News from Around the NHL 2014-2015 Edition

[CupHolders]

Take heart everyone. It's not just the Isles. NSH blew a three goal lead with only two minutes to go against the Kings tonight. NSH did get the OT win though.

17:59 Los Angeles Dwight King (7) ASST: Jake Muzzin (15), Anze Kopitar (20) 6-4
18:56 Los Angeles Marian Gaborik (12) ASST: Alec Martinez (11), Drew Doughty (20) 6-5
19:26 Los Angeles Jeff Carter (11) ASST: Anze Kopitar (21), Alec Martinez (12) 6-6

 

[islesfan186]

Take heart everyone. It's not just the Isles. NSH blew a three goal lead with only two minutes to go against the Kings tonight. NSH did get the OT win though.

17:59 Los Angeles Dwight King (7) ASST: Jake Muzzin (15), Anze Kopitar (20) 6-4
18:56 Los Angeles Marian Gaborik (12) ASST: Alec Martinez (11), Drew Doughty (20) 6-5
19:26 Los Angeles Jeff Carter (11) ASST: Anze Kopitar (21), Alec Martinez (12) 6-6

Whoa...3 goals in 2 1/2 minutes, on Pekka Rinne of all people

 

[nyscene]

Take heart everyone. It's not just the Isles. NSH blew a three goal lead with only two minutes to go against the Kings tonight. NSH did get the OT win though.

17:59 Los Angeles Dwight King (7) ASST: Jake Muzzin (15), Anze Kopitar (20) 6-4
18:56 Los Angeles Marian Gaborik (12) ASST: Alec Martinez (11), Drew Doughty (20) 6-5
19:26 Los Angeles Jeff Carter (11) ASST: Anze Kopitar (21), Alec Martinez (12) 6-6

They actually had a 4-goal lead in that game...

 

[The Underboss]

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-phi...y-violated-cba-traveling?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

As if things could not possibly get worse for the Flyers, the NHL fined the team Sunday for violating the collective bargaining agreement.

Simply stated, the Flyers flew to Nashville on the evening of Dec. 26 instead of waiting until 12:01 a.m. Dec. 27.

Under article 16.5(b) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players' Association, the players must be off Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Any team activities involving coaching or management with the players is prohibited.

 

[Jester9881]

http://www.csnphilly.com/hockey-phi...y-violated-cba-traveling?p=ya5nbcs&ocid=yahoo

Stupid rule.... If the players have no problem with it, why should the PA care? They can't even hold an optional skate during the break.

 

[Jester9881]

I was going to put this on a thread on the main board, but it's not even worth it. This is just to put the current standings into perspective....

It took the Rangers going 8-0 to get within 7 points of the Islanders in the standings, now many of their fans are getting loud like they will overtake 2nd or even 1st place in the Metro. This is despite the fact that even if they win the games in hand they are still 3pts behind, and their schedule has been an absolute joke to this point. How much of a joke?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/schedule/_/name/nyr/new-york-rangers

Look that over, and pick out the wins against top teams... then look deeper and understand:

10/9: They beat Stl opening night
10/19 They beat SJ who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net. The Rangers had 2 days rest and were home.
11/5: Beat Det who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their 3rd string goalie in net. The Rangers had a day of rest and were home.
11/11: Beat Pittsburgh and ended their 7 game win streak.
11/23: They beat Montreal who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net, and the night after a pumped up game in Boston. Rangers were rested and home team

Start of 8 game win streak (about that......)
12/8: Beat Pittsburgh in OT
12/13: Beat Vancouver on 5 days rest (first game out of Eastern time zone since opening night)
Beat Edmonton
Beat Calgary who was in a tailspin
Beat Carolina 2X
Beat Washington who was on the 2nd day of a back/back and 3rd in 4. Rangers were rested and at home
Beat NJ on 4 days rest and at home (game after Christmas break)


So, how impressive was that streak anyway? Just about every time they've faced a top team it was on the second night of a back/back, facing their backup when the Rangers were rested and at home. How much more of a joke schedule can one team have, seriously? That is all about to change though.

 

[eoin92]

Stupid rule.... If the players have no problem with it, why should the PA care? They can't even hold an optional skate during the break.

It's a union. This is something that the players union wanted. The NHL is just playing by the book. The union pushed for this break.

 

[The Underboss]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/concussions-may-force-minnesotas-keith-ballard-to-retire/

The first well-documented instance of Keith Ballard suffering a concussion in the NHL came in 2010. Ballard, then 27, missed only five games. It was an unfortunate sign of what was to come, as five years later, concussions may claim Ballard’s career.

According to Minnesota Star Tribune’s Michael Russo, Ballard has suffered three concussions in the last 14 months. The first of those three came on Oct. 15, 2013, and it’s the one that may have started the whole spiral. Coming almost three years to the day of the head injury in 2010, Ballard hasn’t been the same since suffering the early 2013-14 concussion. Now, as he waits for the symptoms of the concussion he suffered on Dec. 9 to clear, he admitted to Russo that retirement is on his mind.

