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andrewuttaro · 5 years ago

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New Look Sabres: Preseason GM 5 - CBJ - Preseason Poetry

It has felt like we’re cruising for a bruising hasn’t it? I hold down the fort as the resident optimist of Sabres twitter while it’s hard to deny that something just isn’t keying up right about this preseason as we near it’s end now. Scandella, Sobotka, Ristolainen; they’re all still on the roster. That last name has become the leading defensive name on the trade market and yet, the other shoe of the stacking of that side of the defense this offseason has just not quite dropped yet. I love to hear the takes that its inevitable like the Buffalo Bills getting rid of Lashawn McCoy, and that this talk about his strengths and the praise from the coaching staff are just good coaches keeping their mouths shut. I got to say, the four walls of this optimism fort are getting a little shaky. Last year was rejuvenation; even before the regular season began the arrivals of Dahlin and Skinner felt like a new dawn for a team that had just been accidentally the first team to finish 31st in NHL history. They went on a ten-game winning streak before falling off a cliff and becoming only the fourth NHL team ever to lead the league and miss the playoffs in the same season. What are we keying up this season? A herculean debut for Victor Olofsson and a Sophomore explosion from Rasmus Dahlin to see improvement in the standings? Anything can happen in this league, that’s what makes it fun. The St. Louis Blues were worst in the league at the end of January and won the Cup in June. All that’s well and good but let’s all just be honest and remember this team has been the vanguard of shittiness for a decade. Are we going to march out the Rasmus Squared pairing on defense opening night? Are we going to skate out Vladimir Sobotka and Marco Scandella thinking this season will be different? These are questions Ralph Krueger and Jason Botterill need to answer and with a week until the regular season starts I’m getting a little impatient for the answers.

I’ll be honest. Wednesday is the busiest day of my week this semester. I didn’t get home until after 8 when I had to go on a business call for 45 minutes. The precious little entertainment time I had available to me tonight I was fully prepared to expend entirely on some late-season soccer. This is preseason hockey after all. One thing the preseason doesn’t lack however is narratives; capital N NARRATIVES! I caught the Ben Mathewson gift of Nathan Gerbe leaving Casey Mittelstadt on his face and pushing into the goal like a force of nature. For those of you too young to remember that name, Gerbe came into the Sabres organization at the tail end of the dream years at the end of the last decade. He came of age on the Buffalo roster as the dream slowly died and I was coming into the picture as a fan. I distinctly remember his 16 goals in 2011. He got shipped out in the early rebuild and has not exactly flourished in the years since. Here he comes embarrassing a guy we’re all feeling a little worried about, dancing around Marco Scandella and dinging it in off the far bar past a Carter Hutton nobody is cutting any slack to. It was preseason poetry. Speaking of preseason heroes, Tage Thompson made it even before the first half ended. This game in the first period was a clumsy, ugly one. Even after the Thompson goal it seemed like a team loss was developing.

Understated analysis of the game I thought was from @FutureOfThe716. Think about that handle and then take in the analysis: “This Sabres team looks depressing as hell.” Yes! Speak truth to power, my friend! When does the shoe drop! Then an early Sabres powerplay in the second period saw the proverbial other shoe in this game drop. Eichel got a pass to Jeff Skinner who took his shot from beyond the circles to catch a Sam Reinhart redirect into the Columbus goal. 2-1 Buffalo and maybe, just maybe, this game could be fun. From here on out you still saw guys looking like they didn’t know which team they were playing for and what not but there was a direction now; a willfulness about the game if you will. Eight minutes into period three and Columbus ties it up. But just as that one really began to set in Jack Eichel got a loose puck in the middle of nowhere in the offensive zone and surprise surprise: newest wonder boy Victor Olofsson takes the pass from his captain and sinks it. 3-2 Buffalo. Something really felt right now. The Blue Jacket who allowed the Eichel assist to happen was Nathan Gerbe. Revenge? Oh no: the revenge was the cementing of the Nathan Gerbe revenge game when, ten minutes later after the Sabres had fully taken over the game, Gerbe capitalized on a Scandella misplay (because of course) and drew the Jackets even again. Yes, this game was preseason poetry to a tee. Gerbe probably gets sent down to the AHL; that’s just the craziness of the preseason, eh? Tonight we got overtime hockey.

Our new number 90 Marcus Johansson came on after an eventful Eichel-Dahlin-Skinner OT shift and just decided to fool around and win the game. He got the puck in the neutral zone as the Jackets were streaming out and just dangled the god-fearing midwestern shit out of a defender and the Columbus goalie to end the game. That was the last rhyme of this preseason poetry: the Sabres winning in OT 4-3. No matter what happens in Pittsburgh on Saturday I got to say it feels like this will be the preseason game to really describe this preseason. Risto played well I guess but made those oh so Risto mistakes that really pays for the ticket out of town. Here we are excited for a stronger(?) Tage Thompson impressing in another preseason to surely disappoint us down the stretch in the regular season. We’re worried enough about Mittelstadt to be pissed but quiet towards you crazy mother fuckers calling for him to start in Rochester. We’re getting excited about a meaningless win, or at least I did. We’re excited about Victor Olofsson because…well that’s just straight up positive: he’s playing on the big team this season. This game will be the reference point for preseason expectations against what will surely be a whole different world when the games actually matter. And yet, here we are looking back at the second-to-last preseason, a time when we should be seeing essentially the opening night roster, and just not seeing how changes out of Training Camp will matter to the points in the standings. We can read postseason poetry all night but once again I suppose we just have to wait for Ralph and Jason to have the definitive answers.

So I guess we’ll talk again Saturday. Hopefully something big has happened by then if you know what I mean which you certainly must having read any of these postgame blogs. In the meantime I have to say go get a ticket to the Third Annual Buffalo Sports Pod-a-thon on October 12th at Riverworks. I’ll be there! It will be a bit of fun I think and it’s cheaper than a ticket to a Sabres game these days. Also: I got yet another gig blogging about this crazy shit team over on southtownstickets.com. That site has a fairly new blogging section so go over there and show it some love for your old pal the crazy optimist. My season preview for the Sabres will go up early next week. While you’re waiting like, share and drop a comment my way. I guess this will be the first postgame I mark explicit this year since I said a few naughty words. One way or another it feels like there will be more naughty words to come.

Thanks for Reading.

P.S. Here’s to hoping this is Ristolainen’s last game as a Sabre.

#buffalo sabres #hockey #nhl #blog

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flauntpage · 6 years ago

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Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

This can be done in several ways. It can be a firing, head coach or assistant. It can be trade from the NHL roster – and it needs to be an impact one, not something small to say, “oh hey, we made a change.”

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And I’m not talking just for the Flyers. No. It was certainly their worst period. I’m saying it could have been the worst 20 minutes played by any NHL team at any time in this season’s first two months.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

The Flyers, after three days off, were completely outplayed, out-skated, outworked out-everythinged by the Buffalo Sabres for the game’s first 20 minutes. The effort was completely, absolutely and absurdly unacceptable.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

Because from the start of the second period until the Sabres got an empty net goal to ice the game, the Flyers were excellent. They played pissed off. They ramped up their physical play. They controlled puck possession. They generated scoring chances. They had the Sabres on their heels. They even outscored them 2-0. Frankly, we have a hockey game and probably a different outcome if they would have, you know, started the game this way.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

Alex Lyon is a competitor. He’s not going out there and purposely messing the bed. But he gave up four goals on 12 shots. Three on rebounds and one from a bad angle. That can’t instill confidence in the team in front of you.

Not that the team in front of him was any help. They were the freakin’ Keystone Cops on the ice for the first 20 minutes. It was really embarrassing. Turnover, Turnover, Turnover. Out of position. Lame defensive effort. You name the negative plays that result in goals against and the Flyers had them on grand display for 20 minutes against the Sabres.

Frankly, it sucks to keep writing about this, too. Not just for me, or any other person who is actually paid to cover this team, but for the fans who take to their own blogs, or online forums, or social media to write the same thing every day.

I am personally most thankful for them on this Thanksgiving evening. The fans who put up with the same lather, rinse, repeat mentality of the Flyers every day. It’s especially frustrating for them and I feel their pain.

So, in honor of them, rather than give you more repeated analysis of the same breakdowns of bad goals from the game, or highlight more turnovers, or say things like, “hey, they’re playing better and showing some fight and trying to comeback again” after goals by Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds, even though that is for naught, I decided to share some of the fans Twitter fire.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

Great start to this Flyers game. Really glad that employed head coach Dave Hakstol got the boys ready to go tonight. Don’t know where this team would be without him and his innovative leadership skills.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

Well, the pains of being a Flyers fan continues. I've never been all aboard the Fire Hakstol train but this is seriously getting old. We obviously need to solve the goalie carousel as well. It's not a pretty picture.

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

There is an identity problem as a whole as a franchise. When it comes down specifically to the players, they are just not getting done and not executing properly. I don’t think firing Hakstol automatically solves problems, but at this point something just needs to be done.

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

And if our only defense of the man is “well he drafts well and can get the most from assets,” is there a tipping point where we look to make a change at GM? Do we trust him to hire a new head coach if he’s so adamantly behind Dave Hakstol? Tune in next time on Dragon Ball Z.

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

#Flyers records at #Thanksgiving⁠ ⁠ the past 4 years under Dave Hakstol: 2018-19 9-10-2, 15th in the East 2017-18 8-9-5, 13th (made playoffs Lost to Penguins first round) 2016-17 9-9-3, 13th (missed playoffs) 2015-16 7-10-5,14th(made playoffs lost to caps 1st round) pic.twitter.com/5pBRMEm2YV

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

Let's be real, if they are 2 or 3 bad games from getting a coach fired, will 4-5 good games really make a difference, in the big picture? If Hextall thinks a decent run of games saves Hakstol's job, he's just delaying the inevitable.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Russ and I talked about this on Snow the Goalie a couple weeks ago. This is a fair point. If playing well for five games gets you back to mediocrity, is that a good enough reason to hold on to the coach?

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

The Comcast Group needs to step in and fire the GM and coach. It’s clear Hextall thinks his agenda is working. There is a 3 time cup winning coach unemployed while Hakstol still has a job?!? This core has be together for 8 years now and produced nothing. Time for major changes.

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

Hopefully the Rangers come in here and stomp us and the building is overrun with boos and "Fire Hakstol" chants……that humiliation on national TV might just be enough to make somebody do something……then again maybe not

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

For more Flyers coverage, be sure to check out our pregame and intermission shows “The Press Row Show” before and during home games via Facebook Live on the Crossing Broad Facebook page and Periscope via Anthony’s Twitter account. Also, listen to our Flyers podcast Snow the Goalie ([iTunes] [Google Play] [Stitcher] [RSS]), leave a 5 star review, and follow us on Twitter:@AntSanPhilly @JoyOnBroad

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martin9395 · 5 years ago

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Are E-Sports Genuinely Sports

Quite reasonable pc video gaming has actually been around a very long time on the Personal Computer together with expert Starcraft organizations or perhaps occasions for activities like Quake as well as Counter-Strike. The Xbox 360 has in fact made reasonable pc gaming considerably much more famous in the last handful of years alongside the pro-gaming console activity Major League Gaming, or even MLG for simple, as properly as has started to become grouped as a sporting activity by a lot of players. Also sports relevant information insurance coverage, like ESPN, have actually acquired right in to this all new trend phoned E-Sports (digital sports) and also right now handles MLG computer game on their web website along with even sometimes reviews it on Sportscenter. Yet is this concentration verified? Are E-Sports absolutely sports? The feedback is actually no as well as additionally noted below are main reasons that this is really thereby. Lol Esports

Deficiency of extensive intrinsic skill-set space

I assumed I will surely start together with this explanation that any kind of style of players that think this is actually the single explanation for this quick post might be actually settled straight off. I'm absolutely not pointing out that I may trump a Halo 3 player like Tsquared. He is far much better than me. A lack of organic skill-set void implies that, along with devotion, virtually any variety of gamer can quickly end up being a pro at the activity they prefer to battle in. This is in fact absolutely not fix for every person in addition to beneath is actually a case. When I took advantage of to play SOCOM II, a friend of mine possessed over 2,000 hrs logged onto the activity online. I possessed much lower than fifty hrs, yet I was actually dramatically as well as likewise away a significantly much better player than him. I presume that despite merely the amount of he participated in, I will have continually been really much better. However, on the numerous other palm, there are many players featuring myself that are simply usually efficient at video recording clip activities. I possess a 2.5 K/D percentage on Halo 3, but I barely ever before join the computer game as well as hold out surely not take it very truly. I do not also like it. I possess an emotion, having said that, that if I joined 8 hrs a time or maybe more along with the intent to take it surprisingly truly, I could possibly most probably complete at the MLG quantity. I have a really feeling a majority of the gamers on Halo 3 that are actually committed to it, could probably compete at the MLG volume Esports Events.

This is actually not thus alongside sporting activities like hockey, baseball, baseball, also golf and even tennis. I made use of to participate in hockey as a little one however in spite of just how much I joined, there is actually a 99.999% chances I are going to certainly never ever before develop it right in to the NHL. I feel the exact same might be stated for plenties of many thousand, maybe also plenty of expert sportsmens in significant featuring tasks. However absolutely not pc games. You have a great chance of having the ability to complete in the market of games simply by instruction and also maintaining dedicated to it.

Perhaps I can never ever defeat TSquared however thinking about that pc gaming performs not involve physicality, the variation in between our team would be simply devotion. He is actually a lot a whole lot much more devoted than I am actually, in addition to has really been for a lengthy possibility. The expert video gaming participates in video recording activities as his lifestyle. I picked a different progress path. Similar to I wouldn't be actually as excellent a forensic private detective as a person that possesses twenty years adventure, I absolutely would certainly not be in fact as great a gamer as TSquared if I completed versus him currently.

