Around the League '15-'16--Is it Summer Yet? Edition

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Yep, the writing was on the wall before the playoffs even began. This team got way too arrogant and overconfident in their ability to "flip a switch." That **** doesn't work when your opponents are playing like they have something to prove.

The flip a switch BS needs to be forever buried, both for individual players and the team in general.

I don't think many people here, and certainly not in the national media realize what a shell of their cup teams this years Kings squad was.
 
My most hated matchup would've been Ducks vs. Rangers.

Agree with ADifferentTim, Sharks and Penguins both played the best hockey from their respective conferences. There was no doubt that they were the best teams to come out of the West/East.

And funny enough, the two worst looking teams during these playoffs were the Kings and Rangers. They both looked like slow, offensively inept teams who couldn't keep up against faster and more skilled competition, and that's why they were so easily disposed of by the two teams who will be playing for the Cup.

I'm more upset with the Kings' and their "don't give a ****" level of performance than I am with the Sharks being in the Cup Final.

Especially once they clinched a playoff spot. They carried that attitude, starting with Sutter, all the way through the playoffs. Once the train came off the tracks, they were done. Dwight King on the top line during an elimination game, yep that will work.

Yep, the writing was on the wall before the playoffs even began. This team got way too arrogant and overconfident in their ability to "flip a switch." That **** doesn't work when your opponents are playing like they have something to prove.

Its because we set our goal to make the playoffs and just that. I remember specifically in 2012 when the talk on tv and the radio was that the goal was to win the Cup. It was refreshing to hear that and it was more serious than just a mention. After we missed in 2015, our goal suddenly changed from winning the Cup to making the playoffs (because we thought we could repeat 2012). Once we hit our goal we stopped playing. It was frustrating.
 
Its because we set our goal to make the playoffs and just that. I remember specifically in 2012 when the talk on tv and the radio was that the goal was to win the Cup. It was refreshing to hear that and it was more serious than just a mention. After we missed in 2015, our goal suddenly changed from winning the Cup to making the playoffs (because we thought we could repeat 2012). Once we hit our goal we stopped playing. It was frustrating.

They lost a 12 point division lead from early January or whatever it was. They gave up leads too many times during the entire season, which was also a problem last year. They couldn't keep up with Arizona in most games against them. They had no answer on home ice against the Sharks in all 5 games played in LA. Last year, they lost too many OT games considering their CF% numbers at 5v5. This year, they probably won too many considering their CF% numbers at 5v5. Those games should be ending in regulation.

They didn't stop playing. In the last 2 years, they just haven't had enough guys get the job done in those key moments during a game. Quick hasn't come up with that one extra save to keep it 2-2, instead of down 3-2. Nobody has been able to score that one extra goal to make it 3-2, instead of tied 2-2. Gaborik had a good year last year, but Kopitar had a career worst year. Gaborik was off and on then injured this year, but Kopitar came back to life. No defenseman, young or old, has made enough plays to replace Voynov.
 
Why so much dislike for the Pens?

Malkin is a cheapshotting coward. Letang is about the same. Kunitz. It's an entire team of dudes with petulant attitudes and cowardly actions, especially when they know they won't have to back it up.

Love Crosby, always did dig Hornqvist, think what the coach has done is magnificent, and Matt Cullen is great. Other than that, they can get bent.
 
Malkin is a cheapshotting coward. Letang is about the same. Kunitz. It's an entire team of dudes with petulant attitudes and cowardly actions, especially when they know they won't have to back it up.

Love Crosby, always did dig Hornqvist, think what the coach has done is magnificent, and Matt Cullen is great. Other than that, they can get bent.

All very true, but I just can't root for the Sharks. Pick your poison at this point ugh.
 
If he's allowed to play there, you know he's going to try and get reinstatement into the NHL also.

would he not still face deportation? How can he play in the US? I am guessing he thinks he can play because it is not on US soil.

