see ya on the golf course
- Lawless18

well maybe you will beat us there for once since you have alot of experience

I mean, its here in Newfoundland, but thats not very close to New Brunswick or Ontario haha.
- MattStrat

It's delicious and I need to find it.

It's delicious and I need to find it.
- BeefCoon

Try a different grocery store than usual in Ontario perhaps?

I don't drink much pop these days but yeah it's good. Definitely better than orange Crush.

Try a different grocery store than usual in Ontario perhaps?

I don't drink much pop these days but yeah it's good. Definitely better than orange Crush.
- MattStrat

There are two groceries near where we vacation but neither have had it for about two years. I had a stockpile of a couple of cases that I brought home a few years ago. It is now gone, haha. It is the only soda that I drink, and I literally have one a week or so. It is fantastic with mango vodka.

was really hoping the pens could pull it off...incredible 3 seasons for them: 10 str playoff series wins; even the hawks of 2013-15 didn't pull that off winning 10 of 11.

caps finally break through...still don't like this team or trotz...i was hoping jerkoff wilsons season would be over...

ah well time to become a bolts fan for a couple of weeks...

I'm definitely guilty of overrating Oleksiak. I thought he started very strong and then weaknesses became more glaring over time.
- Rinosaur

Oleksiak is a perfectly fine bottom pairing defenseman. He always had those warts like poor decision making, they're just the type that don't bother you until you keep seeing them.

It also helped that he found a great comfort level with Cole, didn't really click with another partner quite as well. But still, I think he's a keeper, just not a future top 4.

Caps didn't win through luck. They outplayed their opponent and wanted it more.

Credit where credit is due
- halo63

Yep, this is true. Full credit to the Caps for winning even as they continued to miss key players.

was really hoping the pens could pull it off...incredible 3 seasons for them: 10 str playoff series wins; even the hawks of 2013-15 didn't pull that off winning 10 of 11.

caps finally break through...still don't like this team or trotz...i was hoping jerkoff wilsons season would be over...

ah well time to become a bolts fan for a couple of weeks...
- bogiedoc

It was 9 straight series wins...and I honestly think they ran outta gas. If they did advance I dont know how they would of beaten Tampa then either VGK or the Preds/Jets. I mean its possible, anything is in sports, but I just dont know.

Sheary gets shipped out

Rust gets Shearys 3 million

Sprong takes Shearys spot at Rusts old salary

Sheahan gets a qualifying offer of 2.25 million, maybe he takes us to arbitration

Oleksiak gets 2 years 1.5 per

To Do:

Ship out Hags, Hunwick

Get some $$ socked away for Jakes next contract

Sign Jack Johnson for 3rd pair D? Grabner to replace Hags speed?
- RoloTahmasee

Hagelin and Jake both have 1 year left on their deals. The best way to stock away money for Jake's next deal while using that money to win right now is actually to use it on guys like Hagelin with expiring contracts.

Yep, this is true. Full credit to the Caps for winning even as they continued to miss key players.
- Tojo.

And the Pens won game 1 without Geno or Hags. Easy enough to think that missing players is the be all, end all, but in reality you just dont know whats going to happen for sure in sports.

I dont see that happening at all.

I dont see significant changes happening at all.
- MattStrat

With Rust, I believe he will be back but there are a lot of players who can fill the same role and depending on what his contract demands are like it's not impossible that he would be the odd man out.

The current 4 C's, Kessel, Jake and Hornquist I expect will all be locks. That leaves 5 spots for 7 guys with Rust, Sheary, Hagelin, Simon, Sprong, ZAR and Kuhn. For me it would be Sheary and Kuhn out.

Im not happy about them winning...just feel a smidgen happy for Ovi and thats it...the rest of them like Wilson and Kuznetsov, with his flapping bird celebration, can eat a bag of d@$ks.
- MattStrat

lol fair enough.

With Rust, I believe he will be back but there are a lot of players who can fill the same role and depending on what his contract demands are like it's not impossible that he would be the odd man out.

The current 4 C's, Kessel, Jake and Hornquist I expect will all be locks. That leaves 5 spots for 7 guys with Rust, Sheary, Hagelin, Simon, Sprong, ZAR and Kuhn. For me it would be Sheary and Kuhn out.
- MacPatty

6 guys, they usually keep at least 13 forwards and had 14 much of this year. I'd agree with your picks though. Maybe if Sully has enough trust in ZAR and Rust as penalty killers with Brassard and Jake filling in (or maybe Blueger with injuries) them they could let Kuhnhackl go, but not sure Sully feels that way.

I dont dislike any of the Caps players individually, but as a team and their fans, just can't stand them. Any team in the west can win it all for me.

Sherry sucks and should go.

Brassard...meh

Malkin and Kessel, had to be hurt.

Murray sucks

They need another Mid pairing Dman.

I dont dislike any of the Caps players individually, but as a team and their fans, just can't stand them. Any team in the west can win it all for me.

Sherry sucks and should go.

