2011-12 NHL Regular Season Thread

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Grover

I'd like to see the Flyers list, even though I know it's pretty terrible up in Glen Falls.

Team grade: B-
Team rank: 17 out of 30
(includes Schenn, Couturier and Rinaldo)

+/- +13 (ranking 17th/ ADR 30)

TOP 10
1 Erik Gustafsson - D - AHL - FA 2010
2 Eric Wellwood - LW - AHL - 172nd 2009
3 Ben Holmstrom - C - AHL - FA 2010
4 Oliver Lauridsen - D - AHL - 196th 2009
5 Nick Cousins - C - OHL - 68th 2011
6 Mike Testwuide - RW - AHL - FA 2010
7 Tye McGinn - LW - AHL - 119th 2010
8 Macel Noebels - LW - WHL - 118th 2011
9 Jason Akeson - C - AHL - FA 2011
10 Nick Luukko - D - HE - 179th 2010

Flyers ranking similar to the Pens a few years back. Their best players who might still be prospects are in the league already. But can't be good when 2 of the top 3, and 4 of 10, prospects are undrafted FAs.

And I was curious to know if their ranking would be higher if they left Rinaldo off the 21 and under list.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by britrock88

Habs?

Team grade: C
Team rank: 28 out of 30
(includes no under 21 players)

+/- -5 (ranking 28th/ ADR 23)

TOP 10
1 (33 overall) Nathan Beaulieu - D - QMJHL - 175th 2011
2 (47 overall) Louis Leblanc - C - AHL - 18th 2009
3 (50 overall) Jarred Tinordi - D - OHL - 22nd 2010
4 Brendan Gallagher - RW - WHL - 147th 2010
5 Aaron Palushaj - RW - AHL - Trade w/ STL 2010
6 Michael Bournival - C - QMJHL - Trade w/ COL 2010
7 Andreas Engqvist - C - AHL - FA 2009
8 Alexander Avtsin - RW - AHL - 109th 2009
9 Danny Kristo - RW - WCHA - 56th 2008
10 Patrick Holland - RW - WHL - Trade w/ CGY 2012

Originally Posted by britrock88

...Canes?

Team grade: B+
Team rank: 10 out of 30
(includes Skinner and Faulk)

+/- -1 (ranking 10th/ ADR 9)

TOP 10
1 (26 overall) Ryan Murphy - D - OHL - 12th 2011
2 (53 overall) Zac Dalpe - C - AHL - 45th 2008
3 Brian Dumoulin - D - HE - 51st 2009
4 Riley Nash - C - AHL - Trade w/ EDM 2010
5 Drayson Bowman - LW - AHL - 72nd 2007
6 Mark Alt - D - WCHA - 53rd 2010
7 Victor Rask - C - WHL - 42nd 2011
8 Zach Boychuk - LW - AHL - 14th 2008
9 Mike Murphy - G - AHL - 165th 2008
10 Danny Biega - D - ECAC - 67th 2010

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

TOP 10
1 (26 overall) Ryan Murphy - D - OHL - 12th 2011
2 (53 overall) Zac Dalpe - C - AHL - 45th 2008
3 Brian Dumoulin - D - HE - 51st 2009
4 Riley Nash - C - AHL - Trade w/ EDM 2010
5 Drayson Bowman - LW - AHL - 72nd 2007
6 Mark Alt - D - WCHA - 53rd 2010
7 Victor Rask - C - WHL - 42nd 2011
8 Zach Boychuk - LW - AHL - 14th 2008
9 Mike Murphy - G - AHL - 165th 2008
10 Danny Biega - D - ECAC - 67th 2010

One of my best friends is Brian Dumoulin's brother.

[Grover]

Yes, Ilya Bryzgaov had three shutouts this week.

[EagleFan]

Bryz!!!!

[Grover]

[Grover]

Ilya Bryzgalov now has 4 shutouts in his last 5 starts, including 3 in a row. He hasn't allowed a goal in 196:13.

Since the All-Star break he has a 1.65 GAA and a .935 save %

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Grover

Ilya Bryzgalov now has 4 shutouts in his last 5 starts, including 3 in a row. He hasn't allowed a goal in 196:13.

Since the All-Star break he has a 1.65 GAA and a .935 save %

(LIKE)

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Grover

That was a great move! Then love that he just skates back to the bench like he's been there before.

[Grover]

I've been a staunch supporter of Bryz since the start. The contract was obviously too much and that was compounded by his pretty rough season up until after the All Star Break. I kept telling Flyers fans on twitter and in other places that he would come good, maybe he needed a season to adjust.

