Winter Classic buzz
Do we really care about the announcement of next Jan. 1’s Winter Classic? First of all, pretty much everybody is saying it’s going to be in Pitt’s Heinz Field, with the NHL’s darlings playing against each other?
We know it isn’t the new Yankee Stadium, and thankfully (hopefully) the NHL didn’t try to put it in Citi Field (which might be a better ballpark overall, but just doesn’t have the jam of the new Yankee Stadium, much less the old one). The new Stadium has football in January, so they can’t build the rink.
Whatever.
And this idea of having a separate one in Canada, that works for me. Canadian teams started this whole thing—Edmonton and Montreal—and their fans deserve it. But it won’t do squat in terms of ratings here in the U.S. without two U.S. markets involved. So have two. Knock yourselves out.
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Here’s some video from Cup finals media day yesterday. From my new favorite guy. Hint: Monster. And here’s a link to today’s Rangers’ 20 Prospects in 20 days series. It’s Ryan Bourque today.
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Now onto the Boneheads Stanley Cup Finals Extravaganza Contest (and picnic) No. 2.
BSCFEC No. 1 closes at the puck drop tomorrow night.
BSCFEC No. 2 is going to be more complicated to execute, but much easier to judge.
This is going to be kind of like a draft. I will put up a post this evening, which will begin the contest (DO NOT BEGIN SUBMITTING YOUR SELECTION BEFORE I PUT UP THE POST THAT SAYS “IT’S GO TIME!” )
Here’s how it works. The winner of John Halligan’s book “100 Ranger Greats” will be the person who correctly picks the player who scores the Cup-winning goal. That means, in the deciding game, if the final score is 3-2 or 5-2 or 10-2, the third goal for the winning team is the Cup-winner.
Here’s how we’re going to do it, so you have to be on your toes to play.
Once I put up the “It’s Go Time!” post, you get one pick of a player from either team (it’s Chicago and Philly, for those who aren’t paying attention). Once a player is picked, he’s gone. In other words, if you want Dustin Byfuglien, you’d better get in early. And check to see if he’s been picked before you pick him.
ONE PICK PER BONEHEAD. That’s it. I will check IPs, etc. So we could have a total of 38 or 40 or so names in the pool. The game is closed when all the skaters on both teams have been picked.
Don’t be afraid to pick the obscure fourth-line guys, or the goons or the defensemen. Those guys score goals in the playoffs.
Got it? Any questions before we get going tonight?
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FIRST…
Good morning, Sally!
Where’s Orr? Where’s Linda? Where’s Mako? Where’s Kaspar?
I like the second contest, Carp. Tres creative :)
I got “carped”... >.<
Hmmm… can I start calling it the Winter Vlassic? Oh yeah, Vlassic isn’t a Heinz brand. Crud.
Winter Classic should be in AZ !!
Yeah, thanks a lot, Carp. I’ll be driving upstate this evening, so there goes my participation. Oh well.. At least, using Carp’s golf terminology, I’ll be introducing Shakespeare® Ugly Stik® to a local bass population all weekend.
Hi Carp…I’m surprised about your comment about the Winter Classic?
Why not start to promote it now?
The NHL should do more PR (any PR) like this throughout the year.
Granted it’s like 90 desgrees out but I give the NHL an A+ on the Classic and any sort of promotion to put the greatest sport on this earth in the papers & internet.
They should promote it as hard as they can. What I’m saying is, do we really get excited over seeing Crosby-Ovechkin (surprise, surprise) announcements on May 28?
I feel sorry for the bass, ilb.
Point taken Carp
I def don’t Carp I’m so sick and tired of crosby and ovechvin being the only two players marketed in this sport!! It’s BS!! Bettman needs to go also!!
I happen to enjoy winter classic. Would be nice to see the Rangers in it. I doubt it’s a conspiracy. I think it has more to do with the Stadium availability and logistics.
Montreal-Edmonton will be a huge hit in Canada, but Carp is right, only die hard hockey fans will watch it in the US.
