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

[pg1067]

I'll be watching the Sox win the 2004 World Series tonight.

The most anticlimactic World Series win ever.

[TAC]

No kidding.

[TAC]

So they're showing the run up to the Bruins Cup in 1970 tonight, showing highlights against the Rangers, Hawks, and finally the Blues.

I love watching these old clips. It looks like a damn beer league!

But holy shit, Bobby Orr was on another planet.

[jingle.boy]

So they're showing the run up to the Bruins Cup in 1970 tonight, showing highlights against the Rangers, Hawks, and finally the Blues.

I love watching these old clips. It looks like a damn beer league!

But holy shit, Bobby Orr was on another planet.

Such a different game in the 70s and 80s.  You could practically commit manslaughter on the ice and not get a penalty.  Guys are taking 90 second shifts; a PP unit plays the entire 2 mins. 

Today's players are pussies.   

[KevShmev]

Such a different game in the 70s and 80s.  You could practically commit manslaughter on the ice and not get a penalty.  Guys are taking 90 second shifts; a PP unit plays the entire 2 mins. 

Today's players are pussies.   

Hockey is still the best sport, IMO, but it seems like there a lot less fights and scuffles nowadays, probably because of the instigator penalty that was instituted that makes player less likely now to, well, instigate a fight, and the rivalries don't seem quite as fierce now as a result.  Maybe I just long for another rivalry like the Wings/Avs one of the later 90's/early 00's; those teams hated each other with a passion, and it was awesome.

[gmillerdrake]

Such a different game in the 70s and 80s.  You could practically commit manslaughter on the ice and not get a penalty.  Guys are taking 90 second shifts; a PP unit plays the entire 2 mins. 

Today's players are pussies.   

Yeah. If you watch a highlight reel of Gretzky's first handful of years/goals.....there were A LOT of pretty weak/soft ones. Those goalies were pretty bad.

[TAC]

Watching those games from 1970 and the soft goals the Bruins scored against the Rangers. It was like the goalies weren't even trying.

[gmillerdrake]

Watching those games from 1970 and the soft goals the Bruins scored against the Rangers. It was like the goalies weren't even trying.

It’s weird because you know they were ‘trying’ but they just look so bad.

[Anguyen92]

I think the factors on why goaltenders back then looked pretty bad and let in soft goals could be these reasons.  Some say it's due to equipment not being as great as they are now.  Others say there were no goaltender coaches back then to really give goaltenders the focus they need to improve their game.

[gmillerdrake]

I think the factors on why goaltenders back then looked pretty bad and let in soft goals could be these reasons.  Some say it's due to equipment not being as great as they are now.  Others say there were no goaltender coaches back then to really give goaltenders the focus they need to improve their game.

I can see that. It’s a position that’s certainly evolved a lot.

[KevShmev]

What's really crazy is that even though goaltending is more consistent than it used to be across the board, there hasn't been a goalie come into the league in the last 20 years who can come close to the level of greatness of guys like Hasek, Brodeur and Roy.  I mean, is there a singe goalie from the last 10-15 years who is a lock to make the Hall of Fame?

[gmillerdrake]

What's really crazy is that even though goaltending is more consistent than it used to be across the board, there hasn't been a goalie come into the league in the last 20 years who can come close to the level of greatness of guys like Hasek, Brodeur and Roy.  I mean, is there a singe goalie from the last 10-15 years who is a lock to make the Hall of Fame?

That’s the difference though. Those guys were just men among boys. Now there’s more continuity in the position. No absolute dominant superstars but there are 8-10 really good ones out there.

[TAC]

https://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seasons/last-10-nhl-seasons-goalies-stats.html

[TAC]

NHL Network is now showing the B's-Nordiques from 1991. It is the Ron Tugnutt 70 save game. So weird to see Guy Lafluer playing for Quebec.

