I think very highly of Lundqvist and he might be elite for a long time, but the surrounding cast is aging and expecting them to not show decline is unreasonable. Pens are in a similar predicament. I'm not sure they have more than this season to compete and Rags are probably in a worse position from a longevity perspective.
- jfkst1

I don't agree with you. The whole point of this offseason was to expand our window and I think it worked. Barring a career ender to Letang, since we managed to keep both Maatta and Pouliot our defense will only get better from here. We're gonna get a ton of cap space that we'll receive from departing, over the hill vets like Kunitz, Scuderi, Lovejoy, and Dupuis in the very near future (some may even come off the books this offseason) which we can use to extend our younger players who may make up the core of the future. Replaceable depth players like Bonino, Fehr, and Cullen are on manageable contracts and we can continue to cycle through them as Crosby, Malkin, Kessel, and Letang age in order to keep the cap at bay. As for goaltending, it's very plauseable that we can transition from Fleury to either Murray or Jarry seamlessly. With an elite core right now and promising up and comers like Sprong, Maatta, Pouliot, and M.J.-Ray with no bad long term contracts, we could pull a red wings if we don't make any bonehead UFA signings and continue to draft well like we've recently started doing.

I would think the NHL creating some 46 or so more jobs will supersede any NMC/NTCs. Not sure how it worked with the last expansions and NMCs/NTCs though.
- Blackstrom2

No it won't. The union can alter it's collective bargaining agreement (changes would need to be voted on), but they wouldn't attempt to alter individually negotiated deals between players and clubs. No chance that happens.

Edit... I don't think there were NMC and NTC's during the last expansion. I could be wrong however.

I would think the NHL creating some 46 or so more jobs will supersede any NMC/NTCs. Not sure how it worked with the last expansions and NMCs/NTCs though.
- Blackstrom2

They'll be creating more jobs regardless of the NMC contracts being accessible or not. The NHL is making money on the deal and some owners with teams that don't have burdensome contracts will not want NMC players accessible for draft. It's also not reasonable to expect the expansion teams to pickup a bunch of terrible contracts either. Reaching the cap floor won't be that hard and new owners aren't gonna wanna throw their money away on trash players for long term.

Why don't we talk about something more relevant...like will Crosby ever be a great player again?

My vote is no.

He is burned out.

The game is boring to him

Why don't we talk about something more relevant...like will Crosby ever be a great player again?

My vote is no.

He is burned out.

The game is boring to him
- icedog97

He told you he is bored of the game? That's awesome. Get me an autograph? Every player has slumps. Even the best ones. Stop tying the noose, it'll be ok.

The fans on this site have confirmed the accusation of pens fans being whiny and overboard.

Why don't we talk about something more relevant...like will Crosby ever be a great player again?

My vote is no.

He is burned out.

The game is boring to him
- icedog97

This is completely unreasonable pessimism. Is it possible that he is done as the best player in the league? That's possible but I don't think we're gonna see such a quick decline. He was his usual brilliant self last season and he didn't just lose it in Nova Scotia over the summer. But there is an argument to be made with the rise of a guy like Seguin. I definitely think there will be a year or two transitionary period between Crosby and McDavid where Tyler Seguin will be the best in the game.

But to say he's done with his prime years of greatness? There's just no way.

Why don't we talk about something more relevant...like will Crosby ever be a great player again?

My vote is no.

He is burned out.

The game is boring to him
- icedog97

The game is boring to a lot of people. All of the sins of the past are legal once again. Remember that "free hand" crap? Gone. Stick parallel to a guys waist? Gone. Holding the stick? Gone.

The powers that be in the NHL loves this crap product. We don't have 100pt players anymore. I remember someone once called it a garage league......pretty much that.

The game is boring to a lot of people. All of the sins of the past are legal once again. Remember that "free hand" crap? Gone. Stick parallel to a guys waist? Gone. Holding the stick? Gone.

The powers that be in the NHL loves this crap product. We don't have 100pt players anymore. I remember someone once called it a garage league......pretty much that.
- madmike71

It is boring.

You turn on any game...you see the same stuff over and over.

Systems at work...players impeding at every opportunity.

Ughhh...makes me want to barf.

I think it could be part of the reason why Sid looks..well...ordinary.

It is boring.

You turn on any game...you see the same stuff over and over.

Systems at work...players impeding at every opportunity.

