Find me an NHL team

[Knot Amewzed]

I have been an Islander fan since birth!

This truly saddens me.

With the Islanders on the brink of extinction, I may be stuck without an NHL franchise to root for. Although I consider myself a hockey fan first and foremost, it is always fun to have a rooting interest in the NHL.

I would love for the team to be local, but there are two concerning factors.

Dilemma #1 - New York Rangers – I think that it would be an injustice to root for the team with fans that used to despise the Islanders. I would feel extremely odd and assume it morally wrong.

Dilemma #2 -New Jersey Devils - When I was a child in the 80’s, my father took me to a ton of Devil’s games. I actually rooted for the Devils as my second team along side of the Islanders. I actually owned a Bruce Driver jersey…lol. In the mid to late 90’s I started to dislike the franchise and their Robinson introduction of “the trap”. When I met my wife in 2002, her family worshipped the Devils and still do to this day; although they know very little about the sport. My concern with rooting for the Devils would be the bandwagon, mocking feeling I would get from supporting the same team as the know-nothing-about-hockey in-laws.

Teams I am truly considering…

Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
Washington Capitals
Phoenix Coyotes

HELP ME!!! I am open to all suggestions!!! Thank you!!!

 

[Tickle Fiend]

What's happening with the Islanders? Are they moving or folding?

 

[Knot Amewzed]

What's happening with the Islanders? Are they moving or folding?

There has been speculation that they may be moving to Kansas City. They are playing an exhibition game there next year to test the market; possibly bringing back the Kansas City Scouts. I would rather have them fold than to take the Islanders' history to Kansas City.

 

[Tickle Fiend]

I care about the Dallas Cowboys as much as you care about the Islanders. If they were to move (which would never happen) I'd probably continue to support them from their new home. I couldn't bring myself to cheer for anyone else.

As far as hockey is concerned, I know that the Capitals apparently have one of the best players in the league (can't think of his name) and they are doing pretty good this season. You can't go wrong cheering them on.

 

[Knot Amewzed]

I care about the Dallas Cowboys as much as you care about the Islanders. If they were to move (which would never happen) I'd probably continue to support them from their new home. I couldn't bring myself to cheer for anyone else.

As far as hockey is concerned, I know that the Capitals apparently have one of the best players in the league (can't think of his name) and they are doing pretty good this season. You can't go wrong cheering them on.

It is pretty much a universal topic that can pertain to any sport, so I see your point. Thanks for the advice.

His name is Alexander Ovechkin, but I really don't want to base my decision on one hockey player.

 

[Carsomyr]

I say you should go for the Washington Capitals. They have a LOT of young players that are already super-talented, and they aren't even done developing yet. They already have a franchise player in Ovechkin, and neither Semin, Green nor Backstrom are too far behind, although they will probably never reach the same level of fame.

Anyway, point is... the future looks extremely bright for the Caps, they're not going to disappoint you. They'll be contending for the cup for many years to come!

Another suggestion of mine would be the Redwings. They have always been good, and their scouting is top notch. This means they manage to get steals like Zetterberg and Dats much more often than any other team. They kinda failed when they picked McCollum instead of Markstrom in the last draft, but they went against the head scouts opinion on that one, probably because they felt they have WAY too many Swedes in the system already.

If you're deciding between the Rangers and the Devils though, I think you should go with New Jersey. I happen to be a Rangers fan myself, but the Devils have a lot more interesting prospects. I don't think the Rangers will be a cup contender anytime soon, despite having Lundqvist in the net.

Hummm... another team that might be fun to watch would be the Blackhawks. I mean they have Kane and Toews... I don't know much else about their team but I think a future fan favorite will be Simon Hjalmarsson, a D-man who's a bit of a specialist at open ice hits.

 

[Carsomyr]

His name is Alexander Ovechkin, but I really don't want to base my decision on one hockey player.

Trust me when I say he's not the only one. The Washington line-up already makes me drool, it will be even better in a couple of years.

Oh and Brooks Laich, I have heard, is extremely funny. I bet he's a real treat during interviews! lol

Edit: Oh and consider the Bruins and Sabres as much as you wish, but whatever you do, DON'T go with the Coyotes! They give me such a bad gut feeling...

