Around the League '15-'16: New Years Edition

[Trolfoli]

Stoll finally scores a goal for the Wild, and then is woefully out of position defensively on the that Ducks goal.

That brought back awful memories of last season, other teams centers having tap in goals because our centers were so far out of position.

Wait... you mean like that goal Hemsky scored for Dallas? It hasn't stopped.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Wait... you mean like that goal Hemsky scored for Dallas? It hasn't stopped.

It's mostly stopped.

Not gonna prevent all goals that's for sure.

 

[Trolfoli]

It's mostly stopped.

Not gonna prevent all goals that's for sure.

Then there's the problem of the RW that keeps leaving the point guy open because he's face down on the ice.

 

[gnarls barkley]

every year, my friend goes on about how good the Wild look and every year they get into the playoffs and get destroyed by the Hawks

it's like dude, if they were actually a good team they would have done more than just roll over and die 3 years in a row

this is why i hate the "west is so much better" and "central is best division!1!!" narratives, because all of those teams are still just lambs to the slaughter for the real cup contenders. I don't consider the likes of the vaunted central teams really any better than the pacific at all, especially once you get into the playoffs and they all instantly fold when faced with any adversity. At least Sharks/Ducks have managed to struggle bus it out to a 7th game, I believe they have a better shot in the playoffs than the annual dumpster fire that is watching some combination of the Blues/Preds/Wild lose to the Hawks in a miserable 6 or less games yet again.

of course we'll probably play like total trash vs the Wild tonight now that i've said that

 

[YP44]

It's mostly stopped.

Not gonna prevent all goals that's for sure.

it still seems to happen more often to LA than other teams

 

[Sword]

Jiri Sekac traded to the Hawks. In my opinion, he's one of those players with untapped potential. He's currently good at puck possession, but his plays usually lead to nowhere.

 

[Ron*]

Jiri Sekac traded to the Hawks. In my opinion, he's one of those players with untapped potential. He's currently good at puck possession, but his plays usually lead to nowhere.

Yes, he was a savior for the Canadiens, then he was a savior for the Ducks, now he will be a savior for the Blackhawks...soon to be a savior for some other team.

 

[Zero Pucks Given]

Stoll finally scores a goal for the Wild, and then is woefully out of position defensively on the that Ducks goal.

That brought back awful memories of last season, other teams centers having tap in goals because our centers were so far out of position.

Never forget Kesler's OT goal in the last Kings-Ducks game last year. Kopi just standing around and watching him shoot it past Quick.

 

[YP44]

Yes, he was a savior for the Canadiens, then he was a savior for the Ducks, now he will be a savior for the Blackhawks...soon to be a savior for some other team.

Why do I feel like the hawks will actually polish this turd into something useful as they normally do.

 

[KINGS17]

Why do I feel like the hawks will actually polish this turd into something useful as they normally do.

Sekac is the kind of player the Hawks have to hope they can turn into something good, as they cannot afford any real good depth players.

 

[Tecumseh]

Sekac can stick handle well and has above average speed but that's it. Tools but no toolbox. Of course, if he had been traded to anybody but Chicago nobody would give a ****.

 

[Sword]

It has been confirmed that Price won't be back before 3-4 weeks, Habs are done.

 

[YP44]

It has been confirmed that Price won't be back before 3-4 weeks, Habs are done.

the thing is goaltending isn't their problem scoring is. Condon is no Price make no mistake about it, but you should be able to score more than 2 a game

 

[KINGS17]

Sekac can stick handle well and has above average speed but that's it. Tools but no toolbox. Of course, if he had been traded to anybody but Chicago nobody would give a ****.

Exactly. Sekac is discussed because he is going to the Hawks, and if he doesn't perform well the Hawks are in a bit of trouble. The Hawks are going to miss the depth scoring they used to get from players like Saad come playoff time. Teams will focus on Kane over the course of a 7-game series. Kane may still be able to lead the way, but if a team can even slow him down a bit, the Hawks are in trouble.

Saad is having a pretty decent season in Columbus. If he was still in Chicago he probably would be even more productive than the 16 goals and 15 assists he has to date this season. Hawks could no longer afford him though, just like they won't be able to afford Panarin in a couple of seasons.

Panarin is likely going to hit the performance bonuses in his contract as well. Once the Hawks pay for those this year, it eats into their cap for next year. It's an untenable situation in Chicago if the cap doesn't increase dramatically as far as getting quality depth on the roster over the long haul.

 

[YP44]

Exactly. The Hawks are going to miss the depth scoring they used to get from players like Saad come playoff time.

Saad is having a pretty decent season in Columbus. If he was still in Chicago he probably would be even more productive than the 16 goals and 15 assists he has to date this season. Hawks could no longer afford him though, just like they won't be able to afford Panarin in a couple of seasons.

Panarin is likely going to hit the performance bonuses in his contract as well. Once the Hawks pay for those this year, it eats into their cap for next year. It's an untenable situation in Chicago if the cap doesn't increase dramatically as far as getting quality depth on the roster over the long haul.

So sad, guess they will have to wipe their eyes with their stanley cup banners.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

it still seems to happen more often to LA than other teams

...2nd least goals against in the league and you really want to claim our centers leave people wide open in the middle more often than most?

This post is proof of how spoiled we are.

