Around the League Thread part V

[Axl Rhoadz]

That's a huge loss for Vegas.

From what I can tell, they have nothing as far as goalies go in the organization.

Man, the Pacific keeps getting worse -- opportunity is open for the Kings to pounce.

 

[johnjm22]

Man, the Pacific keeps getting worse -- opportunity is open for the Kings to pounce.

Has it?

I think the Pacific is better than people think. Ducks, Sharks and Kraken suck (although the Kraken have improved), but VGK, LA, EDM, CAL and VAN should all be in the playoff mix.

 

[Schrute farms]

I f***ing hate going to staples and hearing nonstop through the PA to cheer. It’s so cringe worthy that they do it as much as they do

I agree whole heartily.
However, my young kids, wife & her friends used to like those things and found it entertaining -- shrug. Granted, I haven't gone to a game in over 2 years, so maybe it's gotten worse.

 

[KINGS17]

I agree whole heartily.
However, my young kids, wife & her friends used to like those things and found it entertaining -- shrug. Granted, I haven't gone to a game in over 2 years, so maybe it's gotten worse.

It's not entertaining, it's annoying. I used to enjoy portions of the game when you could hear the sounds of passes being received, skates cutting on the ice, a player yelling for a pass.

Sometimes it is best when loud cheers are reserved for a great play. One of the most enjoyable moments as a player is when you do something that brings everyone to their feet and gets them into the game.

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

What goalies are even available at this point for Vegas? I guess there will always be cap-strapped teams...

Maybe they'll get some veteran presence, but Logan Thompson takes the reigns this year and never looks back. Kid is gonna be a stud, unfortunately. Barring a renaissance season by Quick or Petersen figuring out between the ears, Thompson will be the best goalie in the division behind Demko.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

Has it?

I think the Pacific is better than people think. Ducks, Sharks and Kraken suck (although the Kraken have improved), but VGK, LA, EDM, CAL and VAN should all be in the playoff mix.

VGK = worse
CAL = worse
ANA = sux
SJS = sux
SEA = sux
EDM = may have gotten better
VAN = don't know enough to comment

 

[johnjm22]

VGK = worse
CAL = worse
ANA = sux
SJS = sux
SEA = sux
EDM = may have gotten better
VAN = don't know enough to comment

I think Calgary is just as good as they were.

I think Vegas is better than last year. Largely because of the coaching change which they desperately needed.

Vancouver was one of the best teams in the league after BB took over. His teams are always good in the regular season.

 

[Axl Rhoadz]

I think Calgary is just as good as they were.

I think Vegas is better than last year. Largely because of the coaching change which they desperately needed.

Vancouver was one of the best teams in the league after BB took over. His teams are always good in the regular season.

CAL lost two 40-goal scorers and replaced them with one -- how is that just as good?

VGK lost Pacioretty and now their #1 goaltender -- how does that equate to being better?

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Calgary isn't going to be nearly as lucky with health (IIRC they nearly set a record for least man games lost?) and career years this year, so they'll flip flop with Vegas, who will have health.

 

[Schrute farms]

It's not entertaining, it's annoying. I used to enjoy portions of the game when you could hear the sounds of passes being received, skates cutting on the ice, a player yelling for a pass.

Sometimes it is best when loud cheers are reserved for a great play. One to the most enjoyable moments as a player is when you do something that brings everyone to their feet and gets them into the game.

As i said, i whole heartily agree. We are true hockey fans -- we're all in the same boat i'm sure in hating it.
But the casual (or non-hockey) fan in attendance does not understand the game and sometimes likes the ridiculous, annoying stuff -- hence my wife & her friends enjoying it. Just shows what Luc & crew are catering to as fans -- hint: it's not hockey.

 

[YP44]

CAL lost two 40-goal scorers and replaced them with one -- how is that just as good?

VGK lost Pacioretty and now their #1 goaltender -- how does that equate to being better?

Calgary also gained with Weager. I agree that they may not be as good but I think they are definitely a playoff team. They have some guys who tore up the AHL last year too that should be in roster spots.

 

[kingsfan28]

That's a huge loss for Vegas.

