vadvlfan

I read recently Milan Kraft is being dangled. He's a big guy good with the puck 7 has some speed. I think Pens will take a bag o' pucks. Any thoughts? Vince

I heards he had some baggage, but still pretty young I guess. He'll get every opportunity to prove himself. I'll get achance to see Rats again in Jan here in Va Thanks for the info Vince

No one is calling him the next coming of rocky trottier, but I think you guys are selling him short. I'd also love to see him alongside Gomer/Elias once in awhile. This is a formidable 4th line combining the experience of turner/rasmussin/& the ruppmeister's hunger to keep his job. Vince

Has anyone seen this guy play?? All I've ever read is scouting reports on HF Is he just a skilled euro type, does he hit? Does he bring anything to the team?? I know he's been out a lot, personal stuff, losing a baby. Has he played yet this year? Vince

Jason, it depends on the devs expectations. I think he'll fill that role (4th line banger capable of chipping in a few here and there. I wish he had a lil more Danton in him, (nastiness) but I like him so far. Remember he's scared sh!tless to make a mistake (hence being a step behind @ times) Stevens can f*ck up @ times, Rupp cant, he goes to Albany. Vince

I dont think rupp will go anywhere. Burns is the kinda guy that will keep him honest. He'll have to constantly earn his job. I love the 4th line of him, Turner & Rasmussin. They all throw the body, & ruppmeister has a huge wing-span. Vince

martin prolly nbever expected to be up here. I agree he needs Albany for awhile vince

Admirals scored a pp goal with a min or so remaining to salvage a tie. Norfolk outshot the rats 36-20 (not counting ot) and pretty much dominated the game. The rats had a hard time breaking out all night, and Admirals were some cycling fools. The lines were kariya-darby-suglobov*pihlman-hartsburg-pikkarainen* hulbig-johansen-bicek *nittel -skrlac (4th line) Not many of the defewnsive pairing stayed the same. clemmenson went for us scorers were kariya/darby/suglobov Highlights- fights-skrlac/jones throwing haymakers both big/strong also, matteucci-aitken (big d- man) our capt held his own minor scraps -bicek & cote * Steve Passmore was in net for Norfolk took a pen for xchecking pikkarainen leading to our go ahead goal. T-bone wasnt there for some reason. Overall defensmen are pretty mobil, and we have some speed We came out flying in the 3rd like we really wanted to win the game. Overall our team looks pretty darn good but! there's no no. american grit on this team. no one will fear playing this team. Here's some observations: hartsburg- sat the whole 3rd prolly due to suckage. cant winface-offs didnt see the value in him suglobov- all over the ice- great wheels but caught out of position many times in our end. great wrister remindsme of patrik pihlman- didnt take the body early until someone yelled @ him. very pretty pass to finish 2 on 1 with darby. decent with the puck & away from it. nittel- big guy seem a lil over his head. wearing 16 he reminded me of holikstein. johansen- best face-off man on the ice! on both teams. he doesnt lose either forhand or backhand. good wheeels shys away from physical stuff but has good hands. hulbig-great game played like the vet he is. most impressive: mike matteucci- he's a good choice for capt. crunched the body and handles puck well- pikkarainen- seemslike a defensive type guy takes the body often-got under passmores skin-doesn't seem comfy with the puck alex brooks was good last night too- uchevatov was very good when someone pissed him off. I left out darby, kariya, bicek & more cause you all know them. Look at these guys as rookies (1st year men) & man they are going to be good!! bicek was the best rat on both sides of the puck. vince

Rats had practice todaY@ the rink where I coach bantams, and I missed it But I will be attending tomorrow nights game against the Admirals. And I'll give you a lil scouting report. Vince

I know it's early, but I believe both rookies are not ready for primetime, especially Martin. I agree that Brown should be given more of Kenny's role because of his experience, & toughness, which doesn't exist with Hale/Martin. I'd rather see Gireaux/Brown or Brown/Albelin. I think lou is pushing these guys along because of capt age. Play Rupp, and sit Gionta pls. Vince

Any predictions of who our 5/6 d-men will be? Brown/Gireaux ? Will we see albelin signed?? Hale?? I dont know besides Brown, that really won the role. Vince

When the Banner is raised when we play da leafs, wonder if Niewy we'll be on the ice? Or will they do the ceremony tween warm-ups/dropping the puck? I mean #25 did have a part in it. Any thoughts? Vince (btw, saw the eagles once @ "Roosevelt Stadium" (jersey city) w/ Beach Boys people brought their dogs, and yes, there were large "droppings")

Theoretically, they have enough skaters to fill 2 nights. I's no more alarming than to lose 6-1 (dev) to the flyers. This is the time to see whatr your young guys can do. I think burns suggested the flyers took pleasure in putting in only 2 reserves & beating us. Screw beating anyone in preseason, show me what pihlman & others can do. I dont read into it very much Vince

Are you the same devsrul as on AOL?? And the list? A famous NJ HS goaltender? Vince

Scott, you would make a lot of "not so famous" devils ,especially rookies, even moreso if they were foreign dudes, and asked for their autograph. Then again, would you know who they were? Vince

Great pics scott! Do they do this in a couple of groups?? Maybe even 3? Vince

It would be nice. Who would we have to give up to get him?? Vince

Scott, you can count me in. I asked a guy in group sales and he doubted they're going to do groups that night. Only thing that sucks is I'll lose 2 days work. vince

I love watching hockey @ any level. If there is a stoppage, I'd love to watch these guys. WHL hockey is better than no hockey @ all.

We need as many people in the seats as possible! Congrats RD, cool moniker too! vince

My bro went last night, and was invited to the little reception afterwards held accross trhe street in a vacant perkins pancake house, with no AC. Dano had both children with him. Jerry, a friend was (methinks) the organier of the event. He puts on couple "old timer" charity events (hockey games). One of which is old flyer alum vs. old other guys (bruce driver, nystrom others) He held them in Toms River & Brick & does them every year. I called my bro cellphone, & he was the 1st one in the party, and I thought he was going to hand the phone to dano (I was hoping) But he said kenny was very friendly/accomodating to everyone regardless of the stifling heat. He got good pix, but not sure how well they turned out cause of the poor lighting & getting jostled a bit. vince

thats because your chico, & , chico is god!

Not a bad idea, they've got good pie. One of the negatives of living here in va, you have to look for decent pizza. vince

Any have a list, or know which Rats are still under contract (returning) Will we still have Roche, Hulbig, Darby, Bergland etc? Vince

If the wings put him on waivers, I think he'll be scoffed up by either avs or st. louis, which would definately come back to bite them in the ass. And would've cost them nothing but his big ass salary. Did anyone ever think Hasek may not come back to the same form. vince