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League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) | 2024-25 Summer Edition

Ridley Simon said:
I wanted Michkov. I like the Russian factor here in DC (players please … not the politics), and was hoping for that to be part of it all.

But it didn’t happen, and we got Leonard. Who *should* be a heckuva player. I hope.

I mean, this entire board would be doing backflips if Leonard was here this season, doing what Michkov is doing. Right?

Let’s all be candid….Please??

That said, just because Michkov is great, doesn’t mean Leonard won’t be. AND, we couldn’t draft the diminutive Russian anyway.

7 vs 8 and all.
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Yea, I mean - however he’s doing it, scoring 24 pts in 25 GP as a 19 y/o rookie is really impressive. He just showed up and can’t even speak English yet. He’ll have a chance to bulk up and improve his skating now that he’s in Philly’s program.

I think we’re all happy and excited about Leonard. We talk about him as some cross between Oshie and Wilson, which would be very cool.

But Michkov, could be the next coming of Kucherov. Lots of similarities in size and game. Emphasis on could - very early days, ofc. Well shall see.
 
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Ridley Simon said:
I wanted Michkov. I like the Russian factor here in DC (players please … not the politics), and was hoping for that to be part of it all.

But it didn’t happen, and we got Leonard. Who *should* be a heckuva player. I hope.

I mean, this entire board would be doing backflips if Leonard was here this season, doing what Michkov is doing. Right?

Let’s all be candid….Please??

That said, just because Michkov is great, doesn’t mean Leonard won’t be. AND, we couldn’t draft the diminutive Russian anyway.

7 vs 8 and all.
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Probably one of my reasons being a hockey fan is the russian coming over in the early 90s and the mystery of them. Would have been fine with Michkov if he dropped that said he's small and with a small frame so long term was bullish.
 
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I don't see Michkov as a comparable to Kucherov honestly aside from the size and even then - Michkov has a different built, he seems more likely to grow into Kaprizov/Tarasenko body than Kucherov. Kuch is a smarter player, I'd argue the smartest in the league when it comes to pure offense. Michkov relies more on his shot and doesn't control the puck and tempo as much as Kuch who has always been a go-to guy on any line he played.

That being said, Mich is a great example of a guy who comes over and goes straight to business. Doesn't mess around with that language barrier, culture barrier, system barrier, too young and all that bullshit. If you're good - you're good, no excuses.
 
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Acallabeth said:
It's interesting that a 5'10, 170-pound scoring winger doesn't excite you because he doesn't play goon against a player who has like 50 lbs on him :laugh:
I hope Leonard is smart enough not to fight goons when he makes the NHL too
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It’s called stand up for yourself, doesn’t have to fight. Butter soft.
 
It's been reported in multiple places that Michkov absolutely wanted to go to Philly. I'm confident teams knew it and passed on him because he was unlikely to show up for them, let alone show up this soon. So fine. He might be great, but the Flyers are a hapless organization. Will Briere be able to right the ship? Maybe. Or maybe Matvei will find he's lashed himself to a broken mast. For now, he's fun to watch.

But it has nothing to do with the Caps. Lenny looks to be a fkg gamer, and I'm excited to see him in the sweater asap.
 
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msrulo said:
NYR feeling the heat after trading Trouba.
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Man, they've given up 5 straight goals to the Kraken. Love to see it.

CapitalsCupReality said:
It’s called stand up for yourself, doesn’t have to fight. Butter soft.
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I've seen him push back and talk shit, similar to what he did with Duhaime, several times. So I wouldn't exactly call him butter soft. He isn't a physical guy, but he's not giving up in puck battles and responds when someone tries to bully him. I've seen way softer rookies in this league over the years.
 
Lou Sassole said:
Man, they've given up 5 straight goals to the Kraken. Love to see it.


I've seen him push back and talk shit, similar to what he did with Duhaime, several times. So I wouldn't exactly call him butter soft. He isn't a physical guy, but he's not giving up in puck battles and responds when someone tries to bully him. I've seen way softer rookies in this league over the years.
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I mean I’ve seen softer also in my decades of watching, but that’s irrelevant.

I’ll be interested to see if he can develop into more than a 1-dimensional type. I saw a guy getting bullied and taking it, but maybe it was a singular event. We’ll see.
 
While I’d love to see the Rangers crash and burn they seem primed to be this years Oilers, where they fire the coach and then turn things around heavily.
 
stephenball said:
While I’d love to see the Rangers crash and burn they seem primed to be this years Oilers, where they fire the coach and then turn things around heavily.
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It seems awfully early to play that card just yet. Firing Housley could help. It probably couldn't hurt at this point as the quickest fix towards at least improving defensively.

