NHL Season 2019-20

[dwm74]

Maybe after the next pandemic the league will skip the entire regular season and go immediately into the postseason with all 32 teams in the playoffs. Six rounds, and it'll still take us into June, but at least we won't have to worry about that overrated President's Trophy race. (I kid, I kid.)

 

[GonePlaid]

Maybe after the next pandemic the league will skip the entire regular season and go immediately into the postseason with all 32 teams in the playoffs. Six rounds, and it'll still take us into June, but at least we won't have to worry about that overrated President's Trophy race. (I kid, I kid.)

Bit of a sore spot in Lightning territory.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Given my teams half century of futility, I will take this play-off format happily. We obviously aren't capable of winning under normal circumstances, so we'll take this format, begin lighting candles and praying to the play-off gods.
Fishheadjoe

I have already acquired a live chicken for the required sacrifice.

 

[Camaro69]

I have already acquired a live chicken for the required sacrifice.

Serving that with Boston beans?

 

[MJ5150]

19 years ago today, Ray Bourque got his Cup:
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It would have been nice to get it in Boston, but at least the Bruins were cool enough to send him to a team that could win it as his career wrapped up.
Researching Ray before posting this, I did not realize he was still holding on to those records (most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the NHL).
19 years later, wow.

-Mike

 

[dwm74]

@MJ5150, Your info about Bourque made me wonder where Paul Coffey was on that list of all-time D-man scoring. He wasn't too far behind. Here's a link to the stats...some very interesting names that I never would have thought scored so many points in their careers.

NHL Defensemen ‑ All-Time Points Leaders

I thought for sure that Denis Potvin would have been higher, and kind of forgot how slick Phil Housley was with the puck. Housley never seemed to get the accolades he could have gotten in a bigger market than Buffalo and Winnipeg.

 

[MJ5150]

@MJ5150, Your info about Bourque made me wonder where Paul Coffey was on that list of all-time D-man scoring. He wasn't too far behind. Here's a link to the stats...some very interesting names that I never would have thought scored so many points in their careers.

NHL Defensemen ‑ All-Time Points Leaders

I thought for sure that Denis Potvin would have been higher, and kind of forgot how slick Phil Housley was with the puck. Housley never seemed to get the accolades he could have gotten in a bigger market than Buffalo and Winnipeg.

That is an interesting list indeed.
I remember Larry Murphy form his days as a Pen.
I agree with you on Housley. I remember wishing the Pens would trade for him.
Chelios I go back and forth on all the time, but I won't miss a chance to stop at one of his chili joints when I'm in Detroit.

-Mike

 

[Ostie]

Coffey, Murphy and Chelios finished up their careers in Detroit, while Lidstron played his entire career here. Scotty Bowman liked the veterans, and Detroit management was glad to oblige him. Those guys went out in a blaze of glory in Detroit during their dynasty. (If I remember correctly, Coffey and Chelios actually played a season or two after leaving the Red Wings.) I, like many Wings fans, hated Chelios when he played for Chicago, and loved him as a Red Wing. Murphy is now with Fox 47 Detroit doing Some games for the Wings. At least he was before the season ended early.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

@MJ5150, Your info about Bourque made me wonder where Paul Coffey was on that list of all-time D-man scoring. He wasn't too far behind. Here's a link to the stats...some very interesting names that I never would have thought scored so many points in their careers.

NHL Defensemen ‑ All-Time Points Leaders

I thought for sure that Denis Potvin would have been higher, and kind of forgot how slick Phil Housley was with the puck. Housley never seemed to get the accolades he could have gotten in a bigger market than Buffalo and Winnipeg.

But that list would look a bit different if the guy on there with most P/GP had play even half as many games as the ones at the top of the list. Potvin and Coffey are the only ones close in terms of points per game played...

 

[dwm74]

But that list would look a bit different if the guy on there with most P/GP had play even half as many games as the ones at the top of the list. Potvin and Coffey are the only ones close in terms of points per game played...

The distinguished gentleman from Parry Sound, I'm assuming. Never in pro sports has there been a more prominent case of what if...
Hockey is better for having him for the shortened career Orr had, but the sport would have been even better if he could have been 100% for many more years. Not to mention what a great guy he is.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

The distinguished gentleman from Parry Sound, I'm assuming. Never in pro sports has there been a more prominent case of what if...
Hockey is better for having him for the shortened career Orr had, but the sport would have been even better if he could have been 100% for many more years. Not to mention what a great guy he is.

