so were the canucks.......
- belcherbd

Canucks had an unlucky season, I don't think they'll miss playoffs 2 years in a row

Yes, but to call the Rangers an elite team? The BlackHawks, Sharks, Ducks, Kings are elite
NYR are a step below
- Danformo

It matters on what your definition of "elite" is.....

Are they a yearly pick for the presidents trophy OR for the Cup...? No.

BUT, are they one of the top possession teams in the NHL every year.....? Yes.

I'm sorry but Hedman had a better season than almost every defender in the league, while the teams Best player was injured for a great portion.
Please go look at Hedman's fancy stats, 5v5 stats, and everything else before you get back to me.
- Danformo

He was 18th in Corai Rel and 30th in Corsi forced.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but how can you come on to this blog and say he is better than......Chara, Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Weber, Suter, Gio from Cal, etc.

And therefore a top ten D man, an Elite center and a goalie that had a Vezina season........abracadabra.......better than Pitt and Boston!

Last time I checked both Boston and Pitt have at least TWO very good centers, at least one Elite D man, and goalies that have been around the block a couple times.

My point is how is it that the Bs are going to slide.......based on what stat....what one player sliding.....what reason...?

Tampa will be better but for the last five year Boston and Pitt have been and will continue to be the teams that most people think have the best odds at coming out if the East.

Hence the odds setters in Vegas whom make it there job to try to get these numbers right.

He was 18th in Corai Rel and 30th in Corsi forced.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but how can you come on to this blog and say he is better than......Chara, Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Weber, Suter, Gio from Cal, etc.

And therefore a top ten D man, an Elite center and a goalie that had a Vezina season........abracadabra.......better than Pitt and Boston!

Last time I checked both Boston and Pitt have at least TWO very good centers, at least one Elite D man, and goalies that have been around the block a couple times.

My point is how is it that the Bs are going to slide.......based on what stat....what one player sliding.....what reason...?

Tampa will be better but for the last five year Boston and Pitt have been and will continue to be the teams that most people think have the best odds at coming out if the East.

Hence the odds setters in Vegas whom make it there job to try to get these numbers right.
- JIwasinskiJr

Jesus, give it a rest.

Teams rise and fall, pure and simple.

The Canucks for example led the league in both GF, GA and overall points for a few years and looked what happened last year.

Systems, strategies and possession are determined by a large number of factors that improve and decline over time. The bruins are a Elite team at the moment, but just because they currently boast good possession numbers does not mean they are guaranteed anything, for example injuries/stale coaching/ locker room distractions etc etc etc can completely derail a team regardless of fancy stats.

I got into the same arguments with Buffalo, Ottawa, and even Rags fans during there reasonable season and then "perceived" good off season.

Buffalo signs a bunch of players after the Bruins win the Cup, the Saber fans all talk poop about how there owner is spending money and they are picked to beat the Cup champs in the division.........um, didn't happen.

Ottawa has injuries and plays the season with there AHL team that has won the Calder Cup for two years and have a goalie stand on his he'd in Craig Andersson and.....everyone better watch out they are the new team to beat in the East......and not.

NY Rags trade for Nash and signed Brad Richards and they are the undisputed top team in the East, hell they are unbeatable.......snap, crackle, NOT!

From my standpoint maybe we should relax instead of thinking big turnover will happen just for the hell of it.....

And the playoffs are a whole other BEAST on top of all that!

Jesus, give it a rest.

Teams rise and fall, pure and simple.

The Canucks for example led the league in both GF, GA and overall points for a few years and looked what happened last year.

Systems, strategies and possession are determined by a large number of factors that improve and decline over time. The bruins are a Elite team at the moment, but just because they currently boast good possession numbers does not mean they are guaranteed anything, for example injuries/stale coaching/ locker room distractions etc etc etc can completely derail a team regardless of fancy stats.
- Whiskey-Tango

Well then I guess we agree to disagree......

Tampa will be a good team, I just don't understand why teams like LA, St. Louis, and Chicago are all still considered elite and somehow Bos will this year slide.....just because.

Clearly not smart enough to see whatever writing is on the wall.

I think this is the year the Oilers finally make use of all those sweet picks. In my opinion, no team with Eberle, Hall and RNH will ever miss the playoffs again.

