McDavid has 22 points in 21 playoff games, I’d say he’s doing what he’s paid to do, put up points. Sure he’s a turnover machine, like most highly offensive players, they’re always trying to create and they have the puck a lot, so ya, they turn it over.

Joe Sakic had 11 points in 12 playoff games seven years into his career. These guys are young, McDavid and Draisaitl, there’s not enough depth around them and their goaltending was shit. They’re not responsible for building the team around them.
- LeftCoaster

Not saying he's not a great player, he's just not a playoff beast. He puts up points much like the regular season: at a cost of defense. And much more often than not, defense will win you championships.

Pretty sure it was Hitchcock who told Modano that he could rack up as many scoring awards as he wanted, but if he didn't buy in, play defense, and not care about those awards, he wouldn't win a cup. Can see the same thing for McDavid... not to the same extent mind you, but if he wants to win a cup he has to be willing to not be the top point getting every year and focus on limiting the opposition.

But yes, we're all a little spoiled here in the North division with the young superstars on teams. Most of these guys need more time before they and their team actually turn that corner.

Not saying he's not a great player, he's just not a playoff beast. He puts up points much like the regular season: at a cost of defense. And much more often than not, defense will win you championships.

Pretty sure it was Hitchcock who told Modano that he could rack up as many scoring awards as he wanted, but if he didn't buy in, play defense, and not care about those awards, he wouldn't win a cup. Can see the same thing for McDavid... not to the same extent mind you, but if he wants to win a cup he has to be willing to not be the top point getting every year and focus on limiting the opposition.

But yes, we're all a little spoiled here in the North division with the young superstars on teams. Most of these guys need more time before they and their team actually turn that corner.
- NewYorkNuck

yes but it was brett hull who during a breakaway drill in practice skated down the middle, crossed the blue line, went in on the goalie and fired the puck into the corner.

when coach hitchcock asked him what the hell he was doing, hull replied, "what's the point, in the game you just want us to cross the blue line and dump it in anyway."

is this anecdote relevant to the discussion in any way? no, but it's one of my favourite brett hull stories.

yes but it was brett hull who during a breakaway drill in practice skated down the middle, crossed the blue line, went in on the goalie and fired the puck into the corner.

when coach hitchcock asked him what the hell he was doing, hull replied, "what's the point, in the game you just want us to cross the blue line and dump it in anyway."

is this anecdote relevant to the discussion in any way? no, but it's one of my favourite brett hull stories.
- RealityChecker

That's pretty good

Not saying he's not a great player, he's just not a playoff beast. He puts up points much like the regular season: at a cost of defense. And much more often than not, defense will win you championships.

Pretty sure it was Hitchcock who told Modano that he could rack up as many scoring awards as he wanted, but if he didn't buy in, play defense, and not care about those awards, he wouldn't win a cup. Can see the same thing for McDavid... not to the same extent mind you, but if he wants to win a cup he has to be willing to not be the top point getting every year and focus on limiting the opposition.

But yes, we're all a little spoiled here in the North division with the young superstars on teams. Most of these guys need more time before they and their team actually turn that corner.
- NewYorkNuck

While this is all true, I don't place the blame for them losing the series on Mcdavid and Draisaitl. It's a little concerning they couldn't will their team to at least 1 win, but the real problem for the Oilers is that their team is terribly constructed, with no depth at any position.

At the end of the day, it won't be a soft Canadian team lifting the Stanley Cup.

While this is all true, I don't place the blame for them losing the series on Mcdavid and Draisaitl. It's a little concerning they couldn't will their team to at least 1 win, but the real problem for the Oilers is that their team is terribly constructed, with no depth at any position.
- NorthNuck

Oh definitely not. Their team structure/depth sucks ass. Their D is about as good as the Canucks, and that's saying something. Plus, their goaltending is trash, which is a death sentence in the playoffs.

