Is this the most uneventful NHL season you've witnessed?

[eXile59]

I agree - entertainment value of the NHL continues to decline. Watching any game involving the Devils is the equivalent of watching paint dry in a corner.

It's to the point where I enjoy watching a random NFL game more than I actually enjoy watching my own NHL team play. So much obstruction these days..

Until the NHL cracks down on obstruction, like they did post-lockout, entertainment value will continue to decline.

Hooking/obstruction trumps individual talent these days.

You mean you enjoy a sport where they let their talented players show off the talent? That's weird.

I prefer watching the games where best players have to carry defenders on their back & get interfered with 30 feet away from the puck because "Goals don't equal entertainment, the old ways are the best, Gretzky would just fly over the defenders heads, it stops injuries"

 

[Bill McCreary]

The playoffs in the East should really be something to behold. It's a cliche, but it rings true this year, any team that makes it in (and the 8 look to be set) can make it to the Finals (or "Final" as the NHL calls it for some reason).

 

[Borlag]

Just a quick question to the OP.... How is "Crosby, Ovechkin and Malkin are unable to outscore Jakub Voracek. " uneventful and boring? Wouldn't the abovementioned trio dominating yet another year be the boring bit, instead of a fourth player entering the mix and battling it out?

 

[Ducks in a row]

Great rookie season by 18 year old defenseman Aaron Ekblad

Filip Forsberg having a great rookie season making everyone in Washinton wish they still had him.

Mike Ribeiro overcoming himself and having a great season.

A very close race for the Art Ross trophy with surprises involved.

Alex Ovechkin being a much better two way player after last season horrible two way play.

Some unexpected teams in playoff position in the west.

Close race for the President trophy.

Panthers had been involved in the longest shootout in NHL history earlier this season.

NHL had a mumps outbreak.

A close race for the Rocket Richard trophy.

Kris Letang being more healthy then he has in years and producing great offense from the blueline looking like he will set career highs.

Defending Stanley Cup champion Kings looking like they might miss the playoffs.

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov legal troubles.

That is just some of the stories in the NHL this season.

 

[LarKing]

I think this has been a very interesting type of year. Lots of new-ish teams in the playoff race with teams like Nashville, NY Islanders, Calgary, Winnipeg, Florida, etc. teams that were previously bottom feeders not so long ago. Then you have the resurgence of Detroit, Tampa seemingly taking that next step, Washington excelling under Trotz, Boston struggling but now turning it around, etc. I think it's been a different type of year because the names of both the teams and the players at the top of their respective standings have changed quite a bit. For some that's a bad thing and for some that's a good thing. Really just depends on your opinion.

 

[Howboutthempanthers]

Welp, my team is watchable for the first time in years. I'm not complaining.

 

[Luca]

I have enjoyed Toronto and Edmonton storylines very much!

 

[Cult of Hynes]

You must have very low standards.

Not really. You must have nothing else to add to the conversation since you gave no reason why I would have low standards.

Try watching more than one team and youll see this season has been pretty eventful and fun.

 

[Terry Yake]

some great rookie storylines but aside from that, pretty uneventful to say the least

definitely the most boring season since 03-04 but at least this time around the ducks are contending and not in the cellar

 

[Vladiator16*]

Matter of opinion, I'd say, I like this season, tight race in the East, new leaders in scoring, what's not to like? Unless of cours you are a bit sour the way your team plays resently, it's not the Pens by any chance, OP, is it?

 

[ScaredStreit]

As an Islander fan: NO!

 

[byrath]

You may believe the bolded is a joke. But I believe your in a minority.

The World Cup is going to be a fantastic tournament.

It will depend on the players. Will they approach it much like the Olympics, or will they look at it as an unpaid, unwelcome intrusion into their already short off-season? We can't be sure, but I'd guess that we'll see a lot of players opting out due to 'injury', and a lot of those who are there giving it a half-assed effort.

Overall its been an ok season. Unfortunately we continue to see more and more 'clog the slot' defense and 'put it on net and hope for a bounce/tip/rebound' offense.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

This a fun ass season, I love that Voracek is leading the league in points. I love that Kane and Seguin are right there with him. Makes for a less cliche season. No Kings? Cool as ****. No offense to kings fans, but variety is good. Remember when Nashville and NYI surprised most people? And look at Winnipeg! Goooood ****.

 

[Huokaus]

I think this has been a very interesting type of year. Lots of new-ish teams in the playoff race with teams like Nashville, NY Islanders, Calgary, Winnipeg, Florida, etc. teams that were previously bottom feeders not so long ago. Then you have the resurgence of Detroit, Tampa seemingly taking that next step, Washington excelling under Trotz, Boston struggling but now turning it around, etc. I think it's been a different type of year because the names of both the teams and the players at the top of their respective standings have changed quite a bit. For some that's a bad thing and for some that's a good thing. Really just depends on your opinion.

