Woooo!!!! Hawks win Crawford really won that for us. Basically the only player on the ice for the first 40 but a good 3rd let us tie it up & win the shootout
Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote: Woooo!!!! Hawks win Crawford really won that for us. Basically the only player on the ice for the first 40 but a good 3rd let us tie it up & win the shootout
*sigh* our nemesis is looking great this year again.
Nice come from behind win for the Habs last night.
Boy were they gassed through the first period though... Talk about a brutal first week for them. Back-to-back away games that aren't exactly at close venues, now a day off & then play Sat night in Philly. Then go to Tampa for Mon night.
And then they get their home opener against the B's!
If they can take 6-7+ pts out of these first 5 games, that'll be rather impressive.
NHL a whaaaat!
I actually don't watch much NHL since my home town and where I live has the best OHL team (Battalion) so I watch those games at the rink most of the time.
Our captain Barclay Goodrow had an outstanding year last year and finally got picked up by the San Jose Sharks. Made the team but is on their injury reserve list but I still picked him as a bench spot for my fantasy team.
Going to get me some glass seats in Ottawa this season too probably against the hawks at the end of the month. Last year got some there to see the wings play. To bad Datsyuk was injured...ah well lol
I hope that San Jose makes it far this year would be nice to see. I like the western teams more and more every year lol
^^ The Oilers make the Flames look good. And the Flames totally suck.
I don't get to see many NHL games here due to the times at which they are played, but I have seen well over 1000 games at the rinks back in the old country. Nowadays, the refs look like they learnt their officiating skills from the WWF...WWE...whatever it is now. It's atrocious.
*sigh* our nemesis is looking great this year again.
I always found the Blues/'Hawks rivalry to be fairly amusing, as it seems to be far more important to Blues fans than 'Hawks fans. But then myself, and most of my friends, were 5-6 when it was a supposedly a significant thing for 'Hawks fans.
*sigh* our nemesis is looking great this year again.
I always found the Blues/'Hawks rivalry to be fairly amusing, as it seems to be far more important to Blues fans than 'Hawks fans. But then myself, and most of my friends, were 5-6 when it was a supposedly a significant thing for 'Hawks fans.
Were you following the 'Hawks during the Blues' Hull & Oates years?
It's probably similar to the Cubs and Cardinals rivalry.
Devils home opener was tonight, sadly a loss but I have big hopes for them this season. On the plus side, my second favorite team (San Jose Sharks) won and snapped theif losing streak, so I got that going for me...
It's probably similar to the Cubs and Cardinals rivalry.
That's a rivalry akin to the Globetrotters v. the Generals.
For most Cubs "fans" it isn't about whether or not the Cubs win or lose, its about the Wrigleyville experience; whether direct or viewed by television.
It's probably similar to the Cubs and Cardinals rivalry.
That's a rivalry akin to the Globetrotters v. the Generals.
For most Cubs "fans" it isn't about whether or not the Cubs win or lose, its about the Wrigleyville experience; whether direct or viewed by television.
I can see that... I did go to Wrigley years ago and it does have a certain "charm".
Habs came from behind yet again to pull out a win! My dad's good and pissed because both the Habs & Price are killing him right now in our hockey pool...
And due to today's shootings on Parliament Hill, the Leafs @ Sens game is cancelled and will be played at a later date.
Shockingly the officiating was terrible again. The Blues got a gift goal. Both teams had numerous, obvious offside calls ignored, and clear intents to injure were not called against the Blues or Blackhawks.
Good job officials, you clearly deserve to be employed. And I can't wait to see the playoffs when that stupid brand of NHL hockey is called.
Good win last night after a tough loss to start their CA swing. Hoping they'll go 2-1 on the trip.
I was quesitioning the Caps signing Orpik to that massive contract and, perhaps in a couple of years I will again, but right now he's looking really solid. It'll also be really interesting to see how Burra and Kuzy "grow-up" in the NHL. They both look to really have the potential to be stars going forward.
And liked Oates as a Cap player, but dang he left them looking like they didn't know what to do when he was the bench boss. Trotz looks to be a great upgrade on the bench.
Good win last night after a tough loss to start their CA swing. Hoping they'll go 2-1 on the trip.
I was quesitioning the Caps signing Orpik to that massive contract and, perhaps in a couple of years I will again, but right now he's looking really solid. It'll also be really interesting to see how Burra and Kuzy "grow-up" in the NHL. They both look to really have the potential to be stars going forward.
And liked Oates as a Cap player, but dang he left them looking like they didn't know what to do when he was the bench boss. Trotz looks to be a great upgrade on the bench.
Valete,
JohnS
I tried my best to stay up and watch it (I worked 12 hours yesterday), but I went to bed after the second goal from Ward. I was happy to see that they won last night.
I too think that Trotz is an upgrade in coaching.
Orpik has been so-so to me... I mean he did let John Scott blow by and score:
Stiiiiiillll waiting for Barclay Goodrow to heal up from his hand injury that he got in preseason. Kind of disappointed that he worked so hard for the North Bay Battalion got signed to the Sharks and then made the starting roster...but then got injured.
I still have him on my fantasy team but even though he's a 4th liner I want to see him play because he deserves it....a little bit of home town pride right there lol
speaking of shootouts, Devils won one after setting the record with 18 shootout losses. Interestingly, the shootout win was against the last team they won againat (Winnipeg), which was exactly 600 days prior.
chaos0xomega wrote: speaking of shootouts, Devils won one after setting the record with 18 shootout losses. Interestingly, the shootout win was against the last team they won againat (Winnipeg), which was exactly 600 days prior.
The Jets have been back that long already?? Crap, next you're going to tell me that the Sedin twins retired from my Canucks
whembly wrote: St. Louis BLUES are up 2 to 1 over the Captials in the 2nd intermission.
Also... this cool... just to show that Hockey players are extremely fan friendly:
They did that in the NBA too with some little kid I think? Might've been NCAA not sure.
Anyways I think the NHL as a whole is really good to their fans and the teams do stuff like this every once in a while (see the little kid who got to sit on the bench during bruins warmup and fist bump all the players... Probably his happiest moment)
Players in most cases are really good to fans. When I was at the Ottawa vs chicago game in Ottawa one of the chicago players (Andrew Shaw) picked up a few pucks and put them through the camera holes and gave them to some kids. I think its awesome when players do that because little things like that which might not seem like a big deal to just give back to the fans but to those kids that puck can mean the world to them and be their prized possession. Nice to see that....when players give fans their stick or a puck or just a high five!
Boston must be regretting trading Boychuk right about now. Another experienced D-man injured, lucky to pull out the wing against the Blues last night, Rask was playing amazing and Bartkowski had some great moments in stopping the rush.
Azza007 wrote: Boston must be regretting trading Boychuk right about now. Another experienced D-man injured, lucky to pull out the wing against the Blues last night, Rask was playing amazing and Bartkowski had some great moments in stopping the rush.
Experiment 626 wrote: Wow... Loafs now outscored 15-4 in their last two games to two of the lowest scoring teams in the entire league...
It's getting ugly here in Loser Nation after last night's slaughter by the Preds.
Well... the Preds are a good team now.
Fair point, but overall their GF stat isn't exactly top 5 material or anything.
But last night all but 2 players on the Preds registered at least one point!
One thing's for sure, if a team is looking to pad their stats, all they need to do is look up when their game vs. the Make-ya-Laughs!
All this talk about hockey, and nobody mentions what Buffalo fans had to go through last night just to get to the game. Maybe I should start a thread talking about the storm...
Happyjew wrote: All this talk about hockey, and nobody mentions what Buffalo fans had to go through last night just to get to the game. Maybe I should start a thread talking about the storm...
It's Buffalo though, they're completely used to insane lake effect storms...
A real story in Buffalo is that the Sabers have won back-to-back games!
Happyjew wrote: All this talk about hockey, and nobody mentions what Buffalo fans had to go through last night just to get to the game. Maybe I should start a thread talking about the storm...
