Around the League '16-'17 Part Why Is This Still Going

[deeshamrock]

Not a bad first showing for the Oilers. Lucic practically ran through the handshake line. What a *****. I like the Preds chances, should be a good series.

He usually does that at least he didn't threatened to kill anyone, like he did to Dale Weiss in the handshake line in 2014 after the Habs eliminated the Bruins.

As for his post season performance, been there before:

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...to-be-intimidated-by-villainous-boston-bruins

At game’s end, Bruins forward Milan Lucic removed any doubt that he’s a thug masquerading as a hockey player. His vocal, strong-arm bid to intimidate Canadiens forward Dale Weise and defenceman Alexei Emelin was as weak as Lucic’s performance on the ice during the series; he scored once, into an empty Montreal net, and had two assists. In Game 7, he didn’t have a single shot on goal.

His hollow work didn’t stop him from beating his chest like King Kong after hitting the Habs’ vacant net in Game 2, or from showboating with a biceps pump in the direction of P.K. Subban during Game 5.

 

[The Tikkanen]

I don't think the era matters when we are discussing sustained performance.

By the time Howe was 40 years of age the NHL was much more wide open to be sure, but at 40 years of age his performance was on par with his performance when he was 23 years old.

Jagr is also a freak, but even he doesn't come close to Howe.

If you look at the pictures from the old days Howe and Hull were both pumping iron. I seriously doubt a lot of guys were doing anything gym related in that era and they smoked and drank like everybody else back then. I think the issue with Lucic is he signed with a fast team. At times he looks out of place, he would not have looked out of place ever in Sutter's system playing on Kopitar's wing. If you want to look to why Kopitar's numbers dipped you can look at his wingers-easily the worst collection of hot garbage Kopitar has ever had on either side of him. Lead foot Dwight King was #1 LW, Hands Of Stone Trevor Lewis was #1LW, Cuba Gaborik Jr, Best Shape Of His Life Brown, the list goes on and on. If you want to blame somebody for Kopitar's falloff look no further than Dean Lombardi and his horrendous summer by way of Teddy Purcell.

 

[Omni Owl]

he usually does that at least he didn't threatened to kill anyone, like he did to dale weiss in the handshake line in 2014 after the habs eliminated the bruins.

As for his post season performance, been there before:

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports...to-be-intimidated-by-villainous-boston-bruins

t r a s h

Always hated that Lucic trade and always will.

 

[KINGS17]

If you look at the pictures from the old days Howe and Hull were both pumping iron. I seriously doubt a lot of guys were doing anything gym related in that era and they smoked and drank like everybody else back then. I think the issue with Lucic is he signed with a fast team. At times he looks out of place, he would not have looked out of place ever in Sutter's system playing on Kopitar's wing. If you want to look to why Kopitar's numbers dipped you can look at his wingers-easily the worst collection of hot garbage Kopitar has ever had on either side of him. Lead foot Dwight King was #1 LW, Hands Of Stone Trevor Lewis was #1LW, Cuba Gaborik Jr, Best Shape Of His Life Brown, the list goes on and on. If you want to blame somebody for Kopitar's falloff look no further than Dean Lombardi and his horrendous summer by way of Teddy Purcell.

Kopitar also had times when he played with Toffoli. Frankly, for the kind of money Kopitar is getting, I don't want to hear about his wingers. Gretzky produced in LA when he played with McSorely and Jay Miller on his wings. Kopitar's cap hit precludes him getting any grade A, proven help on his wing.

Also anyone who watched Kopitar play last season can see he doesn't take the puck to the dangerous scoring areas with enough frequency to be effective, and he had definitely lost a step. Maybe he can get that step back and change his mindset to be more aggressive in the offensive zone, but I am not holding my breath.

You say Hull and Howe were pumping iron in an era where most guys were not. That may be true. I guess Kopitar had better get busy finding his own training program to get an edge over the current competition. I'm not interested in any excuses regarding his performance.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Thank goodness the Caps lost. Don't have to hear how overrated Williams is anymore.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Thank goodness the Caps lost. Don't have to hear how overrated Williams is anymore.

Could say the same thing about Lucic and his supposed playoff experience. Didn't help the Kings last season, and he was constantly making stupid decisions on the ice that led to goals or elongated shifts in his own end of the ice. It's amazing how overrated he is.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Disagree. I thought Marner, Matthews, Nylander and Hyman were very good for the Leafs

I'm talking about the Oilers.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Could say the same thing about Lucic and his supposed playoff experience. Didn't help the Kings last season, and he was constantly making stupid decisions on the ice that led to goals or elongated shifts in his own end of the ice. It's amazing how overrated he is.

He is overrated by a lot of people but it was so tiring hearing how Williams was so great making ordinary plays. Every little thing he did was the greatest play in the world and the Kings miss him sooo much. I wouldn't even call him the most clutch player on the Kings when he was here. That was Quick in my opinion. People tend to forget he's also perfect in game 7's. 5-0 is it?

 

[KINGS17]

He is overrated by a lot of people but it was so tiring hearing how Williams was so great making ordinary plays. Every little thing he did was the greatest play in the world and the Kings miss him sooo much. I wouldn't even call him the most clutch player on the Kings when he was here. That was Quick in my opinion. People tend to forget he's also perfect in game 7's. 5-0 is it?

Jonathan Quick is 4-0 in Game 7's. Defeated San Jose in 2013, San Jose again in 2014, and Anaheim and Chicago also in 2014.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

He is overrated by a lot of people but it was so tiring hearing how Williams was so great making ordinary plays. Every little thing he did was the greatest play in the world and the Kings miss him sooo much. I wouldn't even call him the most clutch player on the Kings when he was here. That was Quick in my opinion. People tend to forget he's also perfect in game 7's. 5-0 is it?

