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
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Devils are still working on Martkstrom.
I have watched every start Jake Allen has made the past 3 years (or however long he's been a Hab, what's the point? He does have another year under contract, but is he an upgrade? )
from LeBrun in the Athletic today:
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...Markstrom, Saros and the quirky goalie market
Despite a failed attempt recently at reeling in Jacob Markstrom from Calgary, I’m told the New Jersey Devils will continue to try to find a way to make a deal work with the Flames before March 8. That doesn’t mean they’ll be able to get it done, of course.
My understanding is that there was disagreement in trade talks between the teams over Calgary retaining salary on Markstrom’s contract, which runs for another two and a half years at $6 million per. And tied to that, I think there was disagreement on what the cost, asset-wise, should be just for salary retention if Calgary did agree to it, in addition to the other parts of a proposed trade.
But New Jersey hasn’t closed the door on Markstrom. The Devils will keep trying. And in the meantime, they have also kicked tires on the likes of Juuse Saros, John Gibson and Jake Allen, among other goalies....
Yeah I think Markstrom is the one they've zeroed in on. I didn't realize he had 2 more years after this left on his contract though. Thats a pretty big gulp for a 34 year old at 6 mill per. I agree on Allen, he's no big upgrade at all. Gibson I've really soured on. ton of $ left and he's constantly getting injured this year. He hasn't finished his last 2 starts. I'd almost look at him as a negative assett at this point. Meanwhile Daws has been great the past 3 games, especially last night. I'm almost ready to just go with him and see how it goes and reassess in the summer.
I think I am with you Stu. This save by Daws yesterday was bananas:
link - ( New Window )
Was asked about the guys from Team Canada and if they should be operating under innocent until proven guilty. He sidestepped the question, obviously, but said something to the extent that if you had the information he did that wouldn't be an option
Most of us know what he meant, but the way he said it drew ire:
So a lot of the media pounced on it and said seriously, a "fortunate bounce" prevented him from committing a rape/sexual assault.
But I think he was just saying not being at the event meant he didn't have to defend himself or prove innocence.
Most of us know what he meant, but the way he said it drew ire:
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...“It’s tough. I’ve been told not to comment on that ongoing investigation. I’ve been straightforward from the start. I wasn’t there,” Makar said. "It was a very fortunate bounce to not obviously be a part of something like that. I’m just going to leave it to the people who are handling the work right now. I can’t stress enough that I wasn’t part of that"....
So a lot of the media pounced on it and said seriously, a "fortunate bounce" prevented him from committing a rape/sexual assault.
But I think he was just saying not being at the event meant he didn't have to defend himself or prove innocence.
PJ come on he's an adult. That was a very poor choice of words on his part.
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when he was questioned by a reporter about it.
Most of us know what he meant, but the way he said it drew ire:
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...“It’s tough. I’ve been told not to comment on that ongoing investigation. I’ve been straightforward from the start. I wasn’t there,” Makar said. "It was a very fortunate bounce to not obviously be a part of something like that. I’m just going to leave it to the people who are handling the work right now. I can’t stress enough that I wasn’t part of that"....
So a lot of the media pounced on it and said seriously, a "fortunate bounce" prevented him from committing a rape/sexual assault.
But I think he was just saying not being at the event meant he didn't have to defend himself or prove innocence.
PJ come on he's an adult. That was a very poor choice of words on his part.
Definitely poor choice of words by him, but I don't think he was saying literally if he decided to go to the gala with his teammates he would have raped a woman, so lucky bounce for him. But I agree it was an awful response.
2 more goals tonight (still in the 2nd period).
He gets overlooked with the games greats because his teams have had some famous failures, but not many can shoot it like Matthews in the league. He can release from so many angles it's hard for goalies to read. Plus he's a big dude even if he doesn't play a heavy game (kind of like Kreider) so he can get some greasy goals since he's hard to move in front of the net.
He has consistently scored his whole career.
He has 48 goals in 52 games (so far).
He has led the league in 5v5 goals 4 times (including as a 19 year old rookie) and does this year too.
@NHLInjuryViz
Raw MGL totals through 17 February (1/2)
322 VGK
292 SJS
272 MTL
265 CHI
222 TOR
201 ANA
198 WSH
196 VAN
185 COL
179 CBJ
177 NJD
174 TBL
162 ARI
161 BUF
160 MIN
150 DET
2:20 PM · Feb 18, 2024
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NHLInjuryViz
@NHLInjuryViz
Raw MGL totals through 17 February (2/2)
139 NYI
136 CGY
134 PIT
127 WPG
121 SEA
117 OTT
107 LAK
105 FLA
97 CAR
93 NYR
92 BOS
88 PHI
75 NSH
50 EDM
41 DAL
29 STL
2:20 PM · Feb 18, 2024
·
37
Views
NHLInjuryViz
@NHLInjuryViz
NHL injury summary through 17 February
I'm calling it now: The Blues won't end up with fewer than 32 MGL for the season
not even joking.
