Please buy Vandevelde and AMac jerseys immediately!
- BiggE

That's a great idea, actually.

Should I buy their Phantom's ones or Flyers' ones?

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this game or draw too many conclusions.

It was an OT loss in a game that they very easily could have won if the officials had a better game.

The only thing you can take away from a game like is to not be in a position where bad officiating decides things for you.
- johndewar

Ghost can't be making turnovers like the one that led to their 3rd goal. It was a really weak play.

Just some quick thoughts about stuff I've seen in the opening days -- i.e. Hot-Like-Lava Takes. I am not going to the wall for any of them -- I fully realize they could be completely wrong. Just some thoughts I had watching the games

1. Toronto's base skill level in their forwards runs a lot deeper than Matthews. They were patient with William Nylander for two seasons after his draft year and left Mitch Marner in junior last year, much like the Flyers did with Konecny and Provorov. YouTube Marner's goal last night -- holy hell. I haven't seen a shot like that off the wing with that kind of speed and accuracy since Brett Hull. They aren't going to make the playoffs because they need more pieces on defense, but they are a team that is going to be dangerous a lot quicker than some might think. Their forward core is absolutely legit and probably playoff caliber, IMO. Don't think they have the depth if they have some injuries, though

2. The Blackhawks are going to be sellers at the trade deadline. I'm not saying they're going to miss the playoffs. But there is clear slippage in their talent base, and now we're going to see if paying four guys all that money is going to work. If they have pieces that people want, they might be wise to get some draft picks before the rot really sets in. Said it before: They should've bought out Hossa when they had the chance. That contract is silently killing them, and he's on the third line now and trending down

3. The Blues are REALLY good. But I don't trust Jake Allen. Such a loaded team with such questionable goaltending

4. They might stick with Fonzie, but I just don't see how the Blue Jackets aren't picking top 5 again. They played better last night but still lost, and if they don't string together a few wins quickly I can see that thing spiraling out of control -- and their sked in the first month is absolutely brutal, based on last year's standings

5. Hate to say it because I despise tanking, especially for as long as they did it, but Edmonton's structure is a lot better than it has been in years and they are really fast -- the fastest team I've seen so far, including Pittsburgh. It's hard for me to say that I think they are good, because they have been bad for so long. But they might be

Again: Just really hot takes from the first few slate of games

So you missed the game then?

Simmonds goal doesn't happen if not for a great rush by Giroux.
He setup multiple chances in OT...
- opeth_pa

At 8.275mm much more is expected of him from me. Much, much, much more.

The referees make between $110,000 to $255,000 each year. The linesmen earn between $70,000 to $162,000 per year. The average pay for a referee is between $115,000 to $255,000 each year. This is an average payment of $1,402 to $2,682 per game.

Pay cuts for them are in order at this point.
- MikesPillBottle

All kidding aside, hockey is a difficult sport to officiate, especially at the speed of the game at the NHL level. Mistakes are going to be made and calls are going to be missed, the officials are human. However, what happened last night was simply inexcusable. I've seen better officiating at high school games, those officials should, at the very least, be reprimanded by the league and, if their performance doesn't approve, they should be terminated. Last nights game, from an officiating standpoint, was an abomination.

Just some quick thoughts about stuff I've seen in the opening days -- i.e. Hot-Like-Lava Takes. I am not going to the wall for any of them -- I fully realize they could be completely wrong. Just some thoughts I had watching the games

1. Toronto's base skill level in their forwards runs a lot deeper than Matthews. They were patient with William Nylander for two seasons after his draft year and left Mitch Marner in junior last year, much like the Flyers did with Konecny and Provorov. YouTube Marner's goal last night -- holy hell. I haven't seen a shot like that off the wing with that kind of speed and accuracy since Brett Hull. They aren't going to make the playoffs because they need more pieces on defense, but they are a team that is going to be dangerous a lot quicker than some might think. Their forward core is absolutely legit and probably playoff caliber, IMO. Don't think they have the depth if they have some injuries, though