Williams was the perfect winger for Kopitar and was always in the right place at the right time when needed.

He slowed down considerably by 2014-15, but let's not downplay his contributions to the team. He really was a big time performer, though you could also say the same about Gaborik as well, and look at him now.

 

[tny760]

I don't disagree but at the same time you can't put yourself in that position. If you put the game in the hands of the stripes it's not likely to turn out well for you.

yep. i'd say i haven't seen a more pathetic showing in the 2nd period of an elimination game in a long time but we saw the caps do exactly that a couple hours earlier

Jonathan Quick is 4-0 in Game 7's. Defeated San Jose in 2013, San Jose again in 2014, and Anaheim and Chicago also in 2014.

b-b-bb-but system goalie! he can't be individually great!

 

[Little Psycho]

Could say the same thing about Lucic and his supposed playoff experience. Didn't help the Kings last season, and he was constantly making stupid decisions on the ice that led to goals or elongated shifts in his own end of the ice. It's amazing how overrated he is.

That was a bullet we dodged.

 

[Little Psycho]

I continue to laugh at the Holtby fan boys who hated on Quick.

 

[tny760]

I continue to laugh at the Holtby fan boys who hated on Quick.

that hornqvist goal.. holtby singlehandedly broke the caps back with that one

opportunity to cover the puck but he slides it over to continue play even though there's no transition threat, then lets that softie in immediately

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Williams was the perfect winger for Kopitar and was always in the right place at the right time when needed.

He slowed down considerably by 2014-15, but let's not downplay his contributions to the team. He really was a big time performer, though you could also say the same about Gaborik as well, and look at him now.

I'm not downplaying on contributions to the team, he won a Conn Smythe after all, but the last 2 seasons people made him out to be the greatest player in the world. He's in front of the net looking for a rebound and it's how determined he is and how he wants to win so badly and this and that and how he'll single handedly will the Caps to a game 7 win.

 

[deeshamrock]

He is overrated by a lot of people but it was so tiring hearing how Williams was so great making ordinary plays. Every little thing he did was the greatest play in the world and the Kings miss him sooo much. I wouldn't even call him the most clutch player on the Kings when he was here. That was Quick in my opinion. People tend to forget he's also perfect in game 7's. 5-0 is it?

Williams and Mike Richards, at 7- 0 in game 7's were the only 2 athletes in pro sports history to boast that.

Now JW is 7-1

 

[Little Psycho]

that hornqvist goal.. holtby singlehandedly broke the caps back with that one

opportunity to cover the puck but he slides it over to continue play even though there's no transition threat, then lets that softie in immediately

But he has a great regular reason resume!

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I continue to laugh at the Holtby fan boys who hated on Quick.

Like those Sabres fans who thought Miller was better than Quick, and Devils fans who thought Schneider was better than Quick, and Lightning fans who thought Bishop was better than Quick.

Goes to show you what the HF experts know.

 

[deeshamrock]

Hawks sign Richard Panik, 2 yrs at 2.8M per

As predicted by the media earlier this week

Buffalo Sabres‏Verified account @BuffaloSabres 3h3 hours ago

IT'S OFFICIAL! Jason Botterill has been named General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres.

 

[kovacro]

Jason Botterill is the new GM for the Sabres



The Buffalo Sabres have brought on Jason Botterill to serve as the team's new general manager.
Botterill has spent the last 10 seasons as part of the Pittsburgh Penguins' organization and was part of their Stanley Cup championships in 2009 and 2016. He originally joined the Penguins as their director of hockey administrations, but became an assistant general manager in 2009 and an associate general manager in 2014. He was also previously a scout with the Dallas Stars and is a former hockey player, having appeared in 88 NHL games, including 36 with Buffalo. "We are very happy to welcome Jason Botterill to the Buffalo Sabres family," Sabres owner Terry Pegula said. "Jason’s hockey knowledge, experience drafting and developing players, and his approach to management stood out to us during our interview process. Jason has built a solid reputation as a leader that connects strongly with players and staff around him. We are confident he will have a positive impact within our organization and will help us get to our ultimate goal."

Source: Sabres Digital Press Box

I imagine Rick Tocchet will not be far behind.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I'm not downplaying on contributions to the team, he won a Conn Smythe after all, but the last 2 seasons people made him out to be the greatest player in the world. He's in front of the net looking for a rebound and it's how determined he is and how he wants to win so badly and this and that and how he'll single handedly will the Caps to a game 7 win.

Eh, he got his due praise for his experience in high pressure situations. I'd say the majority of players on that roster deserve the criticism of being overrated well before him.

 

[WHOneedsSOX]

Williams and Mike Richards, at 7- 0 in game 7's were the only 2 athletes in pro sports history to boast that.

Now JW is 7-1

Brad Richards is 8-0 I think.

 

[Omni Owl]

In hindsight, it would've been wiser to keep Williams instead of trading for Lucic, even if he was slowing down. At least he doesn't make boneheaded plays that hurt the team due to a short temper. Also, leadership skillz.

 

[tny760]

Eh, he got his due praise for his experience in high pressure situations. I'd say the majority of players on that roster deserve the criticism of being overrated well before him.

yeah at least he showed up with some energy in that game 7. can't say as much for damn near the entire roster..

 

[KINGS17]

that hornqvist goal.. holtby singlehandedly broke the caps back with that one

opportunity to cover the puck but he slides it over to continue play even though there's no transition threat, then lets that softie in immediately

Honestly, I think the back-to-back weak backhand attempts by Shattenkirk and then Ovechkin to clear the zone leading to the second Pittsburgh goal was the back breaker.

The NBC crew pointed it out, and I think they are correct.