Nice post, these are pretty much my thoughts too. I enjoy this mix of "old and new" in pretty much everything. I'm used to seeing Crosby leading in points and I like it when he racks up points on his way to becoming a legend, but this year? It's Jake-friggin-Voracek - a guy whose previous best is 62 points - leading the league, how awesome is that?

Everyone knew Ovechkin is always a threat to the Richard Trophy (though he had his doubters again early this season), everyone knew Stamkos is going to be running for it for years, everyone knew up-and-coming Seguin has tremendous goal-scoring talent. But who would have guessed Rick Nash would make a comeback and lead the goal-scoring race by the 50 game mark?

 

[SnowblindNYR]

You mean you enjoy a sport where they let their talented players show off the talent? That's weird.

I prefer watching the games where best players have to carry defenders on their back & get interfered with 30 feet away from the puck because "Goals don't equal entertainment, the old ways are the best, Gretzky would just fly over the defenders heads, it stops injuries"

If the NHL were like the NFL most games would end 5-4. That's not hockey.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

You mean you enjoy a sport where they let their talented players show off the talent? That's weird.

I prefer watching the games where best players have to carry defenders on their back & get interfered with 30 feet away from the puck because "Goals don't equal entertainment, the old ways are the best, Gretzky would just fly over the defenders heads, it stops injuries"

You must be new to hockey. Holy exaggeration batman!

some great rookie storylines but aside from that, pretty uneventful to say the least

definitely the most boring season since 03-04 but at least this time around the ducks are contending and not in the cellar

Yea, there arent stories like Tarasenko breaking out, Seguin playing the way he is playing, Voracek, the East having new teams emerge on top, Tyler Johnson and the young guys in Tampa playing the way they are playing, Price and Rinne basically fighting for the Vezina, Dubnyk getting another chance, The Jets and Flames sitting in playoff spots, Byfuglien doing what he did on the blue line while the Jets had a ton of injuries, the messes in Edmonton and Toronto. The Red Wings young guys producing better than last year. Wondering who will get the Norris. I could go on and on. Sorry, its been a really eventful season. I guess people just dont bother to actually see it.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

I like the east. 8 solid teams, but no dominant team can make for some great hockey. Seriously, every team in the east that will make the playoffs will be solid. I don't know about the west though.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

You must be new to hockey. Holy exaggeration batman!



Yea, there arent stories like Tarasenko breaking out, Seguin playing the way he is playing, Voracek, the East having new teams emerge on top, Tyler Johnson and the young guys in Tampa playing the way they are playing, Price and Rinne basically fighting for the Vezina, Dubnyk getting another chance, The Jets and Flames sitting in playoff spots, Byfuglien doing what he did on the blue line while the Jets had a ton of injuries, the messes in Edmonton and Toronto. The Red Wings young guys producing better than last year. Wondering who will get the Norris. I could go on and on. Sorry, its been a really eventful season. I guess people just dont bother to actually see it.

It's funny people are saying it's boring because it's not like every other season. Seems like that makes it more interesting.

 

[Cult of Hynes]

It's funny people are saying it's boring because it's not like every other season. Seems like that makes it more interesting.

Exactly what I was thinking. I think this is more of a thread, there is too much change for me to handle and grasp so I am not happy and find it boring. My team isnt even in the playoff race and they are old and slow, but I still find eventful things about them.

This season has been better than past years because its not the typical past 5 seasons. New stars have emerged and are taking the league by storm.

IDK how anyone can say this is an uneventful season.

 

[mindfly]

Welcome to Salary cap......It just took some years to get a big impact.

 

[Sharppi]

I don't agree with OP's assessment at all. Very exciting season with a lot of interesting storylines all over the place.

This season is great.

 

[JS91]

This season might get a lot more interesting when we get to the deadline.

 

[jeangauthier]

Great rookie season by 18 year old defenseman Aaron Ekblad

Filip Forsberg having a great rookie season making everyone in Washinton wish they still had him.

Mike Ribeiro overcoming himself and having a great season.

A very close race for the Art Ross trophy with surprises involved.

Alex Ovechkin being a much better two way player after last season horrible two way play.

Some unexpected teams in playoff position in the west.

Close race for the President trophy.

Panthers had been involved in the longest shootout in NHL history earlier this season.

NHL had a mumps outbreak.

A close race for the Rocket Richard trophy.

Kris Letang being more healthy then he has in years and producing great offense from the blueline looking like he will set career highs.

Defending Stanley Cup champion Kings looking like they might miss the playoffs.

Kings defenseman Slava Voynov legal troubles.

That is just some of the stories in the NHL this season.

At least I know of one other poster watching hockey............Good Lord

 

[jeangauthier]

And lets not forget the over hype of Corsi!!!!!!!!

 

[El Nino 22]

This a fun ass season, I love that Voracek is leading the league in points. I love that Kane and Seguin are right there with him. Makes for a less cliche season. No Kings? Cool as ****. No offense to kings fans, but variety is good. Remember when Nashville and NYI surprised most people? And look at Winnipeg! Goooood ****.

I agree that its a fun year to watch the art ross race. Its also been great watching Nash and Ovechkin battling it out for the richard lately.