[jingle.boy]

What's really crazy is that even though goaltending is more consistent than it used to be across the board, there hasn't been a goalie come into the league in the last 20 years who can come close to the level of greatness of guys like Hasek, Brodeur and Roy.  I mean, is there a singe goalie from the last 10-15 years who is a lock to make the Hall of Fame?

Lundqvist.

Also, notice how so few of them go down on their knees? The butterfly didn’t really become common until the 80s, and even still, a goalie’s first instinct on a shot isn’t to go down as it is nowadays.

And yeah, equipment.

[TAC]

I think Lunquist will get in. Rinne, Quick.
If Rask could have won a Cup in his two trips to the Finals you'd have to look at him too. He has a Vezina and was en route to another this year. 60 Min away from a Conn Smythe too.

[TheCountOfNYC]

What's really crazy is that even though goaltending is more consistent than it used to be across the board, there hasn't been a goalie come into the league in the last 20 years who can come close to the level of greatness of guys like Hasek, Brodeur and Roy.  I mean, is there a singe goalie from the last 10-15 years who is a lock to make the Hall of Fame?

Lundqvist is a lock. He’s a top 20 goalie of all time, and certainly the best of this generation. His lack of a Stanley Cup is the only thing keeping him from the top 5 imo.

[KevShmev]

Eh, King Henrik feels a bit overhyped.  He has only one Vezina Trophy.  I am sure he will get in, as playing in NY always helps, but he doesn't feel close to the level of the Big 3 of Roy, Brodeur and Hasek.

[King Postwhore]

He's #1 in the heart of wives.  Lol. My wife and sister in law would fight over him. 

[Anguyen92]

So a guy that I somewhat follow on Youtube for hockey content, UrinatingTree, posted a recent video about the career of Mike Keenan as a coach and GM.  It's rather fascinating how he can be successful, was able to coach a team to a Stanley Cup, get fired by so many NHL teams, was power hungry and he ended up becaming coach and GM at the same time, pissed off players, and found success in the modern times in Russia.  A volatile career, indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ryx0HxlTfK0

[TAC]

I actually own and have read this book:



Probably read it 20 years ago, but I remember it being very short on interesting details. Must've been authorized.



I remember when he was coach of the Bruins (NO idea why harry Sinden hired him), he would have the players on the bikes AFTER games. WTF? Post game interviews were done while guys were cycling. I don't remember him coaching after that.

[TAC]

@ Chad... I'm seeing Marner and Selke in the media headlines. What is this all about? Did he recently state this was a goal of his? If the Toronto Media trying to give him some love to offset Matthews coverage?

He's never struck me as a defensive player.

[jingle.boy]

He hustles hard, that's for sure.  I wouldn't say he does anything spectacular, but he doesn't fuck up that much.  He's on the PK unit, and is one of the guys that will regularly be on the ice in the final minute of a 1-goal lead ... so Babs/Keefe have had faith in him for quite a while.

I haven't been watching any sports news, as I really don't think there's any chance of the leagues coming back.  I think they're gonna try, but I think it's a dumb move.  I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that a few weeks into 'training camp' or re-starts, one of the leagues will have a case of COVID, and it'll all just get shut down again.  Plus, hearing what some of the conditions are that MLB is going to institute is a serious WTF is even the point?

[gmillerdrake]

I haven't been watching any sports news, as I really don't think there's any chance of the leagues coming back.  I think they're gonna try, but I think it's a dumb move.  I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that a few weeks into 'training camp' or re-starts, one of the leagues will have a case of COVID, and it'll all just get shut down again.  Plus, hearing what some of the conditions are that MLB is going to institute is a serious WTF is even the point?

the last number I heard for the NHL is if they can get this Playoff format in they've proposed they can still collectively 'make' 1.4 Billion dollars. That's a hefty incentive to try and get it done but I'm with you....all it takes is one or two cases of players getting COVID and you're done.

These leagues need to realize it's a high risk and give in to the fact they're gonna take it in the gut just like the rest of the country/economy......and get to work on figuring out how to making next season work. This season is a lost cause.