 

[Knot Amewzed]

You make some great points about the caps, Cars. I am already a fan of Mike Green; besides traveling to some of the games would be worth the 2 hour drive.

 

[Carsomyr]

You make some great points about the caps, Cars. I am already a fan of Mike Green; besides traveling to some of the games would be worth the 2 hour drive.

Yeah, they don't exactly have the best fan base though, from what I understand. It's still good, but nothing like most other teams.

You should keep in mind though that I cheer for the Caps myself, so I might be blind to potential downsides with them. I guess... they don't really have a super-skilled goalie, but I think they'll be fine.

They also have a couple of less known players that I have great faith in. Two Finns named Sami Lepistö and Oskar Osala. Osala is a powerforward, and that is a rare breed indeed in todays NHL. Lepistö is a very skilled defenseman that wowed a lot of people in last years World Championship. Hes a bit short, perhaps... but I think his other qualities makes up for it.

Jeff Schultz is another interesting name... 22-year old D-man and a 6'6 behemoth. I must say I don't know much about him though, like I do with the other prominent players.

Karl Alzner is also a name of the future, although I don't know much about him yet, either.

Here's a short break-down on the other big-shots though:

Mike Green - Norris Trophy says hi! Sooo much offensive upside, he's seriously at 1 PPG. I mean you'd think he was a forward! D-men generally peaks at a very late age, so you haven't seen the best of him yet, either.

Nicklas Bäckström - Has been hailed as the new Forsberg back in Sweden. I don't personally agree, although he has the same great vision and hockey IQ. People say his stats are inflated because he's centering Ovechkin... I'd rather say Ovey's stats are just as much inflated for that very same reason though. He's a future 100-point player, and would probably have been already this year if it hadn't been for his slow start.

Tomas Fleischmann - A player that seems to be developing nicely. I don't know what his roof is but he's not a star player like the afforementioned. I'm just putting his name down because he has been a positive surprise on an already very good team. He'll probably be a 60-point player at the very least though.

Alexander Ovechkin - He's the Epic Win machine... what else is there to say really? He is arguably the best player in the world right now. I think you know all about him already, though...

Alexander Semin - From what I've seen, very little defensive upside, but he's deadly in the offensive zone. He might not be Alexander the Great, but he's definitely a star player.

 

[maniactickler]

Go with the Bruins!

 

[Goodieluver]

Stay away from the Coyotes, despite betteman claiming they are not in trouble, Coyotes are operating at neg 30 operating income, with carolina infront of them at neg 11

Commit to the Indian, Commit to the blackhawks

One of the originals, and with the death of the owner last year, Hockey has been rejuvenated in Chicago. Sellouts every game, 2 players who were rookies last year led all star voting this year and currently have another rookie who is leading the nhl in scoring

Hawks are back

 

[Knot Amewzed]

You should keep in mind though that I cheer for the Caps myself, so I might be blind to potential downsides with them. I guess... they don't really have a super-skilled goalie, but I think they'll be fine.

Theodore is decent, I kind of felt sorry for him when Huet took over his job in Montreal.

Jeff Schultz is another interesting name... 22-year old D-man and a 6'6 behemoth. I must say I don't know much about him though, like I do with the other prominent players.

Oh yes. I believe he played for the Hershy Bears in Pennsylvania, USA as well as the Calgary Hitman in Canada. Great +/- stats.

Mike Green - Norris Trophy says hi! Sooo much offensive upside, he's seriously at 1 PPG. I mean you'd think he was a forward! D-men generally peaks at a very late age, so you haven't seen the best of him yet, either.

He reminds me of a young Paul Coffee who can hit.

Nicklas Bäckström - Has been hailed as the new Forsberg back in Sweden. I don't personally agree, although he has the same great vision and hockey IQ. People say his stats are inflated because he's centering Ovechkin... I'd rather say Ovey's stats are just as much inflated for that very same reason though. He's a future 100-point player, and would probably have been already this year if it hadn't been for his slow start.

They seem to have the similar Gretzky/Kurri, Oats/Hull, Malkin/Crosby, and Sakic/Sundin chemistry.

 

[studm883]

Go with the Bruins, they win and are fun to watch. They win games in a lot of different ways, great goaltending, young mix of players, high energy, hard hitting, mix it up when they need to etc.

