Official 13-14 NHL Regular Season Thread

[batdad]

Canucks as I have been saying...are BAD. Very bad. Not Oiler or 90s leaf and Islander bad or Sabre bad....yet. But very bad.

Also injuries on Canucks list for this season are ridiculous. Wonder if they need a new trainer?


Finally to the executive point...you are not giving professional experienced strong hockey people enough credit for what they are doing for a living. These guys are as focused on their NHL teams as they are on the Olympics. Sure it takes a few extra minutes of their day, but really not much. All they have to do is pick the team (would be out watching the players anyway), establish what they want to do tactics wise as a team, and then get on the plane and go.

These guys have been doing this for so long, and have so many tactical and thoughts about the game in their heads...that they only need about 5 minutes extra in their day to deal with it. This would not in any way affect what they do in terms of their NHL club.

If you are talking about how they need to make moves, and changes...no team Olympic brass on it or not...has been able to do anything significant this year. Scrubs for scrubs has been the mantra so far this season.

For a guy like Holland and a guy like Babcock the Olympic portion of things is simple. They have done it before, and have no issue with it, and know what to do again. It is like a plumber being asked to use a different type of bolt on the pipe in a different house than the last one. Or to do extra pipes in one day. Simple and easy, just different, and one job does not cause them to be useless on the other one.

[CeeBee]

Poor Torts in his return. What do you think they are going to do w/Lack/Luongo going forward Batdad?

Yeah Lack was not great. I'm a bit confused after the game. DET played pretty poorly through most of it and yet, VAN apparently found a way to play worse I guess. At one point VAN had 2 straight PP's *and* a PS and still nothign was happening. That first period in particular was kinda' awful hockey to watch. If Lack doesn't give up the softie to Abdelkader it's likely the game stays fairly lifeless like the 1st was. I can't imagine Lack supplanting Luongo as #1 either.

hmmmm, it probably would have been 5-0 if not for Lack. While the first goal appeared a bit weak he made numerous great saves in the 3rd which kept the Canucks in the game in spite of the way they were playing. Both teams may have played naff but the game could have gone either way in the first 2 periods. Also you mention the 2 straight canuck powerplays but what about the 2 minute 5 on 3 that Detroit couldn't score on? It certainly is true that the Canuck powerplay sucks but the PK has been good/great most of the year. Problem is that they can't score and have had some crippling injuries and don't have the depth they thought they had. Time for some serious changes methinks. New GM? trade some big names if possible? Need to get younger for sure!

[batdad]

Gillis is not going anywhere. He will get at least 2 years to rebuild this team in Tortorella style. But if after that two years nothing, could be a change in the works.

Biggest name the Canucks will trade "this season" is Burrows. Possibly Edler, but bad message to send trading a guy you JUST resigned and gave a No Trade clause to. Considering Gillis has always said "We want Vancouver to be THE place players want to come and play, this would really destroy that image.

But yeah...I said nothing on Lack because only watched 2nd period and heard period 1 on the radio. What I saw...he did fairly well, as has done with maybe the Anaheim game as the exception. Kid is a pretty solid goalie. Not going to replace Roberto, but solid nonetheless.

And LOL--Yeah both teams are dog poo right now. Agreed totally there.

[RomaGoth]

Don't care about the Diaz trade from a Detroit fan standpoint as he wouldn't really matter. Del Zotto would have been nicer but not concerned with not getting him or Smid who I previously mentioned. Holland has made it clear the last two years they aren't doing in season trades. The toughness thing I disagree on however, they have been a finesse/hardworking team without enforcers and I think it hurt them a lot last year against the Blackhawks. It would be nice if some of the guys from Grand Rapids could be young energetic tough guys like Miller was or Shaw for the Hawks.

Agree with this. I don't believe the Wings have given TooToo a fair shake here, either. They signed him to a 3-year deal, then bury him in GR this year. I get they needed cap relief, but he has hardly played for the Wings since signing that contract. He has to be better than Samuelsson and Cleary for sure.

[RomaGoth]

I'm starting to really welcome the idea of the NHL not going to the Olympics anymore. It steals their executives' attention, and the months leading up to the Games seem to have an effect on the players who will or might participate, and a LOT of teams seem to struggle to play good, hard hockey in the couple weeks before. I think it's better for the league going forward if they don't go, and I'm betting the impending trainwreck that is Sochi anyways is going to grease the wheels for that decision.

I have always been against NHL players going to the Olympics. Should be for amateur players, not paid professionals. It also completely derails the regular season and changes focus of the players and management.

