The Official 13-14 NHL Regular season thread

[Fidatelo]

I haven't watched a lot of Taylor Hall, but in the handful of games I've seen I haven't seen an Olympian. Very nice player, and will almost surely make future teams, but still makes a lot of mistakes. Right now I'd be scared to put him out there in close games in a win-or-go-home situation.

[sterlingice]

Great piece. Feel like it should be on Grantland it's so long.

Instead of smushed into ESPN's little mobile-like site with a teeny center column?

SI

[johnnyshaka]

Nah, I think Nugent-Hopkins falls into that category just as much as Yakupov does. Basically, they were insane to take skilled young forwards in those situations, especially ones they were then going to rush to the big leagues and let fail with the rest of the team.

Also, don't think you'll get too much sympathy from a Ducks fan about FA signings not wanting to play in Edmonton given the Schultz situation. Insane that their best NHL defenseman was basically gift wrapped because of a loophole. This team could be worse.

EDIT - I'm probably being unfair to Nugent-Hopkins and Yakupov, who haven't been terrible for young players in the league. But I just can't see the justification in drafting offensive players when there are so many holes elsewhere (and it looks really bad given what Landeskog has done already and then how strong the 2012 defenseman class already looks)

Prefacing this by stating that I'm an Oilers' fan...ugh.

RNH has been fine since being drafted apart from a shoulder injury that apparently was an old injury...not much you can do about that. No regrets on that pick as he's quite often the best player on the ice, after Hall. Not sure why Landeskog would make the RNH pick look bad...RNH has more points in less games, no?

Yak, well, he's an enigma at the moment with plenty of talent but just hasn't put it all together just yet. There's no question that he belongs in the NHL it's just a matter of him maturing and realizing how to use his teammates.

Not sure how you don't draft those guys when you have the chance because defensemen are so damn tough to predict and develop. But, they have drafted plenty of defensemen with high picks in recent drafts trying to address the need at defense but those guys will take time. And if Schultz were our best defensemen they would be even worse than they are now...if you can believe it.

They have a decent mix of youth and vets at the moment but the skill level on the backend still isn't there yet while management seems to think it is because they haven't done enough to improve it. They are also on their 3rd coach in 3 seasons so the constant change in schemes can't be good.

They have to get better...right? RIGHT?

[johnnyshaka]

I haven't watched a lot of Taylor Hall, but in the handful of games I've seen I haven't seen an Olympian. Very nice player, and will almost surely make future teams, but still makes a lot of mistakes. Right now I'd be scared to put him out there in close games in a win-or-go-home situation.

Yup, lots of ups and downs with him.

Ideally he never touches the puck in the Oilers' zone and takes a pass in the neutral zone and is off the races.

Surely the IIHF could make some wacky rule to make that work, right?

[bhlloy]

Considering Landeskog is the captain of one of the most surprising teams in the league and a great two way player, I don't think a few less points bothers me too much. I think he's clearly far more valuable than RNH and likely to stay that way. Other than that most of what you say is probably fair.

I may have a biased opinion of Hall but he kills the Ducks and it feels like he does it singlehandedly. Last game I was at vs the Oilers I think he scored a goal on a sick rush and then hit the post on another that was even better. He terrifies me. As for mistakes, maybe that's true but it's not like Nash is a responsible two way player either. He's a scorer that hasn't been scoring. Makes no sense to me.

[johnnyshaka]

Considering Landeskog is the captain of one of the most surprising teams in the league and a great two way player, I don't think a few less points bothers me too much. I think he's clearly far more valuable than RNH and likely to stay that way.

Landeskog was also the captain of the 2nd worst team in the league last season.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Landeskog was also the captain of the 2nd worst team in the league last season.

+1

Colorado getting world's better has a lot more to do with EJ, Duchesne, O'Reilly, Giguere/Varlamov, and Roy, than Landeskog somehow willing them to get better.

From an outsider, seems like you load up to beat EDM but trying to limit Hall, RNH and Eberle, and assume you'll score 4+ against them. RNH can't be faulted because 80% of the EDM is rather weak/

[MacroGuru]

Sabres hire Tim Murray as GM.

[RomaGoth]

Say what? :confused:

Brian Rafalski returning to pro hockey with ECHL Florida Everblades - CBSSports.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24403874/brian-rafalski-returning-to-pro-hockey-with-echl-florida-everblades)

Brian Rafalski has come out of retirement and will play professional hockey again. Just not in the NHL.
On Thursday the Florida Everblades of the ECHL announced that they have signed the 40-year-old Rafalski, who hasn't played in the NHL since 2010-11 with the Red Wings (http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/page/DET/detroit-red-wings) when a knee issue led him to retire at the age of 37.
However last week in Detroit Rafalski put on the Winged Wheel again for the Alumni Showdown outdoors at Comerica Park and apparently that gave him the itch to play professionally again, thus the deal with the Everblades.
"I'm just excited to get back on the ice again and see where God takes me on this journey," Rafalski said in the Everblades' release (http://floridaeverblades.com/blades-add-three-time-stanley-cup-winner-rafalski/).
Rafalski won three Stanley Cup (http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/playoffs)s in his career that spanned 830 games between the Devils (http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/page/NJ/new-jersey-devils) and Red Wings. He also picked up two silver medals with the US national team at the 2010 and 2002 Olympic Games and was a two-time All-Star in the NHL. Apparently the Kelly Cup is missing from that resume.
Either that or he's looking to get back to the NHL. That's what the Everblades coach told the Detroit Free-Press (http://www.freep.com/article/20140109/SPORTS05/301090129).
"He played in the Winter Classic alumni game and got the bug," Everblades coach Greg Poss said. "He wants to play in the NHL again."
Undrafted out of the University of Wisconson and Dearborn, Michigan, Rafalski was quite the point-producer throughout his career on the blue line, picking up between 40 and 60 points with regularity throughout his career. Even in his final season he had four goals and 44 assists for the Wings in just 63 games, leaving his contract and the big salary that came with it a year early.
There's no telling where this is going to go for Rafalski at this point and if he will be able to dominate the ECHL at this stage but you have to admit one thing: it is nice to see that he still has the fire to play the game and compete that he's willing to play for ECHL Florida to do it.

[BishopMVP]

This should probably go in the college hockey thread, but if you recall a few years ago at a Bruins game a 9y/o from Portland, ME did some ridiculous shootout tricks.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1USRRFzwR04?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Long story short, he's now 13, and he just became the youngest player to commit to a D1 college (Maine).

[JonInMiddleGA]

Darn, I just hate to hear this ;)

Winnipeg Jets dismiss coach Claude Noel, hires Paul Maurice - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10282168/winnipeg-jets-dismiss-coach-claude-noel-hires-paul-maurice)

[Wolfpack]

Darn, I just hate to hear this ;)

Winnipeg Jets dismiss coach Claude Noel, hires Paul Maurice - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/10282168/winnipeg-jets-dismiss-coach-claude-noel-hires-paul-maurice)

They're determined to make Byfuglien play defense. And everyone else.

Seriously, Maurice will probably get them moving in the right direction for a bit. He's proven that with his stints in Toronto and Carolina. However, he just hits a wall at some point that his teams never really seem to get over consistently from year to year. He benefited from a fairly weak Southeast when the team moved here to win a couple of division titles and then that run to the Cup Final in 2002 and the ECF in 2009 when he came back for seconds in Raleigh, but other than that, just not much there on his resume'.

I was thinking maybe the additional resources there might give him a chance at winning, but then he had all the resources he could ever want in Toronto and that didn't work out. Good luck to him in Winnipeg nonetheless.

[Fidatelo]

This change needed to happen, as Noel had completely lost the team. That said, Maurice is only signed to the end of the season so there is no guarantee he will be here long term. I suspect he might simply be a stop gap to placate the boo birds for the rest of the year, plus perhaps provide a second coaches opinion when it comes to Chevy evaluating what player moves need to be made. There have been rumours for over a year now that Hawerchuk was likely to get the team after Noel, but that can't happen mid-season because of his responsibilities in Barrie. This move still leaves that in play if there is substance to it.

[BishopMVP]

Ping: MapleLeafs

Is the new Grantland re-design something that makes it look nicer for mobile devices that isn't going away? I hate the narrow text ESPN uses for most of its site, and am disappointed to see it on the long-form part of the site.

[Fidatelo]

Ping: MapleLeafs

Is the new Grantland re-design something that makes it look nicer for mobile devices that isn't going away? I hate the narrow text ESPN uses for most of its site, and am disappointed to see it on the long-form part of the site.

I agree, this latest design feels like a step back. I really liked the previous one.

