I hope Kariya comes back next year.

No,I am not kidding.I've done my share of Kariya bashing and he has deserved it but the bottom line is to win hockey games. Kariya saw on oppertunity to have a shot at winning a cup while at the same time being allowed to play a fun exciting style of game.

I blame none other then Mike Babcock for Paul Kariya leaving the ducks. Mike Babcock brought this stupid neutral zone trap where we have one to zero forecheckers and just clogging the nuetral zone...well this is boring and uncreative hockey. Look at the numbers for Sykora before he came here,look at Fedorovs numbers,look at Prospals numbers. Its amazing Kariya even had 82 points playing in this system last season,this system does not allow any offensive creativity. Look at what the leafs do,they use two forecheckers they not only score goals but they WIN games. Mike Babcock is to blame for this team averaging two goals per game,his system will eventually drive away every skill player we have. guys like Niedermayer,Leclerc and Rucchin thrive in a puck possesion,dump and chase game....guys like Fedorov,Sykora,Prospal,Chistov etc do not,skill players like to be creative and I am starting to understand why Paul Kariya left the ducks.

How many of you enjoy knowing that we are going to score two goals or less?do you realize the margin for error is so small that any turnover can cost us games and has. Mike Babcocks style is suffocating this team,some of you will say the players aren't executing and you may partially be right but lets be realistic...a team thats top 10 in PP and top 10 in PK should not be four games under .500, Paul kariya realized this team would continue to be a dump and chase team,last year we got hot at the right time,say what you want about Kariya not showing up for the playoffs but he still led the team in scoring and he brought it everynight,Mike Babcock is to blame for Paul Kariya no longer being a duck....just look at what his system is doing to our skill players guys,look at the stats, we will only have 1 60 point player unless something changes and more then likely this team will not make the playoffs because in Babcocks system you have to play PERFECT HOCKEY!!,as I pointed out earlier the Leafs play an offensive system,if they make an defensive mistake that results in a goal they can actually come back...when we give up the first goal and make a mistake we lose...its no coincidence folks,Mike Babcock has to change his philosophy.

Flame away

Wrong.

The system allows for plenty of offense, assuming the players execute it. I haven't seen that more than once or twice this season.

If thats the case CFOB,why didn't this team score goals last season when it was good?This team doesn't forecheck at all and that helps create turnovers as witnessed numerous times vs the ducks this season.

The players have been playing balls to the wall everynight since the Florida debacle and the system doesn't work.its amazing Kariya had 82 pts on this team.

.a team thats top 10 in PP and top 10 in PK should not be four games under .500

Now there's a twisted stat if I ever saw one. The PP may be top 10 by percentage but they're 18th by number of goals scored and could easily drop to 25 with a few bounces here and there.

The fact is the Ducks draw very few penalties (2nd to last) because they aren't hard to play against. No one is in front of the net and they aren't dangerous on the boards.

Kariya fixes neither of those problems, FWIW.

more then likely this team will not make the playoffs because in Babcocks system you have to play PERFECT HOCKEY!!

I don't think its Babcock's system, 90% of the league plays some sort of trap.

Honestly, I think the team's biggest problem is their defensemen suck right now, especially with Ozo out hurt. There is ZERO transition from defense to offense and every one on the blue line is a turnover machine.

If thats the case CFOB,why didn't this team score goals last season when it was good?This team doesn't forecheck at all and that helps create turnovers as witnessed numerous times vs the ducks this season.

The players have been playing balls to the wall everynight since the Florida debacle and the system doesn't work.its amazing Kariya had 82 pts on this team.
They're playing hard but not smart. Just effort isn't enough. We can't get out of our zone. That has nothing to do with a forechecking scheme.

Part of it is what Hank said, that the D just isn't too bright. The other part is that the forwards aren't very conscientious back there and aren't working to become available.

I think our attack, once it establishes, is plenty dangerous. It just rarely does.

