Official 11-12 NHL Regular Season Thread

[batdad]

Frontrunners for job:

1. Marc Bergevin
2. Patrick Roy
3. Mitsou...because well she is Bilingual

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aI0QTEJjIg


See? Perfect.

[philou21]

I would hate to see Roy there, I want him for the futur Nords!!! But he is probably the most obvious choice so far. I hope Cunneyworth will stay assistant-coach though, I like the guy.

[Prowl]

Boooo
I quite liked Gauthier's Habs

Me too lol. On a serious note, they do have some pieces, but it's a big mess in MTL and I'm not upset in the least.

[batdad]

Not as big a mess in Montreal as in Toronto.

MOntreal has good young pieces...Pacioretty, Subban, Price. But Toronto? They have nothing. Cupboard is bare.

The leafs need to somehow find ... a dman better than Phaneuf. 4 dmen better than Komisarek.

2 goalies

2 top 6 centres, and a top 6 winger.
3 3rd line guys
and 3 4th liners that are actually capable of playing in the NHL/

Burke has made a complete mess there. They have nothing.

[philou21]

By your description it's almost surprising that Toronto was good for the first couple of months of the season.

[batdad]

It wasn't? I believe it was a total shock, and that any team that played them was dressing all ECHLers/

[Danny]

Not as big a mess in Montreal as in Toronto.

MOntreal has good young pieces...Pacioretty, Subban, Price. But Toronto? They have nothing. Cupboard is bare.

The leafs need to somehow find ... a dman better than Phaneuf. 4 dmen better than Komisarek.

2 goalies

2 top 6 centres, and a top 6 winger.
3 3rd line guys
and 3 4th liners that are actually capable of playing in the NHL/

Burke has made a complete mess there. They have nothing.

IMO the Leafs have a pretty good supporting cast, just absolutely no go-to guys, and they're paying way too much for complementary players.

[batdad]

Leafs have 5 third liners (Connolly, Kessel, Lupul, and 2 other barely third liners), and 8 4th liners on their roster. on D--they have one #3 guy (Phaneuf), one with #2 potential (the rookie they got from the Ducks...blanking on name right now), 3 5-6 guys and 3 #7 dmen. IN net they have two AHL backup goalies.

Basically, they are an AHL team.

[Loosie]

I wouldn't call Kessel and Lupul third liners. When was the last time a third liner was in the top 10 in the league in scoring? Lupul was in there as well until he was injured. Bozak is NOT a first line center though, he would definitely qualify as a third liner.

Remier is not a #1 goalie yet, he had an awesome second half last year, and did look like he was heading there again this year with is 4-0-1 start, then he was inured. He never regained that form again except for a few bright spots. I haven't given up on him yet because of this. Gustavsson on the other hand, again except for a nice stretch in January was pretty mediocore. The bad coverage by our D doesn't help. I don't expect to see him with the Leafs next year.

[nino33]

For real Leaf fans I think it's really to bad the team makes so much money, because as a result things likely will never change.....
The sports channel on TV was referring to the Leafs season and saying yesterday "this summer will be different than others for the Leafs" (as if there'll be some real soul searching amd big decisions made).......I thought to myself "no...same as virtually ever year I've ever seen for the last 40 years now" - AND the playoff broadcasts will talk about the Leafs through the first 2/3 rounds!

From my recollection, except for a couple years in the late 70s and a couple years in the early 90s they've always been an awful team (fans used to wear bags on their heads when attending games in the 80s!).......maybe if there was a risk of not making so much money more attention would be paid to the actual product on the ice, but over my lifetime it seems to be getting worse, not better.....the curse of Harold Ballard?

[batdad]

I wouldn't call Kessel and Lupul third liners. When was the last time a third liner was in the top 10 in the league in scoring? Lupul was in there as well until he was injured. Bozak is NOT a first line center though, he would definitely qualify as a third liner.

Remier is not a #1 goalie yet, he had an awesome second half last year, and did look like he was heading there again this year with is 4-0-1 start, then he was inured. He never regained that form again except for a few bright spots. I haven't given up on him yet because of this. Gustavsson on the other hand, again except for a nice stretch in January was pretty mediocore. The bad coverage by our D doesn't help. I don't expect to see him with the Leafs next year.