[Logan]

Ping: MapleLeafs

Is the new Grantland re-design something that makes it look nicer for mobile devices that isn't going away? I hate the narrow text ESPN uses for most of its site, and am disappointed to see it on the long-form part of the site.

Yeah I believe it's called "responsive design" and it's so it could be viewed best across all platforms and devices. It's definitely a lot better to read on my phone than it used to be, but I hate it on my laptop. Seems like it should be similarly "responsive" to get wider on a widescreen.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Got tipped to this by DownGoesBrown but I can't seem to get the embed link from the regional 'net to work right. Very cool stuff IMO.

Wish Recipient Braden Nienaber Throws Steve Ott Out of Ceremonial Face-off (GIF) (http://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2014/01/12/make-a-wish-recipient-braden-nienaber-throws-steve-ott-out-of-ceremonial-face-off-gif/)

[DaddyTorgo]

Love it.

[Fidatelo]

Well the Jets are now 2-0 under Paul Maurice, with a decent chance of going 3-0 when the Oilers come to town tomorrow. They've looked quite good, but Phoenix, Calgary, and then Edmonton aren't exactly a murderer's row.

But have no fear, those murderers are coming! The next 3 games are all on the road against Anaheim, San Jose, and Chicago. I wouldn't be surprised if Maurice's record is 3-3 by the end of that stretch, but the tale will truly be told in how they actually perform during those games. If they can be consistent and at least look competent, it will be a step forward from where they've been at for a large chunk of the season.

[BishopMVP]

I agree, this latest design feels like a step back. I really liked the previous one.Yeah I believe it's called "responsive design" and it's so it could be viewed best across all platforms and devices. It's definitely a lot better to read on my phone than it used to be, but I hate it on my laptop. Seems like it should be similarly "responsive" to get wider on a widescreen.It's not just the responsive design. They've also now got links to other stories in a right-hand column that takes up 30% of the screen on some articles and just white space in the rest. Add in a column for footnotes that takes up 10-15% of the screen and the actual article is smushed into just over 50% of the screen. I'm fine with having those links etc at the top, but having them stay on the right side and take up that much of the screen feels Bleacher Report or SBNation-esque, or just leaving it as white space if they don't feels like a waste of space. I'll still go to Grantland for the content, but part of its appeal to me was that it felt like an oasis where you could read in-depth, long-form journalism instead of the constant ADD click-fests most "sports" sites cater to.

(Fwiw DGB you're right at the top there for quality of content, and now apparently quantity too. What are you up to now, like 9 articles this week? :eek: )

[Fidatelo]

I'm also not a fan of their typography changes. The larger headline fonts all look blurry to me. Actually, I think the smaller stuff might be a bit off too.

[Fidatelo]

Dola

The other thing I liked about the old design was that the site felt more 'text-y' and less 'picture-y'. That's not a very science-y statement, but I don't really know how else to describe it. Sort of more mature. Is this making sense? Let me put it this way: I felt less awkward having the old site open on my workstation than the new one. I just feel like the new one is going to be instantly obvious that it's not work related at all, whereas the old one, if you went past the big main image, had a chance at looking 'legitimate' on a glance.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Old time hockey in Vancouver.

Line brawl off the opening face off. 110 pims.

Torts going insane.

[Logan]

Torts trying to go after the Calgary coaches in the locker room was obviously insane, but Hartley comes across as such a scared bitch as he just stared ahead on the bench as Torts was yelling at him. If you're going to initiate all that, at least own up to it.

[Fidatelo]

I feel bad for the kid on the Canuck that only got to 'play' 2 seconds of his first NHL game. Good job sending him out to get mugged, Torts.

Regardless, the whole incident is a joke. The idea of sending out a line of goons to start the game fighting in order to 'give your team a lift' or whatever is stupid beyond belief. This is the kind of shit that shouldn't exist in hockey and should be met with suspensions and fines all around (players, coaches, and GMs/teams).

[sterlingice]

Thank god TSN.ca exists because ESPN only had a 1 minute clip of the game from last night. No explanation, no nothing, just "heh-heh, it's a fight" and no scoring or anything. Morons.

Why did the Flames put the big guys out there to start the game? Or was Torterella off base saying that?

SI

[JonInMiddleGA]

Or was Torterella off base saying that?

Not according to ESPN.com, who even had a quote from Hartley (rather lamely) defending the decision to do so.

[johnnyshaka]

Torts is a moron for not starting the Sedins and getting an early 1-0 lead.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Torts trying to go after the Calgary coaches in the locker room was obviously insane, but Hartley comes across as such a scared bitch as he just stared ahead on the bench as Torts was yelling at him. If you're going to initiate all that, at least own up to it.

How Hartley can claim anything but trying to stir shit....Westgarth had two faceoff attempts prior to this.

Torts is a nut job, but I have no problem with him putting out his 4th line. Going to the locker room after....yeah, no condoning that.

I feel bad for the kid on the Canuck that only got to 'play' 2 seconds of his first NHL game. Good job sending him out to get mugged, Torts.

Regardless, the whole incident is a joke. The idea of sending out a line of goons to start the game fighting in order to 'give your team a lift' or whatever is stupid beyond belief. This is the kind of shit that shouldn't exist in hockey and should be met with suspensions and fines all around (players, coaches, and GMs/teams).

I know those who believe in this crap will point to "you've never played the game!!", but agree 100% here.

I laugh all the time at people claiming the lift it gives a team.

2009, Max Talbot got his ass kicked by Dan Carcillo, then "shhhhh'd!" the Philly crowd. Philly led 3-0 in game 6 at this point. The Penguins ended up winning 5-3, scoring their first goal shortly after the fight.

Legend has it Talbot's willingness to fight willed the team to victory.

Had Philly gone up 4-0, the same group would tell you Carcillo pumped up his team, and demoralized the Penguins.

[johnnyshaka]

I have no problem with Hartley starting his 4th line on the road to try and set the tone early and send a message to the Canucks that it's going to be a physical game. If Torts puts out the Sedins then the Canucks likely get a good opportunity to create some offense against the 4th line because there is no way a line brawl occurs a la John Scott and Phill Kessel with the Sedins on the ice to start the game. But that's not Torts' style...nope.

Torts is the one who orchestrated the line brawl, no doubt about it. If he didn't want that to happen then he had the power to put an end to it...plain and simple...and he didn't.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Afraid that Torts think about claiming the title of "biggest nut job in the NHL" tag...


http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=441712


Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk and general manager Bryan Murray were at NHL headquarters in New York on Monday with NHL Players' Association executive director Donald Fehr as part of Melnyk's forensic investigation into Matt Cooke (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/?name=matt+cooke)'s skate cut on Erik Karlsson (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/?name=erik+karlsson) last season, according to TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie.

[Fidatelo]

I have no problem with Hartley starting his 4th line on the road to try and set the tone early and send a message to the Canucks that it's going to be a physical game. If Torts puts out the Sedins then the Canucks likely get a good opportunity to create some offense against the 4th line because there is no way a line brawl occurs a la John Scott and Phill Kessel with the Sedins on the ice to start the game. But that's not Torts' style...nope.

Torts is the one who orchestrated the line brawl, no doubt about it. If he didn't want that to happen then he had the power to put an end to it...plain and simple...and he didn't.

While a line brawl may not have occurred had the Sedin's been iced, a fight of some sort surely would have. At least one of those first five guys on the ice for Vancouver was going to have to drop the gloves, and everyone knew it. What the hell kind of start is that to a game? What does Tortorella say to his players if he serves up the first line as fresh meat to Calgary's goons? "Good luck guys! Stay safe out there! I'll be here on the bench if you need me".

[johnnyshaka]

Actually, since being hit by Cooke a week ago, Yakupov has been out, too. WTF??

:D

[Suburban Rhythm]

Actually, since being hit by Cooke a week ago, Yakupov has been out, too. WTF??

:D

Edmonton probably owes Minnesota for taking care of that problem for them

;)

[johnnyshaka]

While a line brawl may not have occurred had the Sedin's been iced, a fight of some sort surely would have. At least one of those first five guys on the ice for Vancouver was going to have to drop the gloves, and everyone knew it. What the hell kind of start is that to a game? What does Tortorella say to his players if he serves up the first line as fresh meat to Calgary's goons? "Good luck guys! Stay safe out there! I'll be here on the bench if you need me".

Why does icing the 4th line automatically mean a fight is going to ensue? I mean McGratten isn't the kind of guy who's going to jump a Sedin, so why would that night be any different? And the rest of the guys on the ice were hardly "goons" with a handful of fights between them.

