Nhl 2015

[Shyla Wild]

With the NHL a season starting soon, what are your thoughts regarding your teams chances this year? Edmonton got McDavid, Calgary is looking promising, Toronto traded their best asset for some spare parts and hired some guys that will enjoy the longer vacation the off season brings in Toronto, Winnipeg is building...same as Ottawa and are a few years away, Vancouver is hanging on to whatever is left from that Stanley cup final run, the Bruins are rebuilding, Habs fans are blinded by the fact that we didn't get any better during the offseason and we expect another MVP season from price.....

So, where do you stand?

[StrokeShow69]

With the NHL a season starting soon, what are your thoughts regarding your teams chances this year? Edmonton got McDavid, Calgary is looking promising, Toronto traded their best asset for some spare parts and hired some guys that will enjoy the longer vacation the off season brings in Toronto, Winnipeg is building...same as Ottawa and are a few years away, Vancouver is hanging on to whatever is left from that Stanley cup final run, the Bruins are rebuilding, Habs fans are blinded by the fact that we didn't get any better during the offseason and we expect another MVP season from price.....

So, where do you stand?

Welcum to Calgary Shyla,

I think here in Calgary the Hamilton trade was relatively inexpensive and unquestionably made them better... but there is still only one legit line up front. Frolik was an OK addition but we are not deeply talented up front despite being a cap club. The Flames rely on fitness (helped by veteran buy-in to his rigid practices) and setting a skating pace instilled by Hartley. The Pacific is an absolute nightmare and we'll be lucky just to get in the playoffs. Anaheim will still be running things and LA will reload.

The Oil won the Lottery in what will go down as one of Bettman's biggest gaffes allowing the rules to change only to allow the biggest tankers of the last 6 years to win it for the 4th time and permitting a generational talent to go to Edmonton when he could have sent him to the Big Smoke Show and allowed them to have one interesting player while selling a billion more in McMerchandise than he will in Edmonton. They'll be the most interesting team in hockey but they aren't going to make the playoffs quite yet.

Toronto is a f'n gong show and will be even more ridiculous than usual. I will enjoy watching their fans lose their minds over a bottom 3 finish. Kessel is going to light it up in Pittsburgh even if he strolls around at his lazy pace and these Toronto fans who ran him out of town will be reversing themselves when Phil pulls in the most-casual 80 pts.

Winnipeg is big and could do some damage with their huge physical team. Hopefully they can keep Buff's The Stuff happy and be an interesting team. Ultimately the ownership there is cheap (despite being super rich) so, for the sake of their fans, I hope they do something before they deal their talent for purely budgetary reasons.

Ottawa has some interesting young guys and one of the best offensive D-men in the game but for some reason they don't impress me as a team that could challenge. I don't like Melnyk but I like Murray as a GM.

Vancouver got an awful surprise when the Flames shocked them in the first round. Dealing Kesler and Bieksa in the same division is not ideal but they should still be in the hunt since the Oil aren't ready for Prime Time yet.

Montreal always has a chance with Jesus Price. I like Marc Bergervin but I'm not a fan of the Prust trade (Kassian is bigger but nowhere near as brave). Patches will be money in the bank but he needs some more help. PK is great but he has to go out and win the Norris to give the club a chance to go deep. Galchenyuk and BGally have to take the next step. Tinordi and McCarron have to make a push to play every night to give them some size. Ultra-talented Nikita Scherback played some good games for Everett this season, and he might be knocking on the door this season.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Calgary Shyla and the smoke doesn't get to you.

Cheers,

StrokeShow69

[Shyla Wild]

Very Impressive

Welcum to Calgary Shyla,

I think here in Calgary the Hamilton trade was relatively inexpensive and unquestionably made them better... but there is still only one legit line up front. Frolik was an OK addition but we are not deeply talented up front despite being a cap club. The Flames rely on fitness (helped by veteran buy-in to his rigid practices) and setting a skating pace instilled by Hartley. The Pacific is an absolute nightmare and we'll be lucky just to get in the playoffs. Anaheim will still be running things and LA will reload.