I think we left off with NYR at 19.
18. VAN
17. LAK
16. WIN
15. CAL
14. STL
13. CAR
link below for all the write-ups (behind the Athletic paywall)
Prospect Rankings - ( New Window )
MIN 11 (and this is with graduating Faber and Rossi - good young core in MIN)
Athletic link below
NHL Prospect Pool Rankings - ( New Window )
Kaiden Guhle
Arber Xhekaj
Jordan Harris
Jayden Struble
Justin Barron
Lane Hutson
Logan Mailloux
David Reinbacher
Adam Engstrom
William Trudeau
and all project to top 6 easily and are either in MTL, Laval (AHL), or playing pro (except Lane Hutson who is their #1 prospect)
not even joking.
Silly question. What makes hockey players able to play at an old age in comparison to other sports?
Chris Chelios was like 50 when he finally stopped playing. What was the difference in his game and what could someone like him "get away" with doing in the sport of hockey, playing at such an ... Older age?
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jersey retirement in PIT, looks like he could still play at 52.
not even joking.
Silly question. What makes hockey players able to play at an old age in comparison to other sports?
Chris Chelios was like 50 when he finally stopped playing. What was the difference in his game and what could someone like him "get away" with doing in the sport of hockey, playing at such an ... Older age?
They’re tougher mentally lol. Good question Have a friend who played 14 years in the NHL. . Dude is different breed. I also think hockey teams have a place for players as they age as they run multiple lines And TBH. There always outliers.
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jersey retirement in PIT, looks like he could still play at 52.
not even joking.
Silly question. What makes hockey players able to play at an old age in comparison to other sports?
Chris Chelios was like 50 when he finally stopped playing. What was the difference in his game and what could someone like him "get away" with doing in the sport of hockey, playing at such an ... Older age?
there is a 90 year old guy who plays beer league in the town next to me (Natick, MA). His 70 year old son is in the league too. if anyone even accidentally goes near the older guy they get their face caved in, lol. It's funny to see him play because in his equipment and with his helmet on (no cage) you can tell he's old, but not 90. Obviously not NHL but still pretty impressive to compete with men 30/40 years old when you're half a century (or more) older.
One of my beer league teammates when we were younger, he was probably 40 years old (he's older than me) got a contract with the FHL Delaware Federals who needed a body to play some minutes in a game on the Cape vs the Cape Cod Blue Fins. He played two games. Who gives a shit it's pro and he made his debut at 40 (he had 2 PIMs and was - 6 in the two games). He played college at Union. We call him squirrel because he was faster than everyone and people chased him around the ice like dogs chasing a squirrel.
Anyway, wish I knew. Love of the game?
with 2 more last night he becomes the fastest US born player to 50 goals.
50 goals in 54 games.
He broke his own record of 62 games (tied with Kevin Stevens)
with 2 more last night he becomes the fastest US born player to 50 goals.
50 goals in 54 games.
He broke his own record of 62 games (tied with Kevin Stevens)
My son and I were joking about this last night. He gets all the info you are talking about on twitter/YouTube. Like it's really impressive and I was telling him about how big Mike Bossy's chase was to get 50 in 50 when I was a kid and how dramatic it was to him getting 2 in the 3rd period of game 50. Then like the next year Gretzky did it in 38 games. We joked Gretzky was some different breed of hockey human being. I mean it's a great season to get 100 points and Gretzky got over 200 4 times in 5 seasons(196 the 5th one) its just insane. 11 seasons in a row with over 100 assists alone. I watched it and I still don't believe what I saw.
On the subject of goals...what does everyone think of Ovi's chances of breaking the record now? He's finally having a season where his numbers, thus far at least, are declining noticeably. If he doesn't miss any more games this season, he's on pace for 24 goals this year. That would put him at 846, 48 behind Gretzky. Is he going to fall off a cliff over the next couple of years or can he keep chugging along at a 20ish per season pace for a few more years?
On the subject of goals...what does everyone think of Ovi's chances of breaking the record now? He's finally having a season where his numbers, thus far at least, are declining noticeably. If he doesn't miss any more games this season, he's on pace for 24 goals this year. That would put him at 846, 48 behind Gretzky. Is he going to fall off a cliff over the next couple of years or can he keep chugging along at a 20ish per season pace for a few more years?
He looks like a future New York Ranger already
he began the season slowly but I think had a 6 or 7 game goal streak recently.
Edmonton needs a goaltender in the worst way, IMO.
Sure, they might win the Cup but the odds are against it with their current tending.
I could see Ulmark getting sent there in the offseason from BOS.
When Brunette left to become HC of Nashville I said that I was worried that much of the Devils success was because of him not Ruff last season. Now it's becoming more obvious that I was right.
Edmonton needs a goaltender in the worst way, IMO.
Sure, they might win the Cup but the odds are against it with their current tending.
I could see Ulmark getting sent there in the offseason from BOS.
