|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 25, 2018 21:12:52 GMT -5
Winnipeg beats Nashville in a shootout. Jets clinch a playoff spot. It’s so disappointing comparing the Jets to the Habs. Chevsldayoff faced so much criticism yet the team was consistently better in assets than the year before. I kept picking them to be a surprise and they kept disappointing me because of injuries and goaltending. It’s all come together this year and they are a legitimate contender and their pipeline is deep. Us?....a train wreck.
|
|
|
|
Post by blny on Mar 25, 2018 21:18:35 GMT -5
Winnipeg beats Nashville in a shootout. Jets clinch a playoff spot. It’s so disappointing comparing the Jets to the Habs. Chevsldayoff faced so much criticism yet the team was consistently better in assets than the year before. I kept picking them to be a surprise and they kept disappointing me because of injuries and goaltending. It’s all come together this year and they are a legitimate contender and their pipeline is deep. Us?....a train wreck. What they'd done right is draft and cultivate offensively gifted players and, most importantly, not punished them for making defensive mistakes. It certainly doesn't hurt that they were able to get Laine and Ehlers with high picks either, but there's a good supporting cast. Goal tending is better, but so is team defense. They can still be exposed as a run-and-gun group, but the group is maturing as a unit and consistently more sound in their own end. They've achieved that through reward instead of punishment, continuity of coaching (when there were a few times it would have been easy to fire Maurice), and patience. |
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 26, 2018 1:34:18 GMT -5
Because they were in a tougher division and because of their goaltending woes, they did have higher draft picks than Montreal. Ehlers was a #9 pick in 20014, Trouba a #9 in 2012 (chucky's draft year), Morrissey a #13 in 2013 (when the talent level fell off at 15), but in 2015 they got Kyle Connor at 17 and Jack Roslovic at 25, so they made some good later picks as well. They managed to get a scorer (Connor) past the first half of the first round. Laine was luck, of course, and I think they blew their other pick that year (Logan Stanley), What they seem to have done is not make mistakes with their top picks, and since they've had higher picks, they've gotten better quality out of them. Short term pain for long term gain, something Bergevin does not seem to find acceptable. The Jets first pick last year, Vesalainen, was a #24 pick and it looks like they got it right again. Dylan Samberg, their 2nd rounder was very impressive at the WJC. A big, really strong defenseman with a good first pass. It shows that even when they're not getting high picks, they're making good choices.
|
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 26, 2018 22:17:47 GMT -5
It looks like Montreal is going to finish 26th in the league. Dropping one more spot to fifth worst in the league is the only realistic move left to hope for and even that is going to be hard to attain.
Detroit, as we saw tonight, is just really poor and I am sure they plan to play Coreau plenty down the stretch. Montreal is three points up on the Red Wings though they have a game in hand.
Detroit remaining games: Pittsburgh, @buffalo, Ottawa, @columbus, Montreal, Islanders
Habs play out hapless season against: @pittsburgh, New Jersey, Winnipeg, @detroit, @toronto
They have four games that should be quite accessible opportunities for wins even for a team as bad as them, but somehow I think Ken Holland will instruct Bashill to put Coreau to work down the home stretch.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2018 9:41:56 GMT -5
It looks like Montreal is going to finish 26th in the league. Dropping one more spot to fifth worst in the league is the only realistic move left to hope for and even that is going to be hard to attain. Detroit, as we saw tonight, is just really poor and I am sure they plan to play Coreau plenty down the stretch. Montreal is three points up on the Red Wings though they have a game in hand. Detroit remaining games: Pittsburgh, @buffalo, Ottawa, @columbus, Montreal, Islanders Habs play out hapless season against: @pittsburgh, New Jersey, Winnipeg, @detroit, @toronto They have four games that should be quite accessible opportunities for wins even for a team as bad as them, but somehow I think Ken Holland will instruct Bashill to put Coreau to work down the home stretch. Yeah, when we had eight games to go and three of them were against Buffalo (x1) and Detroit (x2), I pretty well figured we were going to be in that sixth spot barring a miracle. Our final draft pick spot will be in the hands of the lottery balls after that. It is funny reading other boards and reading all the really angry reaction to the Habs beating the Wings last night. Did folks realistically think it would turn out any other way? Coreau for heaven's sake. That is classic tank warfare at an expert level. We beat the Wings 10-1 last time we played, and they are playing a lot worse hockey now than they were then. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2018 9:42:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 27, 2018 10:42:11 GMT -5
NW, you are right, this is the predictable ending. The bottom of the Atlantic was just so overpopulated with putrid hockey clubs that the risk was always there to inflate the point total a little. But still I would never have predicted Montreal could take 20 of 22 points against the other three mangy dogs in the division.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2018 10:46:08 GMT -5
I was reading a tweet that applauded that the Jets had six first rounders in the lineup as they clinched their playoff spot. At first glance, it is very impressive. Seventeen has spent a few posts talking about the work that their GM has done building that team and making some good draft picks. Now granted, they have had some higher picks than us over that stretch, but I just wanted to see how "badly" our top picks are doing over that same time period.
