Official NHL Hockey Thread interim version

[Mysteriosa]

On 3/13/2020 at 5:12 PM, RWG said:

It's going to be interesting to see how the league handles this IF they are able to resume the season/playoffs at all.

 

It's totally possible that's it for the year.

 

They could do an abbreviated playoff with the top 2 teams from each division. Or they could do a full playoffs, but maybe there first one or two rounds are best-of-three.

 

If they do say the regular season is over and the playoffs will immediately start the playoffs, what criteria would they use, especially vis-a-vis the Western Conference?

If the go by points, it would be ridiculously unfair given that some teams have played two more games than others. But Calgary, Winnipeg, and Nashville would make it, Vancouver would miss (they are tied with Nashville but would lose the third tiebreaker).

If they go by points percentage, which adjusts for games played and is used by the league for things like waiver wire, the Canucks would move ahead of the Flames for third in the West, the Flames would drop into the 2nd wild-card spot, and Winnipeg would be the team to miss.

 

And how are players supposed to be in shape when hockey resumes? They shouldn't be working out anywhere that's not a personal home gym. How will the cap work? Will UFAs whose contracts expire July 1 be allowed to play for their current teams in the playoffs?

 

It all feels very insignificant. Is winning the cup after all this something a team's fans would brag about 10 years down the line?

I think it might be over for the year.  That was sudden.    I don't see them awarding a cup to anybody, since now it looks like all the distancing measures will continue over the summer.

It's weird to lose all sports at once.  The local sports radio station resorted to interviewing a doctor.  You're right though, they'll have to train for next season, distantly.  Would the next season even get pushed back?

 

What about the expansion draft?

 

Meanwhile there was Twitter outrage because the Flames were not going to pay Saddledome hourly workers compensation, but now they are.  Meanwhile a Go Fund Me for it had donations from a lot of Flames players who are a decent lot.

 

In Calgary they closed all City facilities, like libraries and pools.  Maybe if everything goes ok I can spend summer lying on the lawn...    That's the only thing left.

Edited March 16, 2020 by Mysteriosa

[ShortstopVM]

I was supposed to go to The Garden for Rangers/Flames tonight...

 

I guess that can wait until another day; that's the least of my pressing matters at the moment... Hopefully the NHL can find way to make up all these games...

[RWG]

On 3/16/2020 at 6:08 PM, Mysteriosa said:

I think it might be over for the year.  That was sudden.    I don't see them awarding a cup to anybody, since now it looks like all the distancing measures will continue over the summer.

It's weird to lose all sports at once.  The local sports radio station resorted to interviewing a doctor.  You're right though, they'll have to train for next season, distantly.  Would the next season even get pushed back?

 

What about the expansion draft?

 

Meanwhile there was Twitter outrage because the Flames were not going to pay Saddledome hourly workers compensation, but now they are.  Meanwhile a Go Fund Me for it had donations from a lot of Flames players who are a decent lot.

 

In Calgary they closed all City facilities, like libraries and pools.  Maybe if everything goes ok I can spend summer lying on the lawn...    That's the only thing left.

 

I think you're right. The regular season is RIP in peace and I doubt they get any playoffs in, either. Let's say the league is 10x more desperate to resume than the NBA is because they make a good chunk of their revenue off the gate, and not based on their TV deal alone. I don't think there's a way to get all the players in shape and book all the venues in a tournament that conforms to the league's "integrity" level for awarding a cup. And would they have support from the health authorities to resume? It sounds less and less likely. What a PR mess it would be for the league if they resumed and there were another outbreak throughout the league, or one stemming from attendance at one of its games.

 

The draft, conditional picks, who for the record "made the playoffs." It's pointless to speculate at this point. It's going to be messy to sort out though, and whatever the league decides, a lot of owners and executives will be pissed.

 

Canucks initially announced they were creating a "program" to help part-time employees based on "individual need." They got a lot of backlash, because they owner has like 3.5 billion dollars, and today they announced they'd send their proof of employment to the government so they could easily apply for EI, and pay them most of the rest of what they'd make without EI. So we got there but it would have been nice if the owners had just done this out of kindness.

 

Businesses and services are increasingly closing here too. We still have transit so people can get to work, restaurants doing take out and delivery,  grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies, but that's about it. On Friday, it was still ok to go out if we avoided crowded indoor spaces. On the weekend and Monday, you could at least go out for a walk. Now it's as if, socially, you need a good reason to be on the streets. I was ordered to work from home, and I'm not allowed in the office without permission from my boss. I live in a 1-bedroom apartment (by myself, thankfully), and I have everything I need, but I don't know how I'm going to do this for maybe 6-8 weeks without going crazyyyyyyy.

 

Anyways, hockey fans, wishing you and your families all the best. Message me if you ever want to chat about hockey; it not like I have anything else to do.

