Series Talk: Stanley Cup Playoffs 2024

[SirLoinOfCloth]

They will be regardless because WHEN they lose it will be because of the refs.

Can you even imagine if they lose a game/the series by a controversial call?

 

[RockLobster]

Well he’s a freak of nature and probably the most talented player the league has seen in decades. So I think he deserves it.

I never questioned his talent level, only pointing out how over-the-top the media treats him, regardless of the fact that up to this point he hasn't won anything other than individual accolades at the NHL level. So to that point, no, I don't think he necessarily deserves all of it. It's a bit over the top, imo.

 

[henchman21]

I never questioned his talent level, only pointing out how over-the-top the media treats him, regardless of the fact that up to this point he hasn't won anything other than individual accolades at the NHL level. So to that point, no, I don't think he necessarily deserves all of it. It's a bit over the top, imo.

I'm with TMV on this. McDavid is the best player since Mario and Gretzky. He absolutely should be hyped and promoted. The fact that he's in Edmonton instead LA or New York actually probably keeps his hype down compared to where it should really be. He's not a Jordan talent... but he's a Bird/Magic/Montana/Griffey/etc realm and deserves that.

The NHL is different than many sports... it isn't a one or two good players, get a title league. The NBA you can win with two elite players. The NFL is basically get a QB, WR, and pass rusher. It takes a team. Just take Bourque. Dude is probably the 3rd best defensemen of all time. He had all sorts of individual accomplishments and only Lidstrom can match his longevity at an insane level. Yet it took him his whole career to win a title. Like McDavid, he was 27 when he first went to the finals. None of that changes that Bourque is one of the greatest to ever play.

 

[avalanche_country]

It’s too bad McDavids personality is as interesting as a paint can.

 

[Alienblood]

To think the Avs never went after Bennett is maddening

 

[SirLoinOfCloth]

The most off-putting thing about McDavid to me is not the media, its the fans. He's amazing. He's a joy to watch. He's clearly a cut above most of the rest of the league. But the cock gobbling and proclamation about him being the greatest thing to ever happen to hockey is too much to bear.

 

[RockLobster]

I'm with TMV on this. McDavid is the best player since Mario and Gretzky. He absolutely should be hyped and promoted. The fact that he's in Edmonton instead LA or New York actually probably keeps his hype down compared to where it should really be. He's not a Jordan talent... but he's a Bird/Magic/Montana/Griffey/etc realm and deserves that.

The NHL is different than many sports... it isn't a one or two good players, get a title league. The NBA you can win with two elite players. The NFL is basically get a QB, WR, and pass rusher. It takes a team. Just take Bourque. Dude is probably the 3rd best defensemen of all time. He had all sorts of individual accomplishments and only Lidstrom can match his longevity at an insane level. Yet it took him his whole career to win a title. Like McDavid, he was 27 when he first went to the finals. None of that changes that Bourque is one of the greatest to ever play.

Again, I'm not commenting on his talent level, as that is not--and never has been--in question.

Neither responses were really addressing my original post, which is that I believe he's gotten too much discussion in today's NHL media. The response being about his talent level, somehow insinuating that I don't believe he's the best player in the game right now, is not really anything other than an attempt at a strawman.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Well he’s a freak of nature and probably the most talented player the league has seen in decades. So I think he deserves it.

Also let’s not act like the media hasn’t been slobbering all over Makar since he’s joined the league.

 

[Pokecheque]

Honestly, the NHL doesn't do nearly enough to market McDavid. Or the rest of their stars for that matter. The entire way the NHL markets itself is just plain dumb.

I've no problem with McDavid winning the Cup, if anything it takes some real managerial incompetence NOT to win the Cup with a talent of that caliber on your roster (and we most certainly saw just that under Chiarelli). I have a problem with Evander Kane getting his name on the Cup because he's a horrible human being, but I won't lose any sleep over that.

I do take some smug satisfaction knowing Jamie Benn and Joe Pavelski got denied for another year. DeBoer too. On the other side I'm glad that moronic headhunter who everyone thinks is this great leader also got denied.

 

[expatriatedtexan]

The best thing the NHL could do for McDavid would be to lower the threshold for UFA. Forcing an entire generation of #1 overall picks to live in Edmonton should be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

 

[Pokecheque]

I'm with TMV on this. McDavid is the best player since Mario and Gretzky. He absolutely should be hyped and promoted. The fact that he's in Edmonton instead LA or New York actually probably keeps his hype down compared to where it should really be. He's not a Jordan talent... but he's a Bird/Magic/Montana/Griffey/etc realm and deserves that.

