This morning I was driving to school and listening to the radio. The topic was about why fighting was "acceptable" in sports. They were talking about some bench clearing brawl between two college football teams and why there are no legal repercussions from it. That got me thinking about fighting in the NHL. I'm not against fighting, and I think it is part of the game, but is there some sort of legal agreement that players need to sign to not charge the other...or something along those lines? If I were to get in a fight with somebody, chances are I would be charged with assault, but why are there no legal consequences of fighting in the NHL?

I am simply curious about this and was hoping somebody can provide me with the answer. Occasionally (such as the in the Bertuzzi and Chara most recently) players get charged with something, but why doesn't it happen for a regular fight? Does a player need to press charges or do the cops do it themselves?

This post is directed at anybody that attended the Saturday night game a few weeks ago (I believe it was against the Oilers but don't really want to check right now). Those of you that gathered in the nose bleeds and tried to create some fan excitement at the can, how did it go? Did it work? I believe that Avs got blown out that game, did it take away from your excitement? Is it something you would attempt again? I'm just curious, please fill me in on how it went!

Yesterday I put a fanpost up on the Canucks blog 'Nucks Misconduct. The trade talk here about acquiring a young goalie got me curious on what it would take to pry Schneider out of Vancouver. If you want to take a look at the fanpost here it is. Here is what I am reading from the Vancouver fan base:

1. Cory Schneider is the real deal. They already believe he is proven---I however am still highly skeptical of that because he has yet to play the role of starter at the NHL level

2. Although they have a lot of injuries at the back end of the ice, they are not looking for a defenceman right now. This means no trading Hunwick/Wilson/Cumiskey

3. They wouldn't mind having draft picks thrown their way as long as it is not the focal point of the deal (they may take our first pick though...I did not offer that)

4. They want a top six player...not prospects.

5. They do not want Budaj or Andy in return to backup, they have a guy in the AHL they think can do the job.

So here is the deal I think may be fair that we have not agreed upon, but does get their attention:

Jones+Yip/Gali+2nd

for

Schneider+Torres (they need some cap room)+3rd

What do you think MHH?

Well, it is quite obvious that this season is pretty much over for the Avalanche. The great majority of our fan base is resigned to the fact that we will be sellers this year. As your fan base probably knows, we have major goalie issues. Our side knows that Schneider is a good young goalie with some promise, and that your team may need some defensive help. Many at Mile High Hockey (Avalanche version of Nucks Misconduct) have heard/read/created rumors that the Avs are talking to your your team about trading us Schneider. Being as fair as you possibly can what do you think your team would want for him?

Judging by the way some trades have gone so far, and that the price of trading for him within the division may be higher than trading him to some Eastern Conference team, I will offer an initial proposal:

Schneider+3rd round pick (end of the third round)

for

Budaj + Holos (Holos is a fast offensive defenceman, insert Ryan Wilson if you want more of the stay at home type)

Or

Schneider+Vancouver 2nd round pick

for

Budaj+Hunwick+Colorado's 2nd round pick

What does your side think? Is trading him within the division an absolute no because he is really that good, or can something be worked out?

Chris Kelly just got traded to the Bruins for a second round pick. What does than mean for the value of our assets? Probably sky high! There have already been posts/discussions about what we can get for our players, but we must think wisely. We are only one year removed from a playoff birth, two months removed from being 4th in our conference (fairly deep into the season). So although we are pretty much at the lowest of lows right now, we were close to being a solid team. With our valuable/tradeable assets, we could easily load up on picks and continue the rebuild. Is that the best idea?

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Just a few observations from last nights game...

1. Is it just me, or did Gali look pretty slow last night? On multiple occasions, I noticed that he was significantly slower than anybody else on the ice.

2. Even though Holos was dressed, he did not play much...I wish we got some sort of explanation as to why he has not been playing!

3. Aside from Jones' goal, it seemed as if we did not touch the puck in the 2nd/3rd period

4. The problem with the powerplay is (as many already know) that we do not have a respectable shot from the point.

Just some things that were really noticeable from the Avs/Wings game.

Any self respecting Avs fan would agree, that the Red  Wings are the most vile of all NHL teams. I personally will always despise the Red Wings, and will always smile when I see them lose...especially to the Avalanche. But as most fans will agree, the rivalry is not the same anymore.

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As much as it hurts me to admit it, the Canucks are good. Very good. So good, that in my annual hockey pool that I do with friends, they are my pick to win it all! The team is proving that on the ice. Now that you all have my opinion of your team, I am hoping that you rival fans will give and honest and fair opinion of what you guys think of the Avalanche.

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Every time I go to Pepsi Center to enjoy a an Avs game, I am forced to cringe at some horrible jerseys. You all know what I am talking about, the Mrs. Liles jerseys, the customized name jerseys, the jerseys that have Wolski scratched out and Shattenkirk handwritten in...

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I've been reading MHH for over a year now, but recently have become more active in commenting/posting. I have always wanted to go to the burgundy/white game, but for whatever reason was never able to go. I just bought tickets to the game this year, and am pretty excited to see the scrimmage and all the rookies play. Anyway, just out of curiosity I wanted to see if you guys (the hardcore fans like me) choose sides for the game (is it by the color unipron you own?) or if it is just more of a relaxed sort of game. Do people cheer during the game?I kind of just want to know what to expect. Should be fun though! Thanks for your input!!

On a completely unrelated note, when is the deadline for the Avs to reach the cap floor? Is it on the first game of the NHL season, something else?