NHL '16/'17 Thread

[feller469]

Bs have to win one in Ottawa or this series will probably only go 5.

 

[Straight Shooter]

My Blackhawks are down 3-0. Kane and Toews have been nonexistent in this series. Huge upset if the Hawks get swept. I didn't see this coming

 

[Monder]

If their track record is any indication, then yes they absolutely will, considering that they've made it to the second round in back-to-back playoffs. I simply predicted that they would roll over the Leafs because they are a vastly superior and more experienced team. But that's only a prediction, so, no, I am not sure. However, it would be a mighty upset for the Leafs to prevail methinks. Playoffs!!!

I don't think it matters because I don't see either team beating a well rested Pittsburgh Penguins.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Really wish Washington would some how come back and win. Pittsburgh has had enough titles as a city for a while.


I like to see Ottawa doing well.


After that I don't really give a shit who does what - as usual, since my team is out I usually root for the team with the most Minnesotans, but I just like Ottawa and Craig Anderson.


I'm trying my best not to hop on Edmonton's nuts, like everyone is seemingly recently. Kind of hope they lose, even though deep down inside I want them to win. Whatever.

 

[Fapus Aurelius]

Finals are set. Nashville Predators will battle the defending champs, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Who do you got?

Personally, I would like to see the Preds take home Lord Stanley's cup, especially since Pittsburgh won last year.

 

[Monder]

I'm picking Nashville in 7 games.I know one thing.Pittsburgh will not be getting over 40 shots a game against Nashville like they seemed to do the last few games against Ottawa.Nashville has a huge advantage when it comes to their defencemen.They are bigger and more physical than Pittsburgh's.But then again,Pens have the best player in Crosby.It will come down to who's goalie plays better.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Fucking Sunbelt teams winning the Cup. Doesn't sit with me. Eh. It is what it is.


I think this series is a toss up.

 

[Fapus Aurelius]

Fucking Sunbelt teams winning the Cup. Doesn't sit with me. ...

Your one of those people, eh. To each their own, but i think it would be great if more "non-traditional" teams won in all sports.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Your one of those people, eh. To each their own, but i think it would be great if more "non-traditional" teams won in all sports.

Truthfully it is good for hockey. When one of the best American prospects in the sport's history (Auston Matthews) comes from Arizona, that is good for the sport, and he is a product of the growth of the game in places like his native born state.


I just wish more franchises would pay their dues before getting their hardware. I feel the same way about Diamondbacks, and other sports franchises that win their titles after little time in their respective leagues.

 

[Fapus Aurelius]

Truthfully it is good for hockey. When one of the best American prospects in the sport's history (Auston Matthews) comes from Arizona, that is good for the sport, and he is a product of the growth of the game in places like his native born state.


I just wish more franchises would pay their dues before getting their hardware. I feel the same way about Diamondbacks, and other sports franchises that win their titles after little time in their respective leagues.

Fair enough. I do kinda agree with that point of view sometimes. One of the most important being: Are the teams actually establishing a loyal fanbase, or does their early success just bring a bunch of bandwagon jumpers that leave when the real struggles begin. Its tough to root for a crapy team, but lacking loyal fanbases across your league might be one of the most detrimental to league success and growth

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

What a weird series. Nashville has got beat routinely a couple times now but looked legit in the other games. I think Pitt has this in the bag..but Nashville will probably force a game 7.

 

[feller469]

I wish NBC would talk more about line match-ups. When Nashville has last change, they do well. When in Pittsburgh, they struggle. And there hasn't been much talk about Letang being out. Pittsburgh has been very resilient.

 

[Jagger69]

The exhibition/preseason is in full swing and it looks like Vladimir Tarasenko is gearing up for what could be a career year for him. He netted 2 goals in limited duty last night (the second one an OT game-winner) against the Blue Jackets and it appears that Mike Yeo is giving him free range at right wing so he can take advantage of his incredibly quick and deceptive wrist shot which is commonly believed to be among the very best (if not THE best) in the league. If he can get the puck anywhere near either faceoff dot with a clean shot at the net he is an absolute dart-thrower when it comes to placing the puck in a particular spot very quickly and with deadly accuracy. More than once I watched him place the puck at the back of the twine without the goalie even so much as knowing it until it was too late. Having watched him play as he has developed over the course of the past few years, at his age (he's still only 25), his upside is tremendous. He has the strongest linemate combination in his career if both Paul Stastny (C) and Jaden Schwartz (LW) can stay healthy. Stastny is in his contract season so look for him to have hos best year statwise since he left Colorado. When he's on his game he is as good a playmaker as there is in the league. Schwartz is a speedy and elusive skater with a menacing shot of his own who is also a very good passer and playmaker so look for both of his linemates to rack up hella assists by feeding the puck to Tarasenko this season.

In goal, a few of the prospects will see significant action early in the pre-season but there is little doubt about who will be guarding the goal-line for the Blues this season. Jake Allen and Carter Hutton make an excellent 1-2 combo but Allen will undoubtedly be the lead dog with 50-plus starts between the pipes with the actual number being closer to 60 if he stays healthy. Hutton was awesome in his limited role last season and seems the perfect complement to Jake the Snake (with all due reverence for Jacques Plante) going into the season.

The Blues have a number of question marks this year but the top line and goaltender aren't one of them.

 

[rodfarva]

The exhibition/preseason is in full swing and it looks like Vladimir Tarasenko is gearing up for what could be a career year for him. He netted 2 goals in limited duty last night (the second one an OT game-winner) against the Blue Jackets and it appears that Mike Yeo is giving him free range at right wing so he can take advantage of his incredibly quick and deceptive wrist shot which is commonly believed to be among the very best (if not THE best) in the league. If he can get the puck anywhere near either faceoff dot with a clean shot at the net he is an absolute dart-thrower when it comes to placing the puck in a particular spot very quickly and with deadly accuracy. More than once I watched him place the puck at the back of the twine without the goalie even so much as knowing it until it was too late. Having watched him play as he has developed over the course of the past few years, at his age (he's still only 25), his upside is tremendous. He has the strongest linemate combination in his career if both Paul Stastny (C) and Jaden Schwartz (LW) can stay healthy. Stastny is in his contract season so look for him to have hos best year statwise since he left Colorado. When he's on his game he is as good a playmaker as there is in the league. Schwartz is a speedy and elusive skater with a menacing shot of his own who is also a very good passer and playmaker so look for both of his linemates to rack up hella assists by feeding the puck to Tarasenko this season.

In goal, a few of the prospects will see significant action early in the pre-season but there is little doubt about who will be guarding the goal-line for the Blues this season. Jake Allen and Carter Hutton make an excellent 1-2 combo but Allen will undoubtedly be the lead dog with 50-plus starts between the pipes with the actual number being closer to 60 if he stays healthy. Hutton was awesome in his limited role last season and seems the perfect complement to Jake the Snake (with all due reverence for Jacques Plante) going into the season.

The Blues have a number of question marks this year but the top line and goaltender aren't one of them.

Thanks for this, let's talk about all this. I posted a new thread for the upcoming season:

http://board.freeones.com/showthread.php?931930-NHL-17-18-Thread