NHL Season 2018-19

[Plake]

I was quite impressed with Rasks’ performance in the playoffs. I clearly understand what you are saying but he may be the only reason they made it that far. I posted it earlier but I will say it again, I am stunned by the amount of turnovers by Marchand. He had such a good offensive season I can’t believe he is that weak on the puck.

 

[Ronzo]

I was quite impressed with Rasks’ performance in the playoffs. I clearly understand what you are saying but he may be the only reason they made it that far. I posted it earlier but I will say it again, I am stunned by the amount of turnovers by Marchand. He had such a good offensive season I can’t believe he is that weak on the puck.

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.

 

[blue4]

I narrowly missed seeing the Stanley Cup last night in person. I got off work a few minutes too late. If the Blues can maintain a little success in the next season, I believe the sky is the limit as far as building the fanbase. There were more casual sports fans watching that playoff run then watched the Rams 99 SB run IMO. I honestly think that it surpassed the last Cardinal WS appearance and that's saying something in St Louis.

 

[Inky13]

I would love to see the Cup in a victory parade, but I have seen it a few times. Both the HOF and the traveler.

 

[GonePlaid]

I would love to see the Cup in a victory parade, but I have seen it a few times. Both the HOF and the traveler.

I haven't but would like to. Maybe when the Panthe.......never mind.

 

[warwick.hoy]

Flyers trade Gudas for Niskanen.

Jury is still out on this trade but the Flyers were looking for a veteran right hand shot defenceman not named Andrew MacDonald*.

Gudas has a slightly better (although not great) corsi for but has discipline problems. Niskanen has playoff experience and success. He's expected to be an example and leader for a young blueline that took a step back on 2018-19.

Niskanen has a pretty beefy cap hit compared to Gudas and they retain some of Gudas' salary for 2019-2020 but the Flyers are in a pretty good spot in regards to the cap.

I'm tentative and patient on this move as I've been since they made the GM change and recent coaching hirings.

*A-Mac was placed on waivers is likely to be bought out. That should clear up a little cap space to lessen sting of the Niskanen trade.

Now to sign key free agents.

 

[hbarcat]

I am stunned by the amount of turnovers by Marchand. He had such a good offensive season I can’t believe he is that weak on the puck.

That surprises me as well. He is so skilled at offense and his awareness of the big picture is remarkable. But for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to work on defense. The number of plays he blows and lets the opposition get by him is amazing. The Blues 2nd goal last night came immediately after he let Pietrangelo skate right past him just inside the blue line so he could make an ill timed player change.

I don't hate the guy like some do. I respect his skill and I hope that he continues to make the effort to act more professionally and stop going after opponents' knees.

View attachment 3446090

My brother made this picture his background on his PC and his facebook page. Pretty childish, I know. Still kinda funny, though.

 

[hbarcat]

Bruins outshot Blues 33-20.



Binnington stopped 32 of 33 shots. (97%)

Rask stopped 16 of 20 shots. (80%)

 

[Ronzo]

I don't hate the guy like some do. I respect his skill and I hope that he continues to make the effort to act more professionally and stop going after opponents' knees.

No respect whatsoever from me. A chippy player who will someday have an ironic end to his career. JMO. YMMV.

 

[dwm74]

Crosby and the Pens minus Jack Johnson and at least Olli Määttä.
It's too much to ask to jettison Murray too.

-Mike

Good call! Maatta is now a member of the Blackhawks, while the Pens pick up yet another 3rd line forward.

EDIT... Kahun actually put up some decent numbers last year...13 goals and 27 helpers...maybe he can become another Guentzel.

 

[MJ5150]

Woops......


-Mike

 

[dangnewt]

I was quite impressed with Rasks’ performance in the playoffs. I clearly understand what you are saying but he may be the only reason they made it that far. I posted it earlier but I will say it again, I am stunned by the amount of turnovers by Marchand. He had such a good offensive season I can’t believe he is that weak on the puck.

The top line was playing through a bunch of injuries which probably explains some of the weakness on the puck that we saw from Marchand in the SCP (he was one of the stronger players on the puck during the regular season) and the lack of crispness on Pasta's shot. To one extent or another, almost all players are dealing with something in the Finals and the Blues probably have a similar list. Having depth and staying healthy are part of winning a Cup.

