Miscellaneous NHL Discussion XCIV: From Ghost to Hakstol and all things in between

[deadhead]

There's a "but" for this "good pickup"? They acquired long-term a top 10 forward in the league at his performance peak. As chief Ristolainen what-does-it-matter defender, way to minimize this one. NHL GMs have wet dreams about making trades like that one.

They didn't f*** up trading a 1st for Giroux, nor did they for Tkachuk, nor did they for Reinhart. The other one, sure, bad move. But this goes back to the idea: 1st round picks are not sacred, and they do not need to be utilized at a podium on a summer night. They're just assets. Not having a 1st round pick (or 2nd round pick) is not the issue, so much as what you spend it on. Florida acquired needle movers, and not just rental ones.

Some teams are just better than others when it comes to pro level acquisitions. As a Flyers fan, you should understand that concept. 2/3 of Florida's top defensemen were acquired for a 3rd rounder and as a waiver claim. Their top 9 consists of a 40 goal UFA they originally signed for $1MM ($4.1MM today), a 2nd round pick trade, a $1.7MM UFA ($3MM today), and a young throw-in to the Trocheck trade. They did it with Marchment the year prior. It's not unlike Colorado, which you pooh-pooh. They aren't by and large a great drafting team, but they make up for it by slaughtering at the pro level. I'll add that Lundell and Samoskevich are 2 good long-term pieces.

They also weakened their defense by giving up Weegar. Huberdeau, though not worth giving that big money extension, thinned out their forward ranks. It wasn't just a late 1st rd pick for Tkachuck.

They're paying $14M for two goalies I probably wouldn't trade Ersson for even up.
They only made the playoffs b/c Lyon had his career two weeks.

Right now Lundell and Samoskevich are question marks, Lundell regressed (12:48 ES, 10-16 26) and Samoskevich (43 points in 39g at 20 at Michigan, Brink at the same age led the NCAA in scoring) in college. We'll see if either one turns out as good as Tippett (14:41 ES, 19-18 37).

Yes, Zito has made some nice moves in terms of picking up NHL talent for cheap, but bad drafting and now no draft picks makes that hard to sustain. He doesn't have 1st rd picks to trade, and another Verhaeghe is unlikely to fall into his lap.

I think when they signed Q and Bob they put Zito in a "win now" box, and he may end up with a Holmgren special, just good enough to be competitive so that you're never allowed to take a step or back.

 

[kudymen]

I agree. If a Zito can win a playoff series, then I guess even a Hakstol can win one

 

[Beef Invictus]

I’m not doubting that but they lost Gaudreau & Tkachuk, that was a lot of production out the door from last year’s team. That’s 219 points (82 of them goals) from last year with those players. They got 111 points (39 of them goals) from Kadri & Huberdeau this year.

Their goaltending was also complete butt.

Sutter also isn't exactly Tortorella. He understands how the game has evolved and has moved from his strict "defense is all or youre punished" mindset to letting Calgary play a game caught up with the time. But I imagine if he's still a prick that goes south fast when the team is struggling, whatever the reason is.

If Sullivan is fired Calgary is an immediately logical spot.

 

[Rebels57]

Meh. The league let the Panthers get away with mass tackling of the Flyers' star forwards. It was a joke.

Was it Jovanovski that Lindros had to carry around like a 220 lb backpack?

 

[Gregor Samsa]

People ragging on Boston but I don’t think it’s quite the massive upset it’s made out to be. I think it’s more likely the Bruins massively overachieved during the season. Compare their roster to some other “best regular season ever” teams and they are a clear outlier

 

[Illini Flyer]

They also weakened their defense by giving up Weegar. Huberdeau, though not worth giving that big money extension, thinned out their forward ranks. It wasn't just a late 1st rd pick for Tkachuck.

They're paying $14M for two goalies I probably wouldn't trade Ersson for even up.
They only made the playoffs b/c Lyon had his career two weeks.

Right now Lundell and Samoskevich are question marks, Lundell regressed (12:48 ES, 10-16 26) and Samoskevich (43 points in 39g at 20 at Michigan, Brink at the same age led the NCAA in scoring) in college. We'll see if either one turns out as good as Tippett (14:41 ES, 19-18 37).