No better time to find yourself like a month before the playoffs. I do expect a regression to the mean, but I'll be very happy with a .925%, 2.50 GAA in the playoffs.

[Logan]

Rangers-Penguins tonight was shaping up to possibly be the game of the year, with the Pens on fire, the Rangers off a bit, dropping the NYR lead to just 4 points...and Crosby finally coming back.

But now Lundqvist is missing another game with the flu, and Callahan and Del Zotto still can't go. Between those moves and Letang in for the Pens, the advantage has heavily tilted in PITs direction.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Logan

Rangers-Penguins tonight was shaping up to possibly be the game of the year, with the Pens on fire, the Rangers off a bit, dropping the NYR lead to just 4 points...and Crosby finally coming back.

But now Lundqvist is missing another game with the flu, and Callahan and Del Zotto still can't go. Between those moves and Letang in for the Pens, the advantage has heavily tilted in PITs direction.

It's nice to be on the right side of the injury ledger for once in the last 15 months.

April 5th in Pittsburgh might be for the division and #1 seed.

[Logan]

I'll be there tonight. Good luck to you sir.

[Grover]

Ilya Bryzgalov now holds the all-time Flyers record for consecutive shutout minutes.

[Wolfpack]

The Hurricanes, as is their wont this year, scuffle for a few games and then rise up and beat yet another top shelf team, this time beating the visiting Blues, 2-0. Skinner's goal that provided the cushion was a slick little number as he came in on the rush, got the puck poked away from his stick briefly as he came in on goal, but neatly booted it back to his stick and blew it past the keeper. It took seeing in slow motion to really appreciate it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Logan

I'll be there tonight. Good luck to you sir.

Glad the Pens won...but the game didn't live up to all the hype. Rangers injuries + Crosby showing made for a rather boring game.

With the way Boston is playing now, Rangers, Flyers and Pens are the top 3 in the East. Plus NJ, who scares the shit out of me, because we simply can not beat them.

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

The Hurricanes, as is their wont this year, scuffle for a few games and then rise up and beat yet another top shelf team, this time beating the visiting Blues, 2-0. Skinner's goal that provided the cushion was a slick little number as he came in on the rush, got the puck poked away from his stick briefly as he came in on goal, but neatly booted it back to his stick and blew it past the keeper. It took seeing in slow motion to really appreciate it.

Apparently Skinner kicked at a Blues player after an incident in the game last night because he's been Shannabanned for two. Skinner's a great player, but he's unfortunately developing a reputation for being thin-skinned. The refs aren't giving him as many calls as they used to and opposing defenders are roughing him up as much as they can to get him off his game. He's been scuffling a lot more in recent weeks as a result. It doesn't help that he doesn't have a lot of muscle on the roster to back him up, so he probably figures he has to stand up for himself to keep from being bullied, but I do think he's become a bit too sensitive to the challenges posed by opposing players instead of keeping within himself and trying to play his game.

[Fidatelo]

Jets get a much-needed win against the Caps, and serenade Ovechkin with a chant of "Crosby's Better". I love having hockey back!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Jets get a much-needed win against the Caps, and serenade Ovechkin with a chant of "Crosby's Better". I love having hockey back!

The only time in history there was a chant with Crosby's name in it...and he was the good guy?

[Dr. Sak]

Dear Brzy and Hartsy,

I love you.

Sak

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

The only time in history there was a chant with Crosby's name in it...and he was the good guy?

They meant better at sucking...

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

Dear Brzy and Hartsy,

I love you.

Sak

+1

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Dr. Sak

Dear Brzy and Hartsy,

I love you.

Sak

+1

[Suburban Rhythm]

Holding out hope for a 3 way tie atop the Atlantic, and the first tie breaker is a battle royale.

[Wolfpack]

And here comes the patented futile late-season charge by Carolina. Topped the 'Peg for their third straight win tonight. It was enough to vault them to 11th, five behind Washington, who lost tonight. However, everyone around them has one or two games in hand at this point and it'll be well-nigh impossible to jump Buffalo, Winnipeg, and Washington in the final nine games left. Strangely enough, though, they actually have a chance to continue the charge through the rest of the season. Of the last nine, only Detroit and New Jersey could be considered likely losses. They'd be 50/50 or better against just about anyone else left on the schedule (FLAx2, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Columbus, Toronto, and Montreal). Even given a 7-2 finish, though, that only gets them to 87 points, which would likely only jeopardize Washington with Ottawa sitting on 84 and Florida on 83.

[SackAttack]

Wolfpack, a question for you.

The Hurricanes have one win in three games against New Jersey this season.

They're winless in four attempts against the Panthers, although they have lost two of those four in overtime.

