GDT: There’s a game today: Chicago-NYR 2pm cst ABC/ESPN+

[Northernhawk]

I shake my head

Rangers played the day before and start Domingue…and the Hawks still lose

 

[Larmer83]

Allen a -4 in 15 minutes of ice time? Yikes. Who was his partner? Didn't get to watch this one but this team is just rudderless. They have been pathetic since Jones came back.

Allan was a victim of circumstance. None of the goals were a result of his actions. Or inactions. He started with Brodie and finished with Kaiser who played the right side for the most part when paired with Allan. They were on the ice for the last NYR goal when Soda made a save and the puck bounced off of Chytil's ass as Allan was engaging him.

For shits and giggles, I'd like to see a pairing of Allan and Kaiser.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Rough game.

While underperforming - I still think this team (excluding goaltending) is significantly better than last year's tire fire. With that said - it hasn't translated into W/points like we hoped. At least personally - I feel like this shows just how amazing Mrazek was last year and how many points he stole. If Soderblom hadn't significantly improved his play we'd be getting absolutely turfed.

The difference overall this year IMO is that the league has really gotten waterred down. There is very little differentiation from the team in 16th place (overall in league standings) and 28th place. Right now there is only 1 team (BUF) in the EC that is more than 4 points from a play-off spot, and in the WC there are only 5 teams more than 3 points from the last P/O spot. Just seems like the league has "split" into 10-12 good teams (with no one really being "elite"), 15+ bad teams, and 3-4 really bad teams.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Thru 40 games this year
13-25-2 (28 points)
Dead last in NHL

Thru 40 games last year
12-26-2 (26 points)
2nd worst team in NHL (Sharks were worse)

Hard to call this team much improved. Only difference is the blowouts are not as lopsided when they happen

 

[x Tame Impala]

Rough game.

While underperforming - I still think this team (excluding goaltending) is significantly better than last year's tire fire. With that said - it hasn't translated into W/points like we hoped. At least personally - I feel like this shows just how amazing Mrazek was last year and how many points he stole. If Soderblom hadn't significantly improved his play we'd be getting absolutely turfed.

The difference overall this year IMO is that the league has really gotten waterred down. There is very little differentiation from the team in 16th place (overall in league standings) and 28th place. Right now there is only 1 team (BUF) in the EC that is more than 4 points from a play-off spot, and in the WC there are only 5 teams more than 3 points from the last P/O spot. Just seems like the league has "split" into 10-12 good teams (with no one really being "elite"), 15+ bad teams, and 3-4 really bad teams.

30 teams was the sweet spot. Expansion just adds more mediocrity to the talent pool and makes it harder to build a good team.

 

[GIADF]

They're on pace for 57 points and that's before the potentially sell anyone off at the TDL compared to last season where they ended at 52 points.

They spent close to 30M in cap space to replace multiple legit AHL level players. Bedard is scoring at a slightly worse rate with better linemates and he's gone from 39% at the dot to 31%.

Aside from the huge turnaround from Soda I just don't see the improvement this year.

 

[Beukeboom Fan]

Thru 40 games this year
13-25-2 (28 points)
Dead last in NHL

Thru 40 games last year
12-26-2 (26 points)
2nd worst team in NHL (Sharks were worse)

Hard to call this team much improved. Only difference is the blowouts are not as lopsided when they happen

The improvement is from my "eye test", so take that for what it's worth. Last year the Hawks were epic terrible while receiving top 10 (aka - top third of the league) level goaltending from Mrazek. Right now the Hawks aren't that much worse than 8-10 other teams, which is why I don't mind the tank points.

IMO, the Hawks play isn't anywhere as bad as last year, even if the points are essentially the same. There is just more media focus because the NHL stupidly decided to have the Hawks play in the Winter Classic drawing alot of eyes to a very bad product.

 

[x Tame Impala]

Other than slandering KD and the rebuild I’m not getting how people can say this year’s team is anything other than better compared to last year. Last season on defense alone was much worse. We had AHL players on our NHL lineup regularly.

Brodie has been terrible obviously, Jones is not playing well at all, and Teravainen has been extremely disappointing.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

They're on pace for 57 points and that's before the potentially sell anyone off at the TDL compared to last season where they ended at 52 points.

They spent close to 30M in cap space to replace multiple legit AHL level players. Bedard is scoring at a slightly worse rate with better linemates and he's gone from 39% at the dot to 31%.

Aside from the huge turnaround from Soda I just don't see the improvement this year.

sloppy with draft picks too, you dont give up a 2nd to move up 3 slots two weeks before draft, and in most cases you probably shouldnt give up a 2nd at all to go from 21 to 18 or whatever