2022-2023 Around The League

[Ace]

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 second half of the story is just as amazing. He was sent down to the AHL after playing a ton of NHL games and had the right attitude about it. Then was injured on his first shift of his call up and lost the season. Krueger used him as a third line grinding winger and he was borderline to protect in the Seattle expansion. That was less than a season and a half ago. Granato moved him to Center and he somehow pots 38 goals Last year. This year he’s got 30 on January 3rd and they had two games postponed. He’s also added some damn fine passing to his repertoire and has become more aware and active with his stick defensively. And most of that rise came while his wife battled cancer.

He’s a 30 for 30 waiting to happen

 

[dahrougem2]

The second half of the story is just as amazing. He was sent down to the AHL after playing a ton of NHL games and had the right attitude about it. Then was injured on his first shift of his call up and lost the season. Krueger used him as a third line grinding winger and he was borderline to protect in the Seattle expansion. That was less than a season and a half ago. Granato moved him to Center and he somehow pots 38 goals Last year. This year he’s got 30 on January 3rd and they had two games postponed. He’s also added some damn fine passing to his repertoire and has become more aware and active with his stick defensively. And most of that rise came while his wife battled cancer.

He’s a 30 for 30 waiting to happen

@The Kingslayer sorry there is more for you to read.

 

[Pokecheque]

Playoffs are a whole different game , ask Toronto lol

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.


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

Yes, I think we can agree that the refs are perceived to pocket the whistles a little more come postseason (though I swear I thought I read someone pointed out that about the same amount of penalties get called) but this narrative that the playoffs are some completely different species of hockey from the regular season always gets blown ridiculously out of proportion.

Were the Avs not a "skill" team? Give me a f***ing break.

The reasons Toronto keeps losing isn't because they lack skill, it's because they lack depth. That and their goaltending always seems to implode at the worst possible moment. No team has ever really been able to win without those two factors. The Avs came close but even with his eye malfunctioning, Kuemper still made some big saves.

 

[henchman21]

You'd think that as fans of a team that isn't physical, plays an extremely skill based game, plays with an extreme pace and has a top 3 or 4 defensemen all 6'1" or under would see that the old school playoff hockey myth is false.

Many ways to win hockey games in the playoffs. Hawks and Avs both showed you can skill and pace your way into it. Kings showed you can grind people to death. Washington showed that cocaine is viable. Blues showed that if you make a deal with the devil that Tage Thompson will eventually be the best player in the world and you have to trade him, that also works.

 

[The Abusement Park]

You'd think that as fans of a team that isn't physical, plays an extremely skill based game, plays with an extreme pace and has a top 3 or 4 defensemen all 6'1" or under would see that the old school playoff hockey myth is false.

Many ways to win hockey games in the playoffs. Hawks and Avs both showed you can skill and pace your way into it. Kings showed you can grind people to death. Washington showed that cocaine is viable. Blues showed that if you make a deal with the devil that Tage Thompson will eventually be the best player in the world and you have to trade him, that also works.

It’s crazy that Ovi is going to break Gretzkys record fueled by cocaine, Coca Cola, and cheeseburgers.

 

[henchman21]

It’s crazy that Ovi is going to break Gretzkys record fueled by cocaine, Coca Cola, and cheeseburgers.

One day, people will see that the best athletes are the Ovi and Phils of the world. I will die on this hill.


I do think it is utterly insane we are even talking about Ovi possibly breaking the goal record. He's played in some of the lowest scoring era, missed his rookie season due to a lockout, had another lockout shortened season, and two covid shortened seasons... yet, he is within reach. January 2025 we might be having a new record. That's just insane to me.

 

[Chiarelli]

Yes, I think we can agree that the refs are perceived to pocket the whistles a little more come postseason (though I swear I thought I read someone pointed out that about the same amount of penalties get called) but this narrative that the playoffs are some completely different species of hockey from the regular season always gets blown ridiculously out of proportion.

Were the Avs not a "skill" team? Give me a f***ing break.

The reasons Toronto keeps losing isn't because they lack skill, it's because they lack depth. That and their goaltending always seems to implode at the worst possible moment. No team has ever really been able to win without those two factors. The Avs came close but even with his eye malfunctioning, Kuemper still made some big saves.

Speaking of Toronto and their failures Mitch Marner has 2 goals and 14 points in his last 19 playoff games. Smaller, skilled …. Blame the depth all you want that kid torches teams all regular season and it doesn’t follow through come playoffs.

 

[Pokecheque]

According to Friedman, Tage could have been had from the Sabres for a 5th rounder at one point. That price might be a little higher now.

 

[henchman21]

Speaking of Toronto and their failures Mitch Marner has 2 goals and 14 points in his last 19 playoff games. Smaller, skilled …. Blame the depth all you want that kid torches teams all regular season and it doesn’t follow through come playoffs.

He was good last year... and is Marner small? Seems pretty averaged sized to me.... roughly the same as Kadri.

 

[The Merchant]

According to Friedman, Tage could have been had from the Sabres for a 5th rounder at one point. That price might be a little higher now.

Would've been an ok 2C

 

[Chiarelli]

He was good last year... and is Marner small? Seems pretty averaged sized to me.... roughly the same as Kadri.

Probably closer to average for todays game - fair. Stylistically he’s gotta be one of the closest comparable to Hughes in the entire league.


