mc74
Samurai Cop
Posts: 2,439
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Post by mc74 on Aug 26, 2023 12:02:09 GMT -5
Never got to mention it earlier, but Auston Matthews was extended to a 4-year contract worth $13.25M in AAV.
Would have preferred the contract to be longer, but it's a fair deal all things considering. What matters is the Leafs have Matthews locked down for his prime years and all the speculation behind it is effectively shut down for the next 4 years. Glad we won't have to hear about that all season long.
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Post by HMARK Center on Sept 7, 2023 7:42:48 GMT -5
Damn, Ottawa committing to Sanderson nice and quick, huh?
Can't blame them, dude was a huge prospect and 32 points in a rookie season while having a strong defensive game is a rare find, but they went straight to $8 million per; probably shouldn't be surprised, the cap rising soon will make some of those deals seem even better.
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Post by HMARK Center on Sept 15, 2023 9:10:03 GMT -5
Alright, we've got preseason games starting in about a week and a half, time for predictions! Let's go Eastern Conference for now -
ATLANTIC DIVISION
1. TORONTO
So much talent, and highly unlikely that Boston has another season like last year that keeps them away from the top seed in the division. Only question is if that'll matter come playoff time, but we've heard this song many, many times before.
2. FLORIDA
They underachieved almost all season last year, then overachieved come playoff time, so why not bet on some level of normalization? Whether they actually end up in second might come down to whether last year's goaltending playoff run was fluky or not.
3. TAMPA
Getting to stop playing in April last year must've felt like an extended vacation for the Lightning. Still a bit long in the tooth, but now they're rested and should roar back pretty strong.
4. BOSTON
I'm so, so tempted to put Buffalo here, but while Boston has no shot of replicating last year's regular season success I'm not ready to bury them until they hold an actual funeral. They've got a strong system there and while they can't replace everyone who's left, they can still play a strong game.
5. BUFFALO
Arguably the most dynamic young offense in the league will be buoyed by stronger defense, but I hesitate to say this is the year their drought ends. They're going to be exciting, they're going to make it close, they're going to be a force in the very near future, but they also play in a tough as hell division.
6. OTTAWA
Kind of feels like this could be the Red Wings' spot, but both teams are charting along their comeback trails and I just like a bit more of what's happening up north. Not as quite near the precipice of contending that Buffalo is, but they're going to be a tough opponent.
7. DETROIT
I don't hate the Yzer-Plan, though I get the frustration some have with it at this point. Similar to Ottawa, Detroit's not doing much particularly wrong, but they're in a very tough division and have to settle for slow and steady progress. They'll likely get there, but the Atlantic is just a tough road to hoe.
8. MONTREAL
This team's gonna be good...in a few more years. Fans will appreciate a young, hungry team and an organization that's taking some very strong steps to rebuild, they'll have their share of fun wins this year, but they're starting the furthest behind in a division of beasts and upstarts.
DARK HORSE TEAM: Buffalo
MOST LIKELY TO DROP: Boston
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
1. CAROLINA
Class of the division until proven otherwise. Strong core that plays a big bodied style, and might actually get some better health luck this year. Goal remains an issue, and there's some wonky personnel choices, but they're the safe bet.
2. NEW JERSEY
The machine is revving up. Expect a slight step back after the departure of some defensemen and integrating some rookies into the lineup, but it's arguably the best Top 6 in hockey with a strong defense and now with higher upside in net with the growth of Akira Schmid.
3. NEW YORK - R
Still don't like their overall roster construction, but their top talent and elite goaltending will keep them feasting on lower level teams and keep them thoroughly in the mix.
4. PITTSBURGH
They're putting all their chips on the table to get this core one last run. Said core is still dangerous, they barely missed the dance last year, but at some point all good things must come to an end.
5. NEW YORK - I
Old. Old, old, old, old, old. But DAMN, that goaltending! Not sure they'll score enough to make it, though.
6. WASHINGTON
Also old! They have a history of developing new guys to step in, and Ovi's chase will be a story all year long, but the decline phase is here. Still, enough talent to avoid the basement, and capable of doing real damage if the stars align.
7. COLUMBUS
Good God, this team was absolutely cursed by the injury gods last year. They've got some nice pieces emerging, but they just need to stay on the ice.
8. PHILADELPHIA
They say the first step toward recovery is admitting you have a problem, and Philly has finally owned up to needing a detox. Long road ahead; don't do what the Rangers did and cut it off early so you can have a few early playoff exits. Or actually do just that, because it'd be hilarious for all us other Metro team fans.
