HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Hotstove: Which team is most playing over its head?

*Waits for angry posts from Chicago fans towards Tanner*

James is a genius, really. He picks the 3 teams with arguably the largest fan bases on this site and trolls them. Every time.

If you see how many posts he gets with his blogs about the Coyotes though, it makes sense. He can only generate hits by being a clown.

everybody is back off the Oilers when seeing what McDavid is capable of. And with just one good solid dman that can defend.

Agree 100% Cordell

Agree 100% Cordell
- systemtool

I'm sorry, I'm going to have to disagree.

Are they playing over their head? Not if you've watched them play. They play as bad as their roster is. If the question was, which team is not as good as their record indicates, then I would agree.

You see, they've been complete garbage, like you would expect from that roster. But, the thing is, their schedule has included Buffalo x 2, Vancouver x 2, Nashville x 2, Carolina, Arizona, etc, etc. In fact, their schedule has included only 5 games against playoff teams so far. 12 against non-playoff teams (the standings to this point).

The fact that they're 1 point away from being a non-playoff team, with such an easy schedule to this point, is what's amazing. When december hits, they're in for a rough ride. Things turn very nasty for them in December and January, and it's quite clear they'll be in the basement when that stint is done with them, exactly where any intelligent hockey fan expected them to be.

Nailed it.

Truth is that Edm, Ottawa are due for a drop to reality. But Tanner needs the hits, so that's what he says

Toronto's 5v5 Corsi is almost the same as Montreal's, so Montreal will end higher in the standings than Toronto (even when Price would have an average season). Also, Toronto's 5v5 corsi is lower than last year.

I'm just trying to use Corsi here for my argumentation

Tanner needs the hits? Just for the record, by the time you've clicked the article, I've already got the hit, even before you know what I say. But guess what else? I don't even get paid for appearing on the hotstove so it would be non-senseical for me to troll the hotstove.

How about instead of calling everyone who says something you don't like a "hater" or ascribing BS motivations, you just use numbers and logic to make a counterargument?

I mean, I didn't pull those teams out of the air, they happen to be three of the top teams and there happens to be very strong indicators that they will slow down.

People need to stop calling everyone who disagrees with them a hater. It's pathetic.

Nailed it.

Truth is that Edm, Ottawa are due for a drop to reality. But Tanner needs the hits, so that's what he says
- jackzack87

Edmonton will do just fine.

If we've learned one thing about Chicago over the years;
It's that they sure are "lucky".


And as overrated as Montreal is, they are not inferior to Toronto. Price or no price

Leafs. Everyone had they pegged for 29th or 30th. So far, they're blowing the projections out of the water. Still early though.

Nailed it.

Truth is that Edm, Ottawa are due for a drop to reality. But Tanner needs the hits, so that's what he says
- jackzack87

Edmonton is already in the middle of the drop.

They aren't a top tier team in the west. That winning streak was just a hot goalie.
They're coming back to earth now.
But They'll be in the hunt till the end I think

Leafs. Everyone had they pegged for 29th or 30th. So far, they're blowing the projections out of the water. Still early though.
- walshyleafsfan

They run 3 lines that can't hurt you.
Tough to match up with right now.

If we've learned one thing about Chicago over the years;
It's that they sure are "lucky".


And as overrated as Montreal is, they are not inferior to Toronto. Price or no price
- HB77

Don't confuse past Chicago teams for this sorry iteration. Just watch what happens. Goalies aside, I think the Toronto roster is better than Montreals by 10 or 20 points. Toronto can run three lines with a two game breaking players on each. Not many teams can do that.

Sens really are spinning the wheels and going no where. Making trades for Brassard and Phaneuf were pointless and sets the team back. Some decent prospects but nothing really great coming up. Really a shame and a waste of Karlssons best years. They're going to be one of the conferences whipping boys much like the Leafs have been.

Tanner needs the hits? Just for the record, by the time you've clicked the article, I've already got the hit, even before you know what I say. But guess what else? I don't even get paid for appearing on the hotstove so it would be non-senseical for me to troll the hotstove.