 

[RWG]

The Boston Bruins are now the only team in the league who have not offered to help their employees at all. Not Ottawa, not Florida, not Arizona... Boston. Their owner, Jeremy Jacobs, is worth almost $4 million.

 

There's a group of teams that just did it, another group of teams that had to be shamed into it, then there are the Bruins. Even the Massachusetts AG has shamed them...

[Mysteriosa]

On 3/16/2020 at 5:47 PM, ShortstopVM said:

I was supposed to go to The Garden for Rangers/Flames tonight...

 

I guess that can wait until another day; that's the least of my pressing matters at the moment... Hopefully the NHL can find way to make up all these games...

That's sad.  What's it like at The Garden?  I imagine the Flames would have tried to win in the 3rd period.    I miss them driving me crazy.

 

On 3/17/2020 at 7:46 PM, RWG said:

 

I think you're right. The regular season is RIP in peace and I doubt they get any playoffs in, either. Let's say the league is 10x more desperate to resume than the NBA is because they make a good chunk of their revenue off the gate, and not based on their TV deal alone. I don't think there's a way to get all the players in shape and book all the venues in a tournament that conforms to the league's "integrity" level for awarding a cup. And would they have support from the health authorities to resume? It sounds less and less likely. What a PR mess it would be for the league if they resumed and there were another outbreak throughout the league, or one stemming from attendance at one of its games.

 

The draft, conditional picks, who for the record "made the playoffs." It's pointless to speculate at this point. It's going to be messy to sort out though, and whatever the league decides, a lot of owners and executives will be pissed.

 

Canucks initially announced they were creating a "program" to help part-time employees based on "individual need." They got a lot of backlash, because they owner has like 3.5 billion dollars, and today they announced they'd send their proof of employment to the government so they could easily apply for EI, and pay them most of the rest of what they'd make without EI. So we got there but it would have been nice if the owners had just done this out of kindness.

 

Businesses and services are increasingly closing here too. We still have transit so people can get to work, restaurants doing take out and delivery,  grocery stores, convenience stores, and pharmacies, but that's about it. On Friday, it was still ok to go out if we avoided crowded indoor spaces. On the weekend and Monday, you could at least go out for a walk. Now it's as if, socially, you need a good reason to be on the streets. I was ordered to work from home, and I'm not allowed in the office without permission from my boss. I live in a 1-bedroom apartment (by myself, thankfully), and I have everything I need, but I don't know how I'm going to do this for maybe 6-8 weeks without going crazyyyyyyy.

 

Anyways, hockey fans, wishing you and your families all the best. Message me if you ever want to chat about hockey; it not like I have anything else to do.

 

I think it will be difficult to squeeze in a normal playoff run.  The problem like you said is the conditioning.  There was an article about it, where a trainer said it is difficult for players to stay fit without training properly, and they would get injured if they had to just start playing with no lead up time.  He also said after four days they were going crazy with sitting round. 

 

A local mall had a worker diagnosed, but fortunately I haven't been to that mall in a while. Many of the stores are closed.  It is odd how you don't really feel you need to go somewhere that badly, until you can't, and then you really, really wish you could go.  There's no hockey and it's too quiet.  I was looking for a new job.  I should have known, once they close hockey everything must go.

 

Wishing you the best.  We might all take you up on your offer.  I'm already so bored.

On 3/20/2020 at 5:40 PM, RWG said:

The Boston Bruins are now the only team in the league who have not offered to help their employees at all. Not Ottawa, not Florida, not Arizona... Boston. Their owner, Jeremy Jacobs, is worth almost $4 million.

 

There's a group of teams that just did it, another group of teams that had to be shamed into it, then there are the Bruins. Even the Massachusetts AG has shamed them...

There's no cheapskate like a rich cheapskate.  How is it Boston is shame-proof?  Calgary's go fund me raised $81 000.  They are going to see if they can divide it up amongst the employees anyway, even though the Flames gave in.  

[Drew1903]

At least Calgary is among the ones doing the honourable thing.  Kudos to them & there others (not Boston, of course)

[RWG]

On 3/22/2020 at 2:55 AM, Mysteriosa said:

That's sad.  What's it like at The Garden?  I imagine the Flames would have tried to win in the 3rd period.    I miss them driving me crazy.

 

I think it will be difficult to squeeze in a normal playoff run.  The problem like you said is the conditioning.  There was an article about it, where a trainer said it is difficult for players to stay fit without training properly, and they would get injured if they had to just start playing with no lead up time.  He also said after four days they were going crazy with sitting round. 

 

A local mall had a worker diagnosed, but fortunately I haven't been to that mall in a while. Many of the stores are closed.  It is odd how you don't really feel you need to go somewhere that badly, until you can't, and then you really, really wish you could go.  There's no hockey and it's too quiet.  I was looking for a new job.  I should have known, once they close hockey everything must go.

 

Wishing you the best.  We might all take you up on your offer.  I'm already so bored.

