Around the League Thread part V

[KingsHockey24]

Their roster is the same as last year plus MM and minus Klingberg.

98 point team last year. I don't really see how they'll be any better (or worse).


Hakstol IMO is a really poor coach.

They lost Gio, add Bjork and Burkovsky which are nice adds, but enough to take a .366 team to the playoffs?

Sure why not.

In the 2012-13 season the Lightning were the 3rd worst team in the entire NHL. Very next season they finished 8th.

This kinda stuff happens more often than you think.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

That Seattle team had good metrics by playing not to lose, not by playing good hockey.

Any NHL team can implement a defensive structure so as not to get f***ed up on a nightly basis, it takes skill and balls to expose yourself to be better. See Kings vs. oilers game 7.

 

[johnjm22]

Sure why not.

In the 2012-13 season the Lightning were the 3rd worst team in the entire NHL. Very next season they finished 8th.

This kinda stuff happens more often than you think.

I know it happens. It happens every season, but I think you still have to look at it on a case by case basis.

The 12/13 Lightning had a -2 goal differential.

The 21/22 Kraken had -69 goal differential while playing in the worst division in the league.

The Lightning also had a lot of good players and made a coaching change. The Kraken are heading into the season with the same coach and the same lineup + two second liners.

But then again, the 16/17 Avs were the worst team in the NHL (48pts -112) and made the playoffs the next season.

 

[johnjm22]

That Seattle team had good metrics by playing not to lose, not by playing good hockey.

Any NHL team can implement a defensive structure so as not to get f***ed up on a nightly basis, it takes skill and balls to expose yourself to be better. See Kings vs. oilers game 7.

As a team, Seattle just doesn't have high upside.

Usually when teams go from bottom of the league to the playoffs the next year, it's because their high upside players get it together.

Or they have a Barry Trotz.

Seattle has neither.

 

[KingsHockey24]

As a team, Seattle just doesn't have high upside.

Usually when teams go from bottom of the league to the playoffs the next year, it's because their high upside players get it together.

Or they have a Barry Trotz.

Seattle has neither.

Seattle has Matty Beniers and Shane Wright. I'm not gonna doubt them after already seeing what Beniers is capable of.

 

[johnjm22]

My candidates for surprise teams this year are:
New Jersey
Vancouver
Buffalo
Ottawa

 

[YP44]

Their roster is the same as last year plus MM and minus Klingberg.

98 point team last year. I don't really see how they'll be any better (or worse).


Hakstol IMO is a really poor coach.

They lost Gio, add Bjork and Burkovsky which are nice adds, but enough to take a .366 team to the playoffs?

only thing with Dallas is if one more year of Sequin not getting hurt makes him closer to being his old self, and If their goalie plays like he did in the Calgary series. So a wish and a prayer.

I am more nervous about LA having a setback and Vancouver or Vegas getting in

My candidates for surprise teams this year are:
New Jersey
Vancouver
Buffalo
Ottawa

I fully agree with Vancouver. They had a lot go wrong for them last year and looked way better under bruce

 

[Kurrilino]

Pacific:
1. Calgary
2. Los Angeles
3. Seattle
4. Edmonton
5. Vancouver
6. Vegas
7. Anaheim
8. San Jose

That's an interesting choice.
Very difficult to predict this year

Edmonton addressed their only real problem, the goal tending and i would rank them 1st.
No team in Pacific will be able to hold them
Calgary lost two 40 goal scorer and added Huberdau
Vegas has a healthy Eichel and will build around him

My guess would be something like

1. Edmonton
2. Los Angeles
3. Calgary
4. Vegas
5. Vancouver
6. Anaheim
7. San Jose
8. Seattly

I would also guess that the 2 wildcards going to central

 

[johnjm22]

If Lemieux isn't going to start every game, it sure would be nice to have Grundstrom in as a regular. He brings some of the physicality that we're lacking.

 

[Sol]

I can’t again for the life of me understand how Vancouver is going to be top 3. Kings are undoubtedly better than them but many people rank them ahead of the Kings? Like what the f***? Kings got Fiala and DD is healthy. Seems like the only answer I get “bro Travis green is gone”

 

[King'sPawn]

Important to note that Nashville also has the first active openly gay hockey player, Luke Prokop.

