Around the League Thread Part II: Final Stretch

[YP44]

So that just means that all games start at 5PM and not 6 PM (PST)
Not a huge difference really. And figure they drop the puck at like 5:15 or so.

for me I get done putting kids down at like 7pm PST. So that hour is huge.

 

[Jason Squirties]

I didn’t see any possibility of the habs beating Vegas, so it feels dumb to be wrong about the results. Same goes for Caulfield. I believed he would struggle right away because he’s small. But the guy is probably the habs mvp after Price.

I still don’t see how Montreal beats Tampa or the Islanders based on talent. I think it will be plodding hockey if it’s Mtl vs NYI. But after last night, the only reason for me to pay attention to the playoffs is to keep track of the status of downtown Montreal riots or trash being thrown on the ice at the dump in Nassau.

Has it ever made sense to be entirely wrong about something and then proceed to make some more predictions about the same thing?

 

[DoktorJeep]

Has it ever made sense to be entirely wrong about something and then proceed to make some more predictions about the same thing?

Bookmakers count on people doing so. There’s a reason for teams to be labeled underdogs. Sports isn’t here just to support fans who think more out of emotion than with their head.

 

[Herby]

@Herby

Caulfield is beast!!! I need to listen to Herby more.

Herby you are a much wiser man than I( I want you to read that on Qui-Gon Jinn's voice)

Hey, I guess if you are going to be linked with a player, its better to be Cole Caufield than Maxim Kitsyn or Boko Imama like some users here

Cole Caufield just abused McNabb. Size queens must be befuddled by that.

Someone should correct Phillip Danault's ignorant comment and tell him that players like Caufield "Just don't help you win in the playoffs" , who do these players think they are contradicting messageboard users with non sense like Danault said in that press conference.

Caufield is looking good for sure.

But you know... I'm honestly getting so annoyed with shallow "LOLZ he fell to 15th because he's too small!" after every time he makes a play that's not bust material. First of all, it's not true. At least not to me. And second of all, SO many players fall for different reasons. How about after every point next season, we just say "OMG, Kopitar fell to 11th because he's Slovenian! l0lz"

I'm almost willing to wager none of them put Caufield in their top-5 where they are acting like he belongs. So they just look like chest-thumping hypocrites.

Hey now, not all of us are recent converts. I earned the right to put that "Don't blame me I wanted Caufield" bumper sticker on my car.

And if not for size how did he fall? I think it's fair to say if he were 6 feet he would have gone probably no lower than 3rd in the draft. He's more skilled than Laine and despite his size is more of an honest player in the defensive zone but Laine went #2 OA. It seems like it was all about size. His skill level is phenomenal, he was the most dangerous offensive player in that series and he's 20 years old with 25 games pro experience.

Also, Kings fans were rightfully stoked beyond belief when Kopitar stepped into the NHL running and was an impact player from the moment he stepped on the ice in his D+2. There were a lot of posts making light of all the teams that amazingly let AK fall to where he did in the draft and lots of lamenting about missed opportunities, especially on the Vancouver, Ottawa and San Jose boards . Both picks just make you shake your head in amazement, and it didn't take long to realize it for either guy.

This story is getting more awful by the day........



Interesting to see what the league is going to do about it, if anything.

I don't think it will be nothing. This is getting a lot of media coverage locally and is only going to grow. I wonder what the league is able to do as far as punishment for either the team and/or upper management.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

Kings fans were rightfully stoked beyond belief when Kopitar stepped into the NHL running and was an impact player from the moment he stepped on the ice in his D+2.

I believe former HC Andy Murray said they could have put Kopitar on the opening night roster, he was good enough but they elected not to given his age.

 

[Herby]

I believe former HC Andy Murray said they could have put Kopitar on the opening night roster, he was good enough but they elected not to given his age.

I think there was an agreement between either AK or the Kings and his Swedish team that he would return for one more year. But yeah I’ve heard AM say on many occasions, that he might have kept his job if they’d have had Kopitar that season.

Although not sure McDavid would have made a difference with the two jokes the Kings had in goal the year.

 

[King'sPawn]

Hey now, not all of us are recent converts. I earned the right to put that "Don't blame me I wanted Caufield" bumper sticker on my car.

And if not for size how did he fall? I think it's fair to say if he were 6 feet he would have gone probably no lower than 3rd in the draft. He's more skilled than Laine and despite his size is more of an honest player in the defensive zone but Laine went #2 OA. It seems like it was all about size. His skill level is phenomenal, he was the most dangerous offensive player in that series and he's 20 years old with 25 games pro experience.

Also, Kings fans were rightfully stoked beyond belief when Kopitar stepped into the NHL running and was an impact player from the moment he stepped on the ice in his D+2. There were a lot of posts making light of all the teams that amazingly let AK fall to where he did in the draft and lots of lamenting about missed opportunities, especially on the Vancouver, Ottawa and San Jose boards . Both picks just make you shake your head in amazement, and it didn't take long to realize it for either guy.

You absolutely have been pumping his tires. I understand your chest thumping, although you still refuse to recognize the other criticisms levied against him and focus on "he's small."

