Poll — Ducks’ biggest threat?
February 26th, 2008, 12:50 pm · 39 Comments · posted by Michael Lev, staff writer
The NHL trade deadline has passed, and several of the Ducks’ top
competitors in the West bulked up for a title push with splashy acquisitions.
Dallas obtained high-scoring center Brad Richards (right) from Tampa Bay. San Jose got All-Star defenseman Brian Campbell from Buffalo. The Ducks … made a couple of minor moves (still unofficial as of this writing).
Which isn’t to say they weren’t busy making major moves before today’s deadline. The Ducks reintegrated Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer — two significant pieces in their Stanley Cup run — without breaking up their nucleus.
So now that we know where everyone will be skating come spring, we ask you, hockey fans:
Who's the favorite to win the NHL's Western Conference?
(TSN’s experts still favor the Ducks. Click here to find out why.)
February 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
The Anaheim Ducks only talent is that they are a complete goon squad. The only way the Ducks will succeed is if the NHL lets Pronger and the other Anaheim goons get away with murder AGAIN this year. Last year, the NHL was desperate for their first-ever Stanley Cup champion from the Pacific Division, and it was obvious they let the Ducks do pretty much whatever they wanted. This year, with any luck, the NHL will treat the Ducks like every other team and we will see the Ducks fall fast and hard. Gotta say, I loved seeing Pronger lose a mouthful of teeth during Sunday’s game when he took a stick to the mouth. Couldn’t happen to a better classless goon. Suffer Pronger, suffer!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Has anyone else noticed how George Parros fights a lot less since he got his arse kicked twice in the past couple weeks? I love it. Parros is looking and old and tired, and it was great seeing both him and Getzlaf get their asses handed to them in scraps. George “Super Mario” Parros, it’s time to retire!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Not sure what Art means by the Ducks getting away with murder. Think he needs to be more specific, but don’t think he can be. As for goons, Ducks are a tough team. They led the league in fighting majors, but so what??? They won. Must be an unhappy Kings fan.
February 26th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Marty, you must be a biassed Ducks fan who was taught to wear blinders, like Ducks announcerBrian Hayward. The Ducks strategy seems to be to commit so many penalties, the refs get tired of calling them all because the team is already the most penalized. One example of the Ducks getting away with murder was Pronger only getting a one-game suspension for his SECOND offense during last year’s playoffs. There are tons of other examples of the Ducks getting aay with murder, like the constant high hits that go uncalled. I agree, the only way the Ducks will win the Cup again is if the NHL lets them get away with murder. But since the NHL got their much sought after first Pacific Division Cup winner, I would hope the league would call the Ducks on their goonish penalties. Also Marty, just because someone doesn’t like the ANaheim Dicks, that does not automatically mean they are a Kings fan. This is another lame assumption by all the bandwagon Ducks fans who came onboard once the NHL handed the Ducks the Cup.
February 26th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
HAHA…seeing these comments brings a smile to my face! All these bitter fans of the team’s who didn’t win last year! Go cry about it! Get ready to cry about it again soon since selanne and niedermayer are back!
February 26th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Waaaaaaa…the Ducks must have beat up Art’s team bad last year….put on your armor and be ready for round 2. Ducks all the way!
February 26th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
QUACK ATTACK!
February 26th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Wow look at all of the bitterness in these comments. Handed the cup to the Ducks? You kidding me? Pronger suspended twice, most penalty minutes in the NHL, and you want to claim they HANDED us the cup? Right. That makes total sense! Ducks didn’t dominate the whole regular season and post season despite all the penalty minutes against us for no reason, they’re an excellent team that any other teams fans would be dying to have as their team under their logo. Get a grip…If you know and understand hockey, you understand the Ducks have real talent. If you can’t even acknowledge that you’re a waste of fan space to the sport. Go educate yourselves.
February 26th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Germans have a word for what you’re feeling Art….it’s called SCHADENFRUEDE. Loosely translated it means having joy at someone elses misfortune. You must be single and lonely….maybe even still living at home at the age of 40…to feel this kind of anger and hatred for a hockey player you don’t really know. LOL. ….and yeah “Maverik impersonater” you probably are all very bitter Queens fans.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
What’s that saying? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
For the Maverik impostor above, I’m so very flattered. Thank you for impostoring me. I didn’t know you loved me so much. Impostoring me since the Tomas Holmstrom goal… that’s serious devotion, dude! Thanks! You’re getting my name out there, I appreciate it!
As far as the biggest threat in the west, I’ll have to say that the San Jose Sharks definitely stepped it up with the acquisition of Brian Campbell, and playing against Brad Richards in the same division is going to be quite scary. But I have to agree with the guys over at TSN that Ducks are still the biggest threat in the west right now. Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings are a very close second, however.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:24 pm
You guys are so smart saying the Ducks were the first Cup-Winner from the Pacific Division, remember Dallas? Guess not. Oh well, Ducks will be the first team from the Pacific Division to win the Cup twice
Bet on that.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
Maverik, you are so lame, you actually thought I was being sincere. LOL Of course I know the Ducks are a goon squad and that the NHL handed them the Cup last year. And I’m okay with that, because quite honestly, the Ducks don’t have the talent to win without taking cheap shots.