It's Buffalo though, they're completely used to insane lake effect storms...
A real story in Buffalo is that the Sabers have won back-to-back games!
That and we've beat the Sharks 8 games in a row now. the last time San Jose won at Buffalo was 2005. We are currently 22-6-5 vs San Jose.
Anyone see the Boston game last night? Dismal first period but the third was insane. After those first period goals, Svedberg just become so determined and some of those saves were beauties. I did feel we robbed Colombus a little bit but what a game. Strange call with that incident at the end though.
Azza007 wrote: Anyone see the Boston game last night? Dismal first period but the third was insane. After those first period goals, Svedberg just become so determined and some of those saves were beauties. I did feel we robbed Colombus a little bit but what a game. Strange call with that incident at the end though.
Rask not playing cost my hockey pool team 2pts.
Flury plays, the Pens decide to sleepwalk through their game and lose, good-bye to another 2pts.
Guaranteed tonight, Flury will sit because he's too delicate to play back-to-back nights, and the Pens will win. Rask will play, Boston will suck and lose.
And worst of all, the Loafs are likely about to go on another 3-4 game winning streak, meaning the whole fething city will be going ape**** and banging on about how Toronto's going strait to the Cup Finals...
what I find exceptionally hilarious is that Lucic called him classless afterwards, please Lucic remind who it was taking a cheap shot at the other after the officials broke it up (And ignoring your entire history in the league)
So, apparently Daniel Alfredsson is announcing his retirement tomorrow night at the Sens game against the Islanders. The longtime Captain is going to participate in the warm-up skate and a special opening face-off.
I guess he's retiring as a Senator? Shame his back issues caused him to not get one more chance at the cup with the Red Wings.
A sad time for the hockey world. Late Tuesday night, Mr. Jean Beliveau, one of the greatest players of all time and Montreal's 'Hockey God' passed away.
Damnit, the Devils won tonight, how the hell are we supposed to give ourselves the best chance of winning the draft lottery if we keep winning games?
In better news, Marty played an absolutely terrible game for the Blues tonight, thus justifying the majority of the Devils fanbase opinion that it's time for the man to retire.
Tough is a a hip check at the blue line when you're trying to win the game, dirty is this...
I was FURIOUS when that happened, donkey-cave should have been suspended over that. I was at the next game of that series (ice seats at the Joe , just praying that Kronwall was going to lay Weber out. Was very dissapointed that he never did. Weber did get booed every time he stepped on the ice though.
djones520 wrote: And Gustav Nyquist just got a highlight reel goal, getting the game winner in OT against Ottawa.
Stupid Red Wings . I didn't get a chance to watch the game just following on twitter. It seems (just because I'm not watching as many games) that the Sens are going to miss out on the playoffs this year again. idk if it's because there was toxic relationships between player(s) and the Head Coach, prompting his firing, or if they just can't get their gak together. I feel like they're a player or two away from having a playoff contending team.
djones520 wrote: And Gustav Nyquist just got a highlight reel goal, getting the game winner in OT against Ottawa.
Stupid Red Wings . I didn't get a chance to watch the game just following on twitter. It seems (just because I'm not watching as many games) that the Sens are going to miss out on the playoffs this year again. idk if it's because there was toxic relationships between player(s) and the Head Coach, prompting his firing, or if they just can't get their gak together. I feel like they're a player or two away from having a playoff contending team.
Watch the over time at least. See how Nyquist quite literally skates circles around your team, before burying the puck.
Nice game for the Caps with a 3 to 0 blanking of the Pens! But what is the deal with the NBC commentators? Those guys are horrible... I mean, I know the Pens are the "NBC Team", and the commentators are pathologically incapable of unbiased commentary when the Pens are involved, but that was ridiculous. And bias aside, they're just really bad commentators...
Fehr almost gets a Hattie and The Holtbeast was huge! The only thing missing was half-price Papa John's pizza!
Way to go Loafs... classless organisation just had to go and steal the Juniors' thunder by making a huge show & tell over firing Carlyle barely 12 hours after the kids won gold and put on easily the single best show of hockey the ACC has ever seen.
Even more laughable, Loaf's Nation is now all hyped and assuming that Shanny is going to land Babcock as the new coach. Riiiiiiiiiiight... like Bab's is stupid enough to come to Toronto and put up with the Four Horsemen. (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozo & Gardner)
Experiment 626 wrote: Way to go Loafs... classless organisation just had to go and steal the Juniors' thunder by making a huge show & tell over firing Carlyle barely 12 hours after the kids won gold and put on easily the single best show of hockey the ACC has ever seen.
Even more laughable, Loaf's Nation is now all hyped and assuming that Shanny is going to land Babcock as the new coach. Riiiiiiiiiiight... like Bab's is stupid enough to come to Toronto and put up with the Four Horsemen. (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozo & Gardner)
Experiment 626 wrote: Way to go Loafs... classless organisation just had to go and steal the Juniors' thunder by making a huge show & tell over firing Carlyle barely 12 hours after the kids won gold and put on easily the single best show of hockey the ACC has ever seen.
Even more laughable, Loaf's Nation is now all hyped and assuming that Shanny is going to land Babcock as the new coach. Riiiiiiiiiiight... like Bab's is stupid enough to come to Toronto and put up with the Four Horsemen. (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozo & Gardner)
Bab's ain't going anywhere.
Don't say that too loud, you'll crush the hopes & dreams of Leaf's Nation who are convinced that a Cup win is only a few months away now!
What was everyones thoughts on the OT goal last night, Bruins vs Pen. Good goal or not? I thought it came off Dupres and deflected in, glad it counted though. Needed that win.
Azza007 wrote: What was everyones thoughts on the OT goal last night, Bruins vs Pen. Good goal or not? I thought it came off Dupres and deflected in, glad it counted though. Needed that win.
Good review call, bad on-ice officiating. No on-ice official was in position to call that play a goal.
The stick looked high to me, but clips I've seen, I didn't get a good look, so I wouldn't bet any money on it.
Automatically Appended Next Post: On a side note. Last night was Henrik Zetterberg's 800th game. He scored a goal, and got an assist.
One hell of a career so far for a man who was the 210th pick of his draft. Going from that, to Captain of one of the most celebrated teams in the league.
Experiment 626 wrote: Way to go Loafs... classless organisation just had to go and steal the Juniors' thunder by making a huge show & tell over firing Carlyle barely 12 hours after the kids won gold and put on easily the single best show of hockey the ACC has ever seen.
Even more laughable, Loaf's Nation is now all hyped and assuming that Shanny is going to land Babcock as the new coach. Riiiiiiiiiiight... like Bab's is stupid enough to come to Toronto and put up with the Four Horsemen. (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozo & Gardner)
I can tell someone's a leafs fan...
Don't worry tho the leafs won't be making the playoffs or winning the cup for at least 100 years bahahaha
Experiment 626 wrote: Way to go Loafs... classless organisation just had to go and steal the Juniors' thunder by making a huge show & tell over firing Carlyle barely 12 hours after the kids won gold and put on easily the single best show of hockey the ACC has ever seen.
Even more laughable, Loaf's Nation is now all hyped and assuming that Shanny is going to land Babcock as the new coach. Riiiiiiiiiiight... like Bab's is stupid enough to come to Toronto and put up with the Four Horsemen. (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozo & Gardner)
I can tell someone's a leafs fan...
Don't worry tho the leafs won't be making the playoffs or winning the cup for at least 100 years bahahaha
Them's fightin' words - I'm a proper Habs fan!
I simply have to put up with living in the middle of freaking Loser Nation, so the only things the media has been saturated with the past week and a half has been Paris and the Make-ya-Laughs...
And while I do enjoy when the Habs finish well ahead of the Leafs in the standings, it's getting to the point of simply being sad... at this point, finishing ahead of them in the standings is about as challenging as beating the snot out of a blind, armless & legless, comatose 4 year old.
