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Post by PTH on Apr 2, 2018 15:29:03 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. I was hoping to see them one last season in a 3d line type of role. I guess not. |
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Post by folatre on Apr 2, 2018 18:11:42 GMT -5
They were great players for the Canucks for the better part of two decades. That is remarkable.
I wonder if they will play a farewell season with Modo back home.
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Post by blny on Apr 2, 2018 18:50:41 GMT -5
They were great players for the Canucks for the better part of two decades. That is remarkable. I wonder if they will play a farewell season with Modo back home. I'd be very surprised. They turned down the idea of rental trades because their families are so settled in the Vancouver area. I believe it's their "forever home". |
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Post by folatre on Apr 2, 2018 19:25:25 GMT -5
Thanks, blny. That makes sense.
I see Ottawa putting on a nice display in the final home game of the season. Although maybe we should worry the Jets are going to use up all of their goals before they come to town.
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Post by Boston_Habs on Apr 2, 2018 20:57:41 GMT -5
Looked at this year's league stats vs last year and scoring is WAY up across the leage:
2016-17: There were 7 teams that averaged at least 3 goals per game
2017-18: There are 12 teams that average at least 3 goals per game
2016-17: 2 teams averaged better than 3.2 goals per game
2017-18: 7 teams average 3.2 goals per game or better.
2016-17: The 15th best team averaged 2.72 goals per game
2017-18: The 15th best team averages 2.95 goals per game. That would have been good for 9th best in the league last year.
I don't know what the point is other than average scoring us up by about 8% this year and the better teams are scoring more. And it's not like 2016-17 was a low scoring year. It was pretty consistent with prior years. Things have changed this year, not sure if i
But this just puts the pressure on MTL to score. The old formula was to hang around the league average with respect to scoring and hope that superior goal prevention puts you in contention. That's exactly what happened last year. Which was part of Bergevin's logic in trading for Shea Weber. Pack it in on defense, rely on Carey Price. Very astute to build a team for a league that doesn't exist anymore.
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Post by blny on Apr 2, 2018 21:30:16 GMT -5
Looked at this year's league stats vs last year and scoring is WAY up across the leage: 2016-17: There were 7 teams that averaged at least 3 goals per game 2017-18: There are 12 teams that average at least 3 goals per game 2016-17: 2 teams averaged better than 3.2 goals per game 2017-18: 7 teams average 3.2 goals per game or better. 2016-17: The 15th best team averaged 2.72 goals per game 2017-18: The 15th best team averages 2.95 goals per game. That would have been good for 9th best in the league last year. I don't know what the point is other than average scoring us up by about 8% this year and the better teams are scoring more. And it's not like 2016-17 was a low scoring year. It was pretty consistent with prior years. Things have changed this year, not sure if i But this just puts the pressure on MTL to score. The old formula was to hang around the league average with respect to scoring and hope that superior goal prevention puts you in contention. That's exactly what happened last year. Which was part of Bergevin's logic in trading for Shea Weber. Pack it in on defense, rely on Carey Price. Very astute to build a team for a league that doesn't exist anymore. I'd have to go look at PP %s, but Montreal has been operating above 20% most of the year and it's middle of the road. That used to be the benchmark for a top PP. I'm thinking PP production increases league-wide may be a big part of the spike in overall goal scoring. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 3, 2018 21:34:20 GMT -5
Come on Arizona, hang in there tonight. Don’t pull a Detroit!
Flames lack of discipline the difference tonight after 40.
Edit: ARI wins in regulation. Ever so temporarily, we find ourselves third from the bottom.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 4, 2018 9:59:58 GMT -5
While the actual team that gets Dahlin this June will be determined by lottery balls, the final standings and percentages will be played out over the next couple of games. In what can only be described as a scheduling coincidence, the Sucky Six are all going head to head over the next two nights. There will no doubt be a little bit of shuffling amongst the bottom teams since three of them will have to win their next game!!
Wednesday: OTT-BUF
Thursday: MTL-DET and ARI-VAN
A lot has been made by fellow posters about Montreal's points against the fellow bottom feeders, but it is also interesting to note how (as of this morning) the bottom three spots in the overall NHL standings are all from the Atlantic division as are four of the Sucky Six. Conversely, are Boston's, Tampa's and Toronto's point totals this season all a bit inflated due to weaker inter-divisional competition??
Anyway, lots of interesting scoreboard watching over the next two nights (tomorrow especially) in terms of who will end up closest to the bottom of the heap.
