Around the League 2019-20 Pt. 2

[kovacro]

The Wild continue to be the most boring team in the league. I lasted all of 5 min watching them.

Caught a bit of that game. Kevin Fiala has really stepped up this season. He’s fun to watch.

I think Dean Evason coached him in Milwaukee so that might be one of the reasons.

Remember when they traded Granlund to Nashville for him at the deadline last year and plenty of people thought the Wild got taken to the cleaners on that deal. Yeah, don’t think so.

 

[kovacro]

I don't know what Nashville does to get over the hump at this point. A lot of guys close to or at 30 with long term deals. Josi has more than doubled his cap hit after the age of 30. They managed to get rid of 100% of Subban's contract, but didn't get better, and shifted all that space to Duchene. Johansen for Jones has either broken even in the past, or now slid in the Jackets favor. Unless they can pull off another Forsberg miracle trade, where is that franchise headed?

That’s a franchise that could use a lottery win if they get bounced out of this play in round.

 

[deeshamrock]

Canes up 3-1 , 3 min into the 2nd, game getting away from Rags and Lundy, shame Sheshyorkin is out. But I love the Canes, so I happy.

 

[deeshamrock]

I don't know what Nashville does to get over the hump at this point. A lot of guys close to or at 30 with long term deals. Josi has more than doubled his cap hit after the age of 30. They managed to get rid of 100% of Subban's contract, but didn't get better, and shifted all that space to Duchene. Johansen for Jones has either broken even in the past, or now slid in the Jackets favor. Unless they can pull off another Forsberg miracle trade, where is that franchise headed?

Most teams have about a 5 yr window, given the CAP, ebb and flow of the players in and out, etc. And they are getting older, average forward age is 28 and defense is 29. So I think over the next couple of years, they need to start revamping a bit.
For me, that Johansen /Jones deal was a total win for the Jackets. Johansen is a good player but he's not in Jones league. He was impressive on the Preds as a very young player, 19 in his first NHL playoff run with Weber out, he never missed a step, played well, showed leadership. You can't teach what he has and he's only gotten better.
They have a good goalie in Saros and that's a great place to start. They have a couple top forward propsects Tolvanen and Pitlick, that should make the team next year, esp. Pitlick, who looks to be a 1C in the making.
I like Josi, and am fine with the contract, he's a great defenseman, high in the leadership area and a good mentor for Fabbro and the other young defensemen that they should be arriving. Ellis is okay, but I'd move some of the others out and get younger on the blue line.

 

[deeshamrock]

4-1 Canes, Svechnikov with the hattrick,, 1st playoff hattrick in Canes/Whalers history.

 

[lumbergh]

4-1 Canes, Svechnikov with the hattrick,, 1st playoff hattrick in Canes/Whalers history.

I’m really enjoying watching the Canes absolutely suffocate and dominate the Rangers. Svechnikov and Aho are eating the Rangers alive.

 

[lumbergh]

Now I’m wondering how physical this Jets-Flames game will be. Hoping someone feeds Tkachuk his teeth.

 

[lumbergh]

Haha Nick Shore runs the goalie!

 

[KINGS17]

Carolina looks like they have a team built for the playoffs. Of course, they are playing a Rangers team which likely would not have made the playoffs.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

I want a Svechnikov.

 

[deeshamrock]

Carolina looks like they have a team built for the playoffs. Of course, they are playing a Rangers team which likely would not have made the playoffs.

I was surprised so many of the media 'expert's picked the Rangers, based mostly on panarin. The Canes are the better team. They are a very good team, a deep one and IMO, have the best 6 d in the game, even w/o Hamilton. And more coming. Their 3rd could be a 2nd line and I love Brind'amours system, that aggressive forecheck and all the energy they exude, leading to SOG's and zone time. But the fact he practices them hard, so their 3rd period legs are strong enough to keep the pace, that is a difference maker, even down a goal in the 3rd, they are rarely out of a game. Good forwards, and a decent farm system.
THey'll get a goalie before next year and challenge for the division.

Don't sleep on the Jackets either, even with 10 skaters out Feb/Mar, they still were in every game and ended the year 3rd in defense. I love Jones and with him and Werenski healthy, and how well the team plays defensively, they will not be an easy team to beat.

 

[Steve Zissou]

Caught a bit of that game. Kevin Fiala has really stepped up this season. He’s fun to watch.

Remember when they traded Granlund to Nashville for him at the deadline last year and plenty of people thought the Wild got taken to the cleaners on that deal. Yeah, don’t think so.

What a trade for Minny.

Fiala has def. emerged as their most dangerous player on the ice this season and it's just extending into the off-season.

 

[KINGS17]

What a trade for Minny.

Fiala has def. emerged as their most dangerous player on the ice this season and it's just extending into the off-season.

Back when I was advocating moving Carter, I thought Nashville would have been a good trading partner, and Fiala was definitely a young player of interest.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

 

[Little Psycho]

Even when you're on his team he's still an asshole.

 

[jfont]

I saw the Tkachuk/Scheifele play and I don't think it was intentional.

Tkachuk even went up to Scheifele when he went off the ice and tapped his stick.

 

[deeshamrock]

Bolts Caps game was fun, now they are in a shootout
Which makes sloppy ice I'd think, since there is another game tonight at 8

Bolts win 3-2
Booch brought up an interesting point. Kucherov took a penalty in the waning seconds of play , and scored the game winner in the shootout. Given he took a penalty, would be interesting to have that player not eligible.

Knights up 1-0 in the 1st

 

[kingsholygrail]

Martinez with a Kings classic deflection off his leg into his own net.

 

[Bandit]

Martinez with a Kings classic deflection off his leg into his own net.

The Steve Duchesne special.

 

[deeshamrock]

Price has been outstanding, Pens with multiple PP's and still 1-0.

 

[Bandit]

Price has been outstanding, Pens with multiple PP's and still 1-0.

Well of course...

Players fought against playoff format due to fear of Kane and Price.

 

[ru4reals]

I’m hoping that Florida gets LAF. Put another budding star in a location where no one will watch him.
Yes, although I’m happy to get QB or TS, I’m still bitter in losing 1OA to a team still playing.

Yes I wouldn't mind Florida as well I have no hate for them yet. Just as long as the usual suspects don't get Laf is all I wish for.

 

[kingsfan28]

The thought of the Hawks or Oilers getting the top pick after this round is mind-blowing . The NHL really found a way to screw up the draft because they wanted everyone to get a participation trophy.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

No lead is safe for the Edmonton McDavids.

 

[psych3man]

We better hope Chicago beats Oil...you know if they're in the lottery, Chi wins the lottery. Chi has screwed LA in the lottery too many times. Problem is--it is so painful rooting for the Hawks.

You would be amazed how many fans here in Chicago have no idea they got Kane by winning the lottery (with 8% chance). I tell every Hawk fan here that you don't have 3 Stanley Cups, you have 3 Lottery Cups. Most have no idea what I'm talking about.