 

[Soda Bobinski]

First of all , I just wanna say that the relocation ... or the threat of relocating ... of any sports franchise is fucking wack! I hate how little respect fans are shown from leagues & owners these days.

I hope the Islanders stay put ... though I have to admit , it ain't lookin' too good. Sorry 'bout that.


For obvious reasons , I'd say hop on board the Sabres Train.

- Since losing Chris Drury & Daniel Briere to free agency , the Sabres are not the scoring machine they were a couple seasons ago , but still boast a young , talented , & exciting crop of forwards such as Thomas Vanek , Derek Roy , Jason Pominville , & Drew Stafford. There's also the very intruiging Nathan Gerbe ... who's listed as 5'5" ... & Tim Kennedy , who are having pretty good seasons for the Sabres AHL affiliate in Portland.

- You already know about Ryan Miller.

- The Sabres also have one of the better coaches in the league in Lindy Ruff. Lindy is currently the longest tenured coach in the NHL ... & for good reason. He's not afraid to call out his players & be tough on 'em when he has to be ... he has an excellent rapport w/the media being that he's very blunt & very funny , making for , at times , some pretty entertaining postgame interviews ... & , oh yeah , his teams are successful. I respect the hell outta the guy.

- If for nothing else , become a fan of the Sabres because they have the THE best play-by-play man anywhere ... Rick Jeanneret.


Still though , I have to admit that the first team I thought of to suggest to you before I read the thread & your "options" was the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin is the real deal & his enthusiasm is certainly contagious. Oh ... & there's a lot to like about Mike Green.

As far as the Bruins go , this year's squad reminds me a bit of the Sabres' team that first season after the lockout ... so , ya can't really go wrong there.

I don't know enough about the Phoenix Coyotes to give an opinion on 'em , so I won't.


All that being said , though , Knot Amwezed ... hopefully you don't have to go & find a new team to root for. Here's to the Islanders not going anywhere.

 

[Knot Amewzed]

First of all , I just wanna say that the relocation ... or the threat of relocating ... of any sports franchise is fucking wack! I hate how little respect fans are shown from leagues & owners these days.

I hope the Islanders stay put ... though I have to admit , it ain't lookin' too good. Sorry 'bout that.


For obvious reasons , I'd say hop on board the Sabres Train.

- Since losing Chris Drury & Daniel Briere to free agency , the Sabres are not the scoring machine they were a couple seasons ago , but still boast a young , talented , & exciting crop of forwards such as Thomas Vanek , Derek Roy , Jason Pominville , & Drew Stafford. There's also the very intruiging Nathan Gerbe ... who's listed as 5'5" ... & Tim Kennedy , who are having pretty good seasons for the Sabres AHL affiliate in Portland.

- You already know about Ryan Miller.

- The Sabres also have one of the better coaches in the league in Lindy Ruff. Lindy is currently the longest tenured coach in the NHL ... & for good reason. He's not afraid to call out his players & be tough on 'em when he has to be ... he has an excellent rapport w/the media being that he's very blunt & very funny , making for , at times , some pretty entertaining postgame interviews ... & , oh yeah , his teams are successful. I respect the hell outta the guy.

- If for nothing else , become a fan of the Sabres because they have the THE best play-by-play man anywhere ... Rick Jeanneret.


Still though , I have to admit that the first team I thought of to suggest to you before I read the thread & your "options" was the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin is the real deal & his enthusiasm is certainly contagious. Oh ... & there's a lot to like about Mike Green.

As far as the Bruins go , this year's squad reminds me a bit of the Sabres' team that first season after the lockout ... so , ya can't really go wrong there.

I don't know enough about the Phoenix Coyotes to give an opinion on 'em , so I won't.


All that being said , though , Knot Amwezed ... hopefully you don't have to go & find a new team to root for. Here's to the Islanders not going anywhere.

Thank TK!!! I hope that they remain in Long Island as well. I wouldn't wish a relocation on anyone, not even Ranger fans...lol..Buffalo has a great squad, but as you stated, I am leaning towards the Caps. Let's hope that it doesn't come to that.

 

[Carsomyr]

Thank TK!!! I hope that they remain in Long Island as well. I wouldn't wish a relocation on anyone, not even Ranger fans...lol..Buffalo has a great squad, but as you stated, I am leaning towards the Caps. Let's hope that it doesn't come to that.

