Any chance Ottawa misses the playoffs?

[Major19]

No, it's because there's people like you who can't shut up about the Leafs for more than a few minutes. I don't give a **** about the 2014 Leafs, nobody does except you. What the hell do the 2014 Leafs have anything to do with the discussion? Absolutely nothing, yet you insist on making everything about the Leafs. And then you'll go and whine in another thread about "everyone hates the Leafs!!" Yeah no ****, you wonder why?

I don't wonder why everyone hates the Leafs. It's because they're the centre of the hockey universe. It's awesome

 

[missingjibbsclub]

Nothing pisses you off more than knowing that Ryan is making 7 mil/year. He was never really that great of a player why would you throw that much money at him. What a waste

 

[stampedingviking]

I don't wonder why everyone hates the Leafs. It's because they're the centre of the hockey universe. It's awesome

Don't you mean it's the fans and media who think they're the centre of the hockey universe?

 

[Trapper]

The clock is ticking on Tampa.
Anything can happen but it's looking more and more like the Bruins, Leafs and Sens grabbing those spots.

Tonight could be the turning point.

Tampa vs. Boston (huge for all teams)
Detroit vs. Ottawa
Washington vs. Toronto

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

Nothing pisses you off more than knowing that Ryan is making 7 mil/year. He was never really that great of a player why would you throw that much money at him. What a waste

 

[Rhaegar Targaryen]

Nothing pisses you off more than knowing that Ryan is making 7 mil/year. He was never really that great of a player why would you throw that much money at him. What a waste

He scored 30 goals four times in a row coming to Ottawa, and was pacing for 35+ goals at the midway point of his first season before getting injured and struggling through the rest of the season.

In hindsight, it was a bad move, but the Sens paid the price to lock up an elite winger at the time, when they were beginning to develop a reputation of losing star players.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Don't you mean it's the fans and media who think they're the centre of the hockey universe?

No, they are because it doesn't matter if they are good or bad they ALWAYS get the most coverage

 

[missingjibbsclub]

He scored 30 goals four times in a row coming to Ottawa, and was pacing for 35+ goals at the midway point of his first season before getting injured and struggling through the rest of the season.

In hindsight, it was a bad move, but the Sens paid the price to lock up an elite winger at the time, when they were beginning to develop a reputation of losing star players.

I don't think a 60 point player is worth 7 mil but...that's just me

 

[Micklebot]

I don't think a 60 point player is worth 7 mil but...that's just me

I think all agree with that. The problem is there were a lot of factors that went into it.

Ryan had four >30 goal seasons under his belt, a 71 pts season, and a season where he paced at 73 pts. His last season in Anaheim was apparently derailed by a virus that caused him issues all year.

His first year in Ottawa started off great, with 25 pts and 13 goals in his first 26 games (79 pts and 41 goal pace), however he suffered a hernia at some point in November, and cooled off drastically before getting shut down for the season. The team clearly felt that with the increased role he was getting in Ottawa, along with better health, he'd be an impact player.

Expectations at the time were that the salary cap was going to explode, some projected it to reach ~100 mil by next year. At the time, 7.5 mil was not expected to go as far as it does today.

And, Ottawa had just lost it's captain, it couldn't afford to let Ryan walk to UFA.

Hindsight being what it is, the contract was and is terrible. Foresight told us it was risky, but I doubt anyone thought he's struggle this much (though the guy has been ravaged by injuries, be it hernia or multiple broken fingers).

As for whether Ottawa could miss the playoffs, it comes down to health. If they can stay healthy (ie not lose more guys) they have a good chance of holding on. They only need 5 more points in 4 games to seal a spot up regardless of what everyone else does.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Don't you mean it's the fans and media who think they're the centre of the hockey universe?

I'll just say this... HFboards went down when the Leafs traded Enroth for a 7th... No other team has fans that want to see the Leafs fail as much as general fans do.

Many, many fans would prefer their own team misses the playoffs if it makes the Leafs miss as well.

 

[NyQuil]

I'll just say this... HFboards went down when the Leafs traded Enroth for a 7th... No other team has fans that want to see the Leafs fail as much as general fans do.

Many, many fans would prefer their own team misses the playoffs if it makes the Leafs miss as well.

Maybe it's because they take over every thread on the site.

 

[KPower]

Bobby Ryan won't let this team miss the playoffs.

 

[General Zodd]

I don't wonder why everyone hates the Leafs. It's because they're the centre of the hockey universe. It's awesome

I know 4 people on my block that really, really hate the Leafs so there....

 

[Redline]

If they come out of this B2B against the Wings with 1 of 4 possible points they just might miss.

 

[Gil Gunderson]

If they come out of this B2B against the Wings with 1 of 4 possible points they just might miss.

Can't say it wouldn't be deserved.

 

[NyQuil]

Can't say it wouldn't be deserved.

We don't really match-up with the Wings all that well for whatever reason.

 

[General Zodd]

Bobby Ryan won't let this team miss the playoffs.

I like Bobby as a character guy but I wouldn't be counting on Mr. Ryan to leading my team to the Promised Land!

 

[smack66]

I think they are relatively safe but if Bos/Tb game is a three pointer and Ottawa lose in regulation then things change quickly.

 

[Harry22]

They'll make it but they won't last very long. They'll most likely lose to Washington in 4 or 5 games.

 

[Trap Jesus]

Even just getting 1 point in their last 4 games basically makes it a coin flip for them to get in. I think they're pretty much safe.

 

[Filatov2Kovalev2Bonk]

Bobby Ryan won't let this team miss the playoffs.

Correct, and by being out of the lineup someone better will play to make that happen.

As for missing, not likely, but if it does it will be useful for Dorion to lower expectations to a more realistic level.

 

[Stickpucker]

I'll just say this... HFboards went down when the Leafs traded Enroth for a 7th... No other team has fans that want to see the Leafs fail as much as general fans do.

Many, many fans would prefer their own team misses the playoffs if it makes the Leafs miss as well.

I'm not sure where you get this idea from.

 

[Redline]

I think they are relatively safe but if Bos/Tb game is a three pointer and Ottawa lose in regulation then things change quickly.

I can see that happening.