There is no searching integrate

In the a large number of primary featuring activities video games like the NBA, NHL, NFL, as well as likewise MLB, there are small circles or even college amount play. This is actually merely exactly how players create it around the majors, they take part in via university and also afterwards get produced to a team or play in the smalls, validate on their very own, and also are contacted. In E-Sports, there's no smalls. You do not should verify on your own to compete, you simply pay to enter into a celebration. I can't inform you the lot of possibilities I have actually watched a sports video game on TELEVISION to listen to a commentator insurance claim one thing along free throw lines of 'You're in the Majors, you should have the capability to make that play' or even one point similar. There is actually no stature being actually an MLG player, it's insignificant. Anybody may easily become one at anytime. Today, you might get incredibly defeated if you're no good, but it is actually due to the fact that you're competing at a degree you need to not be actually. There is actually an illustration when big time players in MLB are in fact provided up to the smalls on a rehab assignment or even one point that they dominate or that a gamer that could control at three-way An or maybe the AHL for hockey might pull in the NHL or also MLB, it is actually a totally different degree of play Esports Events.

E-Sports perform certainly not have amounts of play identical to this (certain there's the CAL as well as additionally CPL however it does not run likewise). Either you are in fact completing or perhaps you're certainly not. I strongly believe to become looked at a sporting task, MLG requires to repair this by featuring a smalls where players are actually planted arising from to completing in the majors. This are going to be the only method to enter into the majors is actually to become invited, undoubtedly not just sign up as well as likewise paying a price.

An absence of unity or company

There are in fact a terrific deal of gaming organizations offered. There is really the MLG, CAL, CPL, GGL, Gamebattles (in truth a branch of MLG), Starleagues, and also several others, some extra genuine or famous than others. Sure there are various sports video games, nevertheless I do not assume any person is in fact moving to discuss that in America there is really a volleyball company a lot more reputable or maybe famous than the NFL or perhaps a hockey organization more legit as well as popular than the NHL. Why doesn't pc video gaming have one authentic video game? Why is it consequently rough? If it was in fact an appropriate featuring task, it should certainly possess an oneness of association. As an alternative, activities are really just individually possessed and functioned which induces a lot of different ones. Are actually players in MLG far better than a player in CPL? That knows, they are actually different institutions in addition to several tasks. I might along with assurance claim players in the NHL are in fact far better than gamers in a European League.

This takes me to one more factor, the company of E-Sports is actually nothing at all like a sport. There is no usual time, there are in fact simply tasks and likewise ladders. Also the games that take action to possess times are merely dealing with step ladders for a details time-frame and also phone it a period. Ladders do not work like periods given that you might sign up with or leave an action ladder at any option. If you go 0-5 on Gamebattles, delete your staff as well as remake it and additionally you remove your bad begin. Teams don't possess the very exact same variety of video recording activities got involved in. You can easily test a variety of other teams at your desire so you certainly never have to take part in a staff that you understand could pound you unless you communicate to the Playoffs. Actual sporting activities might not resemble this. There aren't only a handful of tournament-style events throughout the duration Esports Events.

Making it a lot more sports-like

On the whole, E-Sports organizations seem to be to become making use of to help make computer video gaming seem a sport without in reality developing it straight into one. Like the enhancement of coaches in MLG tasks like Gears of War as well as Halo. That seems to be to become like a completely foolish add-on to trained pc gaming as well as also one that doesn't likewise produce it a lot additional like a sport. Why performs a player call for a coach?

To assist create games right into a sport, they must generate business changes. Permit's hold on to use MLG as an occasion. A Halo 3 team in MLG need to need to have to be actually financed through a company or even individual. An enroller does not simply invest for journeys to Meadowlands as well as give you awesome personal computer video gaming gears. That individual needs to possess the crew as well as they generate the lineup adjustments. If Ogre 1 in addition to Ogre 2 carry out not much like Walshy anymore, additionally negative. They carry out certainly not possess a say, the supporter performs. Groups should not be actually merely a group of friends that met one time and also have actually participated in completely in the past because. They should be really audio preparations that are actually mosting likely to exist years from today, along with our without it is actually existing gamer lineup.

They must perform a routine period. Instead of exploring a handful of competitors contests or perhaps accomplishing in some world wide web measure ladder, the teams linked with the duration are actually established at the beginning of the moment. Bid farewell to may conveniently groups participate in or maybe leave overdue when the amount of time is underway. As a result, routines are really planned for each staff. If you are really organized to get involved in a staff, you visit that area along with play all of them. Accurate featuring tasks teams and also players adventure a residential property. It seems players remainder in the home training for the complying with affair. You learn the training program of the off-season in a showing off task, as well as also play during the time period. Why would undoubtedly acceptable play be safeguarded online when you possess unit worries, prospective dishonesty, in addition to lag? It does not make great feeling. Consequently there is actually no explanation they must not be really journeying around the nation to play their following booked opponent.

Each workers will possess the same great deal of activities joined. After the duration is actually over, playoffs will be actually seeded as well as played in the tournament-style activities like Meadowlands. That should certainly be actually just how playoffs are really carried out. Promptly it seems they possess no implication whatsoever aside coming from gaining you cash as well as offering you elements Esports Events.

There must furthermore be a scouting blend. You can easily not merely up and also join an MLG competitions someday. You will definitely should take part in a various company as well as additionally compete there absolutely till you are actually accepted via a staff owner to authorize up with an MLG crew. That will undoubtedly provide authenticity to the video game as well as likewise potentially take out a ton of desire to-be's along with posers because they aren't heading to desire to contend and likewise take a trip a lot.

eSports: What Exactly Is It?

Commonly, the large number of computer game that are actually connected with these rivals feature a multiplier component as the entire point of eSports is in fact to correspond along with various other players. There are actually lots of possibilities currently given that players may effortlessly play in a ton of numerous tournaments and competitors. The tip is to join the computer game style that you enjoy a lot of or are actually properly at.

Virtually all video game styles are really pleased in eSports in addition to our provider positioned that one of the most popular designs were actually 1st individual firing (FPS), sporting activity and also MMORPGs. Our professionals foresee even more to become really consisted of to this list in the future.

Presently, eSports are actually generally consumed and appreciated with guys with 85% of men composing engagement of events. Sector leaders are actually proactively helping make an attempt to promote women involvement in addition to our provider think our team are visiting some growth on this as our crew advance in to 2017. Moreover, the eSports market made ₤ 258 million in 2015 and also our company foresee this to become actually around ₤ 391 for 2016 which is actually somewhat crazy!

Where Can I View eSports?

It all audios rather activating, does certainly not it? The industry is actually forecasted to proceed its very own impressive development in 2017 as well as additionally involvement goes to an everlasting much higher as a result of the media systems available. You may look into eSports on several a variety of systems and world wide web websites. Jerk and also YouTube are the extremely the majority of recognizable ones with ESPN and Yahoo likewise possessing their very personal devoted eSports regions. Addition website that you may certainly not have actually recognized relate Twitch as well as supply some great internet content. These are actually Azubu in addition to MLG thereby inspect every one of them out for some premium eSports flows.

Such is in fact the progression of eSports that typical sports world wide web sites (our specialists utilize ESPN over as a circumstances) are actually starting to fit their information to eSports fans. This is really rather impressive and also really worries to our company simply exactly how really showing off tasks deejay are really taking the eSports organisation.

The Success of LoL

So where done LoL occur coming from?! Its hit the eSports earth like a tsunami on Indonesia. I directly have played it on in addition to off provided that beta along with have seen it blossom in to this gorgeous completely developed affordable moba. It has actually been no straightforward roadway for Riot. There has been actually as a result a number of threats reached that Riot have in fact shown up to absolutely not merely jump over, having said that capitalise on and widen. How did they conduct it? Whats generated LoL's growth?

The really early challenge for Riot was in fact verse HoN. This competition I suppose has really emphasised simply exactly how efficient the at no cost to participate in recommendation might be. However, entirely free of charge to play is actually not a brand-new suggestion as properly as its important to always keep in mind how appropriately Riot well balanced it alongside paid details. The manageable component and also shelled out internet information is really thus thoroughly tuned that it sways really good enough over easygoing players to always keep each one of all of them going as effectively as yearning for more while dedicated players normally spend out via the nostrils to obtain whatever they presume they need to have to play their greatest.

The other portion of the HoN competition is that Riot marketed their activity mostly to become as allowing of all type of players as doable, specifically the ordinary noob. You can find the suggestion in charge of HoN was to possess a severe very competitive focus, maybe in the class of exactly how sc2 was really released. It furthermore subsequently lured an amount of dota players.

For the time being Riot was noob welcoming, region centered and also possessed their 'summoners code.' The the actual effects of this particular, imo, is reasonably unsubstantial. Folks still act like cocks and also the communities way of thinkings etc are somewhat similar. Nonetheless individuals obtain it, they strongly believe that their task possesses a different standpoint despite having whether they perform what they instruct. Its personal similar to hipster national politics that profess "spare the earth guy" while highly recommending republican.

Issue decided to OWN their competitions. Probably the premier LoL event is what LoL on its own owns/promotes/runs ingame. Now this is possibly something definitely never noticed prior to in every various other computer game. A lot of game designers to time release a task afterwards enabled the location always kept up it. Snowstorm are among minority makers in past that ever support a video game after release.

Fortune is really a necessary aspect as well specified right here, in a selection of places. The incredibly first is in fact streaming went substantial around this instant. sc2 explored and likewise got characteristics breaking on justin.tv > dork as properly as own3d. LoL swiftly took this up and also Riot maintained it. Instances were in fact better for Riot to capitalise on reaching their intended audience in an entire brand-new method.

Another aspect is actually precisely just how fracking aweasomley Riot got developing task caster ability. Was this an inner selection? Given that it has really forked over handsomely for every one of all of them. LoL on its very own is really a technical/descriptive/ backward as well as ahead steering wheels wet goal. To in other words, its personal an artists gold goose. Its own like the cricket of eSports.

The 2nd part of all the best has in fact been actually South Korea as well as the change arising from sc1 to sc2. It couldn't have in fact been actually timed better for Riot and also I will certainly be actually mesmerized to understand much more relating to only exactly how a great deal Riot created an attempt to guarantee LoL in Asia. sc2 arised and the entire of South Korea were adhered in this starcraft hangover rut, it believed like a large economic weather folding huge. sc2 just would certainly not get rid of and additionally Koreans went finding a brand-new video game. That brand-new online video game was actually LoL.

So right here our staff are in fact, LoL as well as riot are really at the leading upper hand of very competitive activities, on the precipice of an all brand new time. They ruined HoN, have in fact wrecked away from the prosperous video game location and also are actually today in to the eSports improving area. Merely one issue rises just before each one of them as well as its own dota2.

I am actually drawn in and also enjoyed monitor specifically how they manage this problem. The video clip game motor is in fact the upcoming battlefield I believe. Presently LoL possesses a great consistency between being actually remarkably usable on all personal computers, but demanding good sufficient to make individuals purchase much better components to manage it. So it encourages the correct amount of proponents to activities.

Visit: https://www.esportznetwork.com/

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michellelewis7162 · 5 years ago

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esports system podcast - esports information

Competitive pc gaming has actually been actually around a long period of time on the Personal Computer with specialist Starcraft leagues or even tournaments for video games like Quake and also Counter-Strike. The Xbox 360 has actually created very competitive games far more well-known lately with the pro-gaming console league Major League Gaming, or even MLG for quick, and has started to be actually categorized as a sport through a lot of players. Even esports network podcast coverage, like ESPN, have gotten into this brand new gimmick contacted esportz system (digital sporting activities) and also right now covers MLG activities on their website as well as even at times mentions it on Sportscenter. Is this focus warranted? Are E-Sports definitely sporting activities? The solution is actually no as well as below are main reason whies this is actually so. Esports News

Shortage of large inherent skill void

When I utilized to play SOCOM II, a friend of mine had over 2,000 hours logged onto the activity online. On the other palm, there are lots of gamers such as myself that are merely normally excellent at video recording activities. I possess a 2.5 K/D ratio on Halo 3, yet I rarely participate in the game as well as carry out not take it very seriously.

This is certainly not therefore with esports like hockey, baseball, baseball, also golf or even tennis. I made use of to play hockey as a youngster yet despite just how much I participated in, there is actually a 99.999% opportunity I would certainly never make it in to the NHL. I believe the exact same may be actually stated for thousands, maybe even millions of sportsmens in primary sports. Not games. You possess an excellent opportunity of having the capacity to contend in the business of video gaming merely through training and staying committed to it.

Perhaps I could possibly certainly never defeat TSquared however given that pc gaming does not include physicality, the variation between us will be just dedication. He is actually a whole lot even more specialized than I am actually, and has been for a lengthy opportunity. The qualified pc gaming participates in video clip activities as his life. I decided on a various career road. Much like I definitely would not be as really good a forensic detective as a person that possesses twenty years knowledge, I would not be actually as excellent a player as TSquared if I completed versus him immediately.

There is no hunting mix

In most major sports games like the NBA, NHL, NFL, and also MLB, there are minor circles or college amount play. I can not inform you the number of opportunities I have enjoyed a sports activity on TELEVISION to listen to an announcer mention something along the lines of 'You're in the Majors, you need to be actually able to make that play' or one thing comparable. There's a factor when primary rank gamers in MLB are sent out down to the minors on a rehab assignment or something that they dominate or that a gamer that may control at three-way An or the AHL for hockey could pull in the NHL or MLB, it's a completely different amount of stage show.

E-Sports do not possess levels of play similar to this (sure there's the CAL as well as CPL however it doesn't function the very same means). Either you are actually contending or you're certainly not. I believe to be actually considered a sport, MLG ought to treat this by combining a small organization where gamers are cultivated coming from to competing in the majors. This would certainly be the only way to get involved in the majors is actually to be actually welcomed, not just sign up and also paying out a cost.