February 26th, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Why are you all so ignorant? Look up facts before you publish information that is blatanly wrong. The 1999 Dallas Stars were the 1st Pacific team to win the Stanley cup.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I must have missed the games “Janice” is talking about when she says Parros and getz got their “arses” handed to them. She must be a bitter Riley Cote fan and is still bitter that Parros put Cote to sleep. Or a bitter Wild, Red Wing, Canuck, or Senator fan. All the hate makes me smile knowing the Ducks are that good. Or maybe shes a kings fan bitter that the the words “Kings” and “playoffs” will never be in the same sentence. hahha
February 27th, 2008 at 2:20 am
LOL @ the morons who dont know that Dallas is in the Pacific division and won the division’s first Cup back in 1999… Art? Fake Maverik? Try doing research, instead of making stuff up. And since when is it a Cup yielding strategy to “commit so many penalties, the refs get tired of calling them all because the team is already the most penalized.” Again, just by doing some research, I can tell all the lame queens fans that Anaheim was actually shorthanded fewer times than the LA last season (as well as 14 other teams.) Most of their penalty minutes came from fights. When it comes to hockey, fighting is not a dirty word, and if it intimidates you, good!
February 27th, 2008 at 11:02 am
I think they must have meant the first Stanley Cup winner from California, but point taken. Many people outside the Ducks fan base feel the NHL handed Anaheim the Cup last year by letting them get away with murder. I can’t say I completely disagree, Pronger should’ve been kicked out of the Playoffs when he was suspended a second time. Most of you are too hung up on your beloved Ducks to be objective, which is sad. Those are the true morons.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:04 am
I love how you guys can find no fault with the Ducks. Fighting is one thing, cheap shots are another. The Ducks lead the league in cheap shots, most notably Chris Pronger. He will never make contact with another player unless they are off balance or facing another direction. Talk about a pud. That’s what made it all the better to watch him lose a few teeth the other night and run off the ice like a girl.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I’m thinking they are talking about the first California team to win the Cup? Anyway, aside from that, they have a point. Many people outside the Anaheim Dicks fan base think the team got away with murder last season, including people at TSN.
February 27th, 2008 at 11:27 am
You haters need to shut up because the Anaheim Dicks are the best team around.
February 27th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
As far as being objective Grant, I guess you (and “many people outside the Ducks fan base”) and I have a different definition of getting away with murder. Also, the NHL hardly handed anyone the Cup. Even if Pronger is suspended for the remainder of the SCF, it would’ve been unlikely that the result would have changed. The Ducks dominated the entire season. They breezed thru the entire playoffs. Their checking line outscored almost Ottawa’s entire team in the finals. Losing one guy on the blueline doesnt cause your forwards to stop scoring or stop your shutdown line from stopping the opposition. In fact, Anaheim WON both games they played without Pronger in the playoffs. But if it makes you feel better about your team losing, then keep up with the conspiracy theories about the league favoring a team. HAHA seriously… how asinine is that? The league favoring one team!? If you really believe that then you are in one serious state of denial about the strength of your own team.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Sniper, you are about as objective as announcer Brian Hayward. Every penalty call against the Anaheim Dicks is marginal, every penalty call in their favor was deserved, blah blah blah. The NHL favored the Anaheim Dicks all season last year, not just during the playoffs. You can toss as many what-ifs in as you’d like, the fact of the matter is the NHL was desperate for a California Cup winner to reverse sagging ticket sales and dwindling interest in hockey in the Golden State. The funniest part of all is, Anaheim Dicks fans hated Chris Pronger and agreed he was the NHL’s biggest cheap shot artist—that is until he joined youir team. Brian Hayward would be proud of you Anaheim Dicks puppets, he has brainwashed you all well.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
to all the idiot kings’ fans saying the NHL wanted its first ever Champion from the Pacific Division.. Stars won it before.
I think you all meant first team from California, since one of the other teams has failed for the past 40 years.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
How does that Stanley Cup Banner look in the rafters at Staples?
Oh thats right…….
SNAP!
Whats it like Queens fans to be the Clippers of the NHL?
ROFL!
February 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Troy said: “Anaheim Dicks fans hated Chris Pronger and agreed he was the NHL’s biggest cheap shot artist—that is until he joined youir team”
You wanna know WHY we said that? Not because we actually believed it he was a “cheap shot artist.” It was because we were jealous he wasn’t on our team. He pretty much knocked the Mighty Ducks out of the playoffs in 05-06 playoffs. He was the best player on the Oilers, hands down. Who wouldn’t want a leader and a player like Pronger?
All of you guys saying that he is a cheap shot artist, you are all in Anaheim’s shoes when Pronger was an Oiler. You guys are just jealous you don’t have one of the best defensemen in the league. You know what, that’s quite understandable. Keep at it. Because every time I see a negative comment about him, I can see the jealousy seeping from in between the lines. And it’s a beautiful thing.
