Chayka's moves he should be criticized for: not getting an experienced goaltender (Elliott would've been fine) and for getting Tocchet as his coach
- WSCTeton17

I did love his Chychrun trade and the Ryan Whyte/Hanzal dumps.

Well for one, you're right about those going the analytics route to blame Chaykas. That's bull. It's a horrendous start to the season that will pretty much doom their playoff chances but there are many factors and reasons why.

However stating that Chaykas has already proven to be one of the best GM's in the league is an overstatement. He's not there yet.

The NHL is a salary cap league with 100% parity. Hate to say it, but it's all about 99% luck.
- james_tanner1

This will absolutely be added to the list of top Tannerrisms!

They changed coaches, they have a young team, and their second best defenseman hasn't played a game yet.

Tanner these are the very same reasons you gave at the start of the season as to why the yotes would be a powerhouse to rekon with.

Youth. Defense. Goaltending. Coaching. Depth. Chayka. Like a mantra of Hope, Change, Yes We Can! You were unrelenting and oblivious to reason.


C'mon dude just be wrong and then be better from it.

Also, your infatuation with luck is inane. Luck plays a role, but any meathead knows hardwork and strategy is the core of this sport. Oh and skill. Yeah you need skill. Not unskilled like the yotes, but skilled. Like other teams.

This will absolutely be added to the list of top Tannerrisms!
- MJL

Almost as if it was planned that way...

What's more short sighted, saying that the GM of a team that has won 2 of 15 is terrible or saying that the GM of a team that has won 2 of 15 games is the best in the league?

This team hasn't gotten better under his guidance. I expect he has a long leash so time will tell if they are headed in the right direction. Keller looks like a great player and they will be picking high again this year. At a certain point they have to put together a team that can win some games though.

I'd say he might not be the worst GM in the league but he definitely isn't one of the better GM's this far into his career.
- MacPatty

You can't predict the future, but based on all available information, Chayka has done about 10000x better than anyone could have expected. You really can't knock any of this trades.

Of course it's something that could go eitherway. I'm not going to say I'm 100% right today and that I'll never change my mind.

But anyone looking at the short term results and making a negative judgement needs to be ignored.

BTW no team in the history of the NHL (excepting expansion teams) has ever been as bad as their record when they're 2-15. The Coyotes are much closer to being a .500 team though.

Well he shouldn't sign injury prone players then.

Absolute bull poop statement. There is still bad teams(Coyotes), middling teams(Edmonton) and great teams(Tampa). Luck is just an excuse when your players aren’t playing well. It’s not bad luck Duclair isn’t living up to his potential. It’s not good luck Kucherov is tearing up the league.
- RafiDRW

What is hilarious is that based off of today's stats, calling Tampa a "great" team is crazy. The Oilers are way better then them across the board and once the things we know always 100% of the time normalize (save and shooting percentage) the Oilers will be the better team.

People put WAY too much stock into win loss records, especially early in the season.

You can't predict the future, but based on all available information, Chayka has done about 10000x better than anyone could have expected. You really can't knock any of this trades.

Of course it's something that could go eitherway. I'm not going to say I'm 100% right today and that I'll never change my mind.

But anyone looking at the short term results and making a negative judgement needs to be ignored.

BTW no team in the history of the NHL (excepting expansion teams) has ever been as bad as their record when they're 2-15. The Coyotes are much closer to being a .500 team though.
- james_tanner1

The record now is it what it is. It doesn't change that Chayka has made a lot of smart moves. That being said, it's still a results oriented business. You don't get named one of the best GM's in the league based on the consensus of players moves made. You get that title by winning consistently.

The record now is it what it is. It doesn't change that Chayka has made a lot of smart moves. That being said, it's still a results oriented business. You don't get named one of the best GM's in the league based on the consensus of players moves made. You get that title by winning consistently.
- MJL

Don't focus so much on who's the greatest. I just said I'd start my team with him as my first choice. He's 28. He's got time to improve, where as the median age of GMs is probably about 67.

But since he came into the league, there is one or two guys, if that, who can put their trade records up against his.

This will absolutely be added to the list of top Tannerrisms!
- MJL

You mean things that are true - save for some slight exaggeration - and mocked by dummies who pretend they don't take the true point? Add er up.

What is hilarious is that based off of today's stats, calling Tampa a "great" team is crazy. The Oilers are way better then them across the board and once the things we know always 100% of the time normalize (save and shooting percentage) the Oilers will be the better team.

People put WAY too much stock into win loss records, especially early in the season.
- james_tanner1

The "board" apparently doesn't contain wins and losses and the NHL standings!


James, are there any articles or thoughts on how a team's early win-loss record statistically affects their chances of making the playoffs?

What is hilarious is that based off of today's stats, calling Tampa a "great" team is crazy. The Oilers are way better then them across the board and once the things we know always 100% of the time normalize (save and shooting percentage) the Oilers will be the better team.