Torts got his feathers ruffled, for whatever reason, and figured he'd blow shit up after his team had been shutout twice and blown out 9-1 in another...he knew exactly what he was doing.

[johnnyshaka]

Edmonton probably owes Minnesota for taking care of that problem for them

;)

LOL...I was going to add that I didn't mind Yak being out but thought that might be a tad insensitive since he's supposed to be the Holy Grail or something. :p

[Logan]

Rangers trade Del Zotto to Nashville for Kevin Klein.

MDZ really wore out his welcome here and just didn't improve enough defensively where he could be relied upon. He also was supposed to be our puck moving d-man but he sucked at it.

I know nothing about Klein but have read that he's a very solid #4 type and he's a righty which the Rangers defense desperately needed. Signed long term at a reasonable $2.9MM per.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Great deal for the Rangers.

Insurance/leverage for Giradi too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

And the rest of the guys on the ice were hardly "goons" with a handful of fights between them.

There were also a unit that had produced a grand total of 0 points in 2014 as of that game.

Butler's last point was 12/21
Jones' last point was 11/30 (he'd missed a cpl wks with injury)
McGrattan's last point was 12/12
Smid's last point was 11/29
Westgarth's last point came in April of last season

They're also 5 of the 7 largest players on the Flames roster.

AFAIC, there's not any reasonable question what Hartley had in mind (for whatever reason), Vancouver merely obliged them.

I'm not exactly a fan of Torts by any stretch of the imagination, but trying to paint him as the instigator here seems downright silly.

[Logan]

Great deal for the Rangers.

Insurance/leverage for Giradi too.

Short of Girardi taking a massive discount on years and dollars (and why would he, with Phaneuf off the market?), I'm not sure how the Rangers bring him back. He's already slowing down a bit and he plays the type of game that just doesn't hold up over time. And it's not like he has other skills to fall back on. It would be hard to do, but unless the team really catches fire, I hope they move him before the deadline.

[Chief Rum]

For those who didn't see, the Ducks amazing streak of not losing in regulation at home finally ended last night... against Winnepeg?!?

[bhlloy]

Funnily enough one of the best Ducks efforts of the season - Hiller gave up a few soft ones, Pavelec was incredible and the corsi was something stupid like 75-35 in favor of the Ducks (shots 43 to 18 or something like that).

[RomaGoth]

For those who didn't see, the Ducks amazing streak of not losing in regulation at home finally ended last night... against Winnepeg?!?

Where is Winnepeg?


:D

[RomaGoth]

For those who didn't see, the Ducks amazing streak of not losing in regulation at home finally ended last night... against Winnepeg?!?

I am waiting for them to implode. Any team coached by Boudreau inevitably will self-destruct, right?

[Fidatelo]

I watched the Jets/Ducks game, the Jets probably shoved old ladies out of their way as they ran out of the building clutching those 2 points. They were completely outplayed for at least 50% of the game, and maybe even with the Ducks for the other half. If that game were played 9 more times I bet the Ducks win at least 8 of them. Hopefully, win or lose, they can play a bit more even game against San José tomorrow night.

That said, Jets are 4-0 under Maurice. And Trouba and Scheifele are looking like studs, and Bogosian seems to be rebounding a bit from a pretty bad first half. Throw in Kane, Little, Ladd, Wheeler... not a bad nucleus.

[Chief Rum]

I am waiting for them to implode. Any team coached by Boudreau inevitably will self-destruct, right?

Not until the first round.

[johnnyshaka]

There were also a unit that had produced a grand total of 0 points in 2014 as of that game.

You obviously spent some time researching this and I'm kind of surprised you didn't notice that the Flames had only scored 11 goals in 8 games in 2014 leading up to that game. So, is it crazy to think 4th liners and the 3rd pairing wouldn't have factored into what little offense the team had?

[JonInMiddleGA]

You obviously spent some time researching this and I'm kind of surprised you didn't notice that the Flames had only scored 11 goals in 8 games in 2014 leading up to that game. So, is it crazy to think 4th liners and the 3rd pairing wouldn't have factored into what little offense the team had?

I was thinking more about Hartley's quote when he tried to defend the move, that's what prompted me to look at the numbers really

"Those guys are playing well for us," he said. "They got a goal last game. We're not scoring many goals. We had zero intentions there."

Now I'm guessing that parts of that unit may have been on the ice when that goal he mentions was scored, but none of the ones he put out were directly involved apparently.

[Suburban Rhythm]

So Fleury and Peter Budaj almost went towards the end of the PIT-MTL game last night. But the refs intervened. Which is funny, because one of the two officials was Mark St. Laurent - the same guy who gave Ray Emery a free pass to beat on Holtby a few months back.

[Fidatelo]

So Fleury and Peter Budaj almost went towards the end of the PIT-MTL game last night. But the refs intervened. Which is funny, because one of the two officials was Mark St. Laurent - the same guy who gave Ray Emery a free pass to beat on Holtby a few months back.

That just tells me he (St. Laurent) learned his lesson, which is a positive thing.

[RomaGoth]

Phoenix Coyotes will be Arizona Coyotes starting next season


From The Detroit News: Phoenix Coyotes will be Arizona Coyotes starting next season | The Detroit News (http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140129/SPORTS0103/301290084#ixzz2rqYzwzdz)

Really rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? :rolleyes:

[Vince, Pt. II]

The Sharks were 0-59 on shot attempts tonight. I didn't get to watch the game, so I have no idea of the quality of any of those shots. But good lord, a 59 save shutout?

[chrisj]

The quality was amazing overall. FYI there were actually 100 shot attempt but only made it to the net. Ben Scrivens was amazing and set an NHL record for saves in a shutout.

[Vince, Pt. II]

So 0/100, but "only" 59 of the shots were on target. Got it.

Blech. Tip of the cap to an amazing performance!

[sterlingice]

The Sharks were 0-59 on shot attempts tonight. I didn't get to watch the game, so I have no idea of the quality of any of those shots. But good lord, a 59 save shutout?

How many were there in the 3OT game between Vanbiesbrouck-Roy in the 96 or 97 finals? It was something like that

SI

[Suburban Rhythm]

http://1.cdn.nhle.com/penguins/v2/ext/GIFs/fleurysave2.3.14.gif

http://gifsforum.com/images/gif/other/grand/MarcAndre_Fleury_Amazing_Glove_4cd8997829e2e1cb83e3aece3b2d1de6.gif

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Can't find a good gif of Karlsson's reaction, falls to his knees, gets up giggling.

[DaddyTorgo]

That's some impressive lateral push. Wow.

[Dr. Sak]

That's some impressive lateral push. Wow.

It's pretty easy to do when you don't have a set of nuts.

[Suburban Rhythm]

It's pretty easy to do when you don't have a set of nuts.

Then what's Mason's excuse?

Has he finished a game since signing his extension?

[DaddyTorgo]

Hey MapleLeafs - I couldn't get on the board last night to post this, but there was a call in the Beanpot 2nd game that made me think of you.

Jack Edwards (Bruins announcer) was calling the game, and one of the BU guys named Brown took a check and went down, and Jack said "Brown goes down!" and all I could think of was that he totally blew the call and should have said it the other way around!

[Dr. Sak]

Then what's Mason's excuse?

Has he finished a game since signing his extension?

A shutout of the LA Kings and a 5-2 win at San Jose in the past three days.

[RomaGoth]

Then what's Mason's excuse?

Has he finished a game since signing his extension?

Did he sign that extension before or after beating the Wings last week? :banghead:

[Suburban Rhythm]

A shutout of the LA Kings and a 5-2 win at San Jose in the past three days.

The Metro is actually competitive now. Pens on top, Isles at the bottom, 5 way tie for 2nd I think.

[Fidatelo]

Jets are now 8-2 under Maurice. I'm not sure how long this can last, but it's been a fun little ride so far!

Of course, one of those two losses was the first game I've attended in months, a 4-3 loss to Nashville. Although even that was a pretty fun game, however I still haven't seen a victory in person yet this year (0-4 including my one preseason game).

[Galaxy]

Sabres GM has said several teams have called about Ryan Miller. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Breaking news in Pittsburgh

Letang To Miss At Least Six Weeks After Having A Stroke (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=704164&navid=DL|PIT|home)

Penguins defenseman Kris Letang will miss at least six weeks after having a stroke last week, it was announced today by Executive Vice President and General Manger Ray Shero.

The condition is treatable with blood thinners and at this point is not believed to be career threatening.

Further testing also revealed that Letang, 26, has had a very small hole in the wall of his heart since birth. This small defect in the wall is present in all individuals before birth but seals shut in most people. It is possible that the hole in the heart led to the stroke.

