I actually like baseball more than hockey right now, which isn't something I would have said 10 years ago. Hockey has gotten samey to me, with teams basically utilizing the same tactics and strategy, waiting for mistakes to capitalize on. It's like grinding a boss in an RPG over and over to get that RNG drop. Baseball seems more unpredictable to me.
The pitch clock + shortened time between innings have been massive improvements both in terms of shortening game times, and increased strategy. The pitch clock has made baserunning, and infield defense more important parts of the game. I don't have the time to watch as much baseball as I'd like, and I'm not saying anyone who doesn't like baseball should watch it, but the improvement is very real.
Completely agree. I think the quality of NHL games has deteriorated rapidly in the past 10 years. People complain that baseball is boring, but I think there’s something to be said about a slower game where you can selectively watch and accomplish other tasks at the same time.
NOOOOOOOO we have to keep running it back with underperforming and mediocre players until the wheels fall off
If you mean the Isles should have paid teams to take their over priced players I don’t think that works in a cap world.
The key for the Mets now is transitioning their mindset to prospect development. Buck needs to be fired this offseason.
I’ll state the obvious and say that 12 of 30 MLB teams make the playoffs while a significantly higher percentage of NHL teams make the playoffs (50%).
Yep. Gilbert (the main prospect in the Verlander trade) is that true CF with the + arm you were asking for, but that probably won't be seen till 2025. IMO if Mauricio doesn't work out at 2B next year, they'll try Acuna. I hope they transition Parada to 1B next year, because imo he's not a MLB catcher, especially because the catcher position has become even more defensively important.
We all know that's not really possible. You really can't acquire a hockey prospect that's shown the kind of development that e.g. Acuna has shown. And subsidizing players' salary on the way out like Cohen did is also severely limited in the NHL.
It seems that Cohen did not want to throw good money after bad in 2024. That is what drove this step back. He was not content to make a run at the wild card, he wants to go at the Braves and win a World Series as the best team in the National League.
If anything the Yankees are the comparison to Lou’s Islanders. Poorly built to compete in today’s game. Paralyzed to make the type of moves necessary to either restock the prospect pool or get the team in contention for the top of the division. Owner content just to make the playoffs.
I believe the strategy of everyone collapsing down low in the slot and blocking shots is a huge part of that. The north south game in my view was much better from a fans perspective. Retrieving turnovers and breaking up ice for the pass (headmaning) in my view is more enjoyable then the constant cycling out of the corner. But considering how much the net has shrunk due to the goaltenders size and the equipment this is todays game. there is no doubt todays athletes are bigger , faster and stronger . The equipment is lighter and there's a greater importance placed on diet and nutrition yet our game seems less appealing.
Agreed. I’m not mad at all that Steve Cohen swung for the fences this year AND that he recognized he doesn’t have the pieces to run it back again next year. I wish Lou had recognized that for the Islanders in 2022.