I think you guys made off good in that trade. Hamilton is going to be a beast. Hartley is without a doubt the best coach in the NHL hands down. Unlike Babcock who was handed teams throughout his career that couldn't lose, Hartley is the real deal.

The Oil won the Lottery in what will go down as one of Bettman's biggest gaffes allowing the rules to change only to allow the biggest tankers of the last 6 years to win it for the 4th time and permitting a generational talent to go to Edmonton when he could have sent him to the Big Smoke Show and allowed them to have one interesting player while selling a billion more in McMerchandise than he will in Edmonton. They'll be the most interesting team in hockey but they aren't going to make the playoffs quite yet.

Too many pieces still missing there. Them trading Petry to the Habs, then signing 2 guys that are not as good shocked me. Without a goalie...going to be rough there.

Toronto is a f'n gong show and will be even more ridiculous than usual. I will enjoy watching their fans lose their minds over a bottom 3 finish. Kessel is going to light it up in Pittsburgh even if he strolls around at his lazy pace and these Toronto fans who ran him out of town will be reversing themselves when Phil pulls in the most-casual 80 pts.

I love Toronto. I told them 2 years ago to trade Phanuef and Kessel away. I was laughed at....now they got fleeced. First they trade McCauther(15-20 goals) away for a cripple, then they trade their best asset for .... What did they get? Next prediction...Kessel ends up as one of the worst trades in Leafs history after he lights it up for the next 4-5 years on Malkin's wing.

Winnipeg is big and could do some damage with their huge physical team. Hopefully they can keep Buff's The Stuff happy and be an interesting team. Ultimately the ownership there is cheap (despite being super rich) so, for the sake of their fans, I hope they do something before they deal their talent for purely budgetary reasons.

The reality....they are going to look bad on the Kane trade. Kane is going to look like a beast on Eichels wing. They can't spend and will probably start losing players. See Oakland A's of MLB for more info.

Ottawa has some interesting young guys and one of the best offensive D-men in the game but for some reason they don't impress me as a team that could challenge. I don't like Melnyk but I like Murray as a GM.

Ditto. Karlsson runs the show there.

Vancouver got an awful surprise when the Flames shocked them in the first round. Dealing Kesler and Bieksa in the same division is not ideal but they should still be in the hunt since the Oil aren't ready for Prime Time yet.

Vancouver is on its last wheels. The Sedins are getting to the end of their careers and are untradable. Too many changes, too many questions since the Stanely cup run. the Bruins team that beat them is presently rebuilding....funny how the Canucks are older and are not....

Montreal always has a chance with Jesus Price. I like Marc Bergervin but I'm not a fan of the Prust trade (Kassian is bigger but nowhere near as brave). Patches will be money in the bank but he needs some more help. PK is great but he has to go out and win the Norris to give the club a chance to go deep. Galchenyuk and BGally have to take the next step. Tinordi and McCarron have to make a push to play every night to give them some size. Ultra-talented Nikita Scherback played some good games for Everett this season, and he might be knocking on the door this season.

Scherback and McCarron are still a few years away. Tinordi unfortunately is on his make it or break it camp. He unfortunately has to clear waivers this year and if he does not make the team out of camp will probably be moved. I believe the key in Montreal is and always has been Galchenyuk. Price runs the show, but Galchenyuk's development is the key to the Habs offense. Kassian is very inconsistent, and he has big shoes to fill in Montreal. Semin was a cheap pickup that could help....or in my opinion we got ourselves another Vanek.

Hope you enjoy your stay in Calgary Shyla and the smoke doesn't get to you.

Cheers,

StrokeShow69

When you are this hot, you learn to live with the smoke....

[Mugsammy]

Simply...

Pens and Oilers are the most improved teams. Oilers make the playoffs...contending for the Holy Grail in 3 to 5 years...Pens acquisition of Kessel (wish they had another big (dman) gives them 3 players finishing top 5 or 6 in goals and/or points. Pens will be the team to beat.