An absence of unity or even organization

Sure there are different sports organizations, yet I do not think any person is going to say that in America there is a volleyball organization extra well-known or reputable than the NFL or even a hockey organization more legitimate and preferred than the NHL. If it was actually an accurate sport, it needs to have an unity of institution. That recognizes, they are various games with different games.

This takes me to another point, the association of E-Sports is absolutely nothing like a sport. There is no normal time, there are actually only activities as well as ladders. Even the leagues that pretend to have seasons are actually simply operating ladders for a details time-frame and also phone it a time. Due to the fact that you can easily leave behind a step ladder or even join at any sort of time, Ladders don't function such as periods. If you go 0-5 on Gamebattles, erase your crew and also remake it as well as you remove your bad beginning. Staffs don't have the very same variety of activities participated in. You can test other teams at your desire so you never must participate in a group that you understand might beat you unless you reach out to the Playoffs. Actual sports aren't like this. There may not be merely a handful of tournament-style events throughout the time.

Making it a lot more sports-like

Overall, E-Sports games appear to become trying out to create video gaming look to be a sporting activity without actually making it right into one. Like the enhancement of trains in MLG activities like Gears of War and Halo. That looks like an entirely ridiculous addition to expert gaming and also one that doesn't even produce it much more like a sport. Why carries out a gamer require an instructor?

To help make games in to a sporting activity, they must help make organizational modifications. An enroller doesn't only spend for trips to Meadowlands and also offer you trendy gaming rigs. Staffs should not be merely a team of close friends that got with each other one day as well as have played all together ever before since.

They ought to apply a normal season. Instead of visiting a handful of event contests or competing in some internet step ladder, the teams included in the period are prepared at the start of the season. No a lot more can easily groups participate in or even leave when the season is actually underway. Thus, routines are actually established for each team. If you are actually scheduled to participate in a team, you visit that location and also play all of them. Real sporting activities groups as well as players journey a lot. It appears players rest in your home training for the upcoming occasion. You qualify during the course of the off-season in a sport, and also participate in throughout the season. Why will competitive play be actually held online when you have system issues, potential cheating, and lag? It does not make feeling. Thus there is actually no main reason they shouldn't be actually taking a trip around the country to play their next set up opponent.

Each team would possess the very same lot of games participated in. After the time ends, playoffs would certainly be actually seeded as well as played in the tournament-style contests like Meadowlands. That ought to be actually how playoffs are actually done. Today it seems they possess no importance whatsoever other than gaining you funds as well as providing you factors.

There must additionally be a scouting incorporate. You can't simply up and sign up with an MLG competition 1 day. You will definitely need to become part of a separate game and also complete certainly there until you are welcomed through a staff owner to sign up with an MLG staff. That will provide authenticity to the league as well as additionally most likely extract a bunch of wish to-be's and posers because they may not be mosting likely to wish to travel a lot and also compete.

One more suggestion I possessed for American professional pc gaming would certainly be actually to store condition tournaments which would recognize the absolute best players that reside in each state. I think something like this would certainly be much more feasible than a slight games for video gaming.

Physicality doesn't matter

A great deal of folks claim games isn't a sport considering that it is actually not physical. Considering that it is open to question whether or not sports demand bodily task, I'm not stating this. NASCAR is considered a sport through some as well as the driver simply rests there. Bowling is actually also looked at a sporting activity as well as that includes very little physicality. It's also debatable regardless if video gaming has no physicality to begin with. Games demands response opportunity and also motor capabilities as properly as rational as well as vital thinking, similar to real sports. Considering that of the ones laid out over, I presume the true main reasons that individuals state video gaming is certainly not a sport is actually. It simply seems a lot more like an interest and does not conduct itself in a sports-like or even professional way.

Normally, many games that are entailed in these competitions involve a multiplier factor as the entire point of eSports is actually to interact with various other gamers. There are actually numerous possibilities currently available that players can easily play in various tournaments as well as competitions. The trick is to participate in the video game kind that you appreciate very most or are actually well at.

Mostly all video game types are accommodated in eSports and also our experts discovered that the best prominent kinds were actually 1st person shooter (FPS), sport and also MMORPGs. Our company anticipate so much more to be actually included to this listing in the future.

Currently, eSports are actually typically taken in and also appreciated by men with 85% of men comprising engagement of events. Sector forerunners are definitely trying to encourage female engagement and also our experts experience our team will certainly view some progress on this as our experts progress in to 2017. Also, the eSports market generated ₤ 258 million in 2015 and also our experts anticipate this to become around ₤ 391 for 2016 which is actually pretty crazy!

Where Can I View eSports?

It all audios quite stimulating, does not it? The business is predicted to proceed its own dramatic development in 2017 and involvement is actually at an everlasting high as a result of to the media systems available. You may look at eSports on numerous different systems and also sites. Twitch as well as YouTube are actually the absolute most noticeable ones with ESPN and Yahoo additionally possessing their personal specialized eSports sections. Added web sites that you may certainly not have actually heard of resemble Twitch and supply some wonderful information. These are Azubu and MLG therefore inspect them out for some high quality eSports streams.

Such is the development of eSports that typical sporting activities web sites (our team use ESPN over as an example) are actually starting to cater their web content to eSports supporters. This is rather amazing and really stresses to our team how very seriously sports journalists are actually taking the eSports sector.

Generally, buyers are going to consume the eSports item in such a way that they are actually comfy with. This may be practically spectating or even if you possess a video game that you are actually especially experienced at after that you might would like to engage in competitors! Have a look at the websites our company listed above as well as these are going to offer you a better concept of exactly how you may acquire entailed.

Form 1958 Tennis for pair of to nowadays League of Legends and DOTA2, we must confess that Esports is actually expanding swiftly. It has influenced every components of our life instinctively and produced a group of Esports celebrities. But you may ponder: when did it enter concentration? Exactly how did it alter unexpectedly? Right here are the 3 causes for this inquiry.

1. Technology

Esports is actually a sporting activities activity carried out through Internet and also regional location system, based upon computer system and computer game. The advancement of details and innovation and renovation of system facilities all risked the product foundation of Esports. Simple assurance provided to Esports by the growth of high-end personal computer application system. Increasingly more popular Internet creates it achievable for significant, constant and also challenging online games. Conditions for a great deal of gamers online simultaneously are actually mature enough to support such a big video game. Infotech, system base and also pc application platform have actually generated superb chances for the competitors as well as rebroadcast of the Esports.

2. Commerce

Undoubtedly, taking off Esports has shut relationships along with its own business market values. Esports has magic power to entice public, specifically the younger. Besides, advertising and marketing is also a hidden service opportunity. As an example, in-game ad is actually popular amongst pc gaming sector for its upgrading velocity, unfamiliar format and higher pertinence. Esports is actually a fantasizing system for activity manufacturing plants to elevate appeal of their brand. Therefore, activity producers spare no initiatives to assist it. The association and function of this particular competition limited due to the revenues of the games market. This type of regulation seems to be possess adverse impact, but really it is good for the conduction of Esports coming from the principal city part.

3. Esports on its own

In recent years, with the expansion of Internet insurance coverage location and also the variety of request platform, participating in on-line games possesses no regulation coming from the place or opportunity. At present, electronic activities usually tend to compensate much attention to the mixture of virtuality and also fact, which is actually in order to apply the communication of digital games. It attracts therefore numerous folks considering that players can easily address on their own as the roles in the game and also discover that online planet as well as journey on their very own.

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axiomsofice · 5 years ago

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Pacific Division Predictions: 19/20

Vegas The Golden Knights will ice a strong roster in all position groups. In net, Fleury returns as the unquestioned starter. Subban has continued to show signs of improvement and that should be the case once again. Time will tell if he can eventually grow into a full time starter, but he looks to have a leg up on the newly acquired Sparks, and will look to start more games than last year to help keep Fleury fresh. On defence, the Knights traded Colin Miller, an analytics darling who seemed capable of contributing more minutes than he got. This might leave an opening for a rookie defenceman to crack the lineup, like Hague, Schuldt, or Whitecloud. The group should continue to be strong, especially given the employ of Theodore and Schmidt. Despite trading Haula, VGK’s biggest strength is probably up front, with a number of strong veterans forming a top tier top 9. The biggest x-factor for Vegas is Cody Glass, and getting significant contributions from the franchises first ever draft pick would add a whole new element to their attack. It looks to be an ideal situation for Glass as well, as he projects to be their 3rd centre behind Karlsson and Stastny. This would also most likely see him paired with Tuch or Smith, and having a proven top 6 line mate would certainly help his effectiveness. San Jose Maybe the only reason I have the Sharks after the Golden Knights is because of goaltending. Jones had a rough year, so the Sharks could conceivably finish with more points than last year if their top goaltender bounces back to his career norms. There is also an optimistic angle that this supergroup of a defence corps can be even better than last year. Although they are another year older, Karlsson and Burns defy convention due to their other worldly skills, and another year building synergy will keep the Sharks on the right side of possession stats at 5 on 5. Up front, San Jose loses Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi. Presuming Marleau and Thornton sign before the season, the offence should be able to overcome those losses. Meier and Hertl can continue to progress and become the top offensive options if they aren’t already. San Jose does a good job finding older free agents to fill roles, and players like Simek, Radil, and Suomela might follow in the footsteps of Sorensen or the departed Donskoi and become an important role player. The rookie most likely to make an impact this season is winger Alex True, who scored 20 goals in the AHL last season, while others like Chmelevski and Chekhovich seem more likely to start in the AHL. Calgary More so than the Sharks, or most playoff contenders, the Flames incite questions about goaltending. Rittich had some strong moments last year, but Calgary will need more if they hope to win more playoff games this season. It seems ideal that Rittich would split games with Cam Talbot, so the Flames will be looking forward to the latter regaining some confidence to help ease the pressure on Rittich. The defence corps is very strong, and 1-7 could be the toast of the Pacific division thanks to promising depth in Anderson, and Kylington as well as Valimaki if and when he can return from injury. Lindholm and Ryan were nice additions to the forward group last year, but the Flames will hope to see players like Bennett, Mangiapane, and Dube take on bigger roles. Most notably, finding a RW to augment the Tkachuk-Backlund line would make the Flames more dangerous. Calgary cruised through the regular season before being stunned in 5 games by the upstart Avalanche, so it will be curious to see how the Flames build off of those mixed results. Arizona Despite an abundance of injuries last season, the Coyotes managed to stay out of the league’s basement. A big part of this was the success that Kuemper had in place of Raanta, meaning the Coyotes should have confidence that either goalie can give them a chance every night. The defence group projects to be unchanged, with the biggest hope for improvement resting with a season of health and progress for Chychrun. Arizona’s biggest issue, outside of health, was their ability to score goals. The addition of Kessel should help in that regard, and the hope is that his presence will have an effect throughout the offensive lineup by allowing others to slot more comfortably. With so many players returning from injury, and a glut of depth at the centre position, it will be interesting to see how the coaching staff approaches the task of putting the lines together. Personally, I’m a fan of Hinostroza, and I believe that he can continue to grow his game in the direction of Brad Marchand or Brendan Gallagher as a small, chippy, spark plug whose offensive game emerges further into his career. The level of intrigue can be raised even further if former first rounders Hayton and Merkley can find their way into the mix. Arizona seems poised to be a big part of the wildcard race in the West, and a playoff berth is probably the measure of success in the 19/20 season. Anaheim This is probably the hot take in this divisional projection, but the Ducks have some crucial areas of strength. Along with the fresh start of a new coach the team employs the goalie who played the best last year, John Gibson. Featuring Miller in the backup role, the goaltending position should provide stability for a lineup that figures to heavily feature rookies and sophomores. After dealing both Montour and Pettersson last season, the opportunity for minutes lies with Guhle, Larson, and Mahura, as the Ducks look for depth beyond Lindholm, Manson, and Fowler. The youth movement is even more prevalent up front, as Steel, Terry, Comtois and Jones are likely to spend the whole season in the NHL. Given that new coach Dallas Eakins worked with many of these younger players in the AHL should give them an easier path towards being trusted with minutes. Joining a group that features Getzlaf, Rakell, Kase, Silfverberg, and Henrique, the Ducks could surprise in after a forgettable 18/19. Vancouver The Canucks are hoping to build on the bright spots of 18/19 and contend for a playoff spot, but that may be asking for a bit too much. In contrast, it is probably more important to put young players in positions to grow than to push them into service too soon, although throughout the lineup these might be one and the same. Markstrom seems to be settling in as a good tandem lead, meaning Demko will probably have to approach or match that level for Vancouver to sport above average goaltending. On defence the Canucks added Myers, who despite not being a top pair defender certainly upgrades the group. Quinn Hughes might have to emerge as the best defenceman on the team to elevate the group to a playoff caliber. Granted, in his short NHL career Hughes has looked sensational, but it is still a big ask. It would help if Juolevi could exceed expectations as well, and blossom into important minutes by season’s end. Up front, Vancouver’s 1-2 punch of Pettersson and Horvat at centre might be their best quality. Although Boeser and Miller are strong top 6 options, the Canucks might be asking too much of their depth, such as Baertschi, Sutter, Ferland, and Virtanen, to keep up with the offensive groups of other playoff hopefuls given their defence and goaltending. Travis Green did well in getting a strong performance out of this group last year, but despite the improvements made to their roster I have them missing the playoffs, which would certainly sting as they no longer have their first rounder in a seemingly deep and impressive 2020 class. Edmonton The Oilers’ mystifying rebuild continues, as yet another coaching change will hope to see the support for their top players vastly improve. In net Koskinen and Smith seemed destined for a near even split of games, forming a tandem that requires some imagination to project as playoff caliber. The hope moving forward might lie with Starrett, although we’ll have to see if they are more patient with him than past regimes were with Dubnyk and Brossoit. There is some hope for this defence group to improve under coach Tippett as Jones and Bouchard push for spots. Nurse and Benning will look to continue improving, and could even help form the best defensive top 4 the Oil have iced in a while. The most uncertainty comes from Edmonton’s forward group, as the challenge will be to find players to succeed alongside McDavid, Draisaitl, and Nugent-Hopkins. At this point almost all options outside of those 3 are question marks, from Neal rebounding, to Yamamoto, Benson, and Puljujarvi developing, to older prospects like Cooper Marody making the jump, or acquisitions like Haas, Nygard, and Granlund finding chemistry within the lineup. There’s a lot of darts to throw, at the very least, so it’s not impossible to imagine that some of them might work out. All in all, projecting a playoff berth for this group requires more optimism than I have, but that’s not to say that the season will be a waste. If some players can grow into meaningful roles, and if the Oil can keep close in the wildcard race, it would go a long way towards achieving the sustained team success that has eluded the organization for more than a decade. Los Angeles The Kings come in as the only bottom tier team in this division, meaning it would be a surprise to see them make the playoffs. Crazy things happen every year, but the franchise is probably taking more solace in a not to distant future than its present. In net we’ll see if Quick can bounce back. At this point, who really knows, as injuries have plagued the netminder that employed a very athletic style in his dominance. The good news for LA is both Campbell and Petersen performed well in the NHL last year. Having this depth takes a lot of pressure off of Quick, and in turn affords a lot of flexibility for the front office if Quick can rediscover his form. On paper, the Kings’ defence group is questionable. That’s not necessarily because I have a big problem with any defenders specifically, but more so because of the lack of talent as a whole. To be in contention, I would contend, LA has to add players that would be their second and third best defenceman. On the bright side there’s a chance that some prospects might be able to start making the leap. Clague, Roy, or Brickley could conceivably earn second pair ice time by the end of the year. Personally, I’m hopeful for what Ryan can bring, as I think he skill set might put him in a good position to succeed within the group as a bottom pair defender. Ultimately, the goal for the Kings at the trade deadline might be to flip some veterans to get some help in upgrading the future of this defence. We will have to wait and see how much the forward lines will change under McLennan, but the challenge would be getting production out of Carter, Brown, and Kovalchuk, as it would either insulate their youth or showcase their talents for a potential trade. Kempe and Grundstrom are poised to build into viable top 6 form, and carter might be a good fit alongside. The Kings have an interesting group of forward prospects throughout different leagues. Anderson-Dolan and Lizotte seem likely to get games at some point this season. By this time next year it is possible that top picks from recent drafts are figuring into important roles throughout the lineup.