From Boston.com
"Invalid Link Removed the Bruins’ top line collectively wouldn’t blame injuries for its performance in the Stanley Cup Final. Patrice Bergeron had groin trouble, Brad Marchand had groin, oblique, and hand issues, and David Pastrnak’s aggravated a thumb injury.

Jake DeBrusk had a hard time returning from a concussion Toronto’s Nazem Kadri gave him in Game 2 against the Maple Leafs, and Noel Acciari played through a broken sternum he suffered vs. Columbus."

I've said it before, hockey players are insanely tough, the end of season injury list always floors me.

 

[Jeff K]

Flyers trade Gudas for Niskanen.

Jury is still out on this trade but the Flyers were looking for a veteran right hand shot defenceman not named Andrew MacDonald*.

Gudas has a slightly better (although not great) corsi for but has discipline problems. Niskanen has playoff experience and success. He's expected to be an example and leader for a young blueline that took a step back on 2018-19.

Niskanen has a pretty beefy cap hit compared to Gudas and they retain some of Gudas' salary for 2019-2020 but the Flyers are in a pretty good spot in regards to the cap.

I'm tentative and patient on this move as I've been since they made the GM change and recent coaching hirings.

*A-Mac was placed on waivers is likely to be bought out. That should clear up a little cap space to lessen sting of the Niskanen trade.

Now to sign key free agents.

I'm not sure what I think about this. I know people love to bash Gudas. But I've been impressed with him the last couple years. He's not taking nearly as many stupid penalties as he used to, and has actually been a very solid D-man for the Flyers. Not flashy, but steady and willing to move people out of the crease. And he also throws a lot of bone-jarring hits (MOST of them clean).

Sure, Niskanen is a better puck mover; but it's gonna' be tough to replace the grit that Gudas provided. The Flyers don't have much of that anymore. And with the difference in salaries, I'm not sure that the Flyers did themselves any favors here.

And leadership for the young defensive corps?? Come on now. Surely Gudas would have provided a lot of that. And even Provorov and Ghost have now been in the league long enough to provide some guidance and leadership. I guess I'm just not seeing how this trade is worth it for the Flyers. It's not like Niskanen is 26 years old. He's in his 30's and trending downward in his career stats. Hopefully, Niskanen will assuage my concerns.

 

[MJ5150]

Whoa, I missed Niskanen returning to PA with the bad guys.

-Mike

 

[dwm74]

I'm not sure what I think about this. I know people love to bash Gudas. But I've been impressed with him the last couple years. He's not taking nearly as many stupid penalties as he used to, and has actually been a very solid D-man for the Flyers. Not flashy, but steady and willing to move people out of the crease. And he also throws a lot of bone-jarring hits (MOST of them clean).

Sure, Niskanen is a better puck mover; but it's gonna' be tough to replace the grit that Gudas provided. The Flyers don't have much of that anymore. And with the difference in salaries, I'm not sure that the Flyers did themselves any favors here.

And leadership for the young defensive corps?? Come on now. Surely Gudas would have provided a lot of that. And even Provorov and Ghost have now been in the league long enough to provide some guidance and leadership. I guess I'm just not seeing how this trade is worth it for the Flyers. It's not like Niskanen is 26 years old. He's in his 30's and trending downward in his career stats. Hopefully, Niskanen will assuage my concerns.

Good post...I agree with your assessment of this deal.

I'm one of those who bashed him often, but I too have noticed how he's cleaned up his act the last two years. (Thanks in part to you for pointing out his penalties being down. ) Developed enough respect for him during that time that I actually pictured him wearing the Pens uni....Lord knows they need a D-man like him. Sucks for us he'll be in DC now.

As for Niskanen, he never hit a fly while in the 'burgh but somehow started acting tough in Washington. I'm sure he'll continue that in Philly, where he'll be drummed out of town if he doesn't. I don't really get this trade for the Flyers...they've already got the two guys you mention (Ghost & Provorov) manning the PP. Never hurts to have another puck-moving d-man but with Niskanen's age and salary ($5.75M for the next two years) that's an expensive addition that may not make the impact they're hoping for. OTOH, I've heard some trade rumors mentioning Gostisbehere, FWIW.