2. The Blackhawks are going to be sellers at the trade deadline. I'm not saying they're going to miss the playoffs. But there is clear slippage in their talent base, and now we're going to see if paying four guys all that money is going to work. If they have pieces that people want, they might be wise to get some draft picks before the rot really sets in. Said it before: They should've bought out Hossa when they had the chance. That contract is silently killing them, and he's on the third line now and trending down

3. The Blues are REALLY good. But I don't trust Jake Allen. Such a loaded team with such questionable goaltending

4. They might stick with Fonzie, but I just don't see how the Blue Jackets aren't picking top 5 again. They played better last night but still lost, and if they don't string together a few wins quickly I can see that thing spiraling out of control -- and their sked in the first month is absolutely brutal, based on last year's standings

5. Hate to say it because I despise tanking, especially for as long as they did it, but Edmonton's structure is a lot better than it has been in years and they are really fast -- the fastest team I've seen so far, including Pittsburgh. It's hard for me to say that I think they are good, because they have been bad for so long. But they might be

Again: Just really hot takes from the first few slate of games
- AllInForFlyers

Mitch Marner is probably my favorite non flyers prospect. That kid is a magician in the offensive zone.

That's a great idea, actually.

Should I buy their Phantom's ones or Flyers' ones?
- MikesPillBottle

Buy whichever one you think will jinx them the best!

Kerry Fraser and Paul Stewart -- with a combined 3,000 games worth of NHL officiating experience and encyclopedic Rule Book knowledge -- both felt it was a missed call twice over.
- bmeltzer

Oh god I agree with Paul Stewart.... hell has frozen over. Kerry Fraser was/is my all time favorite ref. He always seemed to be fair and honest as well as took the time to explain the calls he made to players on the ice. You don't see that anymore and it's really missed.

All kidding aside, hockey is a difficult sport to officiate, especially at the speed of the game at the NHL level. Mistakes are going to be made and calls are going to be missed, the officials are human. However, what happened last night was simply inexcusable. I've seen better officiating at high school games, those officials should, at the very least, be reprimanded by the league and, if their performance doesn't approve, they should be terminated. Last nights game, from an officiating standpoint, was an abomination.
- BiggE

Referees are never punished because that would be an admission of guilt. Would give a team ammunition against the official for future games.

Why not revoke their union status so we can fire these worthless slugs?

Just some quick thoughts about stuff I've seen in the opening days -- i.e. Hot-Like-Lava Takes. I am not going to the wall for any of them -- I fully realize they could be completely wrong. Just some thoughts I had watching the games

1. Toronto's base skill level in their forwards runs a lot deeper than Matthews. They were patient with William Nylander for two seasons after his draft year and left Mitch Marner in junior last year, much like the Flyers did with Konecny and Provorov. YouTube Marner's goal last night -- holy hell. I haven't seen a shot like that off the wing with that kind of speed and accuracy since Brett Hull. They aren't going to make the playoffs because they need more pieces on defense, but they are a team that is going to be dangerous a lot quicker than some might think. Their forward core is absolutely legit and probably playoff caliber, IMO. Don't think they have the depth if they have some injuries, though

2. The Blackhawks are going to be sellers at the trade deadline. I'm not saying they're going to miss the playoffs. But there is clear slippage in their talent base, and now we're going to see if paying four guys all that money is going to work. If they have pieces that people want, they might be wise to get some draft picks before the rot really sets in. Said it before: They should've bought out Hossa when they had the chance. That contract is silently killing them, and he's on the third line now and trending down

3. The Blues are REALLY good. But I don't trust Jake Allen. Such a loaded team with such questionable goaltending

4. They might stick with Fonzie, but I just don't see how the Blue Jackets aren't picking top 5 again. They played better last night but still lost, and if they don't string together a few wins quickly I can see that thing spiraling out of control -- and their sked in the first month is absolutely brutal, based on last year's standings

5. Hate to say it because I despise tanking, especially for as long as they did it, but Edmonton's structure is a lot better than it has been in years and they are really fast -- the fastest team I've seen so far, including Pittsburgh. It's hard for me to say that I think they are good, because they have been bad for so long. But they might be

Again: Just really hot takes from the first few slate of games
- AllInForFlyers

Good points, the only things I differ with are:

2. Because Toews, Kane and Keith are still in their primes, unless they completely collapse, I don't think they will be sellers. More likely, they will try to gear up for one more Cup run.

