and hasek doesnt? hasek is one the more unorthodox goalies, but hey he won a cup, hart, veznina and gold for the czech in japan.

I don't know why people think Thomas is weak in net. He flops everywhere sure but he also has the best numbers in the NHL this season and is the frontrunner to win the Vezina.

...and he's won a Vezina before.

It doesn't matter how he plays. His way obviously works.

I think the Canucks will win the Cup but don't think Thomas isn't a formidable opponent. The Canucks better not underestimate him or they'll end up like Fedor Fedorov thinking he's got size on Bieksa and can kick his ass.

It's the same facing any goalie - get him out of position. Doesn't matter who it is - if they can't see it coming, they're not looking to save it.

Not to discredit Thomas because some of the saves he makes are simply incredible.

He won the Vezina, what happened the year after? Lost his starting job to his rookie backup. He can only thank his team's weak play in front of Tuuka Rask early on this season, while playing well when he was in net, for giving him the chance to earn his starting job back, allowing him to turn in the numbers that he did. Tuuka Rask turned in some good starts early on, but the team just couldn't earn him a win.

Similar thing happened in Pittsburgh when Fleury and the Pens couldn't win a game early on this season, except the Pens don't have a formidable second goalie and Fleury was forced to ride his and his teams suck out.

Yes I'm bitter that I had Thomas in my hockey pool last season, and Rask in my pool this season. lol

^ I don't really follow Thomas, but he did have hip surgery during 2010 summer.

Not sure if he was playing injured last season or if any of this has any affect.

Stanley Cup Final Jerseys are up if anyone is interested... Small sizes are gone


http://shop.canada.nhl.com/product/i...y_bestsell_txt

I really like our chances against Boston. All of our players except Danny, Hank and Cody have good speed and hopefully that should give them some trouble. Chara is a Norris calibre defenseman but our depth on D just looks so much better. Luongo's also been pretty good this post season minus those 2 no shows against the Hawks but the whole team was nowhere to be found anyways. With that being said, we shouldn't underestimate Boston. They're in the final dance with us and it didn't happen by fluke. I think the key to beating Thomas is getting him out of position, have strong net presence and pot in well placed shots. I'm not a fan of his unorthodox play, it is exciting to watch but I think it's too risky. But he did get them into the SCF so props to him. Just as long the games are officiated properly and not too biased that it's looking like its rigged, I'm really optimistic that 2 weeks we'll experience the atmosphere when Sid scored that OT goal but even better.
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Cup Finals display setup in the NHL Store. Wednesday can't come soon enough

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^ where is the location of the nhl store?

In New York City near the NHL head office

Sportsnet.ca has a banner ontop of it's mobile site sayin that tomorrow Atlanta will announce they're moving to Winnipeg!!! More Canadian teams!!!!!!
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I'm all for another CDN team, but I'm not too confident that Winnipeg could support a NHL team again long term. Lack of corporate base for sponsorships and majority of players won't want to play or stay in Winnipeg. This pretty much screws the Canucks for a farm team too and its development of players.

Winnipeg will be fine supporting a hockey team. I'm orginally from there and my whole family on both sides is still over there and the one big thing is the people have nothing else to do and cheer for other then the bombers and the Goldeyes of course.

On top of that with the houseing being so cheap the people will be able to afford to go to the games.

I don't think they need a superstar team to be successful. As long as the CAD stays strong against the USD, I think they'll be fine

I'm more curious if players would actually WANT to go to Winnipeg. I remember when Phoenix was being rumored to move to Winnipeg, TSN asked Bryzgalov how he felt about it.

I mean, I can see that, but is this a big enough factor for a lot of NHL players to not want to go there?

as a hockey player with a family etc.. i wouldnt want to play in the peg... i would rather have it nice and sunny in phoenix.. lol..

When do Stanley Cup tickets go on sale? Ticketmaster has nothing on their site.

We should get some info today. Boston is selling theirs tomorrow.
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It's not just star players like Bryzgalov, even 3rd line players like Belanger came out to the media and said he and other players he's talked would not want to play in Winnipeg when it was speculated that the Coyotes would move to Winnipeg. From chatting with a few guys I know that play in the NHL, none of them have any interest in living or playing in Winnipeg, one of them currently plays for the Thrashers. The majority of players will obviously publicly say the opposite but truth is, no one looks forward to playing in Winnipeg.

The harsh winters is a factor but from the sense I got, it has more to do with Winnipeg being a boring place in the middle of nowhere. Sure Winnipeg has parks and nightclubs, but you can't compare the entertainment options for a young millionaire in Winnipeg to Atlanta or any other major US city. Sure these guys will be treated like rockstars in Winnipeg, but that gets really old fast. I've worked with people in the public eye a bit and they all to a person miss being able to go about their daily lives with privacy.

With that being said, I am happy for the people of Winnipeg and the best of luck of making it work long term this time around.


Canucks have said they will have a ticket announcement today, so I would expect tomorrow they will be on sale. Probably a very limited amount as they have to set aside a large block for the NHL, NHL sponsors, Canucks' corporate sponsors, players and media request.

I'm going to try to get a single ticket for game5. I so hope I can get one dammit!!

yeah me too, i'd love to have a single ticket for game 1, 2 or 5.

how come there isn't an NHL store like the one above here in vancouver? it would make a killing in a city like this.

Canucks just signed st. Johns sea dog player, Steven anthony
He's a fast left wing forward
The team that just won the memorial cup
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i hope steven anthony can turn it around he had so much promise when he was young then lost all his confidence.must suck being compared to crosby level in early teens then just losing it mentally.

The same could be said of Vancouver though, where they roll up the sidewalks at 2am and seem content to shut down any "fun" thing that's popular for more than two years in a row.

Not at all. You need to visit Winnipeg. Totally different vibe. There are some decent areas in Winnipeg but nothing that Vancouver has to offer.