The Official 2016-17 NHL thread

[EagerBeaver]

Did you know the Leafs have only made the playoffs once in the last 11 seasons?

2005–06 Did not qualify
2006–07 Did not qualify
2007–08 Did not qualify
2008–09 Did not qualify
2009–10 Did not qualify
2010–11 Did not qualify
2011–12 Did not qualify
2012–13 [shortened season] first round epic choke and fail
2013–14 Did not qualify
2014–15 Did not qualify
2015–16 Did not qualify

Yes, but when you suck that bad for that long you accumulate high draft picks, they did, and now they have some good young talent that should mature in the next few years making them good for a while at least.

Actually one can make the argument that you need to really suck big-time for a little while in salary cap leagues in order to become great...............we will see how all the sucking works out for Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Browns in the next 5 years. Edmonton has started turning things around with high draft picks, after really blowing moose balls for around 8 years.....TO BE GREAT IN THE NEW SALARY CAP LEAGUES, ONE MUST KNOW HOW TO LICK AND SUCK BALLS.

 

[jalimon]

Do not underestimate Babcok It may not be this year, but next year they make the finals! As much as I love the Habs, Toronto deserves a great team.

Cheers,

 

[Doc Holliday]

when you suck that bad for that long you accumulate high draft picks, they did, and now they have some good young talent that should mature in the next few years making them good for a while at least.

That's actually true. Look at the likes of Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit and many others. Building a winner starts with the draft. If you don't draft wisely, you're fucked. Just look at Montreal and all the first-round draft pick busts over the past decade. I'm shocked that Trevor Timmins still has a job!

 

[EagerBeaver]

One of the reasons Sidney Crosby has seen his goal totals surge is that he is finding areas close to the net where he can redirect tips, deflections and get off other quick, in close shots. This is something Auston Matthews should be doing because he is big and strong and not so easy to move off his position. Back in the day Phil Esposito was a player who excelled at hanging out in front of the net and pounding in rebounds and tips for goals. Esposito was someone who defenders had trouble moving around because he was strong and stubborn and did not easily yield position. Matthews should study tape on these guys and work harder on his positioning and getting off quick point blank shots instead of worrying about rushes up the middle. The young guys all want to be on sportscenter with their rushes but you have to get that out of their system.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Columbus, Minnesota Seek To Extend Winning Streaks

Tonight Columbus seeks to win its 15th straight game against Minnesota which seeks to win its 13th straight game. This will be the first time in the history of all 4 North American professional sports that two teams will play with winning streaks of 12 plus games on the line.

I think the Wild and Devan Dubnyk will come out with the W in Minnesota.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I think the Wild and Devan Dubnyk will come out with the W in Minnesota.

My money's on Columbus & Sergei Bobrovski.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Columbus Wins 15th Straight

It's gone final in Minnesota and Columbus has won their 15th straight, ending the Wild's 12 game winning streak.

I am in shock and awe that John Tortorella has won 15 straight NHL games with this team.

Next up is the Oilers in Columbus Tuesday and if they win, then the Capitals in Washington on Thursday for a chance at NHL history.

Tortorella may have already won NHL Coach of the Year.

 

[EagerBeaver]

It is officially the second longest winning streak in NHL history behind Pittsburgh's 17 game streak behind Lemieux and Jagr in 1992-93. Columbus doesn't have Lemieux or Jagr.

Congratulations to the Blue Jackets and John Tortorella on a remarkable achievement.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Auston Matthews 2 more goals today in the outdoor game including the OT winner making that 20 on the season and now the leader for the calder trophy. Leafs 5 Dead things 4!

That is 5 wins in a row for the good guys.

GLG!

 

[EagerBeaver]

Yeah but the Leafs inexcusably blew a late 4-1 lead and in so doing, they handed the Red Wings a point. You never hand a point to a team you are fighting with for playoffs.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Auston Matthews 2 more goals today in the outdoor game including the OT winner making that 20 on the season and now the leader for the calder trophy. Leafs 5 Dead things 4!

That is 5 wins in a row for the good guys.

GLG!

Only Sidney Crosby has more goals than Matthews. By the way, Matthews is on pace to score 40 goals. If it happens, he'll be the first teenage rookie to ever reach such a plateau in the modern era.

What a player!!!! Damian Cox of the Toronto Star predicts that the race for the Calder trophy won't even be a close one. Go Leafs Go!! :thumb:

p.s. Matthews also plays with two rookies. No other top scorers in the league play with two rookies.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Yeah but the Leafs inexcusably blew a late 4-1 lead and in so doing, they handed the Red Wings a point. You never hand a point to a team you are fighting with for playoffs.

