04/25/24
January 25, 2007
Andrew Raycroft got votes for that?!?: ESPN received responses from 20% of the NHL in answer to questions such as, "Starting from scratch today, who is the first player you pick for your team?" and, "Game 7 of the Cup Finals ... which current goalie would you want in net for your team?" Players were not allowed to give a nod to fellow teammates or staff members.
If 80% of the players couldn't be bothered to respond, I'd have to think that among the 20% that did there were more than a few joke answers or answers lacking consideration.
posted by gspm at 10:23 PM on January 25, 2007
I'm not surprised that Philly got the top votes for most intimidating fans, I'm surprised that Montreal came a very close second.
posted by MrFrisby at 11:26 PM on January 25, 2007
Wow, Philadelphia fans booed Santa? Never heard that before, you lazy-assed, unoriginal son of a bitch. Get a new line. Who on Earth would pick Forsberg as the first player to build a team around right now? And are they in a position to make a trade? And could Paul Holmgren please have their number?
posted by SummersEve at 05:16 AM on January 26, 2007
I can see why Hitchcock was voted to kick ass in a cage match. Separated at birth? I think they highly under estimated Jacques Lemaire though.
posted by MrFrisby at 08:15 AM on January 26, 2007
I have to go with Boooooogaaaaaaard too. He's a freak. But for the most part, it's hard to argue with the chosen.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:52 AM on January 26, 2007
This reminds of a poll Sports Illustrated did a number of years ago in my hockey-loving youth when they asked players to vote on who the dirtiest player in the NHL was. Ulf Samuelsson's response: "Can you vote for yourself?" Ulf won in a landslide.
posted by holden at 09:19 AM on January 26, 2007
no Brashear votes for dirtiest player?
posted by goddam at 09:45 AM on January 26, 2007
I don't know if any of you remember this but back when Mathew Barnaby played with the Pens, he once got a game misconduct for fighting and had to go to the locker room. On his way there he saw the guy he was fighting with, also on his way to the lockerroom and proceeded to chase him down and fight him again in the hallway. I don't know if this would change anyones mind, but that seem pretty dirty to me. Wow, Philadelphia fans booed Santa? Never heard that before not only did they boo him, they threw snowballs at him. I gotta give to the other side of the state, they are some tough phans to please.
posted by Steel_Town at 10:47 AM on January 26, 2007
Wow, Philadelphia fans booed Santa? Never heard that before not only did they boo him, they threw snowballs at him. I gotta give to the other side of the state, they are some tough phans to please. Actually, as I found out, the story behind the "booing of Santa Claus" isn't as disheartening as it sounds. King Kaufman explains it in this post and someone adds details two comments later.
posted by grum@work at 11:42 AM on January 26, 2007
Crosby was the choice for the player to build around by a large margin, but if I had to choose I'd go with Brodeur. If you take a look at the division leaders, all of them have goalies who are playing excellently. While Crosby may be a fantastic player, I think a goalie has a much larger impact on the game than one offensive player.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:43 PM on January 26, 2007
I might agree with you YYM if not for the fact that Brodeur is 34 and Crosby won't be 20 until August.
posted by holden at 08:57 PM on January 26, 2007
Brodeur was the best example for the talent factor, but Miller and Luongo are two other excellent goalies that I would probably go with if I was including age as a factor (which I didn't do in my first comment).
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 06:59 AM on January 27, 2007
While Crosby may be a fantastic player, I think a goalie has a much larger impact on the game than one offensive player. "Paging Grant Fuhr. Please report to the front desk to pick up your new nickname, 'The Great One.'" Just joking. I know what you're saying and do agree. In most cases I would take a goalie, especially a young Brodeur. But Crosby seems (<---key word) to be one of those rare talents that can carry a team. More so than any of the young goalies. Can't see the future, but that would be my explanation for choosing Crosby.
posted by SummersEve at 11:04 AM on January 27, 2007
The fact of the matter is - IMHO - that there are more than a few good goalies out there. Brodeur is the best of the best, no doubt, but Crosby is a once in a generation player. He'd go first in my draft.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 10:40 AM on January 28, 2007
I think Booooogaaard could take out Laraque. That dude is a freaky scary killing machine. And yeah, who voted for Raycroft?