Around the League '16-'17 351 Poster Games Lost to Injury Edition

[KINGS17]

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7962031/ScreenCaptureProject16.0.mp4

The clock has got to be ticking for Lindy Ruff in Dallas.

 

[KingsFan7824]

How is that goal Ruff's fault?

The Stars have had some bad injury luck this year, but if anyone needs a few questions asked about them, it's their GM. He had a goalie with a $6m cap hit, then signed another goalie for $4.5m. Then didn't/couldn't make the defensive group better, while losing two of their better defensemen. This year, because of the injuries, they can't outscore their problems.

Ruff's more free wheeling system doesn't lend itself to closing the ranks when/if needed, but neither does the roster.

 

[KINGS17]

How is that goal Ruff's fault?

The Stars have had some bad injury luck this year, but if anyone needs a few questions asked about them, it's their GM. He had a goalie with a $6m cap hit, then signed another goalie for $4.5m. Then didn't/couldn't make the defensive group better, while losing two of their better defensemen. This year, because of the injuries, they can't outscore their problems.

Ruff's more free wheeling system doesn't lend itself to closing the ranks when/if needed, but neither does the roster.

I didn't say the goal is Ruff's fault. You think a GM only on the job for a few years is going to take the fall?

The own goal is a mishap representative of the Stars futility this season. This is a team which should be ahead of the Kings in the standings, but just can't put it together. If Ruff's system doesn't lend itself to closing the ranks, maybe it's time for a new system?

 

[YP44]

Pierre Le Brun on the radio today saying that the Pens and Stars are in 'preliminary' talks regarding Fleury. Not that it is a shock, Pens have to move him and why not do it now and get something. Also, Stars need a goalie and Fleury absolutely needs a fresh start, and in the other conference would be better for him.
But the key word being 'preliminary'.

makes more sense before the draft and after the season IMO.
I can see the pens taking on a goalie with full intention of buy out. If they cannot deal Fleury it is likely the buy him out and one of Dallas's could save them $$ on a buy out.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Stars as assembled are faulty as hell. They should be a bubble team on offensive force alone but their defense and goaltending is worse than a joke so their offensive injuries exposed how poorly put together that team is. Nill seemed to want an up-tempo offensive game so I want to praise him for that and he's got good skaters and puck movers all over but he's like what would happen if you put an HF advanced-stats-only dude in charge of a team. Hey, we've got good offensive guys on the back end and replacement level goaltending, lets get a bunch of offensive forwards with no defensive awareness too!

 

[AlphaBravo]

The Stars as assembled are faulty as hell. They should be a bubble team on offensive force alone but their defense and goaltending is worse than a joke so their offensive injuries exposed how poorly put together that team is. Nill seemed to want an up-tempo offensive game so I want to praise him for that and he's got good skaters and puck movers all over but he's like what would happen if you put an HF advanced-stats-only dude in charge of a team. Hey, we've got good offensive guys on the back end and replacement level goaltending, lets get a bunch of offensive forwards with no defensive awareness too!

Claude Julien or Hitchcock would do wonders for that squad. They have so much talent. With strong structure, they can improve their defense. Getting Fluery or Bishop would be huge, but they will have to find takers for Niemi or Lethenon.

 

[kingsfan28]

The Stars as assembled are faulty as hell. They should be a bubble team on offensive force alone but their defense and goaltending is worse than a joke so their offensive injuries exposed how poorly put together that team is. Nill seemed to want an up-tempo offensive game so I want to praise him for that and he's got good skaters and puck movers all over but he's like what would happen if you put an HF advanced-stats-only dude in charge of a team. Hey, we've got good offensive guys on the back end and replacement level goaltending, lets get a bunch of offensive forwards with no defensive awareness too!

This is how I see Arizona and their new GM. I expect in the future they have scorers galore, yet weak on defenseman who can play defense.

 

[Scottkmlps]

RIP Mike Ilitch.

 

[KingsFan7824]

I didn't say the goal is Ruff's fault. You think a GM only on the job for a few years is going to take the fall?

Not a chance, but he is the one that made the moves, especially Niemi. They're somehow wasting around $5m in cap space on a backup goalie, whichever one of the two is the backup. That's the equivalent of another defenseman that would play every game.

The own goal is a mishap representative of the Stars futility this season. This is a team which should be ahead of the Kings in the standings, but just can't put it together. If Ruff's system doesn't lend itself to closing the ranks, maybe it's time for a new system?

Regulation records:
Stars, 19-24-12, 50pts in 55 games
Kings, 17-23-15, 49pts in 55 games

The Kings have 10 wins at 3v3, the Stars have 2, and the Kings are 8 points up on the Stars in the actual standings, so OT is basically the difference between the two teams.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Former Kings prospect center Jordan Weal was called up yesterday and will skate on the left side this morning on a line with Couturier and Voracek. Flyers-Sharks game starts at 10 am on the NHL Network.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Former Kings prospect center Jordan Weal was called up yesterday and will skate on the left side this morning on a line with Couturier and Voracek. Flyers-Sharks game starts at 10 am on the NHL Network.

