Around the NHL: Part III – Oilers Fire Chiarelli [Update: Still Suck]

[GoAwayPanarin]

But would you expect that in half a season a coach could turn a team from an atrocity on defense to something great? I mean I don't doubt that there's some element of hot goaltending propping them up, but they certainly have looked like a more cohesive defensive unit as well, in the few games I've seen. I would only expect that to improve. The goaltending may also fall off, basically leading to a break-even situation or even a net negative relative to where they are now, but I definitely think Trotz has them headed in the right direction as a team.

Great?

They're like smack dab in the middle in quality chances against and don't drive possession at all.

It's an improvement from last year for sure where they were dead last in goals against, but the goal tending has propped them up.

But yeah, for sure trending in the right direction. I'm not overly surprised either, I thought that Trotz would have them on the bubble this year which is where I think they'll end up by years end (either barely in, or just out.)

 

[nyr2k2]

Great?

They're like smack dab in the middle in quality chances against and don't drive possession at all.

It's an improvement from last year for sure where they were dead last in goals against, but the goal tending has propped them up.

But yeah, for sure trending in the right direction. I'm not overly surprised either, I thought that Trotz would have them on the bubble this year which is where I think they'll end up by years end (either barely in, or just out.)

To clarify, I'm not saying they're great. You said they weren't great, and in response I asked if you could reasonably expect a guy to turn a team defensively from shitty to great in half a season. I don't think they're great; like I said, there's probably some truth to the "hot goaltending" argument. But they seem to be playing some sort of cohesive system, and I would expect the team as a whole to improve defensively as they continue under Trotz. That's all.

 

[Leonardo87]

So apparently all the elite UFA talent want to go to Tampa. There goes our chance at Panarin, guys.

 

[Machinehead]

So apparently all the elite UFA talent want to go to Tampa. There goes our chance at Panarin, guys.

I still say the salary cap just doesn't f***ing exist there.

All they do is add, and add, and add, and every year they're in on the next new big name.

 

[darko]

Let's hope Tampa wins the Cup this year.

 

[CasusBelli]

Jay Feaster is just doing some PR stuff for the Lightning right now, I believe...

I see what you’re saying. Fire Gorton and build a Stanley cup winning team. We already have our Khabibulin in Lundqvist, our Dan Boyle in Shattenkirk, Vinny Lecavalier in Zibanejad (bona fide first liner) , Richards in Hayes (quality playmaker) and St Louis in Kreider (scorer).

In the spirit of MLK: I have a dream ...

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Hank kicking it with Yandle makes my heart hurt

 

[DutchShamrock]

Based on the Eastern Conference cheers and boos, that could have been at the Garden. Too loud for the Garden and all, but they have the same alliances.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

The Sharks fans booing Tavares for not signing with them is classic

 

[DutchShamrock]

Gaudreau and Keller look like the kids attached to the shark players. Can't wait for them to grow up.

 

[FireGerardGallant]

Lol Heiskanen

 

[SnowblindNYR]

The angle on the breakaways are awful.

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

Hank is my lord and savior

 

[nyrage]

The King!!!

 

[EdJovanovski]

Hank

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Woohoo, that was fun!

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Hank! Once he went in to sudden death he was like alright time to win this.

San Jose loves Henrik apparently lol. Nice to see them appreciate a legend. Smart fans over there.

Yandle teeing up the clapper was hilarious.

 

[I Eat Crow]

This passing challenge is way too difficult if it's giving Karlsson and Rantanen fits

 

[Glen Sathers Cigar]

Sebastian Aho could be Zuccarello’s brother. They look very similar.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Hockey players shouldn't try comedy. This is so lame.

 

[Hire Sather]

I still say the salary cap just doesn't ****ing exist there.

All they do is add, and add, and add, and every year they're in on the next new big name.

It's truly amazing.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

Surprisingly happy for Hank tonight

 

[aufheben]

Korn effect.

They’re not the dumpster fire defensively that they were last year, but they aren’t great defensively either. The goaltending has carried them so far and I’m skeptical that I can keep up, at least with what they have right now.

Wait what lol

 

[Irishguy42]

Wait what lol

Mitch Korn, goalie coach. Moved to NYI along with Trotz.

 

[DutchShamrock]

Mitch Korn, goalie coach. Moved to NYI along with Trotz.

Ha, I was wondering too. I didn't know if it was some vague reference to the band. "The isles d isn't as good as seems and we'll be a little ashamed later in life that we didn't see it immediately."