NHL General Discussion

[SilverStar17]

I wonder if Hawks and Kings fans complain about the favoriteism the Pens are shown?...

Probably not, since they're not in the same division as them. A division where the top 5 teams all had 90+ points, but it's difficult to win in it because of the Penguins. Wonder if the league shows favoritism to that entire division in general?

Only Capitals, Blue Jackets, Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, Hurricanes and Devils fans apparently complain about it, since they have to play in the same division as them.

 

[mrdbios]

So how about the new sweaters? I didn't like the Preds one at first but it has grown on me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Deeznutz6]

Not a fan of the overall cut

 

[filip629]

I wonder if Hawks and Kings fans complain about the favoriteism the Pens are shown?...

As a Hawks fan I have zero issues with the Pens.

 

[filip629]

Marian Hossa is out for the 2017-2018 season due to a skin condition. This is likely the end of his hockey career from what I'm hearing. I've greatly enjoyed watching Hoss play and am thankful for all of his contributions in helping the Hawks to 3 Stanley Cup wins. Certainly a candidate for the HOF and one hell of a 2 way player. Thanks for the memories Hoss. You were always a class act.

 

[SilverStar17]

What's everyone think of Vegas' jersey design?

I think it looks pretty cool. I think they could have went with a better name for the franchise though that more coincides with the theme of Las Vegas. Such as the Aces or Gamblers (more a fan of the former).

Marian Hossa is out for the 2017-2018 season due to a skin condition. This is likely the end of his hockey career from what I'm hearing. I've greatly enjoyed watching Hoss play and am thankful for all of his contributions in helping the Hawks to 3 Stanley Cups wins. Certainly a candidate for the HOF and one hell of a 2 way player. Thanks for the memories Hoss. You were always a class act.

That's unfortunate. I read some reports that said it was an allergic reaction actually caused by his equipment.

If he's able to overcome it by missing this season, I think he can still have maybe two good years left in him. At 38, he's still one of the Hawks' top players and a top two line forward.

 

[Eli26]

I have a juuse saros stanley cup final rookie gamer coming to me.

 

[Chapter 2099]

I have a juuse saros stanley cup final rookie gamer coming to me.

Those are reserved for #1 Buffy fans, so I assume you'll be forwarding the card to me.

Please do not skimp out on packaging. A sturdy mailer and bubble wrap will go a long way. Thanks in advance.

Your friend,
Chap aka Number 1 (#1) Buffy Fan

P.S. I need to start watching more hockey. Would love to join this thread one day. Unfortunately, I know very little. I did go to an AHL (not NHL) game last year and had a blast.

 

[Eli26]

Keep going No. 2 Buffy fan! You need to get into it... HOCKEY IS LIKE SEX! IT'S LIFE!

 

[filip629]

Wow, a big shake up with the Hawks roster. Nice to get Brandon Saad back...but damn, losing Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Panarin, and TvR is rough. That's a lot of goals leaving town and we still need Dmen. Feels like one step forward and 2 steps back.

 

[KitFisto]

So I'm confused. Did the league fix for the Penguins be one of the worst teams in the league for several consecutive seasons in the early 2000's so that way they'd have a higher probability of winning the Crosby sweepstakes?

I'm also still confused regarding your stance with the Capitals. You acknowledge that they have nobody else to blame for their playoff woes, but are attempting to still lay out a case how the refs were biased against them, therefore, there is something else to blame.

The only thing I see going on in this thread, is other people giving statistics that demonstrates how your theory isn't necessarily accurate, while you essentially in so many words just call them stupid and that they refuse to "admit it", citing your "25+ years of watching hockey with your eyes open instead of through Pens colored glasses" as enough reason as to why what you claim is a "fact". The Penguins were the worst team in the league in the 2003-2004 season, that's a fact. You believing that the league fixed several NHL drafts for the Penguins and that they get help from the officials, is an opinion. You even stated yourself you have no proof of this.

I couldn't agree more with what Deeznuts stated earlier. Winners find ways to win, even when they lose. They restrategize and find a way to reclaim victory. Losers find ways to make excuses on why they didn't win, usually in the form of calling the winners "cheaters" in some capacity. Whether that be through conspiracy, extra help, interference from an outside party, etc.

Even though you presumably have nothing to do with the Capitals organization, your mentality is still a reflection on precisely why they will continue to hang banners in their rafters like these:

View attachment 348611View attachment 348612

Be proud of them. "Your" team earned them. Great season this year!

Couldn't care less about great regular seasons. Means nothing.

Also, I say the league favors the PENS vs EVERYONE. This is not a Caps issue alone. The Pens have the 2nd highest PP to PK ratio in the NHL in the playoffs over the last 10 years. The Caps the lowest. Odd considering how good the Caps have been. Pittsburgh usually get more PP's and more timely ones. It's just the way it is.

 

[Deeznutz6]

Wow, a big shake up with the Hawks roster. Nice to get Brandon Saad back...but damn, losing Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Panarin, and TvR is rough. That's a lot of goals leaving town and we still need Dmen. Feels like one step forward and 2 steps back.

