so most of the hockey fans on BBI have their teams eliminated or close to it. See if anyone wants to discuss the tank-a-thon or playoffs.
Pretty much eliminated (of the BBI fan teams):
Rangers
Canadiens
Islanders
Senators
Hurricanes
Some fans still have teams alive
Bruins
Capitals
I've seen a Flyers fan on here
and of course our Penguins fan, plus the lone Vegas Knights fan.
Anyway more of us probably interested in Rasmus Dahlin than playoff seeding, but still some good races left.
Most teams have between 12 and 15 games left.
The Lightning and Predators, the two conference leaders, are on absolute fire. Both 9 - 0 - 1 in their last 10.
The Jets (my darkhorse) are also pretty hot.
And Patrik Laine is now in elite company, he's tied Gretzky for 3rd most goals as a teen. Interestingly that's not the 1st most, Jimmy Carson (92) and Dale Hawerchuck (85) both have more than Laine who currently has 76, but what Laine is doing is impressive since it's being done in a lower scoring era.
If the season ended today draft order (subject to lottery of course) would be:
Arizona
Buffalo
Ottawa
Vancouver
Montreal
Detroit
Edmonton
Rangers
Chicago
Islanders
Carolina
Islanders (from Calgary)
Columbus
Philly (from St Louis)
Anaheim
A lot of movement will take place in that group, plus the lottery will shuffle things, but just my view it's a strong top of the draft.
Current playoff matchups would be:
East
TAM vs CBJ
BOS vs TOR
PIT vs NJD
WAS vs PHI
still alive: FLA, CAR
West
LVG vs DAL
SJS vs ANA
NSH vs COL
WIN vs MIN
Still alive: LAK, CAL, STL
some good matchups
I also think the quality of goaltending is continuing to improve league-wide - the gap between the best guy and an average one is smaller than ever. The gap between Roy/Hasek/Brodeur and the average starting goalie in the 90's was much larger than the gap between the Vezina winners today and the average goalie.
I also think the quality of goaltending is continuing to improve league-wide - the gap between the best guy and an average one is smaller than ever. The gap between Roy/Hasek/Brodeur and the average starting goalie in the 90's was much larger than the gap between the Vezina winners today and the average goalie.
True, it's what I always think about Bobrovsky, and then he makes some absolute highlight reel saves.
I think Bob has better defensive D than even Rinne does.
Columbus D vs Nashville D is a good debate.
Best young D pair in the league IMO is in CBJ with Werenski and Jones.
Cole is on their 3rd pair. He'd be a 1st D on MTL.
I think I'd give NSH an edge, just because their pairs are all good so they have a depth edge, but I don't know if there is a D pair in the entire league I'd take over Werenski and Jones. And they're both American and under 24 (Werenski is still 20).
my man's lettuce is looking awfully weak.. might be time to retire that look..
Bob has been brutal in the playoffs, you have problems with Rinne coming up small.
Bobrovsky playoff GAA: 3.63 sv% .887 (brutal - only 18 games though)
Rinne playoff GAA: 2.35 (including your blameful 1.96 in last years post-season) sv% .917 (70 games)
Neither one is young. Bobrovsky 29, Rinne 35.
I absolutely think Rinne hurt them in the SCF last year, although he was quite good in the first three rounds.
I absolutely think Rinne hurt them in the SCF last year, although he was quite good in the first three rounds.
He let some softies in.
But he was absolutely at least part of the reason they were there.
I don't think he's as good as Price (though Price hasn't been good for a long stretch in two years now).
I disagree on the goalie quality though overall. I think the league is in desperate need of new goalie talent.
Maybe Helleybuck. Seems like goalies take a while to develop now. Matt Murray has lost his shine.
My comment was about the level overall, not individuals. Maybe there is a lack of elite talent out there, but I think the average goaltender is very good now.
probably only consider legit contenders since part of his rationale is he wants to match Datsyuk with a World Championship, Olympic Gold, and Stanley Cup. And he's got the first two.
I puke in my mouth a little picturing the Penguins or Capitals with Kovy added to their teams or even the Bruins, but the Bruins don't have a Malkin or Ovechkin to recruit Kovy.
Kovy back to the NHL for 2018-2019 - ( New Window )
though, as I've said I think it has as much to do with coaching as anything, they've added some good young players too.
