Around the NHL: Part V – Nice Try, Sabres (or, Playoffs?!)

[kovazub94]

The Nashville Predators are everything that's right, AND everything that's wrong with an expansion team in a non-traditional area.

It's great they have a loyal fanbase that sells out the games. It's great they seemingly understand the game.

However, almost everything about that fanbase screams minor league little brotherism.

I don't hate the team per se, but I hate the nonsense that surrounds them.

I actually enjoy their fanbase being different from the standard. Got a bit of Premiership soccer feel to it.

 

[Fugazy]

I actually enjoy their fanbase being different from the standard. Got a bit of Premiership soccer feel to it.

That’s how I kinda view it too. It can be refreshing to see sometimes.

 

[kovazub94]

This guy's just gonna play in the vegas lineup now? Go straight from SKA to the stanley cup playoffs?

Yes, not sure what you're asking. Similar to how prospects go straight from college to playoff teams (Kreider) but in this case the player is a lot more developed and is coming straight from KHL Conference Final.

 

[will1066]

That’s how I kinda view it too. It can be refreshing to see sometimes.

We just need Smashville to be S**kville. Need that 1st-rounder.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

The Nashville Predators are everything that's right, AND everything that's wrong with an expansion team in a non-traditional area.

It's great they have a loyal fanbase that sells out the games. It's great they seemingly understand the game.

However, almost everything about that fanbase screams minor league little brotherism.

I don't hate the team per se, but I hate the nonsense that surrounds them.

Bridgestone is like a homeless man’s Arrowhead

Sure wish MSG got that into games.

 

[NYR94]

Yes, not sure what you're asking. Similar to how prospects go straight from college to playoff teams (Kreider) but in this case the player is a lot more developed and is coming straight from KHL Conference Final.

I'm talking more adapting to NHL game in such a short time frame. But you're right, I forgot about kreider so players have done this before.

 

[Tawnos]

I'm talking more adapting to NHL game in such a short time frame. But you're right, I forgot about kreider so players have done this before.

Same series Kreider came in, Silfverberg went in for Ottawa.

 

[Ghost of jas]

Same series Kreider came in, Silfverberg went in for Ottawa.

Didn’t Stone also make his debut in that series?

 

[TheTakedown]

There is unfortunately one important area where they aren't. Sucks because aside from that they have put together their best roster in franchise history.

Did you not watch that game last night? Vegas looked like shit

 

[Tawnos]

Didn’t Stone also make his debut in that series?

Yep. But I think he was already under contract.

 

[Mac n Gs]

If people want a center, Newhook becomes a very real possibility to move into position for if Winnipeg's pick is 19, or even the low 20s.

If people want Zegras, we'll need to be closer. Say, like maybe Arizona's pick at 14.

Assuming Dallas and Tampa fail, the highest those picks could be are 49 and 60. That would give us picks 37, 49 and 60 in the second round. Those picks might help you move up 3 or 4 spots, so you'd be looking at going from 19 to either 16 or 15.

If you have the 14th pick, I think you might be able to get to 10. But your limit either way is probably about 4 slots before the price goes up considerably, if the option even exists.

I definitely agree with Larry, the Rangers are most likely willing to bundle. It's a matter of what they have to work with, how much they are willing to throw into the pot, for whom are they willing to pay a premium, and which teams might be interested.

Just because the Rangers want to, doesn't mean they'll be able, or that a kid they like will even be available.

I’m all for bundling and shooting for quality over quantity here. I’m not too thrilled with the latter end of this draft, despite their being some intriguing WHL and USHL kids I like.

If we’re getting Hughes or Kakko, I think they need to make the push to add them a complementary W or C, whether it’s Boldy/Caufield or Zegras/Newhook. Ideally, I hope they get another late 1st so they can take Dorofreyev.

 

[TheTakedown]

It's always fun to watch the isles flounder, but in the long run I think the short term success hurts their long term goals.

