2013 NHL Free For All Thread

[joelcairo]

Wings=some skill, some luck, no guts, no pride. ZERO!

No guts? No pride? Then why did they finish 9 points ahead of the wretched leafs? Why did they make the playoffs (for the 23rd consecutive season, by the way) while the wretched leafs FAILED to make the playoffs (for the 9th time in 10 years, by the way)? And how did they achieve all this despite missing Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Alfie, Mule, Helm and several others for huge chunks of the season?

As usual you have it completely backwards. The Wings were ALL about guts and pride, frequently winning with more GRIFFINS than Wings in the lineup, and winning WHEN IT MATTERED MOST...unlike the craven leafs, who folded up like delicate little flowers and had their usual EPIC COLLAPSE...just when it mattered most.

 

[joelcairo]

They'll quickly get booted out by the Boston Bruins, a team with skill, pride, guts & the will to win. I predict the Bruins in 5.

If this turns out to be as "accurate" (ha ha ha, guffaw, chuckle) as all your other laughable predictions, the Bruins better start to worry!

 

[joelcairo]

'Crusty' barely made the playoffs with the broken wings. Barely. They snuck in through the back door and in the LAST playoff position.

I guess I can't argue with you here. They certainly didn't glide into the playoffs at the top of the standings like the maple leafs. Oops - sorry - my mistake: it was the BRUINS at the top of the standings, not the leafs. Hey -by gosh - I see the stinkin' LEAFS couldn't even MAKE the playoffs. In fact I see the stinkin' LEAFS came 23rd in a 30 team league!

So you know what? Maybe it's actually the stinkin' LEAFS who suck the big one. In fact, I bet the leafs and their fans would be in hog heaven if their wretched bunch of misfits could "barely make the playoffs"...since they were only able to do it ONCE in the past DECADE (and as we all know, that was ONLY because it was a shortened season and they didn't have time for their usual collapse)!

 

[joelcairo]

You see, making the playoffs for a lousy team like the broken wings is a total waste of time.

Maybe you're right. After all, as a fan of the stinkin' leafs, you are certainly an expert on lousy teams. And yes, the ONLY time the leafs made the playoffs in the past DECADE, they humiliated themselves with a typically gutless ( and historic!) EPIC COLLAPSE in game 7 to crawl away in SHAME after only one round. What a waste of time for that pathetic bunch of losers from hogtown. And it was so funny to read one of their most delusional fans (probably the most delusional of all, in fact) when he wrote that the humiliating loss would make them better this year. As usual, like all leaf fans, he was wrong, wrong, wrong. They sucked even WORSE this year and came up with their typically gutless collapse...losing an absolutely hilarious 12 of their last 14 games and - as usual - FAILING to make the playoffs.

Still I have to give you props Doctor. Your fellow leaflovers went into HIDING when the leafs started their total ROT, but at least you have the chutzpah to show your face here :thumb:...even if your observations are still hopelessly inaccurate.

 

[joelcairo]

That pretty much sums up the Red Wings' record against the Panthers, who dominated the broken wings all season long.

Check your stats.

 

[anon_vlad]

Barely. They snuck in through the back door

Barely? - Yes, it's called parity. Columbus tied with them and Philadelphia finished exactly one point ahead.

back door? Four (in order words, half) of the teams in the Atlantic Conference which are not golfing now finished within 3 points of Detroit.

making the playoffs for a lousy team like the broken wings is a total waste of time

Should they concede now or quit in the last ten minutes of the last game?

 

[Special K]

Should they concede now or quit in the last ten minutes of the last game?

That's actually quite funny! :lol:

I will admit that this matchup for Boston is going to be very difficult. A Detroit upset wouldn't surprise me in the least.

 

[Doc Holliday]

That's actually quite funny! :lol:

I will admit that this matchup for Boston is going to be very difficult. A Detroit upset wouldn't surprise me in the least.

I'll make a bold prediction & say that i doubt very much the Bruins will choke like they did in the final minutes of their last game a year ago when Chicago shocked them by scoring two late goals in order to steak the cup away from them. It should be a cake-walk for the Bruins against the broken Wings. Bruins in 5!

 

[Doc Holliday]

No guts? No pride? Then why did they finish 9 points ahead of the wretched leafs?