I'm pretty sure hockey is like one of the 3 things canadians need to survive. I'm in michigan and here the big hockey team is the detroit red wings. I'm not too big into sports but hockey's alright. It almost felt like you'd be kicked out of michigan if you didn't like the red wings.
Ah well it's not the strangest sport i've seen so far. That sport would be australian football.
So Boston topples Tampa in a great game. The officiating was awful though with some truly mind boggling calls. Brown should have been given the boot and Paquette and Chara should have been allowed to go. Paquette was asking for it the whole game.
Azza007 wrote: So Boston topples Tampa in a great game. The officiating was awful though with some truly mind boggling calls. Brown should have been given the boot and Paquette and Chara should have been allowed to go. Paquette was asking for it the whole game.
djones520 wrote: As it always is with the Blues, a hell of a game. We let you have a point as a consolation prize.
Seriously... we're like the Cubs of Hockey.
Good game!
Don't worry, you've got the Loafs bumbling their way into town tomorrow night, should be a near-guaranteed 2pts since they've managed a whopping 1 goal across their past three games!
My poor Habs laid an egg last night though...
Still, 6 out of 7 road wins is damn solid. Hopefully they'll turn it around Sat night now that they'll be back at the Bell Center.
Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
djones520 wrote: Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
That's great news as the Blues will gain some grounds with a win over the Leaf.
Besides... your 3rd stringer is looking pretty damned good.
djones520 wrote: Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
That's great news as the Blues will gain some grounds with a win over the Leaf.
Besides... your 3rd stringer is looking pretty damned good.
I'm starting to believe he is NHL ready, which makes it a bit interesting, since Howard still has 4 years left on his contract. Maybe we'll see a goalie pairing next year like the Blues did with Elliot and Halak a couple years ago.
Well, the Blackhawks North beat the Blackhawks, and now Carcillo faces a player safety hearing for his crosscheck on Perreault; he deserves it because what he did was stupid.
That being said, Paul Maurice bitching about it is funny given that in that same game Peluso started a fight behind the play (and received a 10 as a result), and Crawford was intentionally run over at least twice. Not to mention all the times 'Hawks players had sticks slashed out of their hands by Winnipeg.
As an addendum, the officiating was so bad that even young Olczyk complained about it on air; which never happens as he is a league shill. Though he did gloss over the offsetting embellishment call against Bickell, which is a thing that needs to die.
djones520 wrote: Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
That's great news as the Blues will gain some grounds with a win over the Leaf.
Of the 24 teams in action last night, only the Loafs managed to not score a single goal! Now sitting at just over 14 periods since a forward has scored a goal!
Nice bounce-back by the Habs last night crushing the Islanders. Only blemish was sitting back a bit too much late in the 3rd and allowing 2 goals... should have been 6-2 if they'd kept playing hard for the full 60.
djones520 wrote: Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
That's great news as the Blues will gain some grounds with a win over the Leaf.
Of the 24 teams in action last night, only the Loafs managed to not score a single goal! Now sitting at just over 14 periods since a forward has scored a goal!
THis is the 2nd time I've seen the Leaf play... they do have nice players, but man... they don't play "well" together.
I hope Shanny is given enough time to fix things... and it won't be a "quick" fix.
djones520 wrote: Granted, there are still 20 minutes left to play... but jeebuz are we putting a whippin on the "best team in the NHL", and they can't give us that "Well Pekka Rinne is out" excuse. We're on our 3rd string goalie.
That's great news as the Blues will gain some grounds with a win over the Leaf.
Of the 24 teams in action last night, only the Loafs managed to not score a single goal! Now sitting at just over 14 periods since a forward has scored a goal!
THis is the 2nd time I've seen the Leaf play... they do have nice players, but man... they don't play "well" together.
I hope Shanny is given enough time to fix things... and it won't be a "quick" fix.
Well, there's the idea floating around of nicknaming the ACC 'The Big Top', wince with the Leafs, it's guaranteed that the circus is always in town! The only way that giant dysfunctional mess is going to get 'fixed', is the just blow it all up...
@djones520: No freaking way! Habs may look like a mediocre team on paper, but they've proven they're actually the real deal! Here's hoping for another play-off showdown with the Bruins! (it's fun sending them to the golf course )
It's "jersey tossing night" in Ottawa tonight as the circus pulls in!
There's rumors that MLSE is simply going to embrace the current trend and after the upcoming break, the next home game will feature the all-new 'sweater cannons'!
Azza007 wrote: Anyone else see the score from the All-Star game? How could the apparently top goalies in the game let in so many goals? That score was ridiculous.
When you have all those firepower and no-one playing defense... can you blame them?
Azza007 wrote: Anyone else see the score from the All-Star game? How could the apparently top goalies in the game let in so many goals? That score was ridiculous.
Well... half of the "All-Star" goalies were injured prior to the game for one.
Secondly, you have all of the best shooters in the league, on the same team shooting at that goalie. Instead of a goalie facing maybe 5-6 shots from All Star players a game, EVERY shot he faced was from one.
Honestly I kind of wish the NHL would do away with the All-Star game and stick to the skills competition. Except for that stupid breakaway challenge nonsense.
Automatically Appended Next Post: The Blackhawks-LA game has been dominated by terrible, terrible officiating; the penalty on Seabrook was especially egregious given that there is no way the official could have seen the puck.
I only saw the highlights (it was a 3.30am start here) it didn't show that incident dogma, though it looked like throughout the night Shaw was being hit late along the boards multiple times, still much better than EIHL officials though
Poor, poor Loafs fans... Not only a new franchise low with a now historic 11 game losing streak, but the utter lack of emotion is just beyond pathetic.
Time to blow that useless so-called 'core group' up and ship those bums out... too bad that thanks to Nonis' complete stupidity, Kessle, Phaneuf, Clarkson & Robidas are literally unmovable due to moronic contracts.
As a Habs fan, I really do miss the days when this rivalry actually mattered. At least we still have Boston.
Hopefully the Habs can turn our 2 game skid around tonight vs. the Devils.
Would also be nice if the Wings & Bolts could do us a wee favour and lose a couple in the process as well!
A passing note towards another Wings cup. A Blackhawks-Wings SC Finals would be epic.
Agreed, the 'Wings are my third favorite NHL team. I would want the 'Hawks to win, obviously, but if the 'Wings should win I could deal.
I'd actually watch that with interest too.
But, man... give the Blues something. They're like the "Cubs of Hockey".
They're no where near Toronto Leafs levels of super-fail yet.
Good job Loafs! Now 48 years and counting, and looking at blowing up the roster that's there to boot! Of course, now's the point where they'll go on a 6-7 game winning streak, just to ensure they completely screw themselves out of the Mcdavid lottery!
Oh, and Habs take the season series vs. Boston 4-0!
A passing note towards another Wings cup. A Blackhawks-Wings SC Finals would be epic.
Agreed, the 'Wings are my third favorite NHL team. I would want the 'Hawks to win, obviously, but if the 'Wings should win I could deal.
I'd actually watch that with interest too.
But, man... give the Blues something. They're like the "Cubs of Hockey".
They're no where near Toronto Leafs levels of super-fail yet.
Good job Loafs! Now 48 years and counting, and looking at blowing up the roster that's there to boot! Of course, now's the point where they'll go on a 6-7 game winning streak, just to ensure they completely screw themselves out of the Mcdavid lottery!
Oh, and Habs take the season series vs. Boston 4-0!
A passing note towards another Wings cup. A Blackhawks-Wings SC Finals would be epic.
Agreed, the 'Wings are my third favorite NHL team. I would want the 'Hawks to win, obviously, but if the 'Wings should win I could deal.
I'd actually watch that with interest too.
But, man... give the Blues something. They're like the "Cubs of Hockey".
They're no where near Toronto Leafs levels of super-fail yet.
