HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Best team in the Metro Division?

HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Best team in the Metro Division?
- ToddCordellVAN

Clearly NJ.

- eichiefs9

Tanner why isn't gormley or rundblad playing in the nhl currently?

What is the definition of a 1st line worthy player? Obviously it's a bigger group than just the top 30 players at each position, but how many 1st line worthy players are there in the league?

This isn't even a debate...

I don't know how anyone can argue any other team is better than Pittsburgh in this division, maybe even in the league.

What is the definition of a 1st line worthy player? Obviously it's a bigger group than just the top 30 players at each position, but how many 1st line worthy players are there in the league?
- CHI-HAWKS7

There are 97 forwards in the league right now with 25 or more points.

Basically, if you have 25+ points right now, you're a top line player.

What is the definition of a 1st line worthy player? Obviously it's a bigger group than just the top 30 players at each position, but how many 1st line worthy players are there in the league?
- CHI-HAWKS7

someone on the line that gets the most ice time at evens

Who would the last one or two hall of famers be? Crosby, Malkin, I think Letang has the skill but I think maybe he's been injured too much to have had a HHOF career...who else?

For my purposes, anyone who scores (or in rare cases, should have scored) around 50 + points over 82 games while providing at least decent defense is the equivalent of a first line player.

The better at defense, the lower your points could be. For instance, Leo Komorov scored at a 45 point pace last year while being one of the better defensive forwards in hockey - he's a first line player.


For me, It's just a subjective and general idea of a player who could, if given the opportunity, play on a top line and not hurt the team. It's essentially an attempt to frame a players worth based of real-world occurrences (as opposed to reputation) without getting bogged down in stats-talk. In reality, Komorov isn't what most people consider a first line player because to most people, they don't think "only 90 forwards score 45 points or more" they think (in my experience) that a "first line player" is like a player who would make an all-star team. I guess they don't seem to realize that non-elite players are first line players in a 30 team league, is what I'm trying to say.

Obviously in real life some teams poorly evaluate and/or deploy their players and others stack two lines and others opt for balance. This is why a catch-all term might be useful.

Who would the last one or two hall of famers be? Crosby, Malkin, I think Letang has the skill but I think maybe he's been injured too much to have had a HHOF career...who else?
- mgriffen

I would say Letang is a lock - he's without question one of the best defenseman of his generation.

The fourth would be Kessel who has been a top-ten scorer for like 5-7 years, now has a Cup and continues to be one of the best players in the NHL. If he plays at his current level for another four-five years and/or wins another Cup, he'd pretty much be a lock too.

I would say Letang is a lock - he's without question one of the best defenseman of his generation.

The fourth would be Kessel who has been a top-ten scorer for like 5-7 years, now has a Cup and continues to be one of the best players in the NHL. If he plays at his current level for another four-five years and/or wins another Cup, he'd pretty much be a lock too.
- James_Tanner

Fair enough, I agree Letang is one of the best. Kessel doesn't really win the popularity contests, so I could see that hurting his odds, but he's put together a crazy good career so far.

Ottawa

I would say Letang is a lock - he's without question one of the best defenseman of his generation.

The fourth would be Kessel who has been a top-ten scorer for like 5-7 years, now has a Cup and continues to be one of the best players in the NHL. If he plays at his current level for another four-five years and/or wins another Cup, he'd pretty much be a lock too.
- James_Tanner

Nah.
This year is the 3rd time he's been top ten in PPG (currently 9th). He was 10th the other 2 times.
Another way to look at it, 17th in PPG over the past 7 years.
He'll need 7 more 30 goal seasons to hit 500 and be in consideration for the Hall. Even then, plenty of 500 goal scorers not in the Hall.

kessel is great when he tries.

when he was in toronto that was maybe ten percent of the time. now that he is in pittsburgh on a winning team he tries way more often and isnt a giant sissy/baby.

as long as he is on a good team with talented players he is HOF worthy.

tanner almost went a full day without saying anything completely stupid but remember pittsburgh doesnt care about the regular season, they arent even trying. because thats a thing that elite hockey players do.(besides kessel in toronto)

Ottawa
- AlfieFever

the only thing good about ottawa is that tickets for weekday games against random teams like nashville and colorado cost less than tickets for the ottawa 67s of the OHL

- eichiefs9

kessel is great when he tries.

when he was in toronto that was maybe ten percent of the time. now that he is in pittsburgh on a winning team he tries way more often and isnt a giant sissy/baby.

as long as he is on a good team with talented players he is HOF worthy.

tanner almost went a full day without saying anything completely stupid but remember pittsburgh doesnt care about the regular season, they arent even trying. because thats a thing that elite hockey players do.(besides kessel in toronto)
- Njuice

Once again, it's always the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to calling people stupid - literally no one smart ever does that.

