one of my favourite Rocket stories is where he scored all 5 goals in a game and was named first, second and third star of the game. He had moved to a new house the day before, moving all of the stuff himself (with some help of course) including a piano. Toe Blake was furious at him before the game.
Location: A simple man leading a complicated life....
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Originally Posted by FanIn80
Oh yeah, the skill was there for sure. I was speaking mostly about the conditioning. Most of these guys weren't in the kind of shape that NHL players today are.
It's really an interesting idea, the whole mixing eras thing.
Guys like Howe, Esposito, Hull played in an era where players showed at camp to play themselves into shape. The 72 series against the Russians introduced us to off season training.
Have you seen the rest of my picks? I've already explained my picking process. Why is it shocking that I'd take Marleau as my third-line Center? You don't think he's good enough for it? The guy's an awesome player, and one of my all-time favourites.
It has nothing to do with your method (as previously explained).
If you want a modern player, I can name you a half dozen centers (all still playing BTW) that I'd rank as better than Marleau. Personal opinion, of course.
I'll PM you and take it off-line for discussion.
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"...but I'm feeling MUCH better now." -John Astin, Night Court
It has nothing to do with your method (as previously explained).
If you want a modern player, I can name you a half dozen centers (all still playing BTW) that I'd rank as better than Marleau. Personal opinion, of course.
I'll PM you and take it off-line for discussion.
I'll grant you there are better current centers, but I've always been a Marleau fan so I'm a bit biased. Besides, sure it's an expansion team, but he is the all-time Sharks leader in goals, assists and points. He's not exactly a slouch. Considering Owen Nolan captained the Sharks in his prime, Marleau being the all-time leader in every offensive stat is pretty good.
Anyway, just something about his game that I've always liked.
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I'll grant you there are better current centers, but I've always been a Marleau fan so I'm a bit biased. Besides, sure it's an expansion team, but he is the all-time Sharks leader in goals, assists and points. He's not exactly a slouch. Considering Owen Nolan captained the Sharks in his prime, Marleau being the all-time leader in every offensive stat is pretty good.
Anyway, just something about his game that I've always liked.
The Sarich hit never gets old!
And amazingly Marleau took it really well. All bloodied and just shrugged it off!
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Watching the Oilers defend is like watching fire engines frantically rushing to the wrong fire
Adam Graves (born April 12, 1968 in Toronto, Ontario) is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks. He finished his career with 329 goals and 287 assists and is currently a New York Rangers special assistant with Prospect Development and Community Relations.
After spending several seasons in the minor leagues, Graves made his National Hockey League debut with the Red Wings in the 1988–89 season, playing in 56 games and scoring 7 goals. The next year he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, where he gained a reputation as a hard-nosed player, compiling over 120 penalty minutes in both seasons he spent with the team. It was there that he won his first Stanley Cup championship.
After joining former teammate Mark Messier in New York via free agency, his goal production increased markedly. In the 1993–94 season, he scored 52 goals to set the Rangers' club record for most goals in a season at that time; his efforts earned him a place on the NHL All-Star team.
That spring he cemented his popularity with the New York fans by playing a vital role in the team's first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years. That year he was also awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his work with charities. Although the Rangers' fortunes would wane over the next few years as they sank into mediocrity after the 1997 – 1998 NHL season, he remained one of the most popular players. In June 2001, after winning the Bill Masterton Trophy, he was traded to San Jose, where he finished his career.
Graves is now an instructor at the New York Rangers youth hockey camp.
Adam Graves won the NHL's most prized trophy and championship, The Stanley Cup, twice; in 1989–90 with the Edmonton Oilers and in 1993–94 with the New York Rangers. Graves also won a championship on the international level for his native Canada. In 1988 he was a member of the winning Canadian Junior team at the World Championships. In the tournament Graves recorded 5 goals in 7 games. He was also given the honor to captain the 1993 World Championships in Munich, Germany.
During the 1993–94 season Graves was awarded with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy which is given annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities or has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community. Graves also won the NHL foundation award during the 1999–2000 season. This award is given annually to the player who applies core values of hockey, commitment and teamwork, to enrich the lives of people in the community.
During the 1991–92 season, 1992–93 season, 1993–94 season, 1998–99 season, and the 1999–2000 season Graves received the Steven McDonald Award. This award is given annually to the Rangers player who goes "above and beyond the call of duty", named after a paralyzed NYC police officer, Steven McDonald.