#nhl #la kings #edmonton oilers #vancouver canucks #anaheim ducks #arizona coyotes #calgary flames #san jose sharks #vegas golden knights

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thrashermaxey · 6 years ago

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Dobber Ramblings: Day Two of the NHL Playoffs; Gusev; Defence Scoring – April 12

There may be reinforcements on the way for Vegas as Nikita Gusev, the 26-year old Russian who was traded to the Golden Knights by Tampa Bay as part of the package to draft Jason Garrison in the expansion draft, could be in Vegas soon.

You can read Gusev’s Dobber Prospects profile here.

Nothing is a done deal yet. Gusev is under contract in the KHL through the end of the month, which means some negotiating will need to be completed, and the Russian Federation has recalled him ahead of the 2019 World Championships, which is another hurdle. Then he has to actually make his way to Vegas and suit up. All the same, it would be exciting to see him in the playoffs.

Just a small thing, but Ilya Samsonov, Washington’s top goalie prospect, was on the ice for morning skate on Thursday. Barring catastrophic injuries, he won’t get into game action, but it’s still pretty cool to see him on NHL ice nonetheless.

Just for a bit of fun, there was an article over at The Athletic from Sean McIndoe about the “what ifs” of the draft lottery. These are games involving teams near or around the picks that would end up in the top-3 and how things would be different if small little quirks in those games hadn’t gone the right way. Hockey is about razor-thin margins, even when it comes to draft positioning.

The Leafs were flat-out the better team in Game 1 as they skated away with a 4-1 win over Boston. The speed from Toronto, combined with precision passing, led to odd-man opportunity after odd-man opportunity for the team. They even got a short-handed penalty shot when Mitch Marner broke free on a penalty kill (he converted). Frederik Andersen had to make 37 saves, but a lot of those saves weren’t near the quality of shots Tuukka Rask was facing at the other end.

Something to note: Jake Gardiner played 16:32 in this game, fifth-lowest among Leafs blue liners. That’s the second-lowest mark of the season for him, his lowest being 16:30 in the game he was injured on February 25th. The Leafs were nursing a 3-1 lead for much of the game so maybe Mike Babcock was just saving him unless they desperately needed him? Just something to keep an eye on.

Andrei Svechnikov scored a pair of third-period goals to make things interesting for Carolina, but Washington’s Lars Eller tallied an empty netter to seal a 4-2 win for the Capitals. At least for the first 20 minutes, this looked like a game between a defending Stanley Cup champion and a (mostly) young team with several players playing their first postseason contest.

Nicklas Backstrom had a pair of goals, including a beautiful curl-and-snap shot that beat Petr Mrazek on the glove side, using the Carolina defenceman as a screen.

John Carlson played over 25 minutes, registering three assists, two blocked shots, and four hits along the way.

Update on the late game in the morning.

Yesterday in these Ramblings I talked a lot about defence scoring trends. While there is a lot more to dig into, which I will dig into at some point in the offseason, I want to look at actual defence scoring. Let’s go through some of the offensive performances across the NHL this season.

Erik Gustafsson

There is a whole lot going on here. Coming into the season, Gustafsson was a 26-year old who’d been drafted by the Oilers in 2012, spent a few post-lockout seasons in Sweden, bounced between the AHL and NHL for a couple years, and then exploded for 60 points this year.

Of course, what stands out immediately is that he shot over 10 percent. That’s pretty high for a blue liner. For reference, in 2017-18, Alex Goligoski shot 10.1 percent and followed that up this year with a 2.9 percent season; in 2016-17, John Klingberg shot 10.5 percent and followed that up in 2017-18 with a 3.9 percent season; in the same year, Nick Holden shot an insane 13.1 percent and that crashed to five percent in 2017-18. That isn’t to say every defenceman with a high shooting percentage always craters – Shea Weber has usually done pretty well – but the odds aren’t in Gustafsson’s favour.

That isn’t to say Gustafsson’s season is a fluke. When looking at additional stats like the rate at which he exits his zone or enters the offensive zone with possession and how he can find his teammates for shots via shot assists, we certainly see how good he was. Here’s how his 2018-19 season compares to the 2017-18 season another top-end puck-moving defenceman (from CJ Turtoro’s viz):

As I wrote about yesterday on Eric Cernak, one season does not make a career, but despite the high shooting percentage, it was a marvelous campaign for Gustafsson.

The question is if he maintains his power-play role; he had more than 100 minutes at five-on-four over the next-closest Blackhawks defenceman. Henri Jokiharju looked great whenever they allowed him to play in the NHL and Adam Boqvist was a top-10 pick last year for the franchise and has been tearing up the OHL playoffs to the tune of nine goals and 12 points in eight games. It seems certain that unless he falls off the map (he won’t), Gustafsson should have the PP role for 2019-20. Beyond that? Less certain.

Torey Krug

Speaking of Krug, we can only wonder the season he would have had if he had played 80 games. Among defencemen in the league this year, Krug:

Was third in points per minute behind Mark Giordano and Brent Burns

Was first in totals assists per minute

Was eighth in primary points per minute

Was third in primary assists per minute

Was 18th in shots per minute

Krug set a career-high in assists for a single season with 47 and did so in just 64 games.

It was just a marvelous season all around, but the true upside was limited by injury. It’s worth noting that his missed time was out of the norm for him; in his five previous seasons, he had never missed more than six games and averaged 79 games a season. I wouldn’t worry too much about some lingering injury history.

With Krug still in his prime and that Boston team loaded for another run next year regardless of how this year turns out, I would expect more of the same from Krug.

Vince Dunn

When using the Dobber Tools report generator, we can easily find which defencemen led the league in individual points percentage (IPP) at even strength. IPP is the rate at which a player garners a point when a goal is scored with that player on the ice. You will typically see the elite defencemen; last year, the top-5 included Burns, Krug, Pietrangelo, and Klingberg. The year before it was Burns, Hamilton, Karlsson, Jones, and Shattenkirk. Some guys find their way into the top-10 with some luck – names like Skjei, Severson, and Braun appear – but they’re mostly top-end puck-movers. That’s what makes this list from 2018-19 so interesting:

The two names that really stick out are Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour. We’ll save Montour for another day.

Dunn has long been thought of as an offensive defenceman. He had 99 points over his final 120 games in the OHL and had 45 points in 72 games as a 20-year old rookie in the AHL back in 2016-17. That we see him among the leaders in a category that helps point us in the direction of puck movers shouldn’t be a huge surprise.

Here’s the thing: there’s not a whole lot to support that Dunn is a top-end puck-mover from the blue line (yet). Without inundating with charts, his zone entry/exit rates and shot-assist rates pale in comparison to someone like Gustafsson. It’s worth noting that these numbers, specifically shot-assists, were a lot better in 2017-18 than in 2018-19, and this season’s tracking data isn’t yet complete. Maybe his numbers improved a lot in the second half as the rest of the team improved with him. I’m more than willing to give some time for more data to be collected before making a final determination.

All I’m saying for now is that I’m leery of predicting some sort of Gustafsson-esque breakout. There is still Alex Pietrangelo’s ice time to contend with and Colton Parayko isn’t someone to just eschew. Of course, Dunn is still just 22 years old, so the fact that we’re even talking about the possibility of him being a good playmaker from the blue line is a very good sign.

Neal Pionk

When we look at the list of top producers per minute from the blue line at five-on-four, most of the names make sense. We see Krug, Byfuglien, Yandle, Hedman, and Rielly, among others. The defenceman who finished second in points/60 minutes at five-on-four this year (minimum of 100 minutes)? Yeah, I kinda gave it away. It was Pionk. In fact, over the last two years, he leads all defencemen in points/60 minutes on the power play. Yes, all defencemen. Granted, it’s limited ice time (140 minutes or so), but it’s been an unbelievable run.

I think a bit of caution should be used here. Pionk had a poor season defensively, as much of the rest of the team did. Tony DeAngelo had a good season for the team even if David Quinn wouldn’t play him every night. Kevin Shattenkirk is still lurking and I’m sure he’d like to have a rebound season of his own. I’m not entirely sure what the Rangers are going to do on the blue line next year. I’m not entirely sure the Rangers know what the Rangers are going to do on the blue line next year.

All I wanted to point out is that there could be some sneaky value should A) Pionk be a regular next year again and B) no one else is brought in. There are a lot of moving parts that can change in the next 5-6 months.

Filip Hronek

Just wanted to include what a great season Hronek had. The 21-year old was among the top-10 defencemen in relative shot share at five-on-five. That’s in the league, mind you.

Hronek had 13 points in 22 games after his recall from the AHL in the middle of February, including nearly 22 minutes of ice time per night. By that point, the team was casting off, or getting ready to cast off, tradeable assets like Nick Jensen and Gustav Nyquist. Mike Green’s season was nearly over by that point. All this is to say that Hronek did fairly well down the stretch considering the Red Wings were largely a one-line team with Andreas Athanasiou providing some additional scoring. Pretty good for a rookie defenceman.

from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-rambling/dobber-ramblings-day-2-of-the-nhl-playoffs-gusev-defence-scoring-april-12/

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burning-up-ao3 · 6 years ago

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20 Penguin Thoughts: What’s It Really Like Returning From Injury

20 Penguins Thoughts: What it’s really like returning from injury

March 26, 2019 8:19 AMBy Jason Mackey / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

NEW YORK — Let’s start with a personal anecdote for a change.

The summer before my senior year playing baseball at Westminster College, I split my kneecap in half, the result of a line drive up the middle that knocked me head over heels and caromed all the way to the dugout fence.

After spending the next six months rehabbing from two separate surgeries, I was hesitant and nervous the next time I toed the rubber. On the very first pitch — a low-and-outside fastball— a shot up the middle whizzed an inch past my left leg.

I threw my glove in the air and jokingly said that was it; I quit.

With opening day approaching, that injury and coming back from it got me thinking about the process of recovering from a serious injury at the NHL level, all the work Penguins players put in to get back on the ice and what it’s like once they get there.

“It almost feels like there’s different phases of it,’ Nick Bjugstad was telling me last week in Nashville. “It doesn’t really set in until a few days later, it seems like. Once it hits, you’re watching your team play. It’s no fun. Obviously you want to be out there on the ice.

“Toward the end, you get anxious to get out there. There’s a lot of excitement. It’s kind of a cycle … but not one you want to go through too often.”

So, what happens when a player gets hurt? Let’s take a look.

2. The hardest part is being alone, several players said.

While everyone who’s healthy is going on road trips, game-planning for opponents and has an actual shot at making a difference, you’re unable to contribute much of anything.

Yes, guys watch the games, but it’s not even close to the same sort of thing. Or even remotely satisfying.

“It is a little bit depressing,” Bryan Rust said. “You come to the rink in the morning. Nobody’s there. You’re kinda dragging your feet around there a little bit. It definitely [stinks].”

3. To combat the monotony, players often focus on small goals, whether that’s incremental increases in what they’re allowed to do or meeting certain benchmarks set by the strength and conditioning staff.

None of this includes being measured by goals or points, the usual stuff. More it’s tracking progress, things feeling the way players would like them to feel and graduating to more difficult drills.

“I think they do a really good job here of keeping that process moving along day-to-day and slowly progressing,” Rust said.

4. If they have to pick one, players would seemingly take an injury that allows them to keep skating versus one that does not.

