Around Hockey XXIV (All Non-Jackets Hockey talk in here)

[stevo61]

Dubois finally caught up to Fantilli in points, good job bud

 

[CharlotteJacket]

Not breaking news, but it looks like the playoff windows are closing on the Caps and Pens. Both are well out of the No. 2 WC with 20 or so games left. They both had long runs, especially the Penguins so it will be interesting to see what unfolds this off season and coming years.

 

[Jovavic]

I believe the Pens traded their first this year to SJ in the Karlsson deal

 

[ThirdPeriodTurtle]

Lindy Ruff fired, Travis Green named interim HC, and Devils fans happy. Quite a change from not too long ago when Ruff made a heroic recovery in likability when the team started winning against expectations.



Interesting veteran HC option available next year I suppose... (Maybe not for us as the Devils are probably paying him good money and Jackets already have a couple of guys on the payroll...)

 

[stevo61]

Lindy Ruff fired, Travis Green named interim HC, and Devils fans happy. Quite a change from not too long ago when Ruff made a heroic recovery in likability when the team started winning against expectations.



Interesting veteran HC option available next year I suppose... (Maybe not for us as the Devils are probably paying him good money and Jackets already have a couple of guys on the payroll...)

The best part is the watched Brunette walk away who would be perfect right now

 

[DarkandStormy]

Lindy Ruff fired, Travis Green named interim HC, and Devils fans happy. Quite a change from not too long ago when Ruff made a heroic recovery in likability when the team started winning against expectations.



Interesting veteran HC option available next year I suppose... (Maybe not for us as the Devils are probably paying him good money and Jackets already have a couple of guys on the payroll...)

This seems...rash. They didn't even trade for a goalie. Not sure how much is on Ruff for getting .890 team goaltending.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

This seems...rash. They didn't even trade for a goalie. Not sure how much is on Ruff for getting .890 team goaltending.

They have many more problems than bad goaltending. They are quite possibly worse defensively than the CBJ right now and that says a lot. Luke Hughes has been a defensive train wreck of late even though he can score. Goaltending is a problem the definitely need to address but it is one of several problems this year they did not have last year.

Team structure and adapting has failed this year and it seems like the team has quit on him. They've gotten their ass handed to them a few times in the last 10 games. They looked bad this weekend against Anaheim and LA. and they recently gave up 5,6 goals to Washington and NYR.

 

[Viqsi]

This seems...rash. They didn't even trade for a goalie. Not sure how much is on Ruff for getting .890 team goaltending.

Quick question: were you in favor of firing Brad Larsen?

 

[DarkandStormy]

Quick question: were you in favor of firing Brad Larsen?

Did Brad Larsen get to the playoffs?

 

[DarkandStormy]

They have many more problems than bad goaltending. They are quite possibly worse defensively than the CBJ right now and that says a lot. Luke Hughes has been a defensive train wreck of late even though he can score. Goaltending is a problem the definitely need to address but it is one of several problems this year they did not have last year.

Team structure and adapting has failed this year and it seems like the team has quit on him. They've gotten their ass handed to them a few times in the last 10 games. They looked bad this weekend against Anaheim and LA. and they recently gave up 5,6 goals to Washington and NYR.

Well, they lost Dougie Hamilton (not to mention Jack Hughes at a couple different points).

They are exactly in the middle of the league in xGA, though.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

Well, they lost Dougie Hamilton (not to mention Jack Hughes at a couple different points).

They are exactly in the middle of the league in xGA, though.

All missing time at various points have been Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Dougie hamilton among others.

They can score. They have the talent to do that but defending is a challenge with a huge turnover in defensemen. Losing Graves and Severson hurt more than we want to admit because people don't like Severson's contract. Luke Hughes needs a lot of defensive development. Simon Nemec actually stepped very well to replace Hamilton but they miss Dougie most on the power play.

Many of their D numbers don't look terrible but the wheels have fallen off from a strategy standpoint and their HDGA/60 is the worst in the league according to Natural Stat Trick. They have a lot of breakdowns leading to high danger changes for opposition in addition to below average goaltending.

 

[Viqsi]

All missing time at various points have been Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Dougie hamilton among others.

They can score. They have the talent to do that but defending is a challenge with a huge turnover in defensemen. Losing Graves and Severson hurt more than we want to admit because people don't like Severson's contract. Luke Hughes needs a lot of defensive development. Simon Nemec actually stepped very well to replace Hamilton but they miss Dougie most on the power play.

Many of their D numbers don't look terrible but the wheels have fallen off from a strategy standpoint and their HDGA/60 is the worst in the league according to Natural Stat Trick. They have a lot of breakdowns leading to high danger changes for opposition in addition to below average goaltending.

I think there's a lesson to be learned here w/r/t premature disposal of contributing veteran players.

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

I think there's a lesson to be learned here w/r/t premature disposal of contributing veteran players.

I think it's one thing to eliminate them when you can't afford them and it's another thing to get rid of them just to get rid of them.

It's not like they discarded Graves and Severson like the weekly trash. They just couldn't afford them under the cap and were committed to their long term build. If anything the Devils are guilty of an embarrassment of riches in their young players which forced their hand earlier than they would have liked.

Short sighted for this season? Sure. Long term vision of where Hughes, Nemec and other might be in the long run? We'll see.

 

[koteka]

Assist of the Year?

 

[Jovavic]

Trades are going down. Ryjo to Philly in the Walker return, reunited under Torts.

My Roslovic guess is Rangers for a 4th

 

[KJ Dangler]

Middlestadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram… How could we not top this offer ?

 

[Aaaarrgghh]

Delete.

 

[MFRONE]

Trades are going down. Ryjo to Philly in the Walker return, reunited under Torts.

My Roslovic guess is Rangers for a 4th

And Johansen promptly put on waivers

 

[CBJWerenski8]

Trades are going down. Ryjo to Philly in the Walker return, reunited under Torts.

My Roslovic guess is Rangers for a 4th

I actually think Jack may go to Florida or Vegas personally.

 

[CBJx614]

Middlestadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram… How could we not top this offer ?

Im sure we could have, but I'm not sure it was an absolutely needed move.

 

[MoeBartoli]

Im sure we could have, but I'm not sure it was an absolutely needed move.

Agree. I don’t understand the fascination for him. He’s solid 200 foot game but for the most part Sillinger and Voronkov both are middle 6 guys and one at least will be as good as Middlestadt. He’d be positionally redundant.

And Johansen promptly put on waivers

Heck yeah. Torts was likely screaming I don’t want to coach this guy. .

 

[DarkandStormy]

Dahlin, Power, and Byram is quite a trio of young Dmen in Buffalo.

 

[DarkandStormy]

Wennberg to the Rangers

 

[Iron Balls McGinty]

 

[majormajor]

Mackinnon runs a tight ship.