[Shyla Wild]

Pens and Oilers are the most improved teams. Oilers make the playoffs...contending for the Holy Grail in 3 to 5 years...Pens acquisition of Kessel (wish they had another big (dman) gives them 3 players finishing top 5 or 6 in goals and/or points. Pens will be the team to beat.

Pens defense is horrible. If they make it out of the first they will be lucky

[StrokeShow69]

Pens defense is horrible. If they make it out of the first they will be lucky

Agreed.

Same with the Oilers D. I don't care how much potential they have, they aren't making the playoffs this year with bad goaltending and a young, questionable D.

[Mugsammy]

Agreed.

Same with the Oilers D. I don't care how much potential they have, they aren't making the playoffs this year with bad goaltending and a young, questionable D.

Oilers d in championship days really weren't so great either. But when you have the puck all the time you're going to score more goals then the other guys. Plus they picked up a few other acquisitions that are great with puck possession. Mark it on the calendar my friends...Pens WILL be the team to beat!

The Oilers will be in the playoffs this year.

[Shyla Wild]

Oilers d in championship days really weren't so great either. But when you have the puck all the time you're going to score more goals then the other guys. Plus they picked up a few other acquisitions that are great with puck possession. Mark it on the calendar my friends...Pens WILL be the team to beat!

The Oilers will be in the playoffs this year.

even if both are the most improved, they still don't stack up to other teams ahead of them. The Pens will have their hands full with either the Islanders or the Rangers. The Tampa Bay Offense on paper is still better than the pens except they have a solid group of d men.

Hockey has come along way since the 80s and the Oilers. A high scoring team is great, but if you can't keep the puck out of the net you will lose these days. The Oilers of the 80s had Lowe and Coffey manning the blue line and Fuhr in nets. Unless Edmonton starts moving a couple of those former 1st round picks to address the weakness at Defense and Goaltending....it's going be very fustrating.

Unfortunately Mugs, both teams might be fun to watch, the Oilers might make a run at the playoffs but on paper there is better teams in the West. In the East, the Penguins offense might get them through the regular season, but once the playoffs start and goals are hard to come by, they won't get to the second round and if they do....that as far as they go. Montreal, NYR, Tampa are the teams to beat in the east.

[Mugsammy]

Puck possession...,

I'm talking puck procession here. If you pocess of the puck more then the other team and the skill and firepower to bury it in the net, like the Pens...you will win. I am predicting the Pens to be a top runner for the Cup. RANGERS SUCK! Lol, management (Sather) is an Olygarch running on the laurels of history. Sure...he's somewhat gone now but nothing happening there until his foul stigma has faded.

Oilers of old...Lowe was OK, that's about it. Coffey...was no Bobby Orr or Scott Neidermier on d. Coffee was a super skilled skater who once he got the puck on his stick...WATCH OUT! Look at Karlsson in Ottawa. Although weak as a d man it was skill with puck procession that has won him two awards. Certainly not his d skill. Again...elite skill with the puck and puck possession.

Grant Fuhr and Andy Moog are historically one of the best goaltending tandums of all time. They my friends...won many many games for the Oilers when a weak d wasn't up to snuff with the top teams of the day. When the forwards got the puck, or Paul Coffee, they scored. You CAN win with a weak d and strong goaltending...ask the Habs! Oh, and ask the Pens about Fluery who was outstanding last year without their top d in the lineup who was injured a large portion of the season.

I predict...the Pens...will be stronger, they will be the top puck possession team in the NHL...if staying healthy they will have 3 players in the top 6 in points and goal scored and another 2 or 3 a little further down the line...which means they will be one of the teams to beat.

The Oilers I say will make the playoffs and not because of McGreggor but because the other young guns will step up a notch or two. Oilers had an amazing second half season last year. They were healthy, scored goals, Hopkins and Eberly were unstoppable, (puck pocession) and they buried the biscuit! They will not move any of those young guns...they ARE THE TEAM.