Good job Loafs! Now 48 years and counting, and looking at blowing up the roster that's there to boot! Of course, now's the point where they'll go on a 6-7 game winning streak, just to ensure they completely screw themselves out of the Mcdavid lottery!
Oh, and Habs take the season series vs. Boston 4-0!
Uh... at least the Loafs actually won a few Cups.
The Blues?
Ziltch.
Trust me, the Blues will win at least one Cup before the Make-ya-Laughs do.
Hell, the Blues are very likely to win a Cup before Toronto even makes the play-offs again! 10 seasons and counting now, with no hope in sight! (note: the half-season doesn't count!)
So Hossa really is on fire with 6 Goals in 3 games, unfortunately the Hawks have went 1-0-2 over that when it really should be 2-1-0 (we really didn't really deserve a point tonight but what a comeback)
Hlaine Larkin mk2 wrote: So Hossa really is on fire with 6 Goals in 3 games, unfortunately the Hawks have went 1-0-2 over that when it really should be 2-1-0 (we really didn't really deserve a point tonight but what a comeback)
Both Hossa & Kane were epic for my hockey pool team last night - 5pts between the two of them + 1pt for Chicago going into OT!
When the Hawks won in 2010 it ended a 49 year cup drought, and the celebratory parade attracted ~2 million people. The reaction was similar to what I imagine would happen if the Cubs won the World Series, particularly given that both teams are from Chicago, and that both teams have numerous ex-pat fans.
Although, really, neither teams can match the Cubs for fan devotion in the face of a championship drought.
When the Hawks won in 2010 it ended a 49 year cup drought, and the celebratory parade attracted ~2 million people. The reaction was similar to what I imagine would happen if the Cubs won the World Series, particularly given that both teams are from Chicago, and that both teams have numerous ex-pat fans.
Although, really, neither teams can match the Cubs for fan devotion in the face of a championship drought.
True... when the Cubs when the next WS, that town will be insane.
When the Hawks won in 2010 it ended a 49 year cup drought, and the celebratory parade attracted ~2 million people. The reaction was similar to what I imagine would happen if the Cubs won the World Series, particularly given that both teams are from Chicago, and that both teams have numerous ex-pat fans.
Although, really, neither teams can match the Cubs for fan devotion in the face of a championship drought.
True... when the Cubs when the next WS, that town will be insane.
Still won't be anything in comparison to when/if the Leafs manage a Cup win within the next century or three!
Looks like Shanny is going to go into a full-on 're-build mode'... Kessel's been demoted to the 4th line, likely making him the highest paid 4th liner in league history at 8mil/year!
When the Hawks won in 2010 it ended a 49 year cup drought, and the celebratory parade attracted ~2 million people. The reaction was similar to what I imagine would happen if the Cubs won the World Series, particularly given that both teams are from Chicago, and that both teams have numerous ex-pat fans.
Although, really, neither teams can match the Cubs for fan devotion in the face of a championship drought.
True... when the Cubs when the next WS, that town will be insane.
Still won't be anything in comparison to when/if the Leafs manage a Cup win within the next century or three!
I won't doubt that at all...
Looks like Shanny is going to go into a full-on 're-build mode'... Kessel's been demoted to the 4th line, likely making him the highest paid 4th liner in league history at 8mil/year!
I hope the fans give him time to rebuild it. Looks like it'll be a 3/4 years to be respectable again. Can ya'll wait that long?
So it is apparent that the Leafs board have given Shanny the go on a scorched earth policy. They are talking 5 more years of hard work in the drafts and building up prospects before they can go for silverware.
Azza007 wrote: So it is apparent that the Leafs board have given Shanny the go on a scorched earth policy. They are talking 5 more years of hard work in the drafts and building up prospects before they can go for silverware.
Yep.
Shanny... The Blues will trade a bag of pucks for Kessel.
@whembly: Leafs fans are at the very least hopelessly loyal if nothing else... Think about it, what other franchise can routinely put a mediocre at best, to typically abysmal product on the ice season after season and still sell out their building 110% of the time?!
Last game where the Rangers outright embarrassed them for the first 40min, they still had almost 19k in attendance.
At least Habs fans go and burn half the city to ground in a fit of enraged passion if our team goes more than 3 consecutive seasons missing the play-offs... (but then, Montrealer's burn a chunk of the city down when they win the Cup as well, so maybe that's not really saying too much?!)
@Azza007: I have a feeling that Shanny will turf Nonis and his cronies come season's end, and put his own management team in place over the summer. All the current problems stem from the so-called 'core group' that Nonis put together, and it's turned into a complete farce! Stupidly long contracts at outright idiotic payouts is going to really hamstring their ability to move players and get any decent returns...
Winnik & Santorelli are likely guaranteed to be traded before the deadline. Hopefully for their fans, the Leafs can pick up at least 3-4 draft picks from whatever team(s) is looking to rent those guys for their play-off runs. (and not of the 'conditional draft pick' variety either!)
Lupul might have had some trade value... except he's injured, yet again! (another seriously dumb $5mil/year on that glass cannon)
Kessel definitely gets shipped out over the summer, the guy may have been a regular 30 goal scorer, but having him on the ice is like playing at a perpetual 4-on-5... And now he's throwing a tantrum that Horocheck has demoted him to the bottom feeders.
Rumor is Dallas, Anaheim & Calgary are all interested in Phaneuf. Still, I think Toronto will either have to eat a chunk of his $7mil/year contract, or resign themselves to not getting much return for him.
Clarkson is 1,000,000% unmovable... north of $6mil/year for iirc 5 more years, he's scored barely 30pts across 120 odd games for the Loafs, and amassed over 100 penalty minutes!
Only likely option is to just suck it up and buy him out.
Now I'm no Loafs fan mind you, (Habs all the way!), but I definitely want to see Toronto get back into contention as there's nothing sweeter than repeatedly taking them down in the play-offs! (okay I lie, right now, knocking the Bruins out is more satisfying!)
Plus it'll be more fun when my uncle visits, (he's a life-long Leafs fan), as Habs vs. Leafs games will actually have some real meaning beyond just being a case where the Canadiens give their top players a night off and let the kids have some extra practice!
They're fielding FIVE forwards on the powerplay unit.
That's a bit risky but WCGW?
Also what does everyone think of the Evander Kane trade?
I think the Jets came away the big winners in that one... They gained a couple solid defensive players, a great draft pick, and they got rid of a guy who was by all accounts absolute poison in their room.
Kane's got serious issues that need sorting out. His dumb stunts didn't go over well in a city that's essentially in its own little fish bowl and he's garnered a reputation as a player with attitude issues.
Hopefully Buffalo will be a better fit, especially since the Sabers are not the 'main event' in town 24/7 so to speak. But Buffalo could easily end up having similar issues with Kane, and I think they're banking a bit too much on the assumption that Mcdavid is going to be playing alongside Kane.
Also what does everyone think of the Evander Kane trade?
Kane is a talented player, no one doubts that, but he was a bad fit in Winnipeg; especially as they seem to be gearing up to play some variation of trap throughout the postseason.
All in all, Winnipeg got the best of that trade for the immediate future. But that's alright as Buffalo is way out of consideration range.
It was a bad call to begin with, but I've seen worse calls without any inkling of reversal. And Crosby is definitely not the player you want to begin setting such a precedent with if it is to become one. Of course national announcers won't bring that up, as they're league shills.
Granted it's almost certainly not their lottery pick, but there's been nothing reported about it being a conditional pick or such. Either way, Winterpeg is likely to be playing after the second week of April, while the Sabers are abysmal at best...
That pick should be a decent to solid one, (it's likely to be better than 21st-30th at least), and it's a pretty good looking draft year on the whole.
The Jets also dump a prima donna onto another team, with the added plus of moving Kane to an Eastern Conference team to boot.
Also looks like the nuking in TO has begun... Leafs moved both Franson & Santo to Nashville for a prospect + Ollie + a 1st round pick - big win for them, as right now they have no 2nd rounders at all due to giving them away!