I like the top of the 1st as I said, no clue if the 2nd/3rd are expected to be solid too.
teams like NYR and MTL who have solid cores can turnaround quickly. I know people on here have suggested a rebuild, I'm not so sure it won't just be a rebound.
So... You need superstars to win Cups. Guys that every time they touch the puck in May are a threat to score. Neither MTL nor NYR have them, which is why "rebounding" would be a complete waste of time.
Now whether or not Hank is the goalie to win a cup or not is debatable, but while Kopitar is a fantastic 2-way center, he's not Crosby, Malkin, Kane or Toews.
Quick was why they won those cups (at least one of them), which is why I think the Canadiens can rebound, re-tool, reload whatever you want to call it, without a full multi-year rebuild.
I think the Rangers can to, depending on Hank (or who knows maybe the playoffs show a team minus a goalie and it's Shestyorkin in net in NY.
Anyway point is the Rangers have 5 picks first two rounds (I think) and the Canadiens have 4 and 8 picks in the top 100.
that's a youth infusion that even if they need a rebuild should provide ammo to move up or talent to develop.
Both teams could use new coaches IMO.
Now whether or not Hank is the goalie to win a cup or not is debatable, but while Kopitar is a fantastic 2-way center, he's not Crosby, Malkin, Kane or Toews.
Quick was why they won those cups (at least one of them), which is why I think the Canadiens can rebound, re-tool, reload whatever you want to call it, without a full multi-year rebuild.
I think the Rangers can to, depending on Hank (or who knows maybe the playoffs show a team minus a goalie and it's Shestyorkin in net in NY.
Anyway point is the Rangers have 5 picks first two rounds (I think) and the Canadiens have 4 and 8 picks in the top 100.
that's a youth infusion that even if they need a rebuild should provide ammo to move up or talent to develop.
Both teams could use new coaches IMO.
The Kings picked in the top 5 of the draft 3 years in a row, from 2007-2009. In 2005, they took their #1 (11 overall) on Kopitar.
Took Doughty. Packaged Schenn and Simmonds for Carter and Richards, which most believe were instrumental in at least their first run, particularly Carter. And then of course they got lucky with Quick.
WTF, lol ... its MY FAULT the Rangers are losing draft position? What the F have you been drinking MAB? rofl
NCAA brackets released yesterday. For anyone interested a good chance to see some draft prospects.
Brady Tkachuk and Joel Farabee on BU.
Quinn Hughes and Mattias Samuelsson (Kjell's son) on Michigan
a couple later round prospects on Providence.
Plus a bunch of guys already drafted, last year's Canadiens 1st round pick Ryan Poehling (on St Cloud), Canadiens 7th round pick Cayden Primeau (Keith's son) on Northeastern.
Islanders Ben Mirageas on Providence
Islanders Logan Cockerill on BU
Devils Matt Hellickson on ND
Devils Joey Anderson (captain of US junior team) on Minn -Duluth
I know PJ. I was honestly going back and forth about how I should use my feelings, but finally just said "F It" and enjoyed myself. And now look at what happened! Mea culpa!
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hope baadbill and others have enjoyed the "great run" by the kids the past 3 weeks. Its set this franchise back badly.
WTF, lol ... its MY FAULT the Rangers are losing draft position? What the F have you been drinking MAB? rofl
You took that as me blaming you? Maybe i've been working too hard lately and i'm tired, but i'm at a loss how one could take it that way.
My 6 year old son has been rooting for the Blue Shirts too - maybe its his fault actually.
Tanking in hockey is hard for teams that aren't just totally terrible or ravaged with injuries.
and even though I think the top of this draft is strong, in general the NHL draft is still somewhat of a crapshoot and a little like baseball in that you're dealing with 17 or 18 year old kids and projecting how they'll grow/develop.
So you can obviously get good players later in the 1st (and even later rounds).
Ovie 43
Laine 43
Malkin 40
Staal 39
Karlsson 39
MacKinnon 38
Seguin 38
Kucherov 36
Lee 35
McDavid 34
Tavares 32
Top 5 all have a shot IMO.
Mike Morreale
Verified account @mikemorrealeNHL
5s6 seconds ago
#NYR Vigneault said there's a strong possibility 2017 1st Rd picks Lias Andersson (No. 7) and Filip Chytil (No. 21) are recalled from Hartford (AHL) at some point.
