Around the League 18: Kovalchuk Employment Edition/Lavi, Gallant, & Ray Shero Unemployment Edition

[A Star is Burns]

I think all recent events and results plus the rash of injuries the Jackets have been through even beyond Jones puts them as most vulnerable by far. Elvis hasn't been as dominant here recently either, which was a large part of what was carrying them.

 

[HisIceness]

Despite the Lindblom and Patrick situations, the Flyers have had a much healthier roster, relatively speaking, and Hayes has been a very good addition, at least for this year. I therefore see them making the playoffs pretty easily, though my optimistic self thinks that the Canes will pass the Flyers in the end and secure that #3 spot.

Well we know this. They missed last year so they pretty much have to make the playoffs, otherwise the city of Philadelphia will cease to exist.

I mean, I'd miss the cheesesteaks but that kind of sounds like fun.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Also, it's injuries like Dougie's and Seth Jones's that show why the Canes have been hoarding defensemen for the entire year. Even with a team as well-conditioned and as ironmen-like as we've been the whole year (a huge reason why we've been able to milk so much cap space despite our cap-ceiling roster), you just don't know what the future holds.

 

[CandyCanes]

Tough 4 games coming up for the Canes.

- Rangers always give us a really tough time
- Toronto on the backend of a back to back. Toronto will be fresh. Also on Toronto ice.
- Dallas who's 7-1-2 in their last 10 and kicked our ass a few weeks ago.
- Colorado strong solid hockey team

Following those (4) games the boys go on a (6) game long road trip. Big games against the Flyers & Isles, one game against Pitt, and some hopefully winnable games against New Jersey & Detroit.

These 10 games are going to be a big test the boys.

 

[HisIceness]

Coyotes slipping. I'm not sure if John Chayka is the man going forward. Seems to me a lot of his moves have backfired and may have set the team back. They were in prime playoff position before the Hall trade. Plus new owner may just want his own guy.

 

[CandyCanes]

 

[A Star is Burns]

Panthers lost to the Kings. Another useful result. Must take care of our own now this weekend.

 

[Stickpucker]

Gonna have to do ourselves that favor

I prefer when others do favors for me...much more...satisfying

 

[Stickpucker]

I could just be talking out of my ass but wouldn't we prefer the Jackets? Seems to me the Flyers are more vulnerable of the two. I'm convinced the Jackets are a playoff team no matter what at this point, Flyers not so much.

Edit: Oh yeah, I forgot Seth Jones is out. Still though, I think C-Bus pulls through and gets a spot somehow.

I think CBJ is more vulnerable...especially when Elvis stops getting a shutout in 50% of his starts. Add that to no Jones and ...

 

[MinJaBen]

Panthers lost to the Kings. Another useful result. Must take care of our own now this weekend.

I prefer to have them win third in the Atlantic and force the Leafs (and their 1st) out of the playoffs.

 

[Stickpucker]

Tough 4 games coming up for the Canes.

- Rangers always give us a really tough time
- Toronto on the backend of a back to back. Toronto will be fresh. Also on Toronto ice.
- Dallas who's 7-1-2 in their last 10 and kicked our ass a few weeks ago.
- Colorado strong solid hockey team

Following those (4) games the boys go on a (6) game long road trip. Big games against the Flyers & Isles, one game against Pitt, and some hopefully winnable games against New Jersey & Detroit.

These 10 games are going to be a big test the boys.

Rantanen out 2-3 weeks. Although Col will be a little harder to defend with an upgraded second line. Can't just pair Slavin - Pesce and stick them to MacKinnon's hip.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Bjorkstrand out 8-10 weeks. I feel for him and the Blue Jackets, but I do hope it helps us out.

 

[MinJaBen]

Bjorkstrand out 8-10 weeks. I feel for him and the Blue Jackets, but I do hope it helps us out.

When I feel sorry for us that we lost Dougie for the remainder of the regular season, I then look at the Blue Jackets and feel better.

 

[SlavinAway]

 

[CandyCanes]

Bjorkstrand out 8-10 weeks. I feel for him and the Blue Jackets, but I do hope it helps us out.

The amount of injuries that they have is insane. But I do wonder if having the right trainer in place makes the difference in injury prevention? Having the players do the proper stretching and working out before games?

We’ve had a few injuries, but over the past couple of seasons our teams have stayed pretty dang healthy. I recall during the Friesen days, injuries felt like more of a common occurrence. Maybe we’ve just been lucky?

 

[MinJaBen]

Oooo, that's going to be expensive.

 

[A Star is Burns]

Meh, not a bad deal compared to the Marleau deal since they got a positive asset back.

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

So I know it’s fashionable to get mad about the standings and playoff structure lately.

But I want to point out something funny. Columbus (admittedly, having played 3 more games) has a 30-32 record and is ahead of Carolina who has a 34-25 record. Hilarious.

 

[DaveG]

I prefer to have them win third in the Atlantic and force the Leafs (and their 1st) out of the playoffs.

Yeah but you just know random chance is going to spite us and give them one of the top 3 picks if they miss.

 

[Vagrant]

speaking of trades i'm glad never materialized, the kase for faulk swap would have been a disaster in retrospect considering the return we actually got. it's crazy because of how many of us were underwhelmed with bokk and edmundson, but both have improved their profile since arriving. sometimes you get a bounce.

 

[A Star is Burns]

So I know it’s fashionable to get mad about the standings and playoff structure lately.

But I want to point out something funny. Columbus (admittedly, having played 3 more games) has a 30-32 record and is ahead of Carolina who has a 34-25 record. Hilarious.

They've been great recently, so not the case now, but most of the year we were dead even with Boston in wins and losses, but like 12 points behind because they lost many of their games 0-5 minutes later than we did.

 

[My Special Purpose]

I prefer to have them win third in the Atlantic and force the Leafs (and their 1st) out of the playoffs.

At this point, wouldn't having the Leafs unprotected 2021 first be a ton of fun? Imagine the Leafs board after they lose the first game or two of the season.

I mean, we're talking a pick between 11-15 overall this year. Granted, it's a deep draft and there are some fun guys in the middle-10, but it would be worth it, IMO.

If they were to miss next season, you would absolute have to *know* that ping-pong ball is getting picked. The City of Toronto might burn down.

 

[Bub]

Nick Foligno just took a puck to the face that broke his visor. Blood everywhere.

When I saw that I thought of this old commercial:

 

[spockBokk]

At this point, wouldn't having the Leafs unprotected 2021 first be a ton of fun? Imagine the Leafs board after they lose the first game or two of the season.

I mean, we're talking a pick between 11-15 overall this year. Granted, it's a deep draft and there are some fun guys in the middle-10, but it would be worth it, IMO.

If they were to miss next season, you would absolute have to *know* that ping-pong ball is getting picked. The City of Toronto might burn down.

Don't you dare try to destroy my fantasy of picking up Anton Lundell and Jack Quinn this year...no telling what might befall if the Canes end up not trading the TOR pick and it falling to next year...

 

[Anton Dubinchuk]

At this point, wouldn't having the Leafs unprotected 2021 first be a ton of fun? Imagine the Leafs board after they lose the first game or two of the season.

I mean, we're talking a pick between 11-15 overall this year. Granted, it's a deep draft and there are some fun guys in the middle-10, but it would be worth it, IMO.

If they were to miss next season, you would absolute have to *know* that ping-pong ball is getting picked. The City of Toronto might burn down.

This happened, remember? Seguin and the whole thing. Team that did it to them won the Cup the next year.