2024/2025 Around the League

[CobraAcesS]

He has all the talent to be even better. Hell for a brief time when needed, he was. He played marvelously for us during the run. I'm just hoping that as he ages and matures he'll find that consistency we really wanted to see from him or at least a much highler low-end. I think he'll get there and would not bet against him. But man, we really needed a 2C and while Mitts is struggling, I still think it was absolutely the right call at the time (my biggest gripe is that the 2C situation hadn't been solved sooner).

Yeah, ill miss him, but it was the right call. Mitts will be fine, here or in Pittsburgh.

I was kinda hoping Mitts had PPG potential, but it doesn't look that way. He's solid though, and exactly what we needed. I'm happy we have a different look at 2C, and he's getting some time to really develop chemistry with our top six wingers.

He's fine, but it would have been fun if he stayed hot all year. I think he has another gear to get to as far as conditioning, but hanging with Mack will only help with that.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Bo would absolutely be the go-to go for most of those teams. That doesn't mean he's the best defenseman on the team. He wants the role of a Montour/Hughes/etc. where he's #1-3 in ice time, majority of offensive zone deployment and top PP unit. He wants to be on the ice in important situations.

Byram is tied for 5th for ES points. If he got prime PP units he'd be cracking 50+ points.

There's a difference between wanting to be a teams 1D and wanting to be the teams offensive cog. Being a 2/3 3D like Montour could potentially be in the cards. If he wants to be a 1D than he's going to have to make some major strides in his game. Because he's stratospheres behind someone like Hughes.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

At least we don’t have Stuart Skinner.

Oilers were comfortably leading the Panthers 4-1, and then Skinner said “not today” and clutched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Allowed 6 goals on 28 shots and didn’t even know where 2 of the goals went in.

 

[dahrougem2]

Last 3 minutes of Oilers/Panthers is what drives me nuts about the NHL and playoff hockey.

Panthers took AT MINIMUM 4 penalties in the final 3 minutes and nothing was called. It's just frustrating to see. Aaron Ekblad fully held Connor McDavid's stick and wouldn't let him go two feet from the ref - no call and that's as McDavid kept trying to skate away. Nugent-Hopkins's stick broken from a slash in front, no call.

Why reward teams for stuff like this? That's not good defending or "hard hockey"; those are penalties.

 

[Alienblood]

There's a difference between wanting to be a teams 1D and wanting to be the teams offensive cog. Being a 2/3 3D like Montour could potentially be in the cards. If he wants to be a 1D than he's going to have to make some major strides in his game. Because he's stratospheres behind someone like Hughes.

Montour is Seattle's #1 as he was in Florida

 

[The Abusement Park]

Montour is Seattle's #1 as he was in Florida

Dunn has more responsibility being on the top pair, PP1 and the PK. Idk their ATOI, but even then if Montour is Seattles #1 he's an okay #1. And Montour was not the #1 in Florida...

 

[Alienblood]

Dunn has more responsibility being on the top pair, PP1 and the PK. Idk their ATOI, but even then if Montour is Seattles #1 he's an okay #1. And Montour was not the #1 in Florida...

Yes he was Florida's #1 and he is in Seattle

 

[S E P H]

I hope to God that the Oilers pay Bouchard 9+ million. He is brilliant.

At least we don’t have Stuart Skinner.

Oilers were comfortably leading the Panthers 4-1, and then Skinner said “not today” and clutched defeat from the jaws of victory.

Allowed 6 goals on 28 shots and didn’t even know where 2 of the goals went in.

Nah, Oilers never deserved to be up 4-1 in the first place. Bob allowed two to three weak ones.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

This space was accidentally created by a user who forgot what thread he was in.

Apologies.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Nah, Oilers never deserved to be up 4-1 in the first place. Bob allowed two to three weak ones.

I don’t think anything I said was incorrect or suggesting they deserved that lead.

 

[dahrougem2]

Yes he was Florida's #1 and he is in Seattle

No, he wasn't Florida's #1.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Yes he was Florida's #1 and he is in Seattle

Lmao no he wasn't... It was Forsling and it still is.

 

[Alienblood]

Lmao no he wasn't... It was Forsling and it still is.

That would be Ekblad. lol Forsling doesn't.even play the pp

 

[Alienblood]

No, he wasn't Florida's #1.

Well he lead them in icetime his last 2 years there and was there best dman which he paralayed into a.big new contract.

To be a #1 you have to at least be able to play the pp wouldn't you say ?

 

[Pokecheque]

@Pokecheque your guy is in very high demand

Why is he my guy? I certainly don’t pour on the hate on him that I do other players. I didn’t like the bullshit he pulled a few games ago but it’s obvious why a guy like that is in demand. When you’re that big, physical, AND can skate it’s a combination most teams would go for.

That would be Ekblad. lol Forsling doesn't.even play the pp

Doesn’t matter, a team’s #1 guy doesn’t always man the power play. Slavin only plays sparingly on the man advantage if that.

And no, Ekblad is not their best defenseman.

 

[PAZ]

There's a difference between wanting to be a teams 1D and wanting to be the teams offensive cog. Being a 2/3 3D like Montour could potentially be in the cards. If he wants to be a 1D than he's going to have to make some major strides in his game. Because he's stratospheres behind someone like Hughes.

I agree, like I said earlier I think he just wants an opportunity or at least a path where he can develop into that. It wasn't too long ago Hughes was considered a joke in his own end. Byram actually has the ability to play solid defense when he wants to.

 

[dahrougem2]

Well he lead them in icetime his last 2 years there and was there best dman which he paralayed into a.big new contract.

To be a #1 you have to at least be able to play the pp wouldn't you say ?

No, you don't. Several teams have #1 defenseman who do not play on the top PP unit.

 

[The Abusement Park]

I agree, like I said earlier I think he just wants an opportunity or at least a path where he can develop into that. It wasn't too long ago Hughes was considered a joke in his own end. Byram actually has the ability to play solid defense when he wants to.

I get he wants a chance, but he needs to earn a chance with his actual play. Not his potential or draft position.

By the time Hughes was 22 he'd already won a Calder and had a top 10 Norris finish. He was essentially elite(or close enough to it) offensively the second he hit NHL ice and he's shown tons of improvement defensively year over year. I get why everyone loves Bo, but there's just no comparison for him and Hughes right now.

 

[Alienblood]

No, you don't. Several teams have #1 defenseman who do not play on the top PP unit.

Then.that isn't considered a.#1.
A #1 does it all

 

[Pokecheque]

Then.that isn't considered a.#1.
A #1 does it all

No they don’t. Not in every case.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Well guys no point in arguing it.... I guess Quinn Hughes isn't a #1D, he doesn't play the PK. I guess Jacob Slavin and Gus Forsling aren't #1s since they don't play the PP, and I guess Dougie Hamilton isn't a #1 since he also doesn't play the PK.



Today we all found out there's about 5 #1D in the NHL



Some of the dumbest f***ing takes you'll ever see.

 

[Pokecheque]

If the Avs had at least ONE defenseman who was aces at killing penalties I guarantee you Makar wouldn’t be out there on any PK units.