Oh, and here's a fun stat: Eric Staal averaged .85 PPG for Carolina and is now averaging .88 for Minny. His 20 games as a Ranger? .3.
if he does sustain this and he's a legit 40 goal scorer that was given away for nothing, and he was just miss-used/miss-cast then Torts and more specifically Jarmo Kekalainen should lose their jobs.
they sent Vegas a 1st round pick and a 3rd round pick to make sure that Vegas took Karlsson.
Oh, and here's a fun stat: Eric Staal averaged .85 PPG for Carolina and is now averaging .88 for Minny. His 20 games as a Ranger? .3.
AV misused him.
I thought MIN got a great deal when they signed him. NYR didn't need a forward, and AV played him at wing.
Given that, Isles might as well tank these last 10 games. Give the new GM some nice assets to try and improve the team. Increase the chances to getting lucky and getting a top 3 pick.
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18 goals in 183 career games before this year, 39 in 71 this year.
Oh, and here's a fun stat: Eric Staal averaged .85 PPG for Carolina and is now averaging .88 for Minny. His 20 games as a Ranger? .3.
AV misused him.
I thought MIN got a great deal when they signed him. NYR didn't need a forward, and AV played him at wing.
I hate AV but hard to find fault on this one:
a) He was on our third line, and I'm not sure who i would have demoted to put him on a top two line
b) He was badly hurt on two different occassions -- once i think in the last week of the regular season, had his head slammed into the ice, or something along those lines, i dont remember exactly.
c) Deadline deals more often than not dont turn out as well as hoped - not enough time to generate chemistry with linemates.
Given that, Isles might as well tank these last 10 games. Give the new GM some nice assets to try and improve the team. Increase the chances to getting lucky and getting a top 3 pick.
Isles are looking at two lottery picks this spring which helps. Calgary has been a surprising IMO bust this year. Both are low probability of getting selected in top 3, but never know - it happened for Philly and Dallas last year.
Yes, by a lot.
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In comment 13875905 Greg from LI said:
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18 goals in 183 career games before this year, 39 in 71 this year.
Oh, and here's a fun stat: Eric Staal averaged .85 PPG for Carolina and is now averaging .88 for Minny. His 20 games as a Ranger? .3.
AV misused him.
I thought MIN got a great deal when they signed him. NYR didn't need a forward, and AV played him at wing.
I hate AV but hard to find fault on this one:
a) He was on our third line, and I'm not sure who i would have demoted to put him on a top two line
b) He was badly hurt on two different occassions -- once i think in the last week of the regular season, had his head slammed into the ice, or something along those lines, i dont remember exactly.
c) Deadline deals more often than not dont turn out as well as hoped - not enough time to generate chemistry with linemates.
I guess that's fair. I should have been blaming Gorton more. Such a dumb trade.
Yandle's mis-use was more AV.
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the clear cut #1 pick?
Yes, by a lot.
I think he's the most hyped dman prospect I can remember. Would you agree?
Yandle looks like such a JAG next to Ekblad.
Ekblad an assist away from the Gordie Howe hat trick (though the Panthers can't be happy about the fight with his concussion history).
Shows the value of a two-way D who can excel offensively.
Hasn't fully translated yet to stats for Ekblad, but he's still just 22 or so, give it time.
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In comment 13876056 JayBinQueens said:
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the clear cut #1 pick?
Yes, by a lot.
I think he's the most hyped dman prospect I can remember. Would you agree?
Since Leetch in my memory. Leetch is only three or four years older than me and is from the next town over, so we never crossed in high school, but they used to say he's the best skater this side of Moscow as he progressed to the NHL.
Even though some other D went #1 overall (Ekblad, Berard, and Jovanovski?) none as hyped as Dahlin from what I recall since Leetch.
that couldn't have been too long ago.
Yandle looks like such a JAG next to Ekblad.
Ekblad an assist away from the Gordie Howe hat trick (though the Panthers can't be happy about the fight with his concussion history).
Shows the value of a two-way D who can excel offensively.
Hasn't fully translated yet to stats for Ekblad, but he's still just 22 or so, give it time.
Wow, either you were seriously bored or you are a glutton for punishment. That Habs lineup looks like a mediocre AHL team. I saw my Leafs trounce the Habs Saturday and I felt sorry for them. It was 4-0 and not even that close.
