Pretty close to accurate I would say haha. Almost 40% of our entire country's population is in the province of Ontario, home of the Leafs (and Sens)...and the Habs have 24 Stanley Cups...usually cup winners pick up a lot of new fans, not to mention favorite teams get passed on to kids through generations.

Id say of the other 20% its like 6% Oilers, 6% Flames, 2% Jets, 2% Canucks, 1% Sens and 3% other (Bruins, Wings, Pens, Hawks, Avs etc.)
- MattStrat

Thanks for verifying - I'm a Yank and I just pulled that number out of my ass haha. But it seems about right.

My buddy who is a Wings fan has a theory that most refs are from Canada, too, so they are more inclined to call a more old school, rough style of hockey (versus the Euro style). This was more of a thing about 20-30 years ago but I'm inclined to agree with him, especially come playoff time. Apparently the Pens didn't get the memo.

Crushing HBSL this week after only 2 days...




EDIT: Its strange, I know that it stated 4 games for both Patches and Smith this week when I picked the team. I just trust the league and dont look into it.
- MattStrat

I have a decent lead on mine this week, too. The first two weeks sucked, but hopefully I go 2-2 after this week. I won last week by two points lol

Yeah, full contact participants I believe. With the extra days of practice I think we'll see them both on the weekend.

MM definitely has to be at the very least a slight upgrade over Churchman or Weber....or we at least hope so at that price tag....having said that, he didnt get much of a camp with new team and hasnt played many games either...could be rough haha
- MattStrat

You know, I was pleasantly surprised by the play of Weber and Czuczman, especially Weber. They didn't look out of place at all. I even saw Weber fire off a hard, low shot from the point. He gets it.

I just remember him getting abused by the Pens in the Finals when he played for the Preds. But, that was prime Crosby and company able to match up against him when the Pens were the home team. I forget who his partner was but he was equally sucky.

In general, I don't think 3rd pairings make too much difference unless you have someone who is really good or really bad. Average is good enough and I would take defensive over offensive every day the of week.

Thanks for verifying - I'm a Yank and I just pulled that number out of my ass haha. But it seems about right.

My buddy who is a Wings fan has a theory that most refs are from Canada, too, so they are more inclined to call a more old school, rough style of hockey (versus the Euro style). This was more of a thing about 20-30 years ago but I'm inclined to agree with him, especially come playoff time. Apparently the Pens didn't get the memo.
- Hockey66

hahaha those are all loose estimates on my behalf but probably not far off.

You know, I was pleasantly surprised by the play of Weber and Czuczman, especially Weber. They didn't look out of place at all. I even saw Weber fire off a hard, low shot from the point. He gets it.

I just remember him getting abused by the Pens in the Finals when he played for the Preds. But, that was prime Crosby and company able to match up against him when the Pens were the home team. I forget who his partner was but he was equally sucky.

In general, I don't think 3rd pairings make too much difference unless you have someone who is really good or really bad. Average is good enough and I would take defensive over offensive every day the of week.
- Hockey66

I didnt see much I liked at all from those guys, especially Czu. Sullivan, who's not usually known to shelter D at 5 on 5 certainly did that for that pairing vs the Rags though. They only had around 7 mins each 5 on 5 compared to around 17 each for PO and Marino.

The Preds top 4 D in that series was insane. They really sheltered the bottom one. I think it might of been Irwin he was partnered with?

I have a decent lead on mine this week, too. The first two weeks sucked, but hopefully I go 2-2 after this week. I won last week by two points lol
- Rinosaur

hahaha by the skin of your teeth.

I'm 2-1 entering this week.

You know, I was pleasantly surprised by the play of Weber and Czuczman, especially Weber. They didn't look out of place at all. I even saw Weber fire off a hard, low shot from the point. He gets it.

I just remember him getting abused by the Pens in the Finals when he played for the Preds. But, that was prime Crosby and company able to match up against him when the Pens were the home team. I forget who his partner was but he was equally sucky.

In general, I don't think 3rd pairings make too much difference unless you have someone who is really good or really bad. Average is good enough and I would take defensive over offensive every day the of week.
- Hockey66

Czuczman sucks.

Czuczman sucks.
- j.boyd919

Yeah, I know, but he didn't seem as sucky as I was expecting, especially after not playing in the league for 7 years.

I didnt see much I liked at all from those guys, especially Czu. Sullivan, who's not usually known to shelter D at 5 on 5 certainly did that for that pairing vs the Rags though. They only had around 7 mins each 5 on 5 compared to around 17 each for PO and Marino.

