NHL Thread

Paul Smeenus · 01-01-2014, 11:36 PM

Ryan and Yandle is the most confounding thing to me.

anticipation · 01-02-2014, 08:37 AM

Never been much of a Leafs fan but laughing my butt off that Detroilet lost to them.

Thom Yorke · 01-02-2014, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninetales

Leaving jack Johnson off was smart. He's really terrible but people think he's great for some reason. Putting orpik on the team over byfuglien is absolutely ridiculous though.

It's annoying that Kunitz is a lock for Canada and we'll see some actual great players lose a spot for him. And I swear to god if we leave subban home..

This weird "lets leave better players home" is so stupid. Bobby Ryan isn't a "checker" because he's not terrible, which is what that description usually symbolizes. Love how Burke said he doesn't have "intensity". Whatever the hell that means. Amazing how dumb a lot of excecs are in this sport.

US team isn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be. I agree with pretty much all of it except for Ryan, Yandle and Erik Johnson being left off. Having Orpik on is pretty bad, but I can deal with Fowler over Yandle. There isn't really a questionable inclusion up front, although I agree with most that Ryan should be there. If the plan is to play JVR on Kessel's opposite wing, I would much rather have Ryan in that spot.

Why do so many people have issues with selecting players based on roles? Pacioretty-Backes-Oshie will be a beastly possession line, with very good defense, and Brown-Pavelski-Callahan will be an excellent energy line, aslo with great D.

While Kesler isn't an ideal top line center, I think his type of game would work great with Kane. Kesler does all the dirty work and can act as a finisher alongside Parise with Kane controlling the puck and setting them up.

Biggest weakness is that 2nd line. As lethal as Kessel's shot is, he's the type of player that can be contained with tight D. I'm not sure JVR and Stastny are good enough to elevate that line's game past a lot of the other top 6 lines that will be out there.

Byfuglien is a trainwreck on D. You have a guy like Shattenkirk there that can make up a lot of ground on offense while being way better than him defensively.

Orpik could be a disaster though.

Thom Yorke · 01-02-2014, 09:10 AM

And where did you hear Kunitz was a lock? That was my greatest fear going into this Olympics...

Couture, top line LW. Better in literally every single facet of the game. Having "chemistry with Crosby" is so ****ing overrated.

Ninetales · 01-02-2014, 09:41 AM

As much as I think Yandle is a good dman, I agree that Fowler is arguably better. Yandle gets sheltered a ton in Phoenix so I get leaving him off. Byfuglien is much better tho and I dont think hes a trainwreck in his own zone tbh he has like a .87 sv% behind him which is why is +/- is bad. I think hes a borderline top line dman and Orpik is a borderline top 6 so.. But again I agree with you that the US team is still very good, and there forwards are still great despite Ryan, but they couldve been even better and thats what baffles me.

And I just keep hearing that Kunitz will probably make the team so im just bracing for it. And yes it's dumb. He has something like 7 points in the last 2 years when hes not playing with Crosby. I could get massive amounts of points playing with Crosby ffs. I mean Kunitz isnt terrible but if we're leaving Hall or Benn home good lord thats dumb. But it's the same with the States. We can make these mind numbingly stupid mistakes and still win gold. But why make it harder on ourselves?

Oh and RIP USA world junior team. #Canadabesthockey

Burning Down · 01-02-2014, 10:58 AM

This is so bad, but I always giggle at Byfuglien's name. It should be Bufflin or something, without all those silent letters. I know a lot of hockey players past and present have pretty strange/hilarious names, but his is the best, I think.

Ninetales · 01-02-2014, 11:03 AM

How to actually pronounce his name:

Burning Down · 01-02-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninetales

How to actually pronounce his name:

Ahahahahaha! Bellyfudge.

anticipation · 01-02-2014, 11:26 AM

Byf is garbage defensively and too slow, his size is also essentially worthless so Fowler is a better choice once you factor in Int'l ice size and his offensive skills that aren't shared by many his age in the league. I like Yandle better than Orpik as well, despite the fact that PHX has gotten better defensively in the past few years Yandle has always been a stingy bitch and one of the best dman in the superior West. Orpik isn't that physical but I don't think that's the plan for the US D-corps at this years games, the offense is filled with workhorse types so I guess they want to wear other teams down with checking and grinding and let Kane/Kessel/Pavelski shoot their hearts out.

