Around the League '15-'16: The Final Countdown

[Nizar]

Referees and linesman for round 1:

Referees:

Francis Charron, Gord Dwyer, Eric Furlatt, Jean Hebert, Dave Jackson, Marc Joannette, Steve Kozari, Frederick L’Ecuyer, Chris Lee, Wes McCauley, Brad Meier, Dan O’Halloran, Dan O’Rourke, Tim Peel, Kevin Pollock, Chris Rooney, Francois St. Laurent, Kelly Sutherland, Ian Walsh, and Brad Watson.

Standby referees are Trevor Hanson and Graham Skilliter.

Linesmen:

Derek Amell, Steve Barton, David Brisebois, Scott Cherrey, Michel Cormier, Greg Devorski, Scott Driscoll, Ryan Galloway, Shane Heyer, Brad Kovachik, Matt MacPherson, Steve Miller, Brian Murphy, Jonny Murray, Derek Nansen, Tim Nowak, Brian Pancich, Pierre Racicot, Jay Sharrers, and Mark Shewchyk.

Standby linesmen for the first round are Trent Knorr and Kiel Murchison.

Referee Tim Peel and Ian Walsh return for the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Linesman Matt MacPherson is also back in the postseason, as is Jonny Murray who missed last year’s playoffs due to injury.

Who’s Missing?

Referees Rob Martell and Greg Kimmerly, along with linesmen Mike Cvik, Brad Lazarowich, and Andy McElman have all hung up their skates.

Brian Pochmara and Justin St. Pierre both suited up for the playoffs last year; both have been left off the postseason roster. Other full-time referees who missed the cut include Ghislain Hebert, Tom Kowal, Mike Leggo, TJ Luxmore, Dean Morton, and Kyle Rehman.

No Mike You Can't Do That Leggo? Tim Peel and Chris Lee should be let go a long time ago.

 

[Nizar]

yeah, Schwartz was like the only other guy I had tabbed to have a big series, especially considering how well he's played since returning

still don't believe that's enough, we've all seen the same damn story with this Hitchcock led Blues squad year in and year out - they can't win the mid-late games in a series to save their lives. Something fundamental has to change or an enormous individual performance has to happen for them to make it past the Hawks, who excel at closing out series.

Maybe Stastny will wake up?

 

[theMajor]

yeah, Schwartz was like the only other guy I had tabbed to have a big series, especially considering how well he's played since returning

still don't believe that's enough, we've all seen the same damn story with this Hitchcock led Blues squad year in and year out - they can't win the mid-late games in a series to save their lives. Something fundamental has to change or an enormous individual performance has to happen for them to make it past the Hawks, who excel at closing out series.

this Hawks team aint the same. theyve looked tired all year and their 5v5 numbers show it. I know the typical knock against St Louis is that they are a regular season team and choke in the playoffs but my gut tells me this year is different. the Hawks have played too much hockey over the last 3 years and its caught up to them...look at how many players have been struggling/injured on their roster this year. its a perfect storm for a Blues series win

 

[Little Psycho]

Read an article yesterday that Boudreau used the Kings cup wins and defense first system for his team to get them motivated and prepared in Decemeber. Like no ****.

 

[tsanuri]

yup, how many coaches do they have to go through in Ottawa?

If St. Louis and Hitchcock move on (he's in the last year of his contract) I would love to see him go to Ottawa. Karlsson playing under a Hitchcock system would be awesome.

Everyone should know the correct answer would be loving to see him play under Terry Murray.

 

[TonySCV]

Here is who is calling what - keep in mind that the local markets will also carry round 1 broadcasts and will black out the NBC feeds, so folks in LA will get Nick Nickson and Jim Fox doing the games on FSN. Only out of market Kings fans will get Randy Hahn, for example.

 

[YP44]

Here is who is calling what - keep in mind that the local markets will also carry round 1 broadcasts and will black out the NBC feeds, so folks in LA will get Nick Nickson and Jim Fox doing the games on FSN. Only out of market Kings fans will get Randy Hahn, for example.

Cuthbert and all the TSN leftovers (miller) got the **** series.

 

[TonySCV]

Cuthbert and all the TSN leftovers (miller) got the **** series.

Sad because they are one of the best duos. I'd take Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro calling a Kings game ANY day.

 

[YP44]

Sad because they are one of the best duos. I'd take Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro calling a Kings game ANY day.

agreed. Miller and Cutherbert with Ferraro I really like.

 

[The Night King]

[Tweet]719989287123611648[/MEDIA]

Guess no one had the heart to tell Lombardi that Erik The Great had 82 points. Smh

 

[kingsholygrail]

Bobby Orr was really the first "points first" dman. Paul Coffey was just the next one.

 

[Minor Boarding]

Sad because they are one of the best duos. I'd take Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro calling a Kings game ANY day.

I like Gord & Ray and Cutherbert is great as long as he doesn't do Canucks games...