Crud I was out and about and missed this. How did he do?

 

[kovacro]

RIP Mike Ilitch.

One of the best owners in pro sports. Certainly helped right the Red Wings ship when he took over the franchise.

 

[kingsfan28]

The Caps are just a scoring machine. Put up a 6 spot on the Ducks in a 6-4 win.That's what, 12 straight with 5 or more goals?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

The Caps are just a scoring machine. Put up a 6 spot on the Ducks in a 6-4 win.That's what, 12 straight with 5 or more goals?

They're absolutely crushing it.

We keep getting teams at good times for them it seems, haha, but at least this time they took some turns helping us.

Philly beat SJ in OT
Florida 7 Nashville 4
TBL 4 WPG 1
Chicago 5 Edmonton 1

Got some help tonight

 

[Herby]

Can't wait to see what happens in the final stretch of the season, in particular if the 2-3-4 battle in the Metro stays this close.

It's going to be way more optimal to finish 4th in the Metro (#1 WC) than it is to finish 3rd in the Metro.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It's sort of like the old Pacific, everyone is just glad those guys have to take each other out by attrition

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Crud I was out and about and missed this. How did he do?

I only got to see parts of the game, but yeah, Weal did well. No points but he was a big part of the shift where the Flyers scored their regulation goal. Dee would probably be able to tell you more.

 

[kingsfan28]

Can't wait to see what happens in the final stretch of the season, in particular if the 2-3-4 battle in the Metro stays this close.

It's going to be way more optimal to finish 4th in the Metro (#1 WC) than it is to finish 3rd in the Metro.

There will be a wild card team with over 100 points.

 

[TonySCV]

Lol

 

[ru4reals]

Lol

That is pretty funny!

This one's probably been posted a hundred times but it always gets me.

 

[deeshamrock]

I only got to see parts of the game, but yeah, Weal did well. No points but he was a big part of the shift where the Flyers scored their regulation goal. Dee would probably be able to tell you more.

Weal had a very good game and IMO can be attributed to him playing in 43 games this year when he was called up, rather than sitting around alot last year. He had 4 shots, played a strong 2 way game and was very good on the PP. He is very confident in his game and is showed, his was making good quick plays, not overthinking. A part of that is how good he is defensively, strong on the puck in his own end and confident in skating it out. He was on a line with Cooter and Voracek and they combined for 10 of the FLyers 35 SOG's and he was an active part of that.

This is his thoughts post game (from CSN Philly) and is exactly what I saw and good moving forward for him, the trio looked veyr comfortable and meshed well.

“We were making plays down low and working the cycle really well,†Weal said. “I thought the biggest thing was we didn’t spend any time in the D zone. We were breaking out well and backchecking hard and creating turnovers and going the other way. When we do that as a team, I think we’ll have a lot of success.â€

He should have been up here all year, instead of Chris Vandevelde, who I am not a fan of. Weal has speed and skill and hopefully can show the FLyers over the next month or so, just how much he should be here. What he's needed and hopefully now will get is regular shifts, every night in the NHL. He's better suited for the NHL and now can show that.

 

[deeshamrock]

https://twitter.com/ChadGraff/status/830882835879849984


Nyquist has in person hearing, 6 games plus. They should throw the book at Nyquist, as viscous of a high stick as you'll ever see. GIF , if you didn't see it yet, the slow mo is tough to watch.

Spurgeon is lucky, he could have lost an eye.

 

[YP44]

https://twitter.com/ChadGraff/status/830882835879849984


Nyquist has in person hearing, 6 games plus. They should throw the book at Nyquist, as viscous of a high stick as you'll ever see. GIF , if you didn't see it yet, the slow mo is tough to watch.

Spurgeon is lucky, he could have lost an eye.

ya it was very bad.
I haven't seen anything on Spurgeon's face, was it pretty messed up? As we all know the league suspends based on injury not the action more often then not. I am hoping for 10 games but am guessing it will be 6.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

rip mike ilitch.

 

[PJ Kings Hockey]

Weal had a very good game and IMO can be attributed to him playing in 43 games this year when he was called up, rather than sitting around alot last year. He had 4 shots, played a strong 2 way game and was very good on the PP. He is very confident in his game and is showed, his was making good quick plays, not overthinking. A part of that is how good he is defensively, strong on the puck in his own end and confident in skating it out. He was on a line with Cooter and Voracek and they combined for 10 of the FLyers 35 SOG's and he was an active part of that.

This is his thoughts post game (from CSN Philly) and is exactly what I saw and good moving forward for him, the trio looked veyr comfortable and meshed well.




He should have been up here all year, instead of Chris Vandevelde, who I am not a fan of. Weal has speed and skill and hopefully can show the FLyers over the next month or so, just how much he should be here. What he's needed and hopefully now will get is regular shifts, every night in the NHL. He's better suited for the NHL and now can show that.

Thanks, Dee. It's hard not to pull for Weal. I'm glad to see him on an East Coast team and to have a chance to skate in the Top 6. Doesn't hurt to have seen a lot of game action in the AHL. This is his chance. I hope he sticks.