Even if that 1st rounder turns into the #30 pick, if they can actually do even a semi-decent job of scouting out prospects, it should be a decent pick-up.
Not to mention the cap space they begin to open up, on a roster that has 0 wiggle room.
It was a bad call to begin with, but I've seen worse calls without any inkling of reversal. And Crosby is definitely not the player you want to begin setting such a precedent with if it is to become one. Of course national announcers won't bring that up, as they're league shills.
Of course they'd do that for pretty-boy Crosby...
That was total BS. So many bad calls are made, what makes him so special to not have to sit in the box?
Also looks like the nuking in TO has begun... Leafs moved both Franson & Santo to Nashville for a prospect + Ollie + a 1st round pick - big win for them, as right now they have no 2nd rounders at all due to giving them away!
An even bigger win for Nashville, as they seem set to double down on their conservative playing style. Not to mention the fact that Santorelli and Franson are both having solid years.
So yeah, it seems Benn is going to not even face disciplinary actions for elbowing, and then punching Zetterberg in the head, when he wasn't even involved in the play. That just makes me so damn angry.
So, Patrick Kane will miss at least 12 weeks, and Petrovic won't face supplementary discipline.
I'm of two minds on the hit:
Mind 1 says that I've seen worse hits along the boards go without supplementary action, and Petrovic's lack of history roughly fits with the NHL disciplinary scheme; ramshackle as it may be.
Mind 2 says that Petrovic could have easily followed Kane into the boards, allowing for a much safer play. And that if the NHL is really serious about eliminating injuries along the boards, this is something they need to consider. Mind 2 also realizes this will not be a consideration, as player safety takes a backseat to tradition for many NHL owners and GMs, especially when it comes to PLAYOFF HOCKEY (TM).
dogma wrote: So, Patrick Kane will miss at least 12 weeks, and Petrovic won't face supplementary discipline.
I'm of two minds on the hit:
Mind 1 says that I've seen worse hits along the boards go without supplementary action, and Petrovic's lack of history roughly fits with the NHL disciplinary scheme; ramshackle as it may be.
Mind 2 says that Petrovic could have easily followed Kane into the boards, allowing for a much safer play. And that if the NHL is really serious about eliminating injuries along the boards, this is something they need to consider. Mind 2 also realizes this will not be a consideration, as player safety takes a backseat to tradition for many NHL owners and GMs, especially when it comes to PLAYOFF HOCKEY (TM).
This is my "gut" instincts about the state of hockey these days.
It's a much more dangerous sport now, especially with the implementation of the Instigator rule.
That rule effectively neuter the player's ability to police themselves and such that, the newer NHL'ers are bigger, stronger, w/ better equipment... don't fear the reprecussions of doing something stupid.
I can be way off the mark, but I remember when young Gretzky or Hull was playing... you don't feth with them. Because if you do, then their teammates will go after your skilled players.
It's a much more dangerous sport now, especially with the implementation of the Instigator rule.
Eh, hockey fights are generally more show than effect. Its really hard to do any serious damage unless you massively outclass your opponent, in which case you probably can't do much else with respect to the game and no one will drop the gloves against you; cue Laraque, Scott, et al.
djones520 wrote: So yeah, it seems Benn is going to not even face disciplinary actions for elbowing, and then punching Zetterberg in the head, when he wasn't even involved in the play. That just makes me so damn angry.
Just for you, as I was looking up John Scott, he got disciplinary action for this.
It's a much more dangerous sport now, especially with the implementation of the Instigator rule.
Eh, hockey fights are generally more show than effect. Its really hard to do any serious damage unless you massively outclass your opponent, in which case you probably can't do much else with respect to the game and no one will drop the gloves against you; cue Laraque, Scott, et al.
djones520 wrote: So yeah, it seems Benn is going to not even face disciplinary actions for elbowing, and then punching Zetterberg in the head, when he wasn't even involved in the play. That just makes me so damn angry.
Just for you, as I was looking up John Scott, he got disciplinary action for this.
The NHL, inconsistent? I never!
Yeah... that even looked like more accidental then purposeful.
I did notice how the day after the incident, Benn was slapped right up on the front page of NHL.com as some upcoming poster boy of the sport. In the mean time Zetterberg has missed 3 games, and still has no time table for his return.
Holy F hell!! The Leafs actually pulled off the impossible and managed to deal Clarkson and his laughable 5.2mil/year contract!
Sure they take Nathan Horton in return, but he's uninsurable, and thus importantly, his salary won't count against their cap.
Now if only they can get rid of Kessel & Pylon...
dogma wrote: Since the Leafs seem to be in fire-sale mode, I'm sure the 'Hawks would happily take van Riemsdyk or Kadri off their hands.
It won't happen, but a fan can dream.
Kadri maybe, for the right price... But JvR is heavily believed to be about only a 1-5% likelihood of being traded. I doubt the Hawks would want to give-up the likely asking price of at least 1-2 quality draft picks + 1-2 prospects.
Only two Leaf players that are pretty much guaranteed to be 'safe' from trades are JvR & young d-man Morgan Rilley.
Kadri maybe, for the right price... But JvR is heavily believed to be about only a 1-5% likelihood of being traded. I doubt the Hawks would want to give-up the likely asking price of at least 1-2 quality draft picks + 1-2 prospects.
Only two Leaf players that are pretty much guaranteed to be 'safe' from trades are JvR & young d-man Morgan Rilley.
I was joking, neither Kadri nor JvR are viable options at the price the Leafs would likely want the 'Hawks to pay.
Kadri maybe, for the right price... But JvR is heavily believed to be about only a 1-5% likelihood of being traded. I doubt the Hawks would want to give-up the likely asking price of at least 1-2 quality draft picks + 1-2 prospects.
Only two Leaf players that are pretty much guaranteed to be 'safe' from trades are JvR & young d-man Morgan Rilley.
I was joking, neither Kadri nor JvR are viable options at the price the Leafs would likely want the 'Hawks to pay.
That's been our biggest problem, the willing to pay. We really want a right handed defenseman, but the only thing people will take from us, we aren't willing to give up.
Kadri I could see going for a second rounder pick for this year's draft and an added prospect. Leafs don't have any 2nd round picks for this summer, (they delt them all away for the likes of Clarkson and other free agents!lol), and it's a strong draft year.
I doubt the likes of the Hawks/Wings/Habs/Kings etc... would take that deal though, even if the Hawks are now desperate for a top 6 forward to replace Kane. Kadri is inconsistent as hell and prone to horrible giveaways - when he's good he's great! When he's bad he's downright awful.
Plus those teams rarely give-up high draft picks, as they tend to build from within their organisations. (hence why they've been solid competitors every year for so long now)
Toronto is a perfect example of why you don't try to build a team around a bunch of free agents & veterans!
In about 3 hours I'll be getting to the Bridgestone Arena! I've got seats right on the rail where the Wings will be coming out of the locker room. I'll share pics later tonight.
djones520 wrote: In about 3 hours I'll be getting to the Bridgestone Arena! I've got seats right on the rail where the Wings will be coming out of the locker room. I'll share pics later tonight.
Saw that both guys got hurt, that sucks especially since they're only a couple points out from the Bruins. Hopefully Jagr can pull them into the wild card
Saw that both guys got hurt, that sucks especially since they're only a couple points out from the Bruins. Hopefully Jagr can pull them into the wild card
Nothing I'd love more then to see the Bruins get bumped. So I hope he can do it.
Saw that both guys got hurt, that sucks especially since they're only a couple points out from the Bruins. Hopefully Jagr can pull them into the wild card
Nothing I'd love more then to see the Bruins get bumped. So I hope he can do it.
Same here. I've got a big time Bruins fan just down the street from me, so it'd be some good fun to go walking by his front window everyday in full Habs dress-up while the Bruins join the Loafs in the early Spring golf tournament!
Mind you, this current Cali roadtrip has been an utter disaster thus far for my poor Habs. Hopefully they can turn it around tonight.