People put WAY too much stock into win loss records, especially early in the season.
- james_tanner1

How can you not say they are a great team? Are you (frank)ing blind? They have great forward depth. An insane defense. Vasy is playing really well and not above his head. Cooper is a very good coach and Yzerman may be one of the top ten GMs in the league.

Edmonton is middling because they have a lack of speed and wingers. They came back down to earth after their engine was firing on all cylinders last year. They are young and growing and going to continue getting better. But they need to get rid of Russel/Lucic and add someone like Eberle.

You mean things that are true - save for some slight exaggeration - and mocked by dummies who pretend they don't take the true point? Add er up.
- james_tanner1

Yea, that's it, go with ad hominem fallacy. Your statement is so ridiculously absurd that there are no adjectives available to adequately describe how ridiculous it is.

What is hilarious is that based off of today's stats, calling Tampa a "great" team is crazy. The Oilers are way better then them across the board and once the things we know always 100% of the time normalize (save and shooting percentage) the Oilers will be the better team.

People put WAY too much stock into win loss records, especially early in the season.
- james_tanner1

What is this love affair with hyperbole and absolutes? I'm 25060% sure you know absolutely nothing you're saying. Talk from the brain, not the heart.

Don't focus so much on who's the greatest. I just said I'd start my team with him as my first choice. He's 28. He's got time to improve, where as the median age of GMs is probably about 67.

But since he came into the league, there is one or two guys, if that, who can put their trade records up against his.
- james_tanner1

No that's not what you said. You called him one of the top GM's in the league. He's not.

How can you not say they are a great team? Are you (frank)ing blind? They have great forward depth. An insane defense. Vasy is playing really well and not above his head. Cooper is a very good coach and Yzerman may be one of the top ten GMs in the league.

Edmonton is middling because they have a lack of speed and wingers. They came back down to earth after their engine was firing on all cylinders last year. They are young and growing and going to continue getting better. But they need to get rid of Russel/Lucic and add someone like Eberle.
- RafiDRW

100%. Outside of CMD and Leon, not a lot of speed. Poor overall defense and goaltending is subpar. Reality check this year.

No that's not what you said. You called him one of the top GM's in the league. He's not.
- MJL

He’s one of the best GMs for trading. Free agency, coaching hiring, talent recognition still has yet to be seen as top tier.

He’s one of the best GMs for trading. Free agency, coaching hiring, talent recognition still has yet to be seen as top tier.
- RafiDRW

Chayka has made a lot of smart moves, no doubt.

100%. Outside of CMD and Leon, not a lot of speed. Poor overall defense and goaltending is subpar. Reality check this year.
- halo63

Talbot isn’t the issue. Having Sekera our hurts them. But yeah. No stud #1 defensemen. Love Nurse and Larsson this year. Progressing very very nicely. Klefbom is dealing with sophomore slump one year removed. Speed is so bad for this team. They really are just two players away from being able to maintain last years leve of play. A speedy RW and an offensive dman like Mike Green. Pushes Gryba and Benning down the line and if they keep Sekera. That’s a nice six dmen unit. Not amazing. But good enough to hold down the fort.

Chayka has made a lot of smart moves, no doubt.
- MJL

Yep. Wish Holland had this guys trade sense. Holland isn’t terrible but he’s never been a futures in mind GM.

The "board" apparently doesn't contain wins and losses and the NHL standings!


James, are there any articles or thoughts on how a team's early win-loss record statistically affects their chances of making the playoffs?
- MJL

'

Obviously a win is a win, but people should consider if a team can continue on their current pace. Even if Tampa is the best team ever, their pace is unsustainable. But they aren't and I'll put good money the Oilers eventually pass them in the standings.

'

Obviously a win is a win, but people should consider if a team can continue on their current pace. Even if Tampa is the best team ever, their pace is unsustainable. But they aren't and I'll put good money the Oilers eventually pass them in the standings.
- james_tanner1

I don’t expect a 130 pt season from them. But I expect them to win the Atlantic for sure, be top 2 for the conference and top 5 for the league in standings. It’s not luck. It’s that they are really really good and healthy.

'

Obviously a win is a win, but people should consider if a team can continue on their current pace. Even if Tampa is the best team ever, their pace is unsustainable. But they aren't and I'll put good money the Oilers eventually pass them in the standings.
- james_tanner1

20 Pesos

or 500,000 Lira

When you can't handle the criticism or back-up your own bullpoop just resort to calling the person an internet stalker and a loser. James Tanner you are going to make an excellent father figure...

I'm sure your philosophy of parenting is that it's 99% luck anyways.
- RonPielep

Hey, whatever that means. Ron, you're getting worked up. I know this is a huge part of your life, but that's not right. You need to get offline and go outside. Not everyone is out to get you. It's going to be OK.