There's no cheapskate like a rich cheapskate.  How is it Boston is shame-proof?  Calgary's go fund me raised $81 000.  They are going to see if they can divide it up amongst the employees anyway, even though the Flames gave in.  

 

A part of me would like to see all the players compete for the cup out of shape.

 

The NHL insiders are still throwing out weird playoff scenarios. Apparently the 24-team playoff is popular because it gets Chicago and Montreal in. I think it's nuts. They're naive to think they can finish this season, at least without interrupting next season. I think the Gare Bear knows the season is RIP in peace, but he has to posture for the owners. Given that China hasn't gone fully back to normal and we don't know whether there will be a second wave of infections, there is no way health authorities will give them their blessing to host events with 20,000 people by the end of the summer.

 

The Bruins announced layoffs and salary reductions to their staff, too. What do they always say about playoff revenue? It's massive and it's not in the budget; it's just extra revenue for the owners. Last year, the Bruins went all the way to the cup final and hosted four Stanley Cup Final games. And they're STILL the second (after the Habs) team to announce staff layoffs during a pandemic? What a POS owner, just motivated by sheer greed.

 

I'm bored too. I've been watching lots of movies and reading and getting back into running.

[Mysteriosa]

On 3/27/2020 at 6:46 PM, RWG said:

 

A part of me would like to see all the players compete for the cup out of shape.

 

The NHL insiders are still throwing out weird playoff scenarios. Apparently the 24-team playoff is popular because it gets Chicago and Montreal in. I think it's nuts. They're naive to think they can finish this season, at least without interrupting next season. I think the Gare Bear knows the season is RIP in peace, but he has to posture for the owners. Given that China hasn't gone fully back to normal and we don't know whether there will be a second wave of infections, there is no way health authorities will give them their blessing to host events with 20,000 people by the end of the summer.

 

The Bruins announced layoffs and salary reductions to their staff, too. What do they always say about playoff revenue? It's massive and it's not in the budget; it's just extra revenue for the owners. Last year, the Bruins went all the way to the cup final and hosted four Stanley Cup Final games. And they're STILL the second (after the Habs) team to announce staff layoffs during a pandemic? What a POS owner, just motivated by sheer greed.

 

I'm bored too. I've been watching lots of movies and reading and getting back into running.

I'm back. 

Oh, that's evil.  All those poor players being like, all I have been doing is bench pressing my dog...how do I cope without a warmup?

I don't see how the weird playoff stuff could work.  No time!  

 

Bruins be cheap, LOL.

 

I was already spending too much time at home.  Now, watching too much tv, check.  Reading, check.  Haven't figured out the exercise part, but have the snacking part down. The weather is colder than usual, except for one day (today).  I need supplies but I don't want to go and get them.

 

Random things during the shut down:

 

A video game company was running simulations of hockey games that were supposed to happen.  Flames lost 6-4 to the Devils and Corey Schneider saved something like 98 out of 102 shots.  I'm like, no way did the Flames shoot that much. 

 

Flames players have gone home for the most part, I think.  Tkachuk is in St. Louis with his brother (and parents) playing pickleball.  He's in a new pizza commercial.  Gaudreau is in New Jersey, also with his family.  It would be strange to go from playing non stop hockey to nothing.  

 

Jagr was trending on twitter the other day, because of a fantasy hockey contest.  Out of a handful of players to choose from, everyone wanted Jagr on their team.  Aw.  

 

Of all the old NHL games suggested that the sports networks could run, I think the line brawl Canucks/Flames would be the most fun. 

[RWG]

On 4/10/2020 at 12:40 AM, Mysteriosa said:

I'm back. 

Oh, that's evil.  All those poor players being like, all I have been doing is bench pressing my dog...how do I cope without a warmup?

I don't see how the weird playoff stuff could work.  No time!  

 

Bruins be cheap, LOL.

 

I was already spending too much time at home.  Now, watching too much tv, check.  Reading, check.  Haven't figured out the exercise part, but have the snacking part down. The weather is colder than usual, except for one day (today).  I need supplies but I don't want to go and get them.

 

Random things during the shut down:

 

A video game company was running simulations of hockey games that were supposed to happen.  Flames lost 6-4 to the Devils and Corey Schneider saved something like 98 out of 102 shots.  I'm like, no way did the Flames shoot that much. 

 

Flames players have gone home for the most part, I think.  Tkachuk is in St. Louis with his brother (and parents) playing pickleball.  He's in a new pizza commercial.  Gaudreau is in New Jersey, also with his family.  It would be strange to go from playing non stop hockey to nothing.  

 

Jagr was trending on twitter the other day, because of a fantasy hockey contest.  Out of a handful of players to choose from, everyone wanted Jagr on their team.  Aw.  

 

Of all the old NHL games suggested that the sports networks could run, I think the line brawl Canucks/Flames would be the most fun. 