Azza007 wrote: Never, the Bruins will make it. Last nights game should have been a win, but Eriksson missed that nice open net...
Still don't get why all the Bruins hate.
I don't exactly have hate for Boston. My feelings are more just towards all the talking heads. At the beginning of the season, Boston was the team that no one should have been able to beat. They were a lock in for a Stanley Cup run once again. Red Wings? Once again, a team that would struggle, and probably not make it into the play offs.
My wishes to see Boston fail, has nothing to do with Boston itself. It's more just to say, these people are dumb.
I hope Ottawa makes it rather then Boston, Canada and all... but if Ottawa doesn't then I hope Florida does, there is very few American teams I like, Florida is one Phoenix is the other...
Rainbow Dash wrote: I hope Ottawa makes it rather then Boston, Canada and all... but if Ottawa doesn't then I hope Florida does, there is very few American teams I like, Florida is one Phoenix is the other...
I hate Colorado, loathe them.
I think the Sens can make it if they keep getting the outstanding play from Hammond. The offense has been decently consistent at scoring one to two goals a night, if Hammond can keep it up, I think they'll make it. They're only three points behind the Bruins for that second wild card spot, and they've been playing some really solid hockey.
It was after the whistle. I thought that was a clean shoulder-to-shoulder hit though...
It was at the whistle.
The only penalties should have come from what happened after the hit, and whistle.
Phaneuf though appeared to leave his feet slightly when initially making the hit. He did definitely deserve a penalty for that, but the additional antics after the whistle went should have resulted in a Blues penalty and thus have the teams go at it 4-on-4.
Doesn't matter though - Toronto "won" that game 1-6 in the end and moved up 2pts in the McDavid lottery!
In other news, Habs are only 1 point out of top spot in the Pres Cup race!
Phaneuf though appeared to leave his feet slightly when initially making the hit.
Sure, but that's a gift call in a game involving Phaneuf being repeatedly slashed across the hand behind the play.
Agreed, though the point still remains, Phaneuf wasn't innocent on that play himself. He deserved a penalty for leaving his feet to hit Oshie. The refs caught him, just with the wrong call.
Sure it doesn't excuse the fact they completely screwed the pooch by not calling St. Louis for their crap after the whistle, or any of the antics behind the play throughout the game.
The main point of that game is that sure, St. Louis, a play-off bound team got a fairly easy win over a complete dog.
The Loafs however in reality "won" that game though, as they moved 2pts further up the draft lottery.
Winning games is hugely detrimental to this team right now. In a perfect world, they'll lose their remaining 16 games and (likely) lock up at worst 28th place, giving themselves a roughly 11%'ish chance of landing Connor McDavid.
As a Habs fan, I'd love nothing more than to see the Leafs get McDavid and become a real contender again in 4-5 years time. I really miss the days when the old rivalry actually meant something, let alone have play-off/Cup potential riding on it.
Right now it's not even fun to beat the Laughs in the standings anymore as they're such a pathetic & predictable team... they come out of gate red-hot thanks to an easy schedule, reach their peak around late Nov/mid Dec, then implode spectacularly come the new year by mid Jan/Feb, & are out of any kind of contention by the time March Sadness rolls around.
Well argued, and you are correct regarding the letter of rule; but I maintain that the letter of the rule was not followed in that game.
Mate, I wouldn't argue hockey with a Canadian... It's about like arguing guns with us Americans
Ohh... and apparently the Canucks are playing tonight, so let's hope they beat whoever it was theyre playing (I'm a Canucks fan, but don't really pay much attention to anything until it's playoff time or extremely close to it)
Mate, I wouldn't argue hockey with a Canadian... It's about like arguing guns with us Americans
But it isn't hockey, it is the NHL. And I've spent most of my life in and around an Original Six city.
The Hockey Canada rulebook is hard enough to follow at the best of times... (I officiated minor girls hockey for 8 years)
I don't think I'd want to even try and read the convoluted NHL version, let alone attempt to understand how the feth they decide to officiate the game itself!
Not sure if anyone here saw JvR's penalty about 7min into the game last night vs. the Isles... But serious, WTF?! The Isles player extends his arm and slows down + semi-turns JvR as he's trying to go after a shoot in, so JvR shoves him in the back of the shoulder which results in the defender losing his balance and falling to the ice...
The Hockey Canada rulebook is hard enough to follow at the best of times... (I officiated minor girls hockey for 8 years)
throwing in the youth element does tend to make things even more difficult (i've helped coach, and plan on coaching again, HS aged rugby... and keeping track of what's different/allowed from regular adult club competition can be fun)
So, the game is blacked out for me. NHL.com has got it showing like 30 penalties in the last 10 minutes. Can someone explain to me wth just happened in the Wings/Blues game?
Automatically Appended Next Post: I will certainly take the win though.
The Wings have had their fair share of disallowed goals that were good this year, so them's the breaks. It tends to average itself out over the season, it seems. If they were going to disallow the goal, then they'd need to call the slash that St. Louis did that caused the broken stick anyways, and given the Wings #1 PP, odds are, things wouldn't have changed.
The Wings have been the West's kryptonite this year. We're 18-4-3 vs teams from the West this year. 11-0-2 vs Central.
Sens have edged out the Bruins for the last Wild Card spot. Just gotta hold on to it for a few more games and the Sens will be back in the playoffs! Whooo!!
dogma wrote: Ah, "playoff hockey" that time of the year when the League likes to pretend that officials are not part of the game.
It should be interesting to see if Voracek or Seabrook face hearings, though.
As far as I've seen...no discipline.
I can't remember if it was Voracek or Seabrook, but the only "bad thing" about that check was that he left his feet. Other than that... it seemed benign.
I can't remember if it was Voracek or Seabrook, but the only "bad thing" about that check was that he left his feet. Other than that... it seemed benign.
Regarding Voracek, I was referencing the fact that he skated across the ice in order to instigate a fight. He was effectively tossed out of the game, but that kind of activity when you're up needs to die.
Holy hell! Sens came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Pens in OT.
Playoff hopes are still alive! Also can someone tell the leafs they're not supposed to play well in April, just let the teams close to the playoffs get 2 points. These next two games wouldn't be as nerve wracking as tonight's game was if they just let the Sens win.
So, yeah, this is nonsense. I have seen numerous, significantly worse, potential diving calls in the last week. If the NHL wants to get rid of diving its officials better start calling diving penalties,.
Alfndrate wrote: Holy hell! Sens came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Pens in OT.
Playoff hopes are still alive! Also can someone tell the leafs they're not supposed to play well in April, just let the teams close to the playoffs get 2 points. These next two games wouldn't be as nerve wracking as tonight's game was if they just let the Sens win.
Sens beat-up on the Flyers 3-1. Play-Off ticket is officially punched!
1st round match-up is either going to be against the Rangers, (if Sens finish 8th), Habs (if they finish 7th) or Tampa (if they finish 6th).
Here's hoping they finish either 8th or 6th, as the last thing we need is for an all Canadian match-up in the first freaking round!
The final Wildcard spot in the east is now between the Pens & Bruins...
IIRC, if the Pens get a single point tonight, they're auto-in, no matter what the B's do in their game.
I saw the first period, Stone is a friggin' monster for the Sens. Hammond was burgling all the hams. Kept track of the game while playing board games today.
Could not be happier.
Except that they're playing the Habs in round 1... melon fether...
Alfndrate wrote: I saw the first period, Stone is a friggin' monster for the Sens. Hammond was burgling all the hams. Kept track of the game while playing board games today.
Could not be happier.
Except that they're playing the Habs in round 1... melon fether...
Habs looked horrendous tonight vs. the Loafs... they keep this up and it'll be a quick series, followed by booking those prime tee-times.
Oh well, at least the Bruins lost out and will miss the party entirely this year!
Happyjew wrote: Is it bad I was hoping that the Islanders would fall out of the playoffs and win the lottery?
