McDavid looked insanely dangerous from start to finish in that game. 30 seconds in, he blew by the Calgary D and gets a partial breakaway. Scored goal 1 while roaming around slipping coverage and gets to the right spot to capture a rebound. Then he got a couple more breakaway/partial breakaway and scores with outside speed cutting in behind the D with a nice move. The Flames just had no answer for this kid and he got 7 shots and most of them dangerous. Fun to watch this guy.
- breadbag

He looked absolutely Un stoppable, I thought Edmonton might take a bit of step backwards this year but I think I'm changing my opinion on that.
McDavid has got to be the fastest player ever. I know only one game but I'm thinking they will be the team coming out of the west

He looked absolutely Un stoppable, I thought Edmonton might take a bit of step backwards this year but I think I'm changing my opinion on that.
McDavid has got to be the fastest player ever. I know only one game but I'm thinking they will be the team coming out of the west
- HamiltonHawk

Oilers are definitely not the punching bag of the west anymore. Talbot has really solidified the crease for them which is huge too. I don't know if they are going to come out of the west, but they certain have a good chance and are fun to watch.

Very much true. May be one reason it took such a long time to settle on value for Hamonic. In the end it seems like Snow was resigned to trade him. The other point you could have added, is that there too often is a proliferation to rush defensemen whom were high early selections. They need to receive proper coaching, support from a veteran partner is also huge. Confidence is the name of the game for them. Usually it takes repetition and even years of practicing how quickly and where to move a puck when it is dumped in. The dmnen who are proficient sooner than others at this truly stand out.

Look at Murphy as an example per the discussion above.
I had pegged Hamonic as better than you mentioned. How ironic the team that traded him, had invested many, many #1 on defensemen. Or even traded for one
- jhawk59[Hickey].

Go ahead, review their roster. Leddy, deHahn, Hickey, Pullock. They moved Reinhart. Boychuck was a #2 round I think.

3 other teams I always look at re drafting, developing or trading for defenceman are Nashville, Philly and Minnesota.

Nashville drafts many - some pan out into Top 4 guys, others languish in Milwaukee and then get moved or let go. Aside from Josi and Ekholm, Ryan Ellis is a big favourite of mine - most would have written him off as too small. Great little player IMO.

Philly - how many have they drafted over the years and are still waiting for - lots. And they have signed or traded for and overpaid a number of stiffs like Andrew MacDonald.

And then consider guys like Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner - both written off as flops. Now they are with good teams and look terrific.

So how are we to really know what Jordan Oesterle or Carl Dahlstrom or Connor Murphy or the kid they drafted #1 are going to develop into?

Tough position defence is - not many Aaron Ekblads come along.

He looked absolutely Un stoppable, I thought Edmonton might take a bit of step backwards this year but I think I'm changing my opinion on that.
McDavid has got to be the fastest player ever. I know only one game but I'm thinking they will be the team coming out of the west
- HamiltonHawk

On that 2nd goal when he picked up the puck in his own end and turned it into a breakaway they had him clocked moving at 40.9 kilometers/hour.

On that 2nd goal when he picked up the puck in his own end and turned it into a breakaway they had him clocked moving at 40.9 kilometers/hour.
- RickJ

Hamonic and Brodie -3 trying to contain him.

Hamonic and Brodie combined for a -3 trying to contain him.
- breadbag

Both looked like industrial league defenceman chasing him.

And Johnny Hockeys line was out there against McDavid's line - did you even notice them?

Both looked like industrial league defenceman chasing him.

And Johnny Hockeys line was out there against McDavid's line - did you even notice them?
- RickJ

Keith has 2 weeks to get ready for his turn to defend him. He shadowed him hard last time they played in Feb. I remember McDavid got the empty net goal, but #7 and #2 were out there together and McDavid got behind Seabrook.

Oilers are definitely not the punching bag of the west anymore. Talbot has really solidified the crease for them which is huge too. I don't know if they are going to come out of the west, but they certain have a good chance and are fun to watch.
- breadbag

After 4 #1 overall picks in 5 drafts, one would think they would finally become a good team.

On that 2nd goal when he picked up the puck in his own end and turned it into a breakaway they had him clocked moving at 40.9 kilometers/hour.
- RickJ

How fast is that in Central Standard Time?

How fast is that in Central Standard Time?
- StLBravesFan

24ish mph

How fast is that in Central Standard Time?
- StLBravesFan

Exactly 25.41408 MPH. But the puck was on edge so he had to slow down before he roofed it over Smith.

I'm surprised Stan hasn't done any swapping with Carolina. Pretty sure Carolina owes us a "player to be named" after the TvR trade, which I understand means little, but thought would be something of more substance....?

What do you guys think it would take pry away Brett Pesce?

I'm surprised Stan hasn't done any swapping with Carolina. Pretty sure Carolina owes us a "player to be named" after the TvR trade, which I understand means little, but thought would be something of more substance....?

What do you guys think it would take pry away Brett Pesce?
- Bjm84

A piece to the puzzle or a fill in the blank needed in the equation in Ron Francis' mind .....because they are getting closer to becoming a legitimate playoff contender.

I think Francis is a shrewd GM. I wonder if TVR is in reality depth or a descent capable 6th dman who dies enough things well enough.....So depth if he trades from his crown jewel young defense. They have J Bean in junior and for time being Fleury makes team (a dman).

3 other teams I always look at re drafting, developing or trading for defenceman are Nashville, Philly and Minnesota.