DARK HORSE TEAM: Columbus
MOST LIKELY TO DROP: New York - I
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Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
It's Just a Ride
Posts: 42,477
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Sept 15, 2023 15:33:00 GMT -5
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Post by HMARK Center on Sept 15, 2023 21:01:12 GMT -5
Ok, my east coast bias will show, but might as well get some western conference picks up here:
CENTRAL DIVISION
1. DALLAS
2. COLORADO
3. MINNESOTA
4. WINNIPEG (changing my prediction now that they've re-signed their best players; still a bubble team, though)
5. ST. LOUIS (I have to think they're not as bad as they were last year)
6. NASHVILLE (another team that finally admits it needs some serious changes; Saros can bump them up a spot or two if he's red hot)
7. ARIZONA (they're actually doing an ok job building something there; yeah, I said it)
8. CHICAGO
DARK HORSE: Winnipeg
MOST LIKELY TO DROP: St. Louis
PACIFIC DIVISION
1. LAS VEGAS (last year wasn't a fluke, and not having the Cup pressure might make for an easier regular season)
2. EDMONTON (tick...tock...tick...tock...)
3. LOS ANGELES
4. CALGARY (like Florida, due for some positive regular season regression)
5. SEATTLE
6. VANCOUVER (still don't trust 'em...c'mon, Quinn, you know you wanna play in Jersey with your brothers)
7. ANAHEIM (slowly, sloooooowly building up)
8. SAN JOSE (gotta hit rock bottom at some point, right?)
DARK HORSE: Vancouver
MOST LIKELY TO DROP: Calgary
Playoff bracket:
Carolina (M1) vs. Pittsburgh (WC2)
New Jersey (M2) vs. New York - R (M3)
Toronto (A1) vs. Boston (WC1)
Florida (A2) vs. Tampa (A3)
Dallas (C1) vs. Seattle (WC2)
Colorado (C2) vs. Minnesota (C3)
Las Vegas (P1) vs. Calgary (WC1)
Edmonton (P2) vs. Los Angeles (P3)
Let's say that the divisional bracket winners are, hmm...Dallas, Edmonton, Tampa, and New Jersey. Yes, I'm biased, why do you ask?
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Post by animaniac on Sept 17, 2023 15:25:47 GMT -5
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jm
El Dandy
Posts: 8,332
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Post by jm on Sept 17, 2023 15:51:15 GMT -5
Mike Babcock's tenure with the Blue Jackets: |
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Post by The Summer of Muskrat XVII on Sept 17, 2023 17:46:32 GMT -5
Less then 90 days, gotta be some sort of record for NHL. |
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Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
It's Just a Ride
Posts: 42,477
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Sept 18, 2023 2:45:58 GMT -5
Less then 90 days, gotta be some sort of record for NHL. Like a reverse Ballard. Fired Roger Neilson, realize you have no replacement, hire Neilson back. And Roger says no when you insist you wear a bag over your head and make a giant reveal. This all really happened. |
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Post by HMARK Center on Sept 18, 2023 18:49:29 GMT -5
Something tells me Babcock's getting to keep most of the money in that contract. Columbus can't help itself, can it?
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Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
It's Just a Ride
Posts: 42,477
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Sept 19, 2023 18:38:52 GMT -5
Biz has said Babcock invited one player over for lunch, went through his phone and sent him off sans lunch.
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Cranjis McBasketball
Crow T. Robot
Knew what the hell that thing was supposed to be
It's Just a Ride
Posts: 42,477
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Post by Cranjis McBasketball on Sept 19, 2023 18:41:01 GMT -5
Less then 90 days, gotta be some sort of record for NHL. Fun fact, despite the notable handicap of never coaching a single game, Babcock leaves Columbus as the tenth winningest coach in their history. |
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Post by HMARK Center on Oct 6, 2023 21:04:53 GMT -5
Ok, Devils went 7-0-0 this preseason, that should at least mean an automatic bye to the conference finals, right?
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Oct 7, 2023 20:49:14 GMT -5
Ok, Devils went 7-0-0 this preseason, that should at least mean an automatic bye to the conference finals, right? It's what the Detroit Lions got |
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Renslayer
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
every time i come around your city...
Posts: 17,475
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Post by Renslayer on Oct 9, 2023 16:37:52 GMT -5
Jesus
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Post by HMARK Center on Oct 9, 2023 17:40:31 GMT -5
Scheifele and Hellebuyck get 7 year, $8.5 million per extensions from the Jets.
Huh. Well, that might change my Central division prediction a little bit.
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jm
El Dandy
Posts: 8,332
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Post by jm on Oct 9, 2023 22:21:30 GMT -5
Scheifele and Hellebuyck get 7 year, $8.5 million per extensions from the Jets. Huh. Well, that might change my Central division prediction a little bit. The Kings went after the wrong Jet. They should have done after Hellebuyck instead of PLD. Now they are gonna have to compete with a goaltending core of Pheonix Copley, Cam Talbot, and David Rittich. |
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Post by champviadq on Oct 10, 2023 14:01:36 GMT -5
I'd really like if Detroit made the post season this year.
I hope Larkin does well, he's probably my favorite Red wing.
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Post by The Captain on Oct 10, 2023 14:04:43 GMT -5
Former NHL player and head coach and longtime ESPN analyst Barry Melrose has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. He's leaving his role at ESPN to focus on his health.
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Post by Heart of fools gold on Oct 10, 2023 22:50:42 GMT -5
Time to run it back Vegas! Cup or bust!
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