Around the NHL 2017-18: Stanley Cup Playoffs

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Dan the worst dman in the nhl (actually worst dman in any league including the echl) Girardi getting 16 plus minutes on a team that just can't lose.

I think his minutes will go up soon. Once they start losing, I think Dotchin's minutes will tank. Dotchin's being carried by Hedman, doesn't belong anywhere near an NHL top pair, he's barely NHL level, and they'll probably change up the pairs at some point when they lose, they haven't yet since they don't lose, which I think will allow Girardi to go into the top 4, although he's right now 4th on the D in TOI, so thats a top 4D. Fans here were sure he couldn't play in the NHL, let alone top 4 role for a very good team. Tampa also plays 7D, Hedman plays nearly half the game, so the minutes are a lot less for the other players. Today they only played 6D though because I think they are realizing that Kokekekekek sucks, and they already know Sustr sucks. His corsi is even up, and Tampa fans seem happy with his play, I seriously don't think I've seen as many negative posts about him so far all season in their forum since the season started as you'd see in one Rangers game thread, they actually have a Girardi appreciation thread where they talk about his play, so they are liking how he's playing.

Tampa has a sick team this year, by the way. If we aren't gonna win the cup, it'd be cool if two of the leaders of our past generation, Girardi and Callahan, won a Cup.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

They don't give out participation trophies in professional sports.

Obnoxious as hell

 

[Leonardo87]

I

Tampa has a sick team this year, by the way. If we aren't gonna win the cup, it'd be cool if two of the leaders of our past generation, Girardi and Callahan, won a Cup.

As much as Tampa has been fun to watch, really rooting for that team because of those two guys on it, well more because of Callahan obviously. I am happy they are both playing very well, especially Cally, but little to show for it sadly. So pissed about that. But when you don't get PP time it's hard to get into a consistent offensive groove going. He got robbed last night again. He is on the 3rd line now with Chris Kunitz who are getting more ES ice time than Johnson and Killorn's line, that is how well he has been doing. Kunitz and him have found some nice chemistry but they need a center who can open the ice for them and make plays. They have been through 3 centers but have not missed a beat.

Also, Just to show you my loyalties, Thursday want the Rangers to win, but like to see Callahan get on the score-sheet for a couple of points, lol.

 

[TheTakedown]

I think his minutes will go up soon. Once they start losing, I think Dotchin's minutes will tank. Dotchin's being carried by Hedman, doesn't belong anywhere near an NHL top pair, he's barely NHL level, and they'll probably change up the pairs at some point when they lose, they haven't yet since they don't lose, which I think will allow Girardi to go into the top 4, although he's right now 4th on the D in TOI, so thats a top 4D. Fans here were sure he couldn't play in the NHL, let alone top 4 role for a very good team. Tampa also plays 7D, Hedman plays nearly half the game, so the minutes are a lot less for the other players. Today they only played 6D though because I think they are realizing that Kokekekekek sucks, and they already know Sustr sucks. His corsi is even up, and Tampa fans seem happy with his play, I seriously don't think I've seen as many negative posts about him so far all season in their forum since the season started as you'd see in one Rangers game thread, they actually have a Girardi appreciation thread where they talk about his play, so they are liking how he's playing.

Tampa has a sick team this year, by the way. If we aren't gonna win the cup, it'd be cool if two of the leaders of our past generation, Girardi and Callahan, won a Cup.

Probably because the coach doesn't employ a system that makes Girardi look like a total waste.

In all honesty, we're 12 games in. Girardi is not a top pairing dman...

Unless... *tinfoil hat time* McDonagh is the problem

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Probably because the coach doesn't employ a system that makes Girardi look like a total waste.

In all honesty, we're 12 games in. Girardi is not a top pairing dman...

Unless... *tinfoil hat time* McDonagh is the problem

I'd agree that AV's system didn't help him out, doesn't help Staal out either. And I don't think the contention is that he's a top pairing defensemen, instead that he's still competent in the role he plays right now for Tampa as 4th on the defense in TOI, barely behind Coburn for 3rd, can play as a middle pairing D for a contender, and will be fine.

 

[Leonardo87]

Probably because the coach doesn't employ a system that makes Girardi look like a total waste.

In all honesty, we're 12 games in. Girardi is not a top pairing dman...

