Jay Greenberg: These Teams Suffering Slow Starts May Already Be Cooked

Great stuff as always Jay, thanks!

It still amazes me that the 09-10 Flyers squeaked in on the last day and went on to the finals with 2 journeymen playing goal.

Jay Greenberg: These Teams Suffering Slow Starts May Already Be Cooked
- Jay Greenberg

I think Doug Maclean is mostly responsible for the cbj being set back in terms of developing into a competitive franchise for the first 10 years , I read this interesting article on sportsnet on the eve of the vegas expansion draft explaining that Maclean unlike Risebrought , went after some household names instead of going for players that were somewhat forgotten in other teams farm systems . The result were over the hill players such as Sanderson , Dineen , Lile freaking Odeleine and so forth. By year 3 those vets all retired or got traded and they had to start from scratch .

It also didn't help drafting guys like Alexandre Picard, Rusty Klesla , Gilbert Brule, Nikita Filatov in the first round....all brutal picks.

Jay, you're an absolutely fantastic writer. Hall of fame stuff.

Quality piece of work.

Great read

1st time reader.

Good blog.

what a travesty that garf's blog sits beside this one.

the other thing about digging out of a hole now vs ~30 years ago is the difference between last in your division and the playoffs was one team.

one hot streak and one team going cold ahead of you was all you needed to make the playoffs.

now, trying to pass 6-8 teams to move into a wildcard is almost insurmountable; if you're at the bottom after ~10 games.

the other thing about digging out of a hole now vs ~30 years ago is the difference between last in your division and the playoffs was one team.

one hot streak and one team going cold ahead of you was all you needed to make the playoffs.

now, trying to pass 6-8 teams to move into a wildcard is almost insurmountable; if you're at the bottom after ~10 games.
- Tumbleweed

3 point games are another large hurdle.

3 point games are another large hurdle.
- MJL

yup. lots of points to be had by the teams you're chasing down.

rangers and yotes are in too deep already. pretty soon the habs too.

As fans of a bad team in recent years, I think Tumbleweed and I can both attest to the fact that teams who start as poorly as the Coyotes, Habs, and Rangers have things tend to remain rather bleak.

To the Flyers: Ben Bishop and a 2nd.

To the Stars: MacDonald, Elliott, Sanheim and a 1st.

Yes? No? Maybe?

To the Flyers: Ben Bishop and a 2nd.

To the Stars: MacDonald, Elliott, Sanheim and a 1st.

Yes? No? Maybe?
- CupOnBroadSt.

More like you're out of your mind no.

More like you're out of your mind no.
- MJL

I just threw that out there. You don't need to be insulting. I guess you're willing to tolerate Elliott being terrible. Also, you might have to give up one of these very talented youngsters to get a good veteran goalie.

I just threw that out there. You don't need to be insulting. I guess you're willing to tolerate Elliott being terrible. Also, you might have to give up one of these very talented youngsters to get a good veteran goalie.
- CupOnBroadSt.

I'm not willing to make that trade so that means I'm willing to tolerate Elliott being terrible? I'm not willing to make that trade because It would be an awful deal for the Flyers. No more, no less. Another idea is to let one of the very talented youngsters develop into an NHL goaltender. Elliott will rebound. Also have Nuevirth.

I'm not willing to make that trade so that means I'm willing to tolerate Elliott being terrible? I'm not willing to make that trade because It would be an awful deal for the Flyers. No more, no less. Another idea is to let one of the very talented youngsters develop into an NHL goaltender. Elliott will rebound. Also have Nuevirth.
- MJL

bishop was traded for a 4th last year. not sure how his trade value has gone up much.

that being said, i don't think your goaltending will be consistent enough to get you guys into the playoffs.

bishop was traded for a 4th last year. not sure how his trade value has gone up much.

that being said, i don't think your goaltending will be consistent enough to get you guys into the playoffs.
- Tumbleweed

It's certainly a question mark but that remains to be seen. If we don't make the playoffs, we get another high draft pick and add to the teams already impressive prospect list. That was for Bishop who was a pending UFA. He's now signed to a long term deal.