Our first pick from 2011 in Beaulieu is gone, but his Minnesota-born clone is alive and well in Mike Reilly these days. Top picks from 2012 (Chucky), 2013 (McCarron), 2014 (Scherbak) and 2015 (Juulsen) are all playing right now, and other than McCarron, holding their own. That is one 25th pick and two 26th picks, not Patrick Laine level picks to boot. Our pick from 2016 (Sergachev) is gone, but he is replaced by a regular roster player in Drouin...so that counts for something as well. It is no surprise that our 2017 pick (Poehling) at 25th is staying in school still. When you also add other picks from that time period who are contributing, it actually is not that bad: Hudon (2012 - 5ht round), Lehkonen and DeLaRose (2013 - 2nd round), Lernout (2014 - third round), and up until his injury Mete (2016 - 4th round). We also only had second round picks in three of those seven drafts over that time period.
Now, our current prospect pool is rated very low in comparison to other teams. Timmins has actually done well getting roster players out of the later rounds (Gallagher, Hudon, Mete), but we need to start to get more picks and more skill with those picks to ever start to get a bit more on even terms with those teams with much better prospect pools. Also, those other teams can use their prospect depth to outbid us for key assets when they become available by trade. So we face a double whammy there.
Build through the draft is definitely an area where we can improve in comparison to others.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2018 10:47:39 GMT -5
NW, you are right, this is the predictable ending. The bottom of the Atlantic was just so overpopulated with putrid hockey clubs that the risk was always there to inflate the point total a little. But still I would never have predicted Montreal could take 20 of 22 points against the other three mangy dogs in the division. Yeah, that stat is shocking. You would expect a few more putrid performances in there to drop our points total overall. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 27, 2018 21:56:25 GMT -5
Detroit beat Pittsburgh tonight. Yup, that is not a typo.
One point back, with five games to play like us. Maybe they can win next week’s rematch with us too.
|
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 28, 2018 8:20:11 GMT -5
Detroit plays Buffalo on Thursday. Somehow I suspect the Wings give the kid (26 years old) Coreau the start, which would really make the game a total toss up. If I heard correctly from a buddy who is a Sabres lifer, Mittelstadt is supposed to make his debut.
Last night was also kind of interesting in that Vancouver sneak up on the Ducks, but sadly Vancouver is not going to do anything crazy like win three games in a row.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 28, 2018 9:54:44 GMT -5
A cornucopia of notes from the NHL last night and today: - Vanek with four points against the Oil. He now has 13 points in his last 10 games. Seen this post-trade deadline movie before.
- McDavid hit 100 points and 40 goals last night in that crazy EDM-CBJ game. Hart trophy for a guy on a non-playoff team perhaps?
- B's extended Chara for another season.