Like we saw in the 1976 Canada Cup, Bobby Orr on one leg was better than anyone else on two legs. Far and away the best player I have had the pleasure of watching. And I am old enough to remember watching Howe, Hull, Mikita, Beliveau and everyone since.

 

[dwm74]

I read this book in high school, soon after I was bitten by the hockey bug. Lots of good stuff in there, but one thing that stuck with me was where he mentioned that he never laced his skates to the top, always left the laces down about 3 holes. I tried that a few times skating on the ponds with my cheapo Sherbrookes and just about broke my ankle. (Those skates had virtually no support, nor were my ankles anywhere near as strong as his.) It was not pretty watching me skate like that. Yet this guy did it at a phenomenal level.

 

[Camaro69]

I know most of you guys are not Bruins fans, so I applaud your admiration of the great #4, as well as Bourque

 

[zontar]

@MJ5150, Your info about Bourque made me wonder where Paul Coffey was on that list of all-time D-man scoring. He wasn't too far behind. Here's a link to the stats...some very interesting names that I never would have thought scored so many points in their careers.

NHL Defensemen ‑ All-Time Points Leaders

I thought for sure that Denis Potvin would have been higher, and kind of forgot how slick Phil Housley was with the puck. Housley never seemed to get the accolades he could have gotten in a bigger market than Buffalo and Winnipeg.

He also played for the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

[dwm74]

He also played for the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Yeah, but other than two stints in Calgary, he more or less just bounced around with the rest of those teams. Roughly two seasons each with both Washington and Chicago, and only 26 GP with St Louis, 22 GP w/NJ, and one GP with Toronto. (Looking at his stats I'd thought he spent more time in Winnipeg...only 3 seasons there.)

 

[dwm74]

Been watching replays of the Pens/Red Wings Finals clashes from 2008 & 2009. (Obviously I enjoyed the '09 series better! )

What struck me the most was how much of a force Brooks Orpik was back in his prime. All over the ice and hitting everything that moved. I appreciated his game back then but like with so many, you don't realize how good a player is/was until much later.

 

[GonePlaid]

Been watching replays of the Pens/Red Wings Finals clashes from 2008 & 2009. (Obviously I enjoyed the '09 series better! )

What struck me the most was how much of a force Brooks Orpik was back in his prime. All over the ice and hitting everything that moved. I appreciated his game back then but like with so many, you don't realize how good a player is/was until much later.

Like when someone comes along that is described as "Orpik-like".

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Well, it's getting to the point where I would be inclined to watch a bunch of school girls playing ringette in NHL jerseys, full contact of course.
I grew up in London Ontario and during the 60's and early 70's, London was the training camp home of the Bruins. I remember my Dad taking to a pre-season game and seeing Bobby play live. You could see how he stood out among his teammates.
Fishheadjoe

 

[zontar]

11 players have already tested positive for Covid 19 in phase 2.
Kind of makes you wonder if it's worth it.
If I was a fringe player on a fringe team not expected to go far in the playoffs, that would make me think twice--and even star players may be wondering.
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I mean I love watching hockey & would love to see some playoffs--but they don't have things under control as much as they'd like.

We'll see how it proceeds from here.

 

[murph7489]

Housley never seemed to get the accolades he could have gotten in a bigger market than Buffalo

He is beloved in Buffalo, and the surrounding WNY area. Buffalo is a great hockey town..The city itself has resilience imprinted on everyone's dna. Buff lost that heartbreaking game against the dallas stars..uggh..so close to having the cup..same with Scott Norwood and that field goal against the Giants..heartbreaking. So close to a super bowl win..but ya know you don't live your life in a city like that with the blizzards and lake effect storms and not have the resilience to accept it and move on..The fans Love those Bills players from that era, they are heroes still to this day for taking that city to the brink of championship glory..Same with those Hockey players..Dominik Hasek will never pay for another dinner in buffalo if he is there, for the rest of his life. Same goes for those players from the 70s and early 80s... Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin , and Rene Robert..those guys are gods in Buffalo..

Too bad about OJ..he was another big time hero in Buffalo until...ya know, then another wide right for Buffalo fans...but they always come back, they never quit on their teams..love that city...The sports teams?? only the buffalo braves from the old ABA...I like the red wings..saw a great movie about him I think on Amazon..good story, I could go on and on about their players..but I will spare you all..I loved Proby.