Oh, and now we have a fake PD! Looks like this impostor has a multiple personality problem.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Love it! Impersonating me now…
There is a difference between being goons and being a physical team, and look what is happening, most other teams are trying to be exactly like the Ducks. The REAL Maverik had it right, impersonation is the sincerest form of flattery…. when it comes to pretending to be people you don’t know, or trying to be the team that won the cup (DUCKS)… it’s all very flattering. Philly is failing at trying to be the Ducks from last year, SJ will NEVER get it right, and Detroit is TRYING to beef up in preparation for us. It’s all relative.
– The REAL PD.
February 27th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
troy - “Anaheim Dicks fans hated Chris Pronger and agreed he was the NHL’s biggest cheap shot artist—that is until he joined youir team. Brian Hayward would be proud of you Anaheim Dicks puppets, he has brainwashed you all well”
1st, come up with something more creative than “Anaheim Dicks”, really? Are you 12?
2nd, if you had Pronger coming to your team you’d jump for joy. He is the type of player that you hate as an opponent but love when he’s on your side. That’s what a great player he is, he has that ability. If he was the missing link to get your team the cup, you’d gladly accept him with open arms. Don’t be a hypocrite.
3rd, Brian Hayward does not reflect the feelings and or opinions of all Ducks fans, he is his own person and even Ducks fans agree with you that he’s a biased commentator. That’s not our fault.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
PD, I am a Ducks fan but you are a hypocrite. You object to others making fun of the Ducks name, yet you say nothing about the immature losers in here who call the Kings the Queens. Don’t point out announcer Brian Hayward’s bias unless you are prepared to acknowledge your own.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hey Maverik, why are you complaining about people of (supposedly)being jealous of Pronger when you, yourself, admit you used to be when he played for Edmonton? Gotta admit, us Ducks fans are coming off as total hypocrites here.
February 27th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
Nothing but sour grapes from worthless queen fans. I bet the Duck’s AHL Portland Pirates could knock the crap out of the queens. Best thing that’s likely to happen is after the Ducks repeat as cup winners, they will get to pick ahead of the LA losers on the draft. Face it. LA sucks, and the best a queen’s fan only hope is for AEG to sell or move the team.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Unbiassed Fan - What??? Why is it any of my business to point out the people calling Kings fans Queen fans? I just said “troy” should come up with something more creative instead of the 12 year old “Dicks” name… sure, the Ducks fans can also think of something more creative but I was responding to “troy”… LOL how does that make me a hypocrite? I wasn’t the one who pointed out Haywards bias by the way, I was saying many Ducks fans would agree with “troy” (who was the one that pointed it out) that he has a bias. My opinion is most announcers have a bias towards their teams they announce for…. your response to me has made no sense whatsoever so if you want to call me out try to make some sense next time. Call me all the names you want to, but make sure it makes sense. Thanks.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
HAY RAAAA,
Are you kidding me. Apparently you can’t read. I wasn’t ‘complaining’ of people being jealous of Pronger. Who would be complaining about that? That’s MUSIC to my ears.
I said I UNDERSTAND people calling him a “cheap shot artist” because they are SOOO jealous. I never complained about it. I pointed it out and said people were jealous.
By the way, I never called him that myself.
February 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I saw both of the George Parros fights, and he did get beat pretty bad in both. Looks like “Super Mario” should have kept the mullet!
February 28th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
I don’t think they are all sad Kings fans.
The Kings fans have nothing to be bitter about, they won the Red Bull trophy. (It was close, but they pulled it out)
February 28th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
hi art, I agree, Chris Pronger did act pretty girly when he got his teeth mashed. He is legendary for being the biggest cheap shot in the NHL, and this year is no different. But you’re right, it is weird how he cowers whenever he gets hit or has to face someone eye to eye. You’d think a big guy like Pronger wouldn’t be such a chicken.
February 29th, 2008 at 9:38 am
nice come back. He looked real girly storming off the ice after a blatant highstick that fractured his jaw and required surgery. (which the ref completely missed the penalty call) Not like Handuz turtling when Pronger beat the crap out of him AFTER he started the altercation.
I am curious though,
are you guys going to drop a banner from the rafters at gayples center for that Red Bull championship they won against those amatures? Might be your only banner for some time…
February 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I say the Anaheim Dicks are going all the way! Fabulous!
February 29th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Mike, I completely agree with you—Pronger did look real girly storming off the ice. Funny how a guy can dish out cheap shots all day, but cowers whenever anyone touches him first.
March 1st, 2008 at 12:21 am
HA! I love it!! Did anyone see George Parros get his butt kicked AGAIN Friday night against the Flames?!? That is the third straight fight Parros has been humiliated! Give it up Parros, your days as a goon are over and you look like a sorry old man. Ever since Parros cut his mullet and became a Super Mario look-a-like, he has been biatch slapped around by the opposition. Retire, old man!
March 3rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
The Ducks biggest threat is a game in which the refs actually call Anaheim for the penalties they commit.