The Official 2015-2016 NHL Thread

[Neuqua]

Did I miss this somewhere?

Banner raising in Chicago tonight against the Rangers. That and the Cubs Wild Card game means I'm getting the scotch ready.

[Logan]

Hell of a night in Chicago.

High expectations again for the Rangers this year even though the offseason was a little underwhelming due to the cap issues. I think Yandle is the key. He's healthy now and will hopefully bring a different dimension to the defense.

This team has played a lot of games over the past couple years and they'll need to keep that in mind and treat this season like the marathon that it hopefully will be. No need to gun for the top seed again.

[Grover]

I feel like NBCSN and the NHL have not been advertising the season starting back up at all.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I feel like NBCSN and the NHL have not been advertising the season starting back up at all.

The season resumed? Really?

Okay, I'm semi-joking but at the same time I don't know that I recall ever seeing much external hype about the start of an NHL season outside of the ESPN years. I literally don't even know if my Dish package has NBCSN on it, so they could be hyping to the moon & back but I wouldn't be around to see the promos anyway.

[MizzouRah]

Blues tomorrow, can't wait!!!

[Grover]

The season resumed? Really?

Okay, I'm semi-joking but at the same time I don't know that I recall ever seeing much external hype about the start of an NHL season outside of the ESPN years. I literally don't even know if my Dish package has NBCSN on it, so they could be hyping to the moon & back but I wouldn't be around to see the promos anyway.

Haha, poor wording there.

But, it's pretty bad when it seems like the number one story going into the season is Raffi Torres' 41 game suspension.

[claphamsa]

my nhl center ice is not working....grr

[Vince, Pt. II]

Sharks off to a fast start - there is some reason for cautious optimism here, but it's been a decade of Thornton and Marleau, and I'm not sure there's any reason to expect anything different. DeBoer is supposedly implementing a more free-wheeling defense, and the team is very excited about young goalie Martin Jones...but yeah.

[Logan]

Nice win for the Rangers last night on an emotional night for Chicago. I'll take it.

Remember not even 24 hours ago when I said the Rangers need to treat this season as a marathon? Yeah, giving Dan Girardi 25 minutes of ice time is not the way to do that. As a buddy of mine just said in our email thread, only one other player got that much ice time last night: Duncan Keith. And Dan Girardi is no Duncan Keith.

[Chief Rum]

If the pattern holds, this year the Ducks will get obliterated in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Note to self: don't bulldoze Parise with a 3 goal lead.

Geez what a 5 minute stretch by the Wild

[EagleFan]

3 on 3 in OT is insane. Fun to watch but it is like college overtime, suddenly a different game.

[MacroGuru]

Sabres looked like they were skating in molasses last night. There wasn't the excitement there by the team last night from what I was watching. The hits were weak, the play was ok. Eichel's goal was solid, but the first home game of the season is a L to Ottowa...gonna puke.

[MizzouRah]

Fabbri with his first NHL goal! This kid is fun to watch!

[RomaGoth]

Here is to hoping for another playoff year for the Wings and going further than the first round this time.

[Fidatelo]

Jets did pretty well last night. Caught a lot of breaks and the score flattered them but still a decent win. Hopefully they can pull one out tonight on the back-to-back, though that's never been their forte.

[BishopMVP]

Jets did pretty well last night. Caught a lot of breaks and the score flattered them but still a decent win. Hopefully they can pull one out tonight on the back-to-back, though that's never been their forte.Sounds like the Bruins D looked as expected when you have 3 legit NHL defensemen, and the two 38 year olds are injured. Montreal and Tampa next! I'd say blow it up, trade Rask, Chara and Seidenberg and rebuild in FA/with a high pick next year, but as long as Sweeney's the GM I have no faith in him picking well. Plus they'll stick with the "Big, Bad Bruins" template while the league moves towards skill.

At least we don't have to deal with Lucic showing his true colors in game 1.

[Grover]

Sounds like the Bruins D looked as expected when you have 3 legit NHL defensemen, and the two 38 year olds are injured. Montreal and Tampa next! I'd say blow it up, trade Rask, Chara and Seidenberg and rebuild in FA/with a high pick next year, but as long as Sweeney's the GM I have no faith in him picking well. Plus they'll stick with the "Big, Bad Bruins" template while the league moves towards skill.

At least we don't have to deal with Lucic showing his true colors in game 1.

Feels like letting Claude hang around with a year left could be a mistake.

And your comment about the Big, Bad Bruins rings true for the Flyers until the brought Hexy in as GM. Trying to stay physical and getting left in the dust.

[claphamsa]

nhlgamecenter no longer supported by my blueray...that was a large part of my calculus to to cancel cable.

[Fidatelo]

Jets win a back-to-back, which is very rare for them. That said, tonights game was against an AHL team wearing Devils uniforms so I'm not sure what to take from it. We'll get a better idea of this team next week when they go back-to-back with the New York teams.

But seriously New Jersey, what on earth has happened over there??

[The Jackal]

But seriously New Jersey, what on earth has happened over there??

Kovalchuk + poor drafting, I guess

I'm enjoying it thoroughly

[The Jackal]

Sadly I'm going to miss the Flyers game tonight, but would really like to see them get a win over the Panthers after a surprisingly solid performance in Tampa.