I think the Canada game would be better, actually. Especially if we get the Canada TV feed on NHL Network or something. Plus more likely to be colder and snowy. And no Sidney-Alex Show.
And I do think they’re saving the Rangers, hoping to somehow free the new Yankee Stadium (I won’t call it just Yankee Stadium) for a game one of these winters.
I agree Roc BETTMAN really must go he has totally ruined the nhl
ILB says stay thirsty my friend and bass fish!!!
I hold all 30 owners responsible for allowing this piece of carcillo to continue as the decision maker for the best sport ever
Canada TV feed? I watch some of the Habs games on Center Ice in French…
ilb
those are the best non ranger games!!!
Wicky- I just knew you would chime in right away. Sure they are great, but you do know how advanced my French is lol.
Canadian broadcasts pretty much own any American ones. Although Sam is still my favorite.
Want a feel good story ?
I mentioned earlier that back in Feb my 10 year old grandson, Anthony, wrote a letter to Henrik along with a picture asking him for a autograph.
The little guy was checking the mail box every day looking for his picture of the King & every day he was disappointed. Well,months went by & I told him Henrik was probably busy trying to make the playoffs. When the season ended I was sure we’d get something, but nothing ever came.
Last week I e-mailed thee Rangers from the Ranger web site & asked if they could respond in any way. The kid is a fan like us & loves this team & any response would put a smile on his face.
Well last night he called me & he was so excited I couldn’t understand a word he was trying to tell me. He got a hand written letter from the Rangers along with a picture of Hank & a Ranger yearbook. The letter thanked him for being a fan & explained that Hank is not around in the off season that’s why he did not respond. In the letter (hand written) they told him to be respectful to his parents & study hard in school & get good grades. They also told him they are proud to have him as a fan of the NY Rangers & keep cheering because they can hear him all the way from AZ.
I wish you all could have seen the smile on his face. Sometimes it’s little things like this that put a smile on a little boys face..
I love being a Ranger fan & this is one reason !
Please join us on June 12 for “FIRE BETTMAN” rally…
details to follow soon.
Tony-great story! Another reason to be a Ranger fan.
Hand written? I though they fired Bryan Trottier :-)
Thought…
Do you really mean that CCCP? Please don’t play with me like that I despised that piece of carcillo with all my being and also David Stern for recommending him in the first place
haha good one ilb
FIRE BETTMAN NOW!!!
What other sport would sell out its league & kiss a network’s assan & allow them to choose what games they will show with a 13 day window
im out of this contest too. why couldnt we just keep it as it was?
Seguin puked after his workouts today when he tried to drink his Gatorade.
Tarasenko has shocked me thus far.
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=530130
Gudbranson threw up after an interview w/ tsn
In The Republic, Plato writes that the inflicting of damage by a just people upon its enemies is counterproductive; that it only further perverts the enemy farther away from achieving a just nature of its own. To promote the benefit of all concerned, he writes, the just should seek to aid and improve their enemies; helping them come closer to “the
Good”.
GO FLYERS!!!!!!!!!!!! ? FLYERS!
nino is turning heads as well. i doubt the rangers can land him at 10th.
That is pretty touching Tony. I had something similar happen with Mario Lemieux.
Recap- I had a bout with Cancer when i was 19, and I play hockey, when I finished my treatment my cousin bought me a Pro Penguins Lemieux jersey. Stitched, fight strap, the whole 9. Years later, with this jersey hanging in my closet I decided to try something.
I did some online research, and found an address for Mario on a chat board, and apparently was verified by a few who tried it. I don’t know if it was a house, office or whatever.
So i typed up a letter, signed it, and boxed up the jersey and sent it all off to PA.
Wouldn’t you know, about 4 or 5 months later, i got the jersey back in the mail, Signed by Mario with the message “Vincent, Best Wishes ”
It was that moment i developed a profound respect for Mario Lemieux, and i will treasure that jersey forever. I was so excited i called my cousin who bought me the jersey to tell him what happened!