[claphamsa]

just saw that... didnt they just give him a huge contract?

[Suburban Rhythm]

$58m/8

It kicks in next season. But if (and total speculation here, reports saying not career threatening) he had to retire, it's off the books.

[henry296]

$58m/8

It kicks in next season. But if (and total speculation here, reports saying not career threatening) he had to retire, it's off the books.

I think they can put him on the Long-Term IR and not count against the cap.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I think they can put him on the Long-Term IR and not count against the cap.

Right, similar to what Boston/Philly are doing with Savard/Pronger.

But from everything I've read, it's not a career ending thing. Though probably too early to be definitive.

[MikeVic]

Can someone tell me if that's THE Sandis Ozolinsh on Latvia? Used to be on the Sharks in the NHL, and I think that would mean he's super old? Was surprised to see that name come up haha.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Can someone tell me if that's THE Sandis Ozolinsh on Latvia? Used to be on the Sharks in the NHL, and I think that would mean he's super old? Was surprised to see that name come up haha.

It is indeed, now 41 years old. Currently playing for Dinamo Riga in the KHL.

Olympics: Latvia's Ozolinsh returns after seven-year hiatus | GlobalPost (http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140208/olympics-latvias-ozolinsh-returns-after-seven-year-hiatus)

[Logan]

And Petr freaking Nedved is playing for the Czech team at 42. The Rangers acquired him from the Blues as compensation for Mike Keenan after the Rangers Cup win in 1994!

[DaddyTorgo]

Can someone tell me if that's THE Sandis Ozolinsh on Latvia? Used to be on the Sharks in the NHL, and I think that would mean he's super old? Was surprised to see that name come up haha.

Most likely.

[Galaxy]

John Tavares is out the rest of the year. This can't be comforting to NHL teams and the Olympics.

[Suburban Rhythm]

When did Ted Nolan get his Latvian citizenship?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Zetterburg had back surgery.

He's out for 2 months, which is the entire rest of the regular season. Unless the Wings make an improbable run deep into the playoffs, he likely won't play again this year.

Oh dear...

[The Jackal]

Ryan Miller and Steve Ott have been traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round draft pick in 2016.

(TSN)

[The Jackal]

My initial reaction is that Buffalo got a good deal here and St. Louis gets slightly better

[bhlloy]

Good deal for both teams - that's a hell of a haul for a veteran goaltender these days, and St. Louis gets the one thing it's been missing to be one of the favorites.

[MacroGuru]

Ryan Miller and Steve Ott have been traded to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Jaroslav Halak, Chris Stewart, William Carrier, a first-round draft pick in 2015 and a third-round draft pick in 2016.

(TSN)

Actually the third is a conditional pick and there is a chance it can be a 1st in 2014.

[bbor]

Win Buffalo.....Miller/Halak a bit of an upgrade...although Halaks number are better....Ott/Stewart...saw off....although the Blues get out from under Stewarts 4.2 mil cap hit for next season.The Picks sway this way in Buffs favour.

[The Jackal]

although Halaks number are better....

To say that Halak's numbers are better is a bit misleading. Career sv% Halak has a .01 edge and a .22 GAA edge, but look at the teams they've been playing for.

If you look at GSAA and GPS on hockeyreference (Halak (http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/h/halakja01.html) and Miller (http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/millery01.html)) Miller is clearly a better goalie.

That being said, I don't think the difference between them is going to make a huge difference on the Blues team - they are still very good and this doesn't push them above any of the Western Conference teams around them.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Went out to dinner with Lady H_B last night at a new restaurant that just opened a few blocks from our house.

As we were getting ready to leave Kyle Quincey, Tomas Tatar and Tomas Jurco grabbed a table.

[MizzouRah]

I don't think the STL - BUF trade was all that great. Seems like all we do is trade for goaltending when we need scoring more than anything.

[Ryan S]

If you are one of those guys who has trouble following the puck, the Penguins - Blackhawks snow game is not for you.

[bbor]

The thing i love about surprise trades....

Sabres Trade Ryan Miller, Forced To Dress Former Video Guy As Backup (http://deadspin.com/sabres-trade-ryan-miller-forced-to-dress-former-video-1534103720)

[Ryan S]

The thing i love about surprise trades....

Sabres Trade Ryan Miller, Forced To Dress Former Video Guy As Backup (http://deadspin.com/sabres-trade-ryan-miller-forced-to-dress-former-video-1534103720)

The Blues had to dress a Ducks employee as their emergency goalie.

Blues and Sabres use front office personnel as back up goalies - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 240+ Sites (http://fansided.com/2014/03/01/blues-sabres-use-front-office-personnel-back-goalies/#!xZuYg)

[Suburban Rhythm]

If you are one of those guys who has trouble following the puck, the Penguins - Blackhawks snow game is not for you.

Made the comment last night, if the NHL had a box of Foxtrax pucks laying around, last night was the time to bust them out.

Might have helped the Pens too

[cuervo72]

The Blues had to dress a Ducks employee as their emergency goalie.

Blues and Sabres use front office personnel as back up goalies - FanSided - Sports News, Entertainment, Lifestyle & Technology - 240+ Sites (http://fansided.com/2014/03/01/blues-sabres-use-front-office-personnel-back-goalies/#!xZuYg)

And because the deal sent Blues’ goalie Jaroslav Halak to the Sabres, they were forced to do the same, but they’re back up was

FFS.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Early trade activity

Mike Weaver to MTL, 5th round pick to FLA

Fasth to EDM, ??? to ANA

Bryzgalov to MIN, 4th round pick to EDM

Penner to WSH, 4th round pick to ANA


Ducks clearing space for someone...

[Logan]

Early trade activity

Mike Weaver to MTL, 5th round pick to FLA

Fasth to EDM, ??? to ANA

Bryzgalov to MIN, 4th round pick to EDM

Penner to WSH, 4th round pick to ANA


Ducks clearing space for someone...

I hope it's for a re-signed Ryan Callahan.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Looks like it was for Robidas...4th back to Dallas. Essentially Penner for Robidas.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Fasth to EDM, ??? to ANA



3rd & 5th to Anaheim here

[The Jackal]

Crap, I really did not want Andrew MacDonald. I hope he proves me and the advanced stats community wrong.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Luongo back to Florida!

[bhlloy]

Jesus, it's hard to see how you could possibly handle a situation worse than the Canucks have done with Luongo.

[MizzouRah]

Jesus, it's hard to see how you could possibly handle a situation worse than the Canucks have done with Luongo.

Yeah.. it's a bit of a head scratcher to me.

[chrisj]

Vancouver is trying to give Edmonton a run for their money as one of the worst run franchises. How can you turn two top starters into very little...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Vancouver is trying to give Edmonton a run for their money as one of the worst run franchises. How can you turn two top starters into very little...

Yes, this was not great asset management. They turned Schneider and Lugongo into Bo Vorvat, Jakub Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.

Interesting note on Matthias, the Wings traded him to Florida for Bertuzzi, who was traded to Florida by Vancouver as part of the Luongo deal.

Maybe it's not that interesting, but now you know and knowing is half the battle.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Yes, this was not great asset management. They turned Schneider and Lugongo into Bo Vorvat, Jakub Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.

Interesting note on Matthias, the Wings traded him to Florida for Bertuzzi, who was traded to Florida by Vancouver as part of the Luongo deal.

Maybe it's not that interesting, but now you know and knowing is half the battle.

That's Lupul territory...he was traded twice for Pronger I think. Anaheim and Edmonton.

[JPhillips]

I'm afraid in a few years we'll be talking about how amazing it was that WAS essentially traded Forsberg for a fourth line grinder and a third line prospect.

Amazing how that team completely fell apart in the span of three years while retaining all of their star level talent.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Callahan, '14 2nd and '15 1st to TB for MSL

Guess makes sense on both sides. Rangers weren't bringing Callahan back. MSL wanted out of Tampa, Lightning get 1st in a deep draft next year for their troubles.

[Logan]

Callahan, '14 2nd and '15 1st to TB for MSL

Guess makes sense on both sides. Rangers weren't bringing Callahan back. MSL wanted out of Tampa, Lightning get 1st in a deep draft next year for their troubles.

I'm happy with the deal. MSL can still score with the best of them and I think he can have some longevity beyond next year. Supposedly he's wanted to play in NY for a while, and if he will take a discount to stay, I think we'd have him.

Hate giving up the 2015 1st. The 14 2nd becomes a 1st if the Rangers make the conference finals, which I hate. Make the SCF the condition, if anything.