 

Apparently there's a new suggestion where all the teams have their points reeled back to whatever they had at 68 games played (all the teams had played 68 games). I don't know if it's any fairer than points percentage, but the matchups are more interesting. You gets Pens/Caps, Oilers/Flames, Canucks/Avs (Hughes vs Makar). It's all academic though because I still don't see how playoffs will be able to happen.

 

I'm working from home, streaming (Tiger King and Ozark), reading, sleeping lots, cooking, talking lots on the phone, relaxing. As horrible as this whole thing has been, it's made me realize that my day-to-day life was way too busy before.

 

The Canucks mostly left town too, except for Stecher and Virtanen (who live in the Vancouver area) and Jordie Benn, who lives in Victoria.

 

I saw the Bure goal from when the Canucks eliminated the Flames in OT of Game 7 in 1994. Also the one where Gelinas scored to eliminate the Canucks in OT of Game 7 in 2004. It's cool they re-airing these games, but I find it hard to get into them when you know the result.

[Mysteriosa]

On 4/10/2020 at 11:15 PM, RWG said:

 

Apparently there's a new suggestion where all the teams have their points reeled back to whatever they had at 68 games played (all the teams had played 68 games). I don't know if it's any fairer than points percentage, but the matchups are more interesting. You gets Pens/Caps, Oilers/Flames, Canucks/Avs (Hughes vs Makar). It's all academic though because I still don't see how playoffs will be able to happen.

 

I'm working from home, streaming (Tiger King and Ozark), reading, sleeping lots, cooking, talking lots on the phone, relaxing. As horrible as this whole thing has been, it's made me realize that my day-to-day life was way too busy before.

 

The Canucks mostly left town too, except for Stecher and Virtanen (who live in the Vancouver area) and Jordie Benn, who lives in Victoria.

 

I saw the Bure goal from when the Canucks eliminated the Flames in OT of Game 7 in 1994. Also the one where Gelinas scored to eliminate the Canucks in OT of Game 7 in 2004. It's cool they re-airing these games, but I find it hard to get into them when you know the result.

I'm back.  

It was really nice weather so I sat outside a lot...distantly.

LOL at Tiger King.  I see Nicholas Cage may be playing him in a series, which would be a show by itself.

 

Little bit startled to find Bettman seriously determined to bring back hockey no matter what the form.  Won't this season always have an asterisk besides it, even if they finished it?  And most of the players have become semi-couch potatoes by now.  But they are all, which city should we choose, and the Flames management are totally on board.  How can this  fit between this season and next, unless they make the next one start later.  Not to mention many of the Flames are in the USA right now, so you'd have to find a way to import them and test them all.

 

Oh snap!  I saw most of game 7, Flames vs Canucks from  2004.  Aw.  I loved the Flames players back then.  I had so many that I liked.  This game everyone looked tired.    So many near misses for Vancouver, and weird stuff happening.  Flames won by a whisker.  Kind of cool that some of them from back then are now employed by the Flames.   Oh, Montador.  That was sad to see him.  And nearly forgot about Yelle, who did all the gritty stuff.  And back then Iginla was a force.  And look, Sedins!  Of course, at the time it was so close it was agonizing to watch, but now it is just a curiosity.  

 

Imagine running a sports network when all the sports get cancelled.  There is so much strange content.  One channel was running old Olympics footage.  

[RWG]

On 5/7/2020 at 1:53 AM, Mysteriosa said:

I'm back.  

It was really nice weather so I sat outside a lot...distantly.

LOL at Tiger King.  I see Nicholas Cage may be playing him in a series, which would be a show by itself.

 

Little bit startled to find Bettman seriously determined to bring back hockey no matter what the form.  Won't this season always have an asterisk besides it, even if they finished it?  And most of the players have become semi-couch potatoes by now.  But they are all, which city should we choose, and the Flames management are totally on board.  How can this  fit between this season and next, unless they make the next one start later.  Not to mention many of the Flames are in the USA right now, so you'd have to find a way to import them and test them all.

 

Oh snap!  I saw most of game 7, Flames vs Canucks from  2004.  Aw.  I loved the Flames players back then.  I had so many that I liked.  This game everyone looked tired.    So many near misses for Vancouver, and weird stuff happening.  Flames won by a whisker.  Kind of cool that some of them from back then are now employed by the Flames.   Oh, Montador.  That was sad to see him.  And nearly forgot about Yelle, who did all the gritty stuff.  And back then Iginla was a force.  And look, Sedins!  Of course, at the time it was so close it was agonizing to watch, but now it is just a curiosity.  

 

Imagine running a sports network when all the sports get cancelled.  There is so much strange content.  One channel was running old Olympics footage.  

 

I'm hoping to be able to go outside soon. It snowed yesterday... Also, I don't know if they still are, but police were warning people for sitting in parks, even if they weren't near others. It's stupid.

 

Bettman's bubble concept is kind of ridiculous. Do they really think they can pull something like that off? I don't. I don't think the Gare Bear's opinion is that positive tests should shut the whole thing down, even though that's what public health experts say. And I don't think players will want to leave their wives and kids for that long.

