Attila Umbrus

I have to go out on a limb here. I've been thinking about this for a while now. But Virtanen really reminds me of Corey Perry. Full of piss n' vinegar, can snipe the puck, plays dirty but in a good way (if he's on your team lol). Can hit and play a power game, and is not a liability defensively. Pretty similar body types. Anyways, I think there are some definite comparables. Thoughts?

Aaaannnddd...BOOM...mike drop! Great read, learned a lot. Thanks!

I hate to say it's true because there are so many good Russians playing in the NHL and it's not fair to them...but it does have validation. Lots of players from different nationalities do the same thing if they don't get what they're seeking for in the NHL, but it's not maybe as frequent as how many times it happens with Russian players. Perhaps it's because Russians know they have the KHL which by all accounts is the next best league in the world with the next best pay for a professional.

That's a good point to bring up, but I remember his goals he scored last year. They were nice but came at the expense of playing a team game and a team system. That's why I have trouble with what Nikita said. Of course not all his goals last year were because of his lack of team play, but there were quite a few instances during his short stint last season where he provided spark a certain points during the game then floated around blowing assignments for the rest looking to cheat on a play and get a quick goal. I thinks that's more why Willie would bench him...maybe he gets too excited when he scores a goal lol?? Of course this is just my point of view, and I do see your logic as well. Cheers

What i'm most worried about is how he thinks Goldobin should be playing in the NHL because he can score goals...if that's his view of hockey he's sorely mistaken about what NHL hockey is all about. Sure it's nice to score goals but there is so much more to the game than just that. For him to suggest he doesn't know why Goldy gets benched all the time shows me he doesn't fully understand the North American version of the game. Goldy is a great prospect with great offensive talent but if you just float around waiting to score all the time it just makes your teammates work harder on the ice to cover for you, which is selfish. You need to contribute on both ends of the ice to earn respect in this league. Funny thinking about it...but Goldy is very much like Subban, great at offence...defense...what defense?

You're right, good point. When you see something well constructed with good thought put into it all you can really do is give props or a plus to the guy lol. But those are the kind of posts I like. Something with substance that I can read and maybe learn a bit from.

It's hilarious actually, pretty much like clock work. The negative posts just start flying off the shelf after a loss. Benning is an idiot, Fire Benning, Fire Linden, Fire Lindenning, on and on and on...really annoying! There are some great posters on here, I mostly just read and don't respond much but I get a lot of great info from some good people on here. I'll keep focusing on them and their informative posts and not even bother with the rest of the trash because it's so repetitive!

Lol, forgot about this...dang I love Lu! It's funny looking back on how spoiled we were with him. Yet most people on here still found ways to grind bones with him. CDC...never satisfied.

Ugh...imagine that coming down on your head...!? My neck hurts thinking about it lol. Nice to see him getting some PP time, and in front of the net! Cherry on top. I remember when Byfuglen was in Chicago and they would park him in front of Lu on the PP. Was damn effective...

Haha yup, the ol' clayhurst ferry. I remember it well. That was the only way across the peace river back in the day. My uncles land is in clayhurst and he married a Rolla girl, her family has land spread all over that area. Lovely area, the canola crops in full bloom is one of my most favourite sights and smells. I'm the same, I like manual labour so I don't use too many power tools around my property. I rake leaves, shovel snow, Buck wood, etc all by hand. Good work out indeed. It's just good to get outside really. Ya I'm in the same boat, I don't like what he did but I'm willing to chalk it up to immaturity. Hopefully he learns from this and moves on in a positive matter.

Not sure if it's been mentioned it but he's really reminding me of Brian Boyle, hard nosed 3rd line center that can hit, score a bit, and play good defense. Obviously by the sounds of things he may be quite a bit faster than Boyle on skates tho. But the size comparison is there for sure. If he turned out like that Attila be happy ;P

And meanwhile in Nashville people are throwing catfish on the ice, Detroit used to throw an octopus onto the ice. The disrespect to animals around the world is an issue, Palmu isn't the only one. He even admitted he caught and released the fish. It still doesn't make it right especially since it's a protected species. I still like the kid, he's learning real hard probably for his first time tho, that now you are an NHL teams prospect, especially one with a rabid fan base. You better watch what you do, or we'll friggin hang ya kid...lol. I think he'll learn his lesson, issuing an apology via news report is embarrassing enough. Lets let the kid live n' learn.

My father grew up in Sardis, so know that area well. Used to go to Cultus Lake as a kid and rent the cottages there back in the 80's. It's a bit crowded now tho! Beethoven's pizza is a fond memory as a kid growing up. As for the rest Alf, that is just golden! I'll be aware of anyone fuzzy riding around a scooter down in the mainland next time I visit...I don't want to get a whack lol! Cheers bud

I kinda think of him as a fitness freak, gym guy. He doesn't scream farm boy to me...but who knows lol!? Where was your farm Alfie? All my family is from the Dawson Creek area, I basically grew up on my uncles farm. He has 1100 acres of freedom on the Peace River. But then I have other aunt's and uncles, and grandparents that owned land around the area as well...always chores to be done! My wife's family owns a 20 acre orchard in Metchosin outside of Victoria (beautiful in the summer, I pick fruit each year out there and sell it at the stand).

Ya he's going after some large catch with that rod lol. Halibut can be a large task to bring up! Or sturgeon! For sure, good ol' farm boys have good work ethic and are usually pretty darn fit. I remember having to pitch fork all the loose hay in my grandpa's field back in the day into a hay truck (glad I don't have to do that task anymore tho, it would get so hot out in the field!!)... i've never been fitter in my life. All my family farms mine and my wifes side, love working on the farm. I don't need a gym lol.

I remember seeing that photo of Howe a few years back...what a legend no wonder he lasted so long in the league!

Sounds delicious! lol

I think we will all be pleasantly surprised by Gaunce this season. He's a slow starter/learner. But once he gets momentum he really starts to catch fire. He went through the same process when he first came into the AHL, his stats at the beginning weren't pretty. But he started to climb the roster ladder a couple of seasons ago when Utica went all the way to the Calder cup finals. He was on a 3rd line with Hamilton and Bancks, that line didn't score all the time but they were absolute buzz saws. They made such a big impact and were on the ice against the top lines a lot. Gaunce wasn't a 3rd wheel either, he was right there with his line mates making plays, keeping the puck hemmed in the ozone, hitting, skating hard, playing just great nasty hockey. It was then when I realized we had something in him. Fast forward to the next season he's on the teams top line and playing on the LW. He was one of the top scorers on the team and had a huge impact wherever he played on the line up. Last season was his "warm up" season in the NHL, he played great D but there is more offence in him than we all think. I think he's gonna be a great 3rd line Center or winger for us for years to come. 30 points for him in the future is not that absurd.

Labate also had another fight, guy is a monster

So just decided to splurge to watch Rodins first game back from injury. Dang, first period and looking good. Making plays, good passing. Quick set up to Grenier in front of the net to tie the game! Also am really noticing Virtanen as well, in a good way