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.
- james_tanner1

Whatever makes you sleep at night James. Just keep the Tannecdotes coming, they are comedy gold.

Oh yeah, and don't ever let anyone convince you that your opinions are anything less than objective truth.

'

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

You didn't answer my question! You shouldn't be making bets.

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.
- RafiDRW

Call it what you want, they have some underlying issues.

16th in corsi/possession

under 50% Corsi

3rd in PDO (owing to 3rd highest 5v5 shooting percentage)

Kucherov is scoring a goal per game and shooting a ridiculous 25%

No one can sustain a 28% power-play success rate.

So while they'll still be with Toronto, Columbus and Edmonton as one of the best teams in the NHL, they are way, way overperforming.

'

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've got a $100 dollar bill to put on that one #easymoney

Call it what you want, they have some underlying issues.

16th in corsi/possession

under 50% Corsi

3rd in PDO (owing to 3rd highest 5v5 shooting percentage)

Kucherov is scoring a goal per game and shooting a ridiculous 25%

No one can sustain a 28% power-play success rate.

So while they'll still be with Toronto, Columbus and Edmonton as one of the best teams in the NHL, they are way, way overperforming.
- james_tanner1

Yep. Over performing is correct. But hell. They outperform for 20-25% of the season and revert back from ridiculously great to damn good. They can perform damn good the rest of the season and still wind up at the top.

They’re always out performing their stats when Stamkos is healthy. It’s weird. But they are showing no reason why they shouldn’t continue to hold onto a top five position league wide at the end of the season.

Edmonton and Toronto are starting to worry me, more so with Edmonton. They are just still young group of players with insane potential. I expect better seasons as they continue to play but I expect even more for the next three seasons after.

click click click

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

And has one of the worst GMs in the league...not sure how anyone would consider them better than Tampa

And has one of the worst GMs in the league...not sure how anyone would consider them better than Tampa
- mgriffen

You must be new in town.

And has one of the worst GMs in the league...not sure how anyone would consider them better than Tampa
- mgriffen

They aren’t. Connor is better than anyone on the Bolts and Draisaitl is top five between the two rosters. But they don’t have a Hedman or Sergachev.

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.

- james_tanner1

On paper it looks like he is "winning" a lot of trades. But at the end of the day, they aren't winning games. They swindled Minnesota on the Hanzal deal which was good. Demers and Hjarmalsson were good pickups too.

When you look at them basically trading Smith, DeAngelo and a top 10 pick for Stepan, Raanta and a 3rd I think they took a step back both in the long and short term.

James, last year you were talking about how the Capitals were basically the best team assembled in the salary cap era.

I don't get how you can make that statement and then look at the Bolts this year and tell us they're worse than the Oilers... considering how much you bash Chia, I'm pretty surprised at that statement.

Also, I don't think people are basing 100% of their opinions on win/loss records. I think they more likely look at the depth of a team and what they expect from them and then look at their current production. I don't think anyone is saying that Vegas is a great team. Most people agree that they will fall back down to earth soon; however, people look at Tampa and think "yeah that seems about right, because this is a very well put together team."

You must be new in town.
- Tonybere

Well Tanner is a person, after all.

Well Tanner is a person, after all.
- mgriffen

Have we definitely ruled out that he isn't just some sort of Russain troll-farm creation like Jenna Abrams?

Have we definitely ruled out that he isn't just some sort of Russain troll-farm creation like Jenna Abrams?
- eichiefs9

I haven't run the numbers yet, no

James, last year you were talking about how the Capitals were basically the best team assembled in the salary cap era.

I don't get how you can make that statement and then look at the Bolts this year and tell us they're worse than the Oilers... considering how much you bash Chia, I'm pretty surprised at that statement.

Also, I don't think people are basing 100% of their opinions on win/loss records. I think they more likely look at the depth of a team and what they expect from them and then look at their current production. I don't think anyone is saying that Vegas is a great team. Most people agree that they will fall back down to earth soon; however, people look at Tampa and think "yeah that seems about right, because this is a very well put together team."
- mgriffen

The Lightning are like last year's Penguins - they are expected to do well, so when they do, people assume it's because they're a great team. The expectations are hiding some underlying issues. Not to say they're not a good team but let's see how it goes.

As for the Oilers, I hate their GM, but they've got a deep team a good goalie and the best player in the world. I also think Klefbom is pretty great.

The Lightning are like last year's Penguins - they are expected to do well, so when they do, people assume it's because they're a great team. The expectations are hiding some underlying issues. Not to say they're not a good team but let's see how it goes.

As for the Oilers, I hate their GM, but they've got a deep team a good goalie and the best player in the world. I also think Klefbom is pretty great.
- james_tanner1

So Klefbom, Larsson, and Russel > Hedman, Sergachev, and Stralman? Yes, the Oilers have arguably the best player in the world, but that's not enough.

As for the Oilers, I hate their GM, but they've got a deep team a good goalie and the best player in the world. I also think Klefbom is pretty great.
- james_tanner1

So the Oilers are a deep team, have a good goalie and top players but the GM sucks. Makes sense.

Still waiting for an answer to my question.

So the Oilers are a deep team, have a good goalie and top players but the GM sucks. Makes sense.

Still waiting for an answer to my question.
- MJL

Not sure how that is even remotely a contradiction. I also don't like their coach.

nope. Tanner luck factors into of game, maybe a bad bounce or a missed call. You don't win a cup on luck. That's why it's best of 7 bud.

Not sure how that is even remotely a contradiction. I also don't like their coach.
- james_tanner1

I know you're not sure, that's the problem!


What about my question? Why won't you answer it?

The Lightning are like last year's Penguins - they are expected to do well, so when they do, people assume it's because they're a great team. The expectations are hiding some underlying issues. Not to say they're not a good team but let's see how it goes.

As for the Oilers, I hate their GM, but they've got a deep team a good goalie and the best player in the world. I also think Klefbom is pretty great.

One could say the same thing about last years Capitals. Relying too much on Ovi, and Holtby not being able to elevate his game in the playoffs. A stacked D core that didn't look the part even during the series with the Leafs. But you know who did come through big? The Penguins. Crosby had a monster run, Malkin was his original self, and Murray and Fleury played huge. All without a cup caliber defense - and on top of that, beat the two best defensive units in the game. Might say that's the mark of a great team...but that's just my opinion.

I forget, can anyone tell me the name of the trophy they give out to the team with the best Corsi for the season?

I forget, can anyone tell me the name of the trophy they give out to the team with the best Corsi for the season?
- Tonybere

they give you one of those miniature stanley cups and tell you it's the real thing and that despite what everyone says, you're the best.

they give you one of those miniature stanley cups and tell you it's the real thing and that despite what everyone says, you're the best.
- mgriffen

You get a participation trophy and 1 month free stay in a safe zone.

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

I'm a little confused.

The Coyotes are the worst team in the league - on pace to be the worst team in the history of the NHL.

But it's too early to pin this blame on Chayka - he's just in the second year of his tenure, and these things take time.

I actually agree with this.

But while it is far too early to judge Chayka on his results, it's not too early to declare him to be one of the best GMs in the league?

It seems to me that we either judge him by his results, or we agree it's too early to judge him by his results.