- Looks like the Red Wings are giving Holland the green light to work on the rebuild.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 29, 2018 11:23:29 GMT -5
Only a few games last night, and two had minor implications to us. ARI did surprise Vegas, so they move two points closer. Three points back with 5 games to play...likely too much a gap, but you can always dream as the Yotes have been quite hot in 2018. Colorado lost which helps the LA making the playoff scenario. That is all about getting a better draft pick for Mitchell. That is important to Draft watchers/geeks like yours truly.
Tonight has a couple of interesting matchups. DET-BUF is the biggie. Which Red Wing team will show up...the one that we saw or the one that beat up on Pittsburgh the night after? Ottawa is also up against Florida, but I cannot put any hope of Ottawa helping our cause at this point. Too little too late. Melnyk almost makes Molson look good...almost!!
Who to follow this post season. I know Nashville was all the rage for Habs fans last year as the sting of PK was still very strong and there was a deep down wish to see PK bring that Cup back to the Children's hospital. They will be good this year, and that add of Tolvanen will be a good one. I am really liking what the Jets have done and it is great for that long-suffering city. I think I will be joining a ton of Canadians on that temporary bandwagon this spring. As a Habs supporter it is always tough to cheer for Eastern competitors. I just cannot cheer for the likes of Tampa, Toronto or Boston to succeed, and I really am sick of the Pittsburgh hype and "three-peat" talk. Some team needs to end that, and fast! I think it would be nice to see Ovie get a cup, but that team rivals the Sharks in post-season chronic under-achievement.
|
|
|
|
Post by CentreHice on Mar 29, 2018 12:12:45 GMT -5
Good read, NWT!
I'm still pulling for Nashville....and I really won't mind it if Toronto does well. I live and work in the Leaf hotbed, so it's nice to see spirits up. I just stay away from the fawning media and watch the games with the volume very low...
Besides, if Toronto leaving Montreal in the dust puts even more pressure on Molson and Berg....and it bloody well should....so be it!
|
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Mar 29, 2018 16:38:15 GMT -5
I wouldn't mind seeing either Winnipeg or Nashville out of the west ... I like how the Jets put that team together ... they're a great team ... wouldn't mind seeing PK Subban with a Cup ... yes, it's personal ... I actually like the way Boston has been competing this year ... they've got a great farm system that's contributed to the cause ... I've caught the odd Leaf game here and there and the only thing Toronto needs (other than an experienced d-man) is a little more discipline ... they're hard to beat as it is now and they're getting better ...
Cheers.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 29, 2018 23:40:51 GMT -5
Good tank results tonight Detroit, Ottawa, Vancouver all won. Wings are now one point ahead of us, but have played one more game. Ottawa is within 3. Arizona is tied with LA 2-2 midway through the 3rd, so if they can squeak a win, they'll be one point behind. The key is that we have to lose. The rest of the teams are doing their job, but we have to do ours. Get those voodoo dolls of Niemi out and stab them thoroughly.
|
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Mar 30, 2018 0:51:50 GMT -5
Good tank results tonight Detroit, Ottawa, Vancouver all won. Wings are now one point ahead of us, but have played one more game. Ottawa is within 3. Arizona is tied with LA 2-2 midway through the 3rd, so if they can squeak a win, they'll be one point behind. The key is that we have to lose. The rest of the teams are doing their job, but we have to do ours. Get those voodoo dolls of Niemi out and stab them thoroughly. LA beat Arizona, so it is not a total loss in terms of that weirdo 4/5 pick from them. We are only three points removed from 30th spot. Is that the cluster of teams that Berg meant? |
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 30, 2018 23:17:14 GMT -5
Yes, that is a cluster and this edition of the Habs is a cluster of sorts.