How about instead of calling everyone who says something you don't like a "hater" or ascribing BS motivations, you just use numbers and logic to make a counterargument?

I mean, I didn't pull those teams out of the air, they happen to be three of the top teams and there happens to be very strong indicators that they will slow down.

People need to stop calling everyone who disagrees with them a hater. It's pathetic
- James_Tanner

Not saying you do this at all, but if someone were to troll for hits then it makes sense to spread their "brand" i.e. being a troll, far and wide to draw people back to their own blog.

So it's really not that "non-sensical". "Moronical" maybe.

James is a genius, really. He picks the 3 teams with arguably the largest fan bases on this site and trolls them. Every time.

If you see how many posts he gets with his blogs about the Coyotes though, it makes sense. He can only generate hits by being a clown.
- rangerdanger94

Except what he said about the Rangers holds water. He didn't say they were bad, but if you expect them to continue to score 5goals a game you're in for a surprise.

Don't confuse past Chicago teams for this sorry iteration. Just watch what happens. Goalies aside, I think the Toronto roster is better than Montreals by 10 or 20 points. Toronto can run three lines with a two game breaking players on each. Not many teams can do that.
- James_Tanner

I'll bet you anything you choose Chicago makes the playoffs.
and doesn't just "squeak in" either . I think you're criminally underrating what their core can do. Which I don't understand after everything they've proven time and time again.


You've made it tough to really nail down the difference unless price does in fact go down, but I'll also bet you Toronto doesn't finish within 10 of Montreal. Behind NOT ahead.
If price goes down, I'll still bet you Toronto doesn't finish 10-20 ahead

I don't hate the leafs, totally agree on the matchup problems and the explosiveness. But they have serious holes. I just don't think they're that good of a team yet

I'll bet you anything you choose Chicago makes the playoffs.
and doesn't just "squeak in" either


You've made it tough to really nail down the difference unless price does in fact go down, but I'll also bet you Toronto doesn't finish within 10 of Montreal. Behind NOT ahead.
If price goes down, I'll still bet you Toronto doesn't finish 10-20 ahead
- HB77

I'd agree. Their D is better. Their Goaltending is miles better. Their forwards aren't really much better, but they're more experienced.

the Habs will comfortably make the playoffs. The Leafs may scrape in, and grab a wildcard spot, but I woulnd't even count on that.

Tanner needs the hits? Just for the record, by the time you've clicked the article, I've already got the hit, even before you know what I say. But guess what else? I don't even get paid for appearing on the hotstove so it would be non-senseical for me to troll the hotstove.

How about instead of calling everyone who says something you don't like a "hater" or ascribing BS motivations, you just use numbers and logic to make a counterargument?

I mean, I didn't pull those teams out of the air, they happen to be three of the top teams and there happens to be very strong indicators that they will slow down.

People need to stop calling everyone who disagrees with them a hater. It's pathetic.
- James_Tanner

You say you want people to use numbers and logic to make counter arguments, but when TheMaritime did so with extensive posts, you refused to respond to them. Because he destroyed you and every one of your theories. Nobody should waste their time putting together a meaningful counter argument to the BS you spew after that embarrassing incident.

Tanner needs the hits? Just for the record, by the time you've clicked the article, I've already got the hit, even before you know what I say. But guess what else? I don't even get paid for appearing on the hotstove so it would be non-senseical for me to troll the hotstove.

How about instead of calling everyone who says something you don't like a "hater" or ascribing BS motivations, you just use numbers and logic to make a counterargument?

I mean, I didn't pull those teams out of the air, they happen to be three of the top teams and there happens to be very strong indicators that they will slow down.

People need to stop calling everyone who disagrees with them a hater. It's pathetic.
- James_Tanner

You're not a hater you're just a terrible blogger

Except what he said about the Rangers holds water. He didn't say they were bad, but if you expect them to continue to score 5goals a game you're in for a surprise.
- Danformo

That would be scary if they were giving up 4 a game and aside from last night and the .01 empty netter they're not.

If you mention TheMaritime incident, James disappears