Trying to be very careful about having this not be a political discussion. However, it begs the question how Prokop's relationship with the Predators may be affected by this.

 

[Ollie Weeks]

Oh, good, another NHL owner to be alienated by.

 

[YP44]

Important to note that Nashville also has the first active openly gay hockey player, Luke Prokop.

Trying to be very careful about having this not be a political discussion. However, it begs the question how Prokop's relationship with the Predators may be affected by this.

humbug

 

[KingsHockey24]

If Lemieux isn't going to start every game, it sure would be nice to have Grundstrom in as a regular. He brings some of the physicality that we're lacking.

Better yet- just have Grundstrom and Lemieux on the 4th line and watch them bang.

 

[Telos]

Important to note that Nashville also has the first active openly gay hockey player, Luke Prokop.

Trying to be very careful about having this not be a political discussion. However, it begs the question how Prokop's relationship with the Predators may be affected by this.

It's a tough spot for the NHL, though they brought it on themselves, and is impossible not to delve into politics. Ultimately, the NHL can choose who they do business with but are probably too far into this process to pull out due to these concerns. They are stuck between freedom of speech/religion and LGBTQ rights. In the end, there's nothing to say this guy can't own a franchise, but it will depend on how he runs said franchise, and anything he or the Predators say or do will be closely scrutinized, especially with Prokop, etc...

Better yet- just have Grundstrom and Lemieux on the 4th line and watch them bang.

Honestly, Grundstrom is the Dustin Brown replacement the team needs. Glad he got extended and he better stick...

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

I can’t again for the life of me understand how Vancouver is going to be top 3. Kings are undoubtedly better than them but many people rank them ahead of the Kings? Like what the f***? Kings got Fiala and DD is healthy. Seems like the only answer I get “bro Travis green is gone”

Pettersson rebounding, their whole top six getting healthy and having better numbers, a full season of Demko, Hughes rounding out his game, and how many times has Boudreau won his division with even mediocre teams? They were putting up wins at a 106 point pace after the Boudreau hiring, a .649 points pace, and it was nearly 3/4 of the season so it's not like it was just a fluke coach bump.

Behind Hughes though that D is sketchy.

 

[Herby]

I feel like this country is so polarized politically that we just need to accept the fact that there are going to be people who think completely differently than you may think. Whether that is people that are owning teams, playing for teams, managing teams. Or even at a more personal level, people who are our coworkers, bosses etc.

 

[Sol]

Pettersson rebounding, their whole top six getting healthy and having better numbers, a full season of Demko, Hughes rounding out his game, and how many times has Boudreau won his division with even mediocre teams? They were putting up wins at a 106 point pace after the Boudreau hiring, a .649 points pace, and it was nearly 3/4 of the season so it's not like it was just a fluke coach bump.

Behind Hughes though that D is sketchy.

Our top 6 is better and our prospects will be getting better. DD- Hughes and our defense is better. Bruce is a better coach but I don’t think he’s astronomically better to the point that will offset the on paper talent the Kings have. If the Kings prospect take a step forward and somehow for the love of God Spence makes the team then the Kings would be sitting above them no doubt. I think Demko is very good but a good goalie is only as good as the defense in front of him. Look at Cam Talbot from Nyr to the Oilers

I feel like this country is so polarized politically that we just need to accept the fact that there are going to be people who think completely differently than you may think. Whether that is people that are owning teams, playing for teams, managing teams. Or even at a more personal level, people who are our coworkers, bosses etc.

Yup. Whether you like it or not there’s not a group think that everyone should be prescribed to. The hive mentality is not nearly as wide spread as much as people want it to be. Personally as someone more in the middle there are people who own things on both sides that own companies that I don’t agree with. You just gotta deal with it. And if there’s discrimination at least you can sue them for a ton of money.

Like a lot of leftists don’t care about Blackrock/Benghazi and a lot of righties never found an issue with Dick Cheyney being the CEO of Halliburton and how that would tie in overseas over destabilizing other countries for “democracy”

Both sides are no better than the other. All you can do is get rich and get some power and try to combat it one way or another.