Kariya wouldn't hurt, since he's an effort guy mostly these days, but unless he's rushing 200ft he's not going to be much help.

Chemistry, complacency and cash sum up this teams problem.

You can't tell me a system that worked so well the second half of the season last year can be blamed for the problems of this year.

This is a team of individuals right now. No team pride, no one sticking up for one another. No heart.

We aren't sneaking up on anyone this year and as that is these guys haven't learn what it takes to beat teams that are gunning for you every game.

Alot of players were more worried about their wallet rather than coming back with a strong year. It isn't a huge reason why but I beleive it still was a factor.

Ok I am not an experienced hockey fan, I dont know how hockey works as well as most of you so forgive me if this sounds stupid.

I too see Kariya's 81 point season last year as more of an achievement now than I did while he was putting up those numbers in Babcock's system. Though I don't think he would help the situation that is happening in Anaheim now, unless work ethic is a problem. I think Federov's stats now would mirror what Kariya would have. I think this current team is good enough to get to the playoffs they just need the 1 goal games to go their way like they did last year.

You hit the nail on the head Rallykiller, I only wish something is done in the NHL soon to stop teams becoming like the Devils and having all the flashy players praying to be traded to Colorado, Detroit, Vancouver or Ottawa.

As a fan of the team as long as they win I don't give a $hit about how hockey isn't letting their skill players be creative enough, etc...the problem right now has been repeated ad nauseum so to add a little more gag to the discussion: The Defensemen turn the puck over to the point of it almost being expected and also cannot move it out of their own zone with any regularity leading to extended stays by the opposition in our own end, a long shift and usually a multitude of nice scoring chances against us. This also allows opposing forwards to pinch more as they have no fear of the Ducks being able to get any semblance of a rush up the ice going. Which leads to....extended stays by the opposition in our own end, a long shift and usually a multitude of nice scoring chances against us.

You hit the nail on the head Rallykiller, I only wish something is done in the NHL soon to stop teams becoming like the Devils and having all the flashy players praying to be traded to Colorado, Detroit, Vancouver or Ottawa.

Sad thing is though....while we all might hate the NJ Devils...or the system that Mike Babcock has...and how much we love watching teams score insane amounts of goals...look at the playoffs.

How did those offensive powerhouse teams do?

ask the Avalanche, Canucks, Red Wings, Stars, Bruins, Lightning, and Senators how much their offensive players helped them beat the Ducks, Wild, and Devils last season?

It's a cliché, but offense wins games....defense wins titles....

KARIYA!!! :p :bow:
like i said.. he made me like hockey and the Ducks..
i would love to see him back next year...
btw...
his first game back and he got a goal...

Chemistry wise, it took him awhile to get chemistry with Oates and Sykora (was it??)
The team that he played with last year is not the same...
you have Fedorov and Prospal now...
can you imagine that line..
Kariya-Fedorov-Prospal?? :D

KARIYA!!! :p :bow:
like i said.. he made me like hockey and the Ducks..
i would love to see him back next year...
btw...
his first game back and he got a goal...

Chemistry wise, it took him awhile to get chemistry with Oates and Sykora (was it??)
The team that he played with last year is not the same...
you have Fedorov and Prospal now...
can you imagine that line..
Kariya-Fedorov-Prospal?? :D

Fedorov wouldn't be here if we retained Kariya's services. Probably not Prospal either. I would assume they would have reunited the Kariya-Rucchin-Selanne line.

ya know...nothing is stopping you Kariya lovers from becoming Avalanche fans?

I don't get why you still love him so much. It's like the husband that always beats his wife, yet the wife stays with him because she loves him, has hope for him, and says he wasn't always this way.

Move on...it'd be healthy for you all to do so....

I wouldn't complain if Kariya signed here (although I'd still hate him; Fedorov has proved to me that I can hate people on my own team), but not at the expense of upgrading the defense.