Canada should win this thing but whoever gets Sweden will have the toughest out, Russia is also looking good this year but their goaltending is woeful.

Burning Down · 01-02-2014, 08:48 PM

So, thoughts about Joffrey Lupul cross-checking Patrick Eaves during yesterday's game? Should he be suspended and for how long (considering that Lupul has a history of suspensions for hits)?

Since Lupul was clearly reacting to being hit by someone else moments beforehand, is it just a case of Eaves being in the wrong spot at the wrong time?

Joffrey Lupul faces NHL hearing for cross-check - NHL on CBC Sports - Hockey news, opinion, scores, stats, standings

01-02-2014, 09:10 AM	#1604 (permalink)
Thom Yorke Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,848	And where did you hear Kunitz was a lock? That was my greatest fear going into this Olympics... Couture, top line LW. Better in literally every single facet of the game. Having "chemistry with Crosby" is so ***ing overrated. Last edited by Thom Yorke; 01-02-2014 at 09:18 AM.*

01-02-2014, 08:37 AM	#1602 (permalink)
anticipation Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,565	Never been much of a Leafs fan but laughing my butt off that Detroilet lost to them.

01-02-2014, 09:41 AM	#1605 (permalink)
Ninetales Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: livin wild Posts: 2,179	As much as I think Yandle is a good dman, I agree that Fowler is arguably better. Yandle gets sheltered a ton in Phoenix so I get leaving him off. Byfuglien is much better tho and I dont think hes a trainwreck in his own zone tbh he has like a .87 sv% behind him which is why is +/- is bad. I think hes a borderline top line dman and Orpik is a borderline top 6 so.. But again I agree with you that the US team is still very good, and there forwards are still great despite Ryan, but they couldve been even better and thats what baffles me. And I just keep hearing that Kunitz will probably make the team so im just bracing for it. And yes it's dumb. He has something like 7 points in the last 2 years when hes not playing with Crosby. I could get massive amounts of points playing with Crosby ffs. I mean Kunitz isnt terrible but if we're leaving Hall or Benn home good lord thats dumb. But it's the same with the States. We can make these mind numbingly stupid mistakes and still win gold. But why make it harder on ourselves? Oh and RIP USA world junior team. #Canadabesthockey

01-02-2014, 10:58 AM	#1606 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	This is so bad, but I always giggle at Byfuglien's name. It should be Bufflin or something, without all those silent letters. I know a lot of hockey players past and present have pretty strange/hilarious names, but his is the best, I think.

01-02-2014, 11:03 AM	#1607 (permalink)
Ninetales Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: livin wild Posts: 2,179	How to actually pronounce his name:

01-02-2014, 11:26 AM	#1609 (permalink)
anticipation Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,565	Byf is garbage defensively and too slow, his size is also essentially worthless so Fowler is a better choice once you factor in Int'l ice size and his offensive skills that aren't shared by many his age in the league. I like Yandle better than Orpik as well, despite the fact that PHX has gotten better defensively in the past few years Yandle has always been a stingy bitch and one of the best dman in the superior West. Orpik isn't that physical but I don't think that's the plan for the US D-corps at this years games, the offense is filled with workhorse types so I guess they want to wear other teams down with checking and grinding and let Kane/Kessel/Pavelski shoot their hearts out. Canada should win this thing but whoever gets Sweden will have the toughest out, Russia is also looking good this year but their goaltending is woeful.

01-02-2014, 08:48 PM	#1610 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	So, thoughts about Joffrey Lupul cross-checking Patrick Eaves during yesterday's game? Should he be suspended and for how long (considering that Lupul has a history of suspensions for hits)? Since Lupul was clearly reacting to being hit by someone else moments beforehand, is it just a case of Eaves being in the wrong spot at the wrong time? Joffrey Lupul faces NHL hearing for cross-check - NHL on CBC Sports - Hockey news, opinion, scores, stats, standings