NHL Thread Because There Isn't An NHL Thread

Blues win again....

This game against the Oilers was much closer to the final 5-2 score with 2 late empty net / short handed goals in the last 2 minutes for the Blues.

Thought they were going to OT again.

The 3 on 0 in last nights game in OT was odd to see.

 
LeeVing said:
Blues win again....

This game against the Oilers was much closer to the final 5-2 score with 2 late empty net / short handed goals in the last 2 minutes for the Blues.

Thought they were going to OT again.

The 3 on 0 in last nights game in OT was odd to see.

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what was the nucks strategy there ?
 
Back in the summer when all the Marner stuff was happening I stated on here somewhere that I think the Leafs are going to serve as a cautionary tale for years to come about how to NOT build a hockey team. One quarter of the way through the season I'd just like to announce my candidacy for the Leafs GM position effective immediately.
 
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Mather said:
Back in the summer when all the Marner stuff was happening I stated that I think the Leafs are going to serve as a cautionary tale for years to come about how to NOT build a hockey team. One quarter of the way through the season I'd just like to announce my candidacy for the Leafs GM position effective immediately.
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Couldn't really disagree with you more here. This is probably the best/most talented roster the Leafs have had in my lifetime. Instead we have a coach who insists on playing them like they're the 2002 New Jersey Devils. If Babs would actually design a system around their strengths instead of forcing players like Barrie to try to be someone they're not, this is one of the best teams in the league. They literally share a building with a team who decided they'd gone as far as they could with one coach, gave someone else the reins, and won the title. Sadly I don't think a move as monumental as firing a $6MM/year coach is really up to Dubas.
 
Mather said:
Back in the summer when all the Marner stuff was happening I stated on here somewhere that I think the Leafs are going to serve as a cautionary tale for years to come about how to NOT build a hockey team. One quarter of the way through the season I'd just like to announce my candidacy for the Leafs GM position effective immediately.
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Also you're needed next to Ron at 8pm on Saturdays. You have an appointment at Fabric Land this afternoon at 3.
 
BjorgenFjorgen said:
Couldn't really disagree with you more here. This is probably the best/most talented roster the Leafs have had in my lifetime. Instead we have a coach who insists on playing them like they're the 2002 New Jersey Devils. If Babs would actually design a system around their strengths instead of forcing players like Barrie to try to be someone they're not, this is one of the best teams in the league. They literally share a building with a team who decided they'd gone as far as they could with one coach, gave someone else the reins, and won the title. Sadly I don't think a move as monumental as firing a $6MM/year coach is really up to Dubas.
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Yes but most talented team unfortunately doesn't necessarily equate to a good team. We are not a "smart" team, we are not "responsible with the puck", we don't "hit anyone", our defense frequently "covers the wrong player" or both cover "the same player", our forwards "vanish for games at a time", Cody Ceci is "on our team" and also "playing in the top four", we have four players "earning roughly the GDP of Denmark", we have so little cap space that we have to carry one less player on our roster than "every other competent team in the league" and lastly our team is coached by a "barely functional caricature".

I've been calling for Babcock to be fired since last November, I agree there. But Dubas deserves some of the blame for this mess of a team as well. He signed 3 terrible contracts that are going to hamstring this team for years to come. That's on him.
 
Mather said:
Yes but most talented team unfortunately doesn't necessarily equate to a good team. We are not a "smart" team, we are not "responsible with the puck", we don't "hit anyone", our defense frequently "covers the wrong player" or both cover "the same player", our forwards "vanish for games at a time", Cody Ceci is "on our team" and also "playing in the top four", we have four players "earning roughly the GDP of Denmark", we have so little cap space that we have to carry one less player on our roster than "every other competent team in the league" and lastly our team is coached by a "barely functional caricature".

I've been calling for Babcock to be fired since last November, I agree there. But Dubas deserves some of the blame for this mess of a team as well. He signed 3 terrible contracts that are going to hamstring this team for years to come. That's on him.
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Haha, mostly fair. But I think a lot of those things are...coaching-related. If the system doesn't work for the personnel, you've gotta change the system. Ceci is definitely not good, but one year of him is worth getting out of the rest of Zaitsev's deal. I think Dermott should get a shot next to Rielly on the second pair. It's endlessly frustrating that he has to "earn" more minutes, according to the coach, while Hyman plays more minutes than Matthews in his first game back all season. I think of the big contracts, Marner's is objectively bad and Matthews' is not great, but he is one of the best goal scorers in the league and on pace for over 50+ goals and 100+ points. Nylander's has gone from "hmm, let's see" to good value at $6.9 and Tavares was the best available free agent in the salary cap era. This year it's definitely a problem (the Marner overpay, specifically) because of the roster inflexibility, as you mentioned, but Dubas has also gotten valuable players like Kappy and Johnsson locked up for term and little money. I would just like to see someone in charge of the team who lets them play the style they were designed to play. Somehow they're less entertaining to watch than they were in the fucking tank year.
 