Yes, Zito has made some nice moves in terms of picking up NHL talent for cheap, but bad drafting and now no draft picks makes that hard to sustain. He doesn't have 1st rd picks to trade, and another Verhaeghe is unlikely to fall into his lap.

I think when they signed Q and Bob they put Zito in a "win now" box, and he may end up with a Holmgren special, just good enough to be competitive so that you're never allowed to take a step or back.

Bob’s contract was Dale Tallon’s parting gift. Q was also Dale Tallon’s coaching selection

 

[Starat327]

Bob’s contract was Dale Tallon’s parting gift. Q was also Dale Tallon’s coaching selection

Shhhh. You're messing up the narrative.

 

[Strawberry Fields]

People ragging on Boston but I don’t think it’s quite the massive upset it’s made out to be. I think it’s more likely the Bruins massively overachieved during the season. Compare their roster to some other “best regular season ever” teams and they are a clear outlier

I'm in the same boat honestly

Boston is clearly a good team on paper but more along the lines of a "standard" 110-115 point max Pres Trophy winner, not "greatest season of all time" good. Meanwhile Florida is probably an average goalie away from a top 3 divisional finish rather than a wild card, not to mention they could clearly play Boston's game just as well as them and were one of the only teams who beat the B's twice

 

[Striiker]

@DancingPanther know of anyone?

 

[DancingPanther]

@DancingPanther know of anyone?

I know it all

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Their goaltending was also complete butt.

Sutter also isn't exactly Tortorella. He understands how the game has evolved and has moved from his strict "defense is all or youre punished" mindset to letting Calgary play a game caught up with the time. But I imagine if he's still a prick that goes south fast when the team is struggling, whatever the reason is.

If Sullivan is fired Calgary is an immediately logical spot.

No coach is going to succeed if your starting goalie puts up .897. I don’t know if Sutter deserved to get canned or not but it’s hard to win when key members of the team are underperforming

 

[renberg]

Boston had two fatal roster flaws that they were able to hide in the regular season. The POs are a totally different game where an opponent, if they can find a weakness, can beat a team into the ground. Boston’s flaws were in goal and at center. The goalies never faced the pressure of the POs before and melted down. The Bruins age at center did the same thing. Worn down older players lose their legs fast in a seven game slug fest.

 

[BackToTheBrierePatch]

Florida was a bad matchup for them. That and they didn’t do enough at 5 on 5 for good chunks of the series

 

[Beef Invictus]

No coach is going to succeed if your starting goalie puts up .897. I don’t know if Sutter deserved to get canned or not but it’s hard to win when key members of the team are underperforming

I bet on several Flames games before putting a ban on it. It was infuriating how often they'd dominate a matchup and lose handily because their goaltending blew.

 

[Beef Invictus]

Boston had two fatal roster flaws that they were able to hide in the regular season. The POs are a totally different game where an opponent, if they can find a weakness, can beat a team into the ground. Boston’s flaws were in goal and at center. The goalies never faced the pressure of the POs before and melted down. The Bruins age at center did the same thing. Worn down older players lose their legs fast in a seven game slug fest.

Ullmark is injured, not exactly a pressure meltdown.

 

[BringBackHakstol]

I think the lady doing pregame rink side on ESPN was just having an aneurysm on air

 

[Tripod]

Ullmark is injured, not exactly a pressure meltdown.

It's as if people are not listening

 

[renberg]

Ullmark is injured, not exactly a pressure meltdown.

Maybe due to exerting himself when having to play so many games in a row against tough competition?

 

[Striiker]

I know it all

What’s 2+2?

 

[DancingPanther]

What’s 2+2?

Carter Hart

 

[BringBackHakstol]

The mobile ads in this site have really jumped the shark

 

[Striiker]

Carter Hart

 

[LegionOfDoom91]

Chicago in 2012-2013 was the last President’s Trophy winner to win the cup. The trophy was first awarded in the 1985-1986 season.

8/37 Won the SC
3/37 Lost in the SC Finals
6/37 Lost in the Conference Finals
12/37 Lost in the Second Round
8/37 Lost in the First Round

 

[Beef Invictus]

Maybe due to exerting himself when having to play so many games in a row against tough competition?

His injury was before the playoffs. It's thought it was on April 11 against the Caps, that's when he was pulled in game and his performance was below standard from the onwards

 

[Cody Webster]

Devils coming out and dominating, but can't score