At least that way, their lungs and legs stay in shape; the feel for shooting and puck-handling is seemingly a little easier to get back.

When you’re rehabbing a lower-body injury, that first skate back can often be ugly. In those cases, it’s probably a good thing nobody’s around.

“That first skate is usually just a twirl, 15-20 minutes to test things out,” Rust said.

“It’s like you’re stuck in mud,” Garrett Wilson added. “It’s kind of a confidence-shredder there for a bit. For the first couple, you’re like, ‘Holy [crap], I’ve been off this long?’ ”

5. Those before-practice skates are typically handled by skating and skills coach Ty Hennes, whose voice is almost always raspy from yelling to push players and keep the intensity up.

The guys love Hennes for this reason.

If there’s one good thing they can say about getting hurt, it’s that even then they’re getting pushed to get better, to meet the goals the team’s medical staff has set out for them.

“We’re really lucky to have Ty,” Matt Cullen said. “Honestly, he’s as good as there is. He’s a really upbeat, positive, high-energy guy. His drills, the way that he skates you, it’s so good.”

6. Nobody would prefer to get hurt, obviously, but Cullen said he’s actually noticed an improvement in his play whenever he’s been out of the lineup for a stretch.

For Cullen, it has allowed him to work on things that he might’ve forgotten about over the course of a long season.

“When you come back your hands and feet often feel better,” Cullen said. “Sometimes during the course of a season you get into your routine, but Ty will take you out there and he’ll work on skill stuff that you haven’t worked on much during the season. Sometimes it can be a good refresher.

“For me, whenever I’ve had some time with Ty, I came back and felt probably better than when I went in as far as handling the puck.”

7. I can relate a little bit to what Cullen is talking about.

Whenever I came back — after that initial pitch — my arm actually had a surprising amount of life. I found my mechanics were a lot better, too, and I paid attention to little details that seemed new.

Wilson, who separated his shoulder last year in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, liked how there were several people working together, from the top in Pittsburgh to the organization’s AHL staff.

“The strength coach and the trainers kind of work together,” Wilson said. “I think that helps a lot instead of just one guy doing what he thinks. They put their brains together. They go from a health aspect to a strength aspect. That really helps.”

Still, when everyone else leaves for long road trips like the one the Penguins just completed, it’s hard to not be with your teammates, doing what you love so much.

“Guys are getting fired up to go on the road. You’re stuck back at home, knowing that you’re going to get bag skated, it’s tough,” Wilson said. “But it’s part of the job. It takes a lot of mental strength to come back from an injury.”

8-9. Moving on …

Sidney Crosby is on pace for more than 100 points and should get some serious consideration for the Selke Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL’s best two-way forward.

Yes, the two of them are related. Not just in my eyes, either.

“I do think they are related,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I’ve never been a believer that you have to sacrifice defense to be good offensively and that you can generate offense from playing solid defense.”

I spent some time earlier on this trip asking guys how Crosby is able to use his two-way play to put up points. There are obviously several factors at play here, but here are the most common:

• There’s the direct relation between the two. If a player forces a turnover in the opponent’s defensive end, it puts his team in a great position to capitalize.

Nobody is expecting a turnover. The Penguins might have numbers. The other team is likely on its heels.

“A lot of the highest-quality chances that occur in a game usually occur off of a transition opportunity or a turnover, where the possession changes from one team to the other,” coach Mike Sullivan said. “I think Sid does that better than anyone.”

• There’s also the idea of where the game is typically being played when Crosby is on the ice.

If Crosby’s line is setting up shop in the offensive zone, the opponent has to spend energy there trying to prevent a goal. Defending, theoretically anyway, should be made easier if the other team is only entering the offensive zone at the end of a long shift.

“They go hand-in-hand,” Matt Cullen said. “The way he plays defensively allows him to play more time in the offensive zone.”

• It’s also a a smart-player-who’s-good-at-hockey sort of thing. Crosby has innumerable physical gifts, but his mental capacity is really something else. He understands what he’s doing on the ice and why he’s doing it.

Which serves as a huge benefit here, Nick Bjugstad said.

Before we get to Bjugstad’s quote, I did want to point out that Bjugstad and Cullen were sitting side-by-side when I brought this up in Carolina. Even Cullen seemed impressed by the thoroughness of Bjugstad’s answer.

“He’s on the right end of the puck everywhere he goes,” Bjugstad said. “He creates the puck luck for himself because he’s in the right position.

“As a center, a lot of times you want to go and help. But a lot of times that’s doing too much. You almost have to stop and slow it down, be below that winger breaking out the puck. Otherwise it will come back the other way, and it’s a good chance in the middle for the other team.

“Being patient but also supporting your wingers at the same time is super important, and he seems to do that very well.”

10. Crosby attributed the whole offense-from-defense thing more to execution than anything else. And, truth be told, I expected him to swat my question away like Dikembe Mutombo.

But you also have to put yourself in position to get those chances, and obviously Crosby does a tremendous job of that.

“As far as producing, it comes down to execution and making sure you take advantage of the chances you get,” Crosby said. “I do think it helps when you have the puck more and you’re able to get out of your zone.”

11. Crosby’s season is somewhat baffling to me, in the sense that I fail to understand why more people aren’t talking about it.

It almost seems like his defense is ignored because he’s labeled an offensive player. Then when it comes to that stuff, it’s assumed that he puts up numbers because he’s Sidney Crosby.

I asked general manager Jim Rutherford about that during our chat last Friday in Dallas, and he agreed. He, too, can’t believe so many people seem to be overlooking the season Crosby is having.

“There’s such a high standard set for Sid. When he does something, everybody just takes it for granted,” Rutherford said. “The fact of the matter is not only this year but over the last few years he should be in the Selke Trophy conversation. He has truly become an all-around player.”

12. The NHLPA recently did a study where Crosby was voted as most likely among current players to one day wind up as a general manager.

I don’t know if I agree with it. I could see Crosby going back to Nova Scotia and preferring some anonymity for once or maybe working on the developmental side of the game.

His current GM, though, can definitely see Crosby one day running his own team — if that’s what he wants to do.

“He’s going to be able to do whatever he wants when he finishes playing,” Rutherford said. “He has a lot of years left in him to play. He knows the game inside and out. He knows talent. He’s going to have his choice to do whatever he wants.”

13. Sticking with Rutherford here …

One of the things I asked him was about Erik Gudbranson and why it’s worked so well here compared to what he did in Vancouver.

“Don’t get me going where you guys [media] start with players,” Rutherford said. “I don’t even need to play it out. You guys know how you started off with Jack Johnson and how you started out with Gudbranson.”

I pointed out to Rutherford this story I wrote, although he seemed unmoved. He remains unhappy with how Johnson was treated at his introductory press conference.

“You guys have no point of return on how you started out with him,” Rutherford said.

14. As for Gudbranson, Rutherford said — and I agree — that he simply needed a change of scenery.

I think the culture around the Canucks was probably wearing on Gudbranson more than we knew at the time. Everything he did was criticized, and more was being asked of him than could probably be reasonably expected.

In Pittsburgh, Gudbranson has been appreciated for what he is instead of being criticized for what he’s not.

“He’s a good player,” Rutherford said. “We were aware that it wasn’t working in Vancouver. We were looking for a guy who could come in and play and give some pushback in games where they got a little more physical, bring some leadership and put him in a role where he could be successful. That role that we were looking for got expanded because of the injuries. He was put in a tougher spot when he first got here and handled it very well.”

15. Remember when Rutherford last summer ripped Tom Wilson for running away from Jamie Oleksiak in the playoffs?

Wilson read Rutherford’s comments, and they seemed to set the stage for the Oleksiak-Wilson bout on Dec. 19, the one that ended with Wilson one-punching Oleksiak and concussing him.

When we talked on Friday at the Stars practice facility, I asked Oleksiak whether he had a problem with Rutherford saying what he said. If maybe he would’ve wished for Rutherford to just have kept quiet.

“Rutherford is entitled to say what’s going to say. It’s his team, and that’s your boss,” Oleksiak said. “That’s not going to dictate whether I have to go fight somebody. It’s a new kind of game. I just try and pride myself on being a guy who can make his own decisions.”

16. Have you noticed what Rick Tocchet’s Coyotes have been doing?

Yes, they’re two points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, but that’s better than pretty much anybody expected given the team’s youth.

Penguins players are obviously plenty busy worrying about their own season, but Crosby, for one, has been following what Arizona has been doing.

“Having Tocc here, knowing him and having won with him, I think you probably look at them a little closer than you would if he wasn’t there,” Crosby said. “Seeing the job that he’s done with the injuries that they’ve had and still finding a way to hang in there and having a shot at the playoffs, that would be great for him and great for their team.”

17. You can sense Teddy Blueger’s confidence growing.

When he was first flexed to Evgeni Malkin’s spot, I worried that maybe Blueger was in over his head. I was wrong.

That line has generated plenty, and Blueger has comported himself well. If Phil Kessel buried a few of the Grade A opportunities he had in Nashville, that whole line might’ve been the story of this trip.

“I think just try to play my game — play the same way that got me there in the first place,” Blueger said. “I don’t want to try and change anything and be something that I’m not. Just try and be as consistent as I can be.

18. Credit where it’s due: Many of us in the media were extremely critical of Dominik Simon a few weeks ago, pointing out his lack of goal-scoring.

I still think Simon needs to score more. The Penguins’ whole third line, too.

But lately, Simon has been one of the big reasons that line has been so good. His offensive instincts have been on display, and he’s done a terrific job helping the Penguins break the puck out of their zone.

As a result, Simon, Bjugstad and Patric Hornqvist have enjoyed a ton of offensive chances.

“I think we’ve been playing well,” Hornqvist said. “We’ve been playing both sides of the puck. We’re creating a lot of chances. We haven’t scored that many goals, but if we keep playing the same way, we’re going to get goals.”

19. Number of the week: 40

Since 2006-07, the Penguins and Sharks are the only NHL teams to win at least 40 games in every full season — excluding, of course, the lockout year.

That’s a crazy amount of consistency.

With all the talk in our city over what the Steelers have become, I don’t think we give the Penguins enough credit when it comes to consistently being in the thick of things.

20. Non-hockey Thought of the week: I don’t understand all the fuss over Michigan State men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo.

So he yelled at a kid? And this is a problem?

Some of the feedback I got from people on Twitter was that there are other ways of getting through to kids. I agree. But calm reasoning also doesn’t ensure your message gets through, especially when talking about college kids.

If you send your son to play for Izzo, you know what you’re getting into. I also don’t think he was physically trying to harm anyone.

He’s being intense and he’s trying to motivate players in any way possible. Is that a crime?

Jason Mackey: [email protected] and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published March 26, 2019 8:00 AM

#Pittsburgh Post-Gazette #pittsburgh penguins #jason mackey #20 Penguin Thoughts #March 26 2019

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yahoo-puck-daddy-blog · 7 years ago

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Trending Topics: Golden Knights already badly mismanaged

The Golden Knights completely bungled the Vadim Shipachyov situation. (David Becker/Getty Images)

If you were wondering whether George McPhee had gotten any better at handling an NHL roster since he was ousted in Washington, and you still had some lingering doubts even after he mostly punted the expansion draft, the end of the Vadim Shipachyov saga should answer all questions with finality.

Let’s not all look at once, but Vegas has one win in its last six games, and it needed to score five goals against a not-great Senators team to do it. Part of their current problem is that they can’t keep even an AHL-level goalie healthy enough to stay competitive, sure, and the team is still second in its division. But we all know hard times are coming even if Marc-Andre Fleury gets healthy sometime soon, because the team isn’t going to shoot almost 12 percent for the rest of the season.

But it’s lucky for McPhee the team got off to that hot start — such a great, fun story, especially in the wake of the shooting there; all that stuff is 100 percent true — because if they were playing to the level we would have all expected and were, say, 5-9-1 instead of 9-5-1, the Shipachyov saga would have people asking a lot more questions than they currently are.

Everyone signed off on his contract termination Thursday, and it’s expected the center will head back to Russia. The good news for Vegas is that it’s only on the hook for the cost of Shipachyov’s contract while he was rostered with the NHL club, and a smaller portion of that from when he was technically buried in the AHL, plus a very small portion of his signing bonus.

After the whole story came to an end and Shipachyov “retired” from the NHL, McPhee revealed that he had a trade on the table but that the player wanted to head back home (not hard to understand), but also that Shipachyov wasn’t playing well enough to supplant even the No. 4 center on the roster. This is an incredible statement to make, because in their most recent game, Vegas used Pierre-Edouard Bellemare as its No. 4 center, and he only got a whopping 10:34 of ice time, second-lowest total on the team.

The idea we’re supposed to buy, then, is that Shipachyov wasn’t good enough to take 10 and a half minutes of ice time against fourth liners and do better than Bellemare (currently a 45 percent possession player with 2-1-3 in 15 games against bottom-of-the-barrel competition).

This means one of three things, and neither one speaks highly of what McPhee has done to this point.

1) McPhee is just glossing over a chemistry/dressing room issue

Maybe Shipachyov, like plenty of other Enigmatic Russians over the years, is just a jerk and no one likes him. If this were Boston or Edmonton or Philly, we’d already have gotten those stories shivving the player on his way out of town. And let’s say this is the real issue: It explains why the player capital-R Refused to report to Chicago. But it also leads you to ask why McPhee didn’t do his homework before bringing aboard a 30-year-old who’d never played in North America at $4.5 million for two seasons.

McPhee would have, of course, had plenty of experience dealing with malcontent-locker-room-cancer Russians with the whole Alex Semin thing several years ago, and as good as Semin was in those days — really, really good — the player’s presence was something that overshadowed his quality to a significant extent. Do you know how much of a prick you have to be for an NHL general manager to look past 271 points in 277 games over four seasons?