From what I can tell, they have nothing as far as goalies go in the organization.

And the LTIR Train has enter the station...

 

[HookKing]

You mean you don’t love the annoying “everybody clap clap clap your hands”


They ain’t no Bayern. Pretty hard to see what happens to them now that Lewandowski left.

These guys did it right -- and, after all who doesn't love a bunch of Canadian boys that named its band after a surface-to-air missile?

 

[johnjm22]

CAL lost two 40-goal scorers and replaced them with one -- how is that just as good?

VGK lost Pacioretty and now their #1 goaltender -- how does that equate to being better?

CAL - They went from Gaudreau/Tkachuk to Huberdeau/Weegar. Overall talent of the roster will be about the same.

VGK - They had a season where everything went wrong, and a coach the players had shut out. Deboer-coached teams always end up like that. Simply making a coaching change will more than compensate for the loss of a winger who only played half the season and a goaltender. Plus a fully healthy Eichel should be much improved.

 

[Bandit]

And the LTIR Train has enter the station...

Quick to Vegas - Ef***no

 

[Stimpythecat]

Vegas also lost Dadonov and his 20 goals. He was one of their best players down the stretch.

 

[ru4reals]

Wouldn't it be something Eichel gets traded to the Knights and they end up being the Sabres west. LOL. That would be so damn hilarious. But the Pacific Division is a toss up in my opinion. Oilers will probably be on top of the division then everyone else in any order except Seattle.

 

[Statto]

Calgary isn't going to be nearly as lucky with health (IIRC they nearly set a record for least man games lost?) and career years this year, so they'll flip flop with Vegas, who will have health.

I think with Calgary it’s not so much about talent but the dressing room change. They’ve lost 2 major character components and it’s something that might affect them badly as it obviously was previously a strength. It might be fine but it may take a little time for it to come together. I think talent wise they are not as strong as a group, but not by a huge amount.

 

[Schrute farms]

Even if Calgary brought everyone back, i'd have expected them to take a minor step back -- 7 to 10 points less. They seemed to overachieve quite a bit. Factor in some potential Sutter fatigue and there you go. The couple of new faces might help that actually for this year. I still see them 5-7+ points less.

 

[Schrute farms]

Vegas is a really interesting case. Will they bounce back after everything going wrong last year? Or was that the norm for them now? Their team has a bunch of older and/or injury prone guys. Not much prospect wise (nor picks; nor cap space) available to them to supplement things. It could go either way for them. The goalie uncertainty just adds to the potential downward trend for them. They really need Eichel to be The Man to drive success on this team -- but that's something he's never done (even when healthy).

 

[kingsboy11]

Calgary will definitely see some drop off. They were fortunate with their lack of injuries and imo got weaker up front. I think losing Tkachuk will hurt more than people realize without having that kind of antagonist to stir things up. Markstrom probably won't be as good either as he was either.

Vegas probably won't be as unlucky as they were last season. Upgraded their coach and will be looking at a full season of Eichel and Stone. Issue for them will be losing Lehner the entire season and depth scoring after losing Patches and Dadonov for basically nothing.

 

[johnjm22]

Calgary had a season where everything went right. Vegas had a season where everything went wrong. They’ll both likely revert to the mean this year.

IMO the top 5 teams in the Pacific are pretty evenly matched. Should be a dog fight.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Calgary had a season where everything went right. Vegas had a season where everything went wrong. They’ll both likely revert to the mean this year.

IMO the top 5 teams in the Pacific are pretty evenly matched. Should be a dog fight.

I don't think Vegas is going to accomplish much if their starting goalie is Logan Thompson.

 

[Sol]

The kings let Tkachuk leave the flames before ever killing him.

The lack of huevos man

 

[Raccoon Jesus]

Calgary had a season where everything went right. Vegas had a season where everything went wrong. They’ll both likely revert to the mean this year.

IMO the top 5 teams in the Pacific are pretty evenly matched. Should be a dog fight.

Yeah it's tough to see any of those five running away from one another if everything goes right. It's gonna come down to injuries and big vs. bad performances.