2014 / 2015 Official NHL Thread

[Merlot]

Hmmm,

Doc Holliday: Does know his hockey - give him credit. Unfortunately, he lacks in politeness and honesty. He has made numerous statements that he subsequently claimed never to have said, despite the fact that various posters have seen - and often even QUOTED the proof. He likes to brag - sometimes with good reason, but often not. When he cannot intelligently oppose a different point of view, he personally insults the poster, usually with wildly inaccurate and ridiculous claims.

... but why is it so hard to put it in the correct thread? Maybe the Mods could answer that question :noidea:

Doc shows excellent hockey knowledge much of the time when he stops posing as a Leafs cheerleader and tries to take an honest look at the game. At those times he has shown some ability to be sincerely circumspect about his own team as well as others. His insights can provide valuable leads at those times and help others to learn more about the game. But as we can see by the arrogance and extreme bias of imposing his self-superior ego by actually grading everyone else that he can't help falling into childish nonsense and retreats ever further into caricature when his master recalls him to stick to the blind Leafs fan handbook.

... in fact, like the president of his fan club, he usually fits the profile of what he accuses others of.

Doc loves to play his master's game of holier than thou while the whole board winks at the grand hypocrisy pretending for instance he and the master don't run to the mods whenever they feel like it.

Too bad, I honestly think Doc could be a superb NHL analyst IF he would honor integrity and deal with his mistakes instead of bowing to the master's orders to stick to being the sycophantic blind fan or running for cover behind silly games and deleted posts.

Doc, I hope your little grading post was about trying to be funny, if not what a waste and a shame on you.

Truly,

Merlot

 

[Joe.t]

Here's the Doc's offseason report card of the hockey thread's most prominent members. Grades are determined by every member's value to the hockey thread and the board:

anon_vlad: His presence in the hockey thread is somewhat bizarre. He doesn't bring anything to the threads. He doesn't bring much to the board in general. He's constantly negative and rarely posts something interesting. It's not even known if he's actually a hockey fan. Maybe his sole purpose is to disturb & be sarcastic. Grade: D-


Merlot: Oh boy! He's a Bruins fan, and this isn't very flattering to the Boston Bruins organization. His presence in the hockey thread and on this board seems only to instigate and argue with anyone who doesn't see eye-to-eye with him. In other words, if you're not a fan of the same sports teams he cheers for, he totally disrespects you. And when you give him a taste of his own medecine, he more often than not will go crying to the moderator(s). Merlot is one of the most disliked characters throughout the board.[/B] He must enjoy this 'honor'. He is also the most irritating poster to read since his posts are way too long. Instead of quoting a sentence, he will not only quote an entire paragraph, but will often quote the entire post. He believes he knows something about hockey, but in reality he doesn't know much. A 12-year old hockey fan knows more about hockey than him. If he'd stop posting in the hockey thread (or any other thread), everyone would notice.....and find instant relief. Grade: F

ROFLMAO.:lol::nod::thumb::hail::amen:

 

[Doc Holliday]

Now, here is a much more accurate report card:

I win again!

Iggy, you now owe me $50. Payable at the next Iggy Party.

 

[joelcairo]

I win again!

Iggy, you now owe me $50. Payable at the next Iggy Party.

Congrats! At least it's a SMALL step towards recovering what you lost (in your words, "a lot...A LOT") when the Habs beat the Sens in round 1. Good work:thumb: (BTW, condolences to your disciple for losing....again.)

 

[Doc Holliday]

Congrats! At least it's a SMALL step towards recovering what you lost (in your words, "a lot...A LOT") when the Habs beat the Sens in round 1. Good work:thumb:

Thanks, i appreciate the support. I lost a little when the habs beat the Sens, but won big when Tampa crushed them. I mean....BIG!!!! :thumb:

 

[Doc Holliday]

Milan Lucic thrilled to be in LA

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Milan Lucic understood that anything could happen with the Boston Bruins after they missed the playoffs and hired a new general manager.

Being traded to the Los Angeles Kings was one outcome that the bruising forward never saw coming.

"I expected the unexpected. I definitely didn't expect to get traded to a team like L.A., but I couldn't be happier to end up in a spot like this with a team like this," Lucic said Saturday at the team's practice facility.

