2018-19 NHL thread

Thanks. I couldn't remember when the new arena was supposed to be done. I know the first Caps-Isles game up there this year was at Barclays.

 

Uniondale doesn't have the capacity or the amenities, but it has better sight lines for fans and seems like a better barn for hockey. The building in Brooklyn is really nice - I was there not too many years ago - and they did everything correctly EXCEPT its ability to adjust from basketball and concerts to hockey. The hockey sight lines are awful, and the money and construction time (i.e., time the arena would need to be dormant for the retrofit) mean it will likely never be a top-notch arena for hockey.

 

I don't think they had hockey in mind when it was built. The Coliseum debacle didn't happen until after Barclays opened. It's like the old America West Arena in Phoenix, where there's a bunch of seats where you can't even see one goal.

 

The Islanders need to be on the island. I hate it for their fans. They easily have the smallest following of any of the New York-based teams in the four major sports but that fan base is as intense and loyal as it gets. They don't have very many casual fans. They are an all in bunch and nights like Thursday provide a home rink advantage I don't think they will be able to replicate anywhere else.

 

Great win for the Caps last night.

 

RIP Terrible Ted
Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay dies at 93

 

I can't imagine why @Elliotte Friedman reported that Kesler may not play this year.

'Journey of a Warrior': Kesler travels long road to reach 1,000 games

 

I have too much respect for Elliotte to comment further about this.

Kesler did OK on Sunday against Colorado's big line, despite taking two penalties. But he is a very expensive fourth-line faceoff specialist. This "might" be his last year and getting to 1,000 "might" his last hurrah.

 

Did you read the article?

 

Yes, before I even ventured here this morning. (A meaningless factual gaffe -- last season's playoff sweep was to SJ not Nash.) The article tied it all together while other articles over the past year or so have had bits and pieces of Kesler's situation. And, for accuracy sake, Kesler was not flying on his goal, he didn't shoot a laser and it should have been an easy save for Dubnyk. But, like him or not, coming back from where he was is an incredible accomplishment.

 

That’s a lot of ink to spill on Ryan Kesler.

FWIW, the story now says the loss last year was to San Jose.