Unless... *tinfoil hat time* McDonagh is the problem

Girardi has looked good but it's because he is not getting overkilled with ice time. If anything Dotchin, Sustr, and Koekkoek have been Tampa's D issues. G has solidified the bottom pairing for Tampa which has always been a concern.... well most teams fans hate their bottom pairings, lol.

Hedman has actually struggled as of late but Stralman is having a very strong season, So right now.... Girardi is like Tampa's 3rd best D. Stralman, Sergachev, then G. Likely in that order. But I expect Hedman to get back on track and become that top D again.

 

[Off Sides]

Tampa also some elite talents, and other good 2-way players that take the pressure off the whole D core.

 

[Irishguy42]

We're now in the best month of the season. Can't wait to see all the nice mustaches and beards NYR has and the others around the league. Of course, the Yandle-bar takes the cake.

 

[Edge]

Tampa also some elite talents, and other good 2-way players that take the pressure off the whole D core.

Always helps when your franchise center is on a 150+ point pace.

 

[aufheben]

Nice looking lineup tonight.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Nice looking lineup tonight.

- Re-match of the 2010 final
- The old generation vs the new generation of elite centers
- Overachieving lottery teams
- Young stars vs a team of arguably no real stars
- The last 2 losing cup finalists

 

[aufheben]

- Re-match of the 2010 final
- The old generation vs the new generation of elite centers
- Overachieving lottery teams
- Young stars vs a team of arguably no real stars
- The last 2 losing cup finalists

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Am I wrong?

 

[aufheben]

I wonder if Mattias Ekholm could be a #1D on a different team.

 

[Mac n Gs]

How f***ing stupid is the NHL that they had the Flyers and Chicago on primetime, but not Crosby v. McDavid? Who runs their goddamn marketing division?

 

[Irishguy42]

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that Steve Zipay is at it again...

 

[RangerLifer]

How ****ing stupid is the NHL that they had the Flyers and Chicago on primetime, but not Crosby v. McDavid? Who runs their goddamn marketing division?

I'm glad they promote other players instead of Crosby all the time. Chicago/Philly has many good players to watch too.

 

[Mac n Gs]

I'm glad they promote other players instead of Crosby all the time. Chicago/Philly has many good players to watch too.

It’s moreso that they should be putting McDavid in the spotlight because he’s soon to be the new face of the NHL. They made bank on the young stars WCoH team, so they should keep marketing those kids

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I wonder if Mattias Ekholm could be a #1D on a different team.

Probably like a fringe 1D, Tanev range.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It is with a heavy heart that I must announce that Steve Zipay is at it again...

I saw that.

I have no sympathy for these beat reporters, given how bad at their job they are.

These guys didn't even tell us the lines at practice yesterday, didn't tell us the lines at practice two days prior when AV completely changed them, and we didn't get the news until later in the day from a Brooks article. If they do their job poorly, I have no sympathy for them. Zipay also completely went overboard with that accusation that Nunn was making fun of the terrorism situation in NYC.

 

[Levitate]

Clendenning bounced from another team...

 

[Edge]

It's further proof of how much time we spent debating and arguing about marginal NHL talents.

We've done so for decades at this point.

 

[Levitate]

Clendenning is really a fascinating situation to me to be honest. He's not amazing or anything but it seems like he should have caught on somewhere at least as a 3rd pairing guy, but I think there are a couple of things working against him...for one I think NHL teams still think of 3rd pairing guy as a "shutdown, defensive defenseman" type. They've moved beyond the "punchy hockey man defenseman" but still not past the idea that they want a "defensive" guy in that role and who can maybe PK.

Two, I think that teams have really started to embrace that 2 way skating defenseman type, even if they don't score a huge number of points, but when you look at Clendenning his 1 on 1 and defensive zone play probably really isn't good enough to call him a "2 way" player, he's kind of small/slight, and even though he's good with the puck and moves it up ice quickly when he gets it, he doesn't score a lot of points. So even though his stats grade out well, his playing style isn't one that coaches trust. I think the perception is that the mistakes he might make defensively aren't made up for by his offense (even though he may overall help prevent more shots against and facilitate more shots for)

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Clendenning bounced from another team...

I can't wait for the posts about how we should claim him because he's the answer

 

[aufheben]

Nov 2, 2017​