2. "The format is basically a giant roulette wheel." In response to Reply # 0 Fri Jul-31-20 12:30 AM by ConcreteCharlie
The extra round is pretty stupid, I mean wow Edmonton got fucked, that was basically a coin flip for a bye and they lost.
I have a lot of thoughts as to who I like on paper but let's face it paper means nothing. The weird layoff and the potential for injuries alone throws the whole fuckin thing into a blender, and then toss in all the possible Covid fuckery and we really can't form much in the way of expectations.
You'd have to think Columbus having all their players is an edge for them. I think they will take out Toronto in the opening round.
Tough breaks for Philly and Boston, they were really rolling at the stoppage time.
In the West who knows, if Edmonton gets good goaltending they are one team in the play in round I could see going deep. Dallas is very slept on and their boring but effective style could play even better in this setting. I wouldn't wanna play them for seven games. St. Louis is super strong, best team on paper in the West by far. Colorado also very interesting now that they are healthy. No idea what to expect from Vegas, they were all over the place under Gallant and only a little more consistent with Deboer.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
legsdiamond Member since May 05th 2011 79611 posts
Wed Aug-12-20 04:09 PM
12. "My Pens just said fuck it, let’s go home. " In response to Reply # 0
if this was the Steelers they woulda trashed Tomlin’s yard over that performance.
**************** TBH the fact that you're even a mod here fits squarely within Jag's narrative of OK-sanctioned aggression, bullying, and toxicity. *shrug*
16. "there is some sloppiness but this has been very exciting anyway" In response to Reply # 0
the games are being called a little tight but they are letting some stuff go still. lots of penalties and i think that's mostly guys getting their timing, legs, etc.
but the intensity is definitely there.
i didn't see anyone out in the qualifiers that mattered other than maybe mcdavid, draisaitl and josi as individuals. the penguins looked dead AF, haven't seen them play that bad since 2013 against boston and this may have been worse, really. they were a lot younger then, too.
the flyers have really impressed me. they don't get bummed if they get a bad bounce. they respond fast when they need to and they always respond *well*. they really slammed the door in the third tonight, other than the end where montreal was obviously pinching and pressing. they barely broke a sweat in the round robin.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
"The Caps are now a very unimpressive 2-2 when leading after two periods in the playoffs under Todd Reirden... after posting a 24-2 mark under Barry Trotz."
And I was 100% on board with promoting Todd & letting Barry walk
19. "Of course it was a huge mistake" In response to Reply # 18
Nothing against Reirden but Trotz is one of the best coaches in the league and finally got the Caps over the top.
During that 17-18 season, they had already made the call to let him walk and they denied multiple teams' request to talk to Reirden. So between saving money, being fair to Reirden and being unwilling to reassess their attitude toward Trotz (and GMBM did not see eye to eye on some fundamental things), they gave Trotz a bullshit offer to say "well, we 'tried' to retain him." I can't imagine how anyone would have thought that would end well. Losing Reirden as an assistant also hurt, but that would have happened either way.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
Tiger Woods Member since Feb 15th 2004 18387 posts
Fri Aug-14-20 11:51 AM
21. "the team's resolve was more consistent and they were more disciplined" In response to Reply # 20
under Trotz
I'm going off of the eye test, but I'm willing to bet there's data that even says so. They're so up and down, blowing leads often, and the penalties have hindered their potential greatly. It wasn't this unruly under Trotz.
25. "IMHO you have a veteran team going for it all, that's a good approach" In response to Reply # 20
There is this new way of thinking that says you should gun for a dynasty, a sustainable thing blah blah blah. Not everybody is the Spurs and the Spurs had Duncan playing at a really high level for 20 years.
To me it's the front office who has to have a mind toward those things but the coaching and the lineup should stay oriented toward vets. Yes I get that Trotz was sticking with the Orpiks of the world and now playing Bowey, stuff like that. He didn't give a consistent role to Burakovsky or show much patience with him. But there is alway give-and-take, and Trotz is the rare coach that can really define a team's identity and be a big figure in it. Look at Nashville, he was basically the star of the franchise and the same thing is happening in New York.
I thought it was really dumb that they approached it in such an inflexible way, and honestly I thought it was dumb that they were ushering him out the door prior to the Cup win. He and GMBM differed on some things, and on most of those things, Trotz was right. He didn't want Shattenkirk, and that move was pretty much a bust. That's where I thought they went wrong if anything. They went all in on one year and were prepared to rebuild a little with an impending cap crunch rather than just keeping the window open. It didn't end up hurting them much, and that had a lot to do with the job Trotz did.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
36. "I think Lavy is the guy for them" In response to Reply # 35
They need to abandon the long view and look at the fact that however many good years they get out of their current core is directly related to how wide their window is. Laviolette is perfect for that. He comes in, makes some tweaks, lights some fires and all goes well until he loses the room and everyone is sick of him.
Babcock and Sutter fit the bill for them but I doubt either coaches next season, Sutter maybe never again. He's got a pretty cush situation now and it'd have to be a really sweet opportunity to get him back into coaching.
I like Boudreau a lot, but he is all the things they don't want. They need someone known for delivering, period.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
40. "I doubt it will be him" In response to Reply # 37
Toronto was the perfect storm of a team that wanted to announce loudly that it was serious about winning and didn't care about paying a coach $8M. I also think he will lay low for another year, but we'll see. A team with new ownership that wants to make a splash or something like that might hire him. Maybe Seattle, but that doesn't seem very on brand for them or for Babcock frankly.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
These two teams were both pretty endearing but in the end Tampa had more weapons, better goaltending, etc. It was weird that they had to do it in an empty arena and without Stamkos but I'm sure they are thrilled anyway. They have a great group there, from Cooper on down and good ownership, too. Class organization and it is quite possible that this isn't their last Cup.
And you will know MY JACKET IS GOLD when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
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