NHL 2009/2010

**tmlfan123** · 11-02-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeysmile

Shockingly, the Wild's first road win comes against Pittsburgh, only because of Backstrom though.

And I started Fleury over Backstrom in my hockey pool...

earlessdog · 11-02-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

In Roberto Luongo's absence, Andrew Raycroft is playing like...Andrew Raycroft. His first start was stunning, making 30 saves on 31 shots. He follows that up with a stinker, giving up 4 goals on 22 shots and getting pulled in the third period. Last night, he bounced back with a shutout against the Avalanche.

Rick Rypien pulled off a sweet move last night as well. He's becoming known for being a scrappy fighter willing to take on all comers, but he also is a great skater. His go-to move is the spin-o-rama, and he completely undressed a Colorado defenseman, stopping suddenly with the spin-o-rama at top speed before going inside-outside on him and getting off a great shot on Anderson. He also got an assist on Tanner Glass's first goal as a Vancouver Canuck. Mason Raymond and Ryan Kesler provided the other scoring the Canucks.

Man, I know, that was some awesome dancing, too bad Anderson has a sixth sense.

**Skeeter** · 11-02-2009, 01:14 PM

Also, IT WAS RICK FRICKIN' RYPIEN!!!

Seriously, I love that guy. He's a fourth-line grinder who is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the league, but when he pulls out that spin-o-rama, he looks like a superstar. I love it.

**tmlfan123** · 11-02-2009, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

He's a fourth-line grinder who is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the league, but when he pulls out that spin-o-rama, he looks like a superstar. I love it.

You just opened yourself up for a world of debate there...

How much does he weigh?

earlessdog · 11-02-2009, 05:45 PM

You sure did. I highly doubt that he is pound for pound the best fighter. Yes I am bias when it comes to the Bruins, but I'd be willing to bet on Lucic as being one of the top pound for pound fighters in the NHL and if given the chance to fight Rypien, he would emasculate him within five seconds.

And by the way, I am aware that he probably out fought Gill in their fight, but 80% of the NHL could outfight that monster, because unfortunately he has no fighting ability.

**Skeeter** · 11-02-2009, 05:59 PM

He's generously billed as 5'11" 185 lbs on his profile at Hockey Fights. I'm guessing his profile on the Canucks website is closer to the truth when it puts him at 170 lbs.

This season he's fought Hal Gill, Zach Stortini, and Brandon Prust. In the pre-season he took on Andy Sutton, among others. Andy Sutton is 6'6" 240 lbs. Rypien dominated that fight.

I would live to see Rypien and Lucic square off. That would be an excellent fight. Lucic, however, is 6'3" 205 lbs, which is why I argue that Rypien is pound-for-pound the best fighter in the NHL. The fact that he is so small and wins fights against much larger opponents is why I would make this argument.

**tmlfan123** · 11-03-2009, 07:34 AM

Another guy who is a great fighter is the Leafs'(now the Marlies') Jay Rosehill. He's 6'3", but only 195 pounds. He has long arms and absolutely devastated the bigger Travis Moen in the first game. He just doesn't even think about covering up and just clocks the guys with both hands.

Another guy who should be in this discussion is Nathan Horton. He's not a terribly frequent fighter, but he's had some gems. When he gets really mad, he just whales away with both hands until the guy goes down.

**tmlfan123** · 11-03-2009, 12:00 PM

You know, the more I see the Richards-on-Booth hit, the less I like it. Richards crouches a bit, then straightens all the way up to plant his shoulder in Booth's head, rather than a little lower to the chest. If he hadn't straightened up as high as he did, Booth would have gone flying the same way, but he wouldn't have been knocked out. Maybe my dislike for Mike Richards is affecting my judgement here, but it just looks dirtier every time I watch it, especially on the alternate views.

earlessdog · 11-03-2009, 12:36 PM

No no, I totally agree. You could see Richards watching as he was coming up, he was looking right at Booth's head, the he sprung his body up to shoulder him right in the head. He purposefully aimed for his head, is what it looks like anyway.

earlessdog · 11-03-2009, 02:00 PM

Kopitar who?

Man, this is turning out to be a great start to the season, and I think you guys are right about LA, at this rate, they could be a dangerous playoff team.

**Skeeter** · 11-03-2009, 02:08 PM

Kopitar is brilliant. I have him in my office hockey pool.

It pains me to know that the Canucks could have had him. It also pains me that Luc Bourdon, who the Canucks picked one pick ahead of Kopitar, will never get the chance to prove how good he was...

Gwenny · 11-03-2009, 02:11 PM

Look at that! The Wings are finally above .500!

earlessdog · 11-03-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Kopitar is brilliant. I have him in my office hockey pool.

It pains me to know that the Canucks could have had him. It also pains me that Luc Bourdon, who the Canucks picked one pick ahead of Kopitar, will never get the chance to prove how good he was...

It was, and is, a very sad and unfortunate situation.