Anyways, If you don't think teams like the Penguins, Patriots or Caveliers let off in the regular season because they have experience to know that you basically have to, you aren't paying attention.

Look at the Caps last year. Karl Azner was on the radio just yesterday saying how they focused too much on being the best in the regular season etc.

And I would love for you to explain to me how Phil Kessel became one of the 3 or 4 best Leafs of the last forty years by trying 'ten percent of the time'.........man, YOU calling ME stupid just works to discredit the work of your fellow internet trolls.

I would say Letang is a lock - he's without question one of the best defenseman of his generation.

The fourth would be Kessel who has been a top-ten scorer for like 5-7 years, now has a Cup and continues to be one of the best players in the NHL. If he plays at his current level for another four-five years and/or wins another Cup, he'd pretty much be a lock too.
- James_Tanner

I disagree on that, but not that he's one of the best of his generation. I just think it's too easy to get in the HHOF now. Out of all the defenseman currently playing, the only ones that are locks in my opinion are Chara, Keith, and Karlsson. For the others, I'd have to wait and see how the rest of their careers go before deciding.

I disagree on that, but not that he's one of the best of his generation. I just think it's too easy to get in the HHOF now. Out of all the defenseman currently playing, the only ones that are locks in my opinion are Chara, Keith, and Karlsson. For the others, I'd have to wait and see how the rest of their careers go before deciding.

This is preposterous! How dare you not include the Mighty OEL as a lock!

Mr. Tanner, which two of Bonino, Hagelin, Rust, Sheary, and Kunitz are legitimate top line players on a team that doesn't have an all world player to play with? Pitts top 9 is great, but they don't have 6 first line worthy players. A top liner means you're elite. Bonino, Hags, Rust, Sheary and Kunitz are all good, not elite.

Once again, it's always the pot calling the kettle black when it comes to calling people stupid - literally no one smart ever does that.

Anyways, If you don't think teams like the Penguins, Patriots or Caveliers let off in the regular season because they have experience to know that you basically have to, you aren't paying attention.

Look at the Caps last year. Karl Azner was on the radio just yesterday saying how they focused too much on being the best in the regular season etc.

And I would love for you to explain to me how Phil Kessel became one of the 3 or 4 best Leafs of the last forty years by trying 'ten percent of the time'.........man, YOU calling ME stupid just works to discredit the work of your fellow internet trolls.
- James_Tanner

You wouldn't understand because you've never played hockey. A player who is good enough to make it to the NHL plays with passion. More than 99% of the time a hockey player steps out on the ice it's innate that they will give it everything they have.(there are exceptions among some of the super talented players like Kessel, Koralev, Yashin but it's pretty rare)

Big Karl is just making excuses for not having playoff success. His statement is ridiculous and I have no doubt that his coach let him know.

Mr. Tanner, which two of Bonino, Hagelin, Rust, Sheary, and Kunitz are legitimate top line players on a team that doesn't have an all world player to play with? Pitts top 9 is great, but they don't have 6 first line worthy players. A top liner means you're elite. Bonino, Hags, Rust, Sheary and Kunitz are all good, not elite.
- SpeedBlue91

it's actually Monsieur Tanner

Mr. Tanner, which two of Bonino, Hagelin, Rust, Sheary, and Kunitz are legitimate top line players on a team that doesn't have an all world player to play with? Pitts top 9 is great, but they don't have 6 first line worthy players. A top liner means you're elite. Bonino, Hags, Rust, Sheary and Kunitz are all good, not elite.
- SpeedBlue91

Please read my comment a couple above this one, I explain everything.

There are about 90 45+ players after 82 games, and 3 (top line guys per team) x 30 teams , is 90.

There are not 90 elite players in the NHL otherwise that term would be destroyed. Therefore, there are at least 70-60 top line forwards that are NOT elite players.

Nick Bonino and his 45 point pace with good defense is a top liner. Obviously if Nick Bonino is your number one C , you're probably not going to win many games, and obviously he's at the bottom level of what could be considered a top line player, but he still qualifies.