Every team (except OTT and EDM) has reached our passed the 41 game halfway point, so thought let's take some stock in how things look vs what we expected and look at 1st half performances.
First the playoff standings (GD = goal differential):
East
Atlantic:
BOS 43GP 61PTs +30 GD
FLA 43 GP 57PTs +25 GD
TOR 41 GP 50PTs +14 GD
Metro:
NYR 42 GP 56PTs +17 GD
PHI 44 GP 54PTs +10 GD
CAR 43 GP 53PTs +16 GD
East Wild Card
DET 43 GP 49PTs +11 GD
TBL 44 GP 49PTs -3 GD
PIT 42 GP 48PTs +16 GD
NYI 43 GP 48PTs -18GD
NJD 41 GP 47PTs -2GD
WAS 41 GP 46PTs -26GD
West
Central
WIN 42 GP 60PTs +42GD
COL 44 GP 59PTs +26GD
DAL 42 GP 55PTs +26GD
Pacific
VAN 44 GP 62PTs +54GD
LVG 44 GP 55PTs +20GD
LAK 40 GP 50PTs +30GD
West Wild Card
NSH 44 GP 49PTs +1GD
EDM 39 GP 47PTs +21GD
SEA 43 GP 47PTs -3GD
CAL 43 GP 45PTs -1GD
ARI 41 GP 44PTs +3GD
STL 42 GP 44PTs -15GD
not much really that unexpected. but from a standings standpoint I say this:
VAN (positive)
PHI (positive)
ARI (positive)
DET (positive)
MIN (WTF?)
OTT (has a bunch of games in hand on everyone, but I expected more)
BUF (let's me down every year)
Awards:
Calder: Bedard, but being out 4-6 weeks it's in jeopardy. Luke Hughes, Brock Faber, Rossi, Adam Fantilli, and more nipping at his heels
Vezina: Demko or Hellebuyck
Selke: Barkov or Danault
Hart: MacKinnon or Panarin
Norris: Quinn Hughes (has a case for Hart too), Makar not far behind though
Jack Adams: Tocchet or Torts
should be a fun second half
They sure are and it's better for the future if they don't make the playoffs because it will ensure that they fire Ruff and bring in a better coach. If they somehow made the playoffs Fitzgerald could try to use the injuries as an excuse for them losing in the first round as the reason why they didn't go on a run. The truth is this team is nearly back to full strength and they look just as bad.
I don't know who/how the talks broke down or that goalie would have made all the difference in NJ, but when you get that chance at a goalie of that caliber on an expected contender you make it happen.
Yea Fitzgerald has been close for him and Markstrom but failed to get it finalized. I am glad that they didn't land Markstrom but Fitzgerald's main fault so far has been his failure to address the goaltending issues. This offseason he should go hard for Saros if he is available.
Also, apparently steam is picking up between the Habs and Ducks involving Trevor Zegras. No idea why ANA would consider trading Zegras. He's a guy IMO you build around, not trade away. No clue what would go the other way. a young D and some picks? Apparently ANA feels like they have "too many" good young forwards. They do have a lot of good youth, but still Zegras isn't a guy I'd trade for no reason.
If not the Habs, it does seem like ANA is shopping Zegras - not merely "listening" to offers.
then he gets the OT GW to beat them.
Maybe they thought he was going to come back and play. The guy looks great for his age. Or maybe being traded to DET and winning two cups with them and none with CHI didn't ingratiate him to the Blackhawks fans. Not sure.
He and Jagr, they don't make them like that anymore.
I was heartbroken when MTL traded him and that was probably the last time I cared about players on a team.
Columbus, Chicago, and Arizona all got points last night (the latter two the loser point in OTL) and all three played against playoff teams.
they and San Jose and Anaheim are the 5 worst teams in the league.
it should surprise no one while at the same time it's not what anyone would have expected - in the NHL any team can beat any team.
#9 Arizona
#8 Nashville
#7 Chicago
#6 Philadelphia (even after dealing Cutter Gauthier I guess)
#5 Anaheim
then he gets the OT GW to beat them.
He really has looked good for Detroit. He needed that hip surgery bad. He looks way better than he looked last spring.
NGL - kinda wish the Rangers had brought him back.