The NHL is different than many sports... it isn't a one or two good players, get a title league. The NBA you can win with two elite players. The NFL is basically get a QB, WR, and pass rusher. It takes a team. Just take Bourque. Dude is probably the 3rd best defensemen of all time. He had all sorts of individual accomplishments and only Lidstrom can match his longevity at an insane level. Yet it took him his whole career to win a title. Like McDavid, he was 27 when he first went to the finals. None of that changes that Bourque is one of the greatest to ever play.

With Bourque it was because he remained loyal to one of the most notorious cheapskate owners in the NHL. Jacobs regularly just let talent walk year in, year out. That B's team that made the 1990 Cup Final was the best defensive team in hockey but it's a small miracle they made it that far. Beyond primer-era Ray and Seabass there ain't a whole lot there (Janney was underrated IMO but not an elite-level talent).

But anyway your point still stands. Can't get it done with just one or even two superstars. Have to build an actual team around them.

 

[the_fan]

One thing I don’t get is why is the finals starts so late. We have to wait until Saturday for it

 

[henchman21]

Again, I'm not commenting on his talent level, as that is not--and never has been--in question.

Neither responses were really addressing my original post, which is that I believe he's gotten too much discussion in today's NHL media. The response being about his talent level, somehow insinuating that I don't believe he's the best player in the game right now, is not really anything other than an attempt at a strawman.

I'm not insinuating that you are saying that the isn't the best player in the game. I'm saying that if he was in a bigger American market, he'd be getting a lot more hype. He's a clear greatest of his generation talent stuck on a team in the middle of nowhere. If anything, he should be honestly getting MORE discussion in the media. The fact that he isn't shows how poorly the NHL markets their stars.

 

[Ararana]

Jeez, lot of Oiler hate in this thread. Are their fans that bad?

This guy still thinks, two years later, a perfectly legal play changed a swept series

 

[expatriatedtexan]

I think some of what keeps the McDavid talk a bit less than what some would assume is simply because of the time zone. The majority of the league is in bed by the time the puck drops on west coast games. It's just the nature of the beast. No team or player in the west will garner media attention like a team or player in the east could.

 

[henchman21]

I think some of what keeps the McDavid talk a bit less than what some would assume is simply because of the time zone. The majority of the league is in bed by the time the puck drops on west coast games. It's just the nature of the beast. No team or player in the west will garner media attention like a team or player in the east could.

California is an exception, especially LA. The market and all the situation around it (including time zone) is a big deal.

 

[NOTENOUGHRYJOTHINGS]

Edmonton is better than Florida. This is the first real challenge for Edmonton. McDavid isn't going to out up 15 assists with his eyes closed. But Edmonton is winning in 6 games max.

 

[the_fan]

It’s literally 50/50 Florida vs Oilers

I don’t see an edge for one of this teams vs the other

 

[The Abusement Park]

It’s literally 50/50 Florida vs Oilers

I don’t see an edge for one of this teams vs the other

I mean there’s a clear edge in depth for Florida. McDrai could offset that, but it would have to be huge series’ from them to do that.

 

[Balthazar]

It wasn't that long ago ...

 

[the_fan]

I mean there’s a clear edge in depth for Florida. McDrai could offset that, but it would have to be huge series’ from them to do that.

Dallas was supposed to have clear edge in depth also vs the Oilers

 

[The Abusement Park]

Dallas was supposed to have clear edge in depth also vs the Oilers

Sure. But Dallas doesn’t also have any one nearly as talented as Barkov or Tkachuk on their roster. They have ~equal depth and better top end talent than Dallas does.

 

[the_fan]

Sure. But Dallas doesn’t also have any one nearly as talented as Barkov or Tkachuk on their roster. They have ~equal depth and better top end talent than Dallas does.

That’s true. The biggest advantage would be Barkov possibly have the ability to shut McDavid down which Dallas didn’t have

 

[henchman21]

IMO Florida has better depth than Dallas. They don't have the big names or numbers... but guys like Ludell, Luostarinen, Mikkola, Kulikov, OEL etc would be in much bigger roles elsewhere. Tank has been on their third line pretty consistently. To me, Florida is the best team in the league by a good margin. It probably won't hold over the summer when they lose some guys... but that team is filled to brim with great hockey players. They have it all... high end talent, grit, defense, team concepts, coaching, goaltending... just an incredibly well rounded and deep hockey team.

 

[sethro109]

You guys are f***ing crazy. The media head won't shut the f*** up about McDavid. He gets more than enough recognition.