[BishopMVP]

McDavid/Eichel are getting all the hype, but I think Dylan Larkin would've made it a debate at #2 if he hadn't been eligible for the 2014 draft. He's the real deal too.

[Chief Rum]

Day Four of the NHL season and the Ducks finally play tonight.

[Neuqua]

Don't rule out Panarin on the Blackhawks. He may not win the Calder but he's been an incredible talent to watch thus far.

Oh, and he did this during the preseason.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/owzJJz4QorM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[BishopMVP]

Don't rule out Panarin on the Blackhawks. He may not win the Calder but he's been an incredible talent to watch thus far.

Oh, and he did this during the preseason.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/owzJJz4QorM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>True, but I don't really think guys who played 7 years in the KHL should qualify as rookies ;) That does remind me of Patrick Kane's absurd stickhandling video.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/REAqCB9vfbU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Dr. Sak]

Sadly I'm going to miss the Flyers game tonight, but would really like to see them get a win over the Panthers after a surprisingly solid performance in Tampa.

After seeing the score...don't be so sad.

[The Jackal]

After seeing the score...don't be so sad.

I looked at my phone six minutes into the period and was all :confused: :banghead: :confused:

[bronconick]

Sharks off to a fast start - there is some reason for cautious optimism here, but it's been a decade of Thornton and Marleau, and I'm not sure there's any reason to expect anything different. DeBoer is supposedly implementing a more free-wheeling defense, and the team is very excited about young goalie Martin Jones...but yeah.

The Sharks always seem to start out hot in October. Hopefully they can avoid the usual losing stretch in December to cancel it out.

[RomaGoth]

The Sharks always seem to start out hot in October. Hopefully they can avoid the usual losing stretch in May to cancel it out.

fixed


:D

[Chief Rum]

fixed


:D

That is incorrect. In order to have a losing stretch in May, one must still be playing hockey in May.

[Ironhead]

So that Jack Eichel guy is kinda good.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3OXGsLYJ3uc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[cartman]

Not sure if they can keep it up, but the Stars have been pretty impressive to start the season.

[The Jackal]

Not sure if they can keep it up, but the Stars have been pretty impressive to start the season.

Their defense is a little suspect but few can match the offensive firepower. If Niemi keeps playing well they'll have a shot at making some noise.

[BishopMVP]

Sure, why not - The NHL All-Star Game Is Moving To 3-On-3 (http://deadspin.com/the-nhl-all-star-game-is-moving-to-3-on-3-1743293516)

[The Jackal]

Sure, why not - The NHL All-Star Game Is Moving To 3-On-3 (http://deadspin.com/the-nhl-all-star-game-is-moving-to-3-on-3-1743293516)

poor goalies

[Fidatelo]

I'm not a huge fan of 3-on-3, but I do think the little division-based mini-tournament is a cool idea, especially with cash on the line. I know they comment that it's $1m divided 11 ways which isn't a tonne for these guys, but it's still almost $100k and could buy a fancy new car for each guy or whatever. I wouldn't be shocked if it doesn't add at least a bit more insentive to try.

Anyways, I applaud the NHL for continuing to try to innovate with the all-star premise.

[BishopMVP]

Oh shit, UMass is hosting the WJC team this Friday. I didn't connect the dots and thought we were "just" playing the regular USNDTP team and not a WJC one. So other than Auston Matthews (I assume he plays? And isn't staying in Switzerland and skipping training camp?) and Tkachuk, who are the players to really watch? I liked Colin White's game when I drafted him in EHM... I think Sonny Milano's supposed to be small but slick, right?

[JPhillips]

I still assume things will end in disappointment, but boy do the Caps look good right now. They're ten points up with at least a game in hand. Every facet of their game looks good right now, 5v5, PP, PK, goal tending, everything.

[MizzouRah]

I still assume things will end in disappointment, but boy do the Caps look good right now. They're ten points up with at least a game in hand. Every facet of their game looks good right now, 5v5, PP, PK, goal tending, everything.

That's because they have my boy Oshie!

[JPhillips]

That's because they have my boy Oshie!

He's been a big part. I still don't know why the Blues made that trade. Oshie and Williams have been huge additions. For the first time in the Ovechkin years they aren't short a top six position.

[MizzouRah]

He's been a big part. I still don't know why the Blues made that trade. Oshie and Williams have been huge additions. For the first time in the Ovechkin years they aren't short a top six position.

I have no idea why they made that trade either. Can't wait to get an Oshie Capitals jersey with my fantasy football money!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Arizona Coyotes' John Scott voted unlikely All-Star by fans (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14484994/arizona-coyotes-john-scott-voted-unlikely-all-star-fans)

[JonInMiddleGA]

If the fan vote isn't lol-worthy enough I just saw the new format for the all-star game. That's just embarrassing.

Seriously, they need to just stop having a weekend. Name some allstars to fulfill contract bonuses til those expire & give everybody a few days off.

Stop & try to imagine the NBA reducing their all-star game to a 2-2 affair. You can't, because they know it would make them look Mickey Mouse. I get why it doesn't work, I've seen the NHL all star game but just stopping entirely would be better than something this silly.