[bhlloy]

The Rangers get a second if Callaghan signs with TBL, which would make the deal a lot more palatable for them. Otherwise, that's a lot for a 38 year old who might be done after next year and was only ever going to be traded to one team

[Logan]

The Rangers get a second if Callaghan signs with TBL, which would make the deal a lot more palatable for them. Otherwise, that's a lot for a 38 year old who might be done after next year and was only ever going to be traded to one team

I think it was an interesting how Callahan was supposedly shopped, but all we ever heard for a potential return before this was Chris Stewart and maybe a pick, before he got traded on his own. Maybe there were things kept very quiet, but I think once word got out on his contract demands, there may have been no real market for him. I can't see any contending team willing to go to the years and money that the Rangers were offering, and I thought that was crazy to begin with. So you might need to basically cross his name off the list, or think of him like another 2nd rounder, when evaluating the return.

I think Cally ends up getting a big offer to play in Buffalo and serve as a mentor to their rebuilding project. Otherwise, he's going to need to take a 4x5 type deal from a potential contender.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Yes, this was not great asset management. They turned Schneider and Lugongo into Bo Vorvat, Jakub Markstrom and Shawn Matthias.

Interesting note on Matthias, the Wings traded him to Florida for Bertuzzi, who was traded to Florida by Vancouver as part of the Luongo deal.

Maybe it's not that interesting, but now you know and knowing is half the battle.

In the same realm...

Last time a Rangers captain was traded, Messier to Sharks in 2003, for a 4th round pick.

That 4th round pick became....Ryan Callahan.

[RomaGoth]

Not sure what Holland was thinking today by trading Eaves, Jarnkrok, and a conditional 3rd to the Predators for a 33 year old David Legwand.

Unless he knows something about Jarnkrok (who has been compared to Henrik Zetterberg) that the rest of us don't, this deal looks awful.

[Logan]

The NHL has reversed the Devils penalty on the Kovalchuk cap circumvention. They'll lose whatever slot they were supposed to be picking this year, and will pick 30th instead.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Not sure what Holland was thinking today by trading Eaves, Jarnkrok, and a conditional 3rd to the Predators for a 33 year old David Legwand.

Unless he knows something about Jarnkrok (who has been compared to Henrik Zetterberg) that the rest of us don't, this deal looks awful.

Here's what Holland was thinking. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Weiss and Helm are all injured.

Prior to getting Legwand here were the Wings starting centers for tonight's (and perhaps the next couple of weeks) game:

Andresson
Sheahan
Glending
Emmerton

This would be a decent team down the middle for an AHL squad, not a NHL team fighting for its playoff life.

The injuries to Datsyuk and Helm forced Holland's hand here.

Even with Legwand the playoffs are a long shot now. The Wings gave up too many points early on in the season and are too badly injured now to make a big push. That said, without him it's pretty much done.

I am not too worried about the 3rd round (could become a 2nd round if the Wings make the playoffs) pick. Eaves was a throw in. I imagine that the Wings probably forced Nashville to take Eaves as part of the deal for cap/CBA/financial reasons. Eaves has been waived twice this season and has been claimed by zero teams. I like Eaves. I am sad to see him go, but his time here is done.

The trade will depend on how Jarnkrok pans out. He is a pretty highly regarded prospect. That said, there were rumblings that if he didn't make the Wings next year, he'd bolt to Sweden. He's not likely going to make the Wings next year. Sheahan has already passed him on the organizational depth chart. There were also rumblings that he may go back to Sweden any way. If Jarnkrok does stay in America and pans out a decent NHL center, then the deal is pretty bad. If not... The Wings desperately needed help at center and got a quality NHL center.

Too bad Garth Snow isn't Nashville's GM or that Vanek isn't a center.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The NHL has reversed the Devils penalty on the Kovalchuk cap circumvention. They'll lose whatever slot they were supposed to be picking this year, and will pick 30th instead.

It seems like the Devils are always getting off the hook for their cap shenanigans.

[Pyser]

The NHL has reversed the Devils penalty on the Kovalchuk cap circumvention. They'll lose whatever slot they were supposed to be picking this year, and will pick 30th instead.

woohoo! wonder what happened?

guess lou wasnt so dumb for keeping pick 29 in the cup final run year.

still wouldve been smarter to pass then, but hurts a LOT less now, with a 20 pick or so slide this year.

[Logan]

woohoo! wonder what happened?

guess lou wasnt so dumb for keeping pick 29 in the cup final run year.

still wouldve been smarter to pass then, but hurts a LOT less now, with a 20 pick or so slide this year.

Unless he knew they were going to get the pick back (always a possibility with the NHL), yes he was so dumb for keeping that pick.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Unless he knew they were going to get the pick back (always a possibility with the NHL), yes he was so dumb for keeping that pick.

I like this line of thinking, since we can move on from the "Bettman promised Crosby to Pittsburgh" conspiracy, and now concentrate on the "Bettman told Lamoriello they'd get the pick back" conspiracy.

[Pyser]

Unless he knew they were going to get the pick back (always a possibility with the NHL), yes he was so dumb for keeping that pick.

there must've always been a chance, because if the devils had already given the pick up, there wouldnt have been much left to appeal. so it makes a lot more sense now why they didnt give it up then.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Crosby went full Ovie in SJ last night

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/842427950.gif?1394171697

[mrtourette]

Crap, I really did not want Andrew MacDonald. I hope he proves me and the advanced stats community wrong.

Disappointed to see MacDonald leave the Islanders, always seemed to be one of those guys who contributed a lot through smart play despite it not being obviously quantifiable. Although it's probably only Islanders fans who thought that.

The Vanek situation was a massive kick in the nuts, but once he refused a new deal (not that unsurprising) it was always going to be.

[RomaGoth]

Crosby went full Ovie in SJ last night

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/large/842427950.gif?1394171697

That is some awesome non-backchecking!

[RomaGoth]

Here's what Holland was thinking. Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Weiss and Helm are all injured.

Prior to getting Legwand here were the Wings starting centers for tonight's (and perhaps the next couple of weeks) game:

Andresson
Sheahan
Glending
Emmerton

This would be a decent team down the middle for an AHL squad, not a NHL team fighting for its playoff life.

The injuries to Datsyuk and Helm forced Holland's hand here.

Even with Legwand the playoffs are a long shot now. The Wings gave up too many points early on in the season and are too badly injured now to make a big push. That said, without him it's pretty much done.

I am not too worried about the 3rd round (could become a 2nd round if the Wings make the playoffs) pick. Eaves was a throw in. I imagine that the Wings probably forced Nashville to take Eaves as part of the deal for cap/CBA/financial reasons. Eaves has been waived twice this season and has been claimed by zero teams. I like Eaves. I am sad to see him go, but his time here is done.

The trade will depend on how Jarnkrok pans out. He is a pretty highly regarded prospect. That said, there were rumblings that if he didn't make the Wings next year, he'd bolt to Sweden. He's not likely going to make the Wings next year. Sheahan has already passed him on the organizational depth chart. There were also rumblings that he may go back to Sweden any way. If Jarnkrok does stay in America and pans out a decent NHL center, then the deal is pretty bad. If not... The Wings desperately needed help at center and got a quality NHL center.

Too bad Garth Snow isn't Nashville's GM or that Vanek isn't a center.

Yeah I get why he made the move, just don't agree with it. Comes off as a panic move after Helm went down. I like Eaves too but he was just a throw-in, and the draft pick is not a huge deal even if it turns into a 2nd. I am just surprised they moved Jarnkrok considering he was a top-5 prospect within the organization, and even if he did go back to Sweden there is a chance they could convince him to come back after a year or two. After all, the Wings are THE Swedish Connection in the NHL (no offense to Vancouver).

Garth Snow is a riot.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Yeah I get why he made the move, just don't agree with it. Comes off as a panic move after Helm went down. I like Eaves too but he was just a throw-in, and the draft pick is not a huge deal even if it turns into a 2nd. I am just surprised they moved Jarnkrok considering he was a top-5 prospect within the organization, and even if he did go back to Sweden there is a chance they could convince him to come back after a year or two. After all, the Wings are THE Swedish Connection in the NHL (no offense to Vancouver).

Garth Snow is a riot.


I listened to an interview with Holland yesterday. The organization felt like Jarnkrok projected out to be a 3/4th line center. The Wings have a glut of those types of players now.

The keys to this trade will be: 1) Whether the Wings can make it to the playoffs (unlikely) and 2) How Jarnkrok will develop. If he has a good, solid NHL career then it's a bad deal. If he's a middling player or never makes it, then deal isn't so bad.