The Players' Player Award which is given to the best "team player" as voted on by the players was also won by Graves in 1991–92, 1992–93, 1994–95, and 1998–99. In the 1992–93, and 1993–94 seasons, Graves won the Rangers Most Valuable Player Award given to the Rangers most valuable player as voted on by the media. Also during the 1992–93 season Graves was given the "Rangers Good Guy" award. During the Rangers Stanley Cup winning season Graves was awarded the Frank Boucher Trophy given by the Rangers Fan Club given to the most popular player on and off the ice. Yet another fan club award Graves was awarded the "Rangers Fan Club Ceil Saidel Memorial Award" during the 1995–96, 1996–97, and 1999–2000 seasons. This award is for dedication on and off the ice.
1993 was a good year for Graves, as he was also awarded the "Crumb Bum Award" given annually for services to New York youngsters as voted on by the media. Another "Good Guy" award Graves won was The Sporting News "Good guy" award in 2000. Along with other professional athletes such as Al Leiter, Troy Aikman, and Terry Cummings this award was given to charitable and community service efforts. Graves is now an instructor at the New York Rangers youth hockey camp. He focuses on instilling pride in the youngsters attending the camp.
During Brian Leetch Night at Madison Square Garden on 24 January 2008, Brian Leetch announced that the New York Rangers will retire Graves' Number 9 jersey on February 3, 2009, before a game against the Atlanta Thrashers , joining, along with Leetch, fellow 1994 Stanley Cup Champion teammates Mark Messier and Mike Richter, as well as Ranger greats Rod Gilbert and Eddie Giacomin in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.
And something I hated, but understand now after reading his wikipedia page.
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In the 1999 movie Big Daddy, Allen Covert is wearing what is obviously Graves' New York Rangers #9 jersey complete with the alternate captain emblem on the chest. The "G" and "S" were digitally removed for contractual reasons as the producers of the film wanted to avoid paying licensing rights for the use of Graves' name.
With my next selection team Halifax Explosion is happy to welcome LW Clark "Jethro" Gillies
Gillies earned his tough-guy reputation in the Canadian Junior leagues, earning 570 penalty minutes in 201 games with the Regina Pats. In 1974, Gillies and the Pats won the Memorial Cup. Later that year, the Islanders made him their first round selection in the NHL draft, taking him 4th overall.
It was during his rookie season of 1974–1975 in the playoffs that Gillies established himself as one of the toughest players in the NHL, pummeling legendary Philadelphia Flyers enforcer Dave Schultz.
Gillies scored over 30 goals for four straight seasons as part of the "Trio Grande", the Islanders' top forward line with Mike Bossy and Bryan Trottier, and was named to the NHL's All-Star team twice.
During the 1980 playoffs, Gillies got the best of Terry O'Reilly, one of the Boston Bruins' toughest players, several times, helping to fuel the Islanders' drive to the Stanley Cup. Gillies was used during this series as the Islander's chief protector and enforcer, and in taking on this role, Gillies allowed his team to battle through a violent series with the Bruins. Gillies, now totally comfortable with his role with the team, prospered individually and collectively, as the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups during Gillies' tenure.
Gillies is recognized for his role as enforcer, but he was also a solid skater, possessed a great shot, passed the puck well, back-checked well, and developed an uncommon hockey savvy through the championship years with the Islanders. Unlike many other enforcers, Gillies never exceeded 100 penalty minutes during any NHL regular season.
With our next selection team Halifax Explosion is happy to pick Billy Smith's backup.
Edward John Belfour
In the 1989-90 season, Belfour began with the Canadian national men's hockey team, but was recalled by the Blackhawks for their postseason and set a 4-2 postseason mark with a 2.49 GAA. The next season, Belfour became the starting goalie, and turned in what many consider to be one of the best rookie seasons in NHL history. He notched 43 victories in 74 games (both NHL rookie and Blackhawk team records), finished the season with a 2.47 GAA and 4 shutouts. For his success, he received the Calder Memorial Trophy for outstanding play by a rookie, the Vezina Trophy for best goaltender and the William M. Jennings Trophy for fewest team goals-against. He was also nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player, unprecedented at that time for a goaltender and rookie (Brett Hull of the St. Louis Blues won the award). He would win the Vezina Trophy again in 1993 and the Jennings Trophy in 1993, 1995, and 1999.
Belfour finished his tenure with the Blackhawks ranking among the team leaders in many goaltending categories. Belfour finished third among all Blackhawk goalies in games played (415) and wins (201) in both categories ranking behind Hall of Famers Tony Esposito and Glenn Hall. Belfour also ranks fourth in shutouts (30), and second in assists (17). Interestingly, Belfour easily ranks as the Blackhawks' goalie leader in penalty minutes, with 242. Esposito, who played in more than twice as many games and minutes as Belfour, had only 31.
