GDT: Stanley Cup playoffs

[Daffy]

Stone, Lehner. I've liked them since year 1. I like their jerseys and brand. It annoys me that everyone hates them.

They don't deserve to win. They got handed a great team on a silver platter. They should have to pay their dues before they win.

Stone was awesome when he was here but he chose not to sign. Neither he nor Lehner are the most likeable guys around.

 

[saskriders]

They don't deserve to win. They got handed a great team on a silver platter. They should have to pay their dues before they win.

Stone was awesome when he was here but he chose not to sign. Neither he nor Lehner are the most likeable guys around.

The way I see it they were the first expansion team that didn't get screwed. Just because everyone before them did doesn't mean that trend should continue. Plus the roster they got from the draft was way worse than the current one. They had to make good moves to build a better team.

What is your bases for that? I've never met either so I'm not judging them. With regards to Lehner I was initially disappointed when he put Trump on his mask. But he has changed his views and I respect that willingness to change big time. On top of that he has been open with his mental health struggles and as someone who has had my own mental health struggles that gives me respect for him.

 

[Cosmix]

They have added Kastelic who plays a rugged style & there is also Ostapchuk who could turn into a decent bottom six player & Kleven on the back end. They have some tough gritty players coming over the next few yrs just as the big guys are entering their prime.

Tough gritty players are certainly needed for the playoffs. I hope Ostapchuk, Kastelic, Kleven and Boucher turn out to be NHL level players with grit.

The way I see it they were the first expansion team that didn't get screwed. Just because everyone before them did doesn't mean that trend should continue. Plus the roster they got from the draft was way worse than the current one. They had to make good moves to build a better team.

What is your bases for that? I've never met either so I'm not judging them. With regards to Lehner I was initially disappointed when he put Trump on his mask. But he has changed his views and I respect that willingness to change big time. On top of that he has been open with his mental health struggles and as someone who has had my own mental health struggles that gives me respect for him.

Mental health issues are very difficult to deal with by the person with them and their families too. I don't respect Lehner for his views on Trump.

 

[Silencio]

If Vegas somehow blows this I never want to hear another word about Mark Stone’s supposed elite leadership skills again.

 

[saskriders]

Tough gritty players are certainly needed for the playoffs. I hope Ostapchuk, Kastelic, Kleven and Boucher turn out to be NHL level players with grit.


Mental health issues are very difficult to deal with by the person with them and their families too. I don't respect Lehner for his views on Trump.

Just to be clear I don't like or respect Trump at all. But, from my understanding Lehner has changed a lot of his views and no longer likes him. That is what I respect. Far too many people are too stubborn about their views and are never willing to change or compromise. Being able to critically analyze one's own views and be willing to change is what I respect.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

So much for the Dallas comeback. Looks like getting their captain back killed the vibe.

 

[bicboi64]

Lol Dallas is barely getting any shots on Vegas. This game is a bit of a snoozefest whenever the Stars touch the puck.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

Lol Dallas is barely getting any shots on Vegas. This game is a bit of a snoozefest whenever the Stars touch the puck.

Very anti-climactic after what's been a very fun series.

 

[Wallet Inspector]

They don't deserve to win. They got handed a great team on a silver platter. They should have to pay their dues before they win.

Stone was awesome when he was here but he chose not to sign. Neither he nor Lehner are the most likeable guys around.

They obtained Stone, Eichel, Stephenson, Barbashev, Pietrangelo and Martinez after the expansion draft, they've done a good job team building. Plus you're forgetting that EVERYONE thought they would be bad after the expansion draft, they had a lot of guys do well for them unexpectedly.

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

I think Vegas matches up against Florida better than Dallas.

Going to be an interesting summer in Dallas.

They obtained Stone, Eichel, Stephenson, Barbashev, Pietrangelo and Martinez after the expansion draft, they've done a good job team building. Plus you're forgetting that EVERYONE thought they would be bad after the expansion draft, they had a lot of guys do well for them unexpectedly.

The nifty thing about Vegas and Seattle doing well, is that fans and teams are looking more closely at depth. Having stars and the occasional superstar is great....but depth wins championships.

