In case people were not aware, the NHL pre-season started yesterday.
For most of the people on here Isles beat Flyers 3 - 2 in OT today, Rangers, Canadiens, Canes, Sens, etc. all play tomorrow (Monday).
NHL.com top 50 players:
50. Zach Werenski (should be closer to the top IMO)
49. Aleksander Barkov
48. Ryan Johansen
47. Dustin Byfuglien
46. Jonathan Quick
45. Oliver Eckman-Larsson
44. Devan Dubnyk
43. Filip Forsberg
42. Max Pacioretty
41. Ryan Suter
40. Phil Kessel
39. Leon Draisaitl
38. Blake Wheeler
37. Jack Eichel
36. Anze Kopitar
35. Jonathan Toews (should be closer to the top IMO)
34. Shea Weber
33. Johnny Gaudreau (should be closer to the top IMO)
32. Matt Murray
31. Artemi Panarin
30. Patrice Bergeron
29. Patrik Laine (will be much higher soon)
28. Kris Letang
27. Roman Josi
26. Joe Pavelski
25. PK Subban
24. Mark Scheifele
23. Ryan Getzlaf
22. Tyler Seguin
21. Duncan Keith
I think that's as far as they've gotten.
Not a huge fan of lists, but for discussion purposes sometimes they're interesting.
Only Canadiens in the top 20 I'd think is Carey Price.
Tavares still to come. Probably Hank I'd guess.
Not sure who else of BBI fan teams.
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The New York Rangers traded the wrong goaltender two years ago.
ESPN - ( New Window )
At the risk of sounding like Seth.... that's one of the worst articles I've ever read. I want my 5 minutes back. First of all, Hank had a NMC. Second, an $8mm+ per year contract until age 35. Third, he's been even with Talbot in terms of performance the past 2 years so how exactly did he cost us a chance at a title?
And finally - the article says our cup window is slammed shut. Ok then - well, since hockey threads are pretty much the only reason I come to BBI these days... see ya guys after the rebuild!
I don't agree with it, but I can see why others do. The Rangers decisions on D in 2014/2015 have hurt the team much more than whatever someone thinks Lundqvist is overpaid by.
Kreider - Zibanejad - Zucc
Vesey - Hayes - Miller
Nash - Chytil - Buchnevich
Grabner - Desharnais - Lettieri/Carey
Nieves as a spare.
Defense:
McDonagh - Shattenkirk
Skjei - Smith
Staal - Holden
DeAngelo as a spare.
Fucking joke if Staal - Holden is going to be a thing.
NY Post - ( New Window )
Disappointed about Pionk, but maybe they're waiting to move Holden?
I don't agree with it, but I can see why others do. The Rangers decisions on D in 2014/2015 have hurt the team much more than whatever someone thinks Lundqvist is overpaid by.
Far too much attention has been paid to Hank's salary, with theories like you cant win spending X on a goalie. Teams routinely win with 10+ million in injured or total bust players.
People are now shitting themselves over Hank's bad season. Obviously he's getting older but until further notice Im attributing most of his struggles to the terrible Dman corps he had (including the misuse).
Empire State Development Corp has given no timeline for its decision; it will likely be months before one comes.
Still a ways to go, but the first big step has just been taken.
Islanders submit plan for arena at Belmont Park - ( New Window )
Kreider - Zibanejad - Zucc
Vesey - Hayes - Miller
Nash - Chytil - Buchnevich
Grabner - Desharnais - Lettieri/Carey
Nieves as a spare.
Defense:
McDonagh - Shattenkirk
Skjei - Smith
Staal - Holden
DeAngelo as a spare.
Fucking joke if Staal - Holden is going to be a thing. NY Post - ( New Window )
DeAngelo is skating w Staal @ practice - not Holden. So I don't think Brooksie is right here.
Nash-Chytl-Zuccarello
Grabner-Hayes-Miller
Vesey-Desharnais-Carey
Ex: Desjardins and Fogarty(hurt)
Pairs are:
McDonagh-Shattenkirk
Skjei-Smith
Staal-DeAngelo
Ex: Holden and Kampfer
Miller back to center.