That’s not saying Shipachyov would have been nearly point-a-game for Vegas, as Semin was, but the principle is the same. This is a guy who can score, and if you screwed up the vetting process, that’s on you.

Frankly, though, I don’t think that’s it, because why wouldn’t McPhee himself just shiv the guy in the exit interview if that were the case? “It didn’t work out because he didn’t match our culture,” is an explanation the hockey establishment would mostly buy. As with elephants, sometimes hockey players are just jerks.

2) McPhee overestimated Shipachyov at the time of the signing

Hey, it happens all the time: GMs get all excited about what they think is a great talent, throw a bunch of money at it, and then find out, “Oops, that was a mistake.”

But I find it extremely difficult to believe that McPhee misevaluated Shipachyov’s talent level to the point that the guy goes from potentially being the No. 1 center — remember, this is on a team with Wild Bill freaking Karlsson as its actual No. 1 center, so being the top pivot isn’t that hard — to thinking, “Ah well, y’know, he’s more like our No. 5.”

Real McPhee quote from when the team signed Shipachyov: “He is prepared to play a lot and sees that there could be a lot of ice time. We fully expect him to be one of the top six forwards, as well as a major contributor on play on power plays and the penalty kill.”

Now he’s not even good enough to be in your lineup? We’re supposed to buy that?

When was the last time a GM was that wrong about someone? Maybe when Ken Holland got Stephen Weiss at $4.9 million — by the way, that contract would still be happening if it hadn’t been bought out three summers ago — and he only put up 29 points in 78 games over two seasons. And even then, that disappointment was driven as much by injury as by Holland not being good at his job.

So if this kind of misevaluation were the case, and I partially doubt that it is, that says to me McPhee is a world-class misjudger of talent. But again, there’s misjudging things and misjudging things so badly that you think an AHLer is going to be the best center on your team. No one is this bad at their job.

3) McPhee underestimated Shipachyov once he got to Vegas

This seems to me to be the most plausible. Remember, Vegas held Shipachyov, Shea Theodore and Alex Tuch off the NHL roster for a little while in part because McPhee was forcing the team to carry the 52 bad defensemen he took in the expansion draft.

Shipachyov, however, didn’t report to the AHL even though he was assigned there, because his wife doesn’t speak English and reportedly wasn’t doing well alone in a new city on a new continent. Shipachyov did pretty well in the preseason, driving play but only getting one assist. He also scored in his NHL debut when the team finally called him up, but that was his only point in three appearances and he got pushed around at 5-on-5.

So it’s a mixed bag in terms of how he played, but it’s also fair to say he wasn’t given a chance by either Gerard Gallant or McPhee. His total ice time between the preseason and regular season only comes to about 100 minutes over seven games — 14 a night, give or take — and overall he finished a mere 51 percent at 5-on-5. However, despite the promises of a lot of power-play time, he got none in either the pre- or regular season. That, frankly, just doesn’t make sense if you thought for even a second the guy was a potential elite scorer.

Again, there’s no way you take a talent with that many points in that many KHL seasons and say, after 100 minutes of even semi-competitive ice time, “This guy’s worse than Bellemare and it’s not particularly close.”

How much, then, does this have to do with the fact that Vegas shot 12.5 percent and went 8-3 before they called up Shipachyov and got him into a game (in which he scored)? How much does it have to do with the fact that in his three games, the team shot just 9.9 percent over three games, all of which they lost because they didn’t have an AHL goalie in the lineup, before they stopped using him again?

If Vegas bought its own BS 12 games into the season, before cutting bait on a potential top center after three losses that weren’t even his fault, that seems like McPhee being colossally bad at his job.

But the good news is no one has to care or think about this again. First, because Shipachyov is Russian and instead of forcing the team to stash his hefty salary in the AHL, which he almost certainly would have dominated with little effort, he just went back to another country and another league, and kept just $86,000 of his $2 million signing bonus. Second, because the team banked a lot of wins when it was shooting 12 percent. Third, because ah who cares, it’s an expansion team and they’re not supposed to be good anyway. Fourth, because this team is in Vegas and no one’s really paying attention. And fifth, because no one in the hockey media dares question a Good Hockey Man like George “Forsberg-for-Erat” McPhee.

It’s a perfect storm of non-accountability. So McPhee comes out of the mud here sparkling clean, but he shouldn’t. Because no matter how you care to look at it, this is like the fourth thing he screwed up since June. No other GM for no other franchise would be able to absorb that kind of failure rate.

—

Ryan Lambert is a Puck Daddy columnist. His email is here and his Twitter is here.

All statistics via Corsica unless otherwise noted.

#_revsp:21d636bb-8aa8-4731-9147-93a932d2b27a #_lmsid:a077000000CFoGyAAL #_author:Ryan Lambert #_uuid:7482b7b7-42a6-3c61-9272-776a6a3505bf

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mitchbeck · 5 years ago

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CANTLON: (SUN) QUINNIPIAC HOLDS OFF LATE UCONN CHARGE WIN 3-2

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings BRIDGEPORT, CT - Despite a furious final six-minute push to tie the game the UCONN Huskies (9-11-4) came up short 3-2 to the Quinnipiac University Bobcats (14-8-1) in the first game of the SNY College Cup Championhip.at the CT Ice Festival at the Webster Bank Arena. “I was certainly disappointed because I thought we played a pretty good hockey game. We carried the play in the first, Quinnipiac carried the play in the second period and in the third period especially over the last part of the period we played really, really well. They have been in a lot of big (NCAA) tournament games. I was happy with your kids how they competed all night long, just disappointed we didn’t get that tying goal to force overtime,”. The Bobcats team defense over the last seven minutes bent, but never broke holding UCONN to just two shots (seven for the period) despite the wild action and intense pressure and so many near misses by the Huskies. “We had two really good hockey team and you have to weather some storms,” said Cavanaugh so appropriately on a rainy Saturday “every now and again they score. They scored on theirs and in third period we took it back I don’t think it was one thing they did, but that’s how some hockey games go,” remarked a demure Cavanaugh. UCONN had a great chance with a late powerplay and had everything you wanted possession, puck movement and opportunity, but the red light never went on. The Bobcats got the lead back in the middle of the second period. Nick Jermain was able to get to the loose puck behind the UCONN net on shot attempt he just chipped from behind the net it went of Vomacka’s pads for his eighth goal of the year at 12:03 give QU a 3-2 lead they protected like a bobcat does its pups. “I saw the whole area behind the net open and put out front hoping something good will happen,” said Jermain and that he did. From that point, QU put strong pressure on UCONN seeking the fourth goal. Joe O’ Connor (Hamden) off the right-wing, Alex Whelan and Jermain had two more quality chances that Tomas Vomacka turned away in a two-minute span Then late in the period center blue line Peter DiLibertore let one fly Vomacka swallowed up. UCONN got a late powerplay as Wyatt Bongiovanni caught Iskhakov in the head just the two-minute variety and the Huskies got the setup, but no quality shots before the expired leaving just 22 seconds left to start the third period. The first-ever goal of the SNY College Cup CT Ice Festival came off the stick of the Huskies Ruslan Iskhakov. Standing at the left side of the net he converted a rebound of a Wyatt Newpower right point blast and got enough of rolling puck to put in the open right of Bobcats for Keith Petruzzelli at 4:59. The Bobcats answered back to tie the game at one by winning a faceoff in the offensive. Center William Fallstrom at 5’11 got his stick underneath the much bigger 6’6 Jachym Kondelik and got it back to Latvian senior Karlis Cukste who then zipped a shot from the left point past Vomacka. The Bobcats took a forced turnover and immediately turned into a goal. Pressured the Huskies Harrison Rees lifted his stick, swiped the puck and then left a neat short drop pass and step into it for his and giving Quinnipiac a 2-1 edge. Then UCONN got that fortuitous bounce any hockey team hopes for. The Bobcats Logan Britt sent a backward forehand pass meant to evade the forechecking of Carter Turnbull behind the net. The blind pass went off the backboards came out in front and Turnbull was right there to retrieve the lonely puck and notched his eighth goal of the season at 17:45 and tied the game at two. “He’s been terrific all year long and consistent. Last year he played injured a bit and this year he has been healthy and it shows in his play,” said Cavanaugh. NOTES: -Tomorrow UCONN will Yale at 3:30 pm in the consolation game of the tourney. Sacred Heart blitzed Yale 6-2 with Mike Lee having two assists and ex-UCONN Evan Wisocky with a goal for the Pioneers who scored four in the first period. Sacred Heart will play Quinnipiac for the title at 7 pm. -The Hartford Wolf Pack went into the AHL All-Star break with a 4-2 win over Lehigh Valley Phantoms after falling behinds 2-0. Ryan Gropp scored twice including the game-winner. Before a season-best 6,027. The Wolf Pack are still in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 25-10-4-5 for 59 points percentage points ahead of Hershey who won 3-2 in OT in Providence. -In Portland, Maine Friday former UCONN goalie Adam Huska stopped 44 of 45 shots in his ECHL debut in an 8-1 rout over the Worcester Railers. The two teams met again in Worcester last night at the DCU Center with the Raiklers winning 2-1 with Huska making 25 saves. Huska will be back in Hartford when Igor Shesterkin is recalled back to the Rangers following the end of the NHL All-Star break. While former QU Bobcat Jordan Samuels-Thomas (West Hartford) had a tough night for Worcester going a team-worst minus-four. -Former QU Bobcat Sam Anas of the Iowa Wild with 45 points in 45 games and is the third-leading scorer in the AHL was added to AHL All-Star Classic roster. -Thoughts and prayers are with UMASS-Lowell sophomore Hockey East defenseman Nolan Sawchuk who suffered a broken vertebra in a game against last weekend in a Hockey East game against Merrimack, No penalty was called on the play. The school announced his season is obviously over and a cloud hangs over his collegiate career as to whether he will be able to continue because of the severity of the injury. The good news is he will recover and suffered no paralysis of any kind. A Superb national anthem guitar duet that would have made Jimi Hendrix proud. Read the full article

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mitchbeck · 6 years ago

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CANTLON: WOLF PACK OFF-SEASON VOLUME 3