 

[GonePlaid]

Good post...I agree with your assessment of this deal.

I'm one of those who bashed him often, but I too have noticed how he's cleaned up his act the last two years. (Thanks in part to you for pointing out his penalties being down. ) Developed enough respect for him during that time that I actually pictured him wearing the Pens uni....Lord knows they need a D-man like him. Sucks for us he'll be in DC now.

As for Niskanen, he never hit a fly while in the 'burgh but somehow started acting tough in Washington. I'm sure he'll continue that in Philly, where he'll be drummed out of town if he doesn't. I don't really get this trade for the Flyers...they've already got the two guys you mention (Ghost & Provorov) manning the PP. Never hurts to have another puck-moving d-man but with Niskanen's age and salary ($5.75M for the next two years) that's an expensive addition that may not make the impact they're hoping for. OTOH, I've heard some trade rumors mentioning Gostisbehere, FWIW.

Send him to the Cats-he'll be home.

 

[dwm74]

Flyers also just picked up Justin Braun from San Jose. Another 30-something right-handed shot (as is Niskanen).

My only guess is that they're stockpiling defensemen for trade value, since the two biggest names (Karlsson & Trouba) are now off the market. Hmm, who knows.

July 1st can't get here fast enough!

 

[warwick.hoy]

Sure, Niskanen is a better puck mover; but it's gonna' be tough to replace the grit that Gudas provided. The Flyers don't have much of that anymore. And with the difference in salaries, I'm not sure that the Flyers did themselves any favors here.

I've never been one to bash Gudas. I actually liked the toughness he brought to the team. That will be missed for sure. The narrative seems to be speed wins hockey games so maybe they are looking for those puck moving defense for crisper passing (which has been abysmal from what I've seen the past decade) so the forwards can play catch me if you can....if Big Al decides to roll with that sort of system.

I think Gudas was well liked in the locker room but didn't really strike me as a "sew an A on his sweeter" leadership type guy.

I thought I read something that the Flyers were actually saving about 400k factoring in the A-Mac buyout. I might be wrong and that goes out the window when you look at the 3.8 mill from the Braun deal.

I agree that Niskanen's numbers have been trending downward but only slightly if you look at play driving metrics (Corsi...still wrapping my head around advanced metrics) and he isn't getting any younger. His career plus/minus is in the positive.

The Braun trade is a bit of a headscratcher but watching Flyer fandom loose their collective minds has been entertaining. The Armchair GMs is are ready to fire Chucky Two Trades. This seems like a rental player and the cap hit is steap when trying to sign some key FAs. Again older defender and advanced metrics show a steeper decline and show that he's made his defense partner worse.

Word on the street is they are having a hard time making a deal with Provorov. He wants to stay and is played like a number one defender and is looking for number one money and the Flyers are tentative; especially after taking a step back this past season. I'd like to see a bridge deal here.

There's hubbub about trading Ghost which they absolutely should not do.

I think both Ghost and Provorov can bounce back and be solid for the team next year.

With Niskanen and Braun I think they a trying to plug a hole left by the A-Mac failed experiment. Could work; could bite em in the butts. I like the playoff experience....I worry that there will be injury issues.

 

[Jeff K]

I totally agree with you about Provorov and Ghost. They both showed too much upside early on to get rid of them at this point. I think those two and Sanheim will be solid for years to come. I haven't seen enough of Sam Morin at the NHL level to tell if he's the real deal of not. Definitely has the size.

On the offensive end, I'll bet Panarin would look good in orange...

 

[GonePlaid]

I totally agree with you about Provorov and Ghost. They both showed too much upside early on to get rid of them at this point. I think those two and Sanheim will be solid for years to come. I haven't seen enough of Sam Morin at the NHL level to tell if he's the real deal of not. Definitely has the size.

On the offensive end, I'll bet Panarin would look good in orange...

Does anyone actually look good in orange. I'm thinking Dolphins 3rd jerseys.