Link failed, but again I thought we were talking about teams making it to the final in their inaugural year.
- RickJames77

We were,i miss read the title of the article.
That's why I edited my post.
You can go to NHL.com and scroll down about 4 articles and read the story.

What was the last one? Genuinely asking as I have no idea.
- RickJames77

1950, Syracuse nationals.

Its on NHL.com, also see my edit.
20 teams have made the finals in their first playoff appearance, other than that I can only think of the blues making the finals in their first year.
- bobbyisno1

That season where Blues made the finals was pure baloney. The divisions and playoff format was made so an expansion team would face someone in the finals. It was a pure bullsh!t move and gave expansion teams a significant advantage for 3 straight seasons. The Blues went to the finals and were trounced every season from 68 to 70

They were swept 3 straight years. Those cups should have an asterisk!

https://en.wikipedia.org/...1968_Stanley_Cup_playoffs

That season where Blues made the finals was pure baloney. The divisions and playoff format was made so an expansion team would face someone in the finals. It was a pure bullsh!t move and gave expansion teams a significant advantage for 3 straight seasons. The Blues went to the finals and were trounced every season from 68 to 70

The were swept 3 straght years. Those cups should have an asterisk!

https://en.wikipedia.org/...1968_Stanley_Cup_playoffs
- winsix

I agree with a lot of this - also pointed that out in one of my last posts.

But don't forget you still had to get out of the real division, which was the real challenge, to even get the chance to play the blues.

the ECF or whatever they called it was the real SCF

That season where Blues made the finals was pure baloney. The divisions and playoff format was made so an expansion team would face someone in the finals. It was a pure bullsh!t move and gave expansion teams a significant advantage for 3 straight seasons. The Blues went to the finals and were trounced every season from 68 to 70

They were swept 3 straight years. Those cups should have an asterisk!

https://en.wikipedia.org/...1968_Stanley_Cup_playoffs
- winsix

Before my time, I have to google all this shyte.
I saw the article on NHL.com. when I was looking for the Jets score.

I agree with a lot of this - also pointed that out in one of my last posts.

But don't forget you still had to get out of the real division, which was the real challenge, to even get the chance to play the blues.

the ECF or whatever they called it was the real SCF
- RickJames77

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-298707748?tid=287339198

I agree with a lot of this - also pointed that out in one of my last posts.

But don't forget you still had to get out of the real division, which was the real challenge, to even get the chance to play the blues.

the ECF or whatever they called it was the real SCF
- RickJames77

Back to this year, I still believe it is a mirage. A great goalie performance by Fleury, together with some breaks and questionable non-calls have put LV in this position. A couple of questions:

1) How many players on Winnipeg or Tampa are significantly better than any players on Las Vegas? Just play GM for a second.... how many players on either team would be too good to trade for anything on Vegas?

2) Do you think Vegas even makes the playoffs next year? I don't.

As I pointed out on a previous blog. Florida Panthers made the finals in their second year.... An unbelievable performance by a very good (not sensational) goalie, 32 year old John Vanbiesbrouck. His numbers that playoff were similar to Fleury's this year. Have a look at what Florida has done since.

https://en.wikipedia.org/..._Florida_Panthers_seasons

Back to this year, I still believe it is a mirage. A great goalie performance by Fleury, together with some breaks and questionable non-calls have put LV in this position. A couple of questions:

1) How many players on Winnipeg or Tampa are significantly better than any players on Las Vegas? Just play GM for a second.... how many players on either team would be too good to trade for anything on Vegas?

2) Do you think Vegas even makes the playoffs next year? I don't.

As I pointed out on a previous blog. Florida Panthers made the finals in their second year.... An unbelievable performance by a very good (not sensational) goalie, 32 year old John Vanbiesbrouck. His numbers that playoff were similar to Fleury's this year. Have a look at what Florida has done since.

https://en.wikipedia.org/..._Florida_Panthers_seasons
- winsix

I totally agree with you on every point.

