Official '19-'20 NHL Thread - v. Hedman is a cupman.

[TAC]

Speaking of Bowman, shouldn’t Stan be catching some heat on this?

[KevShmev]

This was all the news yesterday. Lots of talk of it being s tipping point for hockey - not just NHL, but minor and kids hockey - how old school coaching that sometimes includes abuse, mind games, and abuse of power, is gonna take a hard and fast fall.

In other words, say goodbye to d-bag coaches the likes of Mike Keenan.

Not exactly.  Keenan is well known (hell, Bowman too) to have been a tough coach, but most would say he's not a douche of a human.  I think we'll be saying goodbye to douchebag people / behaviour in the locker room.

Is this the same Mike Keenan who reportedly benched Dale Hawerchuk because he knew his dying grandmother was coming to see him play one last time?

Sorry, but I cannot get on board with any defense of Keenan.  He is the worst.

[romdrums]

This was all the news yesterday. Lots of talk of it being s tipping point for hockey - not just NHL, but minor and kids hockey - how old school coaching that sometimes includes abuse, mind games, and abuse of power, is gonna take a hard and fast fall.

In other words, say goodbye to d-bag coaches the likes of Mike Keenan.

Not exactly.  Keenan is well known (hell, Bowman too) to have been a tough coach, but most would say he's not a douche of a human.  I think we'll be saying goodbye to douchebag people / behaviour in the locker room.

If only that meant bye bye Marchand.

[TAC]

Sorry, but I cannot get on board with any defense of Keenan.  He is the worst.

He sure is.

[jingle.boy]

What the hell, Carey Price.  Man oh man, are you off your game.  Not that I mind, it's helping the Leafs' position in the Atlantic.

Hoping the Leafs can take both against a slumping Buffalo... but no team can slump forever.

[King Postwhore]

Jesus the B's are on a tear.

[jingle.boy]

And the Leafs can't get out of their own way.

Pasta and Marchand are unreal.  The former could be the first guy to get 50 in 50 since the early 90s.

[KevShmev]

The injury keeps hitting the Blues, yet their keep winning.  The Blues took a 1-0 lead in Dallas last night in the 1st period, and then withstood an assault from the Stars for nearly two periods as Jake Allen stood on his head (so did Bishop on their side, quite frankly) and held them off.  The Stars finally broke through with a little over 3 minutes left, tying the game...only to see the Blues score 18 seconds later to take the lead right back (and later added an empty netter to seal the win).  So good.

[gmillerdrake]

Kev. While I agree the Blues are looking good the description of an ‘assault’ by the Stars is pretty generous. Blues controlled that game for 56 minutes with Dallas’s goal being pretty fortunate.

The ‘next man up’ mentality is a testament to Berube and the leadership of the veterans. Beating the Lightning in the road and then Dallas on the road was impressive. Especially being both games were controlled by the Blues.

Jake Allen has found his footing as a back up and especially a road goalie. I don’t have his stats handy but they’re pretty solid.....especially ever since Berube took over.

Blues have a good system and team chemistry/atmosphere going right now undoubtedly fueled and bolstered by winning the Cup. I’m already greedy and want a repeat. I know it’s u likely but I have every expectation of a deep Cup run.

[KevShmev]

Kev. While I agree the Blues are looking good the description of an ‘assault’ by the Stars is pretty generous. Blues controlled that game for 56 minutes with Dallas’s goal being pretty fortunate.

I know, but my spin helped me shape the narrative of my post a little better, hehe.

But yeah, the leadership on this team is stellar, starting with Berube, and then trickling down to Petro and O'Reilly.  They keep losing guys, yet keep winning.  Let's hope the latter continues, but not the former. 

Jake Allen playing well again is huge, and considering he will probably end up starting 20-25 games, him rounding back into form could be the difference between winning the division and ending up as a wild card or lower seed.  Not that the Blues necessarily need home ice to win the Cup again (see: last year's playoffs), but it's something you always want, of course.

[TAC]

Alex Burrows in Canucks Ring Of Honor?? WUT?

[romdrums]

Alex Burrows in Canucks Ring Of Honor?? WUT?

This is the Canucks we're talking about.

[jingle.boy]

Still waiting for the Leafs to hit rock bottom. I still think there's another 2-3 weeks before they begin to trend up. If not, then they'll be 'sellers' come February. It's really stunning how much they've regressed, and lost any  sound defensive play.

As the old saying goes, will beats skill... and they don't seem to have much in the way of will.

[Nick]

Still waiting for the Leafs to hit rock bottom. I still think there's another 2-3 weeks before they begin to trend up. If not, then they'll be 'sellers' come February. It's really stunning how much they've regressed, and lost any  sound defensive play.

As the old saying goes, will beats skill... and they don't seem to have much in the way of will.

I don't know what you're complaining about, I had a great time watching the Leafs game the other night.

