Around the League 20-21 Thread: Playoffs Edition

[KingsFan7824]

I have no problem with that...the problem was Blake's plan to do a rebuild in 3 years and make the playoffs in 21-22. Rebuilds take much longer than 3 years as the Colorado example shows.

So if the right move turns out to be not going nuts this summer, and avoid staying true to some word said years ago, would that be good or bad for Blake to do? If going nuts this summer ends up shooting himself in the foot, should he do so, just to stick to getting back to the dance in 21-22? Or should he have some wiggle room? Or are things set in stone? They must make the playoffs next year?

 

[KingsFan7824]

I just don't know how to have a conversation with someone who believes the GM of the team can lie directly to the players, fans, and sponsors. Especially about something that can be so easily shown to be a lie within the next 3 months. What does Blake tell everyone in October when the team has made zero improvements to the roster??

Is it lying?

 

[tomd]

So if the right move turns out to be not going nuts this summer, and avoid staying true to some word said years ago, would that be good or bad for Blake to do? If going nuts this summer ends up shooting himself in the foot, should he do so, just to stick to getting back to the dance in 21-22? Or should he have some wiggle room? Or are things set in stone? They must make the playoffs next year?

Two different issues.

The first is the idea that they could do a "rebuild" in 3 years and make the playoffs in 21-22. That was highly optimistic from day 1 even if the GM was Scotty Bowman.

The second is now...he's publicly agreed with Doughty that both he AND the organization are on the same page...improve the team...get better...make the playoffs. That information is about 2 weeks old...not 3 years old.

 

[tomd]

Is it lying?

Yes, if there is zero intention of actually doing what you said you'd do. I can't think of a better example. Is it an "ok" lie in this instance? Each person has to make that judgement based upon their own moral compass.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Two different issues.

The first is the idea that they could do a "rebuild" in 3 years and make the playoffs in 21-22. That was highly optimistic from day 1 even if the GM was Scotty Bowman.

The second is now...he's publicly agreed with Doughty that both he AND the organization are on the same page...improve the team...get better...make the playoffs. That information is about 2 weeks old...not 3 years old.

Yes, if there is zero intention of actually doing what you said you'd do. I can't think of a better example. Is it an "ok" lie in this instance? Each person has to make that judgement based upon their own moral compass.

Does he have zero intention?

So far, you're not giving him a chance to improve the team this summer before you hold his feet to the fire. It's still May. Games are still going. Nobody is making moves. It's not the offseason yet.

 

[tomd]

Does he have zero intention?

So far, you're not giving him a chance to improve the team this summer before you hold his feet to the fire. It's still May. Games are still going. Nobody is making moves. It's not the offseason yet.

Well of course I'm giving him the chance and I know that the fun doesn't begin until the playoffs are complete. But yes, I am holding him at his word that there will be improvements made to the roster this summer...and in the spirit of the question to Doughty..."significant" improvements. I'm absolutely holding him accountable for that.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

VGK starting to finally piss off other fanbases.

Reaves with that cheapshot on Suter last game goes out and does stupid shit tonight. Patches with the typical gutlessness finds a way out of the game. And on down the line.

Can't love Colorado kicking their teeth in enough. Just hope they leave the series healthy.

 

[Peter James Bond III]

VGK starting to finally piss off other fanbases.

Reaves with that cheapshot on Suter last game goes out and does stupid shit tonight. Patches with the typical gutlessness finds a way out of the game. And on down the line.

Can't love Colorado kicking their teeth in enough. Just hope they leave the series healthy.

At some point, I would love to see capt vs capt throw down. Landeskog would kill Stone, I think. It was fun tonight, seeing Stone could not lead them at all.
He has a good game, but cannot skate. Fun to watch MacKinnon do things Stone could never do. MacKinnon is so focused and right there with McJesus now.
It's like there's McJesus and MacJesus.

 

[kingsholygrail]

Starting Lehner made no sense, not that he's to blame necessarily, but it was just a weird move.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Mackinnon is is just on another planet than his peers. Over 2 points per game pace so far in this playoff, 12 points in 5 games.


As they said in the broadcast, that puts him up with the best playoff performers in nhl history, only behind greats like Super Mario and the Great One.

 

[kovacro]

Starting Lehner made no sense, not that he's to blame necessarily, but it was just a weird move.

Yeah, he got hung out to dry, especially early on. FWIW, apparently they started Lehner to give Fluery's old bones a rest.

 

[Mats26]

Who says otherwise? By the way:

Landeskog was drafted 10 years ago
Mackinnon was drafted 8 years ago
Rantanen 6 years ago
Makar 4 years ago

“young”

All our best prospects are Makar or younger. Almost seems like it takes time to build a good team.

Outside those top 4, AVs drafting has been really bad. They built the core via drafting and built a contender via trades.
Said it in past posts, if our first rounders don't pan out to build a core we're done before this rebuild even got started.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Can't love Colorado kicking their teeth in enough.