I have been saying this for most of McDavid's tenure. the fact they haven't gotten him a goalie is criminal.
it's at least McDavid's 3rd GM and astonishingly he's still *just* 27 years old.
When Brunette left to become HC of Nashville I said that I was worried that much of the Devils success was because of him not Ruff last season. Now it's becoming more obvious that I was right.
Jay it's been a long time, if ever since I've seen a coach do as poor of a job as Ruff has this season. The lineups he puts out there night in night out defy logic. It's like a toddler threw darts at a dartboard or something. Thankfully I spent the day in the city yesterday and took in a Broadway show with the wife last night and missed that embarrassment. Timo on the 3rd line and little to no PP time for weeks now? Jack on the wing? Starting Smith & Luke together vs Washington when the metrics have them as as the 20th worst pairing in the league when put together, and of course they're on the ice for like 3 goals including a tap in 30 seconds into the game. I agree I generally have no beef with Fitz but this season has been a complete debacle from top to bottom. I wouldn't have an issue with any of them being fired over this. First that let Ruff hide behind the injuries, well now everyone is back besides Dougie and the past 2 games have been completely embarrassing. I don't see how a coach survives that.
separation starting to happen to determine sellers and buyers.
Bedard and Celebrini would go a long way to rebuilding a franchise.
I hope they don't, but it's starting to seem like that is the most likely outcome.
If he didn't sign the 8-year deal they offered in September, no clue why they think he'd sign it now.
he bet on himself and it seems like he won.
He already has the most goals in his career and he has had a good year. Probably wind up close to his career high in points (or exceed it).
Does Calgary play chicken and risk him walking in FA or do they trade him?
Calgary in WC contention (just 3 points back of NSH with a lot to play), but I think they should be sellers.
If he didn't sign the 8-year deal they offered in September, no clue why they think he'd sign it now.
he bet on himself and it seems like he won.
He already has the most goals in his career and he has had a good year. Probably wind up close to his career high in points (or exceed it).
Does Calgary play chicken and risk him walking in FA or do they trade him?
Calgary in WC contention (just 3 points back of NSH with a lot to play), but I think they should be sellers.
If they are wise they would trade him. He will leave in free agency and they will receive nothing. Even if they do make the playoffs they won't get far.
If he didn't sign the 8-year deal they offered in September, no clue why they think he'd sign it now.
he bet on himself and it seems like he won.
He already has the most goals in his career and he has had a good year. Probably wind up close to his career high in points (or exceed it).
Does Calgary play chicken and risk him walking in FA or do they trade him?
Calgary in WC contention (just 3 points back of NSH with a lot to play), but I think they should be sellers.
Separate from your post, but what a deal that Tkachuk trade turned into. I liked it from FL's perspective, mostly due to Tkachuk's style and age vs. Huberdeau, but never thought it would be this good for FL and this bad for CAL.
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still trying to extend Hanifin, but he seems intent on playing in the US.
If he didn't sign the 8-year deal they offered in September, no clue why they think he'd sign it now.
he bet on himself and it seems like he won.
He already has the most goals in his career and he has had a good year. Probably wind up close to his career high in points (or exceed it).
Does Calgary play chicken and risk him walking in FA or do they trade him?
Calgary in WC contention (just 3 points back of NSH with a lot to play), but I think they should be sellers.
Separate from your post, but what a deal that Tkachuk trade turned into. I liked it from FL's perspective, mostly due to Tkachuk's style and age vs. Huberdeau, but never thought it would be this good for FL and this bad for CAL.
I think the big thing is it should never have got to that point. Cost Treliving his job. You lose Gaudreau and Tkachuck and the return (for Gaudreau was nothing) and Tkachuk underwhelms you damage your franchise.
I like Weegar but Huberdeau has done nothing but make Sasha Barkov look better, lol.
@NHLInjuryViz
$-weighted injuries against points-per-game through 23 February
especially when they lost Gaudreau in the same off-season.
That was 219 points between the two of them removed from your roster.
it was replaced the next season with 86 points.
Also, forgot the inverse: you have an opportunity to get a Matthew Tkachuk, you do it.
I'll be at the Devils-Sharks game on Tuesday, they better not get swept by the sharks this year.
I'll be at the Devils-Sharks game on Tuesday, they better not get swept by the sharks this year.
Damn media creating "excess pressure" on the team again.
Here is a graphic about a possible US roster.
They have my Hughes/Tkachuck line, but not Luke Hughes (he looks like an alternate). 2026 is a couple years away....
It is obvious that Fitzgerald is going to stick with Ruff all season. Let's face it the season is over they aren't going to go on a magical run with this disaster running the team. If Ruff is brought back then ownership needs to step in and fire Fitzgerald as well.
I bet there would be a good market for him.
I bet there would be a good market for him.
I want him to stay and I am sure the Devils do but they simply won't have the cap space to re-sign him unless they can move Palat which I doubt anyone would take the 3 years at $6 AAV left on his contract.
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.
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.