Again my heartfelt condolences to all in the OKC suburb of Moore and all impacted. I figured a thread on this was called for and started one if people want to talk about it and share and convey support.
If this is anything like Edmonton, and Moore is anything like Millwoods, then everybody in the city knows people in the suburb that were impacted.
Mark Spector @SportsnetSpec 1m
Apple doesn't fall far from tree: Grand Rapids scored 3 times in final 9:56 of the 3rd to defeat the Marlies, 4-3. Eliminates Toronto.
Game 1 May 24 Oklahoma City @ Grand Rapids 6 p.m.
Game 2 May 25 Oklahoma City @ Grand Rapids 6 p.m.
Game 3 May 29 Grand Rapids@ Oklahoma City 7 p.m.
Game 4 May 31 Grand Rapids @ Oklahoma City 7 p.m.
Game 5 June 1 Grand Rapids @ Oklahoma City 7 p.m.
Game 6 June 4 Oklahoma City @ Grand Rapids 6 p.m.
Game 7 June 5 Oklahoma City @ Grand Rapids 6 p.m.
This is going to be a rough one for the Barons. They played 4 times in the regular season, the Barons won two, had a loss and a SOL. The Griffins have a ton of very talented, very speedy guys up front and their defense is probably the best 6 man group in the conference. What I remember about their key players:
Tomas Tatar: NHL ready now. Great skater, great hands, will probably be a 20 goal guy in the NHL next year. 8 goals in 11 playoff games so far this year.
Riley Sheahan: He's been a Barons killer, NHL-ready, great all around skillset.
Francis Pare: excellent AHL player, 9 pts in the playoffs. He always does well against the Barons, good speed down low and a good passer.
Jan Mursak: I don't really remember much of him but he's been on fire during the playoffs.
Luke Glendening: Physical guy, plays a game similar to Hartikainen. Excellent so far in the playoffs.
Tomas Jurco: Young guy, 2nd round pick, really skilled.
Jeff Hoggan: NHL veteran, I think he's the captain. Very, very good AHL player.
Triston Grant: Suprisingly skilled tough guy who I really liked when he was in OKC.
Nathan Paetsch: NHL veteran, elite AHL defenseman
Brett Skinner: veteran defenseman, solid AHL player
Adam Almquist: another really good-looking Wings late round draft pick, elite puck mover
Brennan Evans: Goon defenseman who is decent
Chad Billins: College vet, excellent PMD
Petr Mrazek: really young guy who tore things up in the regular season but hasn't looked as good in the playoffs so far
I think our defense is much better equipped to take on the Griffins speed up front than they were earlier in the year. All 6 of our defensemen are very mobile and can move the puck effectively. Having Lander in the mix at C would make the forwards look a lot deeper (bench House, move Tyrvainen to the 4th line, move Stretch to LW), but the top two lines are as good as any in the AHL. Danis has been outstanding in the playoffs so far also.
This should be a great series. The teams remaining in the East all look very mortal to me, so whoever comes out of this is going to have a good shot at a championship.
This should be a great series. The teams remaining in the East all look very mortal to me, so whoever comes out of this is going to have a good shot at a championship.
The Crunch haven't lost one playoff game this year, they are rolling right now.
Of course it's not a bad thing that they're going in deep into the playoffs, but is this a genuinely good sign for the Oilers organization, or is it just a mirage because it's AHL and lower competition?
Of course it's not a bad thing that they're going in deep into the playoffs, but is this a genuinely good sign for the Oilers organization, or is it just a mirage because it's AHL and lower competition?
A mix of both. There are a few players on the team who could have NHL futures, but also a lot of AHL vets without a prayer. That being said, I'd much rather have three or four relevant prospects experience a playoff run at the pro level in some capacity than not.
I think our defense is much better equipped to take on the Griffins speed up front than they were earlier in the year. All 6 of our defensemen are very mobile and can move the puck effectively. Having Lander in the mix at C would make the forwards look a lot deeper (bench House, move Tyrvainen to the 4th line, move Stretch to LW), but the top two lines are as good as any in the AHL. Danis has been outstanding in the playoffs so far also.
This should be a great series. The teams remaining in the East all look very mortal to me, so whoever comes out of this is going to have a good shot at a championship.
You seem in the know...
How long is Lander out for?
What's the situation on Plante? Is he done or did he just need a wake-up-call?
What's the situation on Plante? Is he done or did he just need a wake-up-call?
Martindale? Hamilton?
Lander is supposed to be out for the year. I'm not sure what his injury is but Nelson was pretty unequivocal that he won't be back.
Plante broke his jaw in the Charlotte series. He might be able to make it back for the Finals if we get that far, but I think he's probably the #8 guy on the depth chart now so I doubt he sees any playing time.
Martindale has been a healthy scratch all playoffs. I don't think he's hurt, but I'm not 100% sure. He wasn't that bad during the regular season. Hamilton tore up his knee and is out for the year.
Gregor in his comments in his latest blog said how Nelson was talking highly of Eager. I thought he might be a buyout candidate, but if this is the case you have to think Eager sticks around.
For those watching the games, how has Davidson looked?
The fact that in the midst of a playoff run, he's playing every single game, and not getting scratched as a rookie...it's a good sign but I would like to hear some feedback.
For those watching the games, how has Davidson looked?
The fact that in the midst of a playoff run, he's playing every single game, and not getting scratched as a rookie...it's a good sign but I would like to hear some feedback.
All that after going through treatment for testicular cancer earlier in the season.