"On paper, without me, they are still, I would say, one of the top five best teams in the league," Lucic added.

Kings president Luc Robitaille and assistant general manager Rob Blake welcomed Lucic to the two-time Stanley Cup champion franchise, presenting him with the black jersey he will wear in the fall.

Lucic assumed that joining the Kings was not feasible financially, believing the team would be unable to take on the last season of his three-year, $18 million contract with its limited flexibility under the salary cap.

Instead, the Kings acquired the Vancouver native last month by dealing away goalie Martin Jones, defenseman Colin Miller and the 13th-overall draft pick.

"Just looking at the salary cap and all the great players here ... I mean, I'm not a cheap cap hit, so that's why I didn't really expect it," Lucic said. "But when it happened I was more than thrilled."

Lucic said he had not yet discussed a contract extension with Kings general manager Dean Lombardi, but noted "that usually takes care of itself if you're focused on the right things."

For Lucic and the Kings, it means bouncing back from a frustrating season.

Lucic had 18 goals and 26 assists for his worst numbers for a campaign in which he played at least 72 games since his second year with the Bruins.

The Kings mounted a meek defense of their 2014 Stanley Cup title, eliminated from playoff contention in the last week of the season because of inconsistent scoring and an inability to protect leads late in games.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Lucic should to be able to help his new team address both issues.

Lucic is expected to join Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik on the Kings' top line, allowing Gaborik to move back to his natural position of right wing. And with Kopitar and Gaborik to occupy opposing defenders, Lucic believes he is still capable of duplicating the career-high 30 goals he scored in 2010-11.

"I don't want to stand here and give any guarantees about how many goals I'm going to score, but when you're playing with two great players like that, you always try to set new goals and higher goals for yourself," said Lucic, who had 139 goals and 203 assists with the Bruins.

"I just want to get myself back to the player that I know I can be. I'm still young. I feel like I'm just getting into my prime years here, and from talking to the management here they have full confidence in myself and being the player I can be."

When it comes to matching the physical edge that has been the Kings' trademark under coach Darryl Sutter, Lucic pointed to his astrological sign.

"I'm a Gemini, so I got that split personality where you got that short fuse," Lucic said. "I think the intimidating factor is still a big part of the game. I'm just going to continue doing what I do. I play with that mean streak. I'm not coming here to change the character of the team. I'm just coming here to add to it."

But Lucic couldn't begin his Kings tenure without reflecting on his time with the Bruins, taking out an ad in the Boston Globe on Friday to thank fans for their support during his eight seasons with the team.

"Like the ad said, it was a big part of my life," Lucic said. "I got to win a Stanley Cup there on an Original Six franchise and bring it back where greats like Bobby Orr got to play. It was a real special time for myself and I just kind of wanted to close the chapter of my life there with something like that."

Lucic thrilled to be in LA

 

[Doc Holliday]

Comedian John Oliver rakes Red Wings and Coyotes over arena deals

The NHL didn't escape the wrath of comedian John Oliver on Sunday night.

The Detroit Red Wings and Arizona Coyotes were among many sports franchises across the four major leagues in the U.S. that were singled out for criticism from Oliver for their use of public money to fund stadiums and arenas in recent years.

"Two years ago, Detroit got approval to spend more than $280 million in taxpayer money on a new arena project for the Red Wings, just six days after the city filed for bankruptcy," said Oliver. "Even though the Red Wings owner is Mike Illitch, the founder of the Little Caesars pizza chain, who's worth an estimated $5.1 billion.

"That's a little hard to swallow. I mean, sure, not as hard to swallow as a Little Caesars crazy bread, with an assortment of Caesar dips, but still pretty hard," Oliver joked.

Oliver didn't stop there. Later in the segment, he argued when politicians do try to stand up to teams, it sometimes does not go well.

The Coyotes got in Oliver's crosshairs when Glendale city council tried to cancel their arena management contract with the team last month that cost the city more than $8 million per year.

Oliver responded to one fan's criticism during a public hearing last month, after she called the move to cancel the deal "childish," "pathetic," and "disrespectful."