You will see! BAAA HAHAHA HAAAAA! YOU WILL SEEEEE!!! (That is my annoying, evil laugh)

[Mugsammy]

I have learned over the years you can analyse all you want but the truth is that there are so many unpredictable circumstances that no one can determin or guarantee who will be dominant and/or a cup contender. For instance

• injuries
• trades
• mismanagement by the GM or coach
• lack of chemistry between team mates
• star players getting cold and /or rookie prospects not living up to expectation or vice versa
• new rules

The funny thing is when trying to talk to even the most die hard hockey fan thy don't want to hear this and say "You don't know what you're talking about. "

Whatever. I\m just waiting for the season to start and enjoy the games.

The only thing that really bugs me is the 3 on 3 overtime.

Good point however until those things happen we take is face value...what the teams can put on the ice. You don't put unforeseen circumstances first.

I love hockey today more then ever because of the closeness in competition of many teams.

Chicago is NOT a dynasty and can be beaten. Three cups in six years...we also can say two in five. LA who didn't make the playoffs last year and barely squeeled in the previous year to win the cup (luck...went on a roll just before playoffs started) should they win the cup this year that would be 3 in 6. Dynasty...not a friggin chance!

3 on 3 only will suit the strong depth skilled teams/players. Want a team to win in regulation...3 points for regulation win, 2 for OT win, 1 for the regulation tie.

3 on 3 will be exciting but we will see more teams playing for the OT...same as now. Unfortunately.

[Jim S]

Good point however until those things happen we take is face value...what the teams can put on the ice. You don't put unforeseen circumstances first.

I love hockey today more then ever because of the closeness in competition of many teams.

Chicago is NOT a dynasty and can be beaten. Three cups in six years...we also can say two in five. LA who didn't make the playoffs last year and barely squeeled in the previous year to win the cup (luck...went on a roll just before playoffs started) should they win the cup this year that would be 3 in 6. Dynasty...not a friggin chance!

3 on 3 only will suit the strong depth skilled teams/players. Want a team to win in regulation...3 points for regulation win, 2 for OT win, 1 for the regulation tie.

3 on 3 will be exciting but we will see more teams playing for the OT...same as now. Unfortunately.

Go Black Hawks Go!!!!!!!

[Mugsammy]

my batting order is...

Habs, Pens, Oilers, Hawks. Love the Hawks from the old days of Hull, Pilote, Hall, Mikita, Nesterenko, Pat Whitey Stapleton ...what a team!

[Shyla Wild]

Puck possession means Nothing!

Puck Possession is a bullshit stat. If it was so important, the best team at it (Los Angeles) would not have missed the playoffs. And with Quick and Doughty you cannot blame the defense or goalie on this one. In fact, 8 of the top 10 teams in puck possession either did not make the playoffs or were out by the end of first round.

As for Kessel improving the Pens puck possession, Kessel was one of the Leafs 3 worst puck possession players. So, on a team ranked 27th he was doing everything he could to hurt the Leafs puck possession. Kessel is a heartless player. Look at the amount of hits he throws. He is a floater. He was sold to Leafs fans as a great player because it was unthinkable trading 2 first round picks for him. He might score 40 for the Pens, and he might tear that dressing room apart. He can can score 40....but many players over the years, could have, might have, and never did. Straight up, Kessel is garbage.

I'm talking puck procession here. If you pocess of the puck more then the other team and the skill and firepower to bury it in the net, like the Pens...you will win. I am predicting the Pens to be a top runner for the Cup. RANGERS SUCK! Lol, management (Sather) is an Olygarch running on the laurels of history. Sure...he's somewhat gone now but nothing happening there until his foul stigma has faded.

Oilers of old...Lowe was OK, that's about it. Coffey...was no Bobby Orr or Scott Neidermier on d. Coffee was a super skilled skater who once he got the puck on his stick...WATCH OUT! Look at Karlsson in Ottawa. Although weak as a d man it was skill with puck procession that has won him two awards. Certainly not his d skill. Again...elite skill with the puck and puck possession.