 

Teenager me was depressed for like a week after the 2004 Game 7. I might have gone to bed crying.

 

The all-time rosters for all the Canadian teams that TSN is doing is pretty cool. Vancouver's is tomorrow; they've already announced the other six team's. It's an interesting project, though I definitely don't agree with the WHA and the Winnipeg franchise that moved to Arizona and the current Jets/Thrashers franchise being mashed into one.

[Mysteriosa]

On 5/10/2020 at 6:55 PM, RWG said:

 

I'm hoping to be able to go outside soon. It snowed yesterday... Also, I don't know if they still are, but police were warning people for sitting in parks, even if they weren't near others. It's stupid.

 

Bettman's bubble concept is kind of ridiculous. Do they really think they can pull something like that off? I don't. I don't think the Gare Bear's opinion is that positive tests should shut the whole thing down, even though that's what public health experts say. And I don't think players will want to leave their wives and kids for that long.

 

Teenager me was depressed for like a week after the 2004 Game 7. I might have gone to bed crying.

 

The all-time rosters for all the Canadian teams that TSN is doing is pretty cool. Vancouver's is tomorrow; they've already announced the other six team's. It's an interesting project, though I definitely don't agree with the WHA and the Winnipeg franchise that moved to Arizona and the current Jets/Thrashers franchise being mashed into one.

*feels smug because I don't have snow...crosses fingers*

Where I live people sneak round walking their dog and stuff after dark, because it is nice and peaceful.  

 

All it would take is for one single person to have it to cause chaos.  Bettman and the rest of them don't want to let it go.  I don't think at this point it would really count as a cup won the right way.  Might as well draw straws.

 

Aw.  For me the best series that we won was against Detroit because they were a beast, and we were totally outmatched, at least on paper.  I remember everyone had pictures in their windows, or even painted on, and the whole city was nuts.  When we won a game, you could hear the cheering outside.

 

Interesting.  Ooo, I remember liking the weird Thrasher jerseys.  

 

LOL, on the radio they joked that soon Seattle would announce that their new team's name would be the Murder Hornets.

[RWG]

18 hours ago, Mysteriosa said:

*feels smug because I don't have snow...crosses fingers*

Where I live people sneak round walking their dog and stuff after dark, because it is nice and peaceful.  

 

All it would take is for one single person to have it to cause chaos.  Bettman and the rest of them don't want to let it go.  I don't think at this point it would really count as a cup won the right way.  Might as well draw straws.

 

Aw.  For me the best series that we won was against Detroit because they were a beast, and we were totally outmatched, at least on paper.  I remember everyone had pictures in their windows, or even painted on, and the whole city was nuts.  When we won a game, you could hear the cheering outside.

 

Interesting.  Ooo, I remember liking the weird Thrasher jerseys.  

 

LOL, on the radio they joked that soon Seattle would announce that their new team's name would be the Murder Hornets.

 

We haven't had snow in a week. It was 16 degrees today! Hopefully we have seen the last of winter but you never know in this region. There is no spring, it just goes from winter to summer.

 

It would be something to watch, I guess, but it wouldn't be a real Stanley Cup for whatever team wins this tournament/playoff thing. Apparently now, the NHL is willing to scrap the rest of the regular season and do a 24-team playoff, but a lot of GMs are mad that teams like Chicago and Montreal, who are bad teams, will get to play in play-in series against significantly better teams.

 

Outside of 2011, my happiest playoff moment was when the Canucks beat the Blues in Game 7 in 2003. The most depressing was when they lost the 2nd round series that year to the Wild after leading the series 3-1 and had a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period in Game 7.

 

The Canucks all-time team wasn't that impressive. It was probably tied with Winnipeg's for 2nd-worst in Canada after Ottawa. Montreal obviously had the best, Edmonton was 2nd. Calgary and Toronto would probably be tied for 3rd.

 

I didn't read too much into the Murder Hornets. I read the first paragraph of an article and was like, No, not now.

[Mysteriosa]

On 5/15/2020 at 8:46 PM, RWG said:

 

We haven't had snow in a week. It was 16 degrees today! Hopefully we have seen the last of winter but you never know in this region. There is no spring, it just goes from winter to summer.

 

It would be something to watch, I guess, but it wouldn't be a real Stanley Cup for whatever team wins this tournament/playoff thing. Apparently now, the NHL is willing to scrap the rest of the regular season and do a 24-team playoff, but a lot of GMs are mad that teams like Chicago and Montreal, who are bad teams, will get to play in play-in series against significantly better teams.

 

Outside of 2011, my happiest playoff moment was when the Canucks beat the Blues in Game 7 in 2003. The most depressing was when they lost the 2nd round series that year to the Wild after leading the series 3-1 and had a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period in Game 7.

 

The Canucks all-time team wasn't that impressive. It was probably tied with Winnipeg's for 2nd-worst in Canada after Ottawa. Montreal obviously had the best, Edmonton was 2nd. Calgary and Toronto would probably be tied for 3rd.

