Around the NHL, Part III

[Claypool]

And so far Yzerman hasn't really been bit for it.

Once we see the Drouins and Kucherovs of the world start ditching Tampa, we can say that Yzerman's strategy hasn't worked.

I think Yzerman's build of the Lightning is a touch overrated, but I give him a lot of credit for not only asset management, but player retainment as well. Honestly, I am incredibly envious of the team that Tampa Bay has, because it is not only good but also young and quick and entertaining.

Having Hedman on your backend makes everything much, much easier when building a team.

Tampa still has some bad contracts right now, though. Garrison, Callahan, and Filppula all need to be ditched at some point. Also, I think the team makeup needed to be changed. They're basically running the same team back again that couldn't get it done twice now. I feel players like Palat or Namestnikov should have been moved for different pieces to mix it up.

 

[Reddwit]

Compare the Kucherov contract to the Tatar/Nyquist contracts and you have a better comparison.

Those are terrible comparisons.

Tatar signed his contract after ONE full NHL season with 39 points. Nyquist got his deal after less than two seasons and never broke 55 points. He's also UFA after his deal.

Kucherov, on the other hand, had 2.5 full seasons under his belt, and had 64 and 66 points respectively. And he just turned 23. He's also RFA after his deal.

 

[Reddwit]

Having Hedman on your backend makes everything much, much easier when building a team.

Tampa still has some bad contracts right now, though. Garrison, Callahan, and Filppula all need to be ditched at some point. Also, I think the team makeup needed to be changed. They're basically running the same team back again that couldn't get it done twice now. I feel players like Palat or Namestnikov should have been moved for different pieces to mix it up.

Uh, why would they get rid of their #3 defenseman?

 

[InjuredChoker]

Having Hedman on your backend makes everything much, much easier when building a team.

Tampa still has some bad contracts right now, though. Garrison, Callahan, and Filppula all need to be ditched at some point. Also, I think the team makeup needed to be changed. They're basically running the same team back again that couldn't get it done twice now. I feel players like Palat or Namestnikov should have been moved for different pieces to mix it up.

callahan and filppula contracts are bad. actually callahan contract is awful. don't like the killorn deal either. garrison is not.

palat is one of the best two way wingers in the game. you don't trade players like that. palat is one of the last guys they should be looking at to trade. drouin is the only player i'd rather keep.

when they made the SC finals, triplets were basically 2nd year NHLers and drouin was barely playing. last year stamkos and bishop were injured/not close to 100%. why on earth should they change their makeup of their team when some of their players have yet to hit their prime and they don't even know what they have in them?

namestnikov shouldn't be untouchable or even close to it but he just had his first full season in tampa. but he should be moved to change the makeup of the team?

 

[Pavels Dog]

Those are terrible comparisons.

Tatar signed his contract after ONE full NHL season with 39 points. Nyquist got his deal after less than two seasons and never broke 55 points. He's also UFA after his deal.

Kucherov, on the other hand, had 2.5 full seasons under his belt, and had 64 and 66 points respectively. And he just turned 23. He's also RFA after his deal.

They are still much closer comparables than a RFA only contract vs. a UFA only contract. Nyquist especially which has to be considered a very good contract considering we don't have the tax advantage Tampa has.

 

[InjuredChoker]

 

[InjuredChoker]

he's back!!!

 

[Bench]

You talking about Gary Thorne? That's pretty cool. I'm actually excited about Ralph Strangis. I was bummed when he left the Stars broadcast. Him and Razor were the best duo in the entire NHL hands down.

 

[Heaton]

The Auston Matthews era has started, nice goal.

 

[Tasteslikekevinbacon]

The Auston Matthews era has started, nice goal.

Holy crap, and another beauty..

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

USA Hockey!!!

We are going to have something big with a one two punch of Matthews and Eichel.

 

[Pavels Dog]

I really think Leafs and Senators will be bottom 5 in the league this year. Both teams look awful.

Matthews however, amazing that 2nd goal. Nylander and Marner also looking good. They will be fun to watch.

 

[Yemack]

USA Hockey!!!

We are going to have something big with a one two punch of Matthews and Eichel.

Gaudreau will be a hell of player as well. I thought Trouba was Canadian but realized today he's a Michigan boy.

Trocheck looked good too.

But I think Russia is going to be a team to watch and going to be very dangerous pretty soon. Finland too. I think Canada will dominate for some more but maybe not long after that. International hockey will get very exciting.

 

[TheRatPoisoner]

Leafs are gonna have a team in a few years -- Matthews + manner looking like they'll be a good duo for a long time together.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

This Auston Matthews kid reminds me of a younger Darren Helm.

 

[theexile1985]

Not a bad debut for Matthews... It can only go downhill from here!

 

[Heaton]

lol wow

 

[SimplySolace]

4 now wtf

 

[lhsgolf19]

God the sens blow lol

 

[Leronziia]

What the actual ****.

 

[TheMule93]

Matthews is gonna be the GOAT when he retires

hopefuly he decides to retire cause he gets bored of the NHL next season, that way we wont have to deal with his ****

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Is the Ottawa goaltender giving up free goals to Matthews? Lol

 

[SpookyTsuki]

he's back!!!

I want him to announce all games

 

[lhsgolf19]

If you have been watching... the last 3 goals, a good goalie would have saved IMO... Craig Anderson is terrible... Still great start for the rook

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

If you have been watching... the last 3 goals, a good goalie would have saved IMO... Craig Anderson is terrible... Still great start for the rook

Fourth goal is a bang bang 2 on 1 where Nylander got it across great.

Anderson has to hope he hits him or can't get the puck up off the ice. He stuck it right up high, no shot on that other than hoping it goes right.

Really the fact the Sens gave up a 2 on 1 with 10 seconds left says everything about the defensive focus that team has.