Now that jersey sits with my Lundqvist, Drury, Avery, and Jagr signed jerseys, that all(with the exception of Drury) were obtained in person. ahhh… memories.
GAB, I’ve heard nothing but good things about Mario. this sure is one of them.
Playinlg with an iPad at the Apple store. I don’t get the point of this thing, frankly. It sure is a pain to type on, that’s all I’ve discovered so far.
Tony,
no doubt about it. In my book, he’s world class. To take the time to sign it, and then mail it back, plus write a message on the jersey… that was above and beyond.
It’s nice to see someone of his stature give back like that.
if anyone is interested in the nhl combine all the info will be posted here
http://centralscouting.nhl.com/link3/cs/public-home.nsf/page?readform&app=combine
im off for a bit. bblater
I don’t think there’s any point in spreading the Winter Classic around every team in the league (Florida-Columbus, anyone?), so I can fully understand the NHL wanting to maximise publicity and revenue. So why don’t they just put Picksburgh in it every single year and admit that’s why they’re doing it? I’d at least have some respect if they came out and said that.
And CTBlueshirt – your picks for BSCFEC #1 were identical to mine but posted later. Do you want the odd pages or the even pages of the book?
taylor hall is not participating at the nhl combine.
anyone think hell drop to #2 overall?
guess who his agent is as well…
Hm…what to do in the event of a tie.
Maybe choose what period the GWG will be scored in?
How does that stupid piece of carcillo Bettman expect to “grow the game” when there are only two teams consisently covered and shown on TV. Attention dumbass commissioner: If people didn’t watch Cry Baby Crosby vs. Pinko Commie Ovechkin the first 10 times you made us watch it why would we tune in for rounds 11-100?
Rissimiller,Breashear and Voros all count against the cap thats 3.4 million wraped up is three dead beats. Thank god the cap is going up.
GAB- now, that’s the story that deserves a separate post. Amazing. Nice to hear this about Mario. Nice to hear stories like that about hockey players. Different kind of sport, different kind of people.
LaRue- don’t judge the iPad that fast. The longer you have, the more you find how good and useful it is. Unless you do some heavy word processing, it easily replaces the laptop.
In the mid 60’s my friend a die hard SF Giant fan, wrote Willie Mays for an autograph. Several weeks later an envelope with the SF giant logo on the front and a cancelled stamp from San Fran contained an autographed photo of the SAY HEY KID.
You know…I’ve been observing the outfits and the names of these minor league teams, and I tell you, they have come up with more interesting uniforms and team names than the clowns who provided the names for the NHL teams in certain cities.
Now we know that the Penguins got their cutsey piesy name from the fact that their home ice was called the Igloo
( ain’t that sweet?) But now they’re moving out of the igloo to a new arena…why not give them a more colorful name like Paladins ( and s simple logo of s single Knights
chessman as their emblem?)
But the Colorado Avalanche got it’s name from the presumption of the likelihood of disastrous geological upheaval. They could have called them the Big Horns.
The Coyotes wasn’t a bad title, but recall all those hideous complicated uniforms before they finally settled on the present ones that are fine. Simple two colors.
Tampa Bay lightning? ehh. Why not Corsairs ( like the old pirates from the days of Jean Lafitte.
The real glop award goes to that monstrosity of color, name and design to the ….Minnesota Wild. Overly complex, horrible color combos….They could have gone to simple medium green and white, and called them the Hunters, the Trappers, something a bit less effeminate sounding than the “wild” ohh my.
And the shirts with all those diagonal slashes of color which actually break up the outline, and come across as camouflage patterns as per Penguins and Buffalo. Western teams for the most part are fine. I always liked the old Buffalo team name in the AHL years ago, the Bisons.
But…something else to ruminate in during the slow summer days of nothing much happening yet in the league besides the playoffs, which are rapidly reaching climax conditions.
Fran- a few words about the Devils, if you can?
fran, Lightning comes from the fact (supposed fact?) that there are more lightning strikes in the Tampa area than anywhere else. I’m not defending it. I hate all those stupid singular names. All of them.
