Showing posts with label Gregsky. Show all posts

Monday, April 29, 2013

GREGSKY'S PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS: EAST

Now that the matchups are set in the East, it's time for GREGSKY'S PLAYOFF PICKS. Again, just going with my gut on these picks...letting that silly monkey throw her poop at the spinning wheel and do the antic thing...not me...not this time...not going to let any little primate rattle me!!

PITTSBURGH vs NEW YORK ISLANDERS
As glad as I am to see the kids on Long Island gain some much needed playoff experience, they unfortunately drew the short straw this year. Facing a monster roster in the Pens will be an experience alright, but one the Islanders will want to soon forget. I liken this matchup for the kids to getting into a fight with a buzzsaw. PITTSBURGH in 5

MONTREAL vs OTTAWA
This series could go either way. Both clubs have been banged up a bit and have relied on kids to step up and produce. Looks like the Habs are a bit stronger in net and more potient on special teams. The Sens however can be punnishing physically. I see the Habs moving on to the next round, but definately not the easy way. MONTREAL in 6

WASHINGTON vs NEW YORK RANGERS
The Caps are hitting all cylinders going into the post season and show no signs of slowing. The Rangers on the other hand, are not looking like a team ready for playoff action. The Blueshirts look sad on special teams and without Staal on the blueline lack the needed defense. Look for the Rangers to win a couple at home on their crappy ice with a few fluke goals, but the Caps should take this Ranger team to task. WASHINGTON in 6

BOSTON vs TORONTO
Glad to see the Leafs back in the post season. With that said...we'll see you next year. As much as the Bruins have limped into the playoffs they are a much better team than the Leafs all around. It actually is a blessing in disguise that the B's drew this matchup. If they had any other opponent they would be one and done. Look for the Bruins to get their mojo and their nastiness back tuning up against Toronto. BOSTON in 6

Enjoy the first round my friends...we'll see how well I do against that damn monkey!!!

*NOTE: REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT GREGSKY'S HOCKEY CARD COLLECTION AT AUCTION NOW!! See here for details and/or follow links to view or bid:

http://aroundtherinkwithgregsky.blogspot.com/2013/04/attention-hockey-card-fans-and.html?m=0

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151320&lotNo=42188&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43210&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43213&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43214&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43215&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44181&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44182&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44183&type=

Sunday, April 28, 2013

GREGSKY'S PLAYOFF PICKS : WEST

Hey gang...it's time once again for Gregsky's Playoff Predictions!! Since the West is set today we'll focus there. Shooting straight from the hip and going with my gut on the picks this year given the nature of a shortened regular season. Speaking of nature...I'll let Maggie the Monkey jump up and down, throw her poop at the spinning wheel and do her thing...not going to pay her any mind or let her antics be a distraction this time out!! So let's get right to it...

CHICAGO vs MINNESOTA
For all the crazy money the Wild spent to stumble their way into the postseason, just doesn't smell like a team primed for a first round upset. Couple that with the fact the Hawks are so dominate, makes this pick an easy one. CHICAGO in 5

ANAHIEM vs DETROIT
This series has all the markings of an upset. Ahhh...but that's not going to get me to bite!! I have a feeling that the bigger, stronger Ducks will be just too physical for the aging Wings to survive. Detroit will win a few behind the marvel of Datsyuk and Zettts, but will be finding it too hard to play the control game from the seat of their pants. ANAHEIM in 6

VANCOUVER vs SAN JOSE
The Nucks are playing well and benifitted from the short season to win the division this year. The additions to the roster did give them much needed depth, but this series is where the upset will occur. The Sharks will take full advantage of the mistakes Vancouver will undoubtably make and punish them on the powerplay. SAN JOSE in 7

ST. LOUIS vs LOS ANGELES
It would be easy to pick the defending champs to roll through the first round given that the team made very few changes since raising the cup. The thing about being champs in this league though is it's so difficult to repeat. The Blues, have had an up and down season, but are clicking at just the right time. Thinking their speed will outlast the physical play of the Kings and advance past the champs. ST. LOUIS in 7

So there you have it folks...my picks for the first round in the West. Picks for the East will be coming next so be on the lookout for that. Now...I need more coffee...enjoy!!

