Yeah, wonder how the last 2 spots will go with the new "wildcard" format.

It'll be interesting to say the least.
- Scabeh

It also could be 5 teams from the other divsion and only 3 from ours. I think Car and Phi underperformed last season to be honest.

Other than for Hab fans nobody really thinks Montreal is in the mix during the next full season. Just too small. Ottawa made you question their compete level.

So, they tend to jump on peripheral issues to sustain their false hope. One of my favorites a few pages back was the comment that Eller was outstanding in his ability to receive a pass. Duh? Did anybody mention that to Eric Gryba? I find some of the Montreal posters being a little naive about the actual reality of their very small and fragile team.
- spatso

It's quotes like this however that make ppl think Leafs fans are ignorant and blind to reality -- not all of you obviously but every level headed leaf fan i know recognizes that Montreal is at least as much of a threat to make the playoffs as the leafs. Also I wouldn't call possession or shot differential peripheral issues...its hard to score when you dont have the puck.

Anyways, i dont mind having a legitimate hockey discussion but making broad generalizations for every fan other than habs makes it hard to have an objective conversation.

Hard to believe St. Louis will put together such a wonderful team. Great forwards, even better D, yet, nightmare potential in net.

I thought they would do a deal for a goalie at the deadline last year. Don't want to believe they start the season with Halak and Elliott.

Bryzgalov for the right dollars would be a tremendous signing by the Blues. He has lots to prove, he is a very good goaltender and nobody in St Louis would take offense if he sat around all day trashing Philadelphia and the Flyer media.
- spatso

Its kinda crazy these guys won the Jennings 2 years ago and they get labeled with "????"

It's quotes like this however that make ppl think Leafs fans are ignorant and blind to reality -- not all of you obviously but every level headed leaf fan i know recognizes that Montreal is at least as much of a threat to make the playoffs as the leafs. Also I wouldn't call possession or shot differential peripheral issues...its hard to score when you dont have the puck.

Anyways, i dont mind having a legitimate hockey discussion but making broad generalizations for every fan other than habs makes it hard to have an objective conversation.
- Joel_Eh

I think Montreal can compete for a playoff spot. I have said it often. But, too small and not enough compete level to become serious contender.

I agree.

I see the same thing for Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. But, of the three I only see Ottawa as having the talent to move to the next level and make a serious Cup run. Ottawa is a huge, physical, mean team. They have the youngest roster in the NHL and clearly Murray's plan of building a contender is taking shape. I still think they are a year away.

I think Toronto is a bit farther away but headed in the right direction. I think Montreal needs to go backwards before they can turn it around. Love a few Montreal players. But this team is really going nowhere unless there are some big changes in key positions. Love Galchenyuk, Pacioretti is solid, Emelin is a work horse. Most of the other hot dogs are show horses starting with Subban and the rookie who was the first to disappear in the playoffs.
- spatso

I think your minimize how great Subban is.

He's a difference maker, can do anything on the ice.

Solid defensively, great offensively.

He's our best player, and would be on most teams.

I know it sounds like i'm wearing habs goggles but I haven't seen a player with this much impact on the team since Chelios.

Its kinda crazy these guys won the Jennings 2 years ago and they get labeled with "????"
- gobluenotes

So, if you were to pick the Blues vulnerable spot, what would you focus on?

I think your minimize how great Subban is.

He's a difference maker, can do anything on the ice.

Solid defensively, great offensively.

He's our best player, and would be on most teams.

I know it sounds like i'm wearing habs goggles but I haven't seen a player with this much impact on the team since Chelios.
- Scabeh

I think subban is similar to phaneuf, they both can do a bit of everything. I also think he lacks support like Dion, so he can be a game breaker, yet get exposed. They are both polarizing players for sure, lots of hatred towards both. Both score alot, can hit, and be a pain in the ass. And both definately need some more help.

I think your minimize how great Subban is.

He's a difference maker, can do anything on the ice.

Solid defensively, great offensively.

He's our best player, and would be on most teams.

I know it sounds like i'm wearing habs goggles but I haven't seen a player with this much impact on the team since Chelios.
- Scabeh

Playoffs matter. A one legged Karlsson dwarfed Subban when it mattered. Saying Subban is Montreal's best player is identifying the problem, not part of the solution.

Playoffs matter. A one legged Karlsson dwarfed Subban when it mattered. Saying Subban is Montreal's best player is identifying the problem, not part of the solution.
- spatso

I disagree.

And Subban played pretty well in the playoffs, being this one of the few he participated in before.

I think subban is similar to phaneuf, they both can do a bit of everything. I also think he lacks support like Dion, so he can be a game breaker, yet get exposed. They are both polarizing players for sure, lots of hatred towards both. Both score alot, can hit, and be a pain in the ass. And both definately need some more help.
- clark_griswold

I hate to agree on this, but I must.

Generally agreed dressing rooms of both teams would be improved if they were moved.

Both had big melt downs in playoffs. Subban fighting with his team mates over a suicide pass. And, what else needs to be said about Phaneuf's game 7 third period?

I think subban is similar to phaneuf, they both can do a bit of everything. I also think he lacks support like Dion, so he can be a game breaker, yet get exposed. They are both polarizing players for sure, lots of hatred towards both. Both score alot, can hit, and be a pain in the ass. And both definately need some more help.
- clark_griswold

They both do need a better supporting cast. I've said earlier I like Phaneuf and think he's a great guy to have on your team.

But Subban is a better player overall.

So, if you were to pick the Blues vulnerable spot, what would you focus on?
- spatso

If their goaltending situation sorts itself out, maybe the only other issue I'd have is dynamic scoring forwards. But I think Tarasenko will establish himself more this year along with Schwartz too. Roy could also help on that front. I really like this team.

I think your minimize how great Subban is.