Ughhh...makes me want to barf.

I think it could be part of the reason why Sid looks..well...ordinary.
- icedog97

It's definitely a part of it. In the Yotes game, Sid took a stretch pass and he was side by side the with a yote's dman. Instead of trying to play the puck, the dude just clamped down on Sids right arm and took him off the puck. Why would anybody want to watch that sh!t?

Anyway, you're right....it's a league wide problem. The game sucks right now.

This is completely unreasonable pessimism. Is it possible that he is done as the best player in the league? That's possible but I don't think we're gonna see such a quick decline. He was his usual brilliant self last season and he didn't just lose it in Nova Scotia over the summer. But there is an argument to be made with the rise of a guy like Seguin. I definitely think there will be a year or two transitionary period between Crosby and McDavid where Tyler Seguin will be the best in the game.

But to say he's done with his prime years of greatness? There's just no way.
- Victoro311

I'd agree here. McDavid has looked fantastic already though.. Might not even take him that long.

BTW, did we ever hear what was wrong with Beau?

BTW, did we ever hear what was wrong with Beau?
- Pens_Burgh

I google it about once every three or four hours and still have come up with zilch. Why are they being so cryptic? I feel like this can go either way. Either it's not serious at all and MJ and JR aren't even bothering to explain it because he'll be back so soon or it's super bad and they're still trying to figure out what's wrong

If Joni can play, it cant hurt. Hed be an upgrade at 70% over most of our Dmen.

If Joni can play, it cant hurt. Hed be an upgrade at 70% over most of our Dmen.
- sammy87

Where are you getting that the defense has been so bad? Fleury's played well, but overall team defense has been solid. Forwards and PP need to start producing.

It is boring.

You turn on any game...you see the same stuff over and over.

Systems at work...players impeding at every opportunity.

Ughhh...makes me want to barf.

I think it could be part of the reason why Sid looks..well...ordinary.
- icedog97

Would you rather teams just go out there and play without a plan? That'd be boring. I could watch pond hockey for that. The systems are better because then they actually have a plan to win rather than just go out there and shoot randomly.

I take it you don't like defensive hockey? Do you support making the goalies pads smaller and nets bigger? How about making it against the rules to purposelessly lay down to block a shot? How about making stickchecks illegal? All these are how you could increase offense.

Would you rather teams just go out there and play without a plan? That'd be boring. I could watch pond hockey for that. The systems are better because then they actually have a plan to win rather than just go out there and shoot randomly.

I take it you don't like defensive hockey? Do you support making the goalies pads smaller and nets bigger? How about making it against the rules to purposelessly lay down to block a shot? How about making stickchecks illegal? All these are how you could increase offense.
- Zac_O

I'm fine with defensive structure. But I think if you watched an IOC game (can watch on YouTube) and compared the amount of hooking, slashing, cross-checking, spearing, holding, grabbing of the stick, interference, etc. of NHL players in those games compared to the same NHL players in NHL games it's almost a different sport entirely. FWIW, I think goalie pads should be smaller and crossbars/posts angled to deflect pucks into the net. Along with stricter enforcement of the rule book. Goalie save percentages are a record high.

Would you rather teams just go out there and play without a plan? That'd be boring. I could watch pond hockey for that. The systems are better because then they actually have a plan to win rather than just go out there and shoot randomly.

I take it you don't like defensive hockey? Do you support making the goalies pads smaller and nets bigger? How about making it against the rules to purposelessly lay down to block a shot? How about making stickchecks illegal? All these are how you could increase offense.
- Zac_O

I agree with your point about systems. We'll never get back to the point where five guys were free styling on the ice and three of them saw it as their job to score goals and two of them saw it as their job to prevent them, and honestly I'm more than fine with that. It makes the game more interesting to see lines and pairings act in cohesion with a game plan.

But his point about the clutch and grab era is 100% on point. It's the little things that aren't called and it's the little things that are (frank)ing everything up right now.

Would you rather teams just go out there and play without a plan? That'd be boring. I could watch pond hockey for that. The systems are better because then they actually have a plan to win rather than just go out there and shoot randomly.

I take it you don't like defensive hockey? Do you support making the goalies pads smaller and nets bigger? How about making it against the rules to purposelessly lay down to block a shot? How about making stickchecks illegal? All these are how you could increase offense.
- Zac_O

You certainly jump to conclusions.