[Vince, Pt. II]

I'm a casual fan at best (the Sharks have done a pretty good job of killing my interest from normal to casual), but I actually like the new all-star format.

[Logan]

I haven't watched an NBA All Star game in years but a 2 on 2 tournament sounds awesome.

[Fidatelo]

Some big moves yesterday!

[JPhillips]

The Caps signed Mike Richards for a prorated 1 mil. If he's past his substance problems he'll be a heck of a 3C for the best team in the NHL.

[The Jackal]

Ron Hextall is amazing.

[Fidatelo]

Another big trade: John Scott to Montreal, who then immediately reassign him to the AHL, removing him from the All-Star game in the process.

What a lame situation this has been all around. Lame for fans to vote him in, lame for him to refuse to give up the spot to someone who deserved it, and now lame for the Coyotes (aka the Bettmans) to trade him away so they can try to wash their hands of it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Another big trade: John Scott to Montreal, who then immediately reassign him to the AHL, removing him from the All-Star game in the process.

What a lame situation this has been all around. Lame for fans to vote him in, lame for him to refuse to give up the spot to someone who deserved it, and now lame for the Coyotes (aka the Bettmans) to trade him away so they can try to wash their hands of it.

While the entire thing was a tragic comedy, in Scott's defense he seemed to be torn about what to do & was convinced by other players to accept.

At least that's how I read it.

[JPhillips]

There's a fan vote for what is supposed to be a fun exhibition. The fans voted in a guy fairly, but the NHL didn't like it.

Fuck Bettman for engineering this trade.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The saga continues ...

John Scott to participate in All-Star Game despite trade to Montreal Canadiens (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/14602139/john-scott-participate-all-star-game-trade-montreal-canadiens)

[Honolulu_Blue]

1. I don't believe that the NHL played a role at all in that trade.

2. I am glad this national nightmare is finally over.

3. This will not at all impact my continued complete indifference to the NHL All-Star game. I think 1991 was the last time I watched it.

[BishopMVP]

I'm a casual fan at best (the Sharks have done a pretty good job of killing my interest from normal to casual), but I actually like the new all-star format.+1. I've gone from "not a chance I'd watch the NHL ASG" all the way to "I'll probably flip over for a bit if someone reminds me it's on". Seriously Jon, you're complaining that a meaningless high-scoring exhibition will now have fewer players on the ice to not backcheck or play any defense? Now I just wish it had been #VoteRobSchremp instead of #VoteJohnScott.
I haven't watched an NBA All Star game in years but a 2 on 2 tournament sounds awesome.Sign me up. Does the NBA force people to play with teammates, or could we see KD and Russell Westbrook each pick a player from a different team and then go at it?!? And yeah, it wouldn't quite be the same as when guys like Magic/Bird/Isaiah/MJ had personal rivalries, but the biggest problem with any all-star game is getting the players to care, and I could easily see a 2v2 tournament with those ego's leading to some feistiness (and maybe create some team chemistry problems too! which is part of why it'd never be allowed to happen). You think Steph Curry and Draymond Green wouldn't be going 100% and trash talking the whole league?

[Logan]

Thoughts on the Wideman hit? Reports are that the linesman was in the hospital last night dealing with concussion symptoms. Hope he sues the shit out of him.

The NHL needs to come down hard on Dennis Wideman for this vicious hit on a referee | For The Win (http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/nhl-hit-ref-dennis-wideman-calgary-flames-suspension)

[Logan]

Jon Scott on the ASG vote and how the league has treated him since.

A Guy Like Me | The Players' Tribune (http://www.theplayerstribune.com/a-guy-like-me/)

[bhlloy]

Read that earlier. Seriously fuck the NHL and the Coyotes with a rusty spoon. Especially the league that wants the hits on its website and encourages the fans to vote 10 times a day but is willing to ruin a guys life and career when they don't like the results.

[MacroGuru]

Jon Scott on the ASG vote and how the league has treated him since.

A Guy Like Me | The Players' Tribune (http://www.theplayerstribune.com/a-guy-like-me/)

Love John Scott...Love he is a Mich Tech guy...I loved him before the Sabres, but I truly found out how great he was as a person with the Sabres and when the league fucked him...I was pissed. My GF didn't get my anger, but I had it.

I hope he enjoys the moment.

[bhlloy]

DOLA - I think Wideman is going to use the concussion/woozy excuse and skate (no pun intended)

I think he knew what he was doing but I don't know how you prove it. It's going to be tough for the NHL in the current climate to get a result here.

[Logan]

DOLA - I think Wideman is going to use the concussion/woozy excuse and skate (no pun intended)

I think he knew what he was doing but I don't know how you prove it. It's going to be tough for the NHL in the current climate to get a result here.

I think if he wanted to use that excuse, he needed to do it immediately. Instead he made no such claims. He also looked pretty a-ok and regret-free sitting on the bench right after.

[JPhillips]

The pic with his daughter in his jersey and white tutu is great. I hope somehow he gets his name on the box score.