I can't deny that the Leafs had a terrible month of March, while the broken Wings surprised a lot of people. Let's face it: the broken Wings were very lucky. But what's the use of making the playoffs if you're going to make a quick exit anyway?? Waste of time.

Indeed, the Leafs failed to make the playoffs. I was actually happy that they didn't since it's obvious changes have to be made & they may not have been made should they have made the playoffs. I also doubt the Leafs could have made it past 2 rounds in the playoffs, so if they're not going to accomplish much, they might as well not make the same playoffs.

But let's be clear: the Leafs were among the league's best teams for most of the seasons. Up until March, they were in 3rd place in the eastern conference. So for 60 games, the Leafs were very good & the playoffs seemed like a sure-thing. But their chances evaporated the moment Jonathan Bernier went down to injury. Any team that loses it's #1 goaltender struggles most of the time....same thing happened to the habs when Carey Price went down after the Olympics.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Quick trivia question:

Only one playoff team is in the negative (-) column for goals for/against this season. Two points for those who can name the team in question:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Deadtroit and that was way too easy!

Quick trivia question:

Only one playoff team is in the negative (-) column for goals for/against this season. Two points for those who can name the team in question:

 

[anon_vlad]

Only one playoff team is in the negative (-) column for goals for/against this season.

Deadtroit and that was way too easy!

Yes, Detroit was -8. Would it have been preferable for them to be -25 (like your favorite (purported NHL) team) and bemoaning their luck in missing the playoffs in every full year of the last eleven?

 

[Merlot]

BOYZ!!!

I can't deny that the Leafs had a terrible month of March, while the broken Wings surprised a lot of people.

The Leafs didn't surprise anyone...not even you or Iggy.

But what's the use of making the playoffs if you're going to make a quick exit anyway??

You mean exactly like the one-round Leafs of 2012-2013.

Waste of time.

The Jeopardy answer is: What is the real name of the Toronto Maple Leafs???

Indeed, the Leafs failed to make the playoffs.

You're surprised? Any Leafs fan calls this...TRADITION!

I was actually happy that they didn't..made the playoffs.

BWAH! Happy as a pig on a roasting spit. Last year you said anyone could win it all if they make the playoffs.

I also doubt the Leafs could have made it past 2 rounds in the playoffs,...

See: "Bruins-Leafs 2013 Playoffs". :thumb:

But let's be clear: the Leafs were among the league's best teams for most of the seasons. Up until March, they were in 3rd place in the eastern conference. So for 60 games, the Leafs were very good & the playoffs seemed like a sure-thing.

AKA...the ANNUAL COLLPASE! Too bad strike-shortened seasons are so rare.

Any team that loses it's #1 goaltender struggles most of the time....same thing happened to the habs when Carey Price went down after the Olympics.

Okay, but the Canadiens are IN...the Leafs are OUT...AGAIN!

Deadtroit and that was way too easy!

For 10 points...what do you call two sad creatures outside the herd waiting for others to die so they can pick their bones?

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[G1GBallday]

NHL Draft Lottery Tonight.

The Leafs are seated in the eighth position with 3.6% chance of landing the first pick overall.

What a great end to an already outstanding season it would be if they dropped down to 14th.

God knows if ever there was an organization capable of failing even the draft it's the Leafs. :lol:

 

[lgna69xxx]

You mad bro? Doc asked a ?'in, I gave the correct answer without hesitation. Btw, what are your picks for the playoffs? I would put yours up against mine for some $ but betting is frowned upon on here (or at least it was when mod8 was around) but Joe.T tells me dont bother betting with you. Something about collecting is like pulling teeth out of a rabid pit bull's mouth at supper time :lol:

Well well well.... ole Shanny has seen the light and came over to the good guys finally. Well, seeing he is a local boy who learnt his skill in the Toronto area (Mimico to be exact) it was a easy decision for him to accept the offer to be President of the most famous franchise in the NHL. It would be funny Doc, if Shanny somehow does go after and gets babcock as coach. If nothing more than to see the meltdown of all meltdowns by our beloved little buddy. Good stuff, welcome home Shanahan.