I'm curious; why is the New Jersey game a "likely loss" while the two games against the Panthers are a 50/50 "or better" proposition?

I mean, I'm honestly not trying to talk smack here. I just don't see why 0-2-2 gives you greater optimism for claiming points than 1-2 does, going by the results the Hurricanes have had this year against the respective teams. They've come away from the combined seven meetings so far with the same number of points from each opponent.

[Wolfpack]

Because Florida generally has been the more inconsistent team. They're seventh in the conference if you don't consider division lead. True, they've had Carolina's number this year, but that could still change.

(I'm also trying to desperately talk myself into thinking they've got a chance because they're doing a wonderful job of playing themselves out of a high draft pick and I need justification for what they're doing. )

[britrock88]

Boy, we always play our way out of a good draft pick, don't we?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Winnipeg is aware it's not 1988, right?

I want them in the 8 spot just because they'd be exciting in the playoffs.

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Winnipeg is aware it's not 1988, right?

I want them in the 8 spot just because they'd be exciting in the playoffs.

Unfortunately they pretty much need to win-out at this point to make that happen. I'm still happy, it's been great having them back and they made it interesting until near the end of the year, but they clearly still have some growing up to do and could use another top-line scorer (or two). Even if they make the playoffs they will be lucky not to get swept by a team like the Rangers or Penguins.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Unfortunately they pretty much need to win-out at this point to make that happen. I'm still happy, it's been great having them back and they made it interesting until near the end of the year, but they clearly still have some growing up to do and could use another top-line scorer (or two). Even if they make the playoffs they will be lucky not to get swept by a team like the Rangers or Penguins.

I'd argue they need another D, and maybe a G? I like Pavelec, but seems like against teams that can really roll 3 scoring lines (Pens, Flyers), they are getting rolled.

Byfuglien on a first pairing is... . Enstrom is a solid player, but not a #1. And Bogosian has never really progressed.

[Fidatelo]

Pavelec is solid, although he does have a game every once in awhile where he just comes out flat. Probably every 5-6 games he just stinks it up. But I'm fine with him, he's young and should be a better than average goalie for the forseeable future.

I think perhaps the reason teams with true scoring depth roll the Jets is because we don't have a proper 3rd line. The GST line is really a 4th line... you could maybe make the case for Slater as a 3rd liner, but the other two guys are 4th liners playing on a 3rd line. Watching those guys try to handle Vancouver a week or so ago was not pretty. And the guys playing on the actual 4th line seem to be misfit 2nd liners, guys like Stapleton and Antropov and Miettenen and Fehr. I'm not really sure where guys like that fit in.

I think Bogosian has come along fairly well this year, but injuries have held him back. I think he'll be a pretty solid d-man, maybe never truly elite but someone you can generally rely on. Enstrom is really, really good, but his size will always be an issue. Byfuglien was absolutely terrible for the first 2-3 months, but he has really been reigned in and I'm quite impressed with how he has performed over the last couple months. Unfortunately he is a bit suspect in his own end, which is never so great for a defenceman

[Suburban Rhythm]

This makes me feel REALLY old

Joe Thornton played 532 games as a Bruin
He's played, going into tonight, 536 as a Shark.

[Draft Dodger]

big night for the teams in the Western Conference fighting for a playoff spot as all the teams in the hunt are playing tonight.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Pavelec is solid, although he does have a game every once in awhile where he just comes out flat. Probably every 5-6 games he just stinks it up. But I'm fine with him, he's young and should be a better than average goalie for the forseeable future.

I think perhaps the reason teams with true scoring depth roll the Jets is because we don't have a proper 3rd line. The GST line is really a 4th line... you could maybe make the case for Slater as a 3rd liner, but the other two guys are 4th liners playing on a 3rd line. Watching those guys try to handle Vancouver a week or so ago was not pretty. And the guys playing on the actual 4th line seem to be misfit 2nd liners, guys like Stapleton and Antropov and Miettenen and Fehr. I'm not really sure where guys like that fit in.

I think Bogosian has come along fairly well this year, but injuries have held him back. I think he'll be a pretty solid d-man, maybe never truly elite but someone you can generally rely on. Enstrom is really, really good, but his size will always be an issue. Byfuglien was absolutely terrible for the first 2-3 months, but he has really been reigned in and I'm quite impressed with how he has performed over the last couple months. Unfortunately he is a bit suspect in his own end, which is never so great for a defenceman

This is for that comeback on the Caps (how I wish Hifi was still here)

[RomaGoth]

This is why the Jets don't win more games. Their captain is spending too much time in the stands with the common folk.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

we don't have a proper 3rd line. The GST line is really a 4th line... you could maybe make the case for Slater as a 3rd liner, but the other two guys are 4th liners playing on a 3rd line.