Belfour signed as a free agent with the Dallas Stars on July 2, 1997. During the season, Belfour played 61 games and had an astonishing 1.88 GAA as his team won the Presidents' Trophy and made it to the Western Conference Finals only to lose to the Detroit Red Wings.
The next season, the Stars repeated their regular season championship and Belfour won his fourth Jennings Trophy. In the playoffs, Belfour won duels against past Vezina and Stanley Cup winning goaltenders Grant Fuhr and Patrick Roy, respectively. The Stars won the Stanley Cup, beating the Buffalo Sabres in six games, capped by an incredible goalie duel against former backup Dominik Hašek that ended in a 2-1 win in the third overtime. Belfour made 53 saves to Hašek's 50.
Belfour backstopped his team to another consecutive finals appearance, winning his second seven game Western Conference final duel against the Colorado Avalanche's Patrick Roy. The Stars lost the Cup in double-overtime to the New Jersey Devils. Belfour had 4 shutouts in that playoffs, including a triple-overtime blanking of the Devils in game five of the finals series.
Throughout his career, Belfour has worn masks featuring an eagle on either side of his helmet. When asked why an eagle, he stated "I've always liked the eagle as a bird. It is a strong figure representing individuality, leadership, confidence, and outstanding vision. Its hunting and aggression are characteristics I admire, So when I was thinking of what I wanted on my mask, the eagle was a natural choice". Belfour's eagle has changed dramatically, from a rough Native looking style in Chicago, to a fierce competitive image in Dallas, while the background always features his current team's colours.
Awards & Achievements
* MJHL First All-Star Team (1986)
* MJHL Top Goaltender (1986)
* NHL William M. Jennings Trophy (1990-91, 1992-93, 1994-95, 1998-99)
* NHL Calder Memorial Trophy (1990-91)
* NHL Vezina Trophy (1990-91, 1992-93)
* NHL All-Rookie Team (1991)
* NHL First All-Star Team (1991, 1993)
* NHL All-Star Game (1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999)
* NHL Second All-Star Team (1995)
* Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Winner, (1998-99)
With the 178th selection the CP All-Time Hockey Draft, StrayBullet selects, Mats Naslund (LW)
An injury to Rejean Houle in the 82-83 season is what paved the way for Mats Naslund. The fans dubbed him as "Le Petit Viking" and from then on he was a hit for all Habs fans during his short NHL career. An amazing offensive player with lightning speed and great hands, Naslund finished his career with 634 points in just over 650 games. But the playoffs is where this pint-sized warrior came through and his 19 points during the 85-86 post-season was tops for all Canadiens. That marked Naslund's only Stanley Cup win as he went on to play until 1995, but Mats also holds the distinction of being one of very few Swedish players to have won the Swedish league championship, an Olympic Gold, a World championship and a Stanley Cup.
Last edited by StrayBullet; 02-02-2009 at 03:26 PM.
Adding to our 3rd line, The Flying Elbows are excited to be able to select another of our favourite players...
At #3LW, from Brampton ON... Rick Nash!
I don't care what anyone says, I am absolutely stoked that I was still able to pick this guy. I think Nash is one of those players that would dominate in any era.
The Beantown Bruins figure we need that one big hard hitting defensive defenceman so we are happy to select, Ken Daneyko.
Daneyko was drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, the second pick of the New Jersey Devils after the franchise relocated from Colorado. Upon his arrival in the NHL, #3 established himself as a stay-at-home defenceman, and soon won fans over with his gritty and self-sacrificing play. Daneyko was also known for his missing front teeth, lost after he was hit in the mouth by a puck. His gap-toothed smile was well known not only by Devils supporters, but by hockey fans around the world. As a player who had spent all of his NHL career with New Jersey, Daneyko was nicknamed "Mr. Devil".
Daneyko racked up over 2,200 penalty minutes in his career, finishing a season with over 200 PIM five times. Daneyko was never known as a high-scoring defenceman, and set a record by playing in 255 consecutive regular-season games without scoring a goal. In fact, in his highest-scoring season, 1989–90, he scored only six goals and 15 assists en route to a 21-point season. Five seasons he scored no goals at all. However, Daneyko's effectiveness was not measured by how many pucks he put in the net, but by how many pucks he kept out. Daneyko was used primarily as a shadow defenceman, and often got physical in front of the net if a forward parked himself in the crease looking for a rebound.
The Devils retired his uniform number (#3) on March 24, 2006.