[Dutch]

That's not how you identify concussions though. I have no idea if it was malicious or not. I guess we'll have to find some data....Im looking at MMA and Boxing when you get knocked out and grapple/swing at the ref...maybe?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think if he wanted to use that excuse, he needed to do it immediately. Instead he made no such claims. He also looked pretty a-ok and regret-free sitting on the bench right after.

The version I read earlier today is that he apologized to the entire officiating crew before the puck dropped on his very next shift.

Now he could be lying about that I suppose but it seems like a stretch that he would since it would have been visible to everyone (including TV) whether he did or not.

[The Jackal]

40.3 Automatic Suspension – Category II - Any player who deliberately
applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions
as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent
to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended
for not less than ten (10) games.

[The Jackal]

NEW YORK – Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman has been suspended pending a hearing with NHL Hockey Operations on Tuesday, February 2, for an incident involving linesman Don Henderson during NHL Game No. 742 Wednesday, January 27, at Scotiabank Saddledome.

[EagleFan]

He should be suspended. That was very blatant.

[Fidatelo]

Read that earlier. Seriously fuck the NHL and the Coyotes with a rusty spoon. Especially the league that wants the hits on its website and encourages the fans to vote 10 times a day but is willing to ruin a guys life and career when they don't like the results.

The NHL is certainly to blame in all of this but where is all the John Scott love coming from? People have some seriously short memories these days. This is the same guy that has 11 points and 542 Penalty Minutes in 285 NHL games. He has been suspended 3 times. He is (or was, until this all-star fru-fraw) the poster boy for the type of player that shouldn't be in the NHL at all.

I get it, the guy has a family, he's just trying to stick in the game he loves, he rode buses and studied as a kid, etc. But his on-ice actions shouldn't be ignored because he has the ability to be a nice guy off of it.

[Johnny93g]

The NHL is certainly to blame in all of this but where is all the John Scott love coming from? People have some seriously short memories these days. This is the same guy that has 11 points and 542 Penalty Minutes in 285 NHL games. He has been suspended 3 times. He is (or was, until this all-star fru-fraw) the poster boy for the type of player that shouldn't be in the NHL at all.

I get it, the guy has a family, he's just trying to stick in the game he loves, he rode buses and studied as a kid, etc. But his on-ice actions shouldn't be ignored because he has the ability to be a nice guy off of it.

+1

John Scott is barely a hockey player who has gotten way more games and pay then he should have. He's a thug. I laughed at the ruining his life and career comment.

If anyone is really angry at this John Scott issue, they were just looking to get angry at the NHL for something.

IT WAS A JOKE. PEOPLE THINK ITS FUNNY. THIS MAKES HIM MORE OF A JOKE THEN HE ALREADY IS

[bhlloy]

You obviously didn't read the article, or think he's flat out lying in it. Pro hockey made John Scott a thug and a fighter. I guess he could have walked away and done something else with his life. He's in the NHL and getting suspended because some teams think there's still value in having a 6'8 guy out there whose sole job is to intimidate and walk the line of getting dirty with the other team. How the fuck is that his fault? You think he'd have even an AHL job tomorrow if he said he wasn't going to fight anymore?

[MacroGuru]

+1

John Scott is barely a hockey player who has gotten way more games and pay then he should have. He's a thug. I laughed at the ruining his life and career comment.

If anyone is really angry at this John Scott issue, they were just looking to get angry at the NHL for something.

IT WAS A JOKE. PEOPLE THINK ITS FUNNY. THIS MAKES HIM MORE OF A JOKE THEN HE ALREADY IS

Yet, he is in the NHL...if he was barely a hockey player he wouldn't be.

I get that people don't like him because he is an enforcer and thug...but he is where he is because he was asked to be that way.

He did quite well as a defenseman at Mich Tech. He was happy sitting in the AHL and honestly expected to go on with his EE Degree and live a normal life but the craziness of the NHL had different plans for him.

He has made a ton of money playing a sport he loves and if the joke to get him to the AS game works in his favor, he has every right to relish, enjoy and choke the marrow of the moment.

[Fidatelo]

You obviously didn't read the article, or think he's flat out lying in it. Pro hockey made John Scott a thug and a fighter. I guess he could have walked away and done something else with his life. He's in the NHL and getting suspended because some teams think there's still value in having a 6'8 guy out there whose sole job is to intimidate and walk the line of getting dirty with the other team. How the fuck is that his fault? You think he'd have even an AHL job tomorrow if he said he wasn't going to fight anymore?

You're right, teams keep signing him so it isn't entirely his 'fault'. The problem is that Scott isn't this innocent puppy dog that just keeps getting thrown into dog fights and does what he has to in order to survive. He wants to paint it that way, but he is ignoring things like this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni0aYmQJJqg) and this (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/john-scott-suspended-four-games-for-jackman-punch-and-repeat-offender-status-201827638.html). Never mind the more accurately borderline stuff where he just skates around picking fights, even when he's not supposed to be on the ice or the puck hasn't dropped.

Guys like Scott get paid and that's a problem on both sides of the fence, but he isn't some hero we should all be worshipping. Does he have the right to play in the game? Sure, of course. But the classy move would have been to thank the fans and yet politely decline the all-star selection and hand it over to someone actually more deserving for their hockey acumen, not someone that fans wanted to make the butt of a joke. But as usual Scott didn't do the classy thing, which just further cements my opinion of him.