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Post by Tankdriver on Apr 4, 2018 11:28:43 GMT -5
The Thursday game is a must lose for Montreal. Arizona or Vancouver will still be a head of Montreal regardless of the result. That point last night hurt us.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 4, 2018 11:28:58 GMT -5
Good observation about Boston, Tampa and the Leafs. We've played Tampa tough, but I wonder if that isn't more about the team defending Bergevin (god knows why) re the Drouin trade and the fact we have a rivalry of sorts with Cooper and the Lightning. We've basically rolled over for the Leafs. I don't think they had to break a sweat in their games with us. Not really. They took our measure in the first game, a 4-3 OT win for the Leafs and we haven't scored a goal since against them. 6-0 and 4-0 losses. Pathetic. Boston has beaten us 3 times by a combined 10-5 scores, though two of the games were settled by a single goal. We find a way to lose, the definition of a bad team. We managed to beat Tampa once, 2-1, but lost 4-3 and 3-1 the other times. These were the closest games, while those against Leafs and Bruins were foregone conclusions. We need to replace about 3 guys, perhaps 4 to become a contender for a playoff spot. More upgrades are necessary to become a Cup contender. The problem is that those positions are the hardest on which to improve. I guess we'll just have to trust in Bergevin  ,  |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 4, 2018 11:32:35 GMT -5
The Thursday game is a must lose for Montreal. Arizona or Vancouver will still be a head of Montreal regardless of the result. That point last night hurt us. Tomorrow against Detroit is key. If the Wings win (and they're playing better and at home so it's entirely feasible), then I think we're a lock for 3rd worst. We will lose against Toronto. They own us, physically and mentally. They could bring up the entire Marlie team and they'd win. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 4, 2018 12:31:41 GMT -5
Karlsson is not playing tonight against Buffalo. Not a big surprise. I fully expect the Sabres to take this one for what little it is worth between those two. Eichel is playing better and Mittlestadt does add a little rookie scoring threat. The Sabres have been playing better of late, which is more than I can say about Ottawa in a long time. Defending conference finalists, eh?
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 4, 2018 21:54:05 GMT -5
Weird way for the Kings to clinch, but CHI scored in the last minute against the Blues and so the Kings are in the show.
Cue 100 tweets about the Habs fourth round pick!
Now CHI needs to lose their remaining two games so get the best second rounder possible.
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Post by folatre on Apr 4, 2018 22:38:53 GMT -5
With the disastrous state of affairs with Montreal, the fourth round pick is literally a piece of good news.
I watched the third period of St. Louis and Chicago, entertaining game, those two teams really dislike each other so no surprise that Blackhawks played tough. Jake Allen continues to raise plenty of questions about his mental makeup for big games. Hopefully the Blues will return the favor on Friday in Chicago.
I have been amazed how sporting the Red Wings have been in the sense Howard has started every game for them since the Habs beat them in Montreal. Somehow it would not be a shocker if both clubs go with the backups tomorrow. Let us hope Detroit plays smart hockey and stays out of the penalty box. On the road, Montreal is a toothless offense at even strength.
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Post by blny on Apr 4, 2018 22:39:19 GMT -5
Weird way for the Kings to clinch, but CHI scored in the last minute against the Blues and so the Kings are in the show. Cue 100 tweets about the Habs fourth round pick! Now CHI needs to lose their remaining two games so get the best second rounder possible. Here's CF's post, retweeted by Molson lol |
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Apr 7, 2018 22:11:05 GMT -5
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Post by blny on Apr 7, 2018 22:20:28 GMT -5
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 8, 2018 1:49:31 GMT -5
Molson should grow a pair.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 19:58:50 GMT -5
I'm watching Boston/Florida right now. Kind of sad to see what a good team looks like. Florida has a strong transition game. They can fly and make plays under pressure. We're missing many players like that.
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Post by blny on Apr 8, 2018 20:32:30 GMT -5
Molson should grow a pair. The rest of the ownership group. Molson should be the first to 'go". |
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Post by blny on Apr 8, 2018 20:35:20 GMT -5
I'm watching Boston/Florida right now. Kind of sad to see what a good team looks like. Florida has a strong transition game. They can fly and make plays under pressure. We're missing many players like that. They missed the post season too. Barkov, Huberdeau, and Trochek give them three excellent pieces to build around. Dadonov had a very good offensive season. Bjugstad is an expensive 3c. Their bottom six is thoroughly average and their defense needs a lot of work. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 20:57:12 GMT -5
Reimer in some serious discomfort. He's out.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2018 21:11:29 GMT -5
NESN's broadcast crew is so, so painfully bad. Makes CBC look good by comparison.