[batdad]

Except it has not been for amateurs since the end of WWII. Some teams operated on a different definition of amateur than others and cheated. So....quite honestly, the level playing field is the way to go. Send the best.

now...I would not object to an under 23 (random age) tournament instead of the full on professional. Like that weird European and everywhere but North America does.

[CJ]

Olympics should be about the "best in the world".

I know football/soccer and boxing isn't. And there's probably other events aswell.

[Peter_Doherty]

I like the way football (soccer) has it, Olympics is U-23 with 3 exceptions. Something similar could be done in Hockey, maybe U-25 with 3 overage?

[philou21]

Olympics should be about the "best in the world".

My thoughts exactly.

[jesterx7769]

I would love the age rule.

"Best in the world" is good in theory but it is so messed up from other sports. Why can't pro boxers do it? Or why can't ice skaters get paid to do those shows AND Olympics? Yet, NBA/NHL/Tennis people are allowed Let's be honest the "Best" in the world that benefit from both Olympics is North America.

From an owner/GM standpoint, the Olympics also are not fair. You pay a guy millions (that most people would do for free) then he spends extra time doing Olympic stuff. Look at Datsyuk for Wings who may not play for Wings before break but play in Olympics, if I'm the owner, how can I NOT be a little ticked off? Not only are you paying Datsyuk/Stamkos salary but you are paying their medical bills so they can be ready in time. Look at the NBA how they have to do the summer practice/qualifying after playing in Olympics, from a teams standpoint its unnecessary mileage.

However there is personal freedom and pride as well. Someone like Datsyuk wants to represent his country, yet not enough to walk away from millions (which is fair). And that is why I LOVE an age rule. I am super pumped to see the hockey tournament this year (I think its much more evenly matched that other years) so the fan in me wants Paid Pros, but I do see where teams come from.

That way players get the chance to represent their country once or twice when they're young (say age 25 instead of 23?), then when they're older they can say they've already been there. I think it would also help develop some young talent as well for the NHL that currently doesn't get a lot of playing time and is too old for the U-20's

[RomaGoth]

Olympics should be about the "best in the world".

My understanding of the Olympics and their origins is to not have the best in the world, but to have the best amateurs in the world.

[philou21]

I think players for whatever sports have the right to represent their country. It's mostly a question of pride and willpower to prove to the world and to yourself that you're among the best.

[batdad]

RomaGoth is right. That was the orignal credo of the Olympics. best in Amateur. well the original was .... TOGA TOGA TOGA, but you get the idea.

The last few decades this has changed and I believe formally changed now, with the start being SOviet teams and clearly pro athletes in the army, not having ever picked up a gun.

Then the advertising revenue etc.

Has led to pro situations at Olympics.

Boxers? Really? Why do you think they do not do it?

And skaters-who cares its a pile of flowery garbage invented to keep girls out of hockey. Next you will tell me ringette should be an Olympic Sport.


4 more

[Primis]

Agree with this. I don't believe the Wings have given TooToo a fair shake here, either. They signed him to a 3-year deal, then bury him in GR this year. I get they needed cap relief, but he has hardly played for the Wings since signing that contract. He has to be better than Samuelsson and Cleary for sure.

He played in 42 of the 48 games last season and even got in to a playoff game, and then 10 games this year. He got a fair shake, he really did. The playoff game last year he was a debacle, they never considered dressing him for the playoffs again after that.

This year he got 10 games in. I remember in Winnipeg, closest thing to a homecoming he would get, and Babcock STARTED him to give him a chance to show what he could mean and do for the team as a hockey player.... and Tootoo immediately got into a fight right off the opening faceoff and took himself off the ice. I believe that may have been the final game in DET for Tootoo before being waived and sent to GR. Even though it was the ONLY 5 PIM he took this season, he chose to take them at the worst time in terms of reflecting on his status as a player. Instead of making the most of the gift of a start Babcock gave him and try to establish the "hockey" part, he chose to fight what was for all intents and purposes and meaningless, staged fight.

All the time the offseason he was signed we heard about how he could be a disturber, but he was also a hockey player. He started off last year playing like a hockey player, but by the end of the shortened season he was just taking stupid penalties and trying to fight, not doing anything else. Now this season in his 10 games he didn't do much of anything good. I seem to recall 1 game where he and his line were showing good energy while the other 3 lines were having a bad game, and that's about it.

Point is, he got a very fair shake in DET, more than a lot of guys get. He's overpaid, and underskilled, and DET has a half dozen hungry young forwards who can contribute more.

[jesterx7769]

Boxers? Really? Why do you think they do not do it?