[KevShmev]

Not like I won't watch, but this idea of having 24 playoff teams is gross. Get ready for the 23rd best team to win the Covid Cup because all of the best teams going into the 2nd round with zero momentum as a result of having not played for three months and then playing a couple of scrimmage games under the guise of getting them back to form.

[jingle.boy]

Not like I won't watch, but this idea of having 24 playoff teams is gross. Get ready for the 23rd best team to win the Covid Cup because all of the best teams going into the 2nd round with zero momentum as a result of having not played for three months and then playing a couple of scrimmage games under the guise of getting them back to form.

No shit.  Buffalo just might win their first championship!

[KevShmev]

A co-worker talked about this the other day, how relieved we are that the Blues won it last year, otherwise this year could have been seen as a major missed opportunity if they didn't win it (since this is arguably the best Blues team ever outside of last year's), and if this team would win it after they resume the season, it would have felt tainted for their first Cup win to be won like this.  First world problems, I know.

[TAC]

A co-worker talked about this the other day, how relieved we are that the Blues won it last year, otherwise this year could have been seen as a major missed opportunity if they didn't win it (since this is arguably the best Blues team ever outside of last year's), and if this team would win it after they resume the season, it would have felt tainted for their first Cup win to be won like this.  First world problems, I know.

I don't view this year's Cup as tainted in anyway, no matter wins won it. I don't think any of the bottom feeders in the "tournament" are going to make it anyway.

Why would anyone think this is tainted?

[KevShmev]

Because it will not be won organically. There is no way of knowing which teams will be able to recapture whatever momentum they had prior to the stoppage.  You can't just turn it back on like a water faucet.  Sure, all teams are starting from scratch again, in a manner of speaking, but it just feels like it will be tainted.  And that is not even factoring in that the games will all likely be played in empty arenas.

[TAC]

I think it is what it is, and the whoever wins the Cup should not be held against them.

[KevShmev]

Maybe you are right.

Or maybe I will wait and see who wins it before I decide one way or the other.

Note: if the Blackhawks win it, it is automatically invalid.

[Anguyen92]

I mean the 2013 Blackhawks won the cup in a shortened scheduled season (48 regular season games) and were dominating most of those games.  Can any non-Blues fans say that was a "tainted" win?

I personally don't approve of this 24-team structure, myself (especially, since I wish the Kings would have tried harder in some games if we knew this was coming), but this is I guess NHL's attempt to salvage some revenue and at this point, in this pandemic, if there's money to made, people will take it.

[TAC]

I mean the 2013 Blackhawks won the cup in a shortened scheduled season (48 regular season games) and were dominating most of those games.  Can any non-Blues fans say that was a "tainted" win?

We lost in the finals and that wasn't tainted at all. That finals was some of the best hockey I've ever seen.

That whole playoff was great.

Or maybe I will wait and see who wins it before I decide one way or the other.

Obviously.

[gmillerdrake]

I think it is what it is, and the whoever wins the Cup should not be held against them.

Same here. In fact, I think the opposite. This might be the hardest Cup to win. Every team will be (most likely) healthy and rearing to go. Every team is in the same boat. Now, I'm not a fan of the best teams having to wait and play a team who is going to have a few games under their belts but it is what it is. They're professionals and they'll deal with it.

This Cup will always stand out given the circumstances but I don't think it should be tainted in anyway. I honestly feel for whichever team wins it. Their fans really won't get to 'enjoy' it with them. No celebrations or parades....no crowds....just seems weird. But a Cup is a Cup.

[TAC]

Now, I'm not a fan of the best teams having to wait and play a team who is going to have a few games under their belts but it is what it is.

Well, this is part of the plan I'm not cool with. It sounds like they may have the top 4 teams play a mini tournament amongst themselves while the play ins are going on. Problem is, it may be used to reseed the Top 4 teams in each conference. That could mean the Blues (and Bruins) could lose their Top Seed.