Finlandia WOAT
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- May 23, 2010
- 24,195
- 23,878
Jeff Skinner's 60 goal pace to start the year was a hot streak. But only 1 or 2 people actually disagreed with that, it was so obvious.
This is very true. If Snow and Weight were still at the helm, I would think that they would have finished where everyone thought. Bringing in Lou and Trotz transformed the organizationTavares did leave a tire fire of an organization. However, they are no longer a tire fire. Hiring competent hockey people has done wonders, especially because the Islanders roster still doesn't look on paper as it has performed on the ice. If he were to have played this year and leave at the end of this season, then it wouldn't be fair to call the organization a tire fire. They are clearly on the upswing.
Really did not expect LV to make the playoffs again, I thought last year was a 2006 Oilers type of Cinderella run but I am currently typing this with my foot in my mouth.
Right: Kapanen and Johnsson would replace the scoring of JVR + Bozak.
Many HF Boards pundits claimed that Tavares couldn't replace the scoring of JVR + Bozak + Komarov + Martin. I pointed out that Kapanen and Johnsson would and even if they fell a bit short, their defensive game would make up the difference. I predicted both players would hit 20 goals within 2 years.
Wrong: They both did it in one year.
JVR + Bozak = 40 goals
Komarov + Martin = 12 goals
Kapanen + Johnsson = 40 goals + better D game
All told, 12 less goals in 136 less GP and close to $17 M less salary.
Let alone Tavares' 47. Heck add Tavares in and that's 35 more goals in 54 less games and still about $6 M saved.
Tell my, what's your opinion on Valimaki ?Ill comment on only Finnish players since I really didn't Make much predictions about Any others
Wrong:
Kotkaniemi: I thought he wouldnt stay up for whole season. Lets alone play as good as he did.
Laine. Well I expected him to Pot around 50 and improve his game. Next summer he better sleep with his skates on and work with a figure skating coach 24/7.
Heiskanen kinda. I knew he was ridiculously good. Didn't think hed be this good in NHL straight off the gate.
Right:
Rantanen establishing himself as a elite player.
Aho: See above
Puljujärvi finally confirming himself as a bust. Even our trash news papers, that Lauded his Every point, have give up on him.
Looking at it piecemeal like you did in your post is misleading. Kapanen (in particular) got some of his goals at the expense of Nylander, when Nylander held out and then struggled. Tavares's goals came at the expense of Kadri. Some of Johnsson's came at the expense of Marleau, etc... It's misleading to just look at a subset of the team and say "35 more goals in 54 less games". In the end, the Leafs forwards scored 3 more goals (241 vs. 238) in total than they did last year at a time when league scoring was up year over year.
Still, You are 100% correct that the loss of Bozak and JVR didn't impact their scoring like many thought they would. They didn't really do better when you look at the whole picture. I have no idea who Toronto's cap hit last year vs. this year compares though.
Tell my, what's your opinion on Valimaki ?
This and this.Calgary - Felt we were a bubble team heading into the season.
Edmonton - Felt they were a bubble team heading into the season.