If he reinstated I would love it as I would hope he is traded. As much as LA could use him I don't want him wearing a kings uniform ever again.
 
would he not still face deportation? How can he play in the US? I am guessing he thinks he can play because it is not on US soil.

If he reinstated I would love it as I would hope he is traded. As much as LA could use him I don't want him wearing a kings uniform ever again.

No clue how the legal system works but he'd probably figure a work visa in the US wouldn't be that impossible if he were to get one for Canada for the WC.
 
The loss of Gaborik was huge last year but they meandered through it. Versteeg came in and they looked like world beaters once he was put with Kopitar and Lucic. Then he got hurt and ever since that game--which is when the Kings clinched a spot in the playoffs against Boston--it was all downhill. Toss in Martinez missing time at the end and the reduction in Doughty minutes and you have a blown division "title".

Sure the defense wasn't as good as you'd like to see, but the team had problems scoring once Gaborik went out. Versteeg--surprisingly--seemed to make it all work again but then he went down and Sutter seemed to forget that he played well.

Just saying that I don't think there was as much "switch flipping" belief from the team since they learned that the switch doesn't always flip during the prior year. Kings lacked depth and got hit with injuries to key players. Had to roll the dice because of the cap on a Chicago '15 style defensive strategy and it blew up before Game 1 even started.
 
would he not still face deportation? How can he play in the US? I am guessing he thinks he can play because it is not on US soil.

If he reinstated I would love it as I would hope he is traded. As much as LA could use him I don't want him wearing a kings uniform ever again.

No since he voluntarily left the country he can apply for rentry. And under most cases what he did gives better chances of it happening.
But who knows if it would happen the court system is fickle.
 
No since he voluntarily left the country he can apply for rentry. And under most cases what he did gives better chances of it happening.
But who knows if it would happen the court system is fickle.

Bill Daly says 'Nyet', he won't be allowed to play

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/15764390/nhl-ban-slava-voynov-competing-russia-world-cup-hockey

"We will obviously have to review his status with the Players' Association prior to the start of the tournament in September," Daly said. "It is not my current expectation that this player will be deemed eligible to play in the World Cup of Hockey."
 
Bill Daly says 'Nyet', he won't be allowed to play

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/15764390/nhl-ban-slava-voynov-competing-russia-world-cup-hockey

"We will obviously have to review his status with the Players' Association prior to the start of the tournament in September," Daly said. "It is not my current expectation that this player will be deemed eligible to play in the World Cup of Hockey."
I wasn't commenting on if the league would let him play. Just about him being able to come back into the country.
 
sweden is always very deep. Finland could surprise IMO

The Swedish D looks absolutely ridiculous.

While I don't think the Finns have a good chance at winning the tournament, I think they are always ready to surprise. The team looks pretty deep down the middle now that they finally have that number one C prototype in Barkov (although he's not fully established yet, hence the word prototype).

The preliminary roster D is very young however. Vatanen was born in 1991 while the rest of the four were all born in '94. There is loads of talent but not too much experience. Couple of veteran guys will surely be brought in so we'll see how that goes.

As for the SCF, I kinda feel I have to readjust because of the match up. Was hoping for TBL - STL final but what can you do. I will probably be watching/listening to every game I can and I think there will be some great hockey to be played. I just find it hard to watch hockey without picking sides and this one's pretty tough.

There are quite a few great stories in the making though. I don't like the Pens particularly but it'd be great to see Kessel win it after all the **** he got in Toronto. I like the Sharks even less but I wouldn't mind seeing Thornton and Marleau finally winning it all.

Last year I was rooting for the Hawks to win but only because Timonen had his last crack at the Cup. This time there are really no emotional ties to any of the players or teams.
 
The flip a switch BS needs to be forever buried, both for individual players and the team in general.

I don't think many people here, and certainly not in the national media realize what a shell of their cup teams this years Kings squad was.

Amen. I'll bring the shovel. Goes way beyond the 'tired cliche' zone.
 
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