Where would Kessel be playing in Boston right now? Vancouver? Yep...third line. Detroit? San Jose? even LA would not be playing them top 6 minutes. Anaheim is bad and they might not get top 6 there. Chicago? Not as wingers. NYR? No way no how. Philadelphia? Nope
Lupul...where was he playing on his previous NHL teams which were good teams? Yep....you guessed it.

They are only top line guys to Toronto and one in Columbus (Nash keeps the other one out). In NYI they might be 2nd line guys. I mean think about it...you have one of the worst teams in the league....someone has to play top 6. So they get chosen. Even Florida has a better top 6. Tampa Bay Sucks...but no way they play top 6 there either.

SO...guess what they are really? ON a good team?

Reimer--never should have been a #1 at this point in his career? And again...where would he be on a good team> You guessed it...#2 or #3.

Leafs are bad because the players they have are not good enough. Period. And on a good team they would not be playing the top line roles, 2nd line roles they are on the bad team they play for.


And I Totally agree Philou....until the Leafs have an empty building..and stop making money hand over fist...they won't get anywhere, because it does not matter to the Teachers pension. All they care is the pension makes $.

So they need a new owner...a new gm, new players, new everything.

SOrry Loosie--But you and Leafs fans gotta stop overrating your players so badly, and stop spending the $ on the team. Or 25-30th is yours forever.

[nino33]

And I Totally agree Philou....until the Leafs have an empty building..and stop making money hand over fist...they won't get anywhere

Hey, I said that! You can't tell the difference between redneck and french?

[Loosie]

I wouldn't call Kessel and Lupul third liners. When was the last time a third liner was in the top 10 in the league in scoring? Lupul was in there as well until he was injured. Bozak is NOT a first line center though, he would definitely qualify as a third liner.

Remier is not a #1 goalie yet, he had an awesome second half last year, and did look like he was heading there again this year with is 4-0-1 start, then he was inured. He never regained that form again except for a few bright spots. I haven't given up on him yet because of this. Gustavsson on the other hand, again except for a nice stretch in January was pretty mediocore. The bad coverage by our D doesn't help. I don't expect to see him with the Leafs next year.

Where would Kessel be playing in Boston right now? Vancouver? Yep...third line. Detroit? San Jose? even LA would not be playing them top 6 minutes. Anaheim is bad and they might not get top 6 there. Chicago? Not as wingers. NYR? No way no how. Philadelphia? Nope
Lupul...where was he playing on his previous NHL teams which were good teams? Yep....you guessed it.

They are only top line guys to Toronto and one in Columbus (Nash keeps the other one out). In NYI they might be 2nd line guys. I mean think about it...you have one of the worst teams in the league....someone has to play top 6. So they get chosen. Even Florida has a better top 6. Tampa Bay Sucks...but no way they play top 6 there either.

SO...guess what they are really? ON a good team?

Reimer--never should have been a #1 at this point in his career? And again...where would he be on a good team> You guessed it...#2 or #3.

Leafs are bad because the players they have are not good enough. Period. And on a good team they would not be playing the top line roles, 2nd line roles they are on the bad team they play for.


And I Totally agree Philou....until the Leafs have an empty building..and stop making money hand over fist...they won't get anywhere, because it does not matter to the Teachers pension. All they care is the pension makes $.

So they need a new owner...a new gm, new players, new everything.

SOrry Loosie--But you and Leafs fans gotta stop overrating your players so badly, and stop spending the $ on the team. Or 25-30th is yours forever.

Right because 3rd liners consistently score 30 goals a season. I'm not debating that the Leafs suck this year. They had a decent season going until for whatever reason they just completely fell apart in February and March. But I'm arguing that Kessel is not a third liner. Yes Vancouver has the Sedin's so Kessel would be second line there. But on most teams in the NHL Kessel would be a top 6 guy.

And yes as long as fans keep going to games not much is going to change...that or the Leafs actually get a human owner...this is why Gauthier was fired and Burke is still employed.