Well... regardless, you could keep the Caps as your second favorite team?

 

[CurtWild]

Chicago

they have a shit ton of young stars and seem to be getting back to their winning ways.

 

[storm7400]

C

A

P

S

CAPS CAPS CAPS!!!!!!!!!!

Rock the red!

 

[manic971]

Chicago

they have a shit ton of young stars and seem to be getting back to their winning ways.

+1

But then you'd be one of these new yuppie Hawks fans that have come to prominence with the success of the team and anger all us loyal fans that were in the stands cheering even when they sucked.

But still...GO HAWKS!!

 

[TheEliteOne]

Go for Montreal Canadiens!

We got a ton of young players, a ton of younger prospects in the AHL who proved themselves more than we thought they would when our major players were injured. PK Subban, one of the star athletes for the U-20 World Hockey Championship is a prospect on the Habs' AHL team.

And Alex Kovalev winning the MVP during the All-Stars. And the Habs' 100-year anniversary, and the 24 cups (the most in the league, and no team will ever catch up in many generations).

You'll love that team a lot. We got a lot of youth who will be deadly in a few years.

 

[McNoodle]

I would suggest the Rangers. You have to have respect for the intense rivalry they had with your Isle's and they have one of the best sporting venues in the world. Plus they have an intense rivalry with the Devil's as well so you can really stick it to your in-laws.
Players are players and none will stick with a team for too long with this crazy free agency business so I definitely wouldn't advise choosing any one team based on their current roster. I'd definitely suggest choosing one in the division of the nhl team with the nearest arena to you, both for live games and local broadcasts benefits.

 

[Knot Amewzed]

Go for Montreal Canadiens!

We got a ton of young players, a ton of younger prospects in the AHL who proved themselves more than we thought they would when our major players were injured. PK Subban, one of the star athletes for the U-20 World Hockey Championship is a prospect on the Habs' AHL team.

And Alex Kovalev winning the MVP during the All-Stars. And the Habs' 100-year anniversary, and the 24 cups (the most in the league, and no team will ever catch up in many generations).

You'll love that team a lot. We got a lot of youth who will be deadly in a few years.

I will always appreciate the Canadiens and all that they have done for this great sport! BTW, Kovalv looked amazing in the All-Star game. What did you think of Tim Thomas' performance? He was stellar!

 

[TheEliteOne]

I will always appreciate the Canadiens and all that they have done for this great sport! BTW, Kovalv looked amazing in the All-Star game. What did you think of Tim Thomas' performance? He was stellar!

Kovalev was indeed amazing during the all-stars. Sad, however, that this performance was not carried on into the rest of the season. However, I know he can still do damage, like he did tonight to Atlanta (03/24).

Thomas was just a stellar goalie, as you said. However, I don't think Boston will get past the second round this playoff.

 

[luvgirlsfeet]

I think its time for you to bleed Black & Gold come to the Bruins

 

[falcon]

well, obviously you can tell where i stand as far as teams go. yeah yeah, the kings haven't done this since the beginning of the fucking decade, i know! and i'll be the first one to tell you that if they mention that they're in a "rebuilding phase" to me anymore, i'm going to fucking kill someone in the kings organization! lol probably dean lombardi....yeah, he'll be first on shit list.

although the kings did pick up drew doughty as our big draft pick for this season and he's played well for a young rookie defenseman, so i did like that. one of the best things the kings did all year was buy out dan cloutiers contract. he's fucking garbage!!! they dumped his ass and brought in the young kids, erik ersberg, johnny quick and johnny bernier, all of whom have played quite well this year. if the kings are smart, they'll ink those guys to multi-year deals and keep the goaltending young like the rest of the roster.

i also like some of the other young guys, like wayne simmonds, oscar moller, anze kopitar, jack (mother fuckin') johnson, dustin brown etc. they're just awesome and when the team is consistant (which, i think, is their biggest problem) they're amazing!! so while they haven't done anything truely amazing in past recent years, i'd look for them to maybe be a dark horse for the playoffs next year, at least. 8th spot in the west at the very least but possibly better if we can keep the goaltending solid and maybe add another big time scorer to the front line.

anyway, there's my two cents. don't know what you think about western conference teams and since nobody has mentioned the kings yet, i thought i would