Around the NHL - The 2025 NHL Playoffs Thread

[dortt]

Can thank Ralph’s judgement of players and playing time for that one. This led to Rvans trade request. Though I’d say Evan found his game in Pittsburgh, and honed in a consistency in Florida.

it was on well before Ralphus though. Bylsma and Murray were the clowns who buried him in the minors, and Phail kept him there

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Bennett only has one gear, and it’s go, go, go.

I would absolutely love for the Sabres to sign him. He brings an attitude and skill set the Sabres desperately need.

Unfortunately I don’t see any scenario where he would be interested in signing with Buffalo. I’m sure plenty of teams will be willing to overpay. I could also see him just staying with the panthers for less than he’d get in free agency.

 

[sabremike]

Can thank Ralph’s judgement of players and playing time for that one. This led to Rvans trade request. Though I’d say Evan found his game in Pittsburgh, and honed in a consistency in Florida.

Please don't forget the fact he was LITERALLY JACK EICHEL'S COLLEGE LINEMATE AT BU and somehow they never had them on the same line.

 

[jc17]

why was EROD not good enough to be on our roster? 6 points already in the ECF

He's been one of the best PLAYOFF performers in the NHL in recent years.

How f***ing moronic is our front office? Cannot believe he was passed over for losers like Bailey and Baptiste

must have been that overreliance on analytics...

 

[OkimLom]

it was on well before Ralphus though. Bylsma and Murray were the clowns who buried him in the minors, and Phail kept him there

1st year after College - sent to the minors; played 2 games in Buffalo. Nothing weird or out of the ordinary. That’s a development path that is average for an undrafted player

2nd year- split time with AHL and Buffalo having pedestrian numbers and play at the NHL level

3rd year - gained time and played only 8 games in the AHL which would be his last season in the AHL. Found a progressed game.

4th year - Increased his production under Phil. Still average play, but better. Phil didn’t bury him in the AHL. His last AHL game was in December.

5th year - Ralph came on and his role and playing time dwindled. Requested a trade.

3rd year in Pittsburgh was where he made the jump into what he is today. Made a stop in Colorado and now in Florida found a home.

 

[dortt]

Please don't forget the fact he was LITERALLY JACK EICHEL'S COLLEGE LINEMATE AT BU and somehow they never had them on the same line.

they'd play them together for a couple of games, they'd dominate, then move EROD to the 4th line before sending him back to Rochester

 

[Fly Boy]

Jesus christ. The Canes are what, 0-11 in the ECF over the last few years? That's brutal.

 

[dortt]

1st year after College - sent to the minors; played 2 games in Buffalo. Nothing weird or out of the ordinary. That’s a development path that is average for an undrafted player

2nd year- split time with AHL and Buffalo having pedestrian numbers and play at the NHL level

3rd year - gained time and played only 8 games in the AHL which would be his last season in the AHL. Found a progressed game.

4th year - Increased his production under Phil. Still average play, but better. Phil didn’t bury him in the AHL. His last AHL game was in December.

5th year - Ralph came on and his role and playing time dwindled. Requested a trade.

3rd year in Pittsburgh was where he made the jump into what he is today. Made a stop in Colorado and now in Florida found a home.

it was when he was up that Idiot Tim Murray would make comments like "I'm surprised at how good Evan Rodrigues is" or "Evan Rodrigues should never be our best player"

 

[OkimLom]

Please don't forget the fact he was LITERALLY JACK EICHEL'S COLLEGE LINEMATE AT BU and somehow they never had them on the same line.

And? I would’ve done the same thing with where Evan’s game was at the time. The real crime with guys having chemistry and players not being kept together was the Eichel and Girgensons connection.

 

[DapperCam]

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Jesus christ. The Canes are what, 0-11 in the ECF over the last few years? That's brutal.

15 straight losses in the ECF. Swept in 2009 (Penguins), 2019 (Bruins), 2023 (Panthers), and now 3 more losses this year.

 

[OkimLom]

it was when he was up that Idiot Tim Murray would make comments like "I'm surprised at how good Evan Rodrigues is" or "Evan Rodrigues should never be our best player"

Comments that were more aimed towards the main roster players and their abysmal play in a couple of games.

I couldn’t find the “I’m surprised how good Evan” quote to understand the context.

 

[SundherDome]

We are into the Evan Rodriguez portion of our off-season? Cool, cool.

 

[Beerz]

it was when he was up that Idiot Tim Murray would make comments like "I'm surprised at how good Evan Rodrigues is" or "Evan Rodrigues should never be our best player"

You're going ape shit over a guy with a career high of 43 points lol

Breathe.

 

[ValJamesDuex]

Jesus christ. The Canes are what, 0-11 in the ECF over the last few years? That's brutal.

Rob BrindAmour, your 2026 Sabres Head Coach...

 

[OkimLom]

Rob BrindAmour, your 2026 Sabres Head Coach...

That’s a start.

 

[Chainshot]

Rob BrindAmour, your 2026 Sabres Head Coach...

This is sort of like the Bruce Boudreau commentary. I would love to get to the point where we could complain about Buffalo losing double digit Eastern finals playoff games. It would be infuriating, but that would also mean that they are soundly in playoff position, soundly winning a couple of rounds of the playoffs every year. That’s a great problem to have. It’s kind of like with Bruce and people complaining about his game seven playoff record. Let’s get there first. Let’s learn something along the way. It would be fun.

 

[DJN21]

Last one was Briere. McLeod has a chance at that.

hey if you always draft top 10 you can chase your own misfits and hope they pan out right?!

 

[ValJamesDuex]

This is sort of like the Bruce Boudreau commentary. I would love to get to the point where we could complain about Buffalo losing double digit Eastern finals playoff games. It would be infuriating, but that would also mean that they are soundly in playoff position, soundly winning a couple of rounds of the playoffs every year. That’s a great problem to have. It’s kind of like with Bruce and people complaining about his game seven playoff record. Let’s get there first. Let’s learn something along the way. It would be fun.

It was not along those permutations, it's more of he's likely about to wear out his welcome in CAR now and if Adams is still around, Ruff retires, and they don't do the Appert thing, well...

 

[BuiltTagonTough]

Rob BrindAmour, your 2026 Sabres Head Coach...

Compared to what we’ve had this past decade I would shit myself with glee.

 

[NotABadPeriod]

Skinner finally gives up a goal, which given his playoff performance probably means Dallas is scoring 4 more in the 3rd.

 

[DapperCam]

McDavid is so good, he deserves a Cup. I think he's on the same level as Crosby in terms of greatness, he just plays a totally different style.

 

[Beerz]

McDavid is so good, he deserves a Cup. I think he's on the same level as Crosby in terms of greatness, he just plays a totally different style.

Definitely doesn't deserve a Cup

 

[Chainshot]

McDavid is so good, he deserves a Cup. I think he's on the same level as Crosby in terms of greatness, he just plays a totally different style.

 

[DapperCam]

Definitely doesn't deserve a Cup

He won the Conn Smythe on the losing team. I also think JS Giguere deserved a cup in 2003. Alas, it is a team sport and even Gretzky didn’t win one after leaving the Oilers.