I totally agree with you on every point.
- RickJames77

the pacific division isn't very good. so, i think they stay competitive. although some of the novelty will wear off.

the pacific division isn't very good. so, i think they stay competitive. although some of the novelty will wear off.
- Tumbleweed

I really wouldn't be surprised if they sell the farm on draft day for picks and prospects. Make teams overpay for some players that they believe are outperforming and may regress back to reality next year.

How embarrassing for the league.
Money talks and the owners gave in to the vegas owners demands.
Ah well.
- Fakepartofme

Yep, it's a feel good story for some of the players.

But the NHL (frank)ed up, a team shouldn't be able to have so much leverage getting all those picks and still able to draft a competitive team. They (frank)ed over the next expansion team.

Yep, it's a feel good story for some of the players.

But the NHL (frank)ed up, a team shouldn't be able to have so much leverage getting all those picks and still able to draft a competitive team. They (frank)ed over the next expansion team.
- Santo_44

I don't think anyone expected them to be competitive even with the draft rules though. I think the idea was to make it so they didn't lose 70 games. They'd still be crap, but not miles behind everyone. Nobody looked at their roster in October and thought any different. I don't think the NHL (frank)ed up, a great sports story just unfolded, I don't see the problem.

I don't think anyone expected them to be competitive even with the draft rules though. I think the idea was to make it so they didn't lose 70 games. They'd still be crap, but not miles behind everyone. Nobody looked at their roster in October and thought any different. I don't think the NHL (frank)ed up, a great sports story just unfolded, I don't see the problem.
- Zezel

I was in Vegas in October and looked at their odds and remember saying to myself "what dumbass is making this bet!"

In 64 games on the 1st line, the Marlies gave up just 16 goals against at 5-on-5 with Aaltonen on the ice — and scored 47. His 74.6 GF% was the BEST in the AHL.
Note-able: Timothy Liljegren (RD 18yo) was 26th overall and 9th amongst D men



I like seeing stats like this!

In 64 games on the 1st line, the Marlies gave up just 16 goals against at 5-on-5 with Aaltonen on the ice — and scored 47. His 74.6 GF% was the BEST in the AHL.
Note-able: Timothy Liljegren (RD 18yo) was 26th overall and 9th amongst D men



I like seeing stats like this!
- LeafGuy89

Hey look, Martin Marincin is 8th on that list. We should give him another shot on the Leafs....
.
.
.
.
.

I kid, I kid, please don't ban me.

Seriously though. Nice to see. It would be nice if Aaltonen turns into a decent NHL player for us. We can sure use more centers.

It's also promising seeing Liljegren so high on that list in his first AHL season. He seems to be taking strides in the right direction. If he can become more reliable defensively he can probably be effective in the NHL.

Well there ain't much else to discuss and no one else is around


Nothing like discussing a league you hate


But still, go Celtics!
- RickJames77

Meh, basketball still sucks

lou to the isles.

and the tavares dream dies.

lou to the isles.

and the tavares dream dies.
- Tumbleweed

Lou lands with the islanders.
Jt will be staying most likely.

I was in Vegas in October and looked at their odds and remember saying to myself "what dumbass is making this bet!"


n




- RickJames77

Imagine some guy in Vegas put down some cash just for the frank of it? I saw somewhere they were 500 to 1 lol...I put a hundo on the Leafs at 14 to 1...I learned my lesson. I'll do it again.

Lou lands with the islanders.
Jt will be staying most likely.
- Fakepartofme

Not sure why Lou signing on there would make him want to automatically stay

lou to the isles.

and the tavares dream dies.
- Tumbleweed

Its all good.

Not sure why Lou signing on there would make him want to automatically stay
- ClarksonDavid

The ship may be righted. Someone in management finally might know what theyre doing.

This. They weren't the only ones either. Tuch was bribe money too. Every team that gave them a pick for essentially nothing created this monster. Vegas was entitled to only one player per team. The 11th best in most cases. In some (for teams with stars on ELCs) even lower down the list.
- leafsfann

11th best on some teams is top 6 on others....Go Vegas Go

new blog everyone