So no, I don't put you in that camp.

I've said my piece as to why I was not high on him. Size plays a (pardon the pun) small part. But if he was a 6'0 winger who was easy to knock down and was dependent on the right teammates to boost his numbers, no, he wouldn't go top-5. And I'll repeat, he's playing emotionally engaged now.

 

[DryIslandBartender]

You absolutely have been pumping his tires. I understand your chest thumping, although you still refuse to recognize the other criticisms levied against him and focus on "he's small."

So no, I don't put you in that camp.

I've said my piece as to why I was not high on him. Size plays a (pardon the pun) small part. But if he was a 6'0 winger who was easy to knock down and was dependent on the right teammates to boost his numbers, no, he wouldn't go top-5. And I'll repeat, he's playing emotionally engaged now.

Caufield would have been a home run pick given what the Kings are trotting out on the wings in the top 6, and it’s why I hope they draft Lysell or Guenther.

Also, it’s not like the Kings screwed up the 2019 draft. Turcotte, Bjornfot, and AK were solid picks.

 

[Reclamation Project]

I missed the opening of the game, did Kucherov rappel down from the rafters after “home of the brave” while Cooper was sobbing on the bench??????

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I missed the opening of the game, did Kucherov rappel down from the rafters after “home of the brave” while Cooper was sobbing on the bench??????

Biggest f***ing baby in the league.

The guy has raised from the dead miraculously so many times I'm starting to believe him (and Ruutta for that matter) are being coached to sell their falls by leaving the bench.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Also told you guys DeBoer is a chump, that first goalie switch worked out for him but dude just can't help but think 'coaching' is "make panicked lineup swaps" . It's been his critical error repeatedly.

 

[Sol]

Don't feel too bad. He's apparently playing for the best team he's ever been on.

Martinez simp confirmed

 

[Reclamation Project]

Go Lightning!

 

[ru4reals]

I still think the Canadians will pull out the upset. Goodness I hope not!!!

 

[Little Psycho]

Ugh.. team no one

 

[KINGS17]

It should be an entertaining Stanley Cup Final. I will go with Tampa in five, with maybe an OT game or two. Price will be able to keep Montreal in the games, but not in the series.

Two stud defensemen on each team, but Tampa is deeper at every position due to being more than $10 million over the cap.

 

[unicornpig]

Tampa will end this cinderalla run

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Fine with either outcome.

 

[deeshamrock]

 

[deeshamrock]

Vegas is so close, they just needs a couple small pieces (proven veteran winners) and a new assistant coach. That power play was worse than the Kings and that's saying something, absolutely wretched. Spott is a total disaster and was hopefully fired before the handshake line. Both Lehner and Fleury were incredible this season and Pietrangelo was well worth the $$$, he was unbelievable all season. Theodore was a disaster this series, turnovers left and right. Just need a couple tweaks, nothing major. Vegas is an elite team and still have a couple years left for their window.

They do have to make some decisions. . Biggest need is a Legit 1C. That will cost $$. I'd move out Fleury, with salary retained, he's on the last year of his deal. Five of their top 6 forwards are over 28. three 30 or older. only 5 D signed and 3 of them on their last year.

McCrimmon and McPHee should take a good look and what they have and what they need. They are still a competitive team and should remain so with the right moves.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Patches w 1 goal, 3 points in the series
Suzuki w 1 goal, 5 points

Nothing like trading away your future to get your ass kicked by it directly

Also that will probably seal Danault's Selke for next year for better or for worse

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

It should be an entertaining Stanley Cup Final. I will go with Tampa in five, with maybe an OT game or two. Price will be able to keep Montreal in the games, but not in the series.

Two stud defensemen on each team, but Tampa is deeper at every position due to being more than $10 million over the cap.

Have to think a Canadian team making lots of noise will have people looking a little closer at this

Like I said to me it seems like an easy fix without breaking anything--your playoff game day roster has to be cap compliant. That at least means you don't have to worry about your LTIR players and can still trade at the deadline but with one eye to the future

 

[Reclamation Project]

They do have to make some decisions. . Biggest need is a Legit 1C. That will cost $$. I'd move out Fleury, with salary retained, he's on the last year of his deal. Five of their top 6 forwards are over 28. three 30 or older. only 5 D signed and 3 of them on their last year.

McCrimmon and McPHee should take a good look and what they have and what they need. They are still a competitive team and should remain so with the right moves.

As much as I hate to say it I would trade Lehner. Keep Fleury and sign him to a couple year deal that brings him to retirement so he can mentor Thompson and get him into the NHL. I have this same mindset with Quick. These guys as mentors are invaluable given all they've accomplished. They have a couple really nice young defensemen that should step in next year. They don't need much, just a couple veteran cup winning pieces to push them to the next level. Someone along the lines of Justin Williams would send them over the top (just an example), proven veteran winners that have won the big games.

 

[Reclamation Project]

Absolute warrior, love this guy…

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That's the sound of Marty getting paid.

We always wonder where the 'quality vet's are, there's one.