NHL 2010-2011: Rick Rypien

Hartford! Bring them to Hartford!

Vector wrote:
nihilo wrote:

The Islanders have been mismanaged for a couple decades now. Sure, they won four cups in the 80s with some really dominating teams - you have to respect that. But the last time they won a playoff series was 92-93. And before that their last successful season with 87-88.

I still feel like with good ownership the Isles could be successful franchise, and I hate to see a cup winning team move. But the Isles have been struggling for a long time now.

As relevant as all that is, it'd be an embarrassment to see the NHL buy a team in a market where hockey had little potential of working and do everything they can to keep it there, then let a iconic franchise leave.

I hope this is just needless worrying, on my part.

They let John Spano buy the Islanders with imaginary money, a pre-Madofian bullsh*tter, and since then it's pretty much been the toilet of the NHL on Long Island.

My current gig pretty much has me watching the whole thing unfold. I have no idea whether or not this is going to pass at the moment, but the Nassau County Exec's pushing for this as hard as he can.

I really hope the Lighthouse project goes through. On the surface it seems like a really good opportunity for all involved.

The Nassau voters turned out in dozens and turned down the new Nassau County arena project, even though they tried to squeeze it into the Summer vacation season to hopefully get a positive turnout. Still, it failed.

First, Atlanta.
Then, Phoenix.
In 2015, if not earlier, the Islanders.

Who would've thought that many years after expansion and movement, there would be the possibility of Winnipeg, Quebec, and Kansas City all returning to the NHL in some capacity?

I hope to god that Kansas City doesn't get an NHL team. If the Islanders move I'd like to see a new American market get a shot.

Vector wrote:

I hope to god that Kansas City doesn't get an NHL team. If the Islanders move I'd like to see a new American market get a shot.

Like where? Seattle?

carrotpanic wrote:
Vector wrote:

I hope to god that Kansas City doesn't get an NHL team. If the Islanders move I'd like to see a new American market get a shot.

Like where? Seattle?

Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas*, and Houston jump to mind.

There's also the old market of Hartford.

That doesn't include the two Canadian markets that could support a team if they build a new rink : Hamilton and Quebec City.

I'd rather the NHL try and put teams in the West Coast and would prefer new markets. Missouri doesn't need two NHL teams.

*I am not in favour of putting a team in Las Vegas.

As a future Portlander, I support the idea of an NHL team in Portland.

Could also keep it in New York, but not on the island. I've seen Brooklyn floating around, with the Nets moving there too.

nihilo wrote:

Could also keep it in New York, but not on the island. I've seen Brooklyn floating around, with the Nets moving there too.

And that's an idea I would be supportive of. I wouldn't even be opposed to changing the name to the Brooklyn Americans after the defunct franchise.

Vector wrote:
nihilo wrote:

Could also keep it in New York, but not on the island. I've seen Brooklyn floating around, with the Nets moving there too.

And that's an idea I would be supportive of. I wouldn't even be opposed to changing the name to the Brooklyn Americans after the defunct franchise.

Brooklyn Islanders isn't bad either.

Since it's not a baseball team, they could be a new Brooklyn Dodger team. No chance of that happening, and the Barclay Center seats 14,000 for hockey. I think that's even less than Winnipeg.

MaxShrek wrote:

Since it's not a baseball team, they could be a new Brooklyn Dodger team. No chance of that happening, and the Barclay Center seats 14,000 for hockey. I think that's even less than Winnipeg.

Kinda... if 14k actually showed up that would be better then the 'reported' attendance of the 4 lowest teams in the league last year. Key part being reported. Phoenix averaged 12,188 supposedly, I doubt it. 14,000 is low but assuming allot of luxury boxes, higher normal ticket prices and well 14k people actually showing up it could be feasible.

Then again would work much better in Canada where those caveats are realistic and the added dollar cushion.

Rick Rypien was found dead in his appartment. He hung himself.

He was best known for fighting people much larger than him and often winning. He was also known for his numeruous injuries and attacking a fan last season.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions about drugs (steroids, painkillers, or other), I want to explain some of the information I have. Rypien's leave of absence from the NHL was quiet because he had checked himself into a psych ward. What I was told was that it was for severe depression and he was on suicide watch. He eventually came back and played in the AHL playoffs for the Manitoba Moose. This summer he was signed by the Winnipeg Jets.

RIP the Rypper

I had heard his personal leaves were due to depression, but I'm shocked. That is absolutely tragic, and just 27 too. Rick Rypien was a really great part of the Canucks, and I looked forward to seeing him play for the Jets. It's a terrible disease. I hope he's found the peace he couldn't find before.

I was just interviewed by CBC radio and television in front of Rogers Arena. They seemed to be thrilled that I knew so much about him and confirmed he had spent time in the psych work for mental health issues. Which ward though, neither of us were sure.

Did you know him?

4xis.black wrote:

Did you know him?

Nope but my near obsession with hockey and random connections have given me a wealth of NHL knowledge and a bit of insider information.

Edit: The only reason they interviewed me was because I had happened to be wandering through the Rogers Arena area. Someone had erected a small memorial and the CBC crew didn't get there in time to talk to the people who put it up. They asked me if I knew about Rick Rypien and after a few simple questions I told the guy that "I know more about his career than you do". He laughed and both radio and television interviewed me for about 10 minutes.

I read that he had dealt with depression for 10 years, which probably would be the public side of it. He probably dealt with it much longer than that. Whatever the cause the situation sucks.

Matt Bradley discusses why he feels the Capitals haven't been successful in the playoffs.

It's interesting because he sounds like he's just honestly deconstructing what he thinks is missing from Washington. He describes the dressing room as 'nonchalant' and that certain players just aren't stepping up but are still getting all the ice time. He names Semin for that, and makes it clear that he's not talking about Ovechkin, who he says brings it every night and is never a problem.

Players so rarely just say what they think - it's interesting if only for that.

nihilo wrote:

Matt Bradley discusses why he feels the Capitals haven't been successful in the playoffs.

It's interesting because he sounds like he's just honestly deconstructing what he thinks is missing from Washington. He describes the dressing room as 'nonchalant' and that certain players just aren't stepping up but are still getting all the ice time. He names Semin for that, and makes it clear that he's not talking about Ovechkin, who he says brings it every night and is never a problem.

Players so rarely just say what they think - it's interesting if only for that.

Oddly enough, this is something that I think has plauged the caps for a long, long time. I've watched them for about a decade now, have watched them win the division multiple times, then just fail to show up in the playoffs. I don't know why, but they just choke. At this point, they've changed up their strategy, changed up players, but it's always the same result; make it to the playoffs, out in the first round usually, sometimes in the second round.

All told though, definitely an interesting look into how things are behind the scenes. Can't help but wonder if it's just an attitude that gets handed down from year to year, though.

Ooh Tom Barrasso Jersey.

I wonder if Andre Fleury is like 7' tall?

Though I wouldn't mind an old school Tom Barrasso jersey.