 

I didn't read too much into the Murder Hornets. I read the first paragraph of an article and was like, No, not now.

It's raining here.

 

"Not the Real Stanley Cup" should be on all the t-shirts...  You mean after spending the season biting and clawing your way to getting points, they just think it is ok to scrap all that, and start over...Admittedly they left out some of the worst of the worst teams, but it will not have the same quality as it would have before shutdown, and I think the athletes will be super rusty.  I'd have to get back into the hockey habit again.  But this would be a weird fantasy version.

 

I hate going out in the second round.  Flames have done that a lot over the years, usually Duck related, I think.

 

I'd take 3rd.  That's pretty good.  Some Flames teams have had real talent on them, and if you could put them all on one team, it would look awesome.

 

Well, mostly it is only a problem if you are a bee, because they eat bees.  A small number of people are allergic to their stings.  But it might look great on a hockey jersey!  I am leaning toward Seattle being Kraken, just because unleash the Kraken would be too much fun to play with as an announcer.

[RWG]

This plan is probably going to barely be approved by the NHLPA 31-player committee, and this will be the the bracket. (The NHLPA got 18/31 votes; apparently some teams, including the Penguins, are furious.)

 

Technically, it's not a 24-team playoff. The top four teams in each conference are in the playoffs; the other 16 teams play in a play-in round for the last eight spots.

 

 

Overall thoughts:

 

- They had to do 24 or 20 teams for the math to work, and I guess they chose 24 because more teams = more fans watching = more money.

- This means Montreal and Chicago are in the play-in, which is ridiculous. Neither of those teams have any business being involved in this (or the Rangers, frankly). Mathematically, they had no grounds to argue they'd been unfairly excluded, if they'd been excluded. Hell, if it were me, you go by points %, games played is evened out, anyone not in the playoffs is out. Sorry, you had 7/8ths of a season to get into the playoffs.

- Montreal had a 0.5% chance at making the playoffs when the season was paused. Now, they have a near 50% shot and winning a 5-game play-in that will probably look like exhibition games.

- This is an advantage to the "top eight" who now have a chance at playing an even weaker (should be non-playoff) team in the first round.

- It's hugely unfair to teams like Pittsburgh, Toronto, and Edmonton, who were basically guaranteed to make the playoffs. Now they're at about a 50% chance because Montreal and Chicago needed to be allowed to have  chance.

- At the end of the day, it's a fake cup so who really cares.

 

The Canucks are probably playing Minnesota in the first round. They were a very good team since they fired Boudreau, but they're still sort of mediocre and one of the oldest teams in the league. It would probably be a toss-up like most of these play-in series.

 

On 5/21/2020 at 12:49 AM, Mysteriosa said:

Well, mostly it is only a problem if you are a bee, because they eat bees.  A small number of people are allergic to their stings.  But it might look great on a hockey jersey!  I am leaning toward Seattle being Kraken, just because unleash the Kraken would be too much fun to play with as an announcer.

 

That's good that they're not terribly lethal for humans. I read a Globe article about them that made them sound very scary.

 

There might be UFOs now too.

 

It is very hot in Toronto and now I suddenly miss the crappy weather. I badly need AC.

 

 

[Mysteriosa]

Hockey is coming back!  Anybody?  

 

Yay, Seattle went with Kraken.  I knew it.  Once they mentioned that name who could pick anything else?

 

The question is, will people want to watch hockey in the summer?  Some Calgarians in the newspaper pointed out that summer here is short so they can't waste golf time watching the NHL, LOL.

 

Some Flames players chose not to be part of the bubble.  Hamonic is one of them.  Fun fact:  Craig Conroy was being a referee for the practice games. (once a player, now in management)  They couldn't add a referee to their already full quota of people.

[Mysteriosa]

How soon the Flames slide back to square one...finally have a game, against the Oilers, and they score on us after a bit more than a minute, and then again.  Have to admit, I gave up and watched CSI instead.     Final score 4-1.  Only Calgary goal was Lindholm.  Described as an even game.  Calgary had a bad first period.  To me, it seemed like the normal Flames habit of showing up late in games.

 

  The only good thing about the quarantine is that it sorted out any possible labour dispute.

 

Reminds me, there was a big storm the other week and Rogers Place was flooded.  Calgary was much amused.

Edited July 30, 2020 by Mysteriosa

[RWG]

On 7/26/2020 at 4:13 PM, Mysteriosa said:

Hockey is coming back!  Anybody?  

 

Yay, Seattle went with Kraken.  I knew it.  Once they mentioned that name who could pick anything else?

 

The question is, will people want to watch hockey in the summer?  Some Calgarians in the newspaper pointed out that summer here is short so they can't waste golf time watching the NHL, LOL.