He's a difference maker, can do anything on the ice.

Solid defensively, great offensively.

He's our best player, and would be on most teams.

I know it sounds like i'm wearing habs goggles but I haven't seen a player with this much impact on the team since Chelios.
- Scabeh

Was he 47 when he retired?

If their goaltending situation sorts itself out, maybe the only other issue I'd have is dynamic scoring forwards. But I think Tarasenko will establish himself more this year along with Schwartz too. Roy could also help on that front. I really like this team.
- TheJerseyDevil1

Me too, no real weakness anywhere.

Halak needs to stay healthy for them to win though. I can't see Elliott being solid enough to bring them the cup.

Was he 47 when he retired?
- BlazinMike

Something like that.

His knees were finished in 92 though.

They both do need a better supporting cast. I've said earlier I like Phaneuf and think he's a great guy to have on your team.

But Subban is a better player overall.
- Scabeh

can't argue with this right now. both are so inconsistent though, they will alternate years of who is better. People think Dion was better when he was young on Calgary, but now he is focusing more on Defense (where he should be) and not putting up 20 goals, and making wild stupid hits. In my opinion, both subban and phaneuf are wildcards, i'd take many D over them but both are incredibly skilled in that they can do it all (when they don't have their head up their ass)

So, if you were to pick the Blues vulnerable spot, what would you focus on?
- spatso

i don't see any holes. I've been a sucker and picked them the last few years. Somehow, i guess goal scoring is their problem. Other than that they have just had bad luck and run into LA the last few years.

Something like that.

His knees were finished in 92 though.
- Scabeh

He loved the game something fierce. Pretty cool he finished up playing for the Chicago Wolves

I agree.

I see the same thing for Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. But, of the three I only see Ottawa as having the talent to move to the next level and make a serious Cup run. Ottawa is a huge, physical, mean team. They have the youngest roster in the NHL and clearly Murray's plan of building a contender is taking shape. I still think they are a year away.

I think Toronto is a bit farther away but headed in the right direction. I think Montreal needs to go backwards before they can turn it around. Love a few Montreal players. But this team is really going nowhere unless there are some big changes in key positions. Love Galchenyuk, Pacioretti is solid, Emelin is a work horse. Most of the other hot dogs are show horses starting with Subban and the rookie who was the first to disappear in the playoffs.
- spatso

not sure what you're talking about with Montreal. they're building slowly and patiently through the draft. they have franchise players in Galchenyuk and Subban, and a potential franchise goalie in Price, all 25 and under. their past 2 drafts have been widely praised and they're pretty consistently ranked as having one of the top-10 prospect systems in the NHL. just because they're not doing things like Toronto (trading draft picks for win-now players, signing guys like Clarkson), doesn't mean it's the wrong way to build. every team builds differently.

and as for the "rookie" you're referring to who disappeared in the playoffs, i assume you're referring to Gallagher, the guy who scored 2 goals and 2 assists in the 5-game series against Ottawa. if that's "disappearing" to you, fair enough. but we have vastly differing opinions on what "disappearing" is.

can't argue with this right now. both are so inconsistent though, they will alternate years of who is better. People think Dion was better when he was young on Calgary, but now he is focusing more on Defense (where he should be) and not putting up 20 goals, and making wild stupid hits. In my opinion, both subban and phaneuf are wildcards, i'd take many D over them but both are incredibly skilled in that they can do it all (when they don't have their head up their ass)
- clark_griswold

There are not a lot of defenders I'd take over Subban. Weber, Pietrangelo, Karlsson, and then there are a logjam that i'd probably put pretty close like Keith, Doughty, Suter...but when you add Subbans age into it he becomes even more valuable.

I probably forgot some people in this list but i think it's fairly accurate...and i left letang off on purpose.

can't argue with this right now. both are so inconsistent though, they will alternate years of who is better. People think Dion was better when he was young on Calgary, but now he is focusing more on Defense (where he should be) and not putting up 20 goals, and making wild stupid hits. In my opinion, both subban and phaneuf are wildcards, i'd take many D over them but both are incredibly skilled in that they can do it all (when they don't have their head up their ass)
- clark_griswold

yeah, no they won't. Subban is better now and will be better every single year.

yeah, no they won't. Subban is better now and will be better every single year.
- DoubleDown

I must say, I agree with this.

not sure what you're talking about with Montreal. they're building slowly and patiently through the draft. they have franchise players in Galchenyuk and Subban, and a potential franchise goalie in Price, all 25 and under. their past 2 drafts have been widely praised and they're pretty consistently ranked as having one of the top-10 prospect systems in the NHL. just because they're not doing things like Toronto (trading draft picks for win-now players, signing guys like Clarkson), doesn't mean it's the wrong way to build. every team builds differently.

and as for the "rookie" you're referring to who disappeared in the playoffs, i assume you're referring to Gallagher, the guy who scored 2 goals and 2 assists in the 5-game series against Ottawa. if that's "disappearing" to you, fair enough. but we have vastly differing opinions on what "disappearing" is.
- DoubleDown

Gallagher had a good first game against Ottawa but showed nothing after that. I believe he had the worst +/- of any skater on either team. I like Galchenyuk a lot. Not a fan of hot dogs, Subban and Gallagher will likely prove to be disappearing acts when it really matters.

Gallagher had a good first game against Ottawa but showed nothing after that. I believe he had the worst +/- of any skater on either team. I like Galchenyuk a lot. Not a fan of hot dogs, Subban and Gallagher will likely prove to be disappearing acts when it really matters.
- spatso

Wow.

You either don't know these players or are simply trolling.

I honestly cannot fathom this as being a rational opinion of these 2 players if you watched them just for a few games.

Wow.

You either don't know these players or are simply trolling.
- Scabeh

trolling obviously.