Here's my top 8 for the West - not in any order, just the teams I think - today - will make the playoffs.

Stl, Chi, LA, Ana, Dal, AZ, Edm, Col

I think Van, Nash, Cal, MN, SJ, Wpg all miss.
- James_Tanner

No matter how I look at it, San Jose does not miss out on the playoffs. It's unpossible.

No matter how I look at it, San Jose does not miss out on the playoffs. It's unpossible.
- Jeropotato

Stranger things have happened.

Well then I guess we agree to disagree......

Tampa will be a good team, I just don't understand why teams like LA, St. Louis, and Chicago are all still considered elite and somehow Bos will this year slide.....just because.

Clearly not smart enough to see whatever writing is on the wall.
- JIwasinskiJr

It's simple. People like things that are shiny and new. Boston didn't add anything in the offseason so it creates the mostly false perception that they are not as good (they did lose Iggy, but some younger players will offset that)

Kings get a pass for being champs, but there are higher hopes with a year of Gaborik playing with the best NHL center he has ever had.

Blackhawks have a shiny new 2nd line.

St.Louis has a brand new top quality Center in Paul Stastny.

Right or wrong, these things fuel people perception.

It's simple. People like things that are shiny and new. Boston didn't add anything in the offseason so it creates the mostly false perception that they are not as good (they did lose Iggy, but some younger players will offset that)

Kings get a pass for being champs, but there are higher hopes with a year of Gaborik playing with the best NHL center he has ever had.

Blackhawks have a shiny new 2nd line.

St.Louis has a brand new top quality Center in Paul Stastny.

Right or wrong, these things fuel people perception.
- Jeropotato

This is very true. The only person I see sliding in Boston is Chara. I don't really consider Chara to be elite anymore. Watching him last season he seemed to have lost a step and doesn't really move the puck as well anymore.

Tampa will be good. They have 3 full scoring lines, and an improving defense

This is very true. The only person I see sliding in Boston is Chara. I don't really consider Chara to be elite anymore. Watching him last season he seemed to have lost a step and doesn't really move the puck as well anymore.

Tampa will be good. They have 3 full scoring lines, and an improving defense
- Nick_Dangles

Yeah, there are a lot of miles on that big frame.

Here's my top 8 for the West - not in any order, just the teams I think - today - will make the playoffs.

Stl, Chi, LA, Ana, Dal, AZ, Edm, Col

I think Van, Nash, Cal, MN, SJ, Wpg all miss.


I know you blog for the Coyotes, so maybe you have to say so, but how (exactly) do you see AZ making the playoffs? They lost Ribiero/Vrbata, and have added...(maybe) Domi & Sam Gagne. I don't see it. Like, at all see it. And, I'm not too biased...I live in Az; so I'm also not too underinformed.. I see them play all the time
I do agree that SJ will miss though.

I know you blog for the Coyotes, so maybe you have to say so, but how (exactly) do you see AZ making the playoffs? They lost Ribiero/Vrbata, and have added...(maybe) Domi & Sam Gagne. I don't see it. Like, at all see it. And, I'm not too biased...I live in Az; so I'm also not too underinformed.. I see them play all the time
I do agree that SJ will miss though.
- roland_hazard

How does San Jose miss? Are they actually gonna take far enough of a step back that Edmonton gets by them? Not likely.they are still an elite reg season team.

Anh has a much better chance of regressing than SJS, they gained a good 2nd line center and lost 2 good 3rd line C. They have two very young and inexperienced goaltenders and a Defense that is questionable. They lost depth on the wings and will be replacing it with youth which is always a gamble. Also like you mentioned they rode some insane shooting % last year. SJS might of faltered in the playoffs but they are a better built team from the forwards down.

Edmonton while they got better are not going to improve by 25 points in arguably the toughest division.
Min, Van, Col and Anh and Dal battle for the bottom spots and Stl, Chi, La, SJS are locks. Ari, Nash, Wpg, Cal, Edm are still in the bottom 5 slots.
- belcherbd

The Ducks lost Bonino and Perreault at C, but they gained Kesler and Thompson who improve the 2nd and 4th lines. The third line center is likely to be Rakell or Leblanc who aren't terrible, but is is a regression from what they had. Overall tho, they are stringer down the middle than last season.