CTB, there can’t be a tie.
mike, kept what the way it was? you know it’s two separate contests, right?
They don’t multitask in IA, Carp :)
Carp
That is exactly the rationale for a name, when naming the Lightning, and it is also true about strikes and deaths in this region. But it seemed that they were in an awful hurry to come up with a name,rather than thinking it thru a bit.
But I really like the creative names that came up for many of those minor league teams. Some of them have local color
considerations, but that;s not necessarily a reason to strain for a name. What do Tigers and Lions have to do with Detroit? Rangers with New York? Bruins with Boston?
( Flames with Calgary?????) Jets with Winnipeg? I did like the way that Blackhawks were arrived at by Chicago, and aptly neamed after the Indian Chief who did battle with the
pioneers moving westward, but there are really very few conditions that can be tied to a community like that. Steelers were great for Pittsburgh, Vikings with Minny,
(State heavily Scandinavian in nature)
but there was also a time when Chicago had a football team called the Cardinals…since moved to several other venues.
I know how the Devils got their name, and the Panthers of Florida ( their native Cougar is normally called Panther)
but it’a rare to find a local condition give rise to a name.
But how many other cities could have used the name Oilers, as Houston used to do? Tulsa used to have a minor league team with that name..minor league affiliation with Detroit years ago I believe. Quebec might have gotten by with the name Dragoons, if they had not come up with Nordiques.
btw ..the Devils got their name due to a local superstition of a rare creature that was given the name of the Jersey Devil.)
There can’t be a tie? There can be only one????
LW is in the UK, so in an effort to save you $ Carp, I suggest if, no WHEN, we both get it right you can save on postage and send it to me.
Thanks, CT. Very charitable suggestion… :)
I could always pick up the book in person next time I’m at MSG.
Or, in Carp’s honour, we should settle it via the skills competition.
Thanks, Fran. Never knew that about the Devils. Just looked it up. Interesting creature.
I just got my bonehead tee shirt – & it fits too !!
Thanks ilb !
Teams relocate and keep the names which add to the lack of sense as well. Atlanta flames the south burning to Calgary. Colts to Indy breeders were in Balt. Lakers in LA from Minneapolis. Stupid names in every sport. BTW who cares?
ilb,
I totally agree. Good to see players connect with fans. Super Mario is a gentleman, and a credit to the sport. A guy like Adam Graves is a testiment also… he’s really active in the community which is always nice to see.
Any team that names itself after the devil, or the supposed offspring of a witch and the devil is questionable. I guess that’s what you get when you are in Jersey and leave it up to the locals to pick your team’s name.
Another Penguins winter classic. Ho hum.
TONY TONY!!!!!!!!
Sweet Move TONY!!!! Thats beutyyyy!!!
Devils logo and team is satanic and I dont want anything to do with cheering on the devil!!
Go time Carp???? Im ready!!!!
Good news!
Laurel is starting to feel better!
Carp
It’s go time!
I always wondered why they wasted a regular season game on the winter classic. Why don’t they just make the all-star game the winter classic? Put gimmick with gimmick.
its not go time?
well what time could it be then??
ohh ilb, i got the shirt! thanks bud! it dont fit me, lol. i will give it to my daughter when shes 5. haha holy carcillo man im a full grown human male not a ken doll! but thanks man, i definitely like it, i want to buy another, in people sizes next time. can u get any in xl? that should be perfect. i mean it fits, but do u really wanna see pics of me with my nipples poppin out? didnt think so.
Careful, someone might get trampled like Wal-Mart on Black Friday.
IIRC in the fan voting to name the NJ team when the Rockies moved “Skeeters” was in close contention.
ilb- seriously, thanks alot for the shirt. you n sally and everyone at boneheadapalooza/picnic. the gesture itself means a lot. you guys are awesome. i do want to buy another though. an xl would fit me perfectly. i will send the money to the address on the package. i will send extra for shipping and for your charity deal ok.
