Around the League - 2024-2025

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[DragoGrizzly]

Who knows whether the impact of a coach can be measured in that way. My theory is more that a guy like McDavid, MacKinnon or Matthews changes the trajectory of a franchise in a way that Dahlin, RNH, Slavkovsky (or pick any similar ordinary high draft pick) cannot. It's very much luck of the draw in terms of timing for a franchise. It's why teams like Buffalo, Ottawa, Anaheim, etc. never seem to take the next step.

I see what you’re saying and partially agree but there are teams like Carolina (and Dallas) who didn’t draft guys like McDavid or Matthews and are still pretty dominant year to year. Perhaps there’s some coaching/development involved in that? I also think we always underestimate impact of bad goaltending on rebuilding teams.

 

[Evilhomer]

I see what you’re saying and partially agree but there are teams like Carolina (and Dallas) who didn’t draft guys like McDavid or Matthews and are still pretty dominant year to year. Perhaps there’s some coaching/development involved in that? I also think we always underestimate impact of bad goaltending on rebuilding teams.

No question, all of these things influence the outcome. I was generally referring more to why some of these "high pick" rebuilds don't work.

 

[Warden of the North]

I get that McDavid can drag the Oilers a long ways when he gets going but holy crap do they not look good. Slow, disinterested, and thin on D and depth scoring.

And Skinner, who I think is terrible and not a good goalie at all.

 

[ULF_55]

The Blue Jackets actually might be the most entertaining team this year

Win 7-6 against Tampa tonight
Beat the Leafs 6-2
Beat the Bruins 5-1
Beat the Capitals 8-4
Beat the Oilers 6-1
Beat the Pens 6-2

But will then:

Lose to the Pens 7-3
Lose to the Habs 5-1
Lose to the Capitals 6-2
Lose to the Jets 6-2

Are they feeling it today?

 

[CuuuJooo]

Wtf

And the Oilers STILL managed to lose.

 

[ULF_55]

And the Oilers STILL managed to lose.

They looked so flat.

But they were playing a darn good team.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

I get that McDavid can drag the Oilers a long ways when he gets going but holy crap do they not look good. Slow, disinterested, and thin on D and depth scoring.

And Skinner, who I think is terrible and not a good goalie at all.

Apparently their underlyings are somehow worse than at this point last year, despite their current record being a bit more respectable than last years shitshow to start.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Apparently their underlyings are somehow worse than at this point last year, despite their current record being a bit more respectable than last years shitshow to start.

Their underlyings aren't that bad, though their worst since 2020-2021, and a big drop from last year.
Their conversion will improve for sure. Not sure how much their goaltending will though.

 

[Superstar]

Apparently their underlyings are somehow worse than at this point last year, despite their current record being a bit more respectable than last years shitshow to start.

They are waiting for Hyman to score 70 goals again, regular season and playoffs combined...3 goals in 20 games this season, might still happen...

 

[MSZ]

They are waiting for Hyman to score 70 goals again, regular season and playoffs combined...3 goals in 20 games this season, might still happen...

Hyman and Kreider both play a similar style and they have one thing in common: Fluke 50 goal season.

 

[ULF_55]

They are waiting for Hyman to score 70 goals again, regular season and playoffs combined...3 goals in 20 games this season, might still happen...

Hyman is just trying to keep pace with Matthews.

 

[MCR74]

I get that McDavid can drag the Oilers a long ways when he gets going but holy crap do they not look good. Slow, disinterested, and thin on D and depth scoring.

And Skinner, who I think is terrible and not a good goalie at all.

I'm patiently waiting for the Oilers to lock up Bouchard for an insane amount of money.

 

[Menzinger]

Since the Sens glorious 3-0 win against the Leafs they are 0-4 and been out scored 17-8. On every broadcast Jamie McClennan says the are playing someplace between good and great and they are on the right track. Never critical in anyway. The overdrive guys do a half hour anytime Nylander appears lackadaisical on a play like Tkachuk last night crickets from Noodles

The Sens are a perfect case of most rebuilds that don't work out.

It's beyond comical how many in the media have embarrassingly hyped them up prior to the last couple preseason only for them to fall flat.

Their fans can be forgiven a tad because fans are always allowed to be irrational homers (it comes with the territory)

But the biggest fallacy for all rebuilding team is the belief that they will always take the next step forward when in reality stagnating and even regression is just as common if not more so.

 

[MCR74]

The Sens are a perfect case of most rebuilds that don't work out.

It's beyond comical how many in the media have embarrassingly hyped them up prior to the last couple preseason only for them to fall flat.

Their fans can be forgiven a tad because fans are always allowed to be irrational homers (it comes with the territory)

But the biggest fallacy for all rebuilding team is the belief that they will always take the next step forward when in reality stagnating and even regression is just as common if not more so.

But, but, but... their core players left millions on the table in order to win.

 

[keonsbitterness]

""

So they peaked and now they're going back down. Extend everyone!

 

[MCR74]

So they peaked and now they're going back down. Extend everyone!

Who knew trading away a prima donna captain (only to sign another prima donna captain) would turn out this way?

 

[Suntouchable13]

So with Ovi and Matthews both on IR currently, who is the best goal scorer in the league right now currently on an active roster?

 

[Menzinger]

One day they may reach Woll's level....

 

[uncleben]

So with Ovi and Matthews both on IR currently, who is the best goal scorer in the league right now currently on an active roster?

Pasta? MacK? Connor?

Kind of depends on what you're going for, I guess.
McDavid can keep pace with those guys in goals, but I wouldn't classify him as a "goal scorer", based on playing type and profile

 

[The Management]

The Sens are a perfect case of most rebuilds that don't work out.

It's beyond comical how many in the media have embarrassingly hyped them up prior to the last couple preseason only for them to fall flat.

Their fans can be forgiven a tad because fans are always allowed to be irrational homers (it comes with the territory)

But the biggest fallacy for all rebuilding team is the belief that they will always take the next step forward when in reality stagnating and even regression is just as common if not more so.

Yep. That's why I find them sort of fascinating to watch. I can remember when the hype was behind Jared Cowan, David Rundblad, Matt Puempel, Patrick Wiercioch... the only good players to come out of that era, Mark Stone and Mika Zibanejad, had to find success elsewhere.

These things can and do fail, or take a very long time to figure out. As frustrating as the postseason has been for the Maple Leafs, our young pieces took us there right away. Brady Tkachuk has been in the league what, six years? With no playoff hockey? Brutal.

Something has to give on that team if they don't take a step forward this year.

 

[weems]

Ottawa is similar to the Wings, in that unfortunately their top picks during the rebuild haven't developed into true franchise players.

Stutzle still has that potential but that's the difference in our situation vs theirs, we hit on all our top picks and we have 2-3 legit franchise level players.

Like if Edvinsson or Raymond had turned into a legit all star right out of the gate, their entire team upside would look different.

 

[BertCorbeau]

One day they may reach Woll's level....

Goalies man

Apparently Ovi has a broken fibula … honestly probably one of the best outcomes

Doubtful he breaks the record this year but he can get close