*NOTE: REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT GREGSKY'S HOCKEY CARD COLLECTION...AT AUCTION NOW!! See here for details and/or follow links to view or bid :

http://aroundtherinkwithgregsky.blogspot.com/2013/04/attention-hockey-card-fans-and.html?m=0

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151320&lotNo=42188&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43210&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43213&type=

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43214&type=

Monday, April 22, 2013

ATTENTION HOCKEY CARD FANS AND COLLECTORS

Hey hockey fans...as you may recall Gregsky's massive hockey autograph collection sold at auction last year. Now Gregsky's hockey card collection is going on the block!! The collection has been broken down into 12 different lots and spread across 4 consecutive auctions. The auctions are online only and run for approx a month each. The first auction is underway and each following Sunday another will start.

Featured in these auctions are a starter card collection of approx 4500 cards of many stars and HOFers ranging in years from 1968-2000's. Several lots of stars and HOFers autographed. A collection of Wayne Gretzky autographed cards. Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque autographed cards. A complete 60 card set of Topps 1954 with Gordie Howe autographed. And much more!!

Go to Heritage Auctions website http://www.ha.com/ and search for the following auction numbers and sub-category hockey:
Auction # 151320 - Apr. 21- May 19
Auction # 151321 - Apr. 28 - May 26
Auction # 151322 - May 5 - June 2
Auction # 151323 - May 12 - June 9

You can follow these links to view and bid now:

http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151320&lotNo=42188&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43210&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43213&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43214&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151321&lotNo=43215&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44181&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44182&type=
http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=151322&lotNo=44183&type=

Go view...Go bid...Go own a part or several of a great collection...Go enjoy...Go celebrate the great game we all love!!

Monday, July 2, 2012

JUST FOR FUN DEPT...THE ZACH PARISE THEME SONG

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d play in your barn

I would play in your barn

And if I had a hundred million dollars

If I had a hundred million dollars

I’d wear the “C” in your barn

Maybe an “A” but I’d rather wear the “C”

And if I had a hundred million dollars

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d buy you a playoff seed

A nice top playoff seed

And if I had a hundred million dollars, I’d buy you a cup

If I had a hundred million dollars

I’d build you a dynasty in your barn

If I had a hundred million dollars you could watch

It will only cost you the farm

If I had a hundred million dollars

Maybe we could put a locker made of gold

In there somewhere

We could just go in the room and hang out

Like talk to the press and stuff

And there’d be lots of cameras pointed at me

Like I’d say all the usual and right things

They would eat me up like candy

I’d flash them my smile and they’d melt

Well, can you blame them?

Yeah

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d buy fur seats for the fans

But not real fur seats, that’s cruel

And if I had a hundred million dollars

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d buy us a championship

Yep, like a division or a conference

And if I had a hundred million dollars

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d entice other free agents to play here

All them crazy free agents

And if I had a hundred million dollars, I’d buy you a cup

If I had a hundred million dollars

We wouldn’t have to fly first class anymore

If I had a hundred million dollars

We’d take a leer jet ‘cause it costs more

If I had a hundred million dollars

We wouldn’t have to eat hotel food

But we would eat hotel food

Of course we would, we’d just eat more

And buy really expensive wines with it

That’s right, all the fanciest French wines

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well I’d buy us third jerseys

But not real third jerseys, that’s cruel

And if I had a hundred million dollars

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d bring you some trophies

A President’s or a Stanley

If I had a hundred million dollars

Well, I’d buy you a new Zamboni

Haven’t you always wanted a new Zamboni?

If I had a hundred million dollars, I’d buy you a cup

If I had a hundred million dollars

I’d be Zach

Saturday, June 30, 2012

GREGSKY'S FREE AGENT FRENZY PREDICTION GAME

As we approach the start of the free agent period on Sunday, I thought it would be fun to take a look into the crystal ball and use my amazing “Kreskin-like” abilities as a prognosticator to see just where some of the top free agents will be landing.

DISCLAIMER - Keep in mind that this exercise is intended for entertainment only. That means it is purely for fun and should not be used as a guide or strategy for any gambling purpose or money making endeavor. Especially since all predictions are made from someone suffering a coffee induced haze and all thoughts within are channeled through the brain of someone so hyped up on caffeine he can feel his hair growing.

Now on to the fun…

Ahh…yes…the picture is becoming clear…I see Alex Semin skating alongside Pavel Datsyuk…yes so it shall be…Semin becomes a Red Wing.