Yo T , Hope we dont pick the same guy cuz im gonna race ya to the Go time!!!
OMG not Mikes nipples!!!!!!!!! ewww grossss!!!! Me no got no shirt yet!!!Dam post!!!!
LETS GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!1
RANGERS baby!!!YEAH wooohooooooooooooo Rangers!!!!!!!!!!!
LETS GO LETS GO LETS GO!!!!!!!
GO GO GO
ddebened, Ha, the Jersey Skeeters…like, Mosquitoes? For real? That would have been a great name as they were so natural at sucking for so many years…
RAH RAH RANGERS!!!!!!
GO TIME??!!!!!!! lets go!!!!
Greg
How are ya, pal? How is the 2nd most dedicated Rangers fan?
3B – For some reason I kind of recall that but I wonder if Carp remembers.
LOL @ sucking
Greg
were you referring to me as T? :)
if yes, than i like that!
let the best one win!
greg, u dont like my nipples?
tolik?
i call dibs on brashear!! noone can pick him ok!!
HUH!!???? WHAAAA!!!!???? Second!!??? ok ill take it, as long as im a Ranger fan I dont care how much!!!
Im fine ,ty…. and how is our “Sean Avery” of the blog doing?
Greg -just keep the elbows down at GO TIME.
new post!
i call dibs on roenick for my final answer
damn u cccp!!!
Da Mike, Tolik :)
i keep refreshing so i can put my answer in!! its leighton btw. hes my pick
CCCP -you scum!!
OMG I GOT FAMBOOZLED by T!!! Dam you!!!
Deb , elbows will be up!!!
Mike , no I do not like yer nipples.
i know i already saw u post it one day tolik. i know ilbs name too, but i already knew his first just as a guess
hey now!! that is a banned word ddeb!
Greg
LOL! Im not pushing the limits like Avery recently. I feel disappointed in myself.
Mike , yer picks are silly you joker!!! hahaha!!
i dont even know who im gonna pick yet!! im just mad if somebody picks roenick, cuz hes the best blackhawk and hes gonna score!!! watch
larmer is a good pick too. hell, even daze!!
I actually flinched when I saw new post.
I bet he posts at the top of the hour again. I have my picks for both contests!! I NEED this book.
amonte maybe. idk dirk graham could be a good choice
Yo Mike how about Matteauuu for Chicago?? I bet he scores the Stanley Cup winner!!
Sergei Krivokrasov is all mine.
probert!!
Chelios!!!!
na matteau isnt clutch enough. like drury
Sergei Berezin
Sergei Berezin
His last name is almost identical to mine :) one letter deference
kevin dineen!!!
REFRESH…Winter Classic buzz …refresh ,Winter Classic buzz ,refreshhhh…Winter Classic buzz…Geee whiz man!!!
don sweeny!!
ughh this is horrible posting just to refresh to see when carp hits the go tiem button. cmon carp!!
im goin to eat. be back in 35 seconds
is it go time yet?>
Tolik Berezan …pert cool name. Mine rolls off yer tounge when ya say both first and last. Mines cool too haha!!!
HAHA Mike yer a riot!!! Silly goose.
lol Greg
how did you know?
I have like 5 laptops all refreshing simutaniestly so I dont miss this contest!!!!
You guys are cracking me up here. I might miss out on this tonight, I’m ‘sposed to have already left for the evening lol.
Lets just say T , Im a really really good guesser. Gave my 2 friends a choice between 1 -10 and said to them to write it down . I said each ones number and I had the paper to prove it!!! They were stunned.
Greg the psychic! Tell us when the Rangers will win the Cup?
Chances of that are 1 out of 100.
Greg L. the Rangers Report Mentalist! Ha, plz email winning lottery numbers. Will buy team and fire Sather, I promise.
Rangers had a chance this year but blew it in game 82 in a frickin shoot out!!! I cant predict any team winning..weird. Im HORIBULL at it.Strange. Maybe my emotions are put into account.