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Much is going on in the hockey world. You would think the hockey season is coming to a close with the playoffs in the conference finals, but the hockey world is not slowing down. The hockey hotbed of North America in May of 2019 is actually North Carolina. The red-hot Carolina Hurricanes knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions Washington Capitals and followed by sweeping the New York Islanders, but have been derailed from their express to the Stanley Cup Finals by the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals. The Bruins have won the first three games in the contemporary version of a Hartford Whaler - Bruins, Adams Division rivalry redux some 22 years later. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes AHL farm team, the Charlotte Checkers, who were the league's best team throughout the regular season, have been true to form in the playoffs. They took out the Boston affiliate, the Providence Bruins in four games, and then swept the red-hot Hershey Bears, who ironically enough are the Washington Capitals affiliates. Charlotte scored seven goals in Game 2. That was the first time Hershey has surrendered seven goals in a playoff game since 2012. They scored two late goals in the third period of Game 3 to take a 3-1 win. They won Game 4, 6-2, with Aleksi Saarela, a one time Rangers draft pick, scoring a hat trick. Ex-Pack defenseman, Bobby Sanguinetti picked up two assists. The seven wins in eight games came despite the Checkers losing their leading scorer, Andrew Poturlarksi, for two games to an undisclosed injury. They also had to deal with briefly losing their goalie, Alex Neidljkovic, who was recalled to the big club in Carolina. They lost top defenseman, Jake Bean, for the rest of the playoffs as a result of the Hurricanes Trevor Van Riemsdyk’s season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery on the Hurricanes. Bean got replaced by a sixth-round ‘Canes prospect, Jesper Sellegren, whose Swedish postseason was over. The Checkers will meet up with the Toronto Marlies, another scorching hot and unbeaten playoff team in the Eastern Conference Finals. Without disrespecting the other teams in the race for the Championship, the battle between Charlotte and Toronto is the real Calder Cup final. It will be played starting in Charlotte next Friday and they'll play in a 2-3-2 format. Should Carolina find a way back into the series with Boston, or Charlotte were to win it all, or both squads capture gold, there is one person to thank, former GM Ron Francis who was unceremoniously demoted and let relieved of his position by new Carolina owner, Tom Dundon, last year. Most of the players in Carolina and a vast majority of the Charlotte team became part of the organization under his watch. As if the franchise's success weren't enough with both the NHL and AHL teams in their respective conference finals, the Hurricanes ECHL team, the Florida Everblades, are playing the Newfoundland (St. John’s) Growlers in one of the ECHL semi-finals. In the other two series, each has a big Game 6 on Monday. The Chicago Wolves lead the Iowa Wild three games to two winning Game 5 on Friday 7-4 with a Curtis McKenzie scoring a hat trick. The balanced scoring saw three Wolves players register a goal and assist. The contributors were Stefan Matteau, Gabe Quinney and Daniel Carr. Iowa was led by Ryan Donato, the son of ex-Pack/Sound Tiger, Ted Donato, who tallied his first two AHL playoff goals. In Game 4, Iowa won as Gerald Mayhew scored his AHL playoff best 9th goal and was rewarded the next day with a new, two-year, two-way contract. It will pay him $700K-NHL/$100K-AHL in the first year, and $700K-NHL/$150K-AHL the second year. In the Pacific Division final, two of the AHL's higher scoring teams have been just that with the Gulls up three games to two on Bakersfield Condors. The Gulls newest addition paid off big dividends in the first two games. Maxime Comtois fresh off a seven-game QMJHL series with the Drummondville Voltigeurs scored the game-winner, his first AHL playoff goal in Game 1 ending the 5th longest playoff game in AHL history at 4:20 of the 4th overtime. He scored the game-winner in a 4-1 Game 2 victory the following day for San Diego. Bakersfield Joe Gambardella tallied five points (three goals and two assists) in a wild 7-6 OT win in which Bakersfield scored with 11 seconds left in regulation off the stick of the high scoring, Tyler Benson, who had his first playoff goal. It was also the first time the Condors scored a goal with an extra attacker all season! William Lagesson won it just 33 seconds into overtime for Bakersfield. The Condors won Game 5 in double-overtime 2-1 at 13:02 by Josh Currie. Big news from the top of the AHL mountain. Dave Andrews has informed the AHL Board of Governors that he will step down from his position after the 2019-20 season, his 26th season. Andrews has helped shepherd the AHL through some amazing growth and expansion from the 16-team league he inherited from the late Jake Butterfield. The timing of Andrews retirement It makes sense. It would come after the expected NHL work stoppage that will affect the AHL. The American League will see their respective rosters expand as they have during other labor intense times. They will be flooded with many top prospects and shine a very bright light on the AHL, especially if there is no NHL hockey for a potentially significant period of time. Andrews will be working with Seattle to plant the 32nd AHL flag in a North American city. He will have to help them resolve some team locations such as possible issues in Hartford and Bridgeport because of the unresolved XL Center issues and the expiration of the 20-year lease at the Webster Bank Arena which comes in two years with the building now run by OVG. When Seattle does make its choice it will likely initiate Vancouver switching from having their team in Utica move to out West as part of the final realignment of the AHL and North American minor pro hockey. It will also usher in a whole new era at the top and there will now be a significant search to find his replacement. This signals an end to one era for the AHL and the beginning of a new. It might even include a switch in league headquarters. Looking at the map since Andrews took over the AHL landscape, there is a greater concentration now in more Midwest and Western centered entities as money shifts to those parts of the US. The change in the center of the AHL axis is a potential byproduct in this tectonic plate change in the AHL hemisphere. With Ken Holland leaving the Detroit Red Wings for the Edmonton Oilers, it would seem that Ron Francis would be a perfect fit for the expansion franchise in Seattle with its current hockey advisor, also a former Whaler, Dave Tippett. With Holland’s departure, the newly named Detroit GM is Steve Yzerman, who was a playing legend in the Motor City. He brought in another former Whaler and Ranger great, Pat Verbeek with him from Tampa Bay. Verbeek will be the new assistant GM with the Red Wings, opening the door for Francis out West. In turn, the Lightning promoted former Wolf Pack, Jamie Pushor, to assistant GM/Director of Player Development. Pushor takes Verbeek’s spot and former Choate player and NHL’er, Mathieu Darche, was hired to be the Director of Hockey Operations after not being involved in the pro game at any level for eight years. The Flyers announced the new coaching staff for head coach, and former Ranger coach, Alain Vigneault. He will be assisted by Michel Therrien and Mike Yeo. The team returned former New Haven Nighthawk, Scott Gordon to be Head Coach for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms for next season. To nobody’s surprise, well, except for maybe conspiracy theorists, the Wilkes Barre/Scranton Penguins have signed a ten-year renewal of their lease at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Their original twenty-year lease was set to expire at the end of June. Those conspiracy advocates who posted reports the team might move were, at best, ill-informed or at worst, just making stuff up. There is no way the AHL would ever let Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins leave the AHL orbit. It works out too well for its Northeast Pennsylvania corridor with Hershey and Allentown (Lehigh Valley) and the parent Pittsburgh Penguins and their ECHL affiliate the Wheeling Nailers in West Virginia all a perfect equal distance from each other for recalls. Former UCONN Husky, Max Letunov, might hold the unofficial pro record for being traded while not on a team. He just completed his first full pro season with the San Jose Barracuda, but his KHL rights in Russia were traded from Salavat Yulaev to Traktor Chelyabinsk. He signed a two-year deal initially with San Jose and on July 1st becomes a restricted free agent. While with the UConn Huskies, Letunov saw the St. Louis Blues, who first drafted him, send him, then in his sophomore year, to the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes then traded him to the San Jose Sharks at the 2016 NHL Draft just before his junior season. Salavat drafted him in the 1st round (26th overall) in the 2013 KHL Draft and have held his rights since. In addition, he was drafted by Swift Current (WHL) in the CHL Import Draft in 2015 but was drafted the year before by Youngstown (USHL) and he opted to play there to maintain his NCAA eligibility and go to UCONN after rescinding his commitment to the University of New Hampshire (Hockey East). Arizona State University, presently an NCAA Division I independent program, will become the first NCAA Division I school to play in China in July/August. Read the following story on this inaugural event HERE. WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS The Worlds are officially underway in Slovakia. A few familiar names dot the lineups and benches of the ten participating teams in the final major international hockey tournament of the 2018-19 season. The US squad has ex-Pack and current Rangers, Chris Kreider, and Brady Skeij as well as the team's newest signee, Adam Fox. Hartford GM, Rangers Assistant GM and Trumbull native, Chris Drury, is the team's GM. Ranger GM Jeff Gorton is on the Team USA Advisory panel. Canada has ex-CT Whale, Jonathan Marchessault, as well as, Sean Couturier, the son of ex-Nighthawk Sylvain Couturier, who is currently the GM of Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL). Also, there is a late addition in Pierre-Luc Dubois, the son of ex-Nighthawk Eric Dubois, and current Rangers assistant coach, Lindy Ruff. Russia has current Ranger/Wolf Pack goalie Alexander Georgiev and ex-Wolf Pack/Ranger Artem Anisimov. Sweden has current Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and William Nylander, the son of ex-Whaler/Ranger, Michael Nylander. Finland has Kaapo Kakko, who is expected to be the Rangers first pick, second overall behind the Devils, who will likely take, Jack Hughes (on the US squad) next month at the NHL Draft in Vancouver. The team also has AHL’er s from this season, Juho Lammikko (Springfield) and Niko Mikkola (San Antonio). The Czech Republic has ex-Pack and current Ranger, Filip Chytil, David Musil, nephew of ex-Whaler and Ranger Robert (Bobby) Holik, and the GM is former Ranger Petr Nedved. Ex-Pack defenseman, Petr Zamorsky, was among the last cuts for the Czech squad. Switzerland has ex-Pack, Andres Ambuhl, and Vincent Prapalan from this season’s Springfield Thunderbird (AHL) team. In a big surprise, ex-Pack, and Ranger, Raphael Diaz, was not on the final roster. One of Slovakia’s assistant coaches is ex-Whaler, Robert Petrovicky. Denmark has ex-Pack, Nicklas Jensen up front. Great Britain features goalie Jackson Whistle, the nephew of ex-Nighthawk, Rob Whistle. One of the best stories at the World Hockey Championships is France’s head coach and ex-NHL’er with St. Louis, Philippe Bozon, will be coaching his son, Tim Bozon, who played in Montreal and in the AHL for several before returning to play hockey in Switzerland. Tim Bozon’s only AHL penalty shot goal was scored in Hartford against his former junior teammate Mackenzie Skapski when he played for the St. John’s Ice Caps. MEMORIAL CUP The Memorial Cup Is set to begin on Friday in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the four teams are almost set to battle for the Canadian major junior hockey supremacy. The host team gets an automatic bye. In this case, that would be the Halifax Mooseheads, who lost to the QMHL President Cup Final to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in seven games. They have former New Haven Senator, Claude Savoie, on their scouting staff. The two teams will be the QMJHL representatives. The OHL representative will be the Guelph Storm who won the Robertson Cup in the OHL Final over the Ottawa 67’s in six games. Despite being down 2-0 in the series, they reeled off four straight wins and in Game 6 were down 2-0 after one period and ended up winning 8-3. Guelph features two assistant coaches with CT connections. Ex-Pack, Chad Wiseman, and ex-New Haven Senator, Jake Grimes. The WHL saw the Prince Albert Raiders and the Vancouver Giants go to a Game 7 on Monday night to win and become the WHL rep. The Raiders feature two former Springfield players as coaches in Marc Habscheid (Springfield Indians) and Jeff Truitt (head coach with the Springfield Falcons) and have former Whaler, Dalla Guame, as one of their senior scouts. Vancouver has another former Falcon in Assistant coach, Jamie Heward and Bowen Byram, the son of former Springfield Indians, Shawn Byram. The tourney can be seen on the NHL Network picking up the feed from TSN in Canada Game 1 on Friday is at 7 pm EST as Atlantic Canada is an hour ahead of the Eastern US and Quebec province will feature host Halifax playing with Prince Albert or Vancouver to kick off the tournament. PRO PLAYER MOVES No big surprise as we first reported now former Wolf Pack defenseman Julius Bergman’s move to Frolunda HC, the reigning Swedish Hockey League champions was announced officially on Wednesday as a two year deal with the Indians after five seasons in North America. Bergman played just eight games with the Wolf Pack he was traded first by Ottawa to Columbus in the Matt Duchesne deal on February 22nd, then three days later after being assigned to Cleveland, but never played there, He was sent to the Rangers in the Adam McQuaid deal and then assigned to Hartford. Joining him on the AHL Euro list as a member of HV 71 is Emil Johansson of Providence and so is John Ramage, the son of ex-NHL/WHA defenseman, Rob Ramage, goes from Binghamton to Eisbaren Berlin (Germany-DEL). That makes just 12 AHL players, a relatively low number at this point, that have left for Europe. Mathieu Sevigny, the son of former Wolf Pack Pierre Sevigny, after an injury-riddled last season of major junior with the Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL), has signed with HC Cholet (France Division-2) for next year. Chris Rumble, the son of ex-New Haven, Darren Rumble, switches German DEL team going from Fischtown to Iserlohn. Alexander Tarnstrom, the nephew of ex-Sound Tiger, Dick Tarnstrom, goes from Trangsund IF (Sweden Division-1) to Segeltorps IF (Sweden Division-1). Another ex-Sound Tiger changes their address. Johan Sundstrom goes back home to Frolunda HC (Sweden-SHL) leaving Kunlun (China-KHL). Five more college players have signed for play in Europe in the fall. Mathias Israelsson from Minnesota State-Mankato (WCHA) heads back home to start his pro career with Hanhala IF (Sweden Division-1). Then a pair of UMASS-Amherst (HE) players, Connor Wilson and Avni Berisha both sign with Mulhouse (France-FREL) for next season plus Madison Dunn Alabama–Huntsville (WCHA) and Mark Logan R.I.T. (AHA) both sign with Nantes (France Division-1). That makes 13 college players that have signed in Europe, a total of 199 college players to have signed pro deals in North America and Europe. FHL HOCKEY RETURNS TO DANBURY The FHL (Federal Hockey League) makes a third try in Danbury with the return of the Danbury Hat Tricks its the fourth time Single-A hockey will call the Danbury Ice Arena home. The previous incarnations were the Danbury Titans, Danbury Whalers and the ill-fated gang of goons called the Danbury Trashers (UHL) run by convicted mobster James Galante. In between, the Trashers and Titans, they had two semi-pro teams in the Danbury Mad Hatters (EPHL) and the New England Stars (NEHL). The team also announced its first GM/Head coach in Bill McCreary, III. McCreary comes to Danbury to take on his first professional Head Coach/General Manager role. A native of Southampton, Ontario, McCreary is a nine-year (2006-2015) Minor League Hockey veteran as both a player and coach. McCreary’s playing resume includes time spent with the Trenton Titans (ECHL), Huntsville Havoc (SPHL), New Mexico Scorpions (CHL), and the New Jersey Outlaws (FHL). He was part of championship teams in both Hunstville (2010) and New Jersey (2012) where he served the dual role as player-coach. Collegiately, McCreary played for both Providence College (Hockey East) & Curry College (ECAC-NE). Most recently, Bill has served as the Hockey Director for the New Jersey Colonials youth program out of Mennen Arena. In addition, Bill’s other coaching stops include the Watertown Wolves (FHL), East Coast Selects-Q, Portland Junior Pirates (USPHL), North Jersey Avalanche, Seacoast Spartans and the ISS Kings. He was a scout with Victoriaville (QMJHL) in 2017-18. On the youth level, Bill won National, State and International Championships. He played for Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota where he was linemates with current Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise. He played junior hockey for the Texas Tornado (NAHL) and amassed 45 goals and 71 assists in 98 games. For that season, he was named to the All-Rookie team and First Team All-Star. McCreary has a long family history of hockey players, coaches, and General Managers. His Grandfather Bill McCreary Sr., Great Uncle Keith McCreary, Father Bill McCreary Jr. plus cousins Ron and Bob Attwell played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is also related to Bill McCreary, a Hall of Fame inductee as an on-ice official in the NHL and his son Mike McCreary who referees minor league hockey. As an added note, Bill has also been named Hockey & Coaching Director of the Western Colonials Youth Hockey program. (Parts of a team press release were used in this section) Read the full article

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andrewuttaro · 6 years ago

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New Look Sabres: GM 45 - TBL - Fire Housley

Perhaps I was too tough on the coaching staff Friday night after the loss in Carolina. As I kept tabs on the standings this weekend it was clear the Sabres would indeed fall out of their playoff spot but it got me thinking how crazy it is that holding a playoff spot is a thing for this team. Not to turn this team into a kiddy ride but this is the first season in recent memory Buffalo has been in a place to have to defend a playoff spot and they did it for 63 days kicking it off with the first ten game win streak in a decade and a reclamation of a City’s love for Hockey. I think we can all put that streak to rest now. It’s clear as day that this team isn’t any kind of divisional contender. The bar has been raised nonetheless and they need to make the playoffs this season or Phil Housley, no matter how refreshing this season may have felt, ought to be on the hot seat. Before we jump down that rabbit hole we thought was filled in before Thanksgiving let’s have some playoff trash talk: Tampa Bay, You may be the only team in the Eastern Conference I see the Sabres being unable to beat in a first round playoff series. That said, the monster bleeds and when Buffalo beats the beast, which happens more than one might think, it’s the result of a totally complete team getting stifled by a goalie and five skaters who all play somehow defense. A Playoff Series would be a fun matchup if for nothing else except the experience it would give a young Sabres team. If it was a fair go of it some of us WNYers may even find ourselves pulling for the Bolts to win the big prize but I can see scenario where a Bolts team off their game gets surprised by a Sabres team firing on a cylinders because it’s so wild they’re there in the playoffs: Sabres in 7. Sorry, that wasn’t all that encouraging from a Sabres point of view was it? There are some points of encouragement in this game for a Buffalo Squad undoubtedly in free fall as well as points of contention for a Coach who is getting Jack Adams Trophy talk.

