NHL

[Mr. Personality]

He actually had the potential to be more than above average. Actually, when he's behaving, he's quite a good hockey player.

With that said, I don't think Europe will change anything. Whoever picks him up will just want his talent for creating headlines.

Avery is very talented if he wants to be I agree with you Mr. Personality on that. At 31 his years to show this is winding up, and he as said in the past he would not play for a Canadian team. Have to wonder if he would go to Europe or just have Rangers buy him out move on. Seeing his contract only has 2011/2012 season left @ 4 mil.

Any team thinking of bring him in needs to take long hard look what problems he could bring into the locker-room.

As it sits, he's headed to join Redden in the AHL, which would be more of a slap in the face than buying him out, which I think the Rangers would do (Tortorella and Avery do NOT like each other).
He'll be lucky to go to Europe instead of riding the bus in the minors.

[RR24K]

He actually had the potential to be more than above average. Actually, when he's behaving, he's quite a good hockey player.

With that said, I don't think Europe will change anything. Whoever picks him up will just want his talent for creating headlines.

Avery is very talented if he wants to be I agree with you Mr. Personality on that. At 31 his years to show this is winding up, and he as said in the past he would not play for a Canadian team. Have to wonder if he would go to Europe or just have Rangers buy him out move on. Seeing his contract only has 2011/2012 season left @ 4 mil.

Any team thinking of bring him in needs to take long hard look what problems he could bring into the locker-room.

As it sits, he's headed to join Redden in the AHL, which would be more of a slap in the face than buying him out, which I think the Rangers would do (Tortorella and Avery do NOT like each other).
He'll be lucky to go to Europe instead of riding the bus in the minors.

I'm sure CT Whales coaching staff are looking forward to new addition.

[jaz301]

Hockey is back. Aprox 40min till puck drop of first reg season game.

[Rwede]

The Nocups start the season off with a loss! Sweet! Playoffs hangover from last year! And Kesler is now more interested in showing his bare *bleep* than playing hockey...maybe that tactic will keep the Sisters thinking about him when they are passing the puck to each other, oblivious of their other teammates.

[oneh2obabe]

And Kesler is now more interested in showing his bare *bleep* than playing hockey

And a fine-looking *bleep* it is ... just saying.

[Mr. Personality]

The Nocups start the season off with a loss! Sweet! Playoffs hangover from last year! And Kesler is now more interested in showing his bare *bleep* than playing hockey...maybe that tactic will keep the Sisters thinking about him when they are passing the puck to each other, oblivious of their other teammates.

1 - It was an OT loss (so still a point) and after the slow start, the team showed the same never say die attitude they had all last season. It's already well known that if you can push Luongo to a shoot-out, you've got a 90% chance of winning. All in all, I'd be prepared for another good season from the Canucks if I were you. Better go get some beers to cry into when we do better than your Wings again.
2 - I'm sick of that Kesler picture (and talking about it) but he's out after hip surgery for another couple of weeks so whatever. To say it means he's "more interested in posing nude" is ridiculous.
3 - Did Detroit pick up another aging Italian to replace Modano yet?

[RR24K]

I could care less what the player do away from the game (as long as it not illegal). I'm more concern about the 2 injured players this is Kesler's second surgery on that hip which tends to get my radar up, Mason fractured vertebrae he is one of Vancouver faster players. May they both return with abilities near their personal best if possible.

[Mr. Personality]

I think Kesler will be okay. A couple so-so games to begin with, maybe, but he's slated to be back in a couple weeks.
As for Raymond, I will be very surprised if he is back playing before Christmas and I don't think he has a shot of being near the ability he was until next season, this one is pretty much a right-off for him, I think.
That's if he ever plays again.

[RR24K]

I think Kesler will be okay. A couple so-so games to begin with, maybe, but he's slated to be back in a couple weeks.
As for Raymond, I will be very surprised if he is back playing before Christmas and I don't think he has a shot of being near the ability he was until next season, this one is pretty much a right-off for him, I think.
That's if he ever plays again.

Mason that could go either way would be tough if he needs hang up his hockey career, back & neck injuries is nothing you want to take chances on.

Ryan the concern I have 2 surgery same hip same injury this is his weak link (like Bobby Orr and his knee's of course it did not help having a trainer pumping pain-killer into them), will play at his top intensity or will hold back in fear of third injury & surgery. In doing so go back using his mouth instead of pure intents talent, which maybe the cause of the injury. We will see once he returns.

[Mr. Personality]

I think Kesler grew out of his mouth, along with Bieksa (not so much Burrows). It's really interesting to look back at these three and how they all developed alongside each other. There was a time when all three were maligned by Canucks fans for bad penalties and mouths that never stopped.

Burrows, the agitator. He's made his career on agitating opposing teams ever since he first stepped into Manitoba Moose training camp. His mouth is a part of his game and always will be. He exists to get under your skin but also skates well on the Canucks' top line.

Bieksa, the pugnacious defensive specialist. At some point in his career, Bieksa shut his mouth and let his shoulders and fists do the talking for him. He's gone from consistently taking horrid penalties at the worst possible time to being among the top defensemen in the league.

Which brings us to Kesler. The agitator-turned-hybrid power-forward. Along the way, Kesler grew up hard. No one earned more new fans than Ryan during the 2010 Olympics. He's built his career on hard work at both ends of these ice and an always improving skill set. There is a fear that he'll go back to his old ways after a second surgery, but I think that's less of a concern with Kesler than most.

I guess time will tell, but I still see a 30 goal season from him.

[RR24K]

True about all 3, and hope Kesler comes back as he was last year maybe tone down the intensity until second week of April.

As for Burrows I don't want to profile anyone maybe it's ----- Canadian thing. What I'd like to see is twins lower their goal output just a little and increase their grit factor. I know I'm dreaming.

As much as I was p/o at Christian Ehrhoff bone head moves in the play-off's, his 50 points will be missed.

[Mr. Personality]

If Keith Ballard has the season I know he's capable of, we'll all be saying "Christian who?" by the end of it.

[GordonH]

If Keith Ballard has the season I know he's capable of, we'll all be saying "Christian who?" by the end of it.

His personal best was 39 points @ -18 with Phoenix 2005-06, hope your right.

[Mr. Personality]

Ballard has never fully lived up to his potential. Last year was a right-off for him, never really got a chance to hit a groove.
If he can do what I know he can, look for 15 goals and a 45pt season from him.

[jaz301]

This is going to be a crazy game. Home opener for the Jets. Can't wait for drop of the puck. these fans will be going nuts.