True, but there were circumstances which caused this. For one, this type of hockey (outdoor) isn't a good reflection of what the NHL game is all about. It's sloppy hockey being played on questionable ice and the outdoor elements affect the game's quality. It was so dark outside that i'm surprised the goalie could see the puck at all if it was shot high. Plus in my opinion the game-tying goal should not have counted since i saw clear interference on Freddy Andersen by Tomas Vanek. Kelly Hrudey saw it my way also.

By the way, although the Leafs won and the third period was a great one (and saved the game in terms of excitement), i'm so fed up of outdoor games!!

There's way too many of them and it's become nothing but a cash-grab by the NHL and its greedy owners.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Come on, if you have a 4-1 lead with 8 minutes to go, and your supposed "franchise" goalie is in net, and you cough up 3 goals and the lead to outright give Detroit a point, it's inexcusable. You cannot excuse the inexcusable! And if it was so dark for Freddy Andersen then why didn't Toronto put some shots on the equally in the dark Detroit back-up goalie to maintain the lead? Both teams played on the same outdoor rink. Outdoor hockey is fun as it introduces the elements into the game, and both teams have to adapt to them - or perish.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Come on, if you have a 4-1 lead with 8 minutes to go, and your supposed "franchise" goalie is in net, and you cough up 3 goals and the lead to outright give Detroit a point, it's inexcusable. You cannot excuse the inexcusable! And if it was so dark for Freddy Andersen then why didn't Toronto put some shots on the equally in the dark Detroit back-up goalie to maintain the lead? Both teams played on the same outdoor rink. Outdoor hockey is fun as it introduces the elements into the game, and both teams have to adapt to them - or perish.

Okay, here's the answer: Toronto had 9 rookies in its lineup. The team has had a problem holding on to leads in the third period and a lot of it has to do with inexperience.

Quiz:

Which goaltender has the 2nd-best record in the league since November 15th?

Answer: Frederik Andersen

Which goaltender has the best record in the league for the month of December?

Answer: Frederik Andersen

Freddy the Goalie is one hell of a goalie! :thumb:

 

[EagerBeaver]

Okay, here's the answer: Toronto had 9 rookies in its lineup. The team has had a problem holding on to leads in the third period and a lot of it has to do with inexperience.:

Correct they relaxed and Pierre Maguire called it, saying Detroit was not going down without a fight, and they didn't. Babcock needs to teach those kids to play for 60 minutes.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Babcock needs to teach those kids to play for 60 minutes.

That's exactly what he's been doing since last season and he himself stated over the weekend that there's still a lot to do with the young players in the organization.

Toronto is the youngest team in the NHL and leads the league for the most rookies on the regular roster. They had 9 rookies in the lineup for yesterday's game.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Babs is showing why he is considered by many (peers, players and media/fans alike) as one of thee best hockey coaches in the world and a top 5 coach in the universe in any sport. I would now not be surprised to see the young guns make the playoffs and even win a round, remind you i said would NOT be Surprised, not saying they will.


#Goleafsgo!

That's exactly what he's been doing since last season and he himself stated over the weekend that there's still a lot to do with the young players in the organization.

Toronto is the youngest team in the NHL and leads the league for the most rookies on the regular roster. They had 9 rookies in the lineup for yesterday's game.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Columbus, Minnesota Now 1-2 In Power Rankings

http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/pag...ing-columbus-blue-jackets-remain-class-league

 

[Doc Holliday]

I would now not be surprised to see the young guns make the playoffs and even win a round, remind you i said would NOT be Surprised, not saying they will.

It may not be a good thing if they make the playoffs this season. The plan is to trade their remaining veterans (Bozak, JVR, Hunwick, Polak) by the trade deadline in order to pick up draft picks and prospects. Missing the playoffs would also get them a pretty good draft pick. Being in a playoff position in a month or so may force them to hang on to those veterans and may even cause them to trade some late picks for veterans on expiring contracts.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Babs hates to lose though so that is the main reason it would not surprise me, the Babcock Factor! However, trading those guys you mentioned and making the playoffs could make up for a high pick because combine Jvr and Bozie with a 2nd round draft pick and it might land a top 2 defenseman. The more i see Reilly and Zaitzev the more i think we have 2 #2's or possibly a #1 and #2 already. Gardiner is playing like a #2 as well. Four #2's is better than a #1, 2 3 and 4.

It may not be a good thing if they make the playoffs this season. The plan is to trade their remaining veterans (Bozak, JVR, Hunwick, Polak) by the trade deadline in order to pick up draft picks and prospects. Missing the playoffs would also get them a pretty good draft pick. Being in a playoff position in a month or so may force them to hang on to those veterans and may even cause them to trade some late picks for veterans on expiring contracts.