 

Some Flames players chose not to be part of the bubble.  Hamonic is one of them.  Fun fact:  Craig Conroy was being a referee for the practice games. (once a player, now in management)  They couldn't add a referee to their already full quota of people.

 

I don't like Kraken. If Liam Neeson doesn't say those three lines in the Release the Titans remake, are they picking that name? I don't think it will age well. Moreover, in mythology, the Kraken lived in the North Atlantic waters. I don't understand the connection to the Pacific Northwest. I feel like they got spooked out of Totems by the racial moment and didn't like Sockeyes because their main rival to-be has a whale as its logo.

 

 The summer factor is real. I'm going to watch all of the Canucks games, but I'm not staying inside on a nice summer day so I can watch all the games.

 

The Flames-Jets series will be interesting. Calgary is much better, but Hellebuyck is good enough to steal a 5-game series. 

 

 

On 7/30/2020 at 6:44 AM, Mysteriosa said:

How soon the Flames slide back to square one...finally have a game, against the Oilers, and they score on us after a bit more than a minute, and then again.  Have to admit, I gave up and watched CSI instead.     Final score 4-1.  Only Calgary goal was Lindholm.  Described as an even game.  Calgary had a bad first period.  To me, it seemed like the normal Flames habit of showing up late in games.

 

  The only good thing about the quarantine is that it sorted out any possible labour dispute.

 

Reminds me, there was a big storm the other week and Rogers Place was flooded.  Calgary was much amused.

 

CSI? Are you living in 2005?  I've been watching Homeland lately.

 

How does Rogers Arena get flooded like two years after it was built? It's a brand new state-of-the-art arena...

 

Canucks lost 4-1 in their exhibition game against Winnipeg. They play for keeps on Sunday in Game 1 against Minnesota. Most media people like Vancouver to win the series, but I'm not so sure. They do have more top-end talent and are younger, but Minnesota is much more solid 5-on-5 and deeper defensively. Canucks should definitely be underdogs.

[ShortstopVM]

So, the Rangers are in the Qualifying Series... Ummm, yay?  

 

Anyways, #WeWantTheCup 

[Mysteriosa]

On 7/31/2020 at 7:12 PM, RWG said:

I don't like Kraken. If Liam Neeson doesn't say those three lines in the Release the Titans remake, are they picking that name? I don't think it will age well. Moreover, in mythology, the Kraken lived in the North Atlantic waters. I don't understand the connection to the Pacific Northwest. I feel like they got spooked out of Totems by the racial moment and didn't like Sockeyes because their main rival to-be has a whale as its logo.

 

 The summer factor is real. I'm going to watch all of the Canucks games, but I'm not staying inside on a nice summer day so I can watch all the games.

 

The Flames-Jets series will be interesting. Calgary is much better, but Hellebuyck is good enough to steal a 5-game series

 

Well, boo.   

 

I think they were stuck.  Sharks are cool but taken.  Orcas ditto.   How is being a salmon cool?  Best known for being served with a slice of lemon.   Boston has bears.  Octopus wouldn't be a bad idea, which is sort of what they went for.  Otters might have been OK.  

 

They had reportedly trademarked lots of names including Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems and Whales.

Sporting News - Guessing the five NHL Seattle team name finalists  (evergreens?  Really?)

 

This might be a good time to point out that the Flames were never named for Calgary, but for when Atlanta was burned in the American Civil War, because they used to be the Atlanta Flames.  

 

(still hilarious:  the AHL mascot for the Adirondack Flames, the Flames' farm team, was called Scorch after a fire in Glen Falls,  and had a disastrous introduction that made him infamous and almost immediately nixed in 2014.  There's video if you have a free moment to marvel at the spectacle, involving a firefighter and some unfortunate dancing.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/killer-ahl-mascot-goes-down-in-flames#:~:text=Scorch%2C the mascot for the,banished before his career began.  )

 

OMG the Flames won 4-1 against Winnipeg.  I watched it.  Gaudreau scored which is new.  Tkachuk took out Mark Scheifele in a hit along the boards and their coach called it filthy and disgusting.  I actually thought it wasn't on purpose, unlike when Giordano whacked Laine on the arm with his stick in retaliation for a hit.   

 

LOL at Edmonton losing and they pulled Smith.  Double LOL at the Leafs losing, after they were named on the National news as representing hockey being back while they ignored everyone else.  How the heck did Arizona beat the Predators?

 

On 7/31/2020 at 7:12 PM, RWG said:

CSI? Are you living in 2005?  I've been watching Homeland lately.

 

How does Rogers Arena get flooded like two years after it was built? It's a brand new state-of-the-art arena...

 

Canucks lost 4-1 in their exhibition game against Winnipeg. They play for keeps on Sunday in Game 1 against Minnesota. Most media people like Vancouver to win the series, but I'm not so sure. They do have more top-end talent and are younger, but Minnesota is much more solid 5-on-5 and deeper defensively. Canucks should definitely be underdogs.

 

Sometimes.  There's a channel where they run it back to back.