 

[bert]

Bennett’s impact has been impressive. You see the opposing D looking over their shoulder and rushing passes when he’s on the ice (much like they Detroit’s D was doing for Brady in those two games).

You’ve got the think the sens were hoping for a physical performance like that when they picked Boucher. I doubt he’ll ever have the offense but maybe he can get to that level of intimidation.

I’d still like to see the sens add someone you know can have a physical impact now. Bertuzzi or Crouse would be great.

Barbashev is as physical and as hard as they come. Has top 6 skill too he would be a great target. He broke Girard a couple years ago in the playoffs when he was on St Louis. Him and Bertuzzi are the two forwards the sens should be targeting if they trade Debrincat.

They don't deserve to win. They got handed a great team on a silver platter. They should have to pay their dues before they win.

Stone was awesome when he was here but he chose not to sign. Neither he nor Lehner are the most likeable guys around.

Stone is as likeable as they come. He's the opposite of Lehner. Stone is ultra competitive, he saw what was happening here. An organization that wasn't committed to winning, he was gonna be a UFA what he did is totally understandable.

 

[bert]

If Vegas somehow blows this I never want to hear another word about Mark Stone’s supposed elite leadership skills again.

He's an elite leader and competitor. Been all over the ice tonight what a captain.

 

[L'Aveuglette]

If Vegas somehow blows this I never want to hear another word about Mark Stone’s supposed elite leadership skills again.

But what about if they destroy Dallas and close the series like they're doing tonight?

 

[Adrianopolous]

The worst playoffs I've ever watched

 

[Nac Mac Feegle]

Nice to see Stone make it this far. Dude is playing like he's a kid again.

 

[Icelevel]

There’s that mark stone guy. Man…where do you find players like that?

 

[starling]

Pretty crazy how two teams from Miami got into the Finals from a wild card spot.

 

[bert]

The worst playoffs I've ever watched

Don't watch.

 

[Hale The Villain]

They don't deserve to win. They got handed a great team on a silver platter. They should have to pay their dues before they win.

That's just not true. By no means were they destined to be a contender from the start of their franchise.

They weaponized their cap space masterfully by taking on bad contracts in expansion, made other GMs look foolish in trades by identifying undervalued talent and struck gold on most of the picks they did make.

You also are neglecting all the acquisitions made post-expansion:

Signed Pietrangelo after the Blues foolishly let him go
Stole Stone from us by selling high on Brannstrom
Acquired Stephensen, Hill and Howden for mid-round picks
Picked up Barbashev at the deadline and he's almost at a PPG
Signed Whitecloud and Thompson out of college/university
Signed Amadio after we let him go and he's been excellent in his role

They also traded for a star center in Eichel, although with Tuch's breakout that trade looks more like a wash or even a loss on paper, although I'm skeptical he'd be anywhere near as good on Vegas.

McPhee and McCrimmon are in the upper echelon of NHL managers. They built that Vegas team from the ground up and the net-out. Team is built to win a cup and they deserve all the credit.

 

[Adrianopolous]

That's just not true. By no means were they destined to be a contender from the start of their franchise.

They weaponized their cap space masterfully by taking on bad contracts in expansion, made other GMs look foolish in trades by identifying undervalued talent and struck gold on most of the picks they did make.

You also are neglecting all the acquisitions made post-expansion:

Signed Pietrangelo after the Blues foolishly let him go
Stole Stone from us by selling high on Brannstrom
Acquired Stephensen, Hill and Howden for mid-round picks
Picked up Barbashev at the deadline and he's almost at a PPG
Signed Whitecloud and Thompson out of college/university
Signed Amadio after we let him go and he's been excellent in his role

They also traded for a star center in Eichel, although with Tuch's breakout that trade looks more like a wash or even a loss on paper, although I'm skeptical he'd be anywhere near as good on Vegas.

McPhee and McCrimmon are in the upper echelon of NHL managers. They built that Vegas team from the ground up and the net-out. Team is built to win a cup and they deserve all the credit.

We got bent over so badly on the Stone trade. But Amadio was never that good here, he was unremarkable.

