2022-2023 Around The League

[Chiarelli]

It’s true. Size is what determines playoff ability. I mean Matthew Tkachuk is generational in the playoffs.

Playoffs is a grind that is no secret.

 

[The Merchant]

It’s true. Size is what determines playoff ability. I mean Matthew Tkachuk is generational in the playoffs.

That's exactly why Brayden Point has never had any playoff success. Too smol

 

[The Abusement Park]

That's exactly why Brayden Point has never had any playoff success. Too smol

Martin St. Louis was also awful in the playoffs too.

 

[The Abusement Park]

Playoffs is a grind that is no secret.

And Hughes can’t handle it because?

 

[henchman21]

He’s a good player but let’s see how he does in the playoffs first

Not sure why people think he will have such a hard time. He's a center version of Patrick Kane... who has had zero trouble in the playoffs. Hughes is one of the single best players in the league at entering the zone with possession and to top that off, once that happens, his ability to create chances within 6 seconds of entry (yes this is a tracked stat) is 2nd to only McDavid. MacKinnon is usually 2nd or 3rd in that stat (this year he's down) That's proven to be one of the most key factors in the playoff production. He's also a high end low slot chance generator. Also something that translates well. Being smaller does not mean he will play bad in the playoffs. Hell, Point is tiny and he's one of the best playoff performers in the league.

 

[Pokecheque]

He’s a good player but let’s see how he does in the playoffs first

People keep saying this but where is the precedent? Are there all these smaller players who put up great numbers in the regular season who never got it done in the playoffs?

And yes I know the obvious answer is “Johnny Gaudreau” but is there really anyone else?

Frankly I think the discourse on Johnny Hockey is overblown. Put him in the right situation and he’d do just fine.

 

[henchman21]

People keep saying this but where is the precedent? Are there all these smaller players who put up great numbers in the regular season who never got it done in the playoffs?

And yes I know the obvious answer is “Johnny Gaudreau” but is there really anyone else?

Frankly I think the discourse on Johnny Hockey is overblown. Put him in the right situation and he’d do just fine.

Johnny Hockey was also money in the playoffs last year. Guy played 2 rounds last year and had 11 5v5 points. Mikko and Landy had just 13 and played 8 more games.

 

[The Abusement Park]

People keep saying this but where is the precedent? Are there all these smaller players who put up great numbers in the regular season who never got it done in the playoffs?

And yes I know the obvious answer is “Johnny Gaudreau” but is there really anyone else?

Frankly I think the discourse on Johnny Hockey is overblown. Put him in the right situation and he’d do just fine.

I mean Gaudreau was dominant last playoffs tbf.

 

[Chiarelli]

It’s not about being small it’s about being unproven in playoffs

 

[dahrougem2]

It’s not about being small it’s about being unproven in playoffs

This can be said about every player before their first playoffs

 

[Pokecheque]

It’s not about being small it’s about being unproven in playoffs

Again, where has a high-end skill guy suddenly disappeared in the playoffs? Tkachuk is probably the best example but he’s also gotten hurt both times he’s been in the postseason.

This mentality where the playoffs are a completely different beast than the regular season is an exaggeration at best.

 

[henchman21]

It’s not about being small it’s about being unproven in playoffs

Why is it the assumption that a great player will suddenly wilt? It should be assumed he will be similar until proven otherwise IMO.

And players can change and evolve. Nuke was terrible for 2 playoffs with the Avs... last year, he could have won the Smythe without much hesitation.

 

[The Kingslayer]

I mean Gaudreau was dominant last playoffs tbf.

He was good for round one and disappeared a bit in round 2. Thats not because hes a midget but because his entire team disappeared. Brayden Point is a smallish dude but I dont know if there is a forward in the NHL I would take over him in the playoffs. Maybe Draisaitl maybe.

 

[Chiarelli]

This can be said about every player before their first playoffs

Schrodingers playoff

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[henchman21]

Seems like just yesterday he was a college UFA destined to greatness... now he's approaching 500 games. I'm old AF.

 

[dahrougem2]

Seems like just yesterday he was a college UFA destined to greatness... now he's approaching 500 games. I'm old AF.

Time to have kids old man.

 

[henchman21]

Time to have kids old man.

Through natural means, in my current marriage, this is physically impossible. Not that I have the desire anyway.

 

[The Abusement Park]

It’s not about being small it’s about being unproven in playoffs

That’s an awful take.

 

[SaltySkywalker]

Good thing I sat him tonight...

You might be the last person I'd take fantasy advice from

TT. OOoooooooooof

 

[henchman21]

I just love the Tage Thompson story arc. His dad, a big mean defensemen that never quite made it full time in the NHL. Played a little bit of everywhere and then got into coaching (was a player coach with the Eagles for a year and he is a damn good coach BTW). Tage naturally followed around. Started in the Chicago youth leagues as a an awkward kid who you could see was good, but never clicked. He went with his dad to Alaska and dominated there for a couple years. Then when his dad came to the NYC area, he started up in those leagues. He wasn't a huge stand out his first couple years as a kid in the New York area (nobody in the USHL thought he was worth a look at 15/16), then a similar thing happened where it just clicked and he dominated his way into a USNTDP spot... where he stagnated again until college. Where he rose from a late round pick to a first round pick. Stagnated again as a pro and was widely panned as a poor return in the ROR deal. Until it just clicked. He has just a been a constant ebb and flow his whole career and eventually he just finds a way to dominate.

 

[Bowe Byrum]

Rick Bowness and the Florida Panthers are both proving just how bad a coach Paul Maurice is. And I still don’t think Bones is a particularly great head coach.

Bones is one of the best in the buizz. He's forgotten more than most know.

Again, where has a high-end skill guy suddenly disappeared in the playoffs? Tkachuk is probably the best example but he’s also gotten hurt both times he’s been in the postseason.

This mentality where the playoffs are a completely different beast than the regular season is an exaggeration at best.

Playoffs are a whole different game , ask Toronto lol

 

[dahrougem2]

I just love the Tage Thompson story arc. His dad, a big mean defensemen that never quite made it full time in the NHL. Played a little bit of everywhere and then got into coaching (was a player coach with the Eagles for a year and he is a damn good coach BTW). Tage naturally followed around. Started in the Chicago youth leagues as a an awkward kid who you could see was good, but never clicked. He went with his dad to Alaska and dominated there for a couple years. Then when his dad came to the NYC area, he started up in those leagues. He wasn't a huge stand out his first couple years as a kid in the New York area (nobody in the USHL thought he was worth a look at 15/16), then a similar thing happened where it just clicked and he dominated his way into a USNTDP spot... where he stagnated again until college. Where he rose from a late round pick to a first round pick. Stagnated again as a pro and was widely panned as a poor return in the ROR deal. Until it just clicked. He has just a been a constant ebb and flow his whole career and eventually he just finds a way to dominate.

@The Kingslayer read every last word of this. Then bookmark it. Then when next season rolls around your punk ass drafts Tage Thompson and DOESN'T DROP HIM.

 

[Chiarelli]

Again, where has a high-end skill guy suddenly disappeared in the playoffs? Tkachuk is probably the best example but he’s also gotten hurt both times he’s been in the postseason.

This mentality where the playoffs are a completely different beast than the regular season is an exaggeration at best.

Well I think it’s basically agreed within these forums and hockey circles the game changes in playoffs and is officiated differently. Therefore, if you haven’t proven yourself in that atmosphere you’re an unknown. It’s not the defensive specialists and shutdown guys that you notice their game being altered it’s the high skill guys.

Playoffs are a whole different game , ask Toronto lol

Also, this. Toronto more known for being a skill team as well.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]