4. Unless the Jackets really turn it around, I think Torts will be one of the first coaches fired this year.

5. Edmonton has some fine talent and damned good speed, but as long as Chia is running the show, I think they will have a hard time turning it into a team that can contend for a Cup.

Buy whichever one you think will jinx them the best!

- BiggE

I'm dying for a Voracek jersey, but refuse to buy one until he retires.

I'd love to get Provorov, Ghost, Simmonds, and Voracek.

But since I'm cursed, I'm thinking of getting these:
Read
AMac
Schenn

Good points, the only things I differ with are:

2. Because Toews, Kane and Keith are still in their primes, unless they completely collapse, I don't think they will be sellers. More likely, they will try to gear up for one more Cup run.

- BiggE

Man. I think if Chicago tries to go for it this season...woof. I absolutely understand that with what they're paying Toews, Kane and Seabrook, plus Keith and even Crawford, that you hate letting even one of the prime years go to waste.

But this is not the same team it was a few years ago. You can't keep everyone in a cap system, true. But they needed to find a way to keep Brandon Saad, because not only did they flip the return they got for him for Andrew Ladd, they didn't even keep Ladd. We mock the Rags for what they've done with their assets, but if someone asked me which roster I would take right now and going forward, it's the Rags, hands down and twice on Sunday

That being said: three cups. Can't dispute that

Bill what do you think about Konecny taking all those hits with his small frame? is he going to beef up or will coaching tell him to cut down on the physical stuff

Mitch Marner is probably my favorite non flyers prospect. That kid is a magician in the offensive zone.
- Mordecai

I had read the reports but never seen him play until these first two games. I was surprised at how hard his shot is -- you know, we take this stuff for granted sometimes, because at that level, all of those guys are pretty much physically gifted

But there are times when you see things where you go, "OK. That guy's a little different," and I saw Laine's first goal and Marner's, and I'm like, "OK. Yeah, I hate tanking, but whoa."

That's why I have the utmost respect for Claude Giroux, by the way. He's a 22nd overall pick. What he's done, for as long as he's done it -- Giroux's an elite passer, to me. He has tremendous hockey sense, is great on draws, and he competes.

But none of those are physical gifts -- those are skills of will or practice.

Some of these people are just incredible, and sometimes I take that for granted

Ghost can't be making turnovers like the one that led to their 3rd goal. It was a really weak play.
- Feanor

Lot of guys in white & orange jersey puck watching on the Hanzal goal, too. Not only did Chychrun beat them to the loose puck, nobody picked up Hanzal on the tap in. Two breakdowns in execution or effort and you give away a pair of goals. Can't afford that in this league.

https://twitter.com/walsh...status/787696305409658880

rip

LETS GO EAGLES!

To all the people saying Torts will be fired....they had to give a 2nd round pick to Vancouver just to get him. He probably has a longer leash than you'd imagine. It's all hilarious really.

https://twitter.com/walsha/status/787696305409658880

rip
- Winning

Damn! Kid had a great camp too. Doesn't look far from being an NHL player. Well at least he didn't before that hit.

https://twitter.com/walsha/status/787696305409658880

rip
- Winning

how is he after that?

how is he after that?
- 2Real

concussion

To all the people saying Torts will be fired....they had to give a 2nd round pick to Vancouver just to get him. He probably has a longer leash than you'd imagine. It's all hilarious really.
- Mononoke

I understand that, and honestly, I am not certain he is the root of that problem

The GM might be one who is in over his head

I understand that, and honestly, I am not certain he is the root of that problem

The GM might be one who is in over his head
- AllInForFlyers

Yeah, that organization is a mess

7 goals and 3 points on a back to back. I'm good. Given how offensively challenged this team was,especially the Caps series, it's nice to see goals being chipped in by various players. None of which are G and Jake (yet).

Mason sucked. 2nd and OT goals were particularly frustrating.

Manning looks like he's fighting for a permanent job. He's still a 7th to me, but at least he's doing better

Very impressed with the top 2 lines last night.

as usual the refs have been brutal in the eagles game giving them a score