Little random/late thought... Exactly how does the Panthers put together a mish mash group of players, just so they can make the salary cap floor, and make the playoffs (and win the division) while Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto spend and "try" yet fail.
Little random/late thought... Exactly how does the Panthers put together a mish mash group of players, just so they can make the salary cap floor, and make the playoffs (and win the division) while Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto spend and "try" yet fail.
Edmonton is trying to win so I wouldn't say they failed. Calgary's biggest problem is the 6.6 million devoted to an offensive JBow and yet try and use him as a defensive defenseman (terrible asset management). Toronto may spend alot of money but on guys like Conolly, Lombardi, Komi these aren't useful assets just terrible contracts.
Edmonton is trying to win so I wouldn't say they failed. Calgary's biggest problem is the 6.6 million devoted to an offensive JBow and yet try and use him as a defensive defenseman (terrible asset management). Toronto may spend alot of money but on guys like Conolly, Lombardi, Komi these aren't useful assets just terrible contracts.
Edmonton is trying to win - the lottery for the 1st overall pick. Tambo knows exactly what he is doing, tanking for picks but he's at least smart enough to realise that tanking for picks in the 4-10th overall range is massively risky compared to 1st-2nd overall picks. Tank harder than anyone else, it's the Pittsburgh model - from Mario to Crosby/Malkin. Tank harder and longer.
Edmonton is trying to win - the lottery for the 1st overall pick. Tambo knows exactly what he is doing, tanking for picks but he's at least smart enough to realise that tanking for picks in the 4-10th overall range is massively risky compared to 1st-2nd overall picks. Tank harder than anyone else, it's the Pittsburgh model - from Mario to Crosby/Malkin. Tank harder and longer.
It's actually the smartest way to re-build a team in an undesirable market for free agents. If you are going to tank, tank hard.
Yeah you know, usually I love watching all the other playoff series in the first round but right now I honestly find it a little depressing to see how much more intensity pretty much every other team has compared to the Canucks. Like, you watch the Sens and Rangers playing last night and it's just night and day. I read a good point that someone made where they compared this year's Canucks to last year's Hawks -- having gone deep last year they just look a little burned out in the first round. The Hawks last year seemed to get a big wake-up call after Game 3 (possibly due to Torres plastering Seabrook) -- hopefully the Canucks can do the same, minus one of our guys getting smoked.
Brian Boyle is 6'7", 250 lbs and he kept punching Erik Karlsson, who is 6'0", 180 lbs, in the head after whistles in game #1 of this series. The refs did nothing about it so Ottawa got back at Boyle for doing this. Carkner was standing up for his teammate and sending a message to the Rangers that Karlsson is off limits. Boyle wanted to fight Karlsson but never wanted to fight Carkner. It just proves that Boyle is a bully who turns into a wuss when he faces a guy his size.
The NHL announced that Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators, Carl Hagelin of the New York Rangers and Andrew Shaw of the Chicago Blackhawks will all have hearings on Sunday or Monday for various infractions in Saturday night's Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Carkner received a five-minute major for fighting, a two-minute minor for instigating and a game misconduct at 2:15 of the first period of the Senators' 3-2 overtime win over the Rangers.
Hagelin was given a major penalty for elbowing at 10:32 of the second period after making contact with Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson's head. Alfredsson went to the dressing room and did not return.
Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw will have a hearing Monday for an incident with Phoenix goaltender Mike Smith in Chicago's 4-3 overtime win Saturday.
Carkner on Boyle:
Hagelin's elbow to the head of Alfredsson - Hagelin should have received a game misconduct:
"I don't think we should lose him for Game 3," ~ Rangers coach John Tortorella.
Andrew Shaw's hit on Mike Smith:
"It sucks when that kind of stuff happens, but I'm just glad that he was OK," Shaw said. "He went to play the puck and his stick came up towards my face. I tried to get out of the way of it and unfortunately made a little contact."
Why Boyle may have given Karlsson a few glove punches but Carkner's was much worse.
If the referees will not protect players for flagrant fouls after the whistle then Shanahan should be sending a message. He has no control over the officiating but he does with supplementary discipline.
Given the size differential and bullying, I have no problem if Karlsson gives Boyle a two hander across the wrists. I do not like cowards such as Boyle.