BjorgenFjorgen said:
Haha, mostly fair. But I think a lot of those things are...coaching-related. If the system doesn't work for the personnel, you've gotta change the system. Ceci is definitely not good, but one year of him is worth getting out of the rest of Zaitsev's deal. I think Dermott should get a shot next to Rielly on the second pair. It's endlessly frustrating that he has to "earn" more minutes, according to the coach, while Hyman plays more minutes than Matthews in his first game back all season. I think of the big contracts, Marner's is objectively bad and Matthews' is not great, but he is one of the best goal scorers in the league and on pace for over 50+ goals and 100+ points. Nylander's has gone from "hmm, let's see" to good value at $6.9 and Tavares was the best available free agent in the salary cap era. This year it's definitely a problem (the Marner overpay, specifically) because of the roster inflexibility, as you mentioned, but Dubas has also gotten valuable players like Kappy and Johnsson locked up for term and little money. I would just like to see someone in charge of the team who lets them play the style they were designed to play. Somehow they're less entertaining to watch than they were in the fucking tank year.
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This is also fair. I've said I'm not watching till Babcock is fired. I thought he'd be gone by Christmas, but it seems like management has it's head in the sand...
 
Mather said:
This is also fair. I've said I'm not watching till Babcock is fired. I thought he'd be gone by Christmas, but it seems like management has it's head in the sand...
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Yeah. I wonder if, because of how high profile the coach is, they are waiting until an even higher portion of the fanbase is against him. Like they need another "Fire Wilson!" chant scenario. I was optimistic last spring when Dubas wouldn't say outright that Babcock would be back, but I'm sure this is his last chance. Second round of the playoffs *at least* or bust.
 
Mather said:
This is also fair. I've said I'm not watching till Babcock is fired. I thought he'd be gone by Christmas, but it seems like management has it's head in the sand...
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BjorgenFjorgen said:
Yeah. I wonder if, because of how high profile the coach is, they are waiting until an even higher portion of the fanbase is against him. Like they need another "Fire Wilson!" chant scenario. I was optimistic last spring when Dubas wouldn't say outright that Babcock would be back, but I'm sure this is his last chance. Second round of the playoffs *at least* or bust.
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This is the biggest issue at hand for them. To be a really excellent team, you have to marry a coach's philosophy with the makeup of the players on the ice. Edmonton has been absolutely atrocious at this for a decade, and suddenly this year they bring Dave Tippett in and a top-heavy team with no depth and questionable defense thrives out of the gate. Also see what Barry Trotz has done with the Islanders the last two years.

Right now, Babcock seems pretty unwilling change his formula. He has what could be one of the fastest "run-and-gun" lineups in the league, yet he won't turn the reigns loose.
 
BjorgenFjorgen said:
Yeah. I wonder if, because of how high profile the coach is, they are waiting until an even higher portion of the fanbase is against him. Like they need another "Fire Wilson!" chant scenario. I was optimistic last spring when Dubas wouldn't say outright that Babcock would be back, but I'm sure this is his last chance. Second round of the playoffs *at least* or bust.
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Brother, I'm not even sure we MAKE the playoffs. Let alone win a round.
 
Well, The Red Wings have one really good line. Their needs are huge, but I really like seeing Mantha-Larkin-Bert play so well together.
I don't love the idea of tanking in general, but I don't think squeaking into the playoffs would be a good idea for this team. Another early pick for Yzerman as the team gets more older players' salaries off the books will help the rebuild quite a bit.
 
ranbalam said:
Well, The Red Wings have one really good line. Their needs are huge, but I really like seeing Mantha-Larkin-Bert play so well together.
I don't love the idea of tanking in general, but I don't think squeaking into the playoffs would be a good idea for this team. Another early pick for Yzerman as the team gets more older players' salaries off the books will help the rebuild quite a bit.
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The Red Wings are not far off from where my Canucks were a few years ago. The key for them will be to draft well, find a role player piece here and there, and just allow the young talent to show their skill.

Just don't overpay for those role players like Jim Benning did. Although, in saying that, even with a few crazy high bad contracts and the Luongo salary retention situation, the Canucks are holding their own so far this year.
 
BattleFlag said:
Just don't overpay for those role players
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^That's what Kenny Holland did so very often. I know he's a good GM, but the timing was perfect for a change. Yzerman can observe the roster this year and probably doesn't really have loyalty to some of the vets on the roster.

Good luck to your Canucks, it's been a few years since they've been on the verge of something special hasn't it?
 
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