Brassard...meh

Malkin and Kessel, had to be hurt.

Murray sucks

They need another Mid pairing Dman.
- sammy87

Dekeyser for Letang is already in the works. Waiting on league approval.

"Let's ship out players who had a bad stretch while their value is at its lowest, we'll totally get a reasonable return for them! Or just dump them for peanuts, we can definitely replace them with top-caliber UFAs at a fair price."

-fans of 30/31 NHL teams, every offseason

"Let's ship out players who had a bad stretch while their value is at its lowest, we'll totally get a reasonable return for them! Or just dump them for peanuts, we can definitely replace them with top-caliber UFAs at a fair price."

-fans of 30/31 NHL teams, every offseason
- StealthTomato

Yep. Especially seconds after losing a game in overtime, to a team that just advanced to the Conference Finals.

"Let's ship out players who had a bad stretch while their value is at its lowest, we'll totally get a reasonable return for them! Or just dump them for peanuts, we can definitely replace them with top-caliber UFAs at a fair price."

-fans of 30/31 NHL teams, every offseason
- StealthTomato

Hahaha

Dekeyser for Letang is already in the works. Waiting on league approval.
- Feds91Stammer

Does it hurt you not being able to make up trades for Tatar with the Pens and Redwins?

From last blog.

Since 2014-15, the total number of hits by NHL teams has gone down significantly. In 2014-15, 15 teams topped 2,000+ hits. In 2017-18, 3 teams topped 2,000.
- j.boyd919

You missed the point. Again. I'm talking playoff hockey to win Stanley.
I'm talking being physical when they need to be. Being dirty if they have to be. You're talking mini minors I'm talking Chevys. Just ignore my posts & do us all a favour. You just don't understand.

I blame Sully on this Pens loss

After winning game 1, He rested on his laurels figuring getting a split in Washington was a win and rested Malkin for Game 2. Malkin was upset in practice when told he would sit, which leads you to believe he could go. At the very least, put him as the 4C and give him the PP time. That unit was lost without him. Didn't see game 2 as a "must win". They are all "Must win"

Couldn't take advantage of Washingtons depleted lineup. Had the "talent" spread out over 4 lines, Simon with Crosby, Hags with Malkin, Kuhnackel with Brassard. Didn't address it until the 3rd period of Game 6. Roll 3 lines, LOAD UP, get mismatches at HOME when you have last change. That 4th line was out way to much against OV

Whoever had the plan to have the D pinch so aggressively. Don't CHEAT FOR OFFENSE. Lead to way too many odd man rushes and breakaways, and they got burned way way too many times (and 1 time too many as it turns out)

Pens looked tired and complacent. Anyone who watched the last 2 playoff runs saw desperate hockey, tons of blocked shots and speed to burn. Wasn't the case in this playoffs for sure. Jake and Sid were the only cylinders firing

Sully wasn't a fan of Ian Cole, and he was thrown out at the trade deadline. He was they type of 3rd pairing D that we REALLY needed. Tough, Physical, Blocks Shots, Good on the PK. He should have been kept at all costs
- RoloTahmasee

Sully didn't want Reaves either. Reaves would have come in handy against the Caps.

Fast less physical won 2 cups though people are saying. 3 of the 4 teams left this season have a mean streak & can (frank) you over big time.

Sully didn't want Reaves either. Reaves would have come in handy against the Caps.

Fast less physical won 2 cups though people are saying. 3 of the 4 teams left this season have a mean streak & can (frank) you over big time.
- Aussiepenguin

The fact that Malkin, Kessel, Rust, Sheary and Brassard were useless, Murray couldn't stop a beachball and Letang apparently forgot how to play D is why they lost

From last blog.



You missed the point. Again. I'm talking playoff hockey to win Stanley.
I'm talking being physical when they need to be. Being dirty if they have to be. You're talking mini minors I'm talking Chevys. Just ignore my posts & do us all a favour. You just don't understand.
- Aussiepenguin

no.

The fact that Malkin, Kessel, Rust, Sheary and Brassard were useless, Murray couldn't stop a beachball and Letang apparently forgot how to play D is why they lost
- sammy87

The injuries definately were a yuuge issue. But the shooting has been an issue pre-playoffs as well. They just couldn't score when I suppose they should of, or, when their opponents had the same or similar chance they did. Hearing the breakdown of some of the plays from the pro's (ie: Not in here ), the Pens had their chances & just couldn't convert. How many open nets were missed?

As I said earlier, the Pens I believe profited from great tending last season & took advantage of their opportunities. The exact opposite happened this season. The amount of times I heard the breakdown of a GA where Letang made a mistake or took the wrong option was insane. Turnovers leading to breakaways? Just simple mistakes that were crucial in the context of the game at that time.

The Pens were definately less experienced this time around. Did Sully make some decisions he wouldn't have last year or before?

We also got the poop beat out of us in round 2. That has to have an effect on the team.

no.
- j.boyd919

No, no you don't.

The only 1.