Around the NHL: 2018-19, Part 4

[TheStorm]

But he did stop more tonight than in his entire Sabre career I believe.

He stopped three I believe. The Letang shot should've been a goal though, Letang whiffed hard.

 

[sabrebuild]

I mean, 1 guy doesn't make a team culture. The interview mentions some specifics that really jump out, like there being a group of guys who thought it was uncool to try hard and who didn't have any respect for the experience/knowledge of veteran players. That stuff has to proliferate to be damning. If Hall was part of that, he certainly wasn't alone.

From what little I tracked the Oilers drama in those years, I recall him being the ring leader alpha of that group, as well as Eberle, and they just got a rep as party guys, that got a lot publicity for the local night life. Kinda like Roy, when he was a core guy.

I don’t really believe much culture argument, beyond talented players are what you need to win, and winning is fun. It happens from time to time that a winning team has open chemistry or effort issues. But for the most part, todays nhl is filled with Uber competitive people who know they are auditioning for a contract every game.

Generally the teams with the most talent win. Those Oiler teams had awful defense, questionable goaltending and a forward group lacking in depth. They were not winning no matter how good culture brought them together as s team.

And for sure the occasional surprise happens, but even those tend to be more obvious after time.

Like the 05-06 Sabres were super surprising to be so good. Unheralded vets hit their stride, rookies ce out of nowhere. But it turned out that wasn’t a fluke year that everything went just right. Briere went on to be an all star and playoff monster for other teams. Vanek was always a star, Pominville and Roy both had excellent careers. Even a grinder like Gaustad was a 10 year nhler.

End of excessive rant. Apologies

 

[1972]

Watching the Islanders last night Barzal needs to start shooting the puck a bit. He’s got zero threat of scoring right now.

 

[itwasaforwardpass]

Ocho Stinko on waivers, can't say I'm sad to see it after his cringeworthy end of season comments.

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[1972]

Anyone else think prime Stamkos and Matthews are pretty similar? Neither are what would would call guys that are good playmakers, or guys that you notice all that much, yet when they get a chance it's in the net.

 

[struckbyaparkedcar]

I mean, 1 guy doesn't make a team culture. The interview mentions some specifics that really jump out, like there being a group of guys who thought it was uncool to try hard and who didn't have any respect for the experience/knowledge of veteran players. That stuff has to proliferate to be damning. If Hall was part of that, he certainly wasn't alone.

The veterans were complete garbage and their coaching sucked. Ference stole money from that franchise, and it’s hysterical to watch him try to wash his hands of that tenure.

 

[1972]

Based on what I am seeing right now in the NHL right now, the top young forwards are as follows.

1. Connor McDavid (Best player in the world, but the gap between him and 3/4/5 isn't as big as I thought)
2. Nathan MacKinnon (Night in night out he's arguably the most consistent forward in the league)
3. Auston Matthews (Best even strength scorer of this decade most likely)
4. Jack Eichel (Probably the third best play maker on this list after McDavid and Marner, but a better goal scorer and positional bias give him the edge over Marner)
5. Mitch Marner (A magician with the puck, he might have 80+ assist seasons in the NHL)
6. Alexander Barkov (Future selke winner, I think he's a tier behind the top 5 in offensive skill)
7. Mikko Rantanen (Super skilled winger with amazing chemistry with MacKinnon. I think without MacKinnon he is more of a 70-80 point guy and not quite the individual talent as those about him.)
8. Patrik Laine (He can shoot the puck and score goals, the other area's of his game are no where near the rest of this list)
9. Elias Pettersson (He's just a rookie, but he's got franchise centre written all over him. He is one of the smartest forwards in the league, so creative)
10. Brayden Point (Probably the second best young two way centre in the game after Barkov, I don't find his individual talent to be sublime, but the whole is better then the sum of the parts)

 

[SabresFan26]

Anyone else think prime Stamkos and Matthews are pretty similar? Neither are what would would call guys that are good playmakers, or guys that you notice all that much, yet when they get a chance it's in the net.

I do. Matthews is better on the puck and in battles with his size and presence. Stamkos is a little more dynamic and better skater.

Marner and Eichel are closer in style
Matthews and Reinhart are closer in style

People can't really compare Eichel and Matthews because they're completely different players. Sure you can pick one or the other but they are apples and oranges.

 

[Jim Bob]

 

[Jim Bob]

Playoff draft > All Star team fantasy draft

 

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[Reddawg]

Round-round getaround...

 

[ZZamboni]

With Ryan out of the lineup for a few weeks ... not surprised. Hopefully Chad has a nice stint in Cali. I’ve always liked Chad

 

[Jim Bob]

I bet he went to the Tre White Goaltending Academy to prepare.

 

[Jim Carr's Rug]

Anyone else think prime Stamkos and Matthews are pretty similar? Neither are what would would call guys that are good playmakers, or guys that you notice all that much, yet when they get a chance it's in the net.

Pretty similar, though I notice Mathews win more puck battles.
I also watch more Leafs than Lightning.

 

[CrazyPsycho]

Ugh had a flashback to the Zednik injury

 

[Chainshot]

I bet he went to the Tre White Goaltending Academy to prepare.

Does this signal that the Ducks are now in full "Lose for Hughes" territory?

 

[WeDislikeEich]

Blues just have all the luck.

 

[toomuchsauce]

Kevin Weekes on NHL Tonight talking about Bobrovsky likely wanting out of Columbus. Between him and Panarin, yikes. That's a lot to lose in one season.

 

[Moskau]

Couldn't have asked for a better night Wild Card wise other than Boston winning.

 

[1972]

Rantanen is just a special talent, elite playmaking ability. He’s arguably on Joe Thornton prime level right now when it comes to distributing the puck. Just an elite passer. He’s what I thought Reinhart would become.

 

[Gras]

Blues just have all the luck.

And of course it was Tim Peel

 

[Jim Bob]

Kevin Weekes on NHL Tonight talking about Bobrovsky likely wanting out of Columbus. Between him and Panarin, yikes. That's a lot to lose in one season.

This has been a thing for most of the season with Bob struggling out of the gate and rumors that it had to do with the fact that he was in the last year of his deal and not getting an extension done in C'bus.

The Bob and Panarin contract situations are super tricky for Columbus since they are a team that expects to be in the playoffs this season and their cap situation is halfway decent.

Although, on top of Bob and Panarin hitting UFA next summer, Werenski is an RFA as well...

Columbus Blue Jackets - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[Jim Bob]

www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/cap-comparables-auston-matthews-make-connor-mcdavid/

Cap comparables: Why Auston Matthews could make more than Connor McDavid