[jingle.boy]

Still waiting for the Leafs to hit rock bottom. I still think there's another 2-3 weeks before they begin to trend up. If not, then they'll be 'sellers' come February. It's really stunning how much they've regressed, and lost any  sound defensive play.

As the old saying goes, will beats skill... and they don't seem to have much in the way of will.

I don't know what you're complaining about, I had a great time watching the Leafs game the other night.

I'll bet!  I turned it off with the EN goal, and then when I saw the final at 6-1, I was like WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUQ!?!?!?  It was an awesome game for 56 minutes - Hart looked like a hall-of-famer.  You guys got a stud there.  Then the Leafs folded like a $4 pair of khakis.

Last night, just a freak random play that led to the game-winning SH goal by the Avs.  I will say, if the Leafs offense doesn't get going, they better practice their 6-on-5 scheme's a little better.  They've given up 6 EN goals on 12 pulled goalie scenarios - 2nd worst in the league, only ahead of Detroit.

And now a 4-game road trip.  I think StL will be a closely fought game, but a loss.  Edmonton will blow them out.  Calgary or Vancouver will be their rock-bottom, and then they'll put a string of good games together before Christmas.

[gmillerdrake]

Nice to see Joe Thornton is still the POS that he's always been. Cheap shot artist until the end. It drove me insane that NBC and the Hockey World had this huge hard on for him in last years playoffs....glorifying him as if he were this hockey God that 'deserved' to play for/win the Cup. He's a thug....shoot....he single handedly or should I say single elbowly stole a year of David Perron's career with a cheap shot to the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLehASO_2Q

[KevShmev]

Nice to see Joe Thornton is still the POS that he's always been. Cheap shot artist until the end. It drove me insane that NBC and the Hockey World had this huge hard on for him in last years playoffs....glorifying him as if he were this hockey God that 'deserved' to play for/win the Cup. He's a thug....shoot....he single handedly or should I say single elbowly stole a year of David Perron's career with a cheap shot to the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLehASO_2Q

I could not agree more.  Seeing his old ass getting knocked out of the playoffs last year and denied a chance to play for the Cup made the series win over the Sharks that much sweeter, which was already pretty damn sweet following the Game 3 OT debacle.

[TAC]

Last night, just a freak random play that led to the game-winning SH goal by the Avs.

I saw that this morning. 

Oh, man.

[KevShmev]

Because I am a fair guy, the thread title has been updated.

[jingle.boy]

Because I am a fair guy, the thread title has been updated.

To be fair, I don't think they clowned the Blues ... I think Bennington clowned himself. He had an off night, and Andersen had an on night.

[KevShmev]

Because I am a fair guy, the thread title has been updated.

To be fair, I don't think they clowned the Blues ... I think Bennington clowned himself. He had an off night, and Andersen had an on night.

Perhaps not, but I had to change the thread title to that, after the one I had when the Blues won in Toronto, for the sake of fairness, and to add a little levity. 

[jingle.boy]

Because I am a fair guy, the thread title has been updated.

To be fair, I don't think they clowned the Blues ... I think Bennington clowned himself. He had an off night, and Andersen had an on night.

Perhaps not, but I had to change the thread title to that, after the one I had when the Blues won in Toronto, for the sake of fairness, and to add a little levity. 

Consider me levited.   

[King Postwhore]

Get a room you two. 

[romdrums]

Nice to see Joe Thornton is still the POS that he's always been. Cheap shot artist until the end. It drove me insane that NBC and the Hockey World had this huge hard on for him in last years playoffs....glorifying him as if he were this hockey God that 'deserved' to play for/win the Cup. He's a thug....shoot....he single handedly or should I say single elbowly stole a year of David Perron's career with a cheap shot to the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLehASO_2Q

I could not agree more.  Seeing his old ass getting knocked out of the playoffs last year and denied a chance to play for the Cup made the series win over the Sharks that much sweeter, which was already pretty damn sweet following the Game 3 OT debacle.

To be fair, Mrazek certainly embellished that.  But then again, Joe knows all about embellishment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VepHLTIMW2E

For a better angle:

[gmillerdrake]

Nice to see Joe Thornton is still the POS that he's always been. Cheap shot artist until the end. It drove me insane that NBC and the Hockey World had this huge hard on for him in last years playoffs....glorifying him as if he were this hockey God that 'deserved' to play for/win the Cup. He's a thug....shoot....he single handedly or should I say single elbowly stole a year of David Perron's career with a cheap shot to the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLehASO_2Q

I could not agree more.  Seeing his old ass getting knocked out of the playoffs last year and denied a chance to play for the Cup made the series win over the Sharks that much sweeter, which was already pretty damn sweet following the Game 3 OT debacle.