Lou brought in a bunch of aging, short term vets to prop up the team. Guys like Martin aren't going to his long term solutions. Lou is an all in guy, they may lose Lee for nothing (very doubtful), same with Eberle next year (possible).

Barzal is a gem, but I think the isles capitalized on a lot of flux in the East to get here. A lot of consistency, but I'm not sure I see potential to improve or sustain.

They just had back to back 1st rounders last year. Pool is deeper than it was a year ago

 

[TheTakedown]

It's not minor league little brotherism. It's college football fan mentality, which makes sense really.

That's just the southern influence. Nothing you can do about that

 

[East Coast Bias]

If the stars align for the Rangers, we need a WCF of DAL vs VGK/COL (with DAL losing), and an ECF of TBL vs CAR, with TBL winning the Cup.

Assuming Zucc meets the GP requirement, that would give the Rangers the following in the draft: #2, #19, #28, #31

This is harder than trying to follow my parlays and DK fantasy lineups on NFL Sundays

 

[Edge]

I’m all for bundling and shooting for quality over quantity here. I’m not too thrilled with the latter end of this draft, despite their being some intriguing WHL and USHL kids I like.

If we’re getting Hughes or Kakko, I think they need to make the push to add them a complementary W or C, whether it’s Boldy/Caufield or Zegras/Newhook. Ideally, I hope they get another late 1st so they can take Dorofreyev.

The funny thing is, if we hand't jumped to second, and stayed at 6 or even 7, we'd probably be talking about the potential for Turcotte/Zegras/Cozens/Dach to become first line centers.

Because all of them have it. If we somehow happened to land one, with Kakko and Kravtsov in tow, they might just end up one of the most underrated prospects in hockey.

 

[E-Train]

If Gorts can find a way to add Zegras and Newhook to Kakko, the Rangers will be the team of the 20’s.

That would be an immense amount of talent added in 3 drafts.

 

[Mac n Gs]

The funny thing is, if we hand't jumped to second, and stayed at 6 or even 7, we'd probably be talking about the potential for Turcotte/Zegras/Cozens/Dach to become first line centers.

Because all of them have it. If we somehow happened to land one, with Kakko and Kravtsov in tow, they might just end up one of the most underrated prospects in hockey.

My additional reasoning is that Quinn, rightfully so, opts to stack his ice-time for the top-6 and roll his big guns more heavily. Maurice is another one that’s a favorite of this method, and I think it’s the most effective way to stack scoring. It also frees you up to have depth that’s fresh and can step up when needed. Considering how much depth we’re acquiring, I think it’s the right move to make for the future. Tampa can do it easily with their guys, and look how much it helps a kid like Cirelli to step in and contribute instantly.

 

[NCRanger]

That's just the southern influence. Nothing you can do about that

Nothing wrong with a little college football and southern influence. Nothing wrong with pre-game tailgating and "partying". Nothing wrong with a truly loud crowd. I'm talking about the artificial noise, strobe lights in the glass before the team goes on a power play (which actually kept flashing after the puck drop when the Rangers played them down there), and just plain ignorant crap during games. Seems like the ice changes colors during the game too thanks to that stupid "ribbon board". College football doesn't have any of that.

 

[DutchShamrock]

They just had back to back 1st rounders last year. Pool is deeper than it was a year ago

Yeah, that is true. They're not in dire straits. My take is that they really push these next few seasons and hamper their draft slot and asset accumulation. They also lose a number of the players pushing the play now to age. The cheap talent to back fill won't be coming in as Barzal gets a raise.

 

[Gresch04]

It was actually a one touch hard pass exactly where it needed to be. You and I were watching different games if you thought he was irrelevant.

+/- ? LOL

It was a good pass, pretty standard on a PP for a skill player. Nothing like the superb move Barzal made, which is what I would call setting up the GWG.