Hmmm…the crystal ball is still seeing red…it seems that the Wings are not done dipping into the pool…WOW!!! …what a splash!!! The Red Wings sign Ryan Suter!!!

Now I see that the Avs want to get in on the act…they snap up Juri Hudler in a quick move

What’s this? It seems that Sami Salo is now a Penguin…the crystal ball has shown this to be so

The Dallas stars so it seems…yes…it is the Stars pulling P.A. Parenteau from the pool

Uh-oh…so many tears…what can this possibly mean? Oh I see it clearly now…Zach stays a Devil

Oh my…say it’s not so…well it must be…the crystal ball wouldn’t steer me wrong…would it? It is telling me that Shane Doan is now in a Dallas Stars sweater!!!

Good news for Leafs Nation…Matt Carle signs with Toronto!!!

Looks like Ray Whitney is putting on a familiar sweater…nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina!!!

My crystal ball is showing me an old goat…what can this mean? Oh…I see it now…Jagr re-ups with Philly

The Avs are getting back into the fray…well…look at that…they sign Dustin Penner

Okay crystal ball…you have shown some interesting UFA signings…but can you show me any trades?

Yes…that’s it…well it’s a little fuzzy…can’t see the returns…but it looks like Rick Nash is wearing a Sens sweater…wait…something else is coming through…Luongo going back to the Panthers…wow…what’s this? …one more? …oh…okay…it looks like Bobby Ryan in a Rangers sweater

Well…the crystal ball has gone dark…I guess that’s as much “frenzy” as it is willing to show. I guess we will just have to wait and see how accurate these predictions come Sunday…here’s hoping your team snags everyone on your wish list.

Friday, June 29, 2012

GREGSKY'S RANDOM THOUGHTS

Because my brain is scattered due to the amount of coffee I’m pouring down my gullet I guess now is a good time to revisit an old staple in GREGSKY’S RANDOM THOUGHTS…

Okay Kings…let’s not get the FBI involved in the search for the missing Stanley Cup winning puck…please

Will Sidney Crosby still be an elite player in the final years of that new contract extension or will he spend those years drooling in his oatmeal thinking how great it is to be Batman?

Just a thought…maybe Tim Thomas is a better fit in Toronto than Roberto Luongo…we all know how B.B. loves those American players

Justin Schultz better be as good as he thinks he is…I guess offer sheets isn’t the only loophole that needs closing in this next round of CBA talks…just sayin’

Who’s a better fit in Boston to round out the forward corps…Ray Whitney or Shane Doan?

Who’s a better fit in Carolina to round out the forward corps…Ray Whitney or Shane Doan?

Here’s hoping that Jonathan Quick isn’t the new Rick DiPietro

Here’s hoping that Cory Schneider isn’t the new Andrew Raycroft

Brad Richards posing nude…is that really necessary Brad? Really?? …’nuff said moving on

Sitting here wondering if Sunday will bring us a “frenzy” or a flop

Given the situation both teams are in…a deal highlighting swapping Nash for Ryan would be ideal…given that the Ducks aren’t on “Nash’s list” makes it improbable…so when the ransom for Nash weakens and he finally moves on…so should Howson

I love this year’s HOF class…so much talent…so many memories…so deserved

Best of luck to Adam Oates and Kirk Muller in their first full years at the helm…the Southeast will be fun to watch…can’t wait

Sitting here wondering if anyone will pick the Sharks…again

I love what you’re doing in St. Louis…keep it up

Sweet Lou will find a way to keep Zach in a Devils sweater…it’s a perfect fit

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

CAROLINA DRAMA...OR...COOL YOUR ENGINE BEFORE IT STAALS

You know, it’s funny how life takes us on a journey of twists and turns. Such is the case for me, as I find myself newly relocated in North Carolina less than ten minutes from the PNC Arena in the heart of “Cainiac” country. What is funny is that I grew up spending the majority of my weekends following this franchise when they were known as the “Whale” in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Remembering how awesome it was to see the Howe family skate together on the same team. It almost seems fitting that this is where I find myself being that I never truly took my eye off of this team even after they packed up and headed South. A part of me was even quite pleased when the raised the Cup back in 2006 as I had waited what seemed to be a lifetime to see this franchise win a championship.