But, like you said, they didn't elevate their team enough to a win or two. I didn't watch a ton of the games (I think some other series are WAY more exciting), but what I did watch they didn't seem to dominate like Sid or Ovi or Kuch has.

the worst part is having to hear from leafs fans how AM is a better player than CM. playoffs are a proving ground so it's going to be hard to argue against them at least for now.
- RealityChecker

Nathan Mackinnon is the best player in the world.

Oh definitely not. Their team structure/depth sucks ass. Their D is about as good as the Canucks, and that's saying something. Plus, their goaltending is trash, which is a death sentence in the playoffs.

But, like you said, they didn't elevate their team enough to a win or two. I didn't watch a ton of the games (I think some other series are WAY more exciting), but what I did watch they didn't seem to dominate like Sid or Ovi or Kuch has.
- NewYorkNuck

Yup, the US series are much more entertaining.

Yup, the US series are much more entertaining.
- VanHockeyGuy

That Florida v Tampa series is amazing. The North division looks so gentle and loose in comparison to most of the US series.

At the end of the day, it won't be a soft Canadian team lifting the Stanley Cup.
- VanHockeyGuy

I'll be cheering for the jets and panthers moving forward. Like the way both teams play and will both be regarded as underdogs moving forward.

That Florida v Tampa series is amazing. The North division looks so gentle and loose in comparison to most of the US series.
- NewYorkNuck

56 games of canadian teams playing like they just wanted the season to finish.

even the players around the league saw that based on that quote from the player posted last week saying that the canadian teams had no defence.

At the end of the day, it won't be a soft Canadian team lifting the Stanley Cup.
- VanHockeyGuy

The fans of Canadian teams are getting what they deserve, they want shiny players like the Hughes, McDavid types and end with a crap product.
I think it is great, not only do the Canadian teams get crap management, but they have crap fans and mediocre players, a perfect match.

I'll be cheering for the jets and panthers moving forward. Like the way both teams play and will both be regarded as underdogs moving forward.
- Codes1087

I like the way Tampa is built, FLA's nice as well. They're fun to watch.

The fans of Canadian teams are getting what they deserve, they want shiny players like the Hughes, McDavid types and end with a crap product.
I think it is great, not only do the Canadian teams get crap management, but they have crap fans and mediocre players, a perfect match.
- Reubenkincade

It's the soft hockey people like to see during the regular season.

By no means championship hockey.

You’re joking, right? He’s not even the best player on his team. I think Marner is a better “player”, although Matthews is obviously a better goal scorer, the best in the league in fact.

McDavid, MacKinnon and Draisaitl are the best three forwards in the league, full stop!
- LeftCoaster

Marner the best player on the Leafs?

Ya, don't think so. He probably has the worst contract on the team.

I like the way Tampa is built, FLA's nice as well. They're fun to watch.
- VanHockeyGuy

tampa/col final where both teams are healthy will be very fun to watch.

tampa/col final where both teams are healthy will be very fun to watch.
- RealityChecker

Again I think COL is also subject to physicality. But yes it would be a great final. I'll take Tampa.

I have to make time to watch the Coiler's post mortem.

It's the soft hockey people like to see during the regular season.

By no means championship hockey.
- VanHockeyGuy

Yup.

Yup.
- Reubenkincade

They can't adjust to that style of hockey, nor are they built for it.

They can't adjust to that style of hockey, nor are they built for it.
- VanHockeyGuy

I mentioned that we will see the direction of the Canucks over the next 6 weeks or so. This would include the draft, buyout period and free-agency.

Hopefully it doesn't involve more ultra soft types, the team is already loaded with them.

Who'll be asking for a trade in the distant future.
- VanHockeyGuy

Both!😕

McDavid is a more talented player. Mathews I think is prob the second best forward in the world. I think Hedman is the 2nd best player personally
- Jkuzzi

Fixed

I mentioned that we will see the direction of the Canucks over the next 6 weeks or so. This would include the draft, buyout period and free-agency.

Hopefully it doesn't involve more ultra soft types, the team is already loaded with them.
- Reubenkincade

Benning has been around the NHL for an eternity, I think he knows what this team needs as long as ownership backs off