Well, proper acknowledgement of Detroit last night for playing Howard instead of Coreau. I hope but do not feel too hopeful the same choice will be repeated tomorrow when they are in Ottawa.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2018 12:26:57 GMT -5
That's a win=win game for us. One of the two teams we're chasing will pick up points and hopefully it goes to OT.
|
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 31, 2018 14:54:06 GMT -5
Definitely to pray for OT. Though, on balance, if it cannot go to OT, a Wings victory is a better scenario. Detroit is playing like they are trying to win whereas Ottawa seems to have internalized a direct or indirect message that losing games is perfectly fine and everyone on the ice is free to play outside whatever system Boucher is actually trying to teach and implement.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2018 17:25:47 GMT -5
Wings win 2-0. Nucks up on Nlue Jackets 4-1 with 5 min to go and Thatcher Demko in net.
They’re starting to see their lineup for next year. Maybe add Juolevi and Pettersson and they look different.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2018 17:35:52 GMT -5
Sigh. Canucks. 4-4 with more than a minute left. All started with a foolish penalty.
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2018 17:41:43 GMT -5
Whew. 5-4 Canucks.
|
|
|
|
Post by folatre on Mar 31, 2018 18:28:02 GMT -5
Good on Detroit and Vancouver.
If there is any team that fails the not-tanking eye test it is the Ottawa Senators. I know they have been missing Stone of late, but they are driving the tank train with basically their entire roster healthy and happy (if you believe some Sens fans Karlsson and Duchene love being Sens and will leave money on the table to play in Ottawa).
|
|
|
|
Post by seventeen on Mar 31, 2018 19:45:24 GMT -5
Melnyk has poisoned that clubhouse. In a less obvious way, Molson has done the same thing. When your players don't see any hope, they tend to give up easily.
|
|
|
|
Post by jkr on Mar 31, 2018 21:22:11 GMT -5
Good on Detroit and Vancouver. If there is any team that fails the not-tanking eye test it is the Ottawa Senators. I know they have been missing Stone of late, but they are driving the tank train with basically their entire roster healthy and happy (if you believe some Sens fans Karlsson and Duchene love being Sens and will leave money on the table to play in Ottawa). Those Sens fans must be as delusional as the Habs fans that think Tavares is signing in Montreal. Karlsson has already said he is not taking a discount. Why would he stay with a Melnyk run team. |
|
|
|
Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 1, 2018 4:24:49 GMT -5
Arizona smoked the Blues 6-0 so they are one point back with a game in hand. Heck, even BUF won and put up a seven spot. So, all the bottom feeders won yesterday except us and Ottawa (who were playing a fellow bottom feeder anyway).
|
|
|
|
Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 1, 2018 17:39:08 GMT -5
Good on Detroit and Vancouver. If there is any team that fails the not-tanking eye test it is the Ottawa Senators. I know they have been missing Stone of late, but they are driving the tank train with basically their entire roster healthy and happy (if you believe some Sens fans Karlsson and Duchene love being Sens and will leave money on the table to play in Ottawa). Those Sens fans must be as delusional as the Habs fans that think Tavares is signing in Montreal. Karlsson has already said he is not taking a discount. Why would he stay with a Melnyk run team. They've got to resolve this issue now ... it will turn into a media gong show that will hang over the team's head until it's over ... they'll also need him if they're serious about that new rink in Lebreton Flats ... they're having a hard time putting people in the seats as it is now, but if they lose Erik Karlsson ... Cheers. |
|
|
|
Post by franko on Apr 1, 2018 20:06:04 GMT -5
Those Sens fans must be as delusional as the Habs fans that think Tavares is signing in Montreal. Karlsson has already said he is not taking a discount. Why would he stay with a Melnyk run team. They've got to resolve this issue now ... it will turn into a media gong show that will hang over the team's head until it's over ... they'll also need him if they're serious about that new rink in Lebreton Flats ... they're having a hard time putting people in the seats as it is now, but if they lose Erik Karlsson ... Cheers. Be resolved one way or the other July 1. |
|
|
|
Post by blny on Apr 2, 2018 14:54:21 GMT -5
Sedins announce today that this is their last season. They're retiring. 17 NHL seasons together in one market. Would have been 18 if not for 04-05. All the best in retirement.
|
|
