NHL Thread

pourmeanother · 07-04-2011, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

Not really sure what to make of the Heatley trade. If (big if) Havlat can stay healthy, Sharks probably win this deal though. Heatley just isn't worth that big of a cap hit.

At least the Sharks robbed the Wild on the other trade. Burns is an absolute stud.

I sure hope so. Well, I know he's capable and worth more to us than Gooch (especially with speed back our way in Havlat). Part of me still feels we are a piece or two away from a finals appearance at this point... especially the way LA, Vancouver, and others are looking at this point.

Thom Yorke · 07-13-2011, 08:28 AM

So things are starting to settle down and teams are really shaping up for next year. There are some big-name RFAs left but it doesn't look like those teams will be put in much cap trouble because of it.

From the looks of it, the East is much improved. Not at the West's level yet, but pretty much every team got better. Here's how I see the regular season standings breaking down:

East

Playoff Locks
1. Capitals
2. Bruins
3. Penguins
4. Flyers

Very Likely to Make Playoffs
5. Sabres
6. Lightning

Likely to Make Playoffs
7. Rangers

Playoff Bubble Teams
8. Devils
9. Canadiens
10. Maple Leafs
11. Hurricanes

Not Likely to Make Playoffs
12. Senators
13. Islanders
14. Jets
15. Panthers

West

Playoff Locks
1. Canucks
2. Red Wings
3. Kings
4. Sharks

Very Likely to Make Playoffs
5. Ducks
6. Blackhawks

Likely to Make Playoffs
7. Predators

Playoff Bubble Teams
8. Blues
9. Coyotes
10. Wild
11. Flames
12. Blue Jackets
13. Avalanche
14. Stars

Not Likely to Make Playoffs
15. Oilers

Laces Out Dan! · 07-13-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom Yorke

So things are starting to settle down and teams are really shaping up for next year. There are some big-name RFAs left but it doesn't look like those teams will be put in much cap trouble because of it.

From the looks of it, the East is much improved. Not at the West's level yet, but pretty much every team got better. Here's how I see the regular season standings breaking down:

East

Playoff Locks
1. Capitals
2. Bruins
3. Penguins
4. Flyers

Very Likely to Make Playoffs
5. Sabres
6. Lightning

Likely to Make Playoffs
7. Rangers

Playoff Bubble Teams
8. Devils
9. Canadiens
10. Maple Leafs
11. Hurricanes

Not Likely to Make Playoffs
12. Senators
13. Islanders
14. Jets
15. Panthers

West

Playoff Locks
1. Canucks
2. Red Wings
3. Kings
4. Sharks

Very Likely to Make Playoffs
5. Ducks
6. Blackhawks

Likely to Make Playoffs
7. Predators

Playoff Bubble Teams
8. Blues
9. Coyotes
10. Wild
11. Flames
12. Blue Jackets
13. Avalanche
14. Stars

Not Likely to Make Playoffs
15. Oilers

L.A. scares me for next year...if they can find chemistry in the early part of the season...they're gonna be one hell of a team.

pourmeanother · 07-14-2011, 04:24 PM

Yeah, really gotta like what the Kings have done. They are built to compete for a cup with this cast for many years. Solid down the middle and at the back end. They still have to lock up Doughty- who appears to have the team bidding against themselves right now- and I still think they need another cog for the wing. They have tons of cap space and flexibility to keep one of Quick or Bernier and move the other for more pieces.

It's going to be a FIGHT for the Pacific crown this season, but I still like what my Sharks have done just as much this offseason. Pavelski will be back in the top 6, and people need to watch for his offensive breakout this season... either a right-handed shot paired with Thornton, or centering a line with Clowe (tons of chemistry) and Havlat (speed/breakouts)--he's going to be super productive. The addition of Burns instantly makes our D corps as effective as any other in the league right now.

In terms of San Jose vs. LA...
Top 6:
Penner--Kopitar--Williams
Gagne--Richards--Brown

Marleau--Thornton--Pavelski/Couture
Clowe--Pavelski/Couture--Havlat
(Push, slight edge Sharks. Brown kills the Sharks, and the centers match up really well, our wings are significantly stronger overall)

Lower lines:
We swooped Handzus, which hurts them and simultaneously improves us-- but edge Kings, this is an area that the Sharks still need to address as a whole.

Defense:
Sharks, the addition of Burns I think puts them over. Doughty is a monster, but they are still looking for overall consistency out of Doughty and Jack Johnson. Sharks match the top end talent, and are a little deeper.

Goaltending:
Push, slight edge Kings. The Sharks netminding has more experience, but I think both Quick and Bernier are more talented and more capable of taking over a game than either Niemi or Niittymaki.

Both teams finish behind Vancouver because of the weakness in the Northwest and the easy points they can pick up. Both teams finish ahead of an aging Detroit and a rebounding Chicago team. One will be 2 and one will be 4.

xraygord · 08-08-2011, 05:12 PM

I am probably one of the happiest people alive. The NHL is back in Winnipeg. It's going to cost me $600.00 to get a scalped ticket for the opening gmae but I don't give a ****. History in the making. I can't wait! Wheeeee!

Laces Out Dan! · 08-08-2011, 06:28 PM

Im stoked for our country getting another well deserved team.

Another note, Carcillo is now a blackhawk. It'll be interesting having him skate with our biggest rivals. He's already opened his mouth and called out some canucks. Well, only one current canuck. And two players who are now elsewhere.

Black_Hawk · 08-10-2011, 01:19 PM

Opening Night Countdown: 58 days, 1,396 hours and 83,764 minutes until the Wings and Senators drop the puck on 10.07.11 at JLA.