[bhlloy]

Hmmm... I may have to backtrack on this one actually looking at Scott's PIM numbers in college and the NAHL. I find it hard to believe that you can put up 250 penalty minutes without ever being in a hockey fight, so I think somebody may have been telling porkies in his article.

Regardless, I still think he's been treated really shittily by the league on this, and it's a crisis of their own making. If they want to have the all star game have some meaning then there's a million ways to do that. But they love the cheap hits on the web site and the money they can make, so they won't.

[TroyF]

But the classy move would have been to thank the fans and yet politely decline the all-star selection and hand it over to someone actually more deserving for their hockey acumen, not someone that fans wanted to make the butt of a joke. But as usual Scott didn't do the classy thing, which just further cements my opinion of him.


Really? How many times exactly have we seen that happen?

Albert Haynsworth - "Sorry, I just had one good year and I'm fat and lazy. I'll take about 35 plays off a game. You really shouldn't give me all of this money. Give it to someone who deserves it:"

Ryan Braun - "Yeah, I juiced like hell to get my numbers. I signed my huge contract based off of that. I'm just going to go ahead and tear it up, it's the right thing to do."

Kobe Bryant - "I know I've deserved to be an All Star for all these years, but it's a joke i'm in the game now. There are some kids who clearly deserve it more than me, gi9ve it to one of them"


Look, I know nothing of John Scott other than what I've read of him the last few weeks. He sounds like the type of player I wouldn't cheer for. (not really an enforcer guy myself) But he's expected to turn down an all star game appearance because he should be the better guy? I'm sorry, but no. He was picked as an all star. He should go. The NHL person who asked him "Is this something your kids will be proud about?" should be beaten with a hockey stick.

[bhlloy]

In his defense, he did tell people to stop voting for him as well, and sounds like his teammates were very supportive of him going when he was selected

[JPhillips]

If you're going to have a fan vote, except whomever the fans pick. The NHL could have had a lot of fun promoting this and could have turned it into a great fell good story, but instead they decided to enforce their vision of who should be an All-Star and have been swimming in shit for the past few weeks.

It's a gimmick game that doesn't matter. Let it be fun.

[Fidatelo]

Really? How many times exactly have we seen that happen?

Albert Haynsworth - "Sorry, I just had one good year and I'm fat and lazy. I'll take about 35 plays off a game. You really shouldn't give me all of this money. Give it to someone who deserves it:"

Ryan Braun - "Yeah, I juiced like hell to get my numbers. I signed my huge contract based off of that. I'm just going to go ahead and tear it up, it's the right thing to do."

Kobe Bryant - "I know I've deserved to be an All Star for all these years, but it's a joke i'm in the game now. There are some kids who clearly deserve it more than me, gi9ve it to one of them"


Look, I know nothing of John Scott other than what I've read of him the last few weeks. He sounds like the type of player I wouldn't cheer for. (not really an enforcer guy myself) But he's expected to turn down an all star game appearance because he should be the better guy? I'm sorry, but no. He was picked as an all star. He should go. The NHL person who asked him "Is this something your kids will be proud about?" should be beaten with a hockey stick.

He wasn't picked as an all-star, he was voted as one by fans. As a joke. It was a mean/childish thing for the voters to do. It's like putting the crappy fat kid on the high-school dance squad just to laugh at him. The fact he doesn't see that, or doesn't care, is kind of sad.

And again, I'm not siding with the NHL on this. They are run by a giant douche bag and do all kinds of douchey things, including everything they have done surrounding this story. They are 100% a-holes in this, and you're right, that quote above is disgusting.

Basically everyone in this story is full of fail. But Scott is becoming a martyr, which I don't think he deserves. And I think it's because people don't want to confront the fact that they thought it would be funny to put a non-deserving goon into a game of skill players, but really it isn't funny, it's just mean. So rather than look inwardly and see that, everyone says "hey, people wanted him there and the mean NHL doesn't want to see it! The poor guy just wants to put his kids through college! We love John Scott!".

[Fidatelo]

If you're going to have a fan vote, except whomever the fans pick. The NHL could have had a lot of fun promoting this and could have turned it into a great fell good story, but instead they decided to enforce their vision of who should be an All-Star and have been swimming in shit for the past few weeks.

It's a gimmick game that doesn't matter. Let it be fun.

How would this have ever been a feel good story? "Dance Monkey, Dance!" is not feel good.

[JPhillips]

How would this have ever been a feel good story? "Dance Monkey, Dance!" is not feel good.

The NHL could have sold it like the Tribune story. They could have had fun with the "regular" guy going to the All-Star game. The league didn't have to come off as the heel.

[Fidatelo]

The NHL could have sold it like the Tribune story. They could have had fun with the "regular" guy going to the All-Star game. The league didn't have to come off as the heel.

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1076534/images/o-GARY-BETTMAN-HARPER-facebook.jpg

[TroyF]

He wasn't picked as an all-star, he was voted as one by fans. As a joke. It was a mean/childish thing for the voters to do. It's like putting the crappy fat kid on the high-school dance squad just to laugh at him. The fact he doesn't see that, or doesn't care, is kind of sad.