With all of that said, I have started to settle in here in this beautiful part of the country familiarizing myself with my new surroundings and checking the pulse of this “Southern Fried” hockey fan base. I have to say that the heartbeat is strong and very passionate, so the term “Cainiac” is quite appropriate. Although the fan base may not be as well schooled as some traditional hockey markets, the fire, passion and support these fans feel for their Hurricanes rivals that of any NHL city. That fact is extremely apparent just by giving a quick glance into the chat rooms, message boards or any social network platforms where hockey talk dominates. Even more apparent as of now, due to the latest Draft Day drama that took place the other night in Pittsburgh. Where we saw possibly the biggest trades of the off-season instantly send shockwaves through this sleepy southern community as well as the rest of the hockey world.

The rumors had been swirling for days leading up to the draft as the writing was on the wall and it was no secret that something had to give in regards to the situation Jordan Staal and the Penguins found themselves in. Also well known was the desire of the Carolina Hurricanes to add Staal to their roster, but at what cost? Therein lay the drama that has caused “Cainiac’s” worldwide hearts to racing either with excitement or disbelief. The cost of landing Jordan Staal in a Hurricanes sweater alongside his brother Eric was indeed quite steep as the price was the number eight pick in this year’s draft, young gun Brandon Sutter and former B.C. Eagle d-man prospect Brian Dumoulin.

As the dust starts to settle and the reality of the deal starts to sink in, reaction is a mixed bag of emotions for Hurricanes fans. Some applauding Mr. Rutherford for doing whatever it took to land the star forward, some calling for his head for giving up so much for a player who could end up being no more than a one year rental along with some who just don’t know what to make of the entire situation but are happy that the team is doing something active be it good or bad as well as those who think the franchise is doomed. I can understand the mixed feelings amongst the hometown fans as losing an opportunity at drafting another top ten prospect for the future along with a standout such as Sutter is an awful lot of sacrifice, but on the other hand Jordan Staal, who won’t turn 24 until September, brings a ton of upside to a Hurricanes roster for years to come if they can entice him to sign long term. What I believe brings the most anxiety to Canes fans is if Rutherford could have waited a bit longer he just might have been in a position to obtain Staal without having to part with Sutter. The problem with him waiting until Jordan became an UFA next year is the same lack of guarantee that he would come to Carolina as it is whether or not they can sign him. The plus to that is at least now they have a year with him as a Hurricane to get that accomplished which is the better of the two scenarios.

So my “Cainiac” friends, before you throw yourself into the eye of the storm or call for J.R.’s head on a platter or give up completely on hockey before the season even starts, try to see how this move actually makes your team stronger. How the move actually puts them in a good position to be active in pursuing and enticing bigger name free agents to head south and enjoy what we all already know to be a wonderful place to hang our skates.

Monday, July 18, 2011

FLASHBACK: WINNIPEG JETS

The following presentation is an attempt to celebrate the return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite all-time Jets for you to remember and enjoy! All pictures are courtesy of Gregsky's collection.

In remembering the past we all can look forward to the future....

Teemu Selanne

Dale Hawerchuk

Doug Smail

Anders Hedberg

Bobby Hull

Dave Christian

Peter Sullivan

Bob Essensa

Randy Carlyle

Dave Babych

Willy Lindstrom

Barry Melrose

Brian Mullen

Dave Ellett

Lucien DuBlios

Laurie Boschman

Phil Housley

Ted Green

Gord Donnelly

Morris Lukowich

Ulf Nilsson

Serge Savard

Paul MacLean

Keith Tkachuk

Ron Wilson

Friday, October 10, 2008

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF HABS HOCKEY: HEROES HANG FROM THE RAFTERS

They are revered in our hearts. Their spirit fills the air. There is honor in their in their legacy. There is glory in their achievements. They are heroes who hang from the rafters.

Just one look upward in the house of Habs tells the story. The championship banners, conference and divisional banners and the retired numbers looming overhead is an awesome sight to behold regardless if you are taking the ice or taking a seat. It holds a presence unmatched by any other arena in the world; all you have to do is look up.

In honor of the Montreal Canadiens and the heroes that hang from the rafters, A.T.R. presents the following pictorial tribute to the retired (and soon to be) numbers of the greatest team in all of sport. All photos courtesey of Gregsky's Collection. http://aroundtherinkwithgregsky.blogspot.com/2008/07/once-in-lifetime-offer-from-gregsky.html

JACQUES PLANTE