Outside of that it seems like Zibanejad, Miller and Lindgren aren't reliable enough most nights. Fox isn't at the top of his game. Their recipe last season was mostly special teams and Igor. 5v5 they're nothing special whatsoever.
 
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Probably time for the Rangers to sack Lavi. I'd be happy for them not to since I enjoy seeing them play like garbage. But their roster is essentially unchanged from one that's been in Conf Finalls 2 of last 3 seasons. IThey need a change of system if they are going to be better 5v5. I had thought the Trouba thing and Shesterkin not signing is what was ailing them, but doesn't seem like that made a difference.

I am shocked that Nashville haven't fired Brunette. That team should be better - they have a decent roster. The locker room must be a disaster and a coaching change is almost always the first move, especially since U2 aren't touring anymore (which in itself is a blessing).
 
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PlushMinus said:
Probably time for the Rangers to sack Lavi. I'd be happy for them not to since I enjoy seeing them play like garbage. But their roster is essentially unchanged from one that's been in Conf Finalls 2 of last 3 seasons. IThey need a change of system if they are going to be better 5v5. I had thought the Trouba thing and Shesterkin not signing is what was ailing them, but doesn't seem like that made a difference.

I am shocked that Nashville haven't fired Brunette. That team should be better - they have a decent roster. The locker room must be a disaster and a coaching change is almost always the first move, especially since U2 aren't touring anymore (which in itself is a blessing).
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Damn, usually it takes until Y3-4 for Lavi to overstay his welcome, lol. These guys got Gallant fired like 18 mos ago. Does this core deserve a third HCs in 2 yrs? They just won the PT with Lavi’s system.

Still seems like a personnel/culture issue. Lots of guys on retirement contracts, with varying degrees of NTCs. They really lack quality PMDs to help drive play 5v5. Funny, but they might miss E. Gustafsson a bit in that regard. Zibanejad has just lost his game - don’t know why, but hard to win with a 1C playing like shit. Fox, Panarin, Trocheck and Kreider should still be effective (on the PP, at the very least).

They’re what, 1-1 in the post-Trouba era? Early to see the effect, and still time for them to figure something out and stay competitive for a WC spot.

(Agree on NSH - crazy that Brunette still has a job)
 
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PlushMinus said:
Probably time for the Rangers to sack Lavi. I'd be happy for them not to since I enjoy seeing them play like garbage. But their roster is essentially unchanged from one that's been in Conf Finalls 2 of last 3 seasons. IThey need a change of system if they are going to be better 5v5. I had thought the Trouba thing and Shesterkin not signing is what was ailing them, but doesn't seem like that made a difference.

I am shocked that Nashville haven't fired Brunette. That team should be better - they have a decent roster. The locker room must be a disaster and a coaching change is almost always the first move, especially since U2 aren't touring anymore (which in itself is a blessing).
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Today in hindsight... Brunette was my first choice for coach this past offseason. I was worried about another rookie head coach. So happy that my opinion is of no consequence.

Also, Barry is a terrible GM.
 
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RedRocking said:
Damn, usually it takes until Y3-4 for Lavi to overstay his welcome, lol. These guys got Gallant fired like 18 mos ago. Does this core deserve a third HCs in 2 yrs? They just won the PT with Lavi’s system.

Still seems like a personnel/culture issue. Lots of guys on retirement contracts, with varying degrees of NTCs. They really lack quality PMDs to help drive play 5v5. Funny, but they might miss E. Gustafsson a bit in that regard. Zibanejad has just lost his game - don’t know why, but hard to win with a 1C playing like shit. Fox, Panarin, Trocheck and Kreider should still be effective (on the PP, at the very least).

They’re what, 1-1 in the post-Trouba era? Early to see the effect, and still time for them to figure something out and stay competitive for a WC spot.

(Agree on NSH - crazy that Brunette still has a job)
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Yeah I'm probably being a little biased calling for Lavi to be fired. I was excited when the Caps hired him but I ended up wanting him gone and completely changed my opinion of him.

I think they will watch and see how the team plays with Shesterkin signed and Trouba gone. As you said, 1-1 so very early days.

I'm more than happy for the Rangers to continue failing no matter what they do, though :laugh:
 
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CapitalsCupReality said:
Adorable….Better late than never…guessing someone told him to show a little courage! ;)
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You can't be posting this little scrum without the real icing on the cake. After this lil safety punch, the ref is blowing the whistle in his ear and he tries to grab it. Upon ejection, he casually sign an autograph on the way out. He really is a Flyer.

Whistleblower:


Fan love:
 
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