Some games trigger the collective spirit of a City or region. Its playoffs time in the NFL and with that league’s brief seasons and culturally engrained fan support in cities like Boston and Kansas City there are tons of moments of group misery and catharsis. 26 Seconds into this Sabres game the Lightning scored after a blown coverage off a faceoff. Brayden Point snuck it past Linus Ullmark as if this wasn’t a game in Buffalo where we’re all pleading for this team to not look like its dead in the water. I was not in the building but you could feel the “Here we go” through the internet. Luckily the Sabres were not dead in the water at any point for the rest of the game. Less than two minutes later Buffalo got some sustained offensive zone time that began a lead in shots they would hold for the rest of the first period. At one point Jack Eichel got the puck to Sam Reinhart who found himself in front of a wide open net behind Louis Domingue. Neither he nor Jeff Skinner who quickly arrived on the scene could put it in. The Sabres didn’t get many hot shots on the ensuing powerplay but maintained O-zone time until at 5:47 in Sam Reinhart wired in a shot through the woods from the slot to tie the game. Later in the first period the Sabres found themselves on a brief 5-on-3 advantage after penalties to Steven Stamkos and Yanni Gourde. Once again the powerplay fell flat and for the second time in three games the Sabres did not convert on the double advantage. On lighter note, Victor Hedman took a shot that broke his stick and Ullmark scooped up the separated stick blade as it slid into his glove. Little point of humor, eh? The Sabres got a second goal in a period they could have had four when Zemgus Girgensons and Tage Thompson cruised into the zone together racing the horn. Thompson got the goal and his brief stint on the top line in the Carolina game may not be an aberration if he can stay consistent.

It was 7:20 into the second period when Mikhail Sergachev and Ondrej Palat teamed up for a goal that was quicker than lightning. All puns aside it was the kind of quick pass goal you see Championship teams convert. The puck was in the corner with Sergachev maybe a half second before it was off Palat’s stick and in. Ullmark probably only saw a handful of those plays in his AHL days and a stop like that will only come in time played in the NHL. Nonetheless it was 2-2 and for the majority of these first forty minutes you might be saying the Sabres were playing the better game if not at least the more fun version of it. Our favorite rookies Casey Mittelstadt and Rasmus Dahlin had some glorious opportunities and yes, I do say that all the time. You have to imagine as they become more and more experienced more and more goals will come their way. The third period was the most contentious one. It was hardly five minutes in when Marco Scandella tapped in a pass from Jason Pominville and Domingue really looked out of position. Maybe the Sabres can confuse the living shit out of us again and beat the team they were supposed to lose to the night after they lost to the team they were supposed to beat; I mean Marco worse-in-his-own-zone Scandella scored a goal! The building was not done celebrating when Nikita Kucherov out-maneuvered Zach Bogosian and Lawrence Pilut to scored one of those full-body extension goals they always use as the background of every hockey page ever. Kucherov is a real threat for the Art Ross Trophy so you probably won’t demean his skill but I fear for Lawrence Pilut who maybe in the Press Box for a few games because of that play. I’m not to that line of criticism yet because this is a tie game at 3 at this point.

The turning point of this game probably comes when the Sabres are on a powerplay and Jack Eichel attempts to go between Ryan McDonagh and the boards in the corner and gets called for elbowing. Eichel definitely made contact with McDonagh and perhaps McDonagh does feel that but it was clearly not intentional and the former Ranger certainly sold the hit falling on the ice thereafter. Eichel didn’t want to use the word embellishment in postgame but I think an objective observer might. That penalty negated the PP and Steven Stamkos scored moments later. I was saltier than the roads in Buffalo are right now and for Sabres fans in attendance there were boos. Rochester native Ryan Callahan snuck in a powerplay goal in the dying minutes after a holding call on Lawrence Pilut and this game ended 5-3. It’s worth noting the Sergachev high-sticking on Zemgus Girgensons that would be negated earned that particular Montreal black sheep a 2 grand fine that I’m told is the max allowable under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement. It’s perhaps only noteworthy because it drew blood from Girgensons and in a stretch when my only feeling toward the Sabres can be summarized with the word salt it feels like justice. Nonetheless it’s a regulation loss, no points and a certain fall from the playoff picture with a Western Canada road trip staring us in the face.

Enough teasing: you read the click bait. Fire Housley. Remember when we had a fucking watch on that through Halloween? It was hasty then but it’s founded now. Every coach makes puzzling deployment moves every now and again but the good ones maximize their player’s strengths and minimize their player’s weaknesses. It’s probably unfair to lay the blame for a shit stretch since Christmas and beyond on Jason Botterill and I am honestly not the type to chase guys out of town. Botterill has done a good job signaling he isn’t rushing to get the Sabres somewhere they don’t need to be this spring but he’ll also tell you the roster is good enough for a playoff berth. Can Housley make good on that belief? I assume that’s the party line the whole Front Office is pulling. Chris Taylor down in Rochester pulled the Amerks out of a Pre-Christmas slump and he is looking down the stretch at a playoff run that very well could end in a trophy. They’re different leagues but coaching is all the same. You use what you got to get the best out of what you got. This is two games in a row the secondary scoring has clicked on. If the forward corps keeps clicking and the wins don’t come more and more folks will be looking at Housley. I’m not saying I’ll be tweeting Fire Housley, that’s click bait, but now more than any time in his tenure I think we have the criteria for his firing. We can find ways to hate any coach but it will be hard to feel for a coach who blows the Sabres first half in their back half.

On that cheerful note, I ask you to like, share and maybe even leave a comment on this blog. I really could use some input. Not only that: but if I get a handful of comments I might just have a surprise on the blog side for you faithful readers. That said, do you exist? I know folks read this because twitter and tumblr metrics tell me but you guys minus well be data points on a screen to me unless you let me know you’re there. We could use all the company we can get going into this cold Western Canadian trip and barren bye-week. What hockey blog does puns better than this one? Let me know you’re here. Let’s go Sabres!

Thanks for reading.

P.S. In the “It could be worse” category the Anaheim Ducks are now on an 11 game losing streak.

#buffalo sabres #hockey #blog #nhl

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flauntpage · 6 years ago

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Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 6 years ago

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 6 years ago

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

The post Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 appeared first on Crossing Broad.

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2 published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

0 notes

flauntpage · 6 years ago

Text

Enough is Enough. Fans have the right idea after Sabres 5, Flyers 2

NOW!

Not Christmas. Not the All-Star Break. Not the trade deadline.

NOW!

There is no longer time to wait for the Flyers do do something, anything to change the culture and identity of this team.

And if none of that happens, it can be done with a change in management.

But something has to happen, because what you saw, if you cared to watch, was possibly the worst period this season that resulted in a 5-2 loss in Buffalo Wednesday.

And it was a complete and utter failure by everyone from the top down.

Dave Hakstol knew it. He used his timeout nine minutes into the game. Of course the team was already trailing 3-0. And he was as animated as I’ve ever seen him on the bench laying into his players.

It didn’t matter… not until the second period at least.

But they were completely unprepared… again. Their penalty kill let up a goal… again. They have an AHL caliber goalie in net… again.

They deserve to be heard. The Flyers should definitely be listening.

And for the record, this is all from a Twitter search of the word “Hakstol.” I could be here all day if I wanted to search other Flyer-related words too. In chronological order:

This is on Hextall, and to a lesser extend Hakstol.

— Yo (@FlyGoalScoredBy) November 22, 2018

just heard a “Fire Hakstol'' scream… in Buffalo

— Sam Donnellon (@samdonnellon) November 22, 2018

I am convinced Dave Hakstol legitimately ignores coaching defense

— Kevin A (@Mister856) November 22, 2018

alex lyon you are not the goalie

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Can someone put some romaine lettuce in Dave Hakstol's lunch tomorrow?

— Josh Lyons (@TheLyons_Den) November 22, 2018

That one is just wrong Josh….. but it did make me laugh!

kindly launch every one of dave hakstol’s wakeboards into the sun plz

— 𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘢𝘯 (@Doonbugs) November 22, 2018

I’m not sure if Mike Sielski ever knew what he would have wrought on this city with that Hakstol profile last summer. His story was sort of the Bizarro Gritty.

— Jordie

(@BarstoolJordie) November 22, 2018

— Chris Childress (@311child) November 22, 2018

When the patient get inpatient, you know it’s bad.

Time for a change flyers! Either the core goes or hakstol, it’s pretty simple. Coaching doesn’t help out the personnel and personnel doesn’t help the coaching

— Clint Surgeoner (@ClintSurge) November 22, 2018

Note: This is not my burner account.

You know what? Fuck it, get rid of Hextall and Hakstol and put Lombardi in charge. Hire Q of course, but Hextall is just as much to blame now as Hak.

— ReignInBlood

(@Flyers49ersGuy) November 22, 2018

For every day that goes by without a firing, this slowly becomes a "Hakstol is hurting this team" to a "Hextall and Hakstol hurting this team" thing. #FlyersTalk

— Chris Valentine (@lcvalent) November 22, 2018

It’s gonna be so fun when the flyers lose 10 games in a row for the second year in a row and hakstol still doesn’t get fired

— laura (@llxnne) November 22, 2018

I’ve always been defensive of Hakstol but this is just getting absolutely ridiculous

— Mark Murphy (@MARKmyWord116) November 22, 2018

Can't be the only one who doesn't want Jordan Weal in the lineup

— Hakstol Sucks (@BrianBertele) November 22, 2018

I hope the flyers get absolutely smashed tonight so Hextall can grow a fucking pair of balls and fire Hakstol. This team needs a major change.

— Patrick Janus (@jatpanus) November 22, 2018

Good job with the goalies, Hextall. I almost feel bad for Hakstol

— Dan Knightly (@DanKnightly) November 22, 2018

This is definitely something that Hextall has to take blame for. Definitely. He had two injured NHL goalies and a bunch of AHL goalies. What did he think was going to happen?

— Anthony (@AnthonyDiGrazio) November 22, 2018

Claude Giroux trying to single handedly save Hakstol’s job. #FireHakstol #Flyers pic.twitter.com/UCw4lfrKmN

— Steve Alikakos (@Stelios1974) November 22, 2018

More like when they lose tonight, tomorrow and the game after that, Hakstol will still be the coach and everyone but G will continue to play like they don't give a shit.

— bobby (@SukiHana) November 22, 2018

I liked the last part of Bobby’s tweet. It does seem like that sometimes. Not always… but sometimes.

the problems stem FAR beyond Hakstol, but he certainly isn't an innocent bystander in this mess https://t.co/VyeDC4qiN6

— Negative Dan The Flyera Fan (@DanTheFlyeraFan) November 22, 2018

— Joshua Bright (@Ponti_flex_) November 22, 2018

@28CGiroux fourth straight loss…. care to move on yet? You and Hakstol?

— Geez (@likethepyramids) November 22, 2018

Unfair to put blame on Giroux. He plays his ass off. But hey, I understand the vitriol, even if it’s misguided.

— Flyers Nation (@PHLFlyersNation) November 22, 2018

What’s the definition of insanity?

Cat Nap

ZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

　 ∧_∧ Hakstol still employed? 　(　･ω･) 　 |　⊃／(＿＿_ ／└-(＿＿＿_／￣￣￣￣￣￣￣

ZZzZzz 　＜⌒／ヽ-､_＿_ ／＜_/＿＿＿＿／￣￣￣￣￣￣

— vile_mennis (@vile_mennis) November 22, 2018

What’s Hakstol’s pregame ritual? Readings from James Joyce and viewings if Old Yeller?

— Walcraeb (@walcraeb) November 22, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone but Dave Hakstol and Ron Hextall.

— Colin Moye (@JornadaDelColin) November 22, 2018

Thanks Colin!!

The longer Hakstol remains the head coach the more I start to feel Hexy and ownership don’t value winning and that should worry all @NHLFlyers fans..

— CJ Bond (@bondcjbond) November 22, 2018

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Hakstol has been terrible. It’s time to go.

— Rich (@richcapra) November 22, 2018

Oh… there it is…. I know someone would provide the answer. Thanks Rich!

But I agree Hakstol has to go…. we all remember what a college coach did to our football team.

— Cyle (@cap_018) November 22, 2018

Gotta love a vague Chip Kelly reference.

— Brian (@Trizellini) November 22, 2018

Welcome to being a Flyers fan in the Dave Hakstol Era https://t.co/wAN5wZz4Rs

— Alex Littman (@Alitt30) November 22, 2018

The coolest thing that Hakstol has done is bridge the gap between analytics people and anti-analytics people. Both sides finally agree on something: this team is going nowhere under this coach.

— Brad Keffer (@brad_keffer) November 22, 2018

This really is true, isn’t it?

— Steve Johnson (@TheSteveNoize) November 22, 2018

Comcast is the biggest, and I mean BIGGEST problem with the Flyers right now. I can’t stress that enough.

— franko65 (@Raiderfrank65) November 22, 2018

It could get ugly tomorrow, especially if the Rangers score first.

this team is a fucking nightmare…. an absolute nightmare https://t.co/M3YzEv7jK8

— Fire Hakstol (@Benjami92357503) November 22, 2018

Yep Tyrell Goulbourne… that’s the answer the team needs. I’m done.

Happy Thanksgiving, Flyers fans. Don’t ever change.

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