The goalies are young (although Andersen will be 25 by the time the season starts), but they had excellent showings last season. Either of the inexperienced guys would be an improvement over the experienced Hiller anyway.

Their "questionable" defense was 9th best in the league last season. It is likely to get better as Fowler, Lindholm and Vatanen improve. Also Stoner brings an element that was missing on D against the kings.

Who did Anaheim lose on the wing besides Selanne and Winnik? Also Rakell would be the only rookie who is likely to make the team and he's not a winger. What youth will be replacing Teemu and Winnik? Palmieri, Silfverberg (despite a major injury that hurt his season), Maroon, Etem, and DSP all played significant roles for the Ducks last season. Are we supposed to be surprised that they will again? They had the top offense in the league last season. I would argue that all shots are not equal and neither are scoring chances. In fact the Ducks had the 2nd most scoring chances only to Chicago last season. Their offense is not a possession style, but generates off of the cycle, which produces higher quality shots from higher quality scoring areas in the offensive zone. It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that higher quality shots usually result in a higher number of scoring chances, which usually leads to a higher shooting %. You would think that the "high SH% is not sustainable" argument would be given a rest after 180+ games of it being sustained.

He was 18th in Corai Rel and 30th in Corsi forced.

I'm not saying he isn't good, but how can you come on to this blog and say he is better than......Chara, Keith, Seabrook, Doughty, Weber, Suter, Gio from Cal, etc.

And therefore a top ten D man, an Elite center and a goalie that had a Vezina season........abracadabra.......better than Pitt and Boston!

Last time I checked both Boston and Pitt have at least TWO very good centers, at least one Elite D man, and goalies that have been around the block a couple times.

My point is how is it that the Bs are going to slide.......based on what stat....what one player sliding.....what reason...?

Tampa will be better but for the last five year Boston and Pitt have been and will continue to be the teams that most people think have the best odds at coming out if the East.

Hence the odds setters in Vegas whom make it there job to try to get these numbers right.
- JIwasinskiJr

Who is Pittsburgh's elite D-man? Are you referring to Letang? Also, the Vegas thing is a bad example because those odds are determined by how people are betting, not by any form of hockey analysis whatsoever. If 1 billion people bet $10 on Buffalo to win the Cup, their Vegas odds would skyrocket and the payout for betting on them would plummet.

Who is Pittsburgh's elite D-man? Are you referring to Letang? Also, the Vegas thing is a bad example because those odds are determined by how people are betting, not by any form of hockey analysis whatsoever. If 1 billion people bet $10 on Buffalo to win the Cup, their Vegas odds would skyrocket and the payout for betting on them would plummet.
- sniper11

I'd say Letang is an elite offensive defensemen so he definitely qualifies as elite.

Oh Tanner you rascal... Washington in the top 5 and Ovechkin scores 70. Whatever your on I'll take 2.

Since you like to repost the same thing over and over Mr. Tanner I will do the same.Keith Yandle is not getting traded.Mike Smith sucks and is the most overrated and overpaid injury prone goalie in the league.The Coyotes will not make the playoffs and will be sellers well before the trade deadline.Doan(washed up but deserves to play for a contender),Vermette(expiring contract),Michalek (expiring contract)and Hanzal(bust) will be traded.Gagner will still suck and look for Dubnyk to be sent down or cut and Visentin to be pooptys backup.

Since you like to repost the same thing over and over Mr. Tanner I will do the same.Keith Yandle is not getting traded.Mike Smith sucks and is the most overrated and overpaid injury prone goalie in the league.The Coyotes will not make the playoffs and will be sellers well before the trade deadline.Doan(washed up but deserves to play for a contender),Vermette(expiring contract),Michalek (expiring contract)and Hanzal(bust) will be traded.Gagner will still suck and look for Dubnyk to be sent down or cut and Visentin to be pooptys backup.
- dapeopleschamp4

I love this post.

I know you blog for the Coyotes, so maybe you have to say so, but how (exactly) do you see AZ making the playoffs? They lost Ribiero/Vrbata, and have added...(maybe) Domi & Sam Gagne. I don't see it. Like, at all see it. And, I'm not too biased...I live in Az; so I'm also not too underinformed.. I see them play all the time
I do agree that SJ will miss though.
- roland_hazard

I have written several blogs explaining why I think the Coyotes will be better than people think, so check out the archive if you're interested. Short form: For one, they have one of the best D in the NHL, and fairly decent goaltending. The forwards, not so great on the first line, but after that, they have a lot of talent and some guys who can step up now that they'll get first line minutes.