So basically they're still the Thrashers

[RomaGoth]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

(how I wish Hifi was still here)

I clearly missed something important during one of my short absences from the board. What happened to HiFi this time?

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

I clearly missed something important during one of my short absences from the board. What happened to HiFi this time?

I believe it was the usual douchebaggery...

[Fidatelo]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

This is for that comeback on the Caps (how I wish Hifi was still here)

Haha, that's awesome! Great comeback for the Jets, they're still hanging in there, and with 8 games left I couldn't have asked for much more in their first season. Nashville tomorrow is going to be tough, the Jets absolutely suck on back-to-back games, but they really need to win almost every game at this point. Hopefully Radulov messes up the Preds chemistry!

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

This is for that comeback on the Caps (how I wish Hifi was still here)

Thought the guy was doing a nazi salute for a moment.

[Wolfpack]

Carolina decided, "You know, we just played our way out of a top draft choice. We might have a chance at a play...nah, screw it, let's get this season over with, " and got themselves blown out by Columbus. Steve Mason and Cam Ward continued their weird dichotomy with each other (Mason's never lost to Carolina, Ward has never beaten Columbus). Combined with Buffalo's win and Winnipeg-Washington resulting in a three-point standings game, what little hope Carolina had of making the playoffs went *poof*. May as well mail it all in from here and try to see if we can get back into the top five or so in the draft.

Of course, this means they'll beat Detroit tomorrow night, irrationally getting my faint hopes up again before they find a way to finally screw it up irrevocably later on.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by RomaGoth

I clearly missed something important during one of my short absences from the board. What happened to HiFi this time?

Pretty much what EF says

Originally Posted by EagleFan

I believe it was the usual douchebaggery...

But I don't remember any singular, over the top moment, just before he vanished.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Originally Posted by Fidatelo

Haha, that's awesome! Great comeback for the Jets, they're still hanging in there, and with 8 games left I couldn't have asked for much more in their first season. Nashville tomorrow is going to be tough, the Jets absolutely suck on back-to-back games, but they really need to win almost every game at this point. Hopefully Radulov messes up the Preds chemistry!

I keep saying this, but I really want to see them get in.

I think it's Buffalo's spot to lose now though.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Tonight's Pens-Sens game featured something I thought I'd never see.

We have a challenger to Carl Lewis for "Worst Anthem Performance Ever". Bonus? Two terrible (and ridiculously drawn out) anthems for the price of one!

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Wolfpack

Of course, this means they'll beat Detroit tomorrow night, irrationally getting my faint hopes up again before they find a way to finally screw it up irrevocably later on.

Almost proven right, but then the Canes decided they didn't want this game, either, after getting up 4-1. Yes, Detroit's good and Carolina not so much, but could they have folded their tent any faster or easier?

I'm pretty much of the opinion that the only guy I want back on defense next year is Faulk. Everyone else has been wretched for much of the season. Gleason got a new deal, but he's not played consistently well since the Olympic year, Pitkanen is a fast-skating, no-shooting, no-hitting mystery (he comes back and we've given up 11 goals in those three games...), Allen's gritty, but average, Harrison seems to have regressed in recent weeks after a very strong start, and McBain is confounding in how he's moved from potential first-liner to "can we offer that potential as trade bait to anyone?"

[kingfc22]

I can't stand how the NHL officials call games completely different late in the year and in the playoffs. Might as well just tell the zebras to stay home as the game is essentially no holds barred at this point.

[EagleFan]

I'll say something not bad about Crosby. I love his reaction, just trying to hold it in.

Wow, did she really do a "let me hear you" in the middle of the Canadian one? That was just awful.


There was a Wings game a few weeks where the singer doing the Canadian anthem forgot the words part of the way through. What was pretty cool though is that a good portion of the crowd started signing it for him.

[Galaxy]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Tonight's Pens-Sens game featured something I thought I'd never see.

We have a challenger to Carl Lewis for "Worst Anthem Performance Ever". Bonus? Two terrible (and ridiculously drawn out) anthems for the price of one!

What's with the Senators' singers? About three weeks ago, when the Sens hosted Buffalo, this lady screwed up the anthem. I'll give her more of a pass because she's young and it was the French part, but still...

[Grover]

Originally Posted by Suburban Rhythm

Tonight's Pens-Sens game featured something I thought I'd never see.

We have a challenger to Carl Lewis for "Worst Anthem Performance Ever". Bonus? Two terrible (and ridiculously drawn out) anthems for the price of one!

Good Christ.