The Wings tend to be very protective of their prospects. Very protective. I trust the Wings to have a better sense of their prospects' true potential than any website or other source. They've earned it. This isn't like the Lions or Pistons front offices making these calls.

While it's possible I am forgetting about one, in recent memory the only Wing prospect that they've dealt and who arguably has some NHL potential is Shawn Matthias (see above). Going way back you could say Tomas Fleischman is another, who they moved for Lang back in the day.

[Suburban Rhythm]

http://cdn0.sbnation.com/assets/4101369/crosby-controller-disconnected.gif

[Galaxy]

Sabres are just loaded with high draft picks into the next three years. Add on back-to-back first round picks from the last two years, and a trio of second round picks from last year's draft, this team is really rebuilding.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Sabres are just loaded with high draft picks into the next three years. Add on back-to-back first round picks from the last two years, and a trio of second round picks from last year's draft, this team is really rebuilding.

Let's hope that the Sabres follow the Blackhawks and Penguins suck real bad, get high draft picks and rebuild plan and not the Oilers' suck real bad, get high draft picks and rebuild plan. So far, the fact that the Sabres actually drafted some defensemen is a good sign.

[Travis]

Hey, the Oilers drafted defensemen too, they just haven't bothered to actually develop any of the guys currently on the team or gotten enough actual NHL caliber D to bridge us until the kids are ready.

But hey, the new coach made sure the press guys couldn't eat donuts anymore. Because he's big on being healthy and cardio and stuff. Hell, he has the guys up to playing hard 15 minutes a night now. Much more entertaining than the 10 minutes of effort we're used to.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Hey, the Oilers drafted defensemen too, they just haven't bothered to actually develop any of the guys currently on the team or gotten enough actual NHL caliber D to bridge us until the kids are ready.

But hey, the new coach made sure the press guys couldn't eat donuts anymore. Because he's big on being healthy and cardio and stuff. Hell, he has the guys up to playing hard 15 minutes a night now. Much more entertaining than the 10 minutes of effort we're used to.

Doesn't he also bike to work (on the three days that one can actually ride a bike in Edmonton during hockey season)?

[Travis]

Doesn't he also bike to work (on the three days that one can actually ride a bike in Edmonton during hockey season)?

Hadn't heard that. Makes the hair that much more epic if it holds up after the brisk sprint that must be his bike rides.

Oddly enough, winter biking really seems to be on the rise around here. I work/walk a lot around downtown and have seen at least a few people on bikes pretty much every day of the year no matter the conditions. They're a lot braver (or dumber) than I on quite a few of those days.

[Galaxy]

Let's hope that the Sabres follow the Blackhawks and Penguins suck real bad, get high draft picks and rebuild plan and not the Oilers' suck real bad, get high draft picks and rebuild plan. So far, the fact that the Sabres actually drafted some defensemen is a good sign.

Mark Pysyk (2010 first round pick), Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov (2013 first round picks) seem like they'll be strong-especially now that Darcy Reiger is gone. The question is will Tyler Myers be moved in the off-season.

The Sabres will also have the Islanders' first round pick this year or next. (If the Islanders have a top 10 this year, it will be defer to 2015). If Mikhail Grigorenko can get his work ethic and attitude in check, he could be a very good top 6 forward.

[cartman]

Something strange is going on at the Stars-Blue Jackets game. The game is suspended and the players have gone to the locker rooms.

[cartman]

Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench and had to be carted off. He has a history of heart conditions, and missed a couple of games last week due to irregular heartbeat.

edit: they are reporting that he is conscious and responding on the way to the hospital, so that is good news

[cartman]

They've now called off the rest of the game, and will reschedule.

[DaddyTorgo]

Was just coming to post about this. Scary shit. Hope Rich ends up being okay. Dude might want to consider hanging up his skates...

[Logan]

Was just coming to post about this. Scary shit. Hope Rich ends up being okay. Dude might want to consider hanging up his skates...

Glad to hear he is doing well. There was a report that once he regained consciousness, he asked how much time was left in the period and wanted back in to the game.

Hockey players.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Glad to hear he is doing well. There was a report that once he regained consciousness, he asked how much time was left in the period and wanted back in to the game.

Hockey players.

Lindy Ruff confirmed this, the first thing Peverley asked was "How much time is left in the game?"

[SirFozzie]

Second Stars player hospitalized, Alex Chiasson, apparently had some kind of an emotional breakdown over the Peverly thing.

[MikeVic]

Well I was at this Stars/Jets game. Crazy that it was 2-1 for Dallas at one point, and I was thinking the Jets were playing really sloppy at that point.

[TroyF]

The Avalanche continue to take the "lets get outshot 400-32, but win 3-1" montra to the playoffs. Love Roy coaching them, love the effort the guys are showing and love how the youth is coming along. . . but this team is more smoke and mirror than the KC Chiefs were in football this year. They are going to get smoked by the Blackhawks in the playoffs.

[Dr. Sak]

Even SR has to laugh a little at these...

The Penguins’ #AskNeal Twitter Hashtag Went Horribly Wrong | Crossing Broad (http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/03/the-penguins-askneal-twitter-hashtag-went-horribly-wrong.html)

My favorite is:

If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be? #AskNeal

[Fidatelo]

Those tweets are amazing, I love it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Even SR has to laugh a little at these...

The Penguins’ #AskNeal Twitter Hashtag Went Horribly Wrong | Crossing Broad (http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/03/the-penguins-askneal-twitter-hashtag-went-horribly-wrong.html)

My favorite is:

If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be? #AskNeal

I honestly can't believe any team does these anymore...they have to know they are only getting bombarded with funny "questions".

The best I ever saw, and it made it to print, was #AskTK48, for Tyler Kennedy. He of the wild shot that either missed wide by 10 feet, or right to the goalies logo.

One of the questions submitted was -

"TK, where do you best like to shoot wide from - the wall, the slot, or the bench?"

It was included in the IceTime magazine (Penguins game program), without edit. His answer was something like "I think I'm best coming down the wing"

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

There is a twitter feed called @SinceFlyersLastCup. His tweets everyday consist of just that - a number representing the number of days since the Flyers won the Cup (Today 14,184)

Flyers recently had an #Ask47, for newly acquired Andrew McDonald. @SFLC asked "Do you know how many days it's been since the Flyers last won the Cup?"

[Dr. Sak]

DOLA

There is a twitter feed called @SinceFlyersLastCup. His tweets everyday consist of just that - a number representing the number of days since the Flyers won the Cup (Today 14,184)

Flyers recently had an #Ask47, for newly acquired Andrew McDonald. @SFLC asked "Do you know how many days it's been since the Flyers last won the Cup?"

This fits in line perfect with a comment I saw to that article...

Pitts Fan: I got 4 numbers for you 1975
Flyers Fan: That's 1 number you dumbass.

[MizzouRah]

Even SR has to laugh a little at these...

The Penguins’ #AskNeal Twitter Hashtag Went Horribly Wrong | Crossing Broad (http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/03/the-penguins-askneal-twitter-hashtag-went-horribly-wrong.html)

My favorite is:

If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be? #AskNeal

This is good stuff... lol


If a tree falls down in the forest and nobody is around to hear it, does James Neal still cross check it in the face?

[DaddyTorgo]

Even SR has to laugh a little at these...

The Penguins’ #AskNeal Twitter Hashtag Went Horribly Wrong | Crossing Broad (http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/03/the-penguins-askneal-twitter-hashtag-went-horribly-wrong.html)

My favorite is:

If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be? #AskNeal

:lol:

[sterlingice]

Even SR has to laugh a little at these...

The Penguins’ #AskNeal Twitter Hashtag Went Horribly Wrong | Crossing Broad (http://www.crossingbroad.com/2014/03/the-penguins-askneal-twitter-hashtag-went-horribly-wrong.html)

My favorite is:

If you opened a bar how cheap would your shots be? #AskNeal

I loved the elbow macaroni endorsement one

SI

[Suburban Rhythm]

Teammate Simon Despres' was pretty...interesting



@jneal_18 are you shy in the showers? #AskNeal

[The Jackal]

A Bruins fan sent this to me, funny stuff - I also liked the elbow macaroni one. Neal is a pretty talented guy but he's asking for this kind of stuff with the way he plays.

[Logan]

After Brodeur's 'embarrassing' call out, Sean Avery responds with burn of the year | Puck Daddy - Yahoo Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/after-brodeur-s--embarrassing--call-out--sean-avery-responds-with-burn-of-the-year-174525725.html?soc_src=mediacontentstory)

[Suburban Rhythm]

April Fools!

