the best athletes in the world display their skills for the best fans in the world and strive to win the best trophy in the world, the Stanley Cup.

Over the past year, there has been entirely too much talk about the business of hockey and entirely too little talk about the joys of hockey. At last, it’s time, once again, to have fun – the kind of fun only hockey can offer. I cannot wait to get back to the rink and I very much look forward to seeing you there.

Let’s get ready to drop the puck!


Sincerely,

((signed by Gary B. Bettman))”

“The Penguins won the NHL Draft Lottery Friday in New York, and Patrick and team president Ken Sawyer made it clear that they plan to take mega prospect Sidney Crosby – a kid who could shape the face of the franchise for years to come”

“Well congratulations.

#&%!@(^@# all to @#*&!!!!!!!!”

“OK, and I won't post the new pic of Mark on the Penguin's website!”

“As if that weren't enough, the Flutters will pick 20th.

By that time all that will be left will be members of the Ice Capades!

Haroomph! Sour Grapes! Ratzenfras!”

“Okay, so the Phillies suck, TO sucks, the Sixers suck, but the Flutters should get one decent season in when the Phantoms kids put on the big jerseys before whatzisname Crosby (not Bing) gets settled with the Pittsburglars!”

“He has already skated with Mario.

“He’s an unbelievable player,” said no less an authority than Lemieux, who has skated with Crosby and marvels at his overall ability. “He’s a great passer. He has great skills. And he’s been dealing with pressure his entire career
last edited: 7/22/05 10:29:19 PM”

“Yeah Yeah. Maybe he'll turn out like Lindros and skate with his head down.”

“While playing for Rimouski, Crosby has 120 goals and 183 assists in 121 games in the league. Head no go down!”

“Did Crosby help Team Canada win the Gold in the World Junior competition? I'm Canadian....and I don't remember. :o(”

“If this kid is the NEXT Lemieux, hopefully he won't whine as much as the last one.

Go Wings!

PS: Geo, a GREAT team can find those overlooked Ice Capades members and turn them into champs.”

“NHL ENACTS RULES CHANGES,
CREATES COMPETITION COMMITTEE
NEW YORK (July 22, 2005) - The National Hockey League's Board of Governors today approved a series of rule changes that will emphasize entertainment, skill and competition on the ice. Commissioner Gary Bettman, who presented the package to the Board, also formally announced the creation of a new Competition Committee which was responsible for formulating and recommending the proposed slate of rules changes for approval by the NHL Board of Governors.

One primary objective of the new rules will be to reduce the scope of defensive "tools" a team may effectively employ, and to create a corresponding benefit to the offensive part of the game -- thus allowing skill players to use their skills and increasing the number and quality of scoring chances in the game.

The Competition Committee is currently comprised of four NHL players, four General Managers and one owner and is supervised by Colin Campbell, NHL Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations. The players are Rob Blake of Colorado, Jarome Iginla of Calgary, Trevor Linden of Vancouver and Brendan Shanahan of Detroit. The General Managers are Bob Gainey of Montreal, Kevin Lowe of Edmonton, David Poile of Nashville and Don Waddell of Atlanta. The owner is Ed Snider of Philadelphia. NHL Players' Association Director of Business Operations, Mike Gartner, also will provide input to the Committee.

"Over the past 18 months, we have spoken with hockey players, managers, coaches, executives and fans who have expressed their opinions on rule changes that will make a great game even better. We have listened, analyzed and debated," Colin Campbell said. "While all of the constituent groups will never reach complete agreement on what the changes should be, we felt it was our obligation to recommend a slate of changes that will succeed in doing one thing: entertaining our fans -- both those in the arena and those watching on television.

"I am confident these changes will meet that objective and the Competition Committee will continue to ensure a commitment to achieving this in future seasons."

The following rules changes will take effect for the 2005-06 NHL season:

DIMENSIONS OF THE RINK


The neutral-zone edges of the blue lines will be positioned 64 feet from the attacking goal line and 75 feet from the end boards in the attacking zone. The addition of four feet in each of the offensive zones should encourage more offensive play, particularly on power-plays.

The goal lines will be positioned 11 feet from the end boards, two feet closer to the end boards than previously.

The size of the neutral zone will be reduced to 50' from 54'.

The blue lines and center line will remain at 12 inches in width.


Click the thumbnail images below for larger diagrams of the new rink dimensions.

Rink Dimensions
Crease Detail
Faceoff Detail


FEWER STOPPAGES, INCREASED "FLOW"


Passes from behind the defensive blue line to the attacking blue line will be considered legal. The center red line will be ignored for purposes of the "two line pass".

