Around the League 34 - 1 round down, 3 to go

[Cardiac Jerks]

Interesting situation with Kane. Since the arbitrator has yet to rule on whether or not San Jose were actually able to terminate his contract it’s possible it could be reinstated. I’m not sure how likely that outcome is but it would be absolutely hilarious so I hope it happens.

 

[Lempo]

Interesting situation with Kane. Since the arbitrator has yet to rule on whether or not San Jose were actually able to terminate his contract it’s possible it could be reinstated. I’m not sure how likely that outcome is but it would be absolutely hilarious so I hope it happens.

Doubly as funny because apparently his creditors have their hooks on Kane's terminated contract but not so much with the new one.

 

[Blueline Bomber]

Plus with Gerard and Kuemper out they are short of full potential.

They have caught a break this year playing teams with injured goalies (Saros, BIllington) and crap goalies (Smith) so I’m unclear on what will happen when they play NY or Tampa.

That‘s where I’m at. Colorado has yet to face good goaltending, and regardless of who advances in the East, theyll be facing one of the best goalies in the league. Will likely be a shock to the system, I think. It’s why I’d favor whoever comes out the East in the Finals.

 

[Nikishin Go Boom]

if Kane's contract was re-instated, I would take that deal. 3 years isnt ideal but still okay in my book. especially since SJ will want to just give him away.

 

[Tryamw]

Tampa up early tonight.. Do they know what to do with themselves?

 

[Canes]

No real surprise. Them making the western final is a false hope for next season though

Only reason they were there to begin with was the refs turning the penalty slider to 11 in the playoffs when it's usually at 4-5, and McDrai carrying them. The Flames pathetic showing was also a great help. Also the coaching and depth was so insanely lopsided in the Avs favor it would have taken a miracle for Edmonton. They're pretty screwed unless Nurse actually becomes anywhere near worth his contract and even then I'm not sure.

 

[Tryamw]

Fake goal in Tampa.. they don't even wait for actual goals!!.

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

They'd have swamped us no doubt, but I don't see them running through Tampa or New York so easily. They're not potting 5-6 goals a game against Vasi or Igor.

They wouldn’t against Freddie either and he’d have been ready by the finals.

 

[Tryamw]

2-0 Tampa.. took long enough that goal horn was ages ago

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

Let’s go Bolts f*** the Rags

 

[3CanesInTheBox]

Can’t wait to watch that obnoxious fanbase go down in flames lol

 

[Tryamw]

3-0 Tampa

 

[Tryamw]

3-1 Tampa.. No embellishment by Fox as he had his Jersey held and Lost all his legs.. The man should be playing Soccer.
4-1 (EN)

 

[AhosDatsyukian]

3-1 Tampa.. No embellishment by Fox as he had his Jersey held and Lost all his legs.. The man should be playing Soccer.
4-1 (EN)

Embarrassing flop. Ruined Vasi’s shutout but no harm no foul and Bolts tie it 2-2 with all the momentum from here. Next game is huge but either way I have the Lightning winning, just depends whether it’s 6 or 7.

 

[Lempo]

Not a good thing for NHL players' future attendance in the IIHF tournament.

 

[DaveG]

always a risk unfortunately. I remember Staal took about 2-3 years and a "f*** you I'll show you" attitude in Minnesota to turn things back around after the Edler hit.

 

[Discipline Daddy]

Fair point but I believe he brings both.

Skjei did suck and what needs to be emphasized that outside of Freddie our roster was healthy. That doesn’t happen very often and we missed an opportunity this year.

That's mostly true. Andersen was injured and couldn't play, but also Raanta was banged up and clearly not 100%. Sucks that our third option, while promising, was thrown in the fire without the seasoning we would have liked. Kotchetkov clearly lost confidence, which is pretty expected for a 22 year old in his first playoffs.

With that same thought, you take out Vasilevskiy and Tampa loses to Toronto, probably in 6. You take out Shesterkin, and the Penguins beat the Rangers. For most teams in the league, if you take out their starter, they are toast, and if you are on the third goalie, you're in big trouble. Pens put up a fight with Domingue, but succumbed.

I do think we need to make changes, particularly on offense and special teams, but for me the biggest headaches defensively were the bottom pair. That said, we still played great defensively overall in the playoffs. We held the opposing teams to few scoring chances.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

always a risk unfortunately. I remember Staal took about 2-3 years and a "f*** you I'll show you" attitude in Minnesota to turn things back around after the Edler hit.

Staal had a MCL tear, right? While I don't know the severity of it, I am suspect of the notion that the injury was the cause of any problems in his play for 2-3 years, or even the following season. The team sucked the year after and he still had 60+ points and led the Canes. Bill Peters arrived the following season and everybody's production went down, and he still led the team with 54 points.

I agree it's a risk though, particularly with a more severe injury like an ACL tear.

 

[DaveG]

Staal had a MCL tear, right? While I don't know the severity of it, I am suspect of the notion that the injury was the cause of any problems in his play for 2-3 years, or even the following season. The team sucked the year after and he still had 60+ points and led the Canes. Bill Peters arrived the following season and everybody's production went down, and he still led the team with 54 points.

I agree it's a risk though, particularly with a more severe injury like an ACL tear.

Yeah I think it was MCL. He was still productive but he was a noticeably slower player to me after that hit, and his production sagged from a stretch of seasons hovering around 70+ points including some PPG+ seasons to a season of 61 in 79. Not an end of the world level drop but still a definite drop that was in part due to losing a step or two following that injury.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Yeah I think it was MCL. He was still productive but he was a noticeably slower player to me after that hit, and his production sagged from a stretch of seasons hovering around 70+ points including some PPG+ seasons to a season of 61 in 79. Not an end of the world level drop but still a definite drop that was in part due to losing a step or two following that injury.

Ok, it seemed a lot of it to me was the Canes were one of the worst teams offensively, especially in the first couple of Peter's years (27th in the NHL in Peter's first two years). Even Muller's last year they were 24th.

I don't see the MCL injury being a reason personally, but who knows for sure.

 

[cptjeff]

Jeremy Jacobs and co displaying just how classy they can truly be:

 

[Lempo]

Jeremy Jacobs and co displaying just how classy they can truly be:

Well... being safe is the foremost reason why rats leave the sinking ship, sooo... technical true is the best kind of true.

 

[hblueridgegal]

Congratulations ladies!

 

[Brock Anton]

That’s a “hook” but the Rangers launching TDA’s stick into the 8th row isn’t. Just be consistent FFS.

 

[DaveG]

Did Trouba just cup check a guy to keep him from beating the icing?