Nah, just completely crazy! We all know that Edmonton is going to pick 1st yet again, simply so they can keep drafting only star forwards while completely ignoring both their defense & goaltending, and then continue to wonder why they keep losing year after year despite scoring 3-4+ goals a game!
Also, holy crap! Shanny wasted no time in TOland... GM gone... All the coaching staff gone... Scouting team gone... Player development guys gone...
I think the Zamboni driver managed to keep his job though!
whembly wrote: Aaaaaaaaaaand that's #1 reason why Leafs just doesn't get it.
No, I think he got it right this time. He got rid over everyone who put together a team who can't play together. Now that they are all gone, they can work at hiring people who can put the right team together.
whembly wrote: Aaaaaaaaaaand that's #1 reason why Leafs just doesn't get it.
No, I think he got it right this time. He got rid over everyone who put together a team who can't play together. Now that they are all gone, they can work at hiring people who can put the right team together.
This. The Loafs troubles currently stemmed from;
1. Awful contracts.
7mil/year for Phanuef. 8mil/year for Fail Kessel. 5+mil/year for injury-prone Lupul. 5+mil/year for the Clarkson catastrophe (though Nonis salvaged something of that by moving him out of town)
But yeah, too much over spending on mediocre talent which has simply handcuffed the organisation in the cap era. Both Kessel & Phaneuf need to go, and Lupul would be a positive move as well in order to give some much needed space under the salary cap to re-build the franchise.
2. Blindly following a broken path.
The Leafs only made the play-offs during the shortened season due to the fact that the team historically peaks within the first 40 or so games, before collapsing through the latter 1/3rd of the season... It was a hiccup at best, but the Leafs management took it as a sign they were actually a solid competitive team.
Then they took Boston to 7 games due to Riemer frankly stealing games 5 & 6, jumped out to a 4-1 lead, and then laid the mother of all eggs in the final 11 minutes. Instead of seeing it for what it was, (a team that simply got incredibly lucky and badly over achieved), Nonis and his team insisted on deluding themselves into the belief that they had their core nucleus of players and were only a couple pieces away from a sure Cup contender.
3. Bad trades.
Granted this has been a problem since forever for this organisation... But, Burkie made the infamous Kessel trade that gave away the farm. (including the Tyler Sagin pick!) Before him there was the trade that gave away the Tukka Rask pick. Since then, the Leafs have traded away picks that have landed other teams the likes of Taylor Hall and similar caliber talent!
And all they get out of these trades are UFA's who end up falling short and then can't be held onto post July due to having 0 cap space to play with...
4. Awful scouting.
When the Leafs do occasionally hold onto a bare minimum of draft picks, they've tended to use them on dud picks.
There is nothing on that Marlies team that's looking at all decently promising... Nylander, their 1st rounder from last year's draft hasn't really distinguished himself nearly as much as hoped, and is still easily at least 2 years away from being NHL ready.
Their only real bright spot right now is young Morgan Rielly who has leadership & #1-2 pairing written all over him... *IF* the Leafs don't over work him to death & destroy his confidence like they did with Luke Schen a couple years ago.
5. Disastrous casting of player roles & inability to develop younger guys.
Phaneuf hasn't been #1 defenseman caliber for 5+ years now - he's 30 years old and there's no way he can be expected to keep playing 24+ minutes a game... Kessel is not a leader in any way, nor is he a franchise player you build a team around... Bernier is not a #1 goalie...
Jake Gardner is still an utter liability as a defenseman - if anything, he's getting worse, having cemented the team's worst +/- among defensemen this season... Kadrii is still playing like he's 21 and is inconsistent as hell...
That's just the surface of the problems really! Their current front office management team was hopeless. Sticking to them wasn't going to get them anywhere.
Now Shanny can build his own team that will follow his vision of where to take this club, instead of continuously following the failed paths of old.
Now if the Leafs somehow happen to magically land the McDavid lottery?! I'll be a happy Habs fan!
whembly wrote: Aaaaaaaaaaand that's #1 reason why Leafs just doesn't get it.
No, I think he got it right this time. He got rid over everyone who put together a team who can't play together. Now that they are all gone, they can work at hiring people who can put the right team together.
I thought Shanny was being let go too...
I retract that. Let Shanny be the boss. Might take 5 years, but if Shanny is still around, the Leaf will be respectable again.
I hope PK Subban gets hit by a small moving vehicle. Every time I see him play it's something dirty and underhanded. Got sent out last night, did a two handed slash on Mark Stone, got a 5 minute and a game ejection. Stone, hottest player on the Sens atm, has a micro fracture in his wrist. Feth the Habs.
Alfndrate wrote: The league has said no suspension for him unfortunately. :-/
He pulled similar crap 2 years ago against the Sens.
And the Sens pull just as much of their own crap... like the obnoxious amount of goaltender interference they got away with two years ago, alongside gleefully running & snowing Price every chance they got.
Yes Subban deserved the major + game for the slash. (stupid, stupid play on his part, but we're used to him doing stupid gak...) Stone however massively over-reacted and embellished it as well.
I've been smashed myself by errant sticks as a ref (meaning I had even less padding than players wear!) I never once threw myself forwards though as if I'd just had my hand severed - even when taking a stick to the forearm which struck right on a nerve bundle. (within less than half an hour, my arm had swelled around the area to about twice its normal size)
It's called "gaming the system."
Habs are calling it a crap call and that the slash should have been only a minor. Sens are calling it a vicious & brutal personal attack in the hopes of getting an opposing #1-2 defenseman banned for an extra game or three.
I know why the league isn't giving him any more time off than they did, but I'd prefer to see these two teams play clean hockey and unfortunately if Subban is on the I've, that won't happen.
That was not an errant stick and Subban is not an official. Subban is very good player who knew what he was doing: he should have been punished.
I could be way off here, but I almost feel like Subban's skin color plays a role in his not getting suspended. I can't really begin to recall the number of "dirty play" videos featuring him I've seen, and I just cant help but wonder if there's a point where enough is enough with the guy
That was not an errant stick and Subban is not an official. Subban is very good player who knew what he was doing: he should have been punished.
It was stupid play on Subban's part, and he was punished for it by being tossed for almost 2/3rd's of the game.
Stone still made a complete tool of himself though with his flopping about... there's been plenty of nasty slashes & other cheap hits across all the games thus far, (look at Malkin getting his face planted in the boards tonight!), yet no one else has yet rolled about like a dying soccer player.
Ensis Ferrae wrote: [
I could be way off here, but I almost feel like Subban's skin color plays a role in his not getting suspended. I can't really begin to recall the number of "dirty play" videos featuring him I've seen, and I just cant help but wonder if there's a point where enough is enough with the guy
The main reason Subban didn't get suspended is that he is a key player on playoff team during "playoff hockey", a time when all rules change.
Stone still made a complete tool of himself though with his flopping about... there's been plenty of nasty slashes & other cheap hits across all the games thus far, (look at Malkin getting his face planted in the boards tonight!), yet no one else has yet rolled about like a dying soccer player.
Stone's wrist was broken, by a guy who has been suspended for dirty play before. Yes, Stone came back...after some hefty assistance by the training staff. Acting like that wasn't a dirty, suspendable play by Subban is just being deliberately obtuse.
Stone still made a complete tool of himself though with his flopping about... there's been plenty of nasty slashes & other cheap hits across all the games thus far, (look at Malkin getting his face planted in the boards tonight!), yet no one else has yet rolled about like a dying soccer player.
Stone's wrist was broken, by a guy who has been suspended for dirty play before. Yes, Stone came back...after some hefty assistance by the training staff. Acting like that wasn't a dirty, suspendable play by Subban is just being deliberately obtuse.
I've never said that it wasn't a dirty play - it was moronic & incredibly stupid what Subban did, but Habs fans are used to him being a complete idiot every few weeks.
