Paging mpfunk: the 2016-2017 NHL Thread

[creekster]

The NHL is expanding? To where? and why?

[Flystripper]

to Vegas because the NHL is growing. By 2020 Vegas will have two sports teams.

[creekster]

to Vegas because the NHL is growing. By 2020 Vegas will have two sports teams.

WIll the sports books allow betting on NHL and NFL games after the teams arrive?

[Flystripper]

I assume they will.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Expansion draft is looming and the ESPN "experts" are doing their mock drafts. http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/1...ed-their-teams They have the Blackhawks losing either Kruger or TVR. Man, it would suck to lose either of those guys. It's hard to even know what I would prefer (as if we have a choice). I will wait and see how I feel after this playoff run. If TVR can step-up on the blue line, and play on par with Hammer and Oduya, then I hope the Vegas drafts Kruger. I don't ever want to be thin on the blue line again. On the other hand, if Kruger can spark the penalty kill (like he did in season's past) it could be tough to see him go. If they both step up, the Hawks win another cup, and whatever happens in Vegas won't hurt all that much in Lord Stanley's afterglow.

From a pure hockey perspective, the player I want to lose less is Kruger. TVR is much more replaceable than him. However, we may be better off losing Kruger because of his salary cap hit. Kruger is just an underrated player in what he brings to the team.

[Flystripper]

From a pure hockey perspective, the player I want to lose less is Kruger. TVR is much more replaceable than him. However, we may be better off losing Kruger because of his salary cap hit. Kruger is just an underrated player in what he brings to the team.

I hear you. Kruger is an unsung hero and is a big part of the Hawks three cups. I am a little surprise Darling is not mentioned as an option. He could be a starter for several teams.

[DrumNFeather]

They've got the Caps losing their backup Goalie, which I could live with. McPhee is the former GM in Washington, so I'm sure he'll have his eyes on a few Caps.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I'm going to take this moment to say that I hate the salary cap and I miss Nick Leddy.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I hear you. Kruger is an unsung hero and is a big part of the Hawks three cups. I am a little surprise Darling is not mentioned as an option. He could be a starter for several teams.

Darling is great. He is a huge luxury right now for the Blackhawks. I'm finally out of the Crawford is overpaid camp on most days. However, if we could lock up Darling for 3-4 million long term, I'd say goodbye to Corey Crawford.

One thing that I think StanBo has done that has been a mistake is how easily he gives out no trade and no movement clauses. I think now is the right time to move on from Crawford, but it isn't going to happen.

It's nuts how much the Blackhawks protected list is driven by no movement clauses. Keith, Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Hjammer, Ansimov, Crawford, and Hossa all have no-movement clauses and thus need to be protected. That basically forces us into the 7-3-1 protection, as we have to protect Seabrook, Keith, and Hjammer.

I do wonder if Kruger might be safe though, because Hartman has been intriguing this year and so has Panik.

[MartyFunkhouser]

It was awesome to see Bryan Bickell end his career with an overtime goal. I'll always have great memories of Bickell. It is a shame that his MS cut his career short. I'm glad he at least got to make a comeback to the NHL before retiring.

Bicks goal in game 6 against the Bruins to start the 2 goals in 17 seconds is one of my greatest sports memories.

Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk

[The_Tick]

Funk...you doing okay bro?

[Flystripper]

Blackhawk fans are not OK. It hurts. The preds have assembled what might be the best pairings along the blue line in the league. It is paying off. As it relates to last night, sometimes it just isn't meant to be. Horrible puck luck on the first goal and a baffling non call of goalie interference on the second. Sometimes the Hockey Gods look to equal it out. We have been fortunate over the last eight seasons. 3 cups...can't really complain. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Funk...you doing okay bro?

Nope. Thanks for asking.

Blackhawk fans are not OK. It hurts. The preds have assembled what might be the best pairings along the blue line in the league. It is paying off. As it relates to last night, sometimes it just isn't meant to be. Horrible puck luck on the first goal and a baffling non call of goalie interference on the second. Sometimes the Hockey Gods look to equal it out. We have been fortunate over the last eight seasons. 3 cups...can't really complain. At least that is what I keep telling myself.

I'm just pissed. You are right there has been some bad luck for the Blackhawks in this series. I'm also pissed at the Preds for underachieving all season and getting us this matchup in the first round. However, if we cannot beat them in the first round (even if it is a tougher matchup than we should have), we weren't contenders anyway. Time to focus on how to deal with this offseasons cap hell.

Also, a huge fuck you is due to Montreal for that moronic trade of Weber for Stubban.

There is a reason when analyzing teams we should be looking at CORSi, Fenwick, and PDO. Those stats predicted this result. Despite being the top seed and the bottom seed, the Blackhawks and Preds were damn near even in those stats. A few breaks or a hot goaltender, and this happens.

[Flystripper]

Nope. Thanks for asking.



I'm just pissed. You are right there has been some bad luck for the Blackhawks in this series. I'm also pissed at the Preds for underachieving all season and getting us this matchup in the first round. However, if we cannot beat them in the first round (even if it is a tougher matchup than we should have), we weren't contenders anyway. Time to focus on how to deal with this offseasons cap hell.

Also, a huge fuck you is due to Montreal for that moronic trade of Weber for Stubban.

There is a reason when analyzing teams we should be looking at CORSi, Fenwick, and PDO. Those stats predicted this result. Despite being the top seed and the bottom seed, the Blackhawks and Preds were damn near even in those stats. A few breaks or a hot goaltender, and this happens.

I am not ready to talk off-season until the preds win their 4th game. Until you are out there is always hope.

[The_Tick]

My SIL is a Flames fan. He's on suicide watch after last night.

My team didn't even make the damn playoffs.