The Preds top 4 D in that series was insane. They really sheltered the bottom one. I think it might of been Irwin he was partnered with?
- MattStrat

Yeah, I think you are right about it being Irwin.

I'm just saying it wasn't the dumpster fire I was expecting. And Weber looked somewhat passable.

Yeah, I think you are right about it being Irwin.

I'm just saying it wasn't the dumpster fire I was expecting. And Weber looked somewhat passable.
- Hockey66

My eyes didn't like them at all and there wasnt much to see with only around 10 mins each of play time all situations...lots of gaffes and bad decisions along with zero confidence with puck... It is possible they could slightly/marginally improve with some game reps but they need to be gone completely, and soon, IMO.

Yeah, full contact participants I believe. With the extra days of practice I think we'll see them both on the weekend.

MM definitely has to be at the very least a slight upgrade over Churchman or Weber....or we at least hope so at that price tag....having said that, he didnt get much of a camp with new team and hasnt played many games either...could be rough haha
- MattStrat

With all the injuries, I'm actually looking forward to getting Matheson back. Still don't have high hopes, but at least there is a chance and it gets a lefty in the line-up.

hahaha by the skin of your teeth.

I'm 2-1 entering this week.
- MattStrat

I had too many Penguins on my week one. I had Jake, Rust and Jarry which obviously blew up in my face, some players had covid, so I really got effed.

Week two was really just bad luck. We had almost the exact same lineup, but his picks edged me out.

Czuczman sucks.
- j.boyd919

He’s obviously not a legit NHLer, but I think he’s in a no-win situation at the moment being called upon to take on a much larger role than he should ever have, so I will give him some kudos.

With all the injuries, I'm actually looking forward to getting Matheson back. Still don't have high hopes, but at least there is a chance and it gets a lefty in the line-up.
- Tojo.

Im with ya in all regards here. The Pens biggest need right now, like today/this week, is LD. When (or if) the D is healthy the biggest need is one more producing forward for bottom 6.

No high hopes just hope he's an upgrade right now and I think he will be.

Im with ya in all regards here. The Pens biggest need right now, like today/this week, is LD. When (or if) the D is healthy the biggest need is one more producing forward for bottom 6.

No high hopes just hope he's an upgrade right now and I think he will be.
- MattStrat

I’m glad as well. I personally think with Pettersson out this gives the Pens a chance to truly evaluate what he brings.

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned but I just noticed that O'Connor and Czu were both sent back to Taxi....so I think that definitely means we see Matheson and ZAR.

I’m glad as well. I personally think with Pettersson out this gives the Pens a chance to truly evaluate what he brings.
- Rinosaur

For sure. There are some positives here in the very bleak looking but very early stage of the season. PO getting all that ice time is another one.

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned but I just noticed that O'Connor and Czu were both sent back to Taxi....so I think that definitely means we see Matheson and ZAR.
- MattStrat

Yeah between that and mm and zar practicing that’s why I think they will be a sure thing playing next game.

Yeah between that and mm and zar practicing that’s why I think they will be a sure thing playing next game.
- 10inchTerror

I only knew half of the equation haha...the they practiced half

So with ZAR set to return are we going back to that iron curtain 4th line of:

Tanev-Blue-ZAR?

Could be 3rd line now, I guess haha.

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned but I just noticed that O'Connor and Czu were both sent back to Taxi....so I think that definitely means we see Matheson and ZAR.
- MattStrat

O'Connor is another who I thought looked decent and not out of place. Maybe I'm just viewing all of the new players through rose colored glasses during a bleak time.

I forget. Was Maniscaclo in camp?

So with ZAR set to return are we going back to that iron curtain 4th line of:

Tanev-Blue-ZAR?

Could be 3rd line now, I guess haha.
- MattStrat

I personally would like to keep the 3rd line in-tact, put ZAR with Jank and just let them be a total shut-down line. They won't produce any offense, but they can at least just shut teams down.

So with ZAR set to return are we going back to that iron curtain 4th line of:

Tanev-Blue-ZAR?

Could be 3rd line now, I guess haha.
- MattStrat

I would rather see:

McCann - Blue - Tanev
ZAR - Jank - Sceviour

No, I thought it was awesome that he at least did something about the pushing and shoving. I'm surprised I thought you'd be happy he did it even though it wasn't the best fight.
- 668710

I give him all the credit in the world. Just sad that he’s the guy that ends up in that situation. I think a sure fire sign that Geno isn’t himself is he was a passenger out there in that situation.