Greg, I’m guilty of making picks based on emotions too. The funny thing is though, it seems that whenever I try to be LOGICAL and deny my EMOTIONS is when the logic FAILS. Ha. Anyways, what number am I thinking of between 1 and 10?
Whoaa easy Billy , My powers cant be for personal gain but heck if ya win , cash me up bro!!!!
3 Billy
This is like that “How do you keep an idiot in suspense?” joke.
Nope, it was 4. :(
LMAO “My powers cant be for personal gain”
interesting . 4 was never on my mind for you. Lets try something harder maybe.
I always chime in ILB!!!
Lol ddebened. Carp is sitting at home laughing at us all, lol. This page has gotten 239,874 hits in the last hour from like 10 people lolz. Arrrrrrgh, I really gotta get going. Good luck boneheads! :D
“Lets try something harder maybe.”
HOW ABOUT THE LOTTO NUMBERS?
Ok guys, good luck and godspeed, I’m really going now, I swear.
Wickerinkies!! Ya just made it for the Big contest pick!!!
Carp
put down the cannoli and put up a new post!
Ok Billy , next lotto….Your in!!!
“Hey, we could get Butthead to sit on a glass and fart.”
“What’s so scientific about that?”
“Nothin’. Until you light it.”
ZZZZZZ
did I win??
For the lack of hockey news…According his russian agent Igor Popov, chances that Nik Zherdev will spend next season in NHL incomparably higher than him staying in KHL. He named Rangers as most probable, but notice that Rangers still will have some rights to trade him if applies for NHL market. Funny part of this story is that russian hockey analysts characterize his game this season for Atlanta, Mytischi as sporadic, lazy, moody, calling him “extremely talented underachiever”, which precisely echoed wording about him at this blog last year.
Also, there were firm rumors (oxymoron) that Volchenkov going to Washington for 5 mil/per season comes Jujy, 1.
carp
does mrs wicky get a vote from the same IP???
how about each wickster as well??
I think its fair if she does Wicky.
damn those rumors, we need the hammer
Easy wicky , all yer kids too!!?? Naw has to be like peeps who actually type on the blog. Yer wife has been a sielent blogger but she deserves a pick.
nah, one per household seems fair, we will put all of our wicky heads together and pick one!
Silent , ooops
zzzz
thanks, she/we appreciate the consderation.
I know you guys wont believe me, but the Rangers WILL win the Stanley Cup in 2014.
Trust me!
but we will only keep it to one, not enough players from only two teams to do otherwise!!!
speaking of the draft as long as we get lil bueke in the 2nd and hrasko n a later round, i’ll be happy!
carp
can i put my vote in now like an absentee ballot
Gotta wait wicky incase ya picked my guy!!!!
zzzz
who you picking?
HAHAHA nice try…
damn!
NEW POST!
FINALLY!
Carp , we should pitt teams that have battled for the cup in the outdoor games!!! Play the Rangers vs Vancouver ( both Markets are happy) Have a Pittsburgh and Detroit( 5 years from now) Or have every series (stanley Cup final) redone as an outdoor game !!!!??
i’m so nervous
“That was cool, huh huh
when we killed that frog, huh huh
it won’t croak again.”
Come on T , ya cried wolf again and got me!!!! Yer killin us over here!!!!
Carps probally watching Seifeld so he’ll be another 9 minutes.
he’s probably waiting to see how many of us just wait and wait
was it today that he was posting it?
hahahaa GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!!!
Rangers rule and every other team drools.
i’ll call him and ask if it is today or not
carp
zzzzzz
cccp
wicky…..oh wait that’s me!
ilb
You guys need a psychiatrist.
I’m in, Carp. Too dark to fish. I’m ready! It’s go time!
I bet you he forgot…
sally
What is the provision for making a second pick if someone beats you to your first? Does it need to be made in a separate post? or can you make a single prioritized list?
well, he is old, like 26 or something!!
linda
mama
grabby
nasty
TR
tony
beth
orr
staal
{{{ ORR }}}
jerry
elaine
kramer
kaspar
george
new post.