Obviously I'm a Wings supporter

Could 2012 be our year again?

hip hop bunny hop · 09-02-2011, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Very Likely to Make Playoffs
5. Ducks
6. Blackhawks

Likely to Make Playoffs
7. Predators

How on earth can you put the Ducks above the Predators? After the Predators man handled Anaheim in the playoffs?

Thom Yorke · 09-04-2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hip hop bunny hop

How on earth can you put the Ducks above the Predators? After the Predators man handled Anaheim in the playoffs?

It's only one series and some teams play well against certain teams based on style of play.

Thom Yorke · 09-12-2011, 03:40 PM

The Doughty situation is getting interesting. LA should just give him the 5 year deal. The young stars all seem to be doing it after their rookie contract under this CBA to cash in big time under their first year of UFA eligibility.

07-14-2011, 04:24 PM	#1164 (permalink)
pourmeanother Saaaad Panda Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 852	Yeah, really gotta like what the Kings have done. They are built to compete for a cup with this cast for many years. Solid down the middle and at the back end. They still have to lock up Doughty- who appears to have the team bidding against themselves right now- and I still think they need another cog for the wing. They have tons of cap space and flexibility to keep one of Quick or Bernier and move the other for more pieces. It's going to be a FIGHT for the Pacific crown this season, but I still like what my Sharks have done just as much this offseason. Pavelski will be back in the top 6, and people need to watch for his offensive breakout this season... either a right-handed shot paired with Thornton, or centering a line with Clowe (tons of chemistry) and Havlat (speed/breakouts)--he's going to be super productive. The addition of Burns instantly makes our D corps as effective as any other in the league right now. In terms of San Jose vs. LA... Top 6: Penner--Kopitar--Williams Gagne--Richards--Brown Marleau--Thornton--Pavelski/Couture Clowe--Pavelski/Couture--Havlat (Push, slight edge Sharks. Brown kills the Sharks, and the centers match up really well, our wings are significantly stronger overall) Lower lines: We swooped Handzus, which hurts them and simultaneously improves us-- but edge Kings, this is an area that the Sharks still need to address as a whole. Defense: Sharks, the addition of Burns I think puts them over. Doughty is a monster, but they are still looking for overall consistency out of Doughty and Jack Johnson. Sharks match the top end talent, and are a little deeper. Goaltending: Push, slight edge Kings. The Sharks netminding has more experience, but I think both Quick and Bernier are more talented and more capable of taking over a game than either Niemi or Niittymaki. Both teams finish behind Vancouver because of the weakness in the Northwest and the easy points they can pick up. Both teams finish ahead of an aging Detroit and a rebounding Chicago team. One will be 2 and one will be 4. __________________ Life is just blah, blah, blah You hope for blah And sometimes you find it, but mostly it's blah And waiting for blah And hoping you were right about the blahs you made And then, just when you think you've got the whole blah'd damn thing figured out And you're surrounded by the ones you blah Death shows up... anddd blah, blah, blah. Last edited by pourmeanother; 07-18-2011 at 12:39 PM.

08-08-2011, 05:12 PM	#1165 (permalink)
xraygord Groupie Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 36	Go Jets Go!! I am probably one of the happiest people alive. The NHL is back in Winnipeg. It's going to cost me $600.00 to get a scalped ticket for the opening gmae but I don't give a ****. History in the making. I can't wait! Wheeeee!

08-08-2011, 06:28 PM	#1166 (permalink)
Laces Out Dan! I love Puck Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: British Columbia Posts: 4,614	Im stoked for our country getting another well deserved team. Another note, Carcillo is now a blackhawk. It'll be interesting having him skate with our biggest rivals. He's already opened his mouth and called out some canucks. Well, only one current canuck. And two players who are now elsewhere. __________________ We are entirely smooth, We admit to the truth, We are the best at what we do.

07-13-2011, 08:28 AM	#1162 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	So things are starting to settle down and teams are really shaping up for next year. There are some big-name RFAs left but it doesn't look like those teams will be put in much cap trouble because of it. From the looks of it, the East is much improved. Not at the West's level yet, but pretty much every team got better. Here's how I see the regular season standings breaking down: East Playoff Locks 1. Capitals 2. Bruins 3. Penguins 4. Flyers Very Likely to Make Playoffs 5. Sabres 6. Lightning Likely to Make Playoffs 7. Rangers Playoff Bubble Teams 8. Devils 9. Canadiens 10. Maple Leafs 11. Hurricanes Not Likely to Make Playoffs 12. Senators 13. Islanders 14. Jets 15. Panthers West Playoff Locks 1. Canucks 2. Red Wings 3. Kings 4. Sharks Very Likely to Make Playoffs 5. Ducks 6. Blackhawks Likely to Make Playoffs 7. Predators Playoff Bubble Teams 8. Blues 9. Coyotes 10. Wild 11. Flames 12. Blue Jackets 13. Avalanche 14. Stars Not Likely to Make Playoffs 15. Oilers

08-10-2011, 01:19 PM	#1167 (permalink)
Black_Hawk Groupie Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North London Posts: 6	Opening Night Countdown: 58 days, 1,396 hours and 83,764 minutes until the Wings and Senators drop the puck on 10.07.11 at JLA. Obviously I'm a Wings supporter Could 2012 be our year again?

09-12-2011, 03:40 PM	#1170 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	The Doughty situation is getting interesting. LA should just give him the 5 year deal. The young stars all seem to be doing it after their rookie contract under this CBA to cash in big time under their first year of UFA eligibility.