Around the League - 2022-23 Season Edition

[Nineteen67]

Weird comments. Tampa Bay has come off three straight finals appearances, they've literally played the most hockey of any team by far. Boston was also expected to be a wild card team and so was Ottawa so the Sens beating them isn't really some sort of shock.

And they put up a fight in a back 2 back. The bruins will probably hang around until Marchand and McAvoy return.

 

[Fogelhund]

Now that it seems Muzzin is shelved for a potentially long time, Lyubushkin is looking even more like a missed opportunity.

As much as I like Boosh, if Muzzin is done, we need to aim higher up the food chain to replace Muzzin, than what Boosh brought to the table.

 

[Nineteen67]

I wish this team had a Tuch on it. Tough as nails, lots of skill and an actual leader.

Terrific player. He wouldn’t fit with the Leafs, though.

As much as I like Boosh, if Muzzin is done, we need to aim higher up the food chain to replace Muzzin, than what Boosh brought to the table.

They needed to aim higher, regardless.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Watching other teams this year, it's pretty clear that we need to adjust our expectations.

Lots of teams with young talent finally impacting at the top level. I expect us to be fighting for our playoff lives all year, especially if Matthews takes a big step back from last year.

We're no longer the young, high potential, exciting pick to go deep. Too many previously bad teams are seeing the fruits of drafting well.

 

[TheShape]

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Wish we could’ve kept this guy, brought a much needed element to the back line.

 

[Nineteen67]

Watching other teams this year, it's pretty clear that we need to adjust our expectations.

Lots of teams with young talent finally impacting at the top level. I expect us to be fighting for our playoff lives all year, especially if Matthews takes a big step back from last year.

We're no longer the young, high potential, exciting pick to go deep. Too many previously bad teams are seeing the fruits of drafting well.

Nothing has changed and the expectations are still to win one round. Expecting all of the unanswered questions/concerns to work out is a bit of stretch.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Nothing has changed and the expectations are still to win one round. Expecting all of the unanswered questions/concerns to work out is a bit of stretch.

I thought the expectation was to win the Stanley Cup with this so-called contending core now in their primes?

 

[stickty111]

Wish we could’ve kept this guy, brought a much needed element to the back line.

Sure but not at 2.75

 

[Nineteen67]

I thought the expectation was to win the Stanley Cup with this so-called contending core now in their primes?

That’s the marketing side.

In order to go on a long run they’d have to hit on everything and catch a few breaks along the way.
That could happen. Goaltending could pan out, they find a suitable effective 2nd line winger, the D gets sorted out and the 3rd and 4th lines are not only effective but provide punch and energy.

 

[horner]

I liked having Boosh on this team, and wanted him before we traded for him. He's a third pairing guy, is 5th in TOI for Buffalo, for $2.75 mil. That's too much for a bottom pairing guy IMO. Buffalo can afford it, and congrats on the contract, but that's beyond where I'd value him.

If we actually wanted to keep him, I think he would have signed for 2.5 mil.
I would have trades holl to fit him in.
He keeps players honest.

 

[TheShape]

Sure but not at 2.75

We’re talking 750k more than Holl. Move on from Holl and it’s a non issue, Boosh probably stays for 2.5.

Gives us a player who at least makes the opposition think twice.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

We’re talking 750k more than Holl. Move on from Holl and it’s a non issue, Boosh probably stays for 2.5.

Gives us a player who at least makes the opposition think twice.

We are also talking about a guy who has played 6 fewer minutes per night for Buffalo, and has done much worse in them.

We would be paying more for a much worse player.

 

[BertCorbeau]

A bit of a rose coloured glasses with Boosh.

He wasn’t that much of a difference maker or deterrent.

 

[uncleben]

A bit of a rose coloured glasses with Boosh.

He wasn’t that much of a difference maker or deterrent.

Agreed. I really liked Boosh, but he didn't exactly move the needle any night

 

[BertCorbeau]

Agreed. I really liked Boosh, but he didn't exactly move the needle any night

And that’s not to suggest I wanted to keep Holl either

 

[Fogelhund]

We’re talking 750k more than Holl. Move on from Holl and it’s a non issue, Boosh probably stays for 2.5.

Gives us a player who at least makes the opposition think twice.

Holl for the most part is a much better player than most give him credit for. Of course he has some fabulous blunders, that are clear for everyone to see, and that's what people remember. I'd love to upgrade from him, but Boosh really isn't that. Boosh is a bottom pairing guy, who is very physical. Holl is a bottom to mid pairing guy, who most of the time is quiet and effective, but needs to simplify his game more... although that goal the other night was nice.

I get where you are going... I mean the replacement for Holl would be Liljegren in that case.... and Boosh would be the bottom pairing. Of course Liljegren is on the shelf right now anyway. My preference would be to replace Muzzin, with a RHD equivalent, that pushes Holl out of the lineup when Liljegren returns. Maybe that's a guy like Murphy?? If Muzzin is done, and I wouldn't be shocked if he is, we will absolutely need to make a move.

 

[Fogelhund]

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[Seath The Scaleless]

5 teams are currently undefeated:
Stars, Flames, Flyers(lol), and Canes at 3-0-0

Blues at......1-0-0

NHL scheduling, baby!

 

[Stephen]

Ekblad is on LTIR. Do we have any games against Florida in the near future?

 

[TheShape]

We are also talking about a guy who has played 6 fewer minutes per night for Buffalo, and has done much worse in them.

We would be paying more for a much worse player.

Minutes played has more to do with Sheldon Keefe’s obsession with Justin Holl. And for the record, I don’t think Holl is as bad as people make him out to be. Neither he or Boosh are difference makers but I would rather the guy who at least brings us something different.

And by the way we already have a Holl replacement in house in Liljegren. For me it comes back to management being married to the same old for whatever reason.

 

[Fogelhund]

The number of players injured seems extreme already.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

Habs have a much better management and coaching group. That org will pass us soon, and it will take a long time for us to catch back up, especially if they draft top 3 this year.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Minutes played has more to do with Sheldon Keefe’s obsession with Justin Holl. And for the record, I don’t think Holl is as bad as people make him out to be. Neither he or Boosh are difference makers but I would rather the guy who at least brings us something different.

And by the way we already have a Holl replacement in house in Liljegren. For me it comes back to management being married to the same old for whatever reason.

He is obsessed with a RD who can play tough defensive minutes and not suck? Shocking.

At least he is not obsessed with a subpar defenseman who brings nothing else to the table besides laying out hits. Would much rather he be married to good defensemen than bad ones.

 

[Maplebeasts]

LMAO guys Boosh can hit but he sucks outside of that. I want physicality too but the guy needs to be able to take a shift without giving up goals/chances.

 

[Maplebeasts]

We’re talking 750k more than Holl. Move on from Holl and it’s a non issue, Boosh probably stays for 2.5.

Gives us a player who at least makes the opposition think twice.

.....and gets hemmed in and scored on because he can't carry the puck or make a pass to save his life. Physicality is only helpful when a player who has it can actually play hockey.