"While I can see her passion is real, you don't get to call someone childish when you are the one arguing for spending millions of public dollars you don't have to keep a giant slab of ice in Arizona," Oliver said.

Watch the full segment below:

[video]https://youtu.be/xcwJt4bcnXs[/video]

 

[Doc Holliday]

Ryan O'Reilly charged with impaired driving; drove his pickup truck into a Tim Horton's and left the scene

What a knucklehead!!!!!

O'Reilly charged with impaired driving

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Looks like the Oilers signed a new assistant coach, Ian Hebers from the Alberta golden bears hockey team, he has a record of 119-19-0, 72-12-0 against conference, 12-1-0 on conference playoffs and 7-1-0 in CIS university cup games. Things are looking up.

 

[voyageur11]

Looks like the Oilers signed a new assistant coach, Ian Hebers from the Alberta golden bears hockey team, he has a record of 119-19-0, 72-12-0 against conference, 12-1-0 on conference playoffs and 7-1-0 in CIS university cup games. Things are looking up.

Calgary and Edmonton fighting for a playoff spot exciting hockey out west this season

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

Calgary and Edmonton fighting for a playoff spot exciting hockey out west this season

The last many years have been one sided towards Calgary, I decent series would be nice. I am hoping for a 60-40 win ratio for the Oilers this year against the Flames.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Calgary and Edmonton fighting for a playoff spot exciting hockey out west this season

I can't see the Flames FIGHTING for a playoff spot. They made the playoffs last season and improved themselves during the offseason. They now have one of the best defence corps in hockey with the addition of Dougie Hamilton and the return of captain Mark Giordano to full health. Head coach Bob Hartley, winner of the recent Jack Adams trophy as the league's top coach, returns for another season behind the bench.

I'm still betting on the Oilers missing the playoffs (sorry SOTN). Sure, they got Connor McDavid. But he's an 18-year kid who's yet to play a single NHL game. They may have improved between the pipes, but their new goalie has yet to play a full season as a starting goaltender. Their defence has possibly improved. They overpaid for Sekera and this season will be without Jeff Petry, their best defenceman last season.

The wild card might be their new coach. Todd McLellan is a highly-regarded coach. He did very well in San Jose, but he failed to get them out of the first round of the playoffs year after year, and missed the playoffs last season. He also had a much better team to coach in San Jose than he currently has in Edmonton.

Edmonton will also miss the playoffs because they play in the toughest conference in hockey.

Will we see a return of The Battle of Alberta? Not likely this season. The Flames/Edmonton rivalry has been replaced by the Flames/Canucks rivalry. These two teams hate one another!

 

[Doc Holliday]

Habs sign Jared Tinordi to two-way contract

I have a feeling that Jared Tinordi's days with the habs organization are counted. Today, he signed a two-way contract, meaning he'll have to clear waivers if he's sent down to the Hamilton Bulldogs. I doubt Tinordi will be able to clear waivers since many teams will jump on the chance to sign him. He may start the season in Mtl, but i'd be surprised if he sticks.

 

[november]

Montreal needs him. If he is put on waivers I'm sure he won't clear. Maybe a change of scenery would do him well. Hope he makes the team.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Montreal needs him. If he is put on waivers I'm sure he won't clear. Maybe a change of scenery would do him well. Hope he makes the team.

I'm not sure Montreal needs him. He's been slow to progress and right now their defensive pairs are all pretty set. By the way, my apologies november, i forgot to include you in my last grading card.

I have a feeling the organization is getting tired of his father mouthing off to the press whenever he's not satisfied with how his son is being treated.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I can't see the Flames FIGHTING for a playoff spot. They made the playoffs last season and improved themselves during the offseason. They now have one of the best defence corps in hockey with the addition of Dougie Hamilton and the return of captain Mark Giordano to full health. Head coach Bob Hartley, winner of the recent Jack Adams trophy as the league's top coach, returns for another season behind the bench.

I'm still betting on the Oilers missing the playoffs (sorry SOTN). Sure, they got Connor McDavid. But he's an 18-year kid who's yet to play a single NHL game. They may have improved between the pipes, but their new goalie has yet to play a full season as a starting goaltender. Their defence has possibly improved. They overpaid for Sekera and this season will be without Jeff Petry, their best defenceman last season.