That's gotta feel good, I'm guessing
Quote:
Why did it take so long for Chelios' number to get retired in Chicago?
Maybe they thought he was going to come back and play. The guy looks great for his age. Or maybe being traded to DET and winning two cups with them and none with CHI didn't ingratiate him to the Blackhawks fans. Not sure.
He and Jagr, they don't make them like that anymore.
I was heartbroken when MTL traded him and that was probably the last time I cared about players on a team.
Thanks.
Him, Jagr, and Messier all look great. Messier is 63 and looks like he can crush me.
Nothing to do with anything but lol
our leading goal scorer Toffoli on the 3rd line. I'm convince when they get back to Jersey Lindy is gonna strap the 2000 Stanley cup to the back of his car and start dragging it around champions square.
our leading goal scorer Toffoli on the 3rd line. I'm convince when they get back to Jersey Lindy is gonna strap the 2000 Stanley cup to the back of his car and start dragging it around champions square.
😂😂
Well another game and like clockwork the devils surrender the first goal. Good news is the one pp they had looked lively.
Actually a decent amount of devils fans at the shark tank; more than I was expecting. Timo got a nice tribute for his first game back in San Jose.
Palat-Hughes-Lazar line doing work by scoring a goal😂. Hughes did all the work though, unassisted.
our leading goal scorer Toffoli on the 3rd line. I'm convince when they get back to Jersey Lindy is gonna strap the 2000 Stanley cup to the back of his car and start dragging it around champions square.
Wouldn't it be appropriate to do the SC dragging in an actual parking lot?
Where the "parade" took place for that 2000 cup win lol
Sorry had to do it. Lol.
"The Calgary Flames have agreed to trade veteran defenceman Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday.
Friedman reports that defence prospect Artem Grushnikov, a second-round pick and a conditional draft pick will go to Calgary in exchange for Tanev. The Flames will retain 50 per cent of Tanev's contract, which has a $4.5 million AAV and expires this summer."
"The Calgary Flames have agreed to trade veteran defenceman Chris Tanev to the Dallas Stars, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Wednesday.
Friedman reports that defence prospect Artem Grushnikov, a second-round pick and a conditional draft pick will go to Calgary in exchange for Tanev. The Flames will retain 50 per cent of Tanev's contract, which has a $4.5 million AAV and expires this summer."
The devils were also involved, taking on $1.125 million in dead cap for Tanev. That makes the deal even better for Dallas. In exchange the devils get the stars fourth round pick in 2026 and sent an unsigned goalie prospect to Dallas. Using that Dougie Hamilton cap relief!
@reporterchris
The #NJDevils have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the #avs for a 2024 seventh-round pick and the rights to Zakhar Bardakov.
@reporterchris
The #NJDevils have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the #avs for a 2024 seventh-round pick and the rights to Zakhar Bardakov.
No skill whatsoever but some much needed size and toughness. Fine with him playing over Tierney.
Quote:
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
The #NJDevils have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the #avs for a 2024 seventh-round pick and the rights to Zakhar Bardakov.
No skill whatsoever but some much needed size and toughness. Fine with him playing over Tierney.
A lot of finesse on the Devils they could use him.
@PierreVLeBrun
8 years x $11.6 million AAV for Elias Pettersson
@PierreVLeBrun
8 years x $11.6 million AAV for Elias Pettersson
He's a couple of years younger, but is he that much better than Horvat?
Quote:
Pierre LeBrun
@PierreVLeBrun
8 years x $11.6 million AAV for Elias Pettersson
He's a couple of years younger, but is he that much better than Horvat?
Yes. in every way except on the dots.
Pettersson is a top 10 center in the league IMO and as mentioned, he's 25 years old.
And JT Miller is the player in VAN who deserves to be in the Hart discussion.
He is having an insane year offensively and defensively.
And some people say Quinn Hughes is the VAN MVP (I don't think he is, but he could get close to 90 points).
they don't have a 1st round pick in 2024 or 2025 (and conditionally potentially no 2026 though that condition is a long shot) so not sure how either trade happens.
She did mention they would consider parting ways with their pending UFAs. Who? Reinhart for Guentzel? Not sure how that would help them.