True.

Just hope they leave the series healthy.

Eh, whatever. If they come out limping, that's fine. Can't say I give a damn about the Avs either.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That’s a big blow to Toronto’s blueline. Sandin draws in, who’s been a bit of a mess in this series with some Aki Berg like performances.

 

[kovacro]

No Muzzin, No Tavares, Foligno looks like he's still banged up. Wouldn't be surprised if the Habs can pull it out.

Reilly and Brodie are going to play 30 minutes tonight.

Btw, there will be a small amount of fans in the stands.

Ontario government to allow 550 frontline workers to attend Game 7 in Toronto - TSN.ca

 

[SFKingshomer]

The Leafs should consider major changes if they lose to MTL. Marner is way overpaid for what he brings in the playoffs. Matthews has been quiet, Tavares contract is untradeable. That team is a mess at the top.

 

[Herby]

Outside those top 4, AVs drafting has been really bad. They built the core via drafting and built a contender via trades.
Said it in past posts, if our first rounders don't pan out to build a core we're done before this rebuild even got started.

Yeah but they hit 4 massive homeruns in 6 years, and all of them were almost instant stars, that is why quality is always more important than quantity. The Kings did the same thing with 3 homeruns in 4 drafts and then were able to build around the superstars with some very good trades. Some here love to talk about cups never being won without Williams, Carter orRichards, and that is certainly up for debate, what isn't up for debate is that there would be no banners hanging without 11, 8 and 32. The next rebuild will only be successful if they find multiple star players of that caliber.

I'm still pessimistic that our group can ever be at the level of Colorado's. The multiple elite game changing players IMO just isn't there with this group. The championship teams are going to have skill levels similar to Colorado and Tampa. It's an arms race.

 

[Herby]

The Leafs should consider major changes if they lose to MTL. Marner is way overpaid for what he brings in the playoffs. Matthews has been quiet, Tavares contract is untradeable. That team is a mess at the top.

You just don't think wingers can be impact players do you, I remember a long time ago you also called Kane a passenger and Toews was the driver of the Hawks. Matthews has been just as bad, but since he's a center it's just "He's been quiet"

Nylander (a winger) has been far and away their best player, and they might be KO'ed without him.

 

[tbrown33]

You can’t take what the GM says to the press at face value. A lot of what they say is gamesmanship.

 

[SFKingshomer]

You just don't think wingers can be impact players do you, I remember a long time ago you also called Kane a passenger and Toews was the driver of the Hawks. Matthews has been just as bad, but since he's a center it's just "He's been quiet"

Nylander (a winger) has been far and away their best player, and they might be KO'ed without him.

Matthews has been better than Marner who I’ve never liked. He’s Gaudreau but payed double. Marners contract is unmovable where teams would be lining up for Matthew’s.

 

[kovacro]

No reduction of games in Kadri suspension.

Colorado Avalanche F Nazem Kadri's appeal of eight-game suspension denied - TSN.ca

 

[kovacro]

Nylander (a winger) has been far and away their best player, and they might be KO'ed without him.

He has had a really strong year. That contract, originally criticized when signed is looking pretty good value now.

 

[King'sPawn]

Hearing for Reaves, but not in-person.

It takes so much for Vegas to get punished adequately for their goonish behavior.

 

[Bandit]

That’s a big blow to Toronto’s blueline. Sandin draws in, who’s been a bit of a mess in this series with some Aki Berg like performances.

Suicide watch ion Toronto... Sandin has been awful. Between him and Dermott I expect that the habs will run away with this unless Matthews finally decides to show up.

 

[deeshamrock]

Pretty good column

31 Thoughts: What’s next for Seth Jones, Blue Jackets? - Sportsnet.ca

In addition to the idea of moving on from Seth JOnes, Friedman thinks the Jackets will take a good look at all areas, including the front office.

The best way to build a new core is to be the first place young players get a chance. Determine who those targets are and create that bond. There are a lot of theories as to why several players have left. Some are outside of the organizations’ control (market size, for example), but some aren’t. They’re going to have to be honest with themselves about their shortcomings, whether it’s negotiation style or anything else. Every organization goes through this — it doesn’t have to be the end of the world.

As suspected, those locker room rumors ,might be cause for change

21. MacLellan didn’t shy away from refusing to commit to Evgeni Kuznetsov’s future. It’s becoming apparent the Capitals sent some feelers out during the past season to gauge interest in the centre.

No CAP increase for several years...

22. A few sources are indicating that revenue numbers this year are expected to be around the $1.8- to $2-billion dollar range. When you factor in money owed by the players to the league under the CBA, teams are estimating the cap will stay static for several years. Most sources suggested through 2024–25.

25. Weirdest stat ever: an NHL exec sent a note he’d heard Mitch Marner had five career playoff puck-over-glass penalties. I thought, “That can’t be true.” It is. Saturday’s was his first while shorthanded. I don’t get it.