Hockey Trash Talk & BS thread

I think most teams that have the big stars also are teams that are built for offense. And aside from the Pens recently (and maybe Tampa), the teams that win in playoffs are defensively responsible (and generally larger.) It's almost always been that way, but with everyone's need for analytics, all of the teams with firepower care about what a spreadsheet says about possession and shots, but reality usually tells a different story. Pens/NYI is a great example. I keep hearing that "we controlled the play. Just Jarry lost us the game." It's a weak, lazy argument. We couldn't score and were not a threat between the dots, and is a huge reason we lost, along with many of the other offensive teams. While the NHL can be partially at fault for how the games are being called, come playoff time. I think it's still mostly because in playoffs, you have a team scheming to shut down your big offensive guns. And most of those teams relied on that all regular season. When it goes away, you are lost, unless you have secondary scoring that gets hot.

As far as Vegas, yes they have made the right moves, but they also were still in a great position to hand-pick their team. They might not have a true superstar but they can roll 4 good lines with very, very good depth. Also, they were not locked down by bad contracts or guys that they didn't want (which almost every team has.) Not saying that success was handed to them, but it certainly was easier than it needed to be, in my opinion. They were able to look at every team and take advantage of them in some way or another. Whether it was depth at a position, or cap stress that left good players exposed etc etc. Again, not hating, just pointing it out.

 

They also got lucky. Messi was a dud in Florida with big potential, and the moment he put on a Knight's uniform he became what people thought he could and more. Then add in Stone and Patches, both elite players in my book that were underrated consistently by the talking heads, and not only does Vegas have four lines but they have three players that put the puck in the net when it matters. Plsu Karlsson, almost forgot about him. Yeah, they have elite players. Maybe not "McDonalds Promotion" elite players but guys I'd trade Marner for in a heartbeat.

 

There's Theodore too. Yeah, the Knight's have so many 1B options for skaters it doesn't matter if they don't have a McJesus level player. You don't need one if everyone on the top two lines is 95% of the way there.

 

Ya, that is kind of what I am saying. Like most teams have a star or 2 and build around that with whatever moving pieces. But that team is just solid from top to bottom. Might not have that top level name, but the average skill level of each guy is very, high. And they were able to do that, in part because of how NHL set it up and also the GMs having to make tough choices and gave away guys who then thrived in that environment, like you said.

 

Didn't they trade for Stone and Paccioretty?

 

I believe so, yes. I get what you are saying, they have had turnover of some names. Signing of AP recently too, which was big. But again, St. L couldn't afford him. Eventually it'll level out when Vegas has to commit long contracts to ppl and whatnot, just the point is how they started let them start with a solid team, no unwanted commitments so they could sign guys like that and still had good picks that they accumulated through negotiations. (I believe they took a pick of ours and MAF, so as not to take Murray, for example)

 

Yeah. For me, a trade for a player is available for most to all teams. It's not a gimme. We have all seen good trade and bad trades. Maybe their GM has a better sense of talent than others. For the record, I was for protecting Murray during the Vegas expansion draft. My wife said we should keep Fleury and expose Murray. Look who was right.

 

It will be interesting to see how Seattle does.

 

Vive les Habitants

 

Bu

The money was half the reason, which is my point. Pens weren't in position to keep a mid 30s goalie for 7m, with how the team had been constructed. Vegas had no worries at the time, because that had no long term commitments. I'm not sure I'm able to get the point across as easily as it sounds in my head. But now that vegas have AP and Stone locked up and some others, as they go along, then it will even out. But these first few years they can sign/trade freely because there was no long term financial plan/commitments to plan for. So it's not the same.

 

It'll be similar. They might get quite as lucky or have the same success, but I think they will be in a good spot. Pens have Zucker, Taney and McCann all available, so Seattle is going to get a solid team.

 

I think Tanev will be protected. That's what I would do. The Pens, and all teams, need more like him.

 

I sure hope so. I love his game. And I think we both said earlier, he actually had a decent series too.

 

My Islanduhs

your #1 long time fan here

 

Le boooo

 

Just about the only time I've ever pulled for the habs. Fucking Canadians can't do anything right.

 

LA connection all get a point, Toff, McNabb and A-Mart ...ex anacrime Perry too. Good game all around.

Should be an awesome gm2 in Tampa .. def need this home win b4 heading to NY.

 

Vive les Habitants

 

Looks like BrindAmour is stayin with the Canes. Good move.

Nice game from Habs last night. The first few minutes it looked like they still hadn't figured out how to contain Vegas, through the middle. But then they started to lock them down. Getting the lead helps. Vegas brought it in the 3rd and Price played great.

 

Rod Brind’Amour wins coach of the year award. Now we want another Stanley Cup like the one Rod helped win in 2006, maybe next year. Go Canes! Eric Staal on that 2006 Canes team as well, guess I’ll pull for The Canadiens now, though I was in Montreal years ago when the Canes beat them and had fun tweaking my work associates living there over that

https://www.nhl.com/news/jack-adams-award-given-to-hurricanes-coach-rod-brindamour/c-325375072