And again, I'm not siding with the NHL on this. They are run by a giant douche bag and do all kinds of douchey things, including everything they have done surrounding this story. They are 100% a-holes in this, and you're right, that quote above is disgusting.

Basically everyone in this story is full of fail. But Scott is becoming a martyr, which I don't think he deserves. And I think it's because people don't want to confront the fact that they thought it would be funny to put a non-deserving goon into a game of skill players, but really it isn't funny, it's just mean. So rather than look inwardly and see that, everyone says "hey, people wanted him there and the mean NHL doesn't want to see it! The poor guy just wants to put his kids through college! We love John Scott!".


He WAS picked as an all star. By the rules of the voting, he's an all star. In the case of the NBA, the fans wanted to give a guy who clearly doesn't belong an All Star spot. Kobe may be a hall of famer, but it's pretty hard to argue he should be anywhere near that game or that someone wasn't screwed out of a spot because he's there.

As for the fat kid at the dance thing, who cares? Who are you to judge how HE views this? The article I read from the guy states he knows it was a joke. If he cries about getting laughed at after the game, I'll be on here stating he's a douche bag who got what he deserved. I don't think he's taking it like that. It's his life and however he wants to take it is fine by me.

You are ANGRY at him because he's becoming a martyr, but who the hell made him one? The NHL keeps their mouths shut and lets the guy play, it is treated as a joke and becomes a non story. Instead they get a douche bag who called up Scott and asks if his kids will be proud of him? F them. Seriously, F them with rusty nails. He's understandably pissed off about that type of treatment.

If the NHL or any other sport wants to make sure things like that don't happen, they closed the voting off to the fans. If not, shut the hell up and give the voters what they wanted.

[bhlloy]

He WAS picked as an all star. By the rules of the voting, he's an all star. In the case of the NBA, the fans wanted to give a guy who clearly doesn't belong an All Star spot. Kobe may be a hall of famer, but it's pretty hard to argue he should be anywhere near that game or that someone wasn't screwed out of a spot because he's there.

As for the fat kid at the dance thing, who cares? Who are you to judge how HE views this? The article I read from the guy states he knows it was a joke. If he cries about getting laughed at after the game, I'll be on here stating he's a douche bag who got what he deserved. I don't think he's taking it like that. It's his life and however he wants to take it is fine by me.

You are ANGRY at him because he's becoming a martyr, but who the hell made him one? The NHL keeps their mouths shut and lets the guy play, it is treated as a joke and becomes a non story. Instead they get a douche bag who called up Scott and asks if his kids will be proud of him? F them. Seriously, F them with rusty nails. He's understandably pissed off about that type of treatment.

If the NHL or any other sport wants to make sure things like that don't happen, they closed the voting off to the fans. If not, shut the hell up and give the voters what they wanted.

Great post. Pretty much agree with this 100%

[Fidatelo]

He WAS picked as an all star. By the rules of the voting, he's an all star. In the case of the NBA, the fans wanted to give a guy who clearly doesn't belong an All Star spot. Kobe may be a hall of famer, but it's pretty hard to argue he should be anywhere near that game or that someone wasn't screwed out of a spot because he's there.

He wasn't picked, he was voted, I worded it that way on purpose. The fans voting for Kobe are doing so because they want to see him one last time. It's coming from a place of love. The people that voted for Scott did it from a place of malice.


As for the fat kid at the dance thing, who cares? Who are you to judge how HE views this? The article I read from the guy states he knows it was a joke. If he cries about getting laughed at after the game, I'll be on here stating he's a douche bag who got what he deserved. I don't think he's taking it like that. It's his life and however he wants to take it is fine by me.

You're right, I shouldn't judge how he views this. I guess if someone is ok being the butt of a joke then that's fine, though I still don't think that makes the joke ok.


You are ANGRY at him because he's becoming a martyr, but who the hell made him one?

I'm not angry at him, even if I don't necessarily agree with how he has handled things. I'm angry (actually just annoyed, this story doesn't warrant anger) at the media and fans for giving him a free pass given his history.


The NHL keeps their mouths shut and lets the guy play, it is treated as a joke and becomes a non story. Instead they get a douche bag who called up Scott and asks if his kids will be proud of him? F them. Seriously, F them with rusty nails. He's understandably pissed off about that type of treatment.

If the NHL or any other sport wants to make sure things like that don't happen, they closed the voting off to the fans. If not, shut the hell up and give the voters what they wanted.

I don't recall ever defending the NHL in any of this. He has every right to be pissed about how they have handled things, I don't take any of that away from him. The NHL has done everything possible wrong, no argument from me there in any way.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The NHL person who asked him "Is this something your kids will be proud about?" should be beaten with a hockey stick.

As should every idiot that cast a joke ballot, just to be fair.

And, at this point, so should Scott. After reading his martyr essay the other day, I've got no respect for him left as a person frankly.

As an athlete who managed to claw & scrap his way into his sport's highest level as a fringe player? Yeah.

As a person? Not really, no. He sunk to whiny bitch depths & the sooner he's out of the league permanently the better. Fuck him, and fuck the idiots that voted for him.