More importantly, Panarin scored 3 goals in a 19 game stretch when the team was desperate. I'm not paying $10M+ for a guy who disappears at crunch time. We had an $8M version of that in Nash. We dodged Nash 2.0 by trading Hayes, another guy who disappears in big moments.

 

[GoAwayGiannone]

If Gorts can find a way to add Zegras and Newhook to Kakko, the Rangers will be the team of the 20’s.

That would be an immense amount of talent added in 3 drafts.

It’s so weird to see this in writing and it not be about the 1920’s.

 

[Tawnos]

Nothing wrong with a little college football and southern influence. Nothing wrong with pre-game tailgating and "partying". Nothing wrong with a truly loud crowd. I'm talking about the artificial noise, strobe lights in the glass before the team goes on a power play (which actually kept flashing after the puck drop when the Rangers played them down there), and just plain ignorant crap during games. Seems like the ice changes colors during the game too thanks to that stupid "ribbon board". College football doesn't have any of that.

If that happened, I didn't notice it and I was there.

Besides that thing, all that other stuff happens in every other modern arena. I mean, artificial noise has been going on for like 25 years. It happens at MSG too as well as PNC... and when I was at PNC, the color change thing happened there too.

The only thing I don't like about Nashville is related to the "ignorant crap" thing, but I find some of that has cropped up elsewhere as well. You're really going to sing-song a goalie after they give up one goal? You're really gonna yell "he sucks too" when they announce the coach after the starting lineups? Some of this, like I said, is related to the college football thing. But then again, I tend not to be impressed with taunting or otherwise going after the other team more than you're encouraging your own. The one that really drives me nuts, though, is when the PA guy announces 1 minute remaining. The crowd sarcastically yells "Thanks Paul!" Everytime, I want to shake every one of them and yell "he's not telling you!"

Most of that stuff, even the stuff I don't like, is way more fun when you're rooting for the Predators, which I generally do except when they play the Rangers. I've been to more Preds games than Rangers games in my life. I am rooting against them this year just because they're playing Dallas.

 

[aufheben]

Did you not watch that game last night? Vegas looked like ****

I’ve been watching San Jose since October. Like I said, this is probably the best team they’ve ever had... excluding goaltending.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

I’ve been watching San Jose since October. Like I said, this is probably the best team they’ve ever had... excluding goaltending.

I mean, they have Burns AND Karlsson, it’s only fair that their goaltending sucks, otherwise they would’ve challenged Tampa.

 

[NCRanger]

If that happened, I didn't notice it and I was there.

Besides that thing, all that other stuff happens in every other modern arena. I mean, artificial noise has been going on for like 25 years. It happens at MSG too as well as PNC... and when I was at PNC, the color change thing happened there too.

The only thing I don't like about Nashville is related to the "ignorant crap" thing, but I find some of that has cropped up elsewhere as well. You're really going to sing-song a goalie after they give up one goal? You're really gonna yell "he sucks too" when they announce the coach after the starting lineups? Some of this, like I said, is related to the college football thing. But then again, I tend not to be impressed with taunting or otherwise going after the other team more than you're encouraging your own. The one that really drives me nuts, though, is when the PA guy announces 1 minute remaining. The crowd sarcastically yells "Thanks Paul!" Everytime, I want to shake every one of them and yell "he's not telling you!"

Most of that stuff, even the stuff I don't like, is way more fun when you're rooting for the Predators, which I generally do except when they play the Rangers. I've been to more Preds games than Rangers games in my life. I am rooting against them this year just because they're playing Dallas.

I noticed it for a few seconds, would have been long enough for a face off win and a shot from the point.

That ribbon thing is annoying (watching I thought my TV was busted) and potentially game altering, and actually has been called out by some former NC State basketball players as being distracting when shooting -- and with the way the team tends to shoot at home, there might very well be something to it.

I agree with you on the other things. You want to taunt a goalie, go ahead, but the way they do it is just so juvenile.