Not only that, it was Nick Shore, the guy who has been statistically the best player in the league at shot suppression all year and sneakily one of the best defensive centers in the league. **** happens sometimes. I think the standards may have to come down a bit around here, there are two teams on the ice every night.

 

[Ron*]

...2nd least goals against in the league and you really want to claim our centers leave people wide open in the middle more often than most?

This post is proof of how spoiled we are.

Not only that, it was Nick Shore, the guy who has been statistically the best player in the league at shot suppression all year and sneakily one of the best defensive centers in the league. **** happens sometimes. I think the standards may have to come down a bit around here, there are two teams on the ice every night.

A couple of real obvious snafus get people's dander up, but you are right, in the whole, we are second in the league, soon to be first.

Can't really complain with that.

 

[kovacro]

Drouin wants it all and wants it now

http://www.tsn.ca/drouin-wants-it-all-and-wants-it-now-1.426423

I don't know if this whole thing is orchestrated by his agent or it really is him being petulant. I understand the desire to play in the NHL but he hasn't done much at all to earn regular time.

Just because the kid was a 3rd overall in 2012 pick doesn't mean he automatically belongs, still have to earn it.

Btw, still boggles the mind that Seth Jones fell to the Preds at no. 4 overall that year.

 

[Ron*]

Drouin wants it all and wants it now

http://www.tsn.ca/drouin-wants-it-all-and-wants-it-now-1.426423

I don't know if this whole thing is orchestrated by his agent or it really is him being petulant. I understand the desire to play in the NHL but he hasn't done much at all to earn regular time.

Just because the kid was a 3rd overall in 2012 pick doesn't mean he automatically belongs, still have to earn it.

Btw, still boggles the mind that Seth Jones fell to the Preds at no. 4 overall that year.

I would point to the obvious as to how some hockey still think in the prehistoric era. That was my thinking as I saw him slipping first from no. 1, to no. 2, to no. 3, and finally to 4th. Just shaking my head. He definitely should have gone no. 1.

 

[KINGS17]

So sad, guess they will have to wipe their eyes with their stanley cup banners.

They have yet to win one with the current salary structure. Only future success in the way of Stanley Cups will justify what Bowman did with the Toews and Kane contracts. We'll see how it goes. I doubt that Kane can carry them on his back every season.

 

[KINGS17]

...2nd least goals against in the league and you really want to claim our centers leave people wide open in the middle more often than most?

This post is proof of how spoiled we are.

Not only that, it was Nick Shore, the guy who has been statistically the best player in the league at shot suppression all year and sneakily one of the best defensive centers in the league. **** happens sometimes. I think the standards may have to come down a bit around here, there are two teams on the ice every night.

Shore is so much more competent in his own zone than the last years of Richards and Stoll that it really isn't even close. Sure he lost Hemsky the other night, but I trust that's a mistake the kid will learn from and correct. The Kings did win the game after all, while allowing only two goals against one of the highest scoring teams in the NHL.

 

[YP44]

...2nd least goals against in the league and you really want to claim our centers leave people wide open in the middle more often than most?

This post is proof of how spoiled we are.

Not only that, it was Nick Shore, the guy who has been statistically the best player in the league at shot suppression all year and sneakily one of the best defensive centers in the league. **** happens sometimes. I think the standards may have to come down a bit around here, there are two teams on the ice every night.

no no no..I was saying it seems like when LA scores the opposing team score the next shift more often then other teams. No comment on our centres as I imagine it is not 1 guys fault but a team issue.
I wish there was a stat for "goals allowed while previous goal was being announced". I don't think LA would look to good there.

 

[Trolfoli]

...2nd least goals against in the league and you really want to claim our centers leave people wide open in the middle more often than most?

This post is proof of how spoiled we are.

Not only that, it was Nick Shore, the guy who has been statistically the best player in the league at shot suppression all year and sneakily one of the best defensive centers in the league. **** happens sometimes. I think the standards may have to come down a bit around here, there are two teams on the ice every night.

Don't worry... it was Shore's first game back since the 5 day break, then getting the next 2 games off. He was just a little rusty.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

no no no..I was saying it seems like when LA scores the opposing team score the next shift more often then other teams. No comment on our centres as I imagine it is not 1 guys fault but a team issue.
I wish there was a stat for "goals allowed while previous goal was being announced". I don't think LA would look to good there.

Ooohhhh gotcha.

To be fair I think we've cut down on that bigtime, that was more a 2014-2015 Kings specialty (and 2013 too).

I would also posit we remember our errors so vividly because they look so damn airtight the rest of the time. I was watching Sens-Sharks the other night and it was like there were always 2-3 easy open passing options all night.

 

[Buddy The Elf]

A couple of real obvious snafus get people's dander up, but you are right, in the whole, we are second in the league, soon to be first.

Can't really complain with that.

I remember a few years ago people were *****ing about Robyn Regehr to which I started reminding people that the Kings were 1st in the league with GA. I swear people find the oddest things to complain about.

Oh and I'd love the person who spent a whole season or two blasting Muzzin to raise his/her hand. I don't remember which poster it was and I know there were a few but there is one in particular that kept saying he was one of the worst defensemen in the league. It might be one of the guys who railed against Regehr as well. It just goes to show you that fans can be incredibly fickle and also don't know or think the game anywhere close to the level of coaches and managers in the professional world. I'm sure it's the equivalent of listening to elementary school students discuss whatever line of work any of us do.