 

[The Underboss]

http://www.lighthousehockey.com/201...oliday-break-flyers-ducks-humor-fake-not-real

The NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement rule 16.5-b specifies that teams are prohibited from traveling or holding practices or other activities during the league's three-day holiday break. But some teams skirted the rules and were reprimanded.

First, the Anaheim Ducks are being investigated for allegedly holding a practice during the league's holiday break. The team maintains it was informal among players and not official. The New Jersey Devils face a similar circumstance with a practice session during the break. Then, this weekend, the Philadelphia Flyers were fined for traveling to Nashville on December 26th to prepare for their game against the Predators. The amount of the fine is unknown.

More potential CBA violations.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The ducks one might not get and penalties because there was no team officials involved. Getzlaf called a practice at the teams facilities (which is allowed) because with the off days and then travel day they wouldn't skate for a while. I read he even paid out of pocket for a youth coach to come and orchestrate the practice.

 

[BillD]

I was going to put this on a thread on the main board, but it's not even worth it. This is just to put the current standings into perspective....

It took the Rangers going 8-0 to get within 7 points of the Islanders in the standings, now many of their fans are getting loud like they will overtake 2nd or even 1st place in the Metro. This is despite the fact that even if they win the games in hand they are still 3pts behind, and their schedule has been an absolute joke to this point. How much of a joke?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/schedule/_/name/nyr/new-york-rangers

Look that over, and pick out the wins against top teams... then look deeper and understand:

10/9: They beat Stl opening night
10/19 They beat SJ who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net. The Rangers had 2 days rest and were home.
11/5: Beat Det who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their 3rd string goalie in net. The Rangers had a day of rest and were home.
11/11: Beat Pittsburgh and ended their 7 game win streak.
11/23: They beat Montreal who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net, and the night after a pumped up game in Boston. Rangers were rested and home team

Start of 8 game win streak (about that......)
12/8: Beat Pittsburgh in OT
12/13: Beat Vancouver on 5 days rest (first game out of Eastern time zone since opening night)
Beat Edmonton
Beat Calgary who was in a tailspin
Beat Carolina 2X
Beat Washington who was on the 2nd day of a back/back and 3rd in 4. Rangers were rested and at home
Beat NJ on 4 days rest and at home (game after Christmas break)


So, how impressive was that streak anyway? Just about every time they've faced a top team it was on the second night of a back/back, facing their backup when the Rangers were rested and at home. How much more of a joke schedule can one team have, seriously? That is all about to change though.

You're gonna hurt their feelings. Very sensitive over there, almost need to be re enforced every day and have everyone tell them how good they are.

 

[Benedict Kovalchuk]

The AV-coached Rangers remind me so much of the AV-coached Canucks. They can be a very well oiled machine but they have no heart collectively. A big momentum shift against them or even playing a less skilled but more determined opponent will crush them, there is little capacity for them to adjust meaningfully.

Also, AV's weird biases still shine through. Namely, Tanner 'blew a shot on an open net in the finals' Glass with a regular roster spot.

 

[DktrFaustus]

I was going to put this on a thread on the main board, but it's not even worth it. This is just to put the current standings into perspective....

It took the Rangers going 8-0 to get within 7 points of the Islanders in the standings, now many of their fans are getting loud like they will overtake 2nd or even 1st place in the Metro. This is despite the fact that even if they win the games in hand they are still 3pts behind, and their schedule has been an absolute joke to this point. How much of a joke?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/team/schedule/_/name/nyr/new-york-rangers

Look that over, and pick out the wins against top teams... then look deeper and understand:

10/9: They beat Stl opening night
10/19 They beat SJ who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net. The Rangers had 2 days rest and were home.
11/5: Beat Det who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their 3rd string goalie in net. The Rangers had a day of rest and were home.
11/11: Beat Pittsburgh and ended their 7 game win streak.
11/23: They beat Montreal who was playing the second night of a back/back and 3rd in 4 with their backup in net, and the night after a pumped up game in Boston. Rangers were rested and home team

Start of 8 game win streak (about that......)
12/8: Beat Pittsburgh in OT
12/13: Beat Vancouver on 5 days rest (first game out of Eastern time zone since opening night)
Beat Edmonton
Beat Calgary who was in a tailspin
Beat Carolina 2X
Beat Washington who was on the 2nd day of a back/back and 3rd in 4. Rangers were rested and at home
Beat NJ on 4 days rest and at home (game after Christmas break)


So, how impressive was that streak anyway? Just about every time they've faced a top team it was on the second night of a back/back, facing their backup when the Rangers were rested and at home. How much more of a joke schedule can one team have, seriously? That is all about to change though.

yeah, and we just lost to buffalo and edmonton in craptacular fashion. i know we've been winning against some impressive opponents, but good teams like the rangers win the games they have to. the rangers are more than a good team. you're kidding yourself if their fans aren't justified in thinking they'll be back to the SC finals.

i'm loving what this team is accomplishing this season, but we're really in no position to showboat.