Really I'd keep Kessel, Lupul, Reimer and Gardiner. The Leafs need to bring in some veteran leadership. I'm sick of hearing that the Leafs are the second youngest team...guess what they were the second youngest team last year too. Get older and play consistent through the whole year.

Some Leafs are very fickle. They were chanting for the Blue Jays the other night when they lost 7-1 to Philly, and now that they beat the Sabres tonight some fans are widdled that they won. I will never cheer my team to lose, I don't care if it 'hurts' their draft position. No #1 pick is a sure thing.

[batdad]

Wow.

Kessel is a 2nd liner on barely 2/3 of the teams in the NHL. Sure,...he might be on one, but wow. Not likely on many.

Tons of guys score for teams that are bad...someone has to....and the Vrbatas, Versteegs, Kessel's, Fleischmann's, Stempniak's, Tuomu Ruutu's, Jussi Jokinnen's and Rene Bourque's of the world...are all like Kessel. They have a good year on a bad team and people think they are better than they are.

Notice this? All of those players disappear as the season progresses. They don't get as much done starting at Xmas time. Why? cause as soon as the good teams start caring...these guys can't get anything done. Cause they have to do it all by themselves....and are NOT THAT GOOD...because they want to do it by themselves. Kessel is a selfish player.

How did Lupul do when he played on good teams? What line was he on? It isn't about him getting "a chance" in Toronto...it is about him not being a good player, but his team has no choice but to play him.

Where is MOntreal in attendance? Wow...so wrong unreal. They are 2nd in the entire NHL. As they always are. They removed the GM, because the owners actually give a rats ass and want the team to win. They may not know how to make it happen, but they are trying. Not only do the owners in Toronto not know how to make it happen....they do not care...just want profits and keep getting them. Montreal....all about winning. Totally different than in Toronto

Reimer--Never going to be more than a backup. Steve Mason part two, and was not as good as Mason first time through the league.

Gardiner--Yep he was the guy I was talking about. he can play a little.

Kessel--there are 200 Kessels. Lots of guys who can score a little, but disappear when the going gets tough. Would not wnat him. He will never play on a winner.
Lupul--Umm....yeah no thanks. Maybe as a 3rd liner...but I want someone who can check there.

Sorry...but to get better Leafs have to get enough players to knock Kessel and Lupul out of the top 6, plus get about 3 dmen above Phaneuf, and at least a goalie who can play 60 games ahead of Reimer. Oh and don't ruin Gardiner like you did Schenn. Play him too much too young, and won't go anywhere. Lots of examples of dmen being too young and having too much pressure...oh wait you know one of those real well...wears the C on your team.

And the answers...are not the college kid up front (Colborne), nor that horrible waste of a first round pick Kadri.

Habs are far ahead on this. Far ahead. However...Pacioretty? Not a first line guy...barely 2nd liner. Just good on bad team as well. Same for guys like Desharnais. Cole good only on 2nd line.

NO way do Lupul or Kessel help the top 6 of these teams: Rangers, Bruins, Flyers, Pens, Canucks,, Sharks, Hawks, Wings or even the Oilers, Kings,, Preds, Blues,Senators, Devils, Lightning or Capitals

THey may help: Islanders, Coyotes, Sabres, Stars, Ducks, Panthers, Hurricanes,

The would help: Leafs, Habs, Wild, Flames, Avalanche, Jets, Blue jAckets

Have a look...really think he is top 6 on a good team? Nope.

The leafs are in trouble. And will be for a long time. Cause you fans still think that someone on that team is a good player. Not one is. Not one.

[Jypfan92]

Ray the Wizard scored his 1000th point

Stamkos made a NHL-record on OT-goals per season. He has scored 5 OT-goals this season.

Matt Martin made NHL-record on hits per season. He has now 360 hits. Former record (356) was held by Cal Clutterbuck at 08-09.

[philou21]

Habs are far ahead on this. Far ahead. However...Pacioretty? Not a first line guy...barely 2nd liner. Just good on bad team as well. Same for guys like Desharnais. Cole good only on 2nd line.

