NHL Random Thoughts Thread

[sraczk2011]

Considering Edmonton is still 14th in the West, I didn't think tanking did much for them. Hockey players take longer to develop into stars then basketball players. I'd also like to point out that Connor McDavid is more like John Tavares, who is a star player, but I wouldn't compare him to LeBron. LeBron came in and made an impact. One hockey player can't do that right away. Even Crosby couldn't. So even when you look at a team like Edmonton who has all these 1st overall picks, they still are not doing anything good with them. AND coming in the next few seasons, all of these guys are going to want big deals. Edmonton already gave Eberle and Hall $6 million deals. You don't think Hopkins, Schultz and Yakupov will want the same? That will be 5 players signed to around $30 million. And now you have to round the team with depth guys for $34 million, and you need a starting goalie, and an entire defence.

There's no way Edmonton stays in 14th because there's no way they keep shooting at a 5 percent clip, so saying that they're not doing anything good won't be valid for long. Even if one player can't drag a team to success in the NHL, the Oilers have put together quite the group of top 9 forwards with their 1st overall picks.

They'll have to make some tough choices on who to keep after next season, but they should be able to keep most of their core. If they are able to add another top 4 d-man through the draft or otherwise, they'll be in an excellent position to contend, so I'd say the tanking paid off big time for them.

[Ravin]

There's no way Edmonton stays in 14th because there's no way they keep shooting at a 5 percent clip, so saying that they're not doing anything good won't be valid for long. Even if one player can't drag a team to success in the NHL, the Oilers have put together quite the group of top 9 forwards with their 1st overall picks.

They'll have to make some tough choices on who to keep after next season, but they should be able to keep most of their core. If they are able to add another top 4 d-man through the draft or otherwise, they'll be in an excellent position to contend, so I'd say the tanking paid off big time for them.

I would say their goalie situation needs to greatly improve as well, as Bulin is getting old, and DUDnyk isn't doing that amazing. I just think Edmonton is going to run into some issues because with Hall and Eberle both sporting $6 million deals, you know RNH and Yakupov, and to some extend Schultz, are also going to want similar deals. RNH has played better then Hall, so why shouldn't get get the same deal. That is a possible 4-5 players making $6 million each. Going to be hard to get some depth in there.

[wr50l]

Dubnyk looks like a workhorse and solid starter to me. I don't think they should be too worried about him.

[leaffan]

Dudnyk is already playing like a solid starter. The oilers problem is lack of depth and some god awful defensive starters.

Ryan Whitney, Nick Shultz, Ladislav Smid, Andy Sutton, Theo Peckham are all pylons and really nothing more. Whitneys been benched a couple times and healthy scratched at least 4 or 5 games now because he's such a bum.

[wr50l]

Dubnyk faces more shots than anybody. I just said to leaf he could become a star because he has what I'd call a "40 save shutout temperament". Ravin you should write an article about him; you might learn something!

[sraczk2011]

I would say their goalie situation needs to greatly improve as well, as Bulin is getting old, and DUDnyk isn't doing that amazing. I just think Edmonton is going to run into some issues because with Hall and Eberle both sporting $6 million deals, you know RNH and Yakupov, and to some extend Schultz, are also going to want similar deals. RNH has played better then Hall, so why shouldn't get get the same deal. That is a possible 4-5 players making $6 million each. Going to be hard to get some depth in there.

There's no way Bulin returns after this season, and as everyone else already said, Dubnyk is a perfectly serviceable NHL goaltender. The 2014 offseason will be the real GMing test for Tambo, since they will have only 4 players (Yak, Horcoff, Hall, and Eberle) under contract for 2014-2015 at a grand total of 18.425 million - 28% of next season's cap. I'm looking forward to seeing how he botches it.

Dudnyk is already playing like a solid starter. The oilers problem is lack of depth and some god awful defensive starters.

Ryan Whitney, Nick Shultz, Ladislav Smid, Andy Sutton, Theo Peckham are all pylons and really nothing more. Whitneys been benched a couple times and healthy scratched at least 4 or 5 games now because he's such a bum.

No d-man has a contract that won't be up after next season, so there's going to be a great opportunity to get some defensive talent on the roster.

[JimLeavy59]

I remember getting hit in the face with a stick hurt like hell can't imagine what getting hit with a puck would be like.

[1ke]

So I get to watch the Hawks tonight on Fox, the Wild's network. Their intro to the game was all about how to stop the Hawks and blah blah blah. The Wild scored first and they continued with more smug comments about them winning. The Chicago unleashed 4 unanswered goals and during the 1st intermission they then said, "this could get ugly"

Lol.

[strahanfan92]

So hype after that win. Haley tugging on Hartnell from the bench and then Hartnell retaliating then Bickel getting involved, lol that was awesome. Nash.. so money.

I really hope Stall only broke his orbital bone and not some eye damage, fuck that was tough to watch.

[wingsfan77]

Yeah that Staal injury was gruesome, tough to watch. Definitely time to say that the Flyers just aren't that good this season, they haven't won more than 2 games in a row yet and every time it looks like they're about to get going they play a game like last night.

[killgod]

Just saw that injury. Damn that hurts.

[Ravin]

Give some good credit to the Flyers players for stopping and calling the trainer over as soon as it happens. Glad to see even in one of the games biggest rivalries, there is still some honour.

[leaffan]

Fuck the sens.

[wr50l]

Hunkering down now for what should hopefully be an intense 3rd period. Chicago down 1 trying to extend their streak at home.

[Boss AZ]

Fuck the sens.