"The Tag-up Rule" will permit play to continue if offensive players who preceded the puck into the zone return to the blue line and "tag" it.


Click the thumbnail image below for larger diagrams of the two-line pass and "tag-up" offsides.

"Tag-up" Offsides
Two-Line Pass


ICING THE PUCK


Icing the puck offenses still will be penalized by a face-off in the defensive zone of the team that ices the puck.

A team that ices the puck cannot make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off.

"Touch" icing will remain the practice, although the Linesman will have discretion to wave off apparent icing infractions if they are deemed the result of an attempted pass. Providing the discretion to the Linesman also should have the effect of reducing the number of situations in which a race for the puck might result in an injury to a player.


INSTIGATOR RULE


A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension would double for each additional incident.

As well, the player's Coach will be fined $10,000 -- a fine that would double for each such incident.


LIMITS ON GOALTENDERS


The dimensions of goaltender equipment will be reduced by approximately 11 percent. In addition to a one-inch reduction (to 11') in the width of legpads, the blocking glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey will also be reduced in size.

Goaltenders may play the puck behind the goal line only in a trapezoid-shaped area defined by lines that begin six feet from either goal post and extend diagonally to points 28 feet apart at the endboards.


Click the thumbnail image below for a larger diagram of the goaltender trap zone.

Goaltender Trap Zone

OFFICIATING POINTS OF EMPHASIS


Zero tolerance on Interference, Hooking and Holding/Obstruction.

Goaltenders who play the puck behind the goal line but outside the designated puck handling area will be penalized for delay of game.

Goaltenders will be penalized for delaying the game if they "freeze" the puck unnecessarily.

Any player who shoots the puck directly over the glass in his defending zone will be penalized for delay of game.


SHOOTOUT


Following a scoreless five-minute overtime, three players from each team participate in the order the coach selects.

Each team takes three shots. The team with the most goals after those six shots is the winner.

If the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format.

Regardless the number of goals scored during the shootout portion of overtime, the final score recorded for the game will give the winning team one more goal than the score at the end of regulation time.


See more detail on the shootout.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT


In addition to the minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct/diving that may be assessed by the Referee during a game, Hockey Operations will review game videos and assess fines to players who dive or embellish a fall or a reaction, or who feigns injury in an attempt to draw penalties.

The first such incident will result in a warning letter being sent to the player.

The second such incident will result in a $1,000 fine.

The third such incident will result in a $2,000 fine.

The fourth such incident will result in a one-game suspension.

Public complaints or derogatory comments toward the game also will result in fines.


A SUMMARY OF THE RULE-MAKING PROCESS

In February, 2004, the League began a thorough review of all aspects of the game at a meeting of the 30 club General Managers. Three current and former players also participated. Following the meeting, the League requested that six potential rule changes be tested in the American Hockey League during the 2004-05 season.

In July, 2004, the "Game Committee," comprised of current and former players, owners, general managers, coaches, on-ice officials and broadcasters met in New York to further discuss the direction of the on-ice product. Following that meeting, the League continued to review and assess the merits of a number of rule changes implemented in the American Hockey League during the 2004-05 season.

The League's General Managers and nine current players met in Detroit in April, 2005, to further discuss potential changes and the League conducted a Research and Development camp with OHL players and Canadian University players in Toronto last month to test the merits of several suggested rules.

In addition, the League did extensive polling to determine changes desired by NHL fans. The League also spoke to numerous NHL players and coaches as well as representatives of the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League (major junior) and NCAA. As well, the League elicited input from managers, coaches and players from European leagues during the 2004-05 season.

The Competition Committee met for the first time on June 23 in Toronto and, after considering the significant body of information that had been developed over many months, arrived at a consensus for recommending the series of rule changes described above for the 2005-06 season.

http://www.nhl.com/nhlhq/cba/rules_changes072205.html”

“Those rules were pretty much used in the AHL last season.”

“Yea, I thought it would be a good idea if the goal tender wanted to play the puck behind the goal they should be treated like any other player. I'd love to see some of those hotshots checked into the boards!!!

What's up with Phila buying out LeClair and Amonte??? Yikes I like both of them.”

“Asked if he (Crosby) would entertain trade offers from other clubs before the draft date, Sawyer flatly said, "no."

Crosby would be teammed with superstar Lemieux, creating one of the most explosive offensive duos in the league.

Crosby said Friday it would be a dream come true to be able to play with Lemieux.

Crosby spent part of this and last summer training with Lemieux. Crosby has been compared more to Wayne Gretzky than Lemieux, but Crosby's superior playmaking skills and sixth sense would compliment the smooth-skating Lemieux nicely.