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vs FLA last night.
Yandle looks like such a JAG next to Ekblad.
Ekblad an assist away from the Gordie Howe hat trick (though the Panthers can't be happy about the fight with his concussion history).
Shows the value of a two-way D who can excel offensively.
Hasn't fully translated yet to stats for Ekblad, but he's still just 22 or so, give it time.
Wow, either you were seriously bored or you are a glutton for punishment. That Habs lineup looks like a mediocre AHL team. I saw my Leafs trounce the Habs Saturday and I felt sorry for them. It was 4-0 and not even that close.
I am embracing the tank at this point. Need Ottawa and Detroit (and Edmonton) to win.
The Canadiens are playing without Price, Weber, Pacioretty (their three best players) and traded away several more lesser pieces. Losses are what they need.
Plus, I like seeing their younger players play. Lehkonen, Scherbak, De La Rose, Hudon, McCarron, Juulsen, Lernout Reilly, Lindgren all 24 or under 24. Even Galchenyuk is 24 and Drouin is 22.
Though Price is returning to the lineup for some weird reason.
Michael Russo
Verified account @RussoHockey
3h3 hours ago
Hearing the #gophers' Ryan Lindgren will be signing with the #nyrangers
they got Lindgren from the Bruins. I think in the Nash trade.
Hockey Reference
Verified account @hockey_ref
1m1 minute ago
Aaron Ekblad is the 9th defenseman in NHL history to have multiple 15-goal years thru his age-21 season
As long as you continue to have not smart people running the ship, expect a lot more disappointment.
As long as you continue to have not smart people running the ship, expect a lot more disappointment.
I don't hate you for saying it. I too don't hate the Leafs, I don't remember them ever being relevant in my life time even the odd years when they made the playoffs, I did see the Habs win two cups though.
What the comment makes me though is to dismiss your evaluation skills and not really value your opinion on players.
Alex Galchenyuk is mediocre or worse?
He's the leading point scorer from the 2012 draft. In a draft that didn't have a McDavid I'll admit, but it included Forsberg, Teravainen, Athanasiou and others. He is far from average or worse
He had 30 goals as a 21 year old. He's insanely skilled. and he's never played next to a #1 or even a legit center.
By you saying Jonathan Drouin is average or worse doesn't make me hate you, I love hockey talk and I engage with all fans, but like I said it makes me dismiss your opinion as uninformed or makes me feel like you as a fan are as mediocre or worse with your player evals.
Some of the guys like Juulsen - you have no idea about. he's a former 1st round pick whose played 14 NHL games at 20 years old - to have your opinion about him is silly, Lehkonen, Hudon, de la rose, maybe not top liners, but all are legit NHL players. Plus Mete who I didn't even name is 19.
Agree about the not smart people running things though. I do like their youth though, even with no Auston Matthews in the group - you need to be much worse than the Canadiens have been (like the Leafs have been) to win that prize.
Honestly, watching a game like last night makes me wonder how the hell the Islander aren't even close to a playoff spot. It's a flawed team but IMO there's plenty of coaches with guys like Barzal, Lee, Tavares could have that team in the playoffs and maybe making some noise.
Looking forward to a complete cleaning of house this offseason. Just hope Tavares wants to stay.
MTL and DET play twice in the final 9 games, that could be the difference in bottom 5 finish for MTL.
MTL of their 9 remaining games, has two with DET and one with BUF, the rest playoff teams.
Honestly, watching a game like last night makes me wonder how the hell the Islander aren't even close to a playoff spot. It's a flawed team but IMO there's plenty of coaches with guys like Barzal, Lee, Tavares could have that team in the playoffs and maybe making some noise.
Looking forward to a complete cleaning of house this offseason. Just hope Tavares wants to stay.
What the hell happened to Nick Leddy this year?
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What the hell happened to Nick Leddy this year?
His decline is one of the more concerning things about this disaster of a season. I'm hoping with a new coaching staff and different system he can rebound next year.
The Isles D as a whole is such a disorganized mess that it's often hard to tell exactly what's going on. I understand that the Isles don't exactly have the best d personnel, but giving up 40, 50 shots in so many games is about more than talent.
Leddy just turned 27 yesterday, so it's unlikely that he's done and in decline.
but the Islanders are worst in the NHL in GAA and Shots allowed.
Not a good combo.