Around the League - 2023/24

[The Kingslayer]

Probably, but it would have been a risky sort of trade. I'm kinda surprised how under the radar his progression is. Maybe it is Thompson/Dahlin casting a shadow... but he's been the best player on Buffalo this year and was fantastic to end the season last year. He's unlikely to end up a top scorer this year and things will settle... but he's certainly not the Jost level bust that was once thought. I'd say there is a decent chance that if he gets legit PP time that he flirts with 70 points.

Its either him or JJ Paterka for me. Olofsson has really fallen off over there.

 

[henchman21]

Its either him or JJ Paterka for me. Olofsson has really fallen off over there.

Yeah Olofsson is only good at one thing (and he’s really f good at it) that’s shooting the puck. Complete disaster outside that.

 

[Foppa2118]

How many Olofsson's/Olausson's we got around here anyway?

 

[Alienblood]

Its either him or JJ Paterka for me. Olofsson has really fallen off over there.

Peterka looks great.

 

[Avs_19]

Klingberg might be worse than JJ defensively.

 

[John Mandalorian]

The main board is on fire lately.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Klingberg might be worse than JJ defensively.

I mean that's been the case for some time now.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Few observations/way too early takes around the league:

Montreal fans figured out that Newhook isn't a center (shocker). For all the screaming about how great of skater he was and that the Avs misused him. They seemingly caught on quick that top speed doesn't mean anything if you use it only on PP entries and can't get any separation via skating any other time. I really hope they pin him back at wing with Dvorak back and let him settle in a role that he can succeed in.

Byfield looks fantastic. Maybe he's not a center, but if he plays like he's started... LA is insanely deep up front. Him taking a step would do wonders for their scoring ability.

Brink out there proving that ugly, but effective skating works at wing even as a shrimp. He's gonna be Atkinson 2.0 and be loved in Philly.

Mintyukov has been the most impressive rookie to me. He already looks like a seasoned vet and a future superstar. He probably won't really contend for the Calder, but Anaheim has a F gem with him. On Anaheim too... Cronin can really coach. When he gets everyone clicking and another year or so of development there, Anaheim is going to improve very quickly. Also a Dostal shoutout, he's been great.

Mentioned it in a different thread, but adding it here too. Fatty in Buffalo has clicked. He's producing a lot of offense 5v5, taking the more difficult matchups, playing with grit... it finally came together. A bit of a later bloomer than you'd like, but he looks every part of a high end 2C, arguably more. In this calendar year... he sits 4th in 5v5 points per 60, only behind MacK, Pasta, and Marner. In pure raw numbers, he sits 5th where Point and Rants swap ahead and Marner falls behind. He leads the league in 5v5 1st assists since Jan 1. It is getting to a larger sample too... that's 61 games.

Will Cuylle may not be flashy, but he's another rookie who I just love. Plays the game the right way, physical, some skill... wish the Avs selected him as he'd be perfect here.

Boeser also may have finally clicked... his scoring rate is unlikely to stay this high, but he looks like he's finally living up to his 40g potential. After all the things he's been through, this is great to see. Tangentially related, shoutout here to @The Mars Volchenkov. If I'm remembering correctly, him and I had a discussion many years ago about Boeser and Novak... where he was very high on Novak, another guy who it finally clicked for.

Hagel is going to give voters a chance to give a wing the Selke. He looks phenomenal on both ends of the ice. Tampa as a whole doesn't look great, but between him, Kuch (also looking amazing), and Point... they'll still be a thorn in the East's side.

Where tf did Mintyukov even come from? I don't think I've ever heard his name till this year and he's been nothing but spectacular.

 

[Pierce Hawthorne]

Still really early so we'll have to wait and see how the rest of the year plays out... But definitely some early signs that goal scoring may have peaked last year and we're starting the trend slowly back down the hill again.

 

[The Merchant]

Someone leaked the Galchenyuk arrest video and *whew* I dunno what I was expecting, but it was worse. Glad that dude is nowhere near the Avs org anymore

 

[the_fan]

2-0 Kings

f*** Vegas!

 

[The Moops]

Someone leaked the Galchenyuk arrest video and *whew* I dunno what I was expecting, but it was worse. Glad that dude is nowhere near the Avs org anymore

 

[MonsterMack]

Someone leaked the Galchenyuk arrest video and *whew* I dunno what I was expecting, but it was worse. Glad that dude is nowhere near the Avs org anymore

What a f***ing loser

 

[Cypher]

I mean that's been the case for some time now.

At least we don't play JJ 15 mins a game and let him get caught for a -3 on home-ice. Like what kinda matchups is TOR doing.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Yeah... I'm thinking meth

2-0 Kings

f*** Vegas!

3-0. Almost 4-0.

 

[The Moops]

Yeah... I'm thinking meth

Probably, but no funny Rick James gifs about meth

 

[The Merchant]

 

[McMetal]

Pure LOL at Reaves acting tough as the buzzer sounds in a 6-3 loss. Ya bud, way to help your team out, that'll show 'em.

 

[missionAvs]

What a f***ing loser

Yeesh what a loony. I thought we were calling him Chucky as a joke but....

 

[missionAvs]

Yep, go ahead Edmonton. Go make a panic deal for that whiny man-child to enter an already fragile locker room situation. Please do that.

Man I can't escape it but for those of you who watch What we do in the Shadows, I'm like an energy vampire when the Oilers lose/make a shitty decision. I just feed off that.

 

[henchman21]

This is perfection.

 

[Bender]

Their issues go beyond goaltending though. I can see why Ken Holland used this bullet instead of firing Woodcroft, but I can also see it backfiring. Not in terms of them getting any worse goaltending because I doubt that's possible, but how this would go over in the already disgruntled locker room.

I agree and I think it's because he's a f***ing moron!

I watched parts of that game against Vancouver the other night and sure, maybe their goaltending hasn't been great but Skinner STILL made a lot of really good saves to keep it from being a blowout.

Only a true idiot would believe that the loilers issues are 'only' goaltending and/or coaching. They give up WAY too many great chances to score because they are a collective sieve defensively. Through what is it now FOUR head coaches, the story is always the same.

It's hilarious that they are using Campbell as the fall guy (he certainly has his share of the blame) but to expect your goaltender to need to stand on his head nightly to give yourself a chance to win is lunacy.

Would be amazing if they pulled off a trade for binner, he would go mental after 2 games!

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

What a f***ing loser

Wait, he was able to leave the country and walk away free after this? He should be in jail for this. Human trash.

 

[henchman21]

Wait, he was able to leave the country and walk away free after this? He should be in jail for this. Human trash.

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

That Galchenyuk video is awful. Damn. This is not excusing his behavior at all because that was wholly unacceptable. But this dude must be fighting some inner demons and battling some mental health issues to get to this. I hope he gets the help he clearly needs.