I guess overall I just think that complaining about people who you don’t agree with does really nothing and that you should try to be the change rather than just rattle off.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Our top 6 is better and our prospects will be getting better. DD- Hughes and our defense is better. Bruce is a better coach but I don’t think he’s astronomically better to the point that will offset the on paper talent the Kings have. If the Kings prospect take a step forward and somehow for the love of God Spence makes the team then the Kings would be sitting above them no doubt. I think Demko is very good but a good goalie is only as good as the defense in front of him. Look at Cam Talbot from Nyr to the Oilers

I don't disagree really and I think with health and some prospect improvement we'll be ahead, but we have just as many question marks as they do if not more. I'm just explaining why some have them so high.

 

[Sol]

I don't disagree really and I think with health and some prospect improvement we'll be ahead, but we have just as many question marks as they do if not more. I'm just explaining why some have them so high.

I just think that Petterssons rebound is not nearly going to be nearly as impactful as the steps the Kings have took this off-season. Fiala himself pretty much crosses that out a good chunk.

The only way we end up behind the Canucks is honestly coaching because it’s not the name on the roster.

 

[johnjm22]

Important to note that Nashville also has the first active openly gay hockey player, Luke Prokop.

Trying to be very careful about having this not be a political discussion. However, it begs the question how Prokop's relationship with the Predators may be affected by this.

AEG Owner Phil Anschutz Is Still Donating to Causes Promoting Anti-LGBTQ Beliefs

AEG owner Philip Anschutz donated $1,020,000 to two organizations that made public statements against LGBTQ people -- Colorado Christian University and the Sky Ranch Christian camping organization.

www.billboard.com

 

[King'sPawn]

I feel like this country is so polarized politically that we just need to accept the fact that there are going to be people who think completely differently than you may think. Whether that is people that are owning teams, playing for teams, managing teams. Or even at a more personal level, people who are our coworkers, bosses etc.

There's no problem with owners or other people thinking differently.

There will be legitimate questions, however, depending on future interactions go.

If things don't work out with him in Nashville, the politics will be brought up - is it because of direction from ownership, or is it because Prokop feels excluded? Being part of the gay community, he will want to try to widen the audience and inclusivity of players in the NHL. Teammates have already used pride tape in support. Will ownership allow such events or promotions?

It's okay that there are people who think differently. But it's not okay if it will interfere with giving a prospect a fair shot to succeed and IF he blocks promotions or events when the NHL promotes "hockey is for everyone". I'm not saying he will do it, just that there's a certain threshold where "just thinking differently" is not all he's doing.

 

[johnjm22]

I can’t again for the life of me understand how Vancouver is going to be top 3. Kings are undoubtedly better than them but many people rank them ahead of the Kings? Like what the f***? Kings got Fiala and DD is healthy. Seems like the only answer I get “bro Travis green is gone”

 

[YP44]

I just think that Petterssons rebound is not nearly going to be nearly as impactful as the steps the Kings have took this off-season. Fiala himself pretty much crosses that out a good chunk.

The only way we end up behind the Canucks is honestly coaching because it’s not the name on the roster.

I think Pettersson rebounding is just as likely as Kempe coming back down to more his career average. LA got career years from him and Danault. Also received a bounceback from Quick and Doughty. Not all of that is going continue. That said LA also should have internal growth (and alot of it), a better year from Arvidson and Cal P would go a long way and is not out of the question, and brought in Fiala.

Anyway, I think it is fair to assume LA and Van will be battling for the same playoff spot/spots.

 

[KingsFan7824]

There's no problem with owners or other people thinking differently.

There will be legitimate questions, however, depending on future interactions go.

If things don't work out with him in Nashville, the politics will be brought up - is it because of direction from ownership, or is it because Prokop feels excluded? Being part of the gay community, he will want to try to widen the audience and inclusivity of players in the NHL. Teammates have already used pride tape in support. Will ownership allow such events or promotions?

It's okay that there are people who think differently. But it's not okay if it will interfere with giving a prospect a fair shot to succeed and IF he blocks promotions or events when the NHL promotes "hockey is for everyone". I'm not saying he will do it, just that there's a certain threshold where "just thinking differently" is not all he's doing.

He could also just not be good enough to make it.