I too thought it would be Andersson if only one of them made it, Sergachev made the Canadiens last year out of camp, played 2 games and then went to Windsor. 43 points in 50 games, +22 78 PIMs couldn't get him a call up back to the defensively challenged Habs. some coaches are tough on younger players.
It will be interesting to see how they handle him.
From what I've seen on twitter Holden over Pionk is the big surprise that has fans pissed.
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There's an argument to be made that the Rangers could have turned whatever haul they got for Lundqvist (and the $4M of cap space) into something.
I don't agree with it, but I can see why others do. The Rangers decisions on D in 2014/2015 have hurt the team much more than whatever someone thinks Lundqvist is overpaid by.
Far too much attention has been paid to Hank's salary, with theories like you cant win spending X on a goalie. Teams routinely win with 10+ million in injured or total bust players.
People are now shitting themselves over Hank's bad season. Obviously he's getting older but until further notice Im attributing most of his struggles to the terrible Dman corps he had (including the misuse).
I'm with you. The Blackhawks won back in 2010 with Huet riding the pine at $5M+.
I think too much is made of Henrik's contract much the same as too much of Eli's. They aren't holding the team back. The issue arises when they turn into average players as they age when the window starts closing a bit.
More
Per an NHL source, NHL GM's have been told by #Isles to not bother inquiring on #JohnTavares until at least January 1 (Cont.).
The reason for January 1 on inquiring about #JohnTaveres is that is the day #Isles or #BarclaysCenter can officially opt out of arena deal.
#JohnTaveres will be more willing to negotiate w/#isles & decide future after January 1 when team knows more about arena plans.
I don't know anything about this guy but thought it was interesting. The Islanders and their fans seem pretty confident about him re-signing.
Jimmy Murphy - ( New Window )
For whatever reason in this league, young franchise players seem overly loyal to their original teams. How many guys/captains in their primes walked away from their organizations -- Zach Parise? And he did it for family reasons, or at least he claims.
The response to that, of course, is to play Pionk, park Staal in the press box, and send Holden packing.
If they aren't going to stick with him for the long haul, then I don't know what else they're gonna do. Move up Hayes and call up Nieves as 4C, I guess.
Victor Mete, 19 year old non-prospect appears to have made the team and could start the season paired with Shea Weber (holy shit MTL D is in trouble).
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But there isn't really an obvious replacement for him on the roster. So who knows?
If they aren't going to stick with him for the long haul, then I don't know what else they're gonna do. Move up Hayes and call up Nieves as 4C, I guess.
Im still confused by what they're going to do defensively at forward. Which 2 lines are taking the tough matchups? You have Hayes, Stepan, and Lindberg as guys capable of playing the defensive role (Mika was not really asked to be that guy). 2 of them are gone, replaced with a youn 18 year old and a very small david desharnais. Boo makes sense longer term for the season.
From what I've seen, and reading from those who have watched more, he has impressed
I think so. Can really skate, nice puckhandler, better defense than I was expecting but obviously that's his weakest area.
If the Rangers prove to be a contender, I think they'll trade for that type of player.
Swap Arc's 2nd and 3rd lines above and that's pretty solid, you know Nash and Zucc would be great with the youngster too.
Book is meh, though.
Book is meh, though.
Kessel won me over a little with his self deprecation.
I bet he ate all these hotdogs too.
Still think he can skate a whole game with a carton of eggs and not break any, but I thought this was funny.
If the Rangers prove to be a contender, I think they'll trade for that type of player.
Hayes got a ton of DZ starts last year -- 59%. It probably hurts him. But I think he's been more hurt by the inability of the D to make breakout passes. Think back to rookie Hayes and he was at his best on rushes where he could isolate a defender and use his frame to make a shot. Havent seen that out of Hayes much in the past few years. Similar to Nash, who was so deadly in Hayes's rookie year crossing the goal mouth (to be fair to the Ds, I think some of that is Nash being less willing to do it after the concussion).
9. Kucherov
8. Matthews
7. Price
6. Burns
5. Malkin
4. Kane
3. Karlsson
2. Crosby
1. Malkin
Not a huge list guy but other than Holtby, not a ton I'd argue with here.
9. Kucherov
8. Matthews
7. Price
6. Burns
5. Malkin
4. Kane
3. Karlsson
2. Crosby
1. Malkin
Not a huge list guy but other than Holtby, not a ton I'd argue with here.