 

[IceAce]

Randy Carlyle, we hardly knew you....

Man, the Leafs go through coaches like my kids go through packs of gum

 

[BMOK33]

We really want the Leafs and Bruins to suck since it gives us the security blanket of being able to finish 4 or even 5 in the Metro and make the playoffs

 

[CupHolders]

yeah, and we just lost to buffalo and edmonton in craptacular fashion. i know we've been winning against some impressive opponents, but good teams like the rangers win the games they have to. the rangers are more than a good team. you're kidding yourself if their fans aren't justified in thinking they'll be back to the SC finals.

i'm loving what this team is accomplishing this season, but we're really in no position to showboat.

Honestly this. You could look at just about any set of stats or information and spin it one way or another. But in my opinion the Rangers have been a good solid club (based on their standings) for a few years now and have earned a measure of respect.

 

[BillD]

yeah, and we just lost to buffalo and edmonton in craptacular fashion. i know we've been winning against some impressive opponents, but good teams like the rangers win the games they have to. the rangers are more than a good team. you're kidding yourself if their fans aren't justified in thinking they'll be back to the SC finals.

i'm loving what this team is accomplishing this season, but we're really in no position to showboat.

SOME Islander fans are overboard, others are still fearful the clock will strike midnight, but the majority have been convinced that this is a playoff quality team with flaws not so different than other teams, and in the playoffs, flaws become magnified and exposed for all teams. The teams that find ways to overcome or compensate for their flaws can also find ways to move on despite what it originally looks like (2010 Flyers, 2006 Oilers examples). We have no right to showboat. leave the showboating until the parade.

On the other hand, the Rangers, while a good team that is playoff quality also does not have any claim to a spot in the playoff picture until they earn it. They do not need to be lauded, and calling them a SCF candidate has no basis while they are locked in a death struggle with the Caps for 3rd spot in the division at this time with a lot of games to be played. They have had their hot streak which is not sustainable by any measure of reason. Islanders by comparison have been very consistent and if they have one strong hot streak similar to the Rangers (certainly a possibility) they could lock up not only a home ice 1st round advantage but possibly the division.
It will be for both teams to make the playoffs and have a 1st or second round confrontation. Ignorance by either fanbase towards the other as being inferior to a real playoff team is unrealistic and plain silly.
For now, the Islanders have to keep up the pace, the Rangers have some work to do to overcome a slow start. I look forward to the clash of New York in April and think we have team that can do some damage. I do not think the mistakes made against the Pens will be repeated by this team.

 

[TROLLCHUK]

From the Kings board on the Toronto situation. Sounds like the locker room is a disaster.

Former Leafs coach Ron Wilson is being interviewed on TSN 1050 and is being very candid.


http://iphone.tsn.ca/tsnpodcasts/LL_RonWilson_Jan6.mp3

RIpped into the Leafs core group, and esp Kessel among other things, said he was inconsistent, couldn't be relied on and his emotional state created problems with his teammates.


Hope_Smoke ‏@Hope_Smoke 1m1 minute ago
Wilson "Some of these core players have failed under two or three coaches, so it's got to be the player's fault."

Hope_Smoke ‏@Hope_Smoke 37s37 seconds ago
Wilson "you'd have to surmise that some of them are uncoachable"

Hope_Smoke ‏@Hope_Smoke 7s7 seconds ago
Wilson "you never change a leopard's spots. I think you paint over a few but they'll eventually shine through the paint"

 

[blitzkriegs]

Shanahan gets Nonis to take out Carlyle. Next, Nonis is toast at the end of the season. It's 100% his and Burke's roster.

BTW, what has Nonis actually done well in his career besides being Burke's 2nd in command? Most of their contracts are unmovable beyond taking back someone else's bad contract. Yeesh, what a mess. However, always better to be in the clean up spot, if you are Shanahan.

 

[The Underboss]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/f...-special-surprise-from-flyers-captain-giroux/

 

[SI90]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/f...-special-surprise-from-flyers-captain-giroux/

That's awesome!

 

[PK Cronin]

http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/f...-special-surprise-from-flyers-captain-giroux/

That's pretty awesome.

My grandmother asked me one time (maybe 2 or 3 years ago) if I wanted some Ranger stuff she saw. I told her that if she sent me that stuff I'd burn it...she apparently had no idea the hatred I have for them nor how rivalries work for fans. Props to that kid, his family for a funny joke, and the Flyers to give back to a big fan.

 

[PK Cronin]

Ducks just scored a PP goal to bring their game within 1. 10 minutes left to go, Rags leading 2-1.

 

[BTrotts19]

Ducks just scored a PP goal to bring their game within 1. 10 minutes left to go, Rags leading 2-1.

Ducks are swarming but the Queen is standing on his head and keeping the lead for the Rags (as usual)

EDIT 3-1 now..... the Raggies (and Caps) are red hot these days, we better get out of our funk before we play them next week

 

[dok101]

Caps won. Pens got a point. And the Rangers are up 3-1 late in the third against Anaheim. Not a good day for us.