Running 2017-18 NHL thread

[Cosmo]

You think Trotz is on the hot seat?

Not unless they get off to a terrible start. He's on the last year of his contract, and they didn't extend him in the offseason, so it would be an easy move to make should the Caps get off to a rough start. I don't think there's going to be a lot of wiggle room in that division this year. You get too far behind early, it's going to be tough to catch up and make the playoffs.

That said, Barry's pretty hamstrung by the team that McLellan left him. But I'd rather see Bowey getting his feet wet at the NHL level than watch Chorney continue to flail around. If the Penguins showed us anything the last couple of years, it's that letting the youngsters gain confidence while skating with veterans can pay off big time in the postseason. Not a bad thing to emulate.

 

[Moderator1]

Not unless they get off to a terrible start. He's on the last year of his contract, and they didn't extend him in the offseason, so it would be an easy move to make should the Caps get off to a rough start. I don't think there's going to be a lot of wiggle room in that division this year. You get too far behind early, it's going to be tough to catch up and make the playoffs.

That said, Barry's pretty hamstrung by the team that McLellan left him. But I'd rather see Bowey getting his feet wet at the NHL level than watch Chorney continue to flail around. If the Penguins showed us anything the last couple of years, it's that letting the youngsters gain confidence while skating with veterans can pay off big time in the postseason. Not a bad thing to emulate.

Isn't it a maturity issue with Bowey? Is he the guy who posted pictures with a bong? Or am I thinking of someone else.

I'd put Djoos in place of Chorney and then try to move Grubauer for a real defenseman if the cap space works. Grubauer is too good to be a backup and they got Copley back in the same trade that brought Shattenkirk over.

If the Caps don't get out of the second round this year, someone else will be coaching next year. Not sure I agree. I think Trotz is pretty good and it isn't his fault they had to give away Johansson.

 

[Cosmo]

Isn't it a maturity issue with Bowey? Is he the guy who posted pictures with a bong? Or am I thinking of someone else.

I'd put Djoos in place of Chorney and then try to move Grubauer for a real defenseman if the cap space works. Grubauer is too good to be a backup and they got Copley back in the same trade that brought Shattenkirk over.

If the Caps don't get out of the second round this year, someone else will be coaching next year. Not sure I agree. I think Trotz is pretty good and it isn't his fault they had to give away Johansson.

Not sure on Bowey. Don't remember seeing anything like that but I could have easily missed it. I'm with you on Djoos. Would love to see him get a look too. Also agree on moving Grubauer, especially since Holtby is the long-term guy. The Caps have three good defensemen, one aging guy who at least is a good leader, and two guys who shouldn't be playing NHL minutes. Makes a lot of sense to try to get a capable 2nd pair D man in return for Grubi.

 

[Moderator1]

It was Bowey, though not a bong

Madison Bowey spoken to by Caps after publishing smoking video on Instagram

 

[The Big Ragu]

Vegas defeated Dallas last night 2-1. Enjoyable game to watch. Fleury played dynamite, Vegas went 0-7 on power plays, Neal scored two third-period goals and knocked the crap out of Seguin with a check, one of several good hits by both teams.
Fun viewing.

How did Oscar Lindberg look? I was bummed that the Rangers lost him. He's not a first line center, but he has it in him to be a legit NHL player. He has good skill and he sometimes plays with a bit of an edge.

At this point in his career, I think this is the perfect situation for Fleury. There might be nights where it is not going to be fun being in goal for that team, but they seemed to put more emphasis on the defense in putting together the team, soI don't think it will be as bad as it could have been. Fleury has nothing to prove left, and he has a good personality, so he's the perfect centerpiece for that team. If the team actually manages to outperform expectations, he will be able to bask in it. If they suck, nobody will think it is his fault.

 

[UPChip]

Tampa Bay's J.T. Brown (who is black and the son of an NFL player) raised a fist during the playing of the national anthem of their game against Florida tonight.

 

[Cosmo]

Alex Ovechkin, who was supposedly washed up, has seven goals in the last three periods for the Caps.

 

[JC]

Alex Ovechkin, who was supposedly washed up, has seven goals in the last three periods for the Caps.

Who said he was washed up?

 

[Vombatus]

Can anyone hold Toronto to 6 or less? Sheesh.

They better not be offering free pizza or anything like that.

 

[Liut]

How did Oscar Lindberg look? I was bummed that the Rangers lost him. He's not a first line center, but he has it in him to be a legit NHL player. He has good skill and he sometimes plays with a bit of an edge.

At this point in his career, I think this is the perfect situation for Fleury. There might be nights where it is not going to be fun being in goal for that team, but they seemed to put more emphasis on the defense in putting together the team, soI don't think it will be as bad as it could have been. Fleury has nothing to prove left, and he has a good personality, so he's the perfect centerpiece for that team. If the team actually manages to outperform expectations, he will be able to bask in it. If they suck, nobody will think it is his fault.

Sorry Ragu, I'm just now reading this. Really don't have much to offer regarding Lindberg. IIRC, he was centering the first line at the get-go. Heard his name a few times.

I probably understated Fleury's performance against Dallas. He was unbelievable. Played well in Saturday's win at Arizona, too.

 

[Liut]

Los Angeles defeated the New York Islanders 3-2 Sunday improving to 4-0-1. That is the best start in franchise history. A lot of roadies following Wednesday's game against Montreal at Staples Center. Regarding the Islanders, they gave up a short-handed goal to the Kings, their third short-hand goal of the season. Meantime, the Isles have yet to score on a power play (0-19, IIRC). Ouch.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Rangers have lost 5 of their first 6. The only other time in franchise history that they did that was in 1959-60, on their way to a 17–38–15 season.

Just a brutal start, and it has taken some of the excitement for the season out of our home.

 

[Liut]

Brain lock. What a meant to say earlier was the Islanders gave up a goal to L.A. while working a power play; third time they've yielded a goal with the man advantage while yet to score on a power play. It sure feels like a Monday.

 

[Liut]

Rangers have lost 5 of their first 6. The only other time in franchise history that they did that was in 1959-60, on their way to a 17–38–15 season.

Just a brutal start, and it has taken some of the excitement for the season out of our home.

Unfortunately, we may look back to this as having been critical. IMHO, lost early-season points seem to become more important every year. Or maybe that's just me.

 

[The Big Ragu]

Unfortunately, we may look back to this as having been critical. IMHO, lost early-season points seem to become more important every year. Or maybe that's just me.

No, I see it that way, too. By the time you get to Thanksgiving (U.S.), if you aren't in the playoff hunt, you likely aren't going to get back into it.

 

[HappyCurmudgeon]

Lightning have won four of five although they have been somewhat shaky defensively until Saturday's win against the Blues. Kucherov had scored a goal in each of the first five games. First NHL player to do that in five years.

 

[Cosmo]

Are the Golden Knights actually good?

 

[JC]

Are the Golden Knights actually good?

No

 

[Michael_ Gee]

Are the Golden Knights actually good?

They park the bus, to use the British soccer expression. Tough to score on. Subban, the goalie the Bruins let go because he was awful here, was very good last night.

 

[Cosmo]

They also got to play Arizona twice early. The Coyotes stink.