I wouldn't complain if Kariya signed here (although I'd still hate him; Fedorov has proved to me that I can hate people on my own team), but not at the expense of upgrading the defense.

why do you hate Fedorov so much Chock?

My guess is it's because he doesn't play every minute like he did in the 3rd period of the last game. He is hockey's C*ck tease.

My guess is it's because he doesn't play every minute like he did in the 3rd period of the last game. He is hockey's C*ck tease.

Not that Kariya plays with intensity every shift of the game... At least fedorov help the team in defense.

I don't want Kariya back, he will remain in Colorado until he will win a Cup. Hope that won't happen.

Chock Full Of Booger,
I see you wanna a defense upgrade and it's well known that Hamrlik is gonna be trade by the Isles. I would definitely like to see him in a Duck uniform but I fear that he will go to a Cup contender. Any thought?

Fedorov wouldn't be here if we retained Kariya's services. Probably not Prospal either. I would assume they would have reunited the Kariya-Rucchin-Selanne line.
i thin if Kariay came back that they would still keep fedorov.. maybe dump prospal...
it's the signing bonus of Jiggy that hurt us as well..
question though..
IF Kariya were to come back next year, would rooch give up his C for Kariya??

he would probly offer up the C to kariya but i doubt he'd accept it..with not haveing the C this year,he might actualy like not having the C

why do you hate Fedorov so much Chock?
Because he was the embodiment of everything I hate on a team that I hate.

Spoiled, egotistical, nonchalant over losing, poring over personal stat sheets, that stupid leg warmer he wears on his head during interviews; this is a guy that moves effortlessly up the ice on occasion, he gives the impression that he's saving himself for something. But something rarely seems to come.

1974 is right: he was dominant in the 3rd period against Dallas...where the hell was that all game? Hell, where was it all week?

He has a shot that is mind-blowing - hard and accurate, he disguises it almost perfectly - so why does he wait to use it until he's one-on-four, with no traffic in front? Is he stupid? Is it possible that he'd manipulate the on-ice situation so that he seems more heroic than he otherwise would?

I won't deny his defensive contribution (which is no more or less effective that Pahlsson's IMO), but if we were going to sign a high-level defensive center with only average offensive capabilities, we could have done so much more cheaply.

Chock Full Of Booger,
I see you wanna a defense upgrade and it's well known that Hamrlik is gonna be trade by the Isles. I would definitely like to see him in a Duck uniform but I fear that he will go to a Cup contender. Any thought?

Hamrlik would be fine. I'd give anyone but Lupul for him.

Hamrlik would be fine. I'd give anyone but Lupul for him.
anyone???

Yeah.

Yeah.
say it ain't so booger.. say it ain't soooo... :cry:
i'd give up havelid in a heart beat..

Well, you should at least be happy that I've come around on Lupul...

Kariya didn't leave because of Babcock's system. In fact, Kariya said Babcock was a good coach and that he was mad when Babs didn't win the Adams award.

So either Kariya was just being classy, or he actually liked Babs' system.

Kariya didn't leave because of Babcock's system. In fact, Kariya said Babcock was a good coach and that he was mad when Babs didn't win the Adams award.

So either Kariya was just being classy, or he actually liked Babs' system.
i think Kariya and Babs didn't get along.. or was it Kariya and BM...

I've refrained from commenting on this thread but no more. I have to say, I rather get my nuts chopped off than welcome Kariya back to Anaheim. The guy is a total A-hole. I would never spend my entertainment dollars and time rooting for that A-hole.

I've refrained from commenting on this thread but no more. I have to say, I rather get my nuts chopped off than welcome Kariya back to Anaheim. The guy is a total A-hole. I would never spend my entertainment dollars and time rooting for that A-hole.
it's ok JL we know you are lying... just let it out... ;)

Chemistry, complacency and cash sum up this teams problem.

You can't tell me a system that worked so well the second half of the season last year can be blamed for the problems of this year.