I have to disagree with you here. Pax his still young and he has a good potential. Not a super-star first liner but a good replacement on the first line and a very good second liner. Desharnais well, he begin to looks like the futur Martin St-Louis, it's amazing to see that guy play, is St-Louis a third liner? Absolutely not. Desharnais will never be a real first liner though but he will be a darn good second liner.


By the way, Stamkos is at 56 with 4 games left......Do you guys thnk he will reach 60? I hope he will do it, that kid is so freaking awesome!!

[archibalduk]

A positive win for the Bruins yesterday. The first time we've beaten the Rags this season! Things seem to be picking up recently (the second half of the season we've been inconsistent and, at times, poor). Hopefully Rask will be back in time for the playoffs. I don't feel all that confident with Turco as backup.

If the Bs don't make it through to the Playoff finals, I'll be rooting for the Rags (assuming they make it further). IMO Callaghan is one hell of a captain and his determination has helped get them out of a hole a fair few times this season. Torts has really done well organising the team - it's crazy how many bodies drop to the ice to block shots.

[batdad]

Bruins suck. I actually cheer for the Rangers over the Bruins. Wait...no I Don't. Rangers suck. That whole game sucked. Where was the goon show? Blech. I mean even Pittsburgh gooned it up. Much ado about a bunch of pansies in Boston and New York. Hideous game.

Scott Hartnell...doing the Hulk Hogan ear call....that guy is hilarious.

[archibalduk]

Meh I enjoyed the lack of goon show. It was probably the dullest of their encounters this season but at least it wasn't as dull as the Ducks v Bruins snoozefest I endured last week.

I missed the Hulk Hogan thing, but saw the confrontation at the end of the game. I was waiting for Laviollette or Bylsma to fall off the edge of the benches! Did you see that TV reporter (his name escapes me at the moment - he's the "Between the Boards" (or whatever it's called) guy) - he just kind of stood there and acted like there wasn't a heated confrontation wasn't going on above his head!

[batdad]

NBC Game? He is known as Penishead. Pierre McGuire most likely. Bald guy? He is a loud mouth know it all. Hey wait a second.....

[archibalduk]

Yep that's it; Pierre McGuire. He's incredibly irritating.

[batdad]

Next GM of the Habs too. Poor Philou.

Boston and the Rangers are pansies. All those tough guys and only tickle fights. Lame. Be Marchand loved it though. And Bickel the pickle.

[Manimal]

Hopefully Rask will be back in time for the playoffs. I don't feel all that confident with Turco as backup.

If the Bs don't make it through to the Playoff finals, I'll be rooting for the Rags (assuming they make it further). IMO Callaghan is one hell of a captain and his determination has helped get them out of a hole a fair few times this season. Torts has really done well organising the team - it's crazy how many bodies drop to the ice to block shots.

Turco can't play in the play-offs. You will have to use Anton Khudobin as back-up.

Great tweet from Mats Zuccarello (who broke his wrist blocking a shot) - 'I wish we had a better goalie so we didn't have to block so many shots'

[philou21]

Next GM of the Habs too. Poor Philou.

I've heard his name in the rumors, which surprised me alot. People on TV were saying he was a good man of hockey.......is this true? Because hearing you all here speaking about him I'm not sure at all.

[Danny]

A positive win for the Bruins yesterday. The first time we've beaten the Rags this season! Things seem to be picking up recently (the second half of the season we've been inconsistent and, at times, poor). Hopefully Rask will be back in time for the playoffs. I don't feel all that confident with Turco as backup.

If the Bs don't make it through to the Playoff finals, I'll be rooting for the Rags (assuming they make it further). IMO Callaghan is one hell of a captain and his determination has helped get them out of a hole a fair few times this season. Torts has really done well organising the team - it's crazy how many bodies drop to the ice to block shots.

It was a dreadful game to watch to be honest, with the only positive being the two points. Oh and if the Bruins are out I'll be rooting for anyone who plays against Pens, Rags, Sabres, Caps ugh I might not watch at all.

Next GM of the Habs too. Poor Philou.

Well lets hope...whatever gets him off the air