Ruffian

Lots of hypocrites on this board who want it "sung the way it was written" yet still want to ad-lib the end. Ummm...no. I said the singer should sing it the way it was written. We have no control over anyone else who wants to ad-lib at the end.

One last time...if the Deviled EGG line can't do it what makes you think Parise can step into the NHL playoffs and do it? Ever think the Flyers just may have a say in how things turn out?

Eliminating the stick work and consistent good officiating would go a long ways in cutting down on fighting. But it is an emotional, hard checking sport in a small arena. I still think fights would happen. The rules are in place to handle these things. They just need to be enforced.

I apologize to Richard Brodeur. When I posted that I was basing it on the info I had just found which indicated he played just six games with the Whalers who did not make the playoffs. Apparently though he previously led the Canucks to the finals against the Islanders, earning the nickname King Richard. King Richard

The way things are going in Nashville I don't see anything cheering you up redwing.

Guess you could say Richard Brodeur was a bad playoff goalie since he never made it to the playoffs.

The "whining" about his broken jaw came from the media. Yes, JR threw a tantrum by throwing the water bottle. I understand his frustration. Officiating in the NHL is awful. He paid the price with a suspension and moved on. Stick work? You must be thinking of the Senators.

Or those that think they can. I agree about showing respect by removing your hat. Those that don't bother me. If it's a child I gently remind them.

JMHO, I think the singer should sing it the way it was written. If the fans want to change the some words it's not a big deal. I prefer the anthem sung with a faster temp than many singers I've experienced in arenas tend to sing it. I guess they want to drag out their moment of fame. Styxx sang the anthem before last Saturday's Islanders/Lightning game and did a good job of it. I sing along no matter who is singing it.

When has JR ever whined? Better scenario is Hatcher making a turnover in his defensive zone leading to goal. Ooops... already happened in Nashville.

Thanks for posting the whole article and for your explanation. I too love amateur sport. I wish the Olympics were still only amateur but realize that is impossible. There is a totally different feeling watching athletes compete solely for the love of the game although in truth even high school and college competitors are influenced by the desire to attain and keep scholarships. I do agree that the NHL lacks vision. Hopefully soon the GMs will replace Gary Bettman with someone who knows what hockey should be. I also agree that skill, speed and scoring, the emotion, grit and finesse are what make hockey the best sport in the world. On fighting I have to disagree. It's going to happen in part because of the history of it in the sport. In part because fans love it. Emotions play a huge part in causing fights. Lack of respect for other players and inconsistent officiating are IMO the most likely reasons for fights. Two guys agreeing to the drop the gloves and have a go is a lot better than having players wielding sticks at each other. I think it is easier to control fighting in amateur sport than in professional sport. I don't expect in except in the pros but I have seen fights at all levels in all sports.

jeff, what exactly would you like the NHL GM's to notice? They do have to deal with egos and salaried players from all over the world. It is a different world than college hockey. Each has something different that can be appreciated. I couldn't read the whole article as I do not suscribe to The Post. Maybe I missed something that makes your point.

I actually liked the Avs for several years but disliked the attention given to Bourque that playoff season. Yes, he was a great player. Yes, he had been around a long time but what makes the cup special is that it is so hard to attain and it does take a team effort. Not everyone who plays on the NHL is going to win.

I doubt it. They finally have Messier.

Well then, as a Flyer fan you should know that they needed both Clarke and Parent to win their cups. I still dislike the idea that a team should win a cup because a certain player is deserving of it. No matter how much I like a team or even the player, it just doesn't sit well with me.

Shep, I admire JR for the warrior he is. If I may say it, I happen to appreciate Andreychuk's leadership qualities. But sentimentality has no place in hockey. It's got to be about the sweater, not the name on the back. The player can be traded and becomes an enemy. Even Bourque switched teams to have a shot at the cup. Teams win championships, not individuals.

I too hope they lose in four. But off the Zach topic, I don't agree with one player deserving the cup so much more than any other player just because they have put in time in the league.

From Brooks: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- April 12, 2004 -- WHILE THE Devils organization promotes its own particular variation of "Where's Waldo?" by providing such scant information about Scott Stevens that the team's players and coach are constantly pestered with questions about a hypothetical heroic return of their captain, we're posing an alternative query: Where's Zach? ...the Devils were going to need a spark plug to successfully navigate their title defense. And they had one in Zach Parise, the dynamic albeit smallish 19-year-old center out of North Dakota the team had selected 17th overall in last June's Entry Draft and signed two weeks ago within days of the Sioux's elimination from the NCAA tournament. It was all in place; the perfect plan. Except it wasn't the plan at all. Because as the season ended, the Devils announced Parise would not be part of the playoff roster. Even if Zach lives up to his billing I don't see how he makes up for the loss of Stevens. Where's Zach?

Goon, you respect the Leafs but dislike the Canucks because of Bertuzzi? What about Domi's antics? Or Darcy Tucker's theatrics, acting like he's motally wounded only to come back the next shift? Marchment is more well known for dirty play than Bertuzzi excluding Bert's last act. Neither the Leafs nor the Senators have my respect.

The Lightning just could come out of the East. Not saying they'd win it all. Just that they could be Eastern Conference Champs. They handled both the Flyers and the Devils all season long and have a ton of confidence.