I think right now the Tampa Bay Lightning are best suited for that big, tough team that can skate. I guess I mean more guys that can hit and grind while not missing their assignments, rather than an "enforcer".
Those guys are at a premium now. You certainly don't want your 10 million a year guys fighting. You don't want them getting hurt or spending big parts of the game in the penalty box. Look at how much the Calgary Flames have improved since the arrival of Tkachuk.

Fighting in hockey's old news. It used to be fun, but no longer is. Time to legislate it right out for me. The days of Grimson vs Probert are a relic of history. I doubt it will be outlawed any time soon, but it's days are numbered. Seems out of place these days, and that's coming from someone who used to defend it. The purists won't want to see it gone, and I can see the argument there too. But for me, it no longer seems to have a place.

The hockey gods are cruel. A few posts back I was dismissive of the Flyers even after a 6-2 win. And with good reason as it turned out, as they managed to lose 7-1 the following night. Such a Flyers thing to do. But you'd think that NOT tempting fate would spare me such results. But no.

And the 'sweep' I was referring to in last year's playoffs was nothing of the kind. The thing I was thinking of was the Preds fan who tempted fate and the Preds lost, but maybe it was in seven, not a sweep. Lost to the Jets.

Yup, on the skids now, that 3rd period implosion was painful against the Flyers.

Still, it's along season...

Yeah, they'll be fine you'd reckon. They have built a nice cushion in the early going. Even if they just played .500 hockey from here on out they'd make the playoffs. They have a good record, but only a +3 goal differential which might be a concern.

But a long way to go like you said.

The low goal diff is due to a LOT of OT and SO wins, like last night when they broke the 5 game slide in OT against the Kings.

Hey JC, any insight on what's going on with Berglund? I know he is being released after clearing waivers, but I mean why is he not reporting? What happened?

Against my better judgement, I will talk about the Flyers, who no longer sit in the basement. They fired the GM (Hextall) and the coach (Hakstol) and finally listened to me and recalled Carter Hart, who won his first two NHL starts. Of course he will now lose seven straight because I had the temerity to mention it and run afoul of the Hockey Gods.

So Scott Gordon is the interim coach, and we will have to see if he has a positive effect on the team, or whether they need to hire someone else. Quenneville? I hate to see them wasting Giroux's prime years and they need to get it in gear and become a contender again. Wishful thinking....

Well, who would have thought the Islanders would have a better record than the Leafs at this point in the season. Everyone thought they would suck after losing Tavares. I guess Trotz still knows what he is doing.

Nobody knows for sure of course but the general consensus was that he wasn’t happy getting bottom line minutes, and very limited minutes at that.

Interesting because now Nathan Beaulieau has now asked for a trade, assumption is the same thing - they’ve been working a highly regarded rookie (Pilut) into the lineup and his playing time has suffered as a result.


Meanwhile, the Sabres’ regression to the mean is proceeding in spectacular fashion....

They both have played 47 games and each have 60 points. But yeah, nobody thought the Islanders would be sitting where they are,especially in the Metro Division. I think the Leafs are where people thought they would be. But they could be battling for a wild card spot if they are not careful. Montreal is a much better team than most predicted. I don't like Montreal, but I do like it better when they are a competitive team.

It will be interesting to see what moves teams make. Trade deadline Feb. 25th. I'm hoping the Leafs add a bit of grit. Wayne Simmons maybe ?

If you put the '71 team in today's league? absolutely. Players did not train like they do now. On endurance alone, the old team gets buried. Cheevers used to have a smoke during intermission.

For a long time, players didn't even drink water during a game. The wisdom was it gave you cramps and affected play. Can't compare the eras.

I expect him to be moved, but ya never know, and I have yet to get a feel for the new Flyers' front office. Not sure what they are thinking, or how likely they are to make moves. But with this season well and truly over already, it makes sense to blow it up. Simmonds is one of the few valuable pieces the Flyers have. Voracek makes too much money and Giroux isn't going to be traded unless he asks for it.

Simmonds is exactly the type of player playoff teams look to add before the deadline. Good in the corners, a net presence. Physical and can bang in 30 a season on a good team. An effective player on the power play. He only costs 4 mil against the cap, but he's a UFA after this year. If the Flyers can get a good prospect or picks I'd expect him to be traded before the deadline.




Yeah, right? I said earlier they'd already banked enough points and would be fine. But they are out of the playoff spots at the moment right? Pittsburgh is ahead of them for the final spot. ESPN ran a article last week about Berglund. Said he needed to 'find himself'

Find himself ?? Your in the NHL making lots of money. Your job is a game.

Seems nuts, but ya never can tell I guess

Link to Berglund story on ESPN.com

Yeah I saw that. I think there’s more to it personally, but we’ll never know.

Sounds like he just missed Sweden. Or, he really didn't like Buffalo after playing in St. Louis for 10 years. Walked away from over 19 mil.

Kyle Dubas cancels Leafs practice this morning, and is addressing the media at 11:30.....odd.

WTH is going on in Edmonton ? They allow GM Chiarelli to sign a Goalie, with 31 NHL games experience, to a 3 yr, 13.5 mil contract. And Then fire Chiarelli within 24 hrs ??? What a mess in Oil country. Tight for cap space next season. Poor Connor McDavid.