[EagleFan]

Well, now he has an all-star goal to his credit...

[MizzouRah]

Two...

[bhlloy]

For an all-star game this is genuinely quite fun. Put it this way, this is the first all-star game I haven't turned off after a couple of minutes in forever.

[MacroGuru]

As should every idiot that cast a joke ballot, just to be fair.

And, at this point, so should Scott. After reading his martyr essay the other day, I've got no respect for him left as a person frankly.

As an athlete who managed to claw & scrap his way into his sport's highest level as a fringe player? Yeah.

As a person? Not really, no. He sunk to whiny bitch depths & the sooner he's out of the league permanently the better. Fuck him, and fuck the idiots that voted for him.

Jon,

one of the few things we don't agree with. But I know him from Mich Tech and the Sabres. My brother and sister in law are professors at Mich Tech and I was able to yhim one summer at an alumni event. Then when I was doing my work in Buffalo I bumped into him a couple of times. I have a ton of respect for the guy.

[EagleFan]

At this point I want to see him get the game winner for the final.

[EagleFan]

MVP :)

[Fidatelo]

Despite everything I said, I'll admit that did come out pretty well. Crowd loved him, he had a blast, he performed admirably, and Bettman had to hand him an over-sized cheque. He does have a very endearing goofy smile.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Fire. Russo.

[JPhillips]

The breakaway in particular was cheap, but so what. It was pretty clear the other guys were all in for Scott.

Suck it Bettman.

[Logan]

I was kidding about it a few weeks ago, but the NBA should absolutely move to this kind of ASG format. It was great.

[The Jackal]

going back to the Wideman hit, Paul Stewart (probably others too) pointed out on hockeybuzz that since no physical abuse of referee penalty was called on the play, it does not fall under the realm of the 10 game automatic suspension. i'd imagine the league will still impose that anyways.

[Fidatelo]

Jets extend Buff for 5 yrs at 7.6 per. Pretty good deal for both sides. I really like that the term isn't over 5, and Buff will be worth those dollars for at least the first 3 years of the deal.

Now we see if Chevy can get a decent return for Ladd...

[MrBug708]

Kings won 9-2. Ouch

[Fidatelo]

Dion Phaneuf traded to Sens for the corpse of Milan Michalek and a bunch of other garbage. Not a bad deal for Ottawa in my estimation. Phaneuf may not be the franchise d-man that Toronto thought they were getting but he's a decent hockey player who can stay under the radar a bit more in Karlssons shadow.

[bhlloy]

Disagree - he's still not very good, and the Toronto brain trust has done a brilliant job of sheltering him this year to drive up his value. Go look at his usage charts this year vs last year (when everyone agreed he was awful)

That contract is already bad, will be by far one of the worst in the league in a couple years and the Sens aren't a big money team. They're also certainly not just a Phaneuf away from contending. Masterful move by Lamoriello and Shanahan in my opinion.

[Johnny93g]

Dion Phaneuf is a good hockey player, who got a great contract, that would have been given to him by 20 other teams. Dion is not a great player, but that's ok. He got a bad rap in Toronto based on expectations.

This trade is not Michalek's corpse and a bunch of garbage. That statement is pretty garbage. It's basically Phaneuf, for Tobias Lindberg, a fairly solid prospect, a 2nd round pick, and Jared Cowen, a 25 year old defenseman that needs to improve right away or risk being released! The rest is pretty much cap filler.

As a Leaf fan, I'm happy to receive those pieces, which are fairly valuable, and I'll miss Dion. Good player. Works hard. Hits, fights when many other didnt. Good community guy. I wish him nothing but luck in Ottawa and hope the fans are better to him then in Toronto.

[CraigSca]

Capitals seem to be playing well. /jinx

[Fidatelo]

Jets trade Andrew Ladd and some spare parts for Marko Dano, a 2016 1st, and a conditional third.

I didn't want to pay Ladd the money he was asking for, so I supported a trade. It's Wheeler's team anyhow, and a bit of a chemistry change is probably warranted at this point. That said, I'm a bit sad to see him go because he was the first guy to sign here and then make a point of saying this was a great city to play in and whatnot. That meant a lot for the team in the first couple years. I'm happy to see him have a shot at another cup with the Hawks though, they will be easy to cheer for with Toews and Ladd this year.

As for the return, the 2016 1st is basically one of the bottom 4 picks I would imagine. And I know next to nothing about Marko Dano. So... not bad, I guess? Doesn't wow me, but better than nothing I guess, and definitely better than Ladd at 6x6.

[The Jackal]

For a few months of Ladd I think it's a great trade (edit: for the Jets). Not that it's a bad trade for the Hawks, but seems a decent return.

[JPhillips]

The Caps have a +61 differential.

The Panthers and Blackhawks have a combined differential of +54.

It's all going to hurt so bad when they choke in the playoffs.

[CraigSca]

The Caps have a +61 differential.

The Panthers and Blackhawks have a combined differential of +54.

It's all going to hurt so bad when they choke in the playoffs.