They only have two D on the roster after the season and they do have cap room, so maybe a 3-team trade. I have to think PIT gets at least 1 1st for Guentzel and CAL does for Hanifin too.
Who knows, I think he'd have to re-establish it. Probably not = a 1st.
They are now 1 point ahead of Vegas with 2 games in hand and a 5 game lead in ROW.
I guess coaching does matter - H/T to Knoblauch, but reality is that team was seriously under performing, but the coaching change coincided with the turnaround so Knoblauch gets the credit (and deserves it).
@reporterchris
The #NJDevils have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the #avs for a 2024 seventh-round pick and the rights to Zakhar Bardakov.
Cool the Devils just traded for Mason Geersten 2.0. What a poor performance by Tom Fitzgerald after a strong offseason. Failed to address the goaltending once again, hung onto Ruff far too long now the season is lost, failed to add another defensive defenseman that the team really needed. Now he adds toughness when the Devils are 5 points out of the playoff hunt but Philly has two games in hand.
Quote:
Chris Johnston
@reporterchris
The #NJDevils have acquired Kurtis MacDermid from the #avs for a 2024 seventh-round pick and the rights to Zakhar Bardakov.
Cool the Devils just traded for Mason Geersten 2.0. What a poor performance by Tom Fitzgerald after a strong offseason. Failed to address the goaltending once again, hung onto Ruff far too long now the season is lost, failed to add another defensive defenseman that the team really needed. Now he adds toughness when the Devils are 5 points out of the playoff hunt but Philly has two games in hand.
Don't knock it Jay, give it a week Lindy the fool will have MacDermid on Jack's line. Absolute organizational failure from top to bottom this year. Listen Fitz gets another summer to try and fix this mess, but if we are in this same situation a year from now he's a goner. Also if he has any stupid concept in his head to bring back senile Lindy there needs to be an organizational intervention.
Flames asked Markstrom to waive his NTC for a trade to NJD. Markstrom says ok. Flames and Devils can't work out a trade and then Markstrom is playing so well the Flames tell him they want to keep him now. Devils publicly say Markstrom is their top target at the deadline.
Flames traded Tanev and Lindholm already, and likely will trade Hanifin, so why keep Markstrom with 2 years left if you're tearing it down - unless they expect a Huberdeau resurgence? I think they regret the Kadri deal. he's a good complementary player, but signing him to term off a career year at 31 playing with MacKinnon wasn't probably that smart. but that guy (Treliving) is gone.
Also, Elliotte said last night the Pens say they prefer prospects to picks. they want two prospects for Guentzel. this is better for teams like TBL who do not have a 1st round pick.
though they don't have much in the way of prospects either.
Kevin Weekes
@KevinWeekes
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told the great G Jonathan Quick is signing a 1 Yr Contract Extension with the @NYRangers
. #NYR #HockeyX @INEOSGrenadier
I was sort of surprised PIT "re-upped" Crosby, Malkin and Letang. and then doubled down with Karlsson. They're all old. They don't have a lot of draft picks or a good prospect pool (27th ranked prospect pool according to Wheeler). Unless they get some lottery luck this could be a lengthy rebuild.
After this season Crosby only has one year left. I can see him retiring - he's not chasing records (AFAIK) he has 3 rings, Olympic gold, what's left? Maybe I can see him hang around on a one year deal until the 2025-2026 season/Olympics.
I think he's said it will be awesome for him, Malkin and Letang to play their whole careers together in PIT - and all 3 have some type of NMC/NTC.
if no one claims him he got to AHL I guess.
I believe he is back from substance abuse program.
Hate to make these humans into commodities, but could be a decent deadline acquisition for someone if his head is where it needs to be and he is in shape.
I would like to see him play another 5 years and try to get 2,000, lol.
Devils would be insane to be buyers at this point.
Devils would be insane to be buyers at this point.
The season is over. To be honest I hope they miss the playoffs as it will cement Ruff's fate. If they make the playoffs I could see Fitzgerald trying to justify another year for Ruff blaming the injuries if they sneak into the playoffs. If they did make the playoffs they will lose badly in the first round anyway.
Watch Holtz and Meier next season with a new HC. All of a sudden they will look noticeably better in a real system.
100% Jay agree on all points. I'd add they need an entirely new coaching staff.
I've been wondering this for weeks.