From watching quite a few games from renamed Metro & Central games, no division is anywhere as intense as the North division games. The Bos-NYR game last week was the most intense game out of the other three divisions that I’ve seen and it’s now 2-months into the season - those seem to be typical levels of intensity in the North from start of the seasonWithout mentioning the Habs at all, who's the best of the rest in the North? Leafs are obviously the favourites and arguably the top team in the division right now, but who comes after them?
I've watched each team a handful of times this year, but I can't get a good read on which one stands out from the pack.
Definitely did. I was one of the posters wanting MB to go for that as well. I think it's the fact that we've been starved for star power here for a while that I was willing to do anything to get some, even if Duchene himself isn't even a star.Duchene and his contract in Nashville looks awful right now. We dodged a bullet on that one didn’t we?
Duchene and his contract in Nashville looks awful right now.
We dodged a bullet on that one didn’t we?
Without mentioning the Habs at all, who's the best of the rest in the North? Leafs are obviously the favourites and arguably the top team in the division right now, but who comes after them?
I've watched each team a handful of times this year, but I can't get a good read on which one stands out from the pack.
Despite being in 5th, I still think Calgary is a top-3 team in the division. They got good forwards, defence and goaltending.
Despite the rather, um, questionable defence, Winnipeg should be #4 when all is said and done. Their centers are arguably the strongest #1-#4 and if Hellebuyck can get that Verona form going, they’d be better than the remaining teams.
Thank you country music!Duchene and his contract in Nashville looks awful right now.
We dodged a bullet on that one didn’t we?
Duchene and his contract in Nashville looks awful right now.
We dodged a bullet on that one didn’t we?
From what I’ve seen Flames and Jets are the biggest threats to the Habs and Leafs at the top of the north.
Markstrom has been a huge pickup for the Flames. He’s stolen some points and just provides a stable and calm presence.
As long as his health holds up, I would put them a notch above Winnipeg, but it’s pretty close.
I’m not really sure where the Habs slot in right now, but I’m reasonably certain that Edmonton and Vancouver will be on the outside looking in, joining the Sens of course.
Lucic as well...Conceptually its interesting that these dodged bullets had nothing to do on our GM’s part...if he had his way we’d be swimming in Danaults and Duchenes, lol
Duchene and his contract in Nashville looks awful right now.
We dodged a bullet on that one didn’t we?
I haven’t looked this up, but has there been a recent, say last 10 years where a major UFA signing paid dividends to the club who signed that player? A contract that eats up 8%+ of the team cap?
Tavares has done ok, and Panarin has been tearing it up, but Lucic, Ericsson, Okposo, Skinner, Bobrovsky... those haven’t looked good.
I haven’t looked this up, but has there been a recent, say last 10 years where a major UFA signing paid dividends to the club who signed that player? A contract that eats up 8%+ of the team cap?
Tavares has done ok, and Panarin has been tearing it up, but Lucic, Ericsson, Okposo, Skinner, Bobrovsky... those haven’t looked good.
I haven’t looked this up, but has there been a recent, say last 10 years where a major UFA signing paid dividends to the club who signed that player? A contract that eats up 8%+ of the team cap?
Tavares has done ok, and Panarin has been tearing it up, but Lucic, Ericsson, Okposo, Skinner, Bobrovsky... those haven’t looked good.
Tavares and Panarin are examples of overpaying for actual talent. The flops you listed are based on overpaying for need. Clearly there’s a big difference.
Also the flops are all poor skaters (Bobrovsky notwithstanding, goalies are just volatile). Tavares is an average skater too but far more talented than the rest. Poor skaters age horribly.