I appreciate many aspects of the game...but today's on ice product...S U C K S....on many occasions.

It's not a defensive hockey issue...it's an interference issue.

I support a bigger net and existing limits on goalie pads.

If guys want to lay down to block a shot...let em.

Stick checks...legal for sure...but timing is important.

The problem is interference...that leads to a certain type of system implemented...get the puck behind the d...and then work the boards...it's the way offenses try to get around the interference.

You see the backs of many players too often.

You see the same boring crap over and over with very little difference from one game to the next.

I google it about once every three or four hours and still have come up with zilch. Why are they being so cryptic? I feel like this can go either way. Either it's not serious at all and MJ and JR aren't even bothering to explain it because he'll be back so soon or it's super bad and they're still trying to figure out what's wrong
- Victoro311

Yeah I can't find anything. Not even any rumors or anything either. I think it's either scenario you said, gotta imagine all the brittle beau comments would be flying as well.

I'm fine with defensive structure. But I think if you watched an IOC game (can watch on YouTube) and compared the amount of hooking, slashing, cross-checking, spearing, holding, grabbing of the stick, interference, etc. of NHL players in those games compared to NHL players in NHL games it's almost a different sport entirely. FWIW, I think goalie pads should be smaller and crossbars/posts angled to deflect pucks into the net. Along with stricter enforcement of the rule book. Goalie save percentages are a record high.
- jfkst1

Wouldn't all the new penalties cause more points because of more powerplays? It'd be interesting to look further into the angled goal posts.

Wouldn't all the new penalties cause more points because of more powerplays? It'd be interesting to look further into the angled goal posts.
- Zac_O

Exactly. It'd be two fold. Stricter enforcement would lead to more PP chances which would lead to more points and it would also lead to players getting the message and the end of clutch and grab which would also lead to more points. Stricter enforcement would do way more for offense than bigger goals and smaller pads ever would

You certainly jump to conclusions.

I appreciate many aspects of the game...but today's on ice product...S U C K S....on many occasions.

It's not a defensive hockey issue...it's an interference issue.

I support a bigger net and existing limits on goalie pads.

If guys want to lay down to block a shot...let em.

Stick checks...legal for sure...but timing is important.

The problem is interference...that leads to a certain type of system implemented...get the puck behind the d...and then work the boards...it's the way offenses try to get around the interference.

You see the backs of many players too often.

You see the same boring crap over and over with very little difference from one game to the next.
- icedog97

How is asking a question jumping to conclusions? Not to mention you're the one jumping to the conclusion that Sid is bored of hockey. Pot meet kettle.

Wouldn't all the new penalties cause more points because of more powerplays? It'd be interesting to look further into the angled goal posts.
- Zac_O

Yes, but like I said, lots of NHLers play in the Olympics and don't grab, hold, slash, interfere, etc. when they are battling for the puck in games with the IOC refs because those refs call everything. NHL refs don't call anything so everyone does it. Which also increases parity between the players too. So having Crosby doesn't mean that much when Staal can crosscheck him in the back of the head repeatedly until he goes down. In an IOC game he'd probably get a game misconduct for that.

Exactly. It'd be two fold. Stricter enforcement would lead to more PP chances which would lead to more points and it would also lead to players getting the message and the end of clutch and grab which would also lead to more points. Stricter enforcement would do way more for offense than bigger goals and smaller pads ever would
- Victoro311

Well it'd be pretty hard to implement IMO. So many missed calls in so many games. I'm not saying I want every little thing called but look at Plotnikov. Guy is being tripped several times and nothing is called. They'd almost have to add another ref on the ice to make it so the calls get made.

Well it'd be pretty hard to implement IMO. So many missed calls in so many games. I'm not saying I want every little thing called but look at Plotnikov. Guy is being tripped several times and nothing is called. They'd almost have to add another ref on the ice to make it so the calls get made.
- Zac_O

Not too hard honestly, like J keeps saying, look at the Olympics. Those games are very skill dominant with little of this garbage dump and chase style offense that spawns from clutch and grab defense. People explain it by saying players don't care enough to check in the Olympics (horsepoop. The idea that no one cares about Olympic hockey is a purely American sentiment) and that Olympic ice is bigger which allows for more dipsy doodles. There might be something to the second argument, but proper Olympic reffing has a lot to do with it, proving that it can be done.