[bhlloy]

#1 overall prospect and hopefully the future of team USA goaltending John Gibson makes his NHL debut tonight for the Ducks vs Vancouver in what's a pretty huge game for a Ducks team who pretty much have to win the division to have any chance of another embarrassing first round exit

[Fidatelo]

I attended my last Jets game of the year tonight. It was a 1-0 loss to the Wild, which left my season record at 0-5-1. $1500 well spent?

[DaddyTorgo]

$1500 for 6 tickets??

JEEBUS

[Logan]

Guessing that's for two seats?

[Suburban Rhythm]

#1 overall prospect and hopefully the future of team USA goaltending John Gibson makes his NHL debut tonight for the Ducks vs Vancouver in what's a pretty huge game for a Ducks team who pretty much have to win the division to have any chance of another embarrassing first round exit

Found a feed last night to watch the Pittsburgh kid make his debut.

His parents live near my cousin. They got a flight to Vancouver yesterday morning to make the game.

I think I've posted this here before, he went to the same HS I went to, and that my kids will attend. And, as I remind my son often, he was cut from the HS team as a freshman. Turned out OK I guess ;)

[bhlloy]

Yeah, tough to get a true read on him last night as Vancouver were awful, thought he was very shaky and a bit lucky early but settled down nicely and actually made some big saves in the third to preserve the shutout.

Once he got settled down you could tell his technique is definitely off the charts for a 20 year old, he's very calm and he's got good size, all the pieces are there. Be interesting to see if the Ducks go with the two young goalies next season or sign a veteran stopgap and give Gibson another season as the starter in the AHL

[DaddyTorgo]

Guessing that's for two seats?

Must be. If not more.

[Fidatelo]

$1500 for 6 tickets??

JEEBUS

It's a pair of tickets, though one of those 6 games was a pre-season game. $1000 for the seats, mid-level. Our ticket prices are the second highest in the league. The other $500 is an estimate of what it cost in babysitting, food, beers, etc for the 6 games.

[DaddyTorgo]

It's a pair of tickets, though one of those 6 games was a pre-season game. $1000 for the seats, mid-level. Our ticket prices are the second highest in the league. The other $500 is an estimate of what it cost in babysitting, food, beers, etc for the 6 games.

Gotcha.

Crazy that your ticket prices are so high.

Then again - it is Winnipeg. ;)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Kris Letang playing tonight vs DET, 10 weeks after his stroke

[Draft Dodger]

It's a pair of tickets, though one of those 6 games was a pre-season game. $1000 for the seats, mid-level. Our ticket prices are the second highest in the league. The other $500 is an estimate of what it cost in babysitting, food, beers, etc for the 6 games.

so, do we know where the team will move next time? There's no way that's sustainable, right?

[Fidatelo]

so, do we know where the team will move next time? There's no way that's sustainable, right?

Hard to say. Based on the seat level you have to sign up for minimum 3, 4, or 5 year terms when buying your season tickets (mine are 4). So the first wave of ticket renewals came up a couple months ago and 96% renewed. More amazingly, some actually chose to renew for more than the minimum 3 years, which I just don't understand but hey it's their money. There is a waiting list of 8000 people (capped and with an annual $100 fee) and I think something like 197 names on that list will finally get a chance at tickets.

TL:DR; They aren't going anywhere any time soon. But 10+ years out, if the team never really improves? Then I think it could get more interesting.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Hard to say. Based on the seat level you have to sign up for minimum 3, 4, or 5 year terms when buying your season tickets (mine are 4). So the first wave of ticket renewals came up a couple months ago and 96% renewed. More amazingly, some actually chose to renew for more than the minimum 3 years, which I just don't understand but hey it's their money. There is a waiting list of 8000 people (capped and with an annual $100 fee) and I think something like 197 names on that list will finally get a chance at tickets.

TL:DR; They aren't going anywhere any time soon. But 10+ years out, if the team never really improves? Then I think it could get more interesting.

Semi related

Not all Penguins season tix holders exercised their option to buy playoff tickets. 14,000 season tickets, around 3,000 did not purchase.

After 5 years of "failure" in the playoffs since the Cup, some people turning away.

[MikeVic]

Not NHL, but pretty damn cool:
http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/the-halifax-mooseheads-3-d-on-ice-show-you-have-to-see-to-believe/

[Suburban Rhythm]

MAF in shootout last night vs Alfie

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ER7DpJ88Uw/U0aLaBsfybI/AAAAAAACZ4w/wZbiD7DVASg/s336/mafhasek.gif

[The Jackal]

That's a pretty nifty save. Reminds me of Boucher against the Devils in the playoffs way back when.

[MacroGuru]

pretty entertaining game in Buffalo today. Both teams gave it their all and I think a few of the players will be here next year.

It's going to be crazy to see what happens here in the next 2 years, I am excited to see how it all pans out.

[DaddyTorgo]

Looking forward to Stanley Cup playoffs!!!!

[DaddyTorgo]

Johnny Gaudreau scores first NHL goal Video - NHL VideoCenter - Calgary Flames (http://video.flames.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=603714&lang=en)

JOHNNY HOCKEY MAKIN A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION!!!

[The Jackal]

Flyers just signed MacDonald to a 6 year / 30 million extension.

His advanced stats are terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible. He's a good skater and passer but his decision making in the neutral zone both offensively and defensively is crap. Hopefully that can be worked out of him, but his career suggests otherwise...

[Grover]

Flyers just signed MacDonald to a 6 year / 30 million extension.

His advanced stats are terrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrible. He's a good skater and passer but his decision making in the neutral zone both offensively and defensively is crap. Hopefully that can be worked out of him, but his career suggests otherwise...

But he blocks ALL the shots!

[Dr. Sak]

I am not an advance stats guy...mainly cause I don't understand them and don't really want to. :)

Did the Flyers pay a bit much? Yes, but they would have had to for any defenseman at FA. The one thing I did notice is that Luke Schenn has played better when paired with MacDonald. He isn't left out to dry like he was when he was paired with Mezaros (sp?).

With Kimmo probably gone after this year, the money is a wash.

[Logan]

Makes me love the Girardi deal even more. Same term, $500K more per year.

[Suburban Rhythm]

What doesn't make sense for me...

The Flyers seem to have a ton of #3/4 type guys, but lack a #1.

While I get those guys aren't always available, sinking money into another guy in the same mold doesn't make sense, IMO.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Matt Ni$kanen is a happy dude

[Dr. Sak]

What doesn't make sense for me...

The Flyers seem to have a ton of #3/4 type guys, but lack a #1.

While I get those guys aren't always available, sinking money into another guy in the same mold doesn't make sense, IMO.

You are right but it isn't like there are Chris Pronger types just waiting in the wings to get signed. They do have some good quality defensemen in the minors (Haag, Morin, and now Gostisbehere) which could be packaged to get Shea Weber...jk...maybe...

[Suburban Rhythm]

You are right but it isn't like there are Chris Pronger types just waiting in the wings to get signed. They do have some good quality defensemen in the minors (Haag, Morin, and now Gostisbehere) which could be packaged to get Shea Weber...jk...maybe...

I did notice, AMac's deal doesn't have a NMC/NTC

Columbus or LA?

[Dr. Sak]

I did notice, AMac's deal doesn't have a NMC/NTC

Columbus or LA?

If they can get the same return they did for Carter and Richards...sure why not.

Jeff Carter for Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, and a 3rd Round Pick (Nick Cousins)

Mike Richards for Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds, and a 2nd Round Pick (Nick Grossmann via trade)

[The Jackal]

I am not an advance stats guy...mainly cause I don't understand them and don't really want to. :)

Did the Flyers pay a bit much? Yes, but they would have had to for any defenseman at FA. The one thing I did notice is that Luke Schenn has played better when paired with MacDonald. He isn't left out to dry like he was when he was paired with Mezaros (sp?).

With Kimmo probably gone after this year, the money is a wash.

The main problem is if they end up keeping Schenn, Grossmann, and MacDonald on the roster again next year. It seems like the Flyers want a shot blocker and/or big hitter on every line instead of a group of guys that can move the puck well and possess it well.

MacDonald is positionally sound in the defensive zone and a very good shot blocker but he allows zone entry too easily and turns the puck over in the neutral zone too much, allowing teams to control the puck (and giving him more chance to BLOCK ALL THE SHOTS)

If they end up moving one or both of Schenn and Grossmann I'll feel better about it. MacDonald can skate well, at least.

[The Jackal]

What doesn't make sense for me...

The Flyers seem to have a ton of #3/4 type guys, but lack a #1.

While I get those guys aren't always available, sinking money into another guy in the same mold doesn't make sense, IMO.