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Post by seventeen on Apr 9, 2018 1:23:56 GMT -5
I'm watching Boston/Florida right now. Kind of sad to see what a good team looks like. Florida has a strong transition game. They can fly and make plays under pressure. We're missing many players like that. They missed the post season too. Barkov, Huberdeau, and Trochek give them three excellent pieces to build around. Dadonov had a very good offensive season. Bjugstad is an expensive 3c. Their bottom six is thoroughly average and their defense needs a lot of work. Yes, their defense isn't great, but Ekblad is better than anyone on the Habs and as you point out, their top two centres, Barkov and Trochek are excellent. Prospect wise, Henrik Borgstrom (2016 rist rounder) is very highly regarded and just joined the team from Denver in the NCAA. He scored against Boston today. Owen Tippet (their first rounder last year)is another pure scorer. Funny how some teams can pick great scorers and we can't. I guess we could trade a Mete for a Tippett or Borgstrom and both teams could benefit. |
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Post by blny on Apr 9, 2018 4:41:13 GMT -5
They missed the post season too. Barkov, Huberdeau, and Trochek give them three excellent pieces to build around. Dadonov had a very good offensive season. Bjugstad is an expensive 3c. Their bottom six is thoroughly average and their defense needs a lot of work. Yes, their defense isn't great, but Ekblad is better than anyone on the Habs and as you point out, their top two centres, Barkov and Trochek are excellent. Prospect wise, Henrik Borgstrom (2016 rist rounder) is very highly regarded and just joined the team from Denver in the NCAA. He scored against Boston today. Owen Tippet (their first rounder last year)is another pure scorer. Funny how some teams can pick great scorers and we can't. I guess we could trade a Mete for a Tippett or Borgstrom and both teams could benefit. Tippett's a top ten pick, and rightfully so. Finding goal scorers is a lot easier from inside the top ten of the draft. Bjorgstrom may, or may not turn out to be a steal, but Montreal did draft Sergachev at #9. My point was that as good as the Panthers might have looked against a Bruins team trying not to get hurt in their last game of the season they still have warts. Ekblad is a Weber-lite imo. There's nothing wrong with that, but it doesn't make up for McGinn, Matheson, Weegar, or Pysyk. By tradition stats, Yandle had a good year. But not good enough. |
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Post by jkr on Apr 9, 2018 7:36:32 GMT -5
NESN's broadcast crew is so, so painfully bad. Makes CBC look good by comparison. You should hear the Pittsburgh guys, especially Bob Errey. They are even worse. |
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 12, 2018 15:17:18 GMT -5
Some news from the Ottawa year-end GM presser.
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Post by NWTHabsFan on Apr 12, 2018 15:25:18 GMT -5
And in Edmonton they have a "plan". Oh oh. At least their top player is good for over 100 points. Ours had no points last season, not even one assist!
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Post by seventeen on Apr 12, 2018 17:10:05 GMT -5
Some news from the Ottawa year-end GM presser. Had to chuckle. I totally agree with playing young guys more, but Boucher is hardly the only coach who defers to veterans most of the time. I'd say 90% of the NHL coaches do that. It's a real risk to put a rookie in some situations (not sure how they'd learn otherwise), so coaches play it safe with vets. Julien did it, Therrien did it, they all do it. As far as practices go, I've heard many coaches prefer to cancel a practice during a stretch of many games. It's an 82 game season. It can really wear on players, especially if they're nursing an injury. I have no idea how many practices Boucher cancelled, or if it was 'too many', but both these comments seem like excuses to fire a guy, not really because they are bad coaching or management. He didn't say anything about the really crappy goalies he has on his roster did he? That's the main reason Ottawa sucked this year. Statistically, no one had a worse year compared to the average goalie than Craig Anderson. He was followed, coincidentally, by Price and Scott Darling. For Dorion to whine about Boucher is priceless. |
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Post by seventeen on Apr 12, 2018 17:12:56 GMT -5
And in Edmonton they have a "plan". Oh oh. At least their top player is good for over 100 points. Ours had no points last season, not even one assist Are you referring to the CAP Space? |
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