Nashville drafts many - some pan out into Top 4 guys, others languish in Milwaukee and then get moved or let go. Aside from Josi and Ekholm, Ryan Ellis is a big favourite of mine - most would have written him off as too small. Great little player IMO.

Philly - how many have they drafted over the years and are still waiting for - lots. And they have signed or traded for and overpaid a number of stiffs like Andrew MacDonald.

And then consider guys like Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner - both written off as flops. Now they are with good teams and look terrific.

So how are we to really know what Jordan Oesterle or Carl Dahlstrom or Connor Murphy or the kid they drafted #1 are going to develop into?

Tough position defence is - not many Aaron Ekblads come along.
- RickJ

Bob Murray has been collecting a trophy case of power forwards. If enough of them work out, you not only get Getzlaf and Perry in your face, but second, third. And fourth serving of the same.

On NHL Now, E.J. Hradek just suggested Joel Quenneville may be fired if the Hawks don't do well early this season. He also mentioned the friction between Q and Bowman. Thoughts?

I think that Q needs to not always be so stubborn with his guys and not his guys. somebody like TVR was given a pass on poor play, Roz, Mash, Tootoo, ETC but then daley, Weiss, ETC were given very little chance. he seems a little better this year other then Bouma should be on the bench and Wingels should be in. I also not sure I like the fact that he moved a RW Hartman to 2nd line LW, and moved LW debrinct to 3rd line RW. Why he puts young players on a wing they are not used to is beyond me. Debrinct should either be 2 or 3 LW and they should move sharp up instead.

Also Martinez is bigger then bouma who in the last 2 years has 105 games and 5 goals 9 A, Martinez has 119 games and has 7 goals and 11A. Basically the same player. Wingels in 141 games has 14 goals and 16A. and has 2 years of 15+ goals just before that. and both those years he was only 1% higher in shooting % Bouma had one good year out his shooting % was double his Career avg. plus bouma does not even AVG a shoot on Goal per game. Wingels is about 1.5 per game last 2 years. I also would have kept Kempny and rutta together since its his 1st game on Small ice let him play with someone that he knows better. IE set the young guys up to succeed.
- kmw4631

I assume you mean Martinsen

Bob Murray has been collecting a trophy case of power forwards. If enough of them work out, you not only get Getzlaf and Perry in your face, but second, third. And fourth serving of the same.
- jhawk59

Very true, maybe the best young D collection of all.

Only problem is that Perry, Getzlaf and Kesler have probably gone past their best before dates.

Also Martinez is bigger then bouma...

I assume you mean Martinsen
- TheTrob

Martinez is Latin form of Martinsen

He looked absolutely Un stoppable, I thought Edmonton might take a bit of step backwards this year but I think I'm changing my opinion on that.
McDavid has got to be the fastest player ever. I know only one game but I'm thinking they will be the team coming out of the west
- HamiltonHawk

I'm not sure about fastest player ever if we are talking about just flat out speed, but when you measure the speed at which he plays when he has the puck, then he is definitely in the very top tier if not the top. Time will tell. You have to catch him to hit him, but the NHL has a way of wearing down guys legs pretty quickly. I fully expect him to be able to adjust, but his just blowing by guys will change as teams adjust the way they defend him and as he naturally slows as he ages.

Very true, maybe the best young D collection of all.

Only problem is that Perry, Getzlaf and Kesler have probably gone past their best before dates.
- RickJ

If they are like Michilin tires they have a lot of wear and tear. But certainly not as fast and furious as a spring chicken

True #1 defenceman are really only available thru the draft or infrequently via free agency.

And Hamonic is miles away from being a #1 Dman in this league, he's more like a #4. Nice player but .....
- RickJ

I remember a discussion about Harmonic on this board last season. Someone, I can't remember who, posted some of his stats and well, he kinda sucks. Especially for his salary. He sounded like just the kind of player the Blackhawks needed but looking into it deeper, probably better that they didn't get him.

Bob Murray has been collecting a trophy case of power forwards. If enough of them work out, you not only get Getzlaf and Perry in your face, but second, third. And fourth serving of the same.
- jhawk59

Anaheim has had that makeup for years because they were trying to stack up against LA, yet it's still hasn't worked out for them.

I remember a discussion about Harmonic on this board last season. Someone, I can't remember who, posted some of his stats and well, he kinda sucks. Especially for his salary. He sounded like just the kind of player the Blackhawks needed but looking into it deeper, probably better that they didn't get him.
- matt_ahrens

Better off without Johns and if therr was inyrtedt, better off without Merrill. Those two share both Notre Dame halcyon (?) days.

McDavid with an opening night hat trick in 3-0 win vs. Flames. Simmonds also with a hat trick vs. Sharks.
- AEL_Fox

The kid is amazing..... never thought I'd say it but he may be better than the best hockey player of all time, Bobby Orr. Hard to believe he only scored 30 goals last year... he may have that by the all star break. Great talent.

Keith has 2 weeks to get ready for his turn to defend him. He shadowed him hard last time they played in Feb. I remember McDavid got the empty net goal, but #7 and #2 were out there together and McDavid got behind Seabrook.
- breadbag

Really great players have always been able to get behind Seabs. that's why having a competent partner is a must for him. Seabs is one of the best blueline breakup guys in the business, but he's not fast. His positioning and body are how he's effective, but great, fast skaters can get around him. That's why Keith was always his best partner because he knows how to read and cover in the situation that Seabs gets beat.

Mason having a rough start in his Winnipeg debut. Something tells me the Jets might be looking for goaltending again in the near future...
- breadbag

That's because he's a backup at best. Silly Winnipeg