Yeah and one of the main reasons you are seeing that is because the Flyers haven't built their D-core through the draft for many years. Now that Ghost Bear, Hagg, and Morin are coming in the next few years they have a chance to have cheap, young depth at the back-end instead of over-priced free agents.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Didn't want to put this in the playoff thread and get reprimanded

Penguins press conference at 11:30

Bylsma almost certainly gone. Shero rumored to be 50/50 - Lemieux fighting to retain him, rest of ownership team apparently wants him out.

[bronconick]

Speaking of which,

Sharks are keeping McClellan and Wilson, but Boyle and Havlat are gone and a few other names are up in the air.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Didn't want to put this in the playoff thread and get reprimanded

Penguins press conference at 11:30

Bylsma almost certainly gone. Shero rumored to be 50/50 - Lemieux fighting to retain him, rest of ownership team apparently wants him out.

This team....

GM gone...Bylsma still coach pending new GM

:confused:

[Chief Rum]

This team....

GM gone...Bylsma still coach pending new GM

:confused:

Not sure why you're surprised. They will bring in a new GM and he will decide Bylsma's fate, as his boss. That makes sense to me.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not sure why you're surprised. They will bring in a new GM and he will decide Bylsma's fate, as his boss. That makes sense to me.


Bylsma was a Shero hire.

Rumblings last year ownership considered making a move at coach. Shero backwed Bylsma. Then extended him for 2 years.

If you are firing Shero based on his track record, a large portion of that is his backing of Bylsma. If ownership is disappointed in Bylsma's performance, and that was Shero's signing...what is the incentive for firing Shero for a poor hire, but not the hire himself?

Just illogical.

There's little doubt in my mind he'll be fired eventually...but why hang on for another month?

[Grover]

Sub, maybe they're trying to keep a team like the Caps from grabbing him right away if they sack him now.

[Ronnie Dobbs3]

Waiting for Babcock?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sub, maybe they're trying to keep a team like the Caps from grabbing him right away if they sack him now.

But if you've soured on him that much, why not let him go to a rival team? If you trust your convictions that much he's not the answer, your concern should be all about improving your organization, not the potential improvement another organization could possibly get from your scraps.

ETA: You can not currently trade coaches. But a push is being made to make that an option, and to further the oddity of it all....the push is coming from Ken Holland.


Waiting for Babcock?

He's still signed through 14-15. Don't see Detroit dumping him. Maybe he's not retained next year...but that's next year.

[The Jackal]

Sub, maybe they're trying to keep a team like the Caps from grabbing him right away if they sack him now.

He's welcome to stay in the division.

[Fidatelo]

So Ryan Miller won't be back in St. Louis. How bad does that trade look in hindsight? I didn't like it when it happened but now... wow.

[The Jackal]

So Ryan Miller won't be back in St. Louis. How bad does that trade look in hindsight? I didn't like it when it happened but now... wow.

Yeah for the GM to come out and admit they took a risk that didn't work out and literally say:

"We gave up quite a bit,'' Armstrong said. ''We took a swing. It certainly was a lot to give up for 20-some odd games and six playoff games.''

Granted, they should have decent to solid goaltending anyhow, with Jake Allen being a potential long-term option, but if they regress at all and continue to have depth scoring issues - watch out GM.

[Dr. Sak]

Please let the Pens hire Pierre as GM...

[Honolulu_Blue]

Please let the Pens hire Pierre as GM...

Sadly, I heard an interview with him on NHL radio on Monday and he emphatically stated that he wasn't up for the job.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Please let the Pens hire Pierre as GM...

Sadly, I heard an interview with him on NHL radio on Monday and he emphatically stated that he wasn't up for the job.

Contract negotiations would take too long...he'd be listing the players teams and coaches from midgets on up.

[The Jackal]

Contract negotiations would take too long...he'd be listing the players teams and coaches from midgets on up.

Plus the Penguins wouldn't approve of his long standing man crush on Mike Richards.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Plus the Penguins wouldn't approve of his long standing man crush on Mike Richards.

It can't be too serious if he doesn't call him by his full name.

Kristofer Letang
Maxime Talbot

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

He and Shero are BFFs, so he wouldn't take it out of respect for Shero, even if he was interested.

[The Jackal]

I'm kind of surprised Shero was fired. I generally thought the moves he made were pretty good.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'm kind of surprised Shero was fired. I generally thought the moves he made were pretty good.

Trades, yes. Everything else...not so much.

I'll give him a B+ for trades

Kunitz (and Tangradi, who busted) for Whitney
Neal & Niskanen for Goligoski
Jokinen for nothing (was a conditional pick on them making the SCF in 2013)

Hossa + Dupuis for a bunch of parts. Colby Armstrong is in Switzerland I think, Erik Christensen out of the league, Angelo Esposito never panned out, and Daulten Leveille (1st rounder) panned out less than Espo.

Staal is a wash at this point - Sutter has been OK, Dumoulin looks to have a shot at the bottom pair next season, Derrick Pouliot has 1st pairing potential.

Morrow, Iginla, Murray, Guerin, Goc, Stempniak...all for picks (that he typically wasted, see below) or prospects outside the organizational top 5.

Drafting, no. D

4 forwards drafted by Shero have scored NHL goals: Staal, Bennett, Dustin Jeffrey, Luca Caputi. That's since 2006.

Defense, stocked...but none were moved for young forwards (as promised) or given playing time (Maatta forced their hand this year, and ended up taking Simon Despres' spot).

Free Agency. C

Paul Martin and Sergei Gonchar both had horrible first years...then great the remainder of the contracts (thus far for Martin).

But, never landed a top 6 forward. The Cup years, he brought in guys who worked well enough - Fedetenko, Sykora.

But most importantly, the guys he did bring in, didn't adequately replace the guys he let go.

Cooke, Kennedy, Talbot, Rupp etc were replaced with Chuck Kobasew, Tanner Glass, Taylor Pyatt, etc. A bottom 6 that was at least annoying, if not tough, to play against became slow and soft.

On top of that, signed Z Michalek to a deal, and dumped him a year later to clear space and get a couple picks in return. Then does the same thing with Scuderi, 4 years later...hopefully with the new GM dumping him somewhere.

A fine example (and I get, you can do this for just about every team):

2011 draft with the 22nd pick, Penguins select Joe Morrow (gotta stockpile those defenseman!).

With the 39th pick, the Ducks take Pittsburgh native G John Gibson.
With the 43rd pick, the Hawks take Pittsburgh native W Brandon Saad.

It's not even the Pittsburgh native part (though, from a marketing aspect, it helps). But either of those picks, the team is light years ahead of where they are now - either a 20 year old franchise goalie in place (I'm not a MAF hater, but he's worn out his welcome) or a 21 year old fast, gritty winger they've been trying to fill out their roster with since 2009.

[The Jackal]

Fair enough. Definitely always felt that they should have done more to surround Crosby with talent. Way too often the past few years you watch the Pens play and scratch your head at Crosby's wingers. I know some of that was due to injury, but just because Crosby makes everyone better doesn't mean you shouldn't give him great linemates.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Fair enough. Definitely always felt that they should have done more to surround Crosby with talent. Way too often the past few years you watch the Pens play and scratch your head at Crosby's wingers. I know some of that was due to injury, but just because Crosby makes everyone better doesn't mean you shouldn't give him great linemates.

Nailed it.

I'm a Kunitz fan, but he was at his best as the 3rd wheel on a top 6 line - same as he was used in Anaheim. When he was in on the forecheck, blowing up Kimmo Timonen, he was at his best.

Not that his 30+ goals aren't welcome, but he's now Sid's sidekick. And he's not good enough, certainly in the playoffs, to create on his own.

Malkin-Neal had their best season together with Kunitz on their LW. Kunitz did the dirty work, puck retrieval. Malkin worked his magic, and Neal shot until his arms fell off.

[Chief Rum]

Nailed it.

I'm a Kunitz fan, but he was at his best as the 3rd wheel on a top 6 line - same as he was used in Anaheim. When he was in on the forecheck, blowing up Kimmo Timonen, he was at his best.

Not that his 30+ goals aren't welcome, but he's now Sid's sidekick. And he's not good enough, certainly in the playoffs, to create on his own.

Malkin-Neal had their best season together with Kunitz on their LW. Kunitz did the dirty work, puck retrieval. Malkin worked his magic, and Neal shot until his arms fell off.

Kunitz is great at what he does, and I still miss him in Anaheim. But his skillset is for a very narrow window role, really. Kinda like a dirty check line forward with more offensive zone sense than those guys usually have.

I think you have him pegged pretty good.