This is a team of individuals right now. No team pride, no one sticking up for one another. No heart.

We aren't sneaking up on anyone this year and as that is these guys haven't learn what it takes to beat teams that are gunning for you every game.

Alot of players were more worried about their wallet rather than coming back with a strong year. It isn't a huge reason why but I beleive it still was a factor.
The system produced 203 total goals last year,that is not very much.

The pattern is there,this team will never score goals because it doesn't forecheck.

Is it a coincidence that Fedorov,Sykora and Prospal's numbers go down here?Sykora was a 70 pt player THREE times already in his career.

The current system means you have to play mistake free hockey when you can only muster 2 goals per game,if this team was more offensive minded it could bounce back from turnovers easier IMO.

I wouldn't complain if Kariya signed here (although I'd still hate him; Fedorov has proved to me that I can hate people on my own team), but not at the expense of upgrading the defense.
Well this hasn't been mentioned much but about 15 million or so comes off of the team payroll next season,there will not be a salary cap and my feeling is that we could bring back kariya,re-sign Carney and still be able to go out and sign a really good defensemen.

or if you wanna be a high roller lets sign ziggy palffy!!!!

I've refrained from commenting on this thread but no more. I have to say, I rather get my nuts chopped off than welcome Kariya back to Anaheim. The guy is a total A-hole. I would never spend my entertainment dollars and time rooting for that A-hole.
Im not saying Kariya is a nice guy,infact i know hes not but i want this team to win hockey games.

203 was enough to win 40 games...

203 was enough to win 40 games...
hey booger, IF Kariya comes back are you going to change your avatar to I Want to Win in Colorado?? :D

They're playing hard but not smart. Just effort isn't enough. We can't get out of our zone. That has nothing to do with a forechecking scheme.

Part of it is what Hank said, that the D just isn't too bright. The other part is that the forwards aren't very conscientious back there and aren't working to become available.

I think our attack, once it establishes, is plenty dangerous. It just rarely does.

Kariya wouldn't hurt, since he's an effort guy mostly these days, but unless he's rushing 200ft he's not going to be much help.

I agree completely, I too thought the ducks weren't physical in front.. but our inability to get the puck out of the zone is horrible... we need major help in that department...

Does anyone seriously think Kariya would come back though? I don't think there is a chance in hell. Why would he leave for just 1 year or so and then come back. He would have known that leaving would upset Ducks fans, considering what he meant to the franchise, why would he risk all that for just 1 year with mates Teemu and Joe?

203 was enough to win 40 games...

With a total different play by the defense. :dunno:

hey booger, IF Kariya comes back are you going to change your avatar to I Want to Win in Colorado?? :D
Heh, I like that.

Maybe I will.

I'm amazed that some of you Ducks fans would welcome a guy back who pretty much lied to your faces at that rally, then turned around and spit in your face with his comments to the media.

I just find that shocking.

I'm amazed that some of you Ducks fans would welcome a guy back who pretty much lied to your faces at that rally, then turned around and spit in your face with his comments to the media.

I just find that shocking.

Ok I sort of don't understand the whole rally situation.

What would you say at the Western Conference champions celebration if you were planning on leaving? Would you ruin everyone's day by announcing that "if I am not tended a qualifying offer I no longer want to play in this crappy defensive system"? Or would you let the fans enjoy the day and as captain of the stanley cup finalists, your job to address the fans, give them something to cheer? I just don't think it is the time or the place to make an announcement on your future, and at that stage didnt he believe that he would be a duck this season?

btw What comments to the media Herby? I think I missed those. What did he say?

I was just thinking today that the Ducks should sign Palffy.

If the Kings try and low-ball him, we're only right down the street.

I think Palffy has the kind of attitude though that we don't want around here.

We signed Fedorov. How much worse could his attitude be?

Besides, Palffy's clearly entered his prime...he should be a top winger for the next few seasons.