 

[bert]

We got bent over so badly on the Stone trade. But Amadio was never that good here, he was unremarkable.

He barely played and got very little opportunity.

 

[Daffy]

That's just not true. By no means were they destined to be a contender from the start of their franchise.

They weaponized their cap space masterfully by taking on bad contracts in expansion, made other GMs look foolish in trades by identifying undervalued talent and struck gold on most of the picks they did make.

You also are neglecting all the acquisitions made post-expansion:

Signed Pietrangelo after the Blues foolishly let him go
Stole Stone from us by selling high on Brannstrom
Acquired Stephensen, Hill and Howden for mid-round picks
Picked up Barbashev at the deadline and he's almost at a PPG
Signed Whitecloud and Thompson out of college/university
Signed Amadio after we let him go and he's been excellent in his role

They also traded for a star center in Eichel, although with Tuch's breakout that trade looks more like a wash or even a loss on paper, although I'm skeptical he'd be anywhere near as good on Vegas.

McPhee and McCrimmon are in the upper echelon of NHL managers. They built that Vegas team from the ground up and the net-out. Team is built to win a cup and they deserve all the credit.

Point remains, they were gifted a great team from the start. No other expansion team had opportunities like they did. Yes they made some great moves as well. I just don't like seeing a team win the Cup this early since joining the league.

 

[BankStreetParade]

That's just not true. By no means were they destined to be a contender from the start of their franchise.

They weaponized their cap space masterfully by taking on bad contracts in expansion, made other GMs look foolish in trades by identifying undervalued talent and struck gold on most of the picks they did make.

You also are neglecting all the acquisitions made post-expansion:

Signed Pietrangelo after the Blues foolishly let him go
Stole Stone from us by selling high on Brannstrom
Acquired Stephensen, Hill and Howden for mid-round picks
Picked up Barbashev at the deadline and he's almost at a PPG
Signed Whitecloud and Thompson out of college/university
Signed Amadio after we let him go and he's been excellent in his role

They also traded for a star center in Eichel, although with Tuch's breakout that trade looks more like a wash or even a loss on paper, although I'm skeptical he'd be anywhere near as good on Vegas.

McPhee and McCrimmon are in the upper echelon of NHL managers. They built that Vegas team from the ground up and the net-out. Team is built to win a cup and they deserve all the credit.

Come on, they had extremely generous expansion draft rules. Hard to say they weren't set up for success from the outset even if they still had to execute the draft well.

It's like competing in a shooting contest in basketball but one person has to shoot from 3 and the other person is standing at the free throw line. Yes, of course, you still have to make the shots but at the end of the day a good free throw shooter will make 80%+ while a good 3pt shooter will make around 40%. Everything that followed after that was built off the foundations of their expansion draft advantages.

Do you think they'd have the same inaugural roster and results if they had had the expansion draft rules the Senators did?

 

[Silencio]

But what about if they destroy Dallas and close the series like they're doing tonight?

Full credit, he stepped up and carried his team when they needed it.

 

[bicboi64]

That's just not true. By no means were they destined to be a contender from the start of their franchise.

They weaponized their cap space masterfully by taking on bad contracts in expansion, made other GMs look foolish in trades by identifying undervalued talent and struck gold on most of the picks they did make.

You also are neglecting all the acquisitions made post-expansion:

Signed Pietrangelo after the Blues foolishly let him go
Stole Stone from us by selling high on Brannstrom
Acquired Stephensen, Hill and Howden for mid-round picks
Picked up Barbashev at the deadline and he's almost at a PPG
Signed Whitecloud and Thompson out of college/university
Signed Amadio after we let him go and he's been excellent in his role

They also traded for a star center in Eichel, although with Tuch's breakout that trade looks more like a wash or even a loss on paper, although I'm skeptical he'd be anywhere near as good on Vegas.

McPhee and McCrimmon are in the upper echelon of NHL managers. They built that Vegas team from the ground up and the net-out. Team is built to win a cup and they deserve all the credit.

Pretty much all of this. Vegas had an advantage over other expansion teams, but the bar was incredibly low. Their management had to be quick and smart to do what they accomplished and they deserve kudos for that. I'm jealous of their management.