I saw that as well.
- sbroads24

Within 1 year of that, there were 8. So in 06-07 there were 14, then in 07-08 there were 8. The goalies aren't any different now (size wise, equipment wise) yet scoring is down that much even from one year to the next. So what's the difference?

Within 1 year of that, there were 8. So in 06-07 there were 14, then in 07-08 there were 8. The goalies aren't any different now (size wise, equipment wise) yet scoring is down that much even from one year to the next. So what's the difference?
- HonkFortheGoose

Style of play.

Style of play.
- sbroads24

The standard was changed in how they wanted the game called. The game has slowed down there are fewer penalties. The skilled players don't have the same space and time to do what they do best

The standard was changed in how they wanted the game called. The game has slowed down there are fewer penalties. The skilled players don't have the same space and time to do what they do best
- Stripes77

Which makes for a not so great product at times.

Which makes for a not so great product at times.
- sbroads24

The product sucks for the most part. Maybe once or twice a week you will get an entertaining game league wide. That's pretty sad compared to what it was like for those first two years after the season was lost.

The standard was changed in how they wanted the game called. The game has slowed down there are fewer penalties. The skilled players don't have the same space and time to do what they do best
- Stripes77

That is true from 06-07 to this year, but not in the 07-08 year. The range in 06-07 was 10.1-17.8 PIMS/game. In 07-08 it was 11.4-18.1.

Honestly, I thought the same thing you did at first. But it's not true. Yet there were almost half as many guys that hit the 90 pt mark.

The product sucks for the most part. Maybe once or twice a week you will get an entertaining game league wide. That's pretty sad compared to what it was like for those first two years after the season was lost.
- Stripes77

I like some of the heavy hitting west coast slug fests, but I would take the run and gun style over that everyday as a fan

Even Pitt with Crosby and Malkin arent that fun to watch sometimes

Which makes for a not so great product at times.
- sbroads24

I agree they should go back to the post lock out style of play.. Hell of a lot more entertaining plus it would put teams like Boston in the hole because if majority of the teams played now like the Sabres did in 05-07 the Bruins would suck

So they're going to save the worst team in NHL history? Grigorenko can't save a junior team.
- Buffalo-Sabres

No one said that
You're being dramatic
We have a very deep pool of prospects.
Is he the next Crosby?
No
Can he be a piece of a successful team?
That's still completely possibly

I like some of the heavy hitting west coast slug fests, but I would take the run and gun style over that everyday as a fan

Even Pitt with Crosby and Malkin arent that fun to watch sometimes
- sbroads24

I always hated west coast slug fests boring as hell to watch except for an occasional big hit or two.. The days where Vanek or Dumont ruled the ice were a hell of a lot more dramatic

I like some of the heavy hitting west coast slug fests, but I would take the run and gun style over that everyday as a fan

Even Pitt with Crosby and Malkin arent that fun to watch sometimes
- sbroads24

I agree. Are the goalies really that much better? Is the talent in the league really that diminished? Or did teams just find ways to keep the puck out of the net?

I agree. Are the goalies really that much better? Is the talent in the league really that diminished? Or did teams just find ways to keep the puck out of the net?
- HonkFortheGoose

Goalies are bigger and use bigger pads yes. But also the style of play is more strategic and slow. Look at St. Louis they play a very defensive minded game that makes for a lot of wins in todays hockey but not the type of offensive flair that was going on in the mid 2000's. Also the rules have changed a bit

No one said that
You're being dramatic
We have a very deep pool of prospects.
Is he the next Crosby?
No
Can he be a piece of a successful team?
That's still completely possibly
- jdfitz77

maybe one day if he works hard enough he can be Michal Grosek if we are lucky

Goalies are bigger and use bigger pads yes. But also the style of play is more strategic and slow. Look at St. Louis they play a very defensive minded game that makes for a lot of wins in todays hockey but not the type of offensive flair that was going on in the mid 2000's. Also the rules have changed a bit
- bluengold12

I don't believe that the goalie pads are bigger now than they were in 05-06. As a matter of fact, in 05-06 they had already started finding ways to reduce the size of the goalie equipment, which is why Miller ended up with a broken thumb that year.

