Speaking conversational hockey

Hey guys, it's been a while since I posted here (though I've lurked on and off for about 4 years and lost about 100 posts in the great crash a few years back), but I have need of your excellent services.

I'm hanging out soon with a friend who is a big hockey fan, and I'd like to be able to keep up with the conversation when we start talking about this player and that player and what's wrong with this team and what's awesome about that team and who's over/under-rated. The problem is, I enjoy watching the game but don't keep up with it seriously. I work desk so I see the standings every night, but haven't been watching a lot of highlights and such.

I skimmed through some of the hockey thread here, but I think something more focused would help me pick up a little easier. Something a little more intermediate, more polished (no offense).

Now, I'm not asking for tons of you guys' input (not that I don't want/appreciate it, just I know you don't have time or energy and we've already got a thread for you guys' hockey talks), but maybe links to good overviews? Things that might help me with names and such. League-wide team analysis.

Just something to help me keep up and contribute when he starts talking about it all. I don't want to win at fantasy or anything, just not sit there jaw agape when the conversation turns that way. Obviously I'll start reading more game stories, but any good columnists you could suggest?

Thanks for all your help.

 

Catch up on the Pittsburgh Penguins situation. The new ownership (or soon-to-be owners) are needing the state to approve slots in Pittsburgh so they can then use the revenue to build a new arena.

If there's no new arena in Pittsburgh, then the Penguins go elsewhere. Perhaps Kansas City. Perhaps Winnipeg. Perhaps somewhere in Ontario, where the ownership group is based.

 

Houston is the biggest North American market without major league hockey.

 

And it should remain that way. Houston doesn't need hockey.

 

What's the solution to all of life's problems? Internet message boards!

www.hfboards.com is a pretty big one for hockey -- they'd have the most contentious topics of the day for you to read up on.

 

Don't step on the logo on the floor of the room, eh.

 

I definitely wouldn't suggest the columnist you're forced to read at your paper.

 

What happened to the Houston Aeros of the AHL?

 

Major league, Huggy.

 

I understand that but I wasn't sure if the Aeros had moved on from the AHL.

 

Aeros are still in H-Town, although now playing at the Toyota Center (they were still playing at Compaq when I was there.)

But Houston hockey definitely ain't major league, nor should it be. The Aeros are a good fit for them.

 

Have access to Canada programming or newspapers? Indulge yourself.