On The Eve of the New Season: North of the Border Editio

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

Mike Richards getting sent to AHL (after clearing waivers) is a really sad case, similar to Wade Redden. He still has NHL talent and every team would love him in their bottom 6 forwards... but not at that salary.

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

http://www.sbnation.com/2015/1/29/7945469/ahl-west-relocation-news-american-hockey-league

Kinda big news at the AHL level. I'm going to miss the opportunity to see the Griffins when they'd come to Norfolk, but I agree there needs to be AHL teams on both coasts.

[sweetcell]

MIN over STL in 6
NSH over CHI in 5
ANA over WPG in 5
CGY over VAN in 7
MTL over OTT in 7
DET over TBL in 6
NYR over PIT in 5
NYI over WSH in 6

NSH over MIN in 6
ANA over CGY in 4
MTL over DET in 7
NYR over NYI in 5

ANA over NSH in 7
NYR over MTL in 6

NYR in 5

i don't like that i have 3 of the 4 one-seeds making it out of their divisions.

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

After going 13 of 15 series last year including the eventual champion (and getting all of the champs series length's correct as well, iirc), I elect not to pick because I want to go out on top.

[vansmack]

As long as Bruce Boudreau remains in charge, I have to temper expectations for the playoffs.

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

As long as Bruce Boudreau remains in charge, I have to temper expectations for the playoffs.

How he keeps getting work is beyond me.

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

Wings have no consistent, competent goalie play. Tampa would have to melt down for them to get out of the first round.

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

Wings completely stole that game last night. Outshot 46-14 and somehow won that thing. Good lord.

Of course Wings won a game 1 of a series they had no business winning last season and that was the last game they won all year. . .

[vansmack]

The shoot out in the NHL and the penalty kicks in professional kick ball (oops I mean soccer) are similar gimmick rules.  Either play the spot to the end or be OK with the fact that some games will end in a tie.  Some of the best hockey games I have ever watched ended up as a 0-0 tie.

I particularly do not like the shoot outs in the NHL where they mysteriously create an additional point for OT games.  Every regular season game should carry the same weight in the season long standings.  The only reason the NHL did this is so the casual non-fan would watch the games and see an 'exciting' play.  (IOW its all about the money.)

Here you go.

[vansmack]

I'm fairly certain I'm the only one watching this,  but I thought I would share that you cannot score a header in hockey.

I was bummed because I thought it counted (and it was pretty awesome) but alas,  we play a 3rd OT....

[sweetcell]

hey jules - what's your take on the Babcock move?

[Julian, Bespoke SEXPERT]

hey jules - what's your take on the Babcock move?

Oh, thank you for asking. I'm sad to see him go. I'm not going to say he's not the best coach in the NHL and Wings prolly don't make the playoffs the last three seasons sans him. Undeniable.

That said, I understand when you offer a guy 60% above the next highest paid coach in the league that you can't be faulted for marching an offer 233% above 2nd highest coach in the league. He's not hockey Jesus. Especially with Blashill (who I maintain would have an NHL a year ago if the organization let him talk to other teams) waiting in the wings. If Blashill is the coach, then I'm ok with Babcock leaving. Wish it wasn't in division but whatever. We have a lot of Grand Rapids talent joining the wings in the next 24 months and he knows them better than anyone.

In short, I'm not devastated about it. It'll be ok. Blashill is an NHL-replacement+ level coach in my (biased) estimation.

Now, if the Wings don't sign Blashill, come talk to me again, I reserve my right to blow up this take.

[vansmack]

3 goals in 37 seconds?!  I couldn't even giz on my 4K tv it was so fast....

[Dejecty-hatch lııllı|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llıl]

thought this was cool

[DeathFromAbove1979]

oh my god I want the rangers to lose so badly

Hawks/Bolts would be a great series.