 

It flooded 2 wks ago because there was a big storm with lots of rain and hail.  There's been some of those in Calgary.  One night where I live you could see your breath and there were heaps of hail that didn't melt right away.  There were also a few tornadoes spotted.

So then Edmonton went round pretending it wasn't that bad but someone had video.  Awkward...

 

 

On 8/1/2020 at 11:08 AM, ShortstopVM said:

So, the Rangers are in the Qualifying Series... Ummm, yay?  

 

Anyways, #WeWantTheCup 

YAY!  I think it's a pretty open competition.  Weird format, lots of rust, anything can happen.

[ShortstopVM]

7 hours ago, Mysteriosa said:

YAY!  I think it's a pretty open competition.  Weird format, lots of rust, anything can happen.

 

This is true - for example, we already lost to Carolina after sweeping them in all four matchups before The Pause 

[ShortstopVM]

Hot Take: As much as I like Lundqvist and appreciate his contributions to the franchise... Igor Shesterkin should be the starter from here on out (once he is cleared to play).

[ShortstopVM]

Woooowwww...  It's as if the coronavirus Monstars quarantine took all the talent out of the Rangers   #SpaceJam

 

I did not expect these guys to come out of The Pause looking flat...

 

I guess we're all rooting against the Fishsticks now...

Edited August 5, 2020 by ShortstopVM

[RWG]

Canucks beat Minnesota 4-3 last night. It was 4-1 until late. Goals came from Pearson, Miller, Boeser, and Horvat. Series is 1-1 now. Was worried we were going to join the Rangers as the only teams to go down 1-2-3.

 

I feel bad for Lundqvist, having your (likely) game for the Rangers being that. Kind of like Vince Carter.

 

On 8/3/2020 at 3:21 AM, Mysteriosa said:

 

Well, boo.   

 

I think they were stuck.  Sharks are cool but taken.  Orcas ditto.   How is being a salmon cool?  Best known for being served with a slice of lemon.   Boston has bears.  Octopus wouldn't be a bad idea, which is sort of what they went for.  Otters might have been OK.  

 

They had reportedly trademarked lots of names including Cougars, Eagles, Emeralds, Evergreens, Firebirds, Kraken, Rainiers, Renegades, Sea Lions, Seals, Sockeyes, Totems and Whales.

Sporting News - Guessing the five NHL Seattle team name finalists  (evergreens?  Really?)

 

This might be a good time to point out that the Flames were never named for Calgary, but for when Atlanta was burned in the American Civil War, because they used to be the Atlanta Flames.  

 

(still hilarious:  the AHL mascot for the Adirondack Flames, the Flames' farm team, was called Scorch after a fire in Glen Falls,  and had a disastrous introduction that made him infamous and almost immediately nixed in 2014.  There's video if you have a free moment to marvel at the spectacle, involving a firefighter and some unfortunate dancing.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/killer-ahl-mascot-goes-down-in-flames#:~:text=Scorch%2C the mascot for the,banished before his career began.  )

 

OMG the Flames won 4-1 against Winnipeg.  I watched it.  Gaudreau scored which is new.  Tkachuk took out Mark Scheifele in a hit along the boards and their coach called it filthy and disgusting.  I actually thought it wasn't on purpose, unlike when Giordano whacked Laine on the arm with his stick in retaliation for a hit.   

 

LOL at Edmonton losing and they pulled Smith.  Double LOL at the Leafs losing, after they were named on the National news as representing hockey being back while they ignored everyone else.  How the heck did Arizona beat the Predators?

 

 

Sometimes.  There's a channel where they run it back to back.

 

It flooded 2 wks ago because there was a big storm with lots of rain and hail.  There's been some of those in Calgary.  One night where I live you could see your breath and there were heaps of hail that didn't melt right away.  There were also a few tornadoes spotted.

So then Edmonton went round pretending it wasn't that bad but someone had video.  Awkward...

 

 

YAY!  I think it's a pretty open competition.  Weird format, lots of rust, anything can happen.

 

Victoria, B.C., used to have an ECHL team called the Salmon Kings. Everyone hated it at first, but they eventually created a kind of culture around salmon. I like Rainiers for Seattle, but it sounds kind of more like a rugby team.

 

Arizona is kind of surprising, but I guess anything can happen in a best-of-five. The stuff with their GM right before the tournament started was weird. I've never heard a team refer to their GM as "quitting" before. The statement the team put out sounded like it was written by a pouty teenager; at the same time, John Chayka is not the most professional individual himself. The "analytics" operation he and his sister run sounds kind of sketchy.

 

I've heard the Calgary-Winnipeg series has been heated, but I haven't got to see much of it. I saw Paul Maurice saying that Tkachuk should basically be publicly hung for that kick of Scheifele. I did see this hilarious gif of Lucic whining that his goal got called back.

[ShortstopVM]

 

 

We already exited our season safely...

Edited August 6, 2020 by ShortstopVM