Again I don’t think the devils suck or Hughes sucks I think they will need to go through what many young teams go through and that includes some disappointment in the playoffs.

 

[henchman21]

Probably closer to average for todays game - fair. Stylistically he’s gotta be one of the closest comparable to Hughes in the entire league.


Again I don’t think the devils suck or Hughes sucks I think they will need to go through what many young teams go through and that includes some disappointment in the playoffs.

Style wise... I'd say Hughes is much closer to Kane than Marner. Marner's game is much more about reads, spacing, and timing than attacking. Which is partially why Marner is better than both defensively by a significant margin. Hughes and Kane are guys that attack the middle of the ice with the puck with a lot of chances coming from the low slot.

 

[Pokecheque]

Speaking of Toronto and their failures Mitch Marner has 2 goals and 14 points in his last 19 playoff games. Smaller, skilled …. Blame the depth all you want that kid torches teams all regular season and it doesn’t follow through come playoffs.

Again, you can point out one Mitchell Marner who doesn't do well in the playoffs and I'll show you Patrick Kane, Wayne Gretzky (not a big guy, not all that fast either), Sidney Crosby, Nazem Kadri, Dino Ciccarelli, and even Johnny Hockey, the list goes on and on and on. That doesn't mean smaller skill players can't get it done, it just means for whatever reason THAT small skill player can't get it done.

I'll agree there is some weird mental disconnect with Marner (like when he keeps inexplicably launching the puck into the upper bowl of the arena) in the postseason but depth is a consideration there too. How many times did the Avs fall short in the 2nd round because no one beyond the top line could put the puck in the net? When the opposition can just shut down two or three guys to stop a team's offense, then depth is a bigger factor than perceived underachievement by the stars.

 

[The Abusement Park]

One day, people will see that the best athletes are the Ovi and Phils of the world. I will die on this hill.


I do think it is utterly insane we are even talking about Ovi possibly breaking the goal record. He's played in some of the lowest scoring era, missed his rookie season due to a lockout, had another lockout shortened season, and two covid shortened seasons... yet, he is within reach. January 2025 we might be having a new record. That's just insane to me.

I have a cousin who actually kind of looks like Phil Kessel and is built like him too(couple inches shorter). He was led the state in scoring in Lacrosse(and was pretty high nationally IIRC) So I buy that.

 

[henchman21]

Maybe the best comparable for Hughes' style... he's a better version of Briere.

 

[dahrougem2]

According to Friedman, Tage could have been had from the Sabres for a 5th rounder at one point. That price might be a little higher now.

K fine, a 4th it is

 

[henchman21]

I have a cousin who actually kind of looks like Phil Kessel and is built like him too(couple inches shorter). He was led the state in scoring in Lacrosse(and was pretty high nationally IIRC) So I buy that.

 

[The Abusement Park]

View attachment 630332

If that doesn’t scream elite athlete than idk what does.

Maybe the best comparable for Hughes' style... he's a better version of Briere.

Another guy who was awful in the playoffs.

 

[Gumballhead]

If that doesn’t scream elite athlete than idk what does.

Anyone who's lived in a big city with a downtown is very familiar with the screaming part.

 

[Pokecheque]

Speaking of Toronto and their failures Mitch Marner has 2 goals and 14 points in his last 19 playoff games. Smaller, skilled …. Blame the depth all you want that kid torches teams all regular season and it doesn’t follow through come playoffs.

Read my post again. The Avs could not break through the 2nd round, the top line didn't magically get better, the depth improved. Once the opposition can key in on one or two guys and shut the entire team down, others have to step up. If that happened in Toronto it would take a lot of the pressure off of Marner.

 

[Chiarelli]

Again, you can point out one Mitchell Marner who doesn't do well in the playoffs and I'll show you Patrick Kane, Wayne Gretzky (not a big guy, not all that fast either), Sidney Crosby, Nazem Kadri, Dino Ciccarelli, and even Johnny Hockey, the list goes on and on and on. That doesn't mean smaller skill players can't get it done, it just means for whatever reason THAT small skill player can't get it done.

I'll agree there is some weird mental disconnect with Marner (like when he keeps inexplicably launching the puck into the upper bowl of the arena) in the postseason but depth is a consideration there too. How many times did the Avs fall short in the 2nd round because no one beyond the top line could put the puck in the net? When the opposition can just shut down two or three guys to stop a team's offense, then depth is a bigger factor than perceived underachievement by the stars.

Kadri also had to learn a few hard lessons in the playoffs as well albeit different in nature.

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

Canes about to get better

 

[Bill Peckerskull]

 

[Pokecheque]

Kadri also had to learn a few hard lessons in the playoffs as well albeit different in nature.

I don't agree. He was plenty productive in past postseasons.

Again, it's very easy to craft these narratives, and it's even easier to poke holes in them.

I'd say maybe, MAYBE one difference between his time in Toronto and in Colorado is that the moment someone started messing with Naz in the postseason last year, Josh Manson jumped the guy, and it stopped, least for a little while until that dumbf*** Evander Kane hit him with a cheap shot. But I think even that is an exaggeration.

 

[henchman21]

I'm not sure Kadri has learned a thing... he's a hot head and does stupid things from time to time. He just didn't do that last year. I've never really thought his play in the playoffs was ever that bad.

He's the very poor man's Kuch that way. Produces and is incredibly useful... but when he's pissed or trying too hard to be physical, he can do some incredibly stupid things.