Why not let pro boxers in? The amateur rules can stay in place (head gear and points), the notion that just because you accepted a paycheck for it you are not allowed to be in the Olympics is just dumb and hypocritically when other sports are allowed to was my point. Many boxers skip the Olympics and development team now in order to get the money

[batdad]

1. PRO BOXERS will not do it. Get their heads bashed in for nothing? Or go fight for a mill? Nope..not going to happen. They have no interest in that. Until a few big names do, the Olympics has no reason to change their minds. But all the greatest pro boxers in the past few decades have had their Olympic time and moved on. At least most.

2. Holy rubbish...really? PRimis thinks Tootoo is rubbish? Ha...something we agree on. That sucks.


2 more

[RomaGoth]

Agree with this. I don't believe the Wings have given TooToo a fair shake here, either. They signed him to a 3-year deal, then bury him in GR this year. I get they needed cap relief, but he has hardly played for the Wings since signing that contract. He has to be better than Samuelsson and Cleary for sure.

He played in 42 of the 48 games last season and even got in to a playoff game, and then 10 games this year. He got a fair shake, he really did. The playoff game last year he was a debacle, they never considered dressing him for the playoffs again after that.

This year he got 10 games in. I remember in Winnipeg, closest thing to a homecoming he would get, and Babcock STARTED him to give him a chance to show what he could mean and do for the team as a hockey player.... and Tootoo immediately got into a fight right off the opening faceoff and took himself off the ice. I believe that may have been the final game in DET for Tootoo before being waived and sent to GR. Even though it was the ONLY 5 PIM he took this season, he chose to take them at the worst time in terms of reflecting on his status as a player. Instead of making the most of the gift of a start Babcock gave him and try to establish the "hockey" part, he chose to fight what was for all intents and purposes and meaningless, staged fight.

All the time the offseason he was signed we heard about how he could be a disturber, but he was also a hockey player. He started off last year playing like a hockey player, but by the end of the shortened season he was just taking stupid penalties and trying to fight, not doing anything else. Now this season in his 10 games he didn't do much of anything good. I seem to recall 1 game where he and his line were showing good energy while the other 3 lines were having a bad game, and that's about it.

Point is, he got a very fair shake in DET, more than a lot of guys get. He's overpaid, and underskilled, and DET has a half dozen hungry young forwards who can contribute more.

I agree with pretty much everything you are saying here. My only issue is that when you pay the guy $1.9mi/year for 3 years shouldn't he be playing for your team and not buried in the minors? It isn't like Holland and company didn't know what they were getting when they signed him. It was a terrible signing and it looks even worse when he isn't even on the team.

[RomaGoth]

2. Holy rubbish...really? PRimis thinks Tootoo is rubbish? Ha...something we agree on. That sucks.

FWIW, I am not a fan of of Tootoo either, he is most definitely overpaid and what a terrible signing by the Wings. I foresee a compliance buyout this summer...

[batdad]

Fire the Canucks trainer. Down to Higgins and Hamhuis joining Bieksa tanev Alberts weber Richardson. Henrik playing hurt again. Also elder just back basically. Burrows booth two times, Hansen, Roberto, who am I missing all out at some point. It's insane.

[CeeBee]

Kinda like watching the Utica Comets these days..... except they are doing better than the Canucks lately.

[RomaGoth]

Fire the Canucks trainer. Down to Higgins and Hamhuis joining Bieksa tanev Alberts weber Richardson. Henrik playing hurt again. Also elder just back basically. Burrows booth two times, Hansen, Roberto, who am I missing all out at some point. It's insane.

Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Helm, Ericsson, Alfredsson, Franzen, Weiss, Gustavsson, Howard...

[batdad]

F,F,F,naff D, F,F,F,G,G (and the two G were for 2 seconds not 10 games)

Canucks

F,D,D,D,F,F,D,D,F,F,G,F,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,

[coombs14]

F,F,F,naff D, F,F,F,G,G (and the two G were for 2 seconds not 10 games)

Canucks

F,D,D,D,F,F,D,D,F,F,G,F,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,

But the Canucks have Diaz. Everything is going to be Alright (as the building sign in East Van says)

[philou21]

He even scored!

[RomaGoth]

F,F,F,naff D, F,F,F,G,G (and the two G were for 2 seconds not 10 games)

Canucks

F,D,D,D,F,F,D,D,F,F,G,F,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,D,

False. Howard has missed at least a month this season with 2 or 3 different stints on the IR. Gustavsson is injured on a regular basis and has been out a couple times this year as well.

Detroit is 3rd in the NHL in man-games lost to injury with 245 games (as of 2/4/14); Vancouver is 10th with 193 games:

http://www.mangameslost.com/nhl-man-gam ... ry-4-2014/