It's certainly a question mark but that remains to be seen. If we don't make the playoffs, we get another high draft pick and add to the teams already impressive prospect list. That was for Bishop who was a pending UFA. He's now signed to a long term deal.
- MJL

fair enough on the pick.

that's a lot of money to pick up on the bishop deal. i wouldn't want that deal on the leafs books.

fair enough on the pick.

that's a lot of money to pick up on the bishop deal. i wouldn't want that deal on the leafs books.
- Tumbleweed

I agree. Flyers have a number of quality goaltending prospects. Why would they want to add a 30+ goalie signed to a long term deal that's just starting? Flyers aren't a contender at least for another couple of years.

Great write up lots of good stuff in there...I think the habs are a lotto team for sure this year. Alzner is an ok d-man but he doesnt have near the skillset of the ageless markov. He made Subban a stand out player while he was there by setting him up and playing solid D behind him. He gave him a chance to play offence without having to take much defensive responsibilities. He was a solid defender that was always in position and great on the pp. Then losing Emelin as well who was a strong hard hitting defender, a little slow at times but good in his own end. Alzner doesnt replace Markov alone. They do have Mete of course this year and he could be ok but he's super small for a D-man and just a kid that should be developing in the minors still. We will have to see how he handles a season of physical D and right now poor weber has to babysit every night while his old team is competing for cups.
When it comes to Drouin hes get some talent for sure but doesnt show up every game and he's not a centre and doesnt play his game like one. But that could change with time and he re lesrns the position. But losing Radulov was huge to this team. I personally wasnt a fan of the guy but everytime last year that I watched montreal anytime they scored or had chances he seemed to be involved. Drouin might hit this level but hes not there yet.
Price is the biggest surprise this season as with the way he's been playing montreal doesnt have a prayer. With the depth and scoring on this team he has to dominate and win games on his own as he's done over the past few years. If that doesnt change montreal will almost certainly be a bottom feeder this year. They could use a couple good lottery picks to help there weak prospect pool.
I think the oilers will manage to turn things around but they are in a tough division so who knows these points might burn them.
The coyotes are a mess they shouldn't be as bad as they are playing but I guess there always has to be a couple goats in the mix. They do have great young talent and a couple solid D but there missing a star to lead and a solid goaltender.

Great write up lots of good stuff in there...I think the habs are a lotto team for sure this year. Alzner is an ok d-man but he doesnt have near the skillset of the ageless markov. He made Subban a stand out player while he was there by setting him up and playing solid D behind him. He gave him a chance to play offence without having to take much defensive responsibilities. He was a solid defender that was always in position and great on the pp. Then losing Emelin as well who was a strong hard hitting defender, a little slow at times but good in his own end. Alzner doesnt replace Markov alone. They do have Mete of course this year and he could be ok but he's super small for a D-man and just a kid that should be developing in the minors still. We will have to see how he handles a season of physical D and right now poor weber has to babysit every night while his old team is competing for cups.
When it comes to Drouin hes get some talent for sure but doesnt show up every game and he's not a centre and doesnt play his game like one. But that could change with time and he re lesrns the position. But losing Radulov was huge to this team. I personally wasnt a fan of the guy but everytime last year that I watched montreal anytime they scored or had chances he seemed to be involved. Drouin might hit this level but hes not there yet.
Price is the biggest surprise this season as with the way he's been playing montreal doesnt have a prayer. With the depth and scoring on this team he has to dominate and win games on his own as he's done over the past few years. If that doesnt change montreal will almost certainly be a bottom feeder this year. They could use a couple good lottery picks to help there weak prospect pool.
I think the oilers will manage to turn things around but they are in a tough division so who knows these points might burn them.
The coyotes are a mess they shouldn't be as bad as they are playing but I guess there always has to be a couple goats in the mix. They do have great young talent and a couple solid D but there missing a star to lead and a solid goaltender.
- Chardcore709

That was a great read!! nice stuff!

- dt99999

Jay, you're an absolutely fantastic writer. Hall of fame stuff.
- MJL

Jay is great, used to read him all the time in the NY POst, covered hockey & other sports too, always top notch stuff.