Paul McCann: Thoughts for an Off-Day

Yee-haw. #1 Baby

I would like to see the playoff seeding tweaked slightly to where you can win your division and finish no lower than 4th. Under this scenario the preds could finish as high as 3rd without winning the division and all division winners still have home ice in the first round

Edit: @smashville247 is reporting that Trotz expects Josi, erat, and tootoo to play tomorrow. Josi is the biggest return to me as he gets re-paired with Gill and Klein and Cube then go together. Erat returning is also huge as we are finally gonna see our full lineup for the first time tomorrow night since rads came back

what year didn't we make the playoffs? i'm having a hard time remembering. what a great problem.

what year didn't we make the playoffs? i'm having a hard time remembering. what a great problem.
- OneTimer

08/09. The year after rads left and we missed Sullivan for the full year

08/09. The year after rads left and we missed Sullivan for the full year
- bigpredfan

cool. thanks.

I remember the night we clinched our first ever trip. that i remember vividly.

cool. thanks.

I remember the night we clinched our first ever trip. that i remember vividly.
- OneTimer

How can you forget something like that! My dad and I watched the game on center ice that clinched the spot and then met the team at the airport the next night after their matinee at Colorado.

Josi comes back just in time for the biggest game of the season so far. We're gonna need everyone we can get going into Friday night's game in Detroit, as Detroit is gonna be a little pissed off after that embarrassing loss in Columbus.

I would like to see the playoff seeding tweaked slightly to where you can win your division and finish no lower than 4th. Under this scenario the preds could finish as high as 3rd without winning the division and all division winners still have home ice in the first round

Edit: @smashville247 is reporting that Trotz expects Josi, erat, and tootoo to play tomorrow. Josi is the biggest return to me as he gets re-paired with Gill and Klein and Cube then go together. Erat returning is also huge as we are finally gonna see our full lineup for the first time tomorrow night since rads came back
- bigpredfan

I agree that Josi is the biggest return. Erat has been missed. But Josi has been SORELY missed. Anything to reduce the Cube's ice time. He plays okay with Klein, but they have been paired sporadically & I think it's hurt his game. Hoping that Josi and Gill can get back into the good groove they had before the injury...at least in time for the playoffs to start.

Be interesting to see who Trotz sits with the team at full strength. Gotta skate 24 & 57 right now. They have earned their ice time. That means 22, 15 & 18 are probably the odd men out most nights unless Trotz really likes the matchup.

I'd roll these lines & take my chances:

10-12-74
47-11-27
46-13-24
33-28-57
6-20
75-59
8-51

is the argument how the standings work or how the point system works?

There is no problem with placing importance of winning your division. Heck, Peyton went to Denver because its an easy division to win...however

IMO The point system....

Every other major sports league has a simple system. You either win or you lose. (exception of the rare tie in the NFL)
Look at Colorado for example, they have 5 more regulation wins than Calgary, but only one more point in the standings. They also have 3 more regulation wins than Phoenix but 1 less point in the standings. If it was a W-L system Colorado would be 7, SJ 8, LA 9, PHX 10.
IMO
Keep the same overtime rules & shootout, but simplify the outcome either win or lose. I think that would make the last few minutes of games more interesting instead of teams playing for overtime. And hoping for the extra point. It would create better chances for teams to hunt teams down ahead of them in the standings without the dreaded 3 point games.

and debate....

10-12-74
47-11-27
46-13-24
33-28-57
6-20
75-59
8-51
- holycow_75

I second that. The only problem I could see is the 4th line. I know 57 brings the energy and 28 has the grit but can 33 hang with the type of game those two play?

Point system is a bit odd I guess but I like it and would be sorely disappointed if they went to a simple W/L scenario. It sets hockey apart and is tradition too.

Maybe go to a 3-2-1 point system or better yet, lose the shootout completely. (Forget the worthless 1 on 1 "skills" competition which is a lousy way to determine which team wins a game. I don't like it.)

Instead of SO, go to a more exciting, team-oriented, modified OT format. Follow the 5-minute 4-on-4 w/ 3-on-3 with no-time-limit sudden death play which wouldn't take long to end. With that setup, I'd not have a problem keeping the current 2-points for a win and 1-point for an OT loss.

I second that. The only problem I could see is the 4th line. I know 57 brings the energy and 28 has the grit but can 33 hang with the type of game those two play?
- BoroPredsFan

Yes.

10-12-74
47-11-27
46-13-24
33-28-57
6-20
75-59
8-51
- holycow_75

I'd switch 13 and 28
and maybe 24 and 57

I second that. The only problem I could see is the 4th line. I know 57 brings the energy and 28 has the grit but can 33 hang with the type of game those two play?
- BoroPredsFan

The lines mentioned are close to what was rolled out in practice, except Wilson was on the scratch line while tootoo was on the line with 57 and 28

This morning was
10-12-74
27-11-47
46-13-24
22-28-57
33-15-18

I really like the 47/27 combo, I think they are just a bit off but once they start connecting its going to be insane...
Lets hope Polie can keep 47...
Oh and I shall eat crow, I was wrong about 47, I thought he would be a cancer in on this team, this girl was wrong.