Yep :(

[Fidatelo]

God I love Big Buff:

Gotta See It: Front-row perspective of Byfuglien's massive hit - Sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/gotta-see-front-row-perspective-byfugliens-massive-hit/)

[The Jackal]

I have to say I am enjoying this bonus relevant hockey for the Flyers. After they lost 4-0 to Edmonton on March 3 I was very close to giving up hope, but they have found a way to stay in it with a helluva streak. Few were expecting a wildcard berth this season, but they still have a chance. I'll be pretty disappointed if they can't seal it now but it should be an exciting week.

Also, the Penguins are scary good right now. Just swarming teams with speed to cover up any defensive issues their offensive d-men might have. I'd think the way to get at them would be to get a strong, gritty forecheck going. But if you don't skate with them, they'll put you away quick.

[The Jackal]

I expect the Caps to advance without too much trouble but the Flyers have played them well this year. Flyers momentum died away a little in the last couple of weeks with those losses so I don't expect much of the "team on fire" vs "clinched presidents trophy awhile ago" narrative. It's all gravy at this point for Flyers fans but let's keep this run alive.

[JPhillips]

Nice to see Ovi get to 50 goals again.

[MizzouRah]

Blues and Blackhawks - I'm so ready for playoff hockey!

[Young Drachma]

Habs gave John Scott a (presumable) last NHL game on April 5th and then gave him the option of going back to St. John's or going home and he went back to Michigan.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ojl_rvkVaK0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

They even let him start and he played about 9 minutes. Someone joked on some hockey blog that "The Habs just wanted to get into the movie."

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Mne08Jgu-PE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[bhlloy]

After being in last place in the division in December, the Ducks win the Pacific, the Jennings and have the #1 PP and PK in the league. What a bizarre season.

And I'm still not that confident they will make it past the first round of the playoffs. Let the fun begin.

[EagleFan]

Is the playoff schedule out anywhere yet?

[Young Drachma]

Is the playoff schedule out anywhere yet?

Will be released later tonight.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2631671-nhl-playoffs-schedule-2016-dates-matchups-game-times-and-tv-coverage-info

[The Jackal]

After being in last place in the division in December, the Ducks win the Pacific, the Jennings and have the #1 PP and PK in the league. What a bizarre season.

And I'm still not that confident they will make it past the first round of the playoffs. Let the fun begin.

The West is crazy good. That said, the East isn't easy to predict either.

Stumbling Wings or Stamkosless Bolts? Upstart Panthers or Isles? Recently dominant Pens with potential goalie injury questions or nearing the end of a playoff window Rangers? Some team that won some trophy against a scrappy bunch of orange and black?!

Should we do a new thread for playoff predictions or just keep it here?

[The Jackal]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfuqVSpWIAIXnxd.jpg

[The Jackal]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CfuqVCVWIAA46lT.jpg

[The Jackal]

Gut reaction:

FLA in 7
DET in 6
PHI in 7
PIT in 6

DAL in 5
CHI in 7
ANA in 6
LA In 7

[Logan]

WAS in 6
PIT in 5
NYI in 6
TB in 7

DAL in 6
CHI in 6
ANA in 6
LA in 5

[Dr. Sak]

I love the optimism but there is no way I think the Flyers win the series. I think they will get beat in 5.

[EagleFan]

How incredibly stupid was that of the Red Wing player to continue to spar with the Lightning player while his team is rushing up ice with less than 20 seconds left. Instead of them establishing themselves in the offensive zone with a chance to do something they end up with a stoppage and neutral zone faceoff.

[bhlloy]

Abdelkader is a fucking idiot who was lucky not to get 4 or 5 penalties in that third period. Absolute dirty piece of shit so it was karma he screwed his team at the end there

[EagleFan]

This is why the NHL playoffs are the best! Loving this Blues/Blackhawks game (especially since I don't have a horse in the race so I can just watch and enjoy).

[Logan]

Bad night for the Rangers, not even considering the fact that yet another teammate almost found a way to end Hank's career. The game went about as I expected though. Girardi is just the fucking worst. His loafing on the first goal should be what finally earns him his well-deserved spot on the bench but it will never happen. Pens did a great job limiting opportunities.

[EagleFan]

That Blackhawks goal never should have happened. That was a poor call on the icing, the Chicago player coasted to get to that one, could have easily gotten it before it got to the line.

[bhlloy]

The five minute delay while the officials try to determine if the play is onside or not on a tiny Nintendo DS screen is the stupidest and most annoying rule in sports right now. Either actually use technology and let Toronto make the call or get rid of it next year, please

[EagleFan]

Not sure what that player was complaining about. You slash and break the stick that is a call any time.

[EagleFan]

Oh, when did the rule change? I thought replays were done in the league office?

[EagleFan]

The past couple minutes may have been HUGE, not just in this game but in the series.

[EagleFan]

How can a coach challenge a play that was already reviewed?

[bhlloy]

Happened to the Ducks this year in Edmonton too. Soooo exciting. NHL has to sort this shit out. Review it in Toronto and put a time limit on it

[bhlloy]

DOLA - I feel a major make up call here coming in the next few minutes

[MizzouRah]

That Blackhawks goal never should have happened. That was a poor call on the icing, the Chicago player coasted to get to that one, could have easily gotten it before it got to the line.

Yep.. officiating has been awful both ways in this series.