I don't believe that the goalie pads are bigger now than they were in 05-06. As a matter of fact, in 05-06 they had already started finding ways to reduce the size of the goalie equipment, which is why Miller ended up with a broken thumb that year.
- HonkFortheGoose

See guys like Henrick L with the rangers.. I remember he started the trend with bigger goalie pads right around 07 I think

Goalies are bigger and use bigger pads yes. But also the style of play is more strategic and slow. Look at St. Louis they play a very defensive minded game that makes for a lot of wins in todays hockey but not the type of offensive flair that was going on in the mid 2000's. Also the rules have changed a bit
- bluengold12

St Louis doesn't really play a defensive minded game. Their system stresses the importance of every player playing a complete game. Still, they are one of the top scoring teams in the league. They aren't sitting back, playing defensive hockey, and winning game after game 1-0 or 2-1.

They just don't give up many goals, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that they control the play and forecheck like crazy to get the puck back before it even gets into their zone.

St Louis doesn't really play a defensive minded game. Their system stresses the importance of every player playing a complete game. Still, they are one of the top scoring teams in the league. They aren't sitting back, playing defensive hockey, and winning game after game 1-0 or 2-1.

They just don't give up many goals, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that they control the play and forecheck like crazy to get the puck back before it even gets into their zone.
- carcus

Hitch is a great coach

Hitch is a great coach
- sbroads24

Yes, he is. And this team is playing great and has just seemed to gel. Miller and Ott have been great for us. I have a feeling Ott is definately re-signing. I think he really loves it here, and there really isn't any reason why he shouldn't.

I hope Miller stays as well. A bigger question mark in my mind for him staying as it seems like he really wants to go further west to be close to his wife. Hope that either doesn't become a realistic option or he decides that the Blues are his best option.

Yes, he is. And this team is playing great and has just seemed to gel. Miller and Ott have been great for us. I have a feeling Ott is definately re-signing. I think he really loves it here, and there really isn't any reason why he shouldn't.

I hope Miller stays as well. A bigger question mark in my mind for him staying as it seems like he really wants to go further west to be close to his wife. Hope that either doesn't become a realistic option or he decides that the Blues are his best option.
- carcus

All depends on what Anaheim plans to do with Hiller. If he resigns before July 1, I think Miller stays a Blue.

Wish we could see more footage on Eichel . I would like to know more about him.
- Maximum Signal

Best pure skater to come out in years!

All depends on what Anaheim plans to do with Hiller. If he resigns before July 1, I think Miller stays a Blue.
- thatsapickle

Best case scenerio for the Blues is that Anaheim re-signs him before UFA. If that doesn't happen, I don't think Miller will sign with us until he finds out exactly what Anaheim's plans are.

Maybe we can just win the cup and then he decides he loves it here too much to leave.

Oh, and how in the world does John Scott play on the 1st line???

Best case scenerio for the Blues is that Anaheim re-signs him before UFA. If that doesn't happen, I don't think Miller will sign with us until he finds out exactly what Anaheim's plans are.

Maybe we can just win the cup and then he decides he loves it here too much to leave.
- carcus

I think it is fully relying on what Anaheim does. He is not looking past this season, so they claim, but his primary target is Anaheim. That's my best guess.

It's beyond horrible. It's unprofessional. He's an awful hockey player
- sbroads24

Leino is un-professional, I think John Scott SUCKS as a hockey player, but at least he is showing up to play, Leino, just skates around out there, I reckon he is being paid by the Flyers as well!

Oh, and how in the world does John Scott play on the 1st line???
- carcus

Because our best line is a 3rd line elsewhere?