I second that. The only problem I could see is the 4th line. I know 57 brings the energy and 28 has the grit but can 33 hang with the type of game those two play?
- BoroPredsFan

The lines mentioned are close to what was rolled out in practice, except Wilson was on the scratch line while tootoo was on the line with 57 and 28

This morning was
10-12-74
27-11-47
46-13-24
22-28-57
33-15-18
- bigpredfan

no neck is going to frank around and run 33 off.

Watch 22 touch pass to no one, or worse to the other team. My 3rd line would be 46-13-33 and 4th would be 24-28-57

22-15-18 pine time

Man Its hard for me to concur with siting number 15, I think hes not on the right line, maybe jumble him around on different lines, before benching him...

no neck is going to frank around and run 33 off.

Watch 22 touch pass to no one, or worse to the other team. My 3rd line would be 46-13-33 and 4th would be 24-28-57

22-15-18 pine time
- im4preds

I think the wings on both the 3rd & 4th lines are interchangeable...unless they hit on something that just explodes this week. That gives him flexibility to work in Toots, Yip, or Smith in a home game scenario where he likes specific matchups.

I'd like to see Tootoo in about every other game. Same for Smith. Problem is...unless Wilson is hurt...he doesn't need to sit & there's not room to work them both in.

For some reason, Trotz has never been enamored with Wilson. At least it seems that way. He's just back from injury & from what others have said, he may be a scratch tomorrow. Either way - he's got tons of upside. Gotta get those last couple guys some ice time somewhere. They may be needed in the playoffs.

is the argument how the standings work or how the point system works?

There is no problem with placing importance of winning your division. Heck, Peyton went to Denver because its an easy division to win...however

IMO The point system....

Every other major sports league has a simple system. You either win or you lose. (exception of the rare tie in the NFL)
Look at Colorado for example, they have 5 more regulation wins than Calgary, but only one more point in the standings. They also have 3 more regulation wins than Phoenix but 1 less point in the standings. If it was a W-L system Colorado would be 7, SJ 8, LA 9, PHX 10.
IMO
Keep the same overtime rules & shootout, but simplify the outcome either win or lose. I think that would make the last few minutes of games more interesting instead of teams playing for overtime. And hoping for the extra point. It would create better chances for teams to hunt teams down ahead of them in the standings without the dreaded 3 point games.

and debate....
- benderboots

I like the 3 points for a win, 2 points for an OT/Shootout Win and 1 point for an OT/Shootout Loss. That way are equal (3 point games)

I like the 3 points for a win, 2 points for an OT/Shootout Win and 1 point for an OT/Shootout Loss. That way are equal (3 point games)
- 12pack

That is my second favorite option, it still doesn't eliminate the lets get to overtime and get a point aspect of the game.

Current
W...L...OTL...PTS
41...41...0...82
0...0...82...82
0...41...41...41

3 point system
W...L...OTL...PTS
41...41...0...123
0...0...82...82
0...41...41...41

Obviously these are exaggerated, but it paints a picture

no neck is going to frank around and run 33 off.

Watch 22 touch pass to no one, or worse to the other team. My 3rd line would be 46-13-33 and 4th would be 24-28-57

22-15-18 pine time
- im4preds

33-28-57 would work too.

I like the 3 points for a win, 2 points for an OT/Shootout Win and 1 point for an OT/Shootout Loss. That way are equal (3 point games)
- 12pack

Agreed. All games should carry the same total point value and emphasis should placed on games won in regulation.

Another interesting alternative I've heard is a diminishing point system: 3 for a win, 2 for OT win, 1 for SO win, 0 for any loss.

I'd be happy with either, but I don't think the league has any interest in adjusting it. The system as it is creates an illusion for fans of teams being in the hunt when they really aren't. I imagine a 3 point system would actually create the opposite effect - teams appearing out of it could make up a ton of ground quickly with short string of regulation wins. But it's about perception and the league wants the fans to have hope and keep buying tickets.

no neck is going to frank around and run 33 off.

Watch 22 touch pass to no one, or worse to the other team. My 3rd line would be 46-13-33 and 4th would be 24-28-57

22-15-18 pine time
- im4preds

totally agree. i admit i dont totally know who can play which wing, but i like hustlechuck anywhere and i think willy has more overall talent so move him up. also agree, aside from a slippage in play or injury, toots can be last years willy. the hustlechucks and bourques of the world offer alot more.

I really like the 47/27 combo, I think they are just a bit off but once they start connecting its going to be insane...
Lets hope Polie can keep 47...
Oh and I shall eat crow, I was wrong about 47, I thought he would be a cancer in on this team, this girl was wrong.
- PREDX1

aside from the girl part i can say the same. it has worked, SO FAR, much better than i thought and was worth taking the chance from a hockey standpoint. from a personal standpoint i hate rewarding bad behavior and feel thats what we did. dont care about anyones age or circumstances.... wrong is always wrong, but im impressed so far and will feast on crow hopefully in june at a parade.