Grant Fuhr and Andy Moog are historically one of the best goaltending tandums of all time. They my friends...won many many games for the Oilers when a weak d wasn't up to snuff with the top teams of the day. When the forwards got the puck, or Paul Coffee, they scored. You CAN win with a weak d and strong goaltending...ask the Habs! Oh, and ask the Pens about Fluery who was outstanding last year without their top d in the lineup who was injured a large portion of the season.

I predict...the Pens...will be stronger, they will be the top puck possession team in the NHL...if staying healthy they will have 3 players in the top 6 in points and goal scored and another 2 or 3 a little further down the line...which means they will be one of the teams to beat.

The Oilers I say will make the playoffs and not because of McGreggor but because the other young guns will step up a notch or two. Oilers had an amazing second half season last year. They were healthy, scored goals, Hopkins and Eberly were unstoppable, (puck pocession) and they buried the biscuit! They will not move any of those young guns...they ARE THE TEAM.

You will see! BAAA HAHAHA HAAAAA! YOU WILL SEEEEE!!! (That is my annoying, evil laugh)

[Mugsammy]

Time will tell...

LA for example do not have the players to score like the Pens...with or without Kessel. Quick had an off year as did Sydney Crosby.

I'm not a total stats guy. I only dabble slightly with them, no time to really get into it.

Habs...Pacerioty led the NHL in +/-, always at the top for goal scorers on a weak, low scoring team. Price carried the Habs. Rangers...I can't stand them like you can't stand Kessel. Again, an amazing goalie. However, overrated, no really big guns on the team. Watch the improvement in Dallas this year! When the big guns get the puck they WILL score more goals and they WILL win more games.

Crosby...same thing, Pens score way more goals then the other team when Crosby has the puck. Simple! This isn't so much +/-, it's Crosby actually having the puck. Kessel will help in that stat because again, he'll be getting fed the puck. Malkin, a little less then Crosby. Same for Ducks with Perry and Getzlaf. Outside of these players the depth scale really drops. This is only a few examples.

Kessel will not be the go to guy in Pittsburgh. Crosby will make him a better player. Mostly, he'll be getting fed the puck and he will score lots of goals. Others will score on rebounds and deflections from his shots.

I'm not a Kessel fan by any means. Far from it.

I'm only pointing out a few examples. I stand by what I said. Time will tell.

[Shyla Wild]

LA for example do not have the players to score like the Pens...with or without Kessel. Quick had an off year as did Sydney Crosby.

I'm not a total stats guy. I only dabble slightly with them, no time to really get into it.

Habs...Pacerioty led the NHL in +/-, always at the top for goal scorers on a weak, low scoring team. Price carried the Habs. Rangers...I can't stand them like you can't stand Kessel. Again, an amazing goalie. However, overrated, no really big guns on the team. Watch the improvement in Dallas this year! When the big guns get the puck they WILL score more goals and they WILL win more games.

Crosby...same thing, Pens score way more goals then the other team when Crosby has the puck. Simple! This isn't so much +/-, it's Crosby actually having the puck. Kessel will help in that stat because again, he'll be getting fed the puck. Malkin, a little less then Crosby. Same for Ducks with Perry and Getzlaf. Outside of these players the depth scale really drops. This is only a few examples.

Kessel will not be the go to guy in Pittsburgh. Crosby will make him a better player. Mostly, he'll be getting fed the puck and he will score lots of goals. Others will score on rebounds and deflections from his shots.

I'm not a Kessel fan by any means. Far from it.

I'm only pointing out a few examples. I stand by what I said. Time will tell.

I don't like pacoriety. He floats during the playoffs. Crosby is one of the hardest players to play with....He does not adapt well to other players. We had to send this cry baby's wingers to the Olympics even though there are much better players....why? Because no one can play with Crosby. This is why James Neal was placed with Malkin, and the same reason Kessel will play with Malkin.

I still don't understand how they are going to keep the puck out of the net...