Malkin over Crosby?
Unrelated point -- good for Tanner.
Tanner Glass - W - Flames
Tanner Glass has a shot at making the Flames' 23 man roster. The Flames are going to go with 14 forwards to start the season and that may be the break the rugged winger needs. Of course, if the Flames sign Jaromir Jagr as may be possible, all this goes out the window.
Source: Calgary Herald
Malkin is the Mook of hockey.
I think Matthews is too high.
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But he is on there twice. Is #1 meant to be Mcdavid?
Malkin is the Mook of hockey.
I think Matthews is too high.
too high meaning he should be closer to #1?
I think Laine is the biggest miss at F. I think Laine could be better than McDavid all around. I think Laine is already better than Matthews.
Werenski is the biggest miss on D. IMO he will be a perennial Norris candidate as soon as this year, when he's 20 for the whole season.
Laine at 29 and Werenski at 50 are each off by about 20 spots.
Unrelated point -- good for Tanner.
Tanner Glass - W - Flames
Tanner Glass has a shot at making the Flames' 23 man roster. The Flames are going to go with 14 forwards to start the season and that may be the break the rugged winger needs. Of course, if the Flames sign Jaromir Jagr as may be possible, all this goes out the window.
Source: Calgary Herald
GREAT!! let's hope he helps them to an NHL worst record!!!!!
Agree, though his 19-year old season exceeded my expectations.
40 goals for a 19-year old, and 69 points is kind of insane - that's probably a top 20 season all time for a 19-year old.
I just find him to be less explosive than some of the other youngsters drafted top of the drafts or near it.
He's probably top 20, but if Laine is 29, no way I have Matthews at 8.
Some perspective, Crosby had 120 points as a 19 year old, McDavid 100, Gretzky 164 (holy shit).
though some of those guys (like McDavid and Gretzky) turned 20 during the season, Matthews was 19 the whole year, in fact just turned 20. Crosby 19 the whole year.
In his defense Gretzky had 137 points his 18/19 year old season.
anyway, probably splitting hairs at this point.
I think Matthews age contributed to his ranking.
I think when you're in the top 20 you're a pretty elite player. I could live with your adjustment.
In two years Montreal traded away or let go, Subban, Emelin, Beaulieu, Markov, and Sergachev
And then they complain they have no D.
Canadiens holding on to $8+M in cap room.
Just not sure they have what it would take in a trade, prefer they just sign him as a FA, but most Montreal media pundits feel like Bergevin keeping cap space for a move this year and it's not secret the Canadiens don't have quality centers.
Canadiens holding on to $8+M in cap room.
Just not sure they have what it would take in a trade, prefer they just sign him as a FA, but most Montreal media pundits feel like Bergevin keeping cap space for a move this year and it's not secret the Canadiens don't have quality centers.
Rumors popping up that MTL is in the lead for Duchene - would fill a C need
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(nothing?) Pierre doesn't think the Isles have a legit shot at re-signing Tavares.
Canadiens holding on to $8+M in cap room.
Just not sure they have what it would take in a trade, prefer they just sign him as a FA, but most Montreal media pundits feel like Bergevin keeping cap space for a move this year and it's not secret the Canadiens don't have quality centers.
Rumors popping up that MTL is in the lead for Duchene - would fill a C need
yeah, I'm afraid it will be Galchenyuk and a pick for Duchene, and I think that will be a mistake for two reasons.
For one I think Galchenyuk is better than Duchene (offensively at least) and two I think they could sign Tavares after the season.
In many ways Duchene probably fits their long-term cap better (whatever the cap will be a few years, who knows) then the shiny (while the Penguins have figured out how to pay 3 guys hefty bucks at once, keep in mind Crosby plays WELL BELOW his market value and the Leafs are subsidizing Kessel in the deal of the century)...
I think if they signed Tavares they are looking at $64 million tied up in 10 players. I suppose you let MaxPac go but then you effectively give to get. Do you have the prospect pipeline to fill the other 12 spots?
And I still think, unfortunately, that JT stays with the Islanders. Its so damn rare that these captains move teams.
Also, Dave Strader has passed away.