Yes, Detroit was -8. Would it have been preferable for them to be -25 (like your favorite (purported NHL) team) and bemoaning their luck in missing the playoffs in every full year of the last eleven?

 

[G1GBallday]

Well well well.... ole Shanny has seen the light and came over to the good guys finally. Well, seeing he is a local boy who learnt his skill in the Toronto area (Mimico to be exact) it was a easy decision for him to accept the offer to be President

I'm sure he'll be at least as useful as last year's local boy savior David Clarkson. :violin:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Clarkson got off to a bad start by being a loyal teammate and sticking up for Kessel against John Scott and his whole season was out of whack after. Plus he was not used correctly in that he needed more powerplay time. He is fearless in front of the net and for some reason Carlyle just did not use him that much on the PP. I think a fresh start next season and we will see Clarkson have a much better year. At least he was better than Scotty Gomez as a Canadian lol.

 

[Doc Holliday]

The Leafs are seated in the eighth position with 3.6% chance of landing the first pick overall.

This is a year where the 10th pick could wind up being as good as the 1st pick. There aren't any phenoms in this year's draft. This is the rare season where it doesn't matter much if you draft first, second, third or tenth. It's basically a flip-of-the-coin on which 18-year old will develop into a bonafide NHL player one day. The only advantage i'd see in picking among the top 3 is that some teams may be willing to give up something valuable in order to get their hands on one of those picks.

God knows if ever there was an organization capable of failing even the draft it's the Leafs. :lol:

The Red Wings, the Habs......many other teams have miserable records drafting in the first round or two. What saved Detroit is the European scout & even Mike Babcock agrees with this (via a very reliable source of mine). Other than Carey Price & Alex Galchenyuk, who were already obvious picks (according to Central Scouting) at the time the habs chose them, the habs' drafting record has been extremely poor (in the first round or so) for the past 20 seasons. Very similar to Detroit's. Detroit's North American scouts & Mister Trevor Timmins should be ashamed of themselves & should have resigned long ago!

 

[lgna69xxx]

How many top 5 picks has Edmonton had in the last 6-7 years and where did they end up again this season? (sorry Sol Tee) The problem with Edmonton is all their picks are smallish skilled guys and all offensive guys. They need to trade one or 2 of Hall (will never happen) Nuge, Eberle, Gagner or Yakupov for some D.

Aside from a Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos/Ovechkin, drafting is a crap shoot after the top few prospects each year and this year the class is not spectactular. Next year, McDavid will be the Gem of the last decade although I do believe the Av's Mackinnon could become a Crosby type player.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Clarkson got off to a bad start by being a loyal teammate and sticking up for Kessel against John Scott and his whole season was out of whack after. Plus he was not used correctly in that he needed more powerplay time. He is fearless in front of the net and for some reason Carlyle just did not use him that much on the PP. I think a fresh start next season and we will see Clarkson have a much better year. At least he was better than Scotty Gomez as a Canadian lol.

Well said. It's obvious to everyone that Clarkson wasn't the same player he was while with New Jersey. When the Leafs managed to get Clarkson to agree to a contract ahead of Edmonton, Ottawa and Montreal (three teams who reportedly offered more $$), almost every Leafs fan i know (plus a few die-hard habs fans who really wanted him on their team) was ecstatic that Clarkson would come & play for Toronto. Actually, they were happier to see Clarkson join the Leafs ahead of Tyler Bozak. I now consider Tyler Bozak's signing to be a steal for the Leafs. I won't crap on the Clarkson signing since i wanted this guy with the Leafs for the past 3 years.

However, i'm not sure Clarkson can play in a Randy Carlyle system (or lack of). He also needs to play with a center who fits his style. I actually think he would have been a great fit with a center such as Mikael Grabosky. Of course, Grabo & Clark MacArthur were chased out of Toronto by Carlyle. So no use dwelling on the past since it's too late now.

But Scotty Gomez' contract when he played for the habs?? That was downright disgusting if you ask me! Another extremely bad contract, once again handed out by Glen Sather, was the one accorded to Brad Richards, a player every single NHL team was after when he was UFA.

By the way, the Flyers just gave a big contract to Andrew MacDonald. They gave him a 6-year contract at $5 million per season. Is Andrew MacDonald a $5 million defenceman???