The wild card might be their new coach. Todd McLellan is a highly-regarded coach. He did very well in San Jose, but he failed to get them out of the first round of the playoffs year after year, and missed the playoffs last season. He also had a much better team to coach in San Jose than he currently has in Edmonton.

Edmonton will also miss the playoffs because they play in the toughest conference in hockey.

Will we see a return of The Battle of Alberta? Not likely this season. The Flames/Edmonton rivalry has been replaced by the Flames/Canucks rivalry. These two teams hate one another!

Personally I do not factor McDavid in very much at all, I think that we always had a good team ( except goal and defense ) but piss poor management and poor coaching. With these to areas vastly improved the team is better ten fold, McDavid is just an added bonus. As for Calgary they have high expectations and played over their heads last year

 

[Doc Holliday]

Personally I do not factor McDavid in very much at all, I think that we always had a good team ( except goal and defense ) but piss poor management and poor coaching. With these to areas vastly improved the team is better ten fold, McDavid is just an added bonus. As for Calgary they have high expectations and played over their heads last year

All they had were forwards. I agree defence was poor and goaltending so-so. As for coaching, i didn't think it was as bad as people believe. Dallas Eakins was highly-touted prior to joining the Oilers. Todd Nelson did a good job in my opinion. But they didn't have the players and maybe (in Eakins' case) the chemistry wasn't there. McTavish doesn't get high marks as GM, but then again, Edmonton has always been a tough place to attract quality free agents in the past.

Who knows if Todd McLellan will have the same chemistry with the Oilers players that he had in San Jose? As i mentionned, he nearly always had good teams in San Jose, but was never able to go deep in the playoffs. Was this a reflection of him, his players, or simply a case of bad luck? And even though i think highly of his coaching skills, he still got fired in San Jose. Will he get the Oilers in the playoffs? Time will tell. But one thing is certain: he'll have a better team to coach than Eakins or Nelson ever had.

As for Peter Chiarelli, he's a good talent evaluator. But he's proven in Boston that he has no patience with young stars and has no clue how to handle a salary cap. Year after year, his teams were near the cap. He would foolishly hand out long expensive contracts to players (young and old) which would often wind up being an albatross for the team. The long contract he gave Tyler Seguin after only 2 years in the league was stupid. Trading him so soon for journeymen players was just plain nuts. Giving Zdeno Chara that big, long contract was also questionable. Now he's untradeable unless Boston keeps a big chunk of money. Same thing with Tukka Rask. He gets paid as much, if not more, than Carey Price. Yet he's never done or won anything, and still can't find a way to beat the habs. He chokes everytime they play Montreal. He may be easier to trade than Chara, but in a league where goalies are a dime-a-dozen, not many teams would come calling should Boston try to trade his big contract away.

Dougie Hamilton would still be in Boston had Chiarelli not been fired. Chiarelli would have given him everything he wanted....a big lucrative, long term deal. Then he likely would have lost patience with him in a year or two and traded him for a roll of puck & and a jock strap. And the contract he just gave Sekara only proved that he hasn't changed much. That was way too much term to give a player like Sekara. Yes, he had to give him more in order to attract him to Edmonton and outbid everyone else. But the term? Questionable.

What i'm saying is that the jury is still out on Chiarelli. He's far from perfect. But Bob Nickolson i like. He's brought stability and much-needed direction to the organization.

The Oilers will be better, but i doubt very much that they're still a playoffs team. So my advice to any Oilers fan is to not get their hopes too high. They'll be there in a couple of years or so (if they make the right moves), but they aren't there yet. They still need to move out some bodies in order to bring in some that will help the team. Currently, his asking price may be too high. But he'll have to lower it if he wants to improve the current team.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

On Dec.11 when the Rangers are in Edmonton Glen Sather will have a banner raised in his honor.

 

[Doc Holliday]

On Dec.11 when the Rangers are in Edmonton Glen Sather will have a banner raised in his honor.

They should also raise a banner for the true architect of those Oiler teams....Barry Fraser.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

They should also raise a banner for the true architect of those Oiler teams....Barry Fraser.

Excellent point.