It wasn't a malicious slash though, nor was there any true intent to outright ingure - if there was, Subban would have cracked him a lot harder, and likely aimed for the back of the legs or Stone's head if he really wanted to put him down & out.
The arm itself is heavily protected nowadays, especially from the side, with only a small spot near the wrist depending on how short a cuff players have on their glove. Unfortunately, Subban caught him on that perfect sweet spot... there's plenty of far more vicious slashes across other games thus far, it's more or less just bad luck that Stone got hit in that one tiny area where he had no protection. (hence why I always wore longer cuffed gloves, because slashing/hooking is so freaking common when you're trying to dance around opposing players - it's simply a natural reflex to swing out and aim for the stick/hands to try and get you to cough up the puck.)
Stone has a micro fracture, not a full blown broken wrist. If the series goes long enough, he'll almost certainly be back. His antics of throwing himself to the ice and rolling about also likely influenced the decision to not add any further disciplinary action as well. If he'd not acted like a fething soccer player just stayed down without all the added drama, then there might have been more impetus to add an additional game or two on to Subban.
I've never said that it wasn't a dirty play - it was moronic & incredibly stupid what Subban did, but Habs fans are used to him being a complete idiot every few weeks.
Why do Habs fans matter? A League decision should be completely independent of fan opinion. Mob rule is a bad thing, especially in matters such as this.
It wasn't a malicious slash though, nor was there any true intent to outright ingure - if there was, Subban would have cracked him a lot harder, and likely aimed for the back of the legs or Stone's head if he really wanted to put him down & out.
As I have already said: Subban is a good player. He knows that he is in trouble for dirty play, and knows how to get away with intentionally injurious actions. Slashing someone on the wrist is a lot easier to make injurious while also making it seem like a benign act than doing the same with a slash to the knee or the head.
His antics of throwing himself to the ice and rolling about also likely influenced the decision to not add any further disciplinary action as well. If he'd not acted like a fething soccer player just stayed down without all the added drama, then there might have been more impetus to add an additional game or two on to Subban.
His "antics" shouldn't matter at all. The fact that you think they should is an example of the cultural problem that hockey (not just the NHL) has. He was in the offensive zone, and injured, laying on the ice just makes it more likely for him to get injured more severely; possibly by his teammates. His "antics" stopped the play and enabled him to get to bench safely.
The main reason Subban didn't get suspended is that he is a key player on playoff team during "playoff hockey", a time when all rules change.
I was also somewhat referring to most of the other times I've seen his shenanigans... though I get you on the "Playoff Hockey" thing...
Watched the 3rd period of the Pens/Rangers game last night, and saw a MASSIVE hook that I was sure would be called (it was) but it seemed like it took forever to get the whistle stoppage.... Then the replay showed that the guy who got binned for hooking could also have been binned for crosschecking as well
Well, Senators fan have legitimate cause to be pissed. The Officiating in that game was awful. Seriously, far worse boarding infractions (by both teams) had been let go throughout the game and you choose to call that in OT? Not to mention what was pretty clearly a play stopping hand pass to set up the game winner.
dogma wrote: Well, Senators fan have legitimate cause to be pissed. The Officiating in that game was awful. Seriously, far worse boarding infractions (by both teams) had been let go throughout the game and you choose to call that in OT? Not to mention what was pretty clearly a play stopping hand pass to set up the game winner.
I only managed to catch the third period and OT, and I thought the third period was really exciting until that goal by the Habs, but seriously that penalty was some serious horsegak.
chaos0xomega wrote: Go Pens go, the sooner the Rags exit the playoffs the better.
Was hopin the Sens would take the lead against Montreal, but sh well.
And how bout that draft lottery? Poor Connor will be wasting away in Edmonton.
Maybe Edmonton will completely lose their minds and trade away their 1st overall pick... to TORONTO! (dun...dun...dun!)
I still can't believe you called it with Edmonton winning the lottery.
It's OK. Here in Buffalo...we like Eich.
The Tzeentch side of me simply figured it would be the most ironically hilarious outcome...
C'mon, 3 of 5 first overall picks and the Oilers still can't come close to even so much as sniffing at the play-offs?! Might as well give 'em yet another 1st pick so they can keep banging their heads against that brick wall and wonder why they never finish higher than 28th or so when they keep picking star forwards and ignoring the other 2/3rd's of their team!
Not even Toronto's quite THAT inept! (they would've at least kept finishing 9th in the east by a single point each year! )
Hoping the Pens win tonight... Season started out well for us but they sure ended the season on a low. To much passing in game 3 for the pens, have to shoot the puck more. Also they got burnt again in game 3 with the stretch pass through the middle of the ice. Oh well there is always next year
They played their game by simply sending wave-after-wave of lines and the Wild didn't have an answer.
This comment is really sad now :(
*sigh* I was really hoping the Sens would have managed to push a game 7, but an early whistle meant it wasn't to be. Pageau played (as he tends to) extremely well against the Habs, and Price was good as he is, but seriously that early whistle was total bullgak. Out of all the bad calls against both teams in this series, that one killed momentum for the Sens.
whembly wrote: Yeup. I fully expect the Blues to trade half the team now...
Anyone want Peitrangelo? Berglund? Oshie?
Now I'm really hoping for a Blackhawks vs Habs Cup series.
Fixed that for you!
@Alfndrate: The Sens made it rather terrifying for us - every single game I was sweating bullets watching! And considering they way they came from nearly the very back of the pack to make it into the Spring dance, that's a pretty fething huge accomplishment.
And hey, at its worst, you can still sit back and gloat to Loafs fans that the Sens at least finished the season in the top 8, instead of only being there for the first 3 months before yet another epic fail-a-thon!
Oshie doesn't fit the Blues' team concept (skate fast, hit hard, maybe score) as it presently exists, it would be worth putting him on the trade block for a goalie if there is no coaching change. I would hang on to Pietrangelo and Berglund though; especially since no one is going to take on Pietrangelo's contract.
Alfndrate wrote: I know the Sens played a hell of a series, but man that blown call was so crushing.
It doesn't even suck this much to lose to the steelers, as a browns fan. Does this mean I'm more of a hockey fan than football?
Hockey is better then football, it's ok to admit it.
Now, get with the show and cheer for the Wings tonight.
Whoever plays the Habs will get support from me, but like the majority of r/ottawasenators, I'm pulling for the Wild. Though I'm just gonna enjoy the hockey.
Alfndrate wrote: I know the Sens played a hell of a series, but man that blown call was so crushing.
It doesn't even suck this much to lose to the steelers, as a browns fan. Does this mean I'm more of a hockey fan than football?
Well, Little Hitler was at the game last night, so hopefully he might finally pull his head out of his arse and realise that it's well past time for the NHl to wake-up and get with the 21st century and allow full-on, proper video review?! (wow, I am being delusional right now...)
That was an embarrassing way for such a great series to end - if the play had been reviewable, (as it damn well should have been), we'd have probably has overtime or (likely imho) a game 7.
As much as it sucks to lose out to poor officiating, it's also equally crappy that now everyone will say that the Habs only moved on because of a gift from the refs.
Pretty pumped that the Caps were able to put away the Islanders in Game 7!
The next round should be interesting because the Caps have not played well against the Rangers this season... I hope they win so I don't have to hear gak from my little brother (who is a Rangers fan for some reason).
BrotherGecko wrote: Like my Dad taught me, if the Wings lose root for a Canadian team.
Lets go MONTREAL!!!
Are the Leafs still playing? because you should totally root for them to win... they even have a pot leaf for their logo and everything!!!
Absolutely the Leafs are still playing... daily rounds of golf!
The Make-ya-Laughs were out of the play-off race way back in late January.
Lol, I was hoping that my comment about their logo being a pot leaf would lend a little bit of "obviousness" of my sarcasm
My dog is also out of this race (Canucks)... and I just cannot fathom rooting for the Flames, so if I watch any more hockey, it'll be to just sit back and enjoy the show.
in fairness I was tired