"It is unbelievable," Crosby said. "He (Lemieux) is a good role model. I would love to have that opportunity (play with Lemieux).

"I haven't talked to Pittsburgh yet. Hopefully I will be able to play in Pittsburgh next year. I have never been there but I know it is a great hockey town."


World Junior Championship stats:
6 goals 3 assists 4th in points on the team.”

“It was the celery cap that did those two in. Yes, LeClair was just about the franchise player here. I will miss his hustle and grit. Sad to see it come to this. The cost of the new NHL.

Some of the AHL champion Phantoms will be moving up to the big club. Actually, the Flutters stocked the AHL club with some of the younger talent in order to keep them sharp and hone their skills. Hopefully it will pay off.”

“How cool is this? YIPEE!!!

Oct 5, 2005 Canadiens Bruins 7:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Islanders Sabres 7:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Rangers Flyers 7:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Blue Jackets Capitals 7:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Thrashers Panthers 7:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Penguins Devils 7:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Hurricanes Lightning 7:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Blues Red Wings 7:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Senators Maple Leafs 8:00PM Oct 5, 2005 Sharks Predators 8:00PM
Oct 5, 2005 Mighty Ducks Blackhawks 8:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Flames Wild 8:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Kings Stars 8:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Avalanche Oilers 9:30PM
Oct 5, 2005 Coyotes Canucks 10:00PM”

“Geo, who's the moron that traded your 20th pick for the 29th pick and the 2nd (I think) round in the 06 draft. Yikes!”

“I missed hockey last season. The new rules should be interesting”

“And (drum roll, please) the Flutters sign Peter Forsberg. It looks like fans in some other city will get to kiss Jeremy Roenick's arse! He will likely be traded to make room under the celery crap.”

“I really thought Tango would jump all over this one (fit of jealousy).”

“I thought I heard it right. Finally the Flyers get this guy. They should've gotten him instead of Lindros (and the drama that came with him) to begin with.”

“OK, so my brother is trying to talk me into going to the beer-drinking games for our local semi-pro hockey team.

So can anybody explain "icing" and why it's such a big deal? From my admittedly small exposure to the rule, it seems a proper analogy would be if hitting the ball out of the park in baseball resulted in an out, instead of a home run.”

“Icing is when a team shoots the puck all the way from their defensive zone into the offensive zone. If this were legal, a team could shoot the puck into the offensive zone way ahead of the play instead of carrying it across the blue lines and the red line at center ice, or passing it. Along with the offsides call, it keeps the game close.”

“Forsberg - 2
Lindros - 0

Stanley Cups!

'Nuff said!”

“now the Flyers just need to get rid of Bobby Clark. He is the drain on that team. I still believe they will never win a Stanley Cup as long as he is GM.”

“So, my analogy seems to hold up pretty well, lol...”

“Bit, however icing is not considered if you are down a man on a penalty kill. Go Flyers! With Forsberg and the blueliners they got, this could be interesting”

“So killing is allowed in hockey, interesting...”

“Killing is; icing isn't.”

“Players who ice the puck are pansies.”

“But now there is icing discretion. If the pass appeared to be toward a player, and the guy mishandled it, icing will be waived off”

“Allow curved sticks!!! That'll up the scoring.”

“Are they actually going to play this year or are the locks still on the doors?”

“EarthNsky, you better lay off Bobby Clark or Dave Schultz will kick y'ass.”

““Are they actually going to play this year or are the locks still on the doors?”
TrailKicker67
2:36:21 PM
8/04/05
ignore this user

They're playing!”

“I was at work Geo!

Penguins sign Sergei Gonchar!!!!! WOO HOOOOOO!!!!”

“Bobby clark is a terrible GM!!! Off with his head!”

“I agree with ENS, Bobby Clark has issues, and is not a good GM. I fear the year the Flyers decide to rebuild.”

“Roenick goes to the LA Kinks for future considerations.

LA fans can kiss his arse!

Actually, Jeremy is not a half-bad player.”

“He's just got a big mouth and a small brain!”

“Dave (my stepbrother) talked to LeClair this morning and he was surprised that the Flyers got Forsberg. He also said that they were looking at Neidermeyer. However, he just signed with the Ducks.”

“I like Scott. This is going to be one interesting season!
last edited: 8/04/05 4:13:36 PM”

“I'm still unsure what "future considerations" means. I know what it means generally, but does it mean that if two team are offering you a trade, and both teams are close, do you give it to the team with future considerations?”

“Grrrrr!”

“I would think it means draft picks or player(s) to be named later.”

“I will miss #10.”