NHL Season 2023-24

[MJ5150]

Here we go. It's time to convene and talk about hockey again. I have to say how much I respect each of you and appreciate the many things y'all have taught me about hockey over the years. Thank you.
Much change in Pittsburgh this offseason, on and off the ice.
Whatcha' looking forward to with your team?

-Mike

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Off the *ice*, BTW.
And I'm looking forward to seeing Connor Bedard, of course - who might get his first NHL ice time against your own Sid the Kid and see if he might be the *new* kid on the block (of ice).

 

[hbarcat]

Off the *ice*, BTW.
And I'm looking forward to seeing Connor Bedard, of course - who might get his first NHL ice time against your own Sid the Kid and see if he might be the *new* kid on the block (of ice).

The Blackhawks are definitely one of the teams that will be under pressure to deliver on a winning season.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

The Blackhawks are definitely one of the teams that will be under pressure to deliver on a winning season.

Yeah, given where they are coming from I'm just hoping to see hockey worth watching - good team play, finishing checks, all of the basics that form the foundations for winning teams. I don't expect much this year just want to see that they are moving in the right direction. This past baseball offseason I kind of wanted the same for the Cubs (minus the checks, of course!) and they've been a pleasant surprise! Hawks need to provide a strong support structure for Bedard so the weight of the world doesn't crush him out of the gate.

 

[Jeff K]

Hard to get excited as a Flyers fan. I think they're headed in the right direction, but it's gonna' take some time...

 

[Oddly]

I'm visiting Chicago in late October, and was really hoping to get to a Blackhawks game, but sadly they're out of town, so I'm gonna see the Wolves instead!

 

[fokof]

Hard to get excited as a Flyers fan. I think they're headed in the right direction, but it's gonna' take some time...

You mean in the direction of a first pick overall ?

 

[Jeff K]

You mean in the direction of a first pick overall ?

The Flyers have NEVER had the 1st overall pick, but they have picked up some potentially good young talent the last couple years. But as a team, they've been down so long that they not only need to get better. They also need to establish a new attitude/mindset wherein they EXPECT to win. Which, as I said, will take awhile.

But since I've been a fan since the mid-'70s I'll keep watching and hoping. But I'm probably not too far from the home stretch, so I don't know that I'll ever see them hoist the Cup again...

 

[fokof]

I feel your pain
Been there / done that with the Sens ( and Nordiques before that )

Some climb up faster than others when in reconstruction , patience is the key word.

 

[MJ5150]

The NHL doesn't grab my attention as it once did, but I sure love me some college hockey. We'll be in New Hampshire next month and looking forward to catching a Dartmouth game.

-Mike

 

[dwm74]

Saw this in an article on the Pensburgh site this morning...

"Roster turnover Dubas has produced in just 40 days (Smith trade to EK65 trade), 10 players new to Pens potentially could be in the opening night lineup: Smith, Eller, Nieto, Acciari, Hinostroza, Graves, Karlsson, Nedeljkovic, Johnsson, Pitlick."

No doubt it will take us Pens fans a few weeks to learn all the new guys' jersey numbers. Other than #65.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

I am looking forward to spring when the leafs fall in T.O.

 

[fokof]

The only prediction I'll try this season is that my team , The Sens , are gonna be the "cinderella" story in the NHL.
They'll do lot better than all the specialist predicts.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

The only prediction I'll try this season is that my team , The Sens , are gonna be the "cinderella" story in the NHL.
They'll do lot better than all the specialist predicts.

What I hear you saying is they'll be lacing up glass skates.

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Well, at least we are first at something, or is it that they drive us to drink?

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Kinda wondering if Babcock has pulled another fast one and is going to be paid his full salary from the Blue Jackets for the next two years?
Fishheadjoe

 

[GoLeafsGo]

Kinda wondering if Babcock has pulled another fast one and is going to be paid his full salary from the Blue Jackets for the next two years?
Fishheadjoe

Not a bad deal, work for a month or two and get paid for two years.

 

[dwm74]

I'd read that the team and him worked out an exit deal. No specifics, but he'll likely not get the full two years salary since it appears to be a mutual dissolution of the contract.

At first, after reading Jenner's and Gaudreau's take on what happened, I felt Babcock's actions were being blown out of context. But then I imagined my boss wanting to go through my phone, and now wonder what the heck he was thinking?

 

[Fishheadjoe]

and now wonder what the heck he was thinking

I believe that he thinks he's "Mike Babcock" and knows more than anyone else, how to run a hockey team.
What he didn't realize, is that times have changed and players don't have to put up with his ancient way of thinking.
That, and he is probably a full time jerk weasle!
Fishheadjoe

 

[dwm74]

Not specifically referring to Babcock, but there is a fine line between coaching 'old school' methods that worked, and those that went too far. There's also another fine line between tough coaches and younger players who are used to being coddled and handled with kid gloves. Somewhere in between is a sweet spot, but that will vary with each individual.

Makes you wonder how Scotty Bowman would have done in this day and age. Despite the Canadiens winning those four straight Cups in the late 70s, it's been (jokingly?) stated that his players hated him for 364 days of the year, other than the day they'd win the Cup. Obviously that's an exaggeration to some degree, but probably a lot of truth in that. But they ALL agreed that Bowman made them better players, and many of them have multiple rings to show for it.

That philosophy wouldn't fly today. Sheesh, look at how many players have asked to be traded from Tortorella-coached teams over the years. Ditto Sutter, Cassidy, Vigneault, Laviolette, etc.