Ya some perplexing moves by the Hawks, have to think they know what they are doing though

For the Pens I like the addition of Reaves, a tougher player that can finish

 

[Eli26]

A tough player he is. A finisher... maybe at checking his man.

He's there to keep the opposition honest. Let's not try to make him out to be more than he is. That being said, I agree. He is definitely a solid pick up. I am all for having him. I just hope this means that Cullen is not done with us. Now that man is a finisher... anyone who can average 15 goals and 30 points on the 4th line at the age of 39 and 40 is a finisher. And while Reaves is a RW to Cullen's C, I know his money is on par with Cullen's and we're close to the ceiling as is, even with Fleury gone. Me thinks we use that to re-up Schultz and this time he won't be going for no cool 1 million. I am thinking around 5. We better. Tanger is too much of a bandaid boy to depend on.

 

[Eli26]

Chicago got Saad because he has the speed and 200-foot game over Panarin. Artemi has the offence. It was used to bring Toews A-game back. Mind you he was better than a point-per-game for the final third of the season. Guess Bowman Jr and Sr felt Toews could use the help more (especially with Hossa retiring) more than Kane, who's the better driver of the two.

 

[filip629]

Chicago got Saad because he has the speed and 200-foot game over Panarin. Artemi has the offence. It was used to bring Toews A-game back. Mind you he was better than a point-per-game for the final third of the season. Guess Bowman Jr and Sr felt Toews could use the help more (especially with Hossa retiring) more than Kane, who's the better driver of the two.

I don't mind the swap of Saad for Panarin. Saad is a better 2 way player, a year younger, and won't disappear during the playoffs. He'll definitely help Toews on the first line. Losing Hossa's production hurts and Kane will have his work cut out for him on the second line now that Panarin is gone. The biggest issue is the blue line though. Our D pairings were exposed and spotty to begin with before Hjalmarsson was traded. Now, it's an absolute mess.

 

[Eli26]

So you basically said what I said, but with different words.

 

[Eli26]

And yes I think Chicago did alright, but man this sucks for my fantasy keeper team.

Fleury to Vegas with that Swiss Cheese blueline and watered down forward group... Drouin to Montreal... had better talent around him in TB and now has the nightmare of playing in Montreal with those fans and the media. You think he had it rough in Florida, try it with that crowd. And now Kane loses his best offensive line mate he's ever had... Le sigh....

 

[filip629]

So you basically said what I said, but with different words.

Somewhat. You made no mention of the lack of talent on the blue line which is a major concern right now. Keith is getting up there in years and Seabrook just isn't the player he once was. Oduya is done, Campbell may retire, Hjalmarsson was traded, and TvR was lost in the expansion draft. The D-men were already a problem last year and the Hawks just took a major step backwards in talent in that department. Bowman has to improve the D along with finding another winger who can score. The only area of improvement was Saad for Panarin. The loss of Hossa and TvR combined with the trade of Hjalmarsson have made this team weaker than last years IMO. So, like I said, it's one step forward and two steps back.

 

[Deeznutz6]

And yes I think Chicago did alright, but man this sucks for my fantasy keeper team.

Fleury to Vegas with that Swiss Cheese blueline and watered down forward group... Drouin to Montreal... had better talent around him in TB and now has the nightmare of playing in Montreal with those fans and the media. You think he had it rough in Florida, try it with that crowd. And now Kane loses his best offensive line mate he's ever had... Le sigh....

Drouin is a gars chez nous... Therefore he will do quite fine with the media and the fans

Word is that we will lose bonino.. That will free up some cap and at some point and if the offer was there we should move bandaid boy

 

[Eli26]

Somewhat. You made no mention of the lack of talent on the blue line which is a major concern right now. Keith is getting up there in years and Seabrook just isn't the player he once was. Oduya is done, Campbell may retire, Hjalmarsson was traded, and TvR was lost in the expansion draft. The D-men were already a problem last year and the Hawks just took a major step backwards in talent in that department. Bowman has to improve the D along with finding another winger who can score. The only area of improvement was Saad for Panarin. The loss of Hossa and TvR combined with the trade of Hjalmarsson have made this team weaker than last years IMO. So, like I said, it's one step forward and two steps back.

I didn't want to tear the team apart (as I know you're a fan), but yes I think the Hawks are no longer that power house anymore. That's what happens when you lock up guys to too big of contracts. Hard to keep everyone and then as you have pointed out with guys getting older, you lose them as well. And TVR was going to happen. Good teams will lose good players or draft picks as we have found out. The Hawks need to definitely build up that cupboard. It's looking bare on the blueline. Only so many guys available right now as is. I think the Cup years are in the review mirror. Hey, be happy, 3 Cups in a span of 6 years is something to be proud and appreciative of. The good news is Kane and Toews are still young at 28 and 29. Who knows what happens in the next few years. But that window is small and is closing. I say this as it is a young man's game now and speed wins.