To be fair, Mrazek certainly embellished that.  But then again, Joe knows all about embellishment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VepHLTIMW2E

For a better angle:

It's not about Mrazek embellishing it. It's the fact that Thornton jams at the puck after it's clearly covered for a solid two/three seconds.....and when the goalie skates over to chide or bark at him he cheap shots the dude. It wasn't a concussion inducing punch or anything.....he saves those for unsuspecting players when they're skating.....but it was just a cheap shot from a cheap player.

[romdrums]

Nice to see Joe Thornton is still the POS that he's always been. Cheap shot artist until the end. It drove me insane that NBC and the Hockey World had this huge hard on for him in last years playoffs....glorifying him as if he were this hockey God that 'deserved' to play for/win the Cup. He's a thug....shoot....he single handedly or should I say single elbowly stole a year of David Perron's career with a cheap shot to the head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBLehASO_2Q

I could not agree more.  Seeing his old ass getting knocked out of the playoffs last year and denied a chance to play for the Cup made the series win over the Sharks that much sweeter, which was already pretty damn sweet following the Game 3 OT debacle.

To be fair, Mrazek certainly embellished that.  But then again, Joe knows all about embellishment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VepHLTIMW2E

For a better angle:

It's not about Mrazek embellishing it. It's the fact that Thornton jams at the puck after it's clearly covered for a solid two/three seconds.....and when the goalie skates over to chide or bark at him he cheap shots the dude. It wasn't a concussion inducing punch or anything.....he saves those for unsuspecting players when they're skating.....but it was just a cheap shot from a cheap player.

Just so we're clear, I'm not endorsing Joe's behavior, because I think he's a diving, flopping, cheap-shotting assbag.

[gmillerdrake]

Just so we're clear, I'm not endorsing Joe's behavior, because I think he's a diving, flopping, cheap-shotting assbag.

You and I both. Prior to last post season....I just kind of was indifferent to him. Knew he was a sleezy player but really didn't let it get to me too much. Then all the drooling and oogleing and ahhhhing that NBC threw at him during their playoff run put me over the edge pertaining to him. It was so over the top it should have been embarrassing to them. They put lipstick and an expensive dress and expensive high heels on that pig.

[romdrums]

Just so we're clear, I'm not endorsing Joe's behavior, because I think he's a diving, flopping, cheap-shotting assbag.

You and I both. Prior to last post season....I just kind of was indifferent to him. Knew he was a sleezy player but really didn't let it get to me too much. Then all the drooling and oogleing and ahhhhing that NBC threw at him during their playoff run put me over the edge pertaining to him. It was so over the top it should have been embarrassing to them. They put lipstick and an expensive dress and expensive high heels on that pig.

Yep.  That's always been my complaint about NBC's hockey coverage.  They have their narratives and they stick with them no matter what.  I remember the Cup finals in 08 and 09, and they were absolutely falling all over themselves to anoint the Penguins as the next Stanley Cup dynasty.  Like, they were mad at the Red Wings for getting in Sidney Crosby's way.  And then, when Pittsburgh didn't pan out, they made the hard pivot to the Blackhawks, and Jonathan Toews.  As a fan of the sport in general, it pisses me off that NBC tries to force these narratives down the viewers' throats.

[Anguyen92]

So coaches are getting fired left and right.  Stars coach just got fired.   Peter DeBoer got fired from the Sharks today.  Meanwhile, they are holding a record of only one win under .500 for the year and can probably turn it around with a couple of good streaks here and there and they were like "off with the coach."  Meanwhile, I look at the Kings record and I weep hard of the fact that they are 6 wins under .500 wishing they were only one win under .500 since that indicates hope that they can be a good team.  The record they have now gives me no hope and it's probably a wash of a season which is a sucky feeling to have.

On a brighter side, they are playing the Ducks tomorrow at the Honda Center and I'm hoping for a good nosebleed center view seat at around less than $40.00 or so to scoop.  Here's to wishful thinking.

[TAC]

On a brighter side, they are playing the Ducks tomorrow at the Honda Center and I'm hoping for a good nosebleed center view seat at around less than $40.00 or so to scoop.  Here's to wishful thinking.

Shoot, nosebleeds here are $120 to start.

[Anguyen92]

On a brighter side, they are playing the Ducks tomorrow at the Honda Center and I'm hoping for a good nosebleed center view seat at around less than $40.00 or so to scoop.  Here's to wishful thinking.

Shoot, nosebleeds here are $120 to start.

That's because your team is doing great.  The two teams between the Kings and the Ducks are nicely sucktastic which equals potential cheaper seats in the nosebleeds.

[jingle.boy]

Same. You see the Panthers' arena??  $40 could probably get you the first 5 rows!  Even the Sabres couldn't fill the arena against the defending champs.

[TAC]

We just bought out Christmas Bruins tickets and it would've been more than half the price to drive to Long Island.

[King Postwhore]

Tim, upper deck?

[TAC]

Tim, upper deck?

Yeah! It's fucking ridiculous.