If we make it to the 2nd round I need to buy some good pills for my ears/brain. Listening to Eddie, Pierre, Foley would make a deaf person hold hands over their ears...
Praying for Forslund, Miller or Hahn in the 2nd round...

 

[gnarls barkley]

this Hawks team aint the same. theyve looked tired all year and their 5v5 numbers show it. I know the typical knock against St Louis is that they are a regular season team and choke in the playoffs but my gut tells me this year is different. the Hawks have played too much hockey over the last 3 years and its caught up to them...look at how many players have been struggling/injured on their roster this year. its a perfect storm for a Blues series win

you're right - they aren't the same, they've been carried by Kane's line (regardless of what the Hawks homers will tell you) and Crawford all damn year. Possession is down quite a bit from previous years, and Toews/Hossa are nowhere near their former selves this season so far, which is a big deal.

X-factor in the series that not many folks are talking about though is the goalies.

Crawford is good enough to win a series himself contrary to popular belief, but he's coming back from injury - and as for the Blues, Elliot still hasn't shown he can get it done in the playoffs, and Allen is injured. Lot of question marks all the way around.

I still say the Hawks are better coached and are mentally stronger, even if they're a weaker roster on paper compared to previous years. As per usual, series will be pretty much decided by games 4 and 5 (if it gets there, can't imagine it doesn't).

 

[Scottkmlps]

Here is who is calling what - keep in mind that the local markets will also carry round 1 broadcasts and will black out the NBC feeds, so folks in LA will get Nick Nickson and Jim Fox doing the games on FSN. Only out of market Kings fans will get Randy Hahn, for example.

Thank god CBC is broadcasting the Kings/Sharks series in Canada. Won't have to listen to Hahn & Baker slobber all over the Sharks.

 

[TwzKing]

Thank god CBC is broadcasting the Kings/Sharks series in Canada. Won't have to listen to Hahn & Baker slobber all over the Sharks.

I will argue this, Hahn is one of the best in the business. I prefer listening to his broadcast over the kings. He is also extremely fair.

 

[YP44]

[Tweet]719989287123611648[/MEDIA]

Guess no one had the heart to tell Lombardi that Erik The Great had 82 points. Smh

the obvious response is to ask Lombardi if he felt Drew should have won last year despite LA not being the playoffs and ottawa being in.

Last year I felt that being in the playoffs should have zero to do with it as that is a team achievement and this is an individual award. I feel no different this year. I still think Drew is the best all around d-man in the league.

 

[YP44]

What are everyone's thoughts on the Kadri/Reilly contract extensions? They seem down right reasonable to me.

 

[mrkolice]

what do you think about tampa - detroit series? analysts & bookies are giving tampa as clear favourite, but imo detroit can win this one.

 

[YP44]

what do you think about tampa - detroit series? analysts & bookies are giving tampa as clear favourite, but imo detroit can win this one.

I think it will be a coin flip. Will come down to how healthy Tampa can stay. Johnson is likley banged up as is callahan and Headman. Stamkos and Stallman are out.

Tampa has the better goalie but with their injuries I think it is anybody's guess.

 

[mrkolice]

yea, basically that was my line of reasoning. still puzzled though, pinnaclesports is giving:
- Red Wings 2.300
- Lightning 1.684

i'll do some homework for this one, plus for predators vs ducks, imo this is a coin flip as well.

 

[YP44]

yea, basically that was my line of reasoning. still puzzled though, pinnaclesports is giving:
- Red Wings 2.300
- Lightning 1.684

i'll do some homework for this one, plus for predators vs ducks, imo this is a coin flip as well.

I think lots of coin flips in round 1.
Chicago vs St. Louis
NYR vs Pens
Tampa vs Detorit
LA vs San Jose

Lots of good potential. I think the islander panthers could be close too

 

[Scottkmlps]

I think lots of coin flips in round 1.
Chicago vs St. Louis
NYR vs Pens
Tampa vs Detorit
LA vs San Jose

Lots of good potential. I think the islander panthers could be close too

Not with Greiss as the Isles #1.

 

[YP44]

Not with Greiss as the Isles #1.

that why I didn't list it as a coine flip. Missin Lee will hurt too.

That said Mitchell it out, and other than luongo and jagr there is not a lot of playoff experience there unless you think you can lean on Hudler. Plus Jagr's playoff experience has not been good since the mid 90's and Luongo has had a checkered playoff career in Vancouver.

than again how much experience do you need when playing the Islanders who have not won a series in what 20 years themselves.

 

[TonySCV]

Any team that's still deciding which goalie is their #1 should be automatically an underdog. Those teams do not win Cups.

 

[YP44]

Any team that's still deciding which goalie is their #1 should be automatically an underdog. Those teams do not win Cups.

you mean detroit?
cause Islanders have Halak as their #1 but he's injured, so no decision,