Anyone who watched the Coyotes last year knows they lost Ribeiro sometime around Christmas, after which he was brutal, and he was strictly a PP player, seeing fourth line minutes and was even a healthy scratch once or twice. His loss is no loss.

As for Vbrata, he's a good player, but his age, contract, etc. worked against keeping him. He can easily be replaced by a younger player. Again, I think people outside the organization or its fans make more of a deal out of his loss. Gagner is better anyways.

They missed by 3 points last year and this year they should take a big step forward with their developing players. They'll contend for the playoffs for sure, and I think they'll make it.

Oh Tanner you rascal... Washington in the top 5 and Ovechkin scores 70. Whatever your on I'll take 2.
- RobFlyers#1

You'd have to get some of that stuff from the movie Limitless then !!

Since you like to repost the same thing over and over Mr. Tanner I will do the same.Keith Yandle is not getting traded.Mike Smith sucks and is the most overrated and overpaid injury prone goalie in the league.The Coyotes will not make the playoffs and will be sellers well before the trade deadline.Doan(washed up but deserves to play for a contender),Vermette(expiring contract),Michalek (expiring contract)and Hanzal(bust) will be traded.Gagner will still suck and look for Dubnyk to be sent down or cut and Visentin to be pooptys backup.
- dapeopleschamp4

Those are some solid rantings.

I have written several blogs explaining why I think the Coyotes will be better than people think, so check out the archive if you're interested. Short form: For one, they have one of the best D in the NHL, and fairly decent goaltending. The forwards, not so great on the first line, but after that, they have a lot of talent and some guys who can step up now that they'll get first line minutes.

Anyone who watched the Coyotes last year knows they lost Ribeiro sometime around Christmas, after which he was brutal, and he was strictly a PP player, seeing fourth line minutes and was even a healthy scratch once or twice. His loss is no loss.

As for Vbrata, he's a good player, but his age, contract, etc. worked against keeping him. He can easily be replaced by a younger player. Again, I think people outside the organization or its fans make more of a deal out of his loss. Gagner is better anyways.

They missed by 3 points last year and this year they should take a big step forward with their developing players. They'll contend for the playoffs for sure, and I think they'll make it.
- James_Tanner

Easily replaced by WHO?

You don't just "easily" replace a 45-55 point 20+ goal guy.

He's scored at a .738 point per game pace the past 3 seasons.

Gagner has scored at 0.642 during that same timeframe.

Vrbata is the better producer, which is what the Coyotes need. Banking on a 50 point rookie is bad strategy.

Since you like to repost the same thing over and over Mr. Tanner I will do the same.Keith Yandle is not getting traded.Mike Smith sucks and is the most overrated and overpaid injury prone goalie in the league.The Coyotes will not make the playoffs and will be sellers well before the trade deadline.Doan(washed up but deserves to play for a contender),Vermette(expiring contract),Michalek (expiring contract)and Hanzal(bust) will be traded.Gagner will still suck and look for Dubnyk to be sent down or cut and Visentin to be pooptys backup.
- dapeopleschamp4

This might be my favorite post.

How does San Jose miss? Are they actually gonna take far enough of a step back that Edmonton gets by them? Not likely.they are still an elite reg season team.
- Jeropotato

I would totally Speculate- again, speculate- that the culture of this team has a taken a turn south with a degrading playoff loss, a rebuild that never happened, a somewhat-soured relationship with an ex-captain, and a failure to so-much as retool and refit this team with what they need. Again, all speculation.
On paper, they look decent enough: Corsi/old stats/young players, etc. I think the SJ brass shot themselves in the foot when they lacked the muscle & guts to pony up on (perhaps) a different coach and (perhaps) the aquisition of some new 'franchise' players to give this team the fresh breath that it needs.
Myself, my career is in psychology, essentially, so I think A LOT about intangibles like culture, morale...and, I don't think SJ right now has much of either.
Retrospect, sure, they might make it. I don't think they'll do much once they get to the party though.