Around the League - 2024-2025

[BallardEra]

Also doesnt help they spent the 5 years prior not really drafting any talent or adding youth. Caps have done well in that regard. They scooped up Strome when Chicago foolishly let him go for some reason (im sure they wouldnt mind him playing 1C rn with Bedard on the wing or something based on his recent struggles). McMichael seems to be hitting now. Protas is a nice surprise, developing an offensive game that you probably wouldnt have really expected when first drafted. Then they also made trades like getting Sandin.

Next year theyre likely adding Miroshnichenko and Leonard to their line up. Meanwhile you look at Pittsburgh and they might have McGroarty comin in next year that could make an impact and no one really else...

Caps also lucked out with Backstrom and Oshie going to LTIR which gave them flexibility to bring in Roy and Chychrun on D.

Caps definitely have better younger players than the Pens do.

It's going to be interesting to see it the Pens go full rebuild as that wasn't the plan that was sold to Sid.

 

[ULF_55]

Caps also lucked out with Backstrom and Oshie going to LTIR which gave them flexibility to bring in Roy and Chychrun on D.

Caps definitely have better younger players than the Pens do.

It's going to be interesting to see it the Pens go full rebuild as that wasn't the plan that was sold to Sid.

Mortality acceptance might be a stumbling block in this one.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I'd give up a couple first rounders for 2 and half years of Sid. He would look delicious with Matthews.

 

[Smif]

I really dislike the idea of committing to a goalie longer than five years. I can't think of any contract longer than five that has worked out for a team.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Thank you Brayden Schenn.

 

[ULF_55]

Engvall with another goal ... Roy is probably fuming!

 

[Menzinger]

Crosby ain't going to waive. He's going to go down with the Pens ship, one way or the other

 

[BallardEra]

Are the Pens going to forfeit the game tonight?:

https://x.com/i/web/status/1857909445751382330

 

[LeafEgo]

Pitts is a good spot for Crosby to focus on cracking the top 5 all time in points. Offense will run through him and he can cheat on defense with no competing win objectives. On a cup contender he has to be responsible and could get stunted opportunity as he ages out.

 

[BallardEra]

 

[BallardEra]

Jets are frauds. Typical regular season team.

Panthers are grinding them down.

 

[SprDaVE]

Jets are frauds. Typical regular season team.

Panthers are grinding them down.

All their loses will be against Atlantic teams.

By far the hardest division in the NHL last few years.

 

[Divine]

All their loses will be against Atlantic teams.

By far the hardest division in the NHL last few years.

0-3 against Atlantic teams that made the playoffs last year. They got a chance to make it 0-4 against Florida next game.

 

[BallardEra]

How does Bedard only have 3 goals in 18 games? Does anyone watch his games?

I'd have to think he's either not getting to the dirty areas or maybe he doesn't have enough speed to get the separation he did in junior.

 

[BertCorbeau]

How does Bedard only have 3 goals in 18 games? Does anyone watch his games?

I'd have to think he's either not getting to the dirty areas or maybe he doesn't have enough speed to get the separation he did in junior.

I think part of it is the Hawks are just a bad team so Bédard gets a ton of focus when he’s on the ice.

That’s nothing new for star players though. Bédard has to adjust but the Hawks need to give him more support. Look at their scoring leaders

 

[BallardEra]

I think part of it is the Hawks are just a bad team so Bédard gets a ton of focus when he’s on the ice.

That’s nothing new for star players though. Bédard has to adjust but the Hawks need to give him more support. Look at their scoring leaders

I agree with your assessment but maybe the hype was too much?

Ovechkin and Crosby were dominant right off the bat with mediocre line mates on bad teams. Even Matthews was dominant as well.

I get that Bedard is still young at 19 but 5 goals in his last 34 games is pretty underwhelming all things considered.

 

[SprDaVE]

Chicago is going to go all out to try and sign Marner if he makes it to the talking period of free agency.

 

[Enga Olly]

One of my absolute delights is hearing a hated fanbase cry when they lose especially to the leafs so i enjoyed watching these nobodies cry about last night's loss but did a spit take when they were speculating on how many games reaves would get. A couple said 3 but all three agreed it would be less than he should "because it's toronto"
Leaf derangment syndrome is real. - YouTube
Comment is @ 25:55 if you care

 

[MSZ]

I agree with your assessment but maybe the hype was too much?

Ovechkin and Crosby were dominant right off the bat with mediocre line mates on bad teams. Even Matthews was dominant as well.

I get that Bedard is still young at 19 but 5 goals in his last 34 games is pretty underwhelming all things considered.

I watched most of the game last night. Bedard's linemates had zero chemistries with him, each players did their own things on the ice. And their coaching staff have had adjusted that top line a trillion times already tried to get him going.

 

[ULF_55]

I watched most of the game last night. Bedard's linemates had zero chemistries with him, each players did their own things on the ice. And their coaching staff have had adjusted that top line a trillion times already tried to get him going.

I watched most of the Canucks game, and it lead me back to my question about Cowan.

Bedard being 1st. overall of course is "elite" level prospect, and did have 22 goals and 61 points last year, on a bloody bad team. Remember when Stajan was a 1st. line center traded to Calgary? Anyway, not to digress, but if the Hawks were even a bad team, rather than a complete disaster team would he be getting the same opportunities?

Look at Shane Wright, Kraken have gone through hoops to get him NHL playing time.

If Leafs were a bottom feeder, would Cowan being getting the Wright/Bedard treatment?

I don't see enough of Bedard to judge his entire game, but I've seen enough to know he has a great shot, and decent speed. Read both he's a great skater, but also read not elite.

He didn't look dangerous to me last night.

 

[BallardEra]

Pens have the worst goals against per game with the worst goal differential in the league.

They have a tough 10 game stretch coming up.

Will be interesting to see if Sullivan can survive for that long.

 

[MCR74]

One of my absolute delights is hearing a hated fanbase cry when they lose especially to the leafs so i enjoyed watching these nobodies cry about last night's loss but did a spit take when they were speculating on how many games reaves would get. A couple said 3 but all three agreed it would be less than he should "because it's toronto"
Leaf derangment syndrome is real. - YouTube
Comment is @ 25:55 if you care

How many games for Reaves is not exactly the burn they think it is.

Pens have the worst goals against per game with the worst goal differential in the league.

They have a tough 10 game stretch coming up.

Will be interesting to see if Sullivan can survive for that long.

The Dubas magic hard at work.

 

[ULF_55]

The Dubas magic hard at work.

Dubas needs to fire his coach and hire Peter Horachek.

​

 

[HolyCrap]

Chicago is going to go all out to try and sign Marner if he makes it to the talking period of free agency.

I agree. Also Minnesota will have like 14 million of free cap space opened up and are a much better team. I could see them signing a big UFA

 

[Lightsol]

I watched most of the game last night. Bedard's linemates had zero chemistries with him, each players did their own things on the ice. And their coaching staff have had adjusted that top line a trillion times already tried to get him going.

Chicago's lineup is like a whos-who of some of our worst castoffs.