The Ditch part deux

Didn’t know you were a big Espo guy Will. That’s cool.
Some great teams back then. Too bad Bobby’s knee was shredded and there wasn’t much that could be done. The injuries he had wouldn’t be a big deal these days from a medical standpoint.

 

Matty, I admittedly haven't been watching much other than Central division hockey (both my teams in the same division, now). How do you think Boston compares against Carolina? I still think Tampa is the class of the league, but I think CAR and BOS are very close behind.

 

I like the matchup for the Bruins vs Carolina. I think the Bs defensive structure, and more importantly, their willingness to stick to it throughout a 7 game series. Usually helps them against quick strike teams like Carolina and Toronto. That said, I dont think the Bruins have the ability to weather the storm against a TB. Carolina would probably have a better shot going blow for blow vs TB than Boston would.

How about those Panthers? I'm loving it. Barkov in the Hart conversation for sure.
Matheson for Hornqvist such a steal......but we knew that the minute it happened.
Interested in seeing how Bob vs Driedger shakes out.

 

Barkov has been fantastic... unbelievable at times. Definitely a strong Heart canidate.

I really have no love for Hornqvist, but i'll admit he has been solid. Got him on one of my fantasy teams also and he's been pretty steady in the points department.

Driedger has been more impressive to me than 'Bob', but ive only seen him about 3 games. The Panthers are solid and the real deal, in my opinion.
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I sure hope someone can compete with and knock off the Bolts.... i love to hate on them, so ive been rooting for the Canes and the Panthers. Boston come playoffs will be stout competition for whomever they draw, per usual it seems, lol.

 

Yep, I liked the Espo teams a lot as a kid. I remember Cashman, O'Rielly (2nd favorite), Brad Park... there were tons of talent in those days. I kinda liked Boston and the Red Wings equally, till Steve Yzerman hit the scene and turned the 'dead things' era upside down, then I really got on the Wings bandwagon and never really looked back.

Seen a ton of the Bruins, Maple Leafs, Wings and Blackhawks in those days. Fond memories... wish I had my hockey card collection from back in the day too, dammitt.

 

Interesting. I appreciate the feedback. It'll be interesting to see what the playoff matchups look like, come time. As I understand it, it's gonna be one team from each division in the conference finals. So it'll only be one of Florida, Tampa, and Carolina that Boston has to worry about. Not a bad deal.

I have not had this much fun watching Florida in years. It has really been something. For the new GM to fix some of Tallon's mistakes so quickly is amazing. I will die upset that ownership let Tallon trade Trocheck for pennies out of pure desperation, despite everyone knowing he'd be fired at that point. But besides that and the defensive incompetence of Stralman and Yandle, I don't have anything to be upset about. And that's a refreshing feeling.

Barky has been phenomenal. Having guys like Hornqvist and Gudas out there, playing more physical hockey, has reinvigorated him. He's got teammates willing to go the distance, alongside him, rather than just carrying everyone both ends of the ice.

And yeah, I'm in progress building Zito a statue for the Matheson trade. Drew up plans the moment the trade happened. Have just increased size of the project since Hornqvist started kicking a** as a Panther. Zito's gotta be charged for that theft.

Bob has been playing well lately. Rough start, but Driedgs covered him. As long as one is hot come playoff time, I'm happy. Gotta think Driedger is gonna get a real deal somewhere else this off-season, even if it means being plucked by Seattle.

 

As much as Barky gets mentioned for the Hart, I'm surprised there's not more talk about Ekblad for the Norris. I'd have him as a leading candidate, frankly. He has just been dominant in every facet, so far. The fear was, without Hoffman, the PP would suffer. Ekblad literally just came in and replaced him without missing a beat. Dude is really coming into form.

And we'll see about "real deal". A 7 game series is a different animal. I'm not convinced they're better than TB and CAR in that setting. But they're definitely a tough team to play right now.

I also want to see someone beat TB. Not sure it's gonna happen, but we'll be on the same side, there.

Missing the FLA-BOS games. Hopefully we get a rematch in the conference finals. And I'm not excited for Detroit to flourish under Stevie Y. Few more years and they'll be right back in the mix. Cheers, all!

 

Ovi has scored in 5 straight.

 

Board of Governors reportedly approves NHL draft lottery changes

The NHL draft lottery will undergo several changes beginning this year following approval from the Board of Governors, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Beginning this season, only the top two picks in the NHL Draft will be determined via the lottery. Previously, the lottery had given us the top three selections.

Once we get to the 2022 NHL draft lottery, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots, which would allow for 11 of the 16 non-playoff teams to be eligible for the No. 1 pick. Also beginning next year, teams will only be eligible to win the lottery a maximum of two times over a five-year period. Since winning the lottery doesn’t necessarily mean getting the No. 1 pick, this change prevents teams from moving up the order more than two times over that five-year span.

“There are some clubs who recently think it’s important that the teams that are struggling the most get the most help,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier this month. “There are other teams, a number, that think there is nothing wrong with the present system at all. I don’t believe there is tanking in the game. I think our players and our organizations, our coaches are too professional. But there is always speculation as to what’s really going on.

“Our competitive balance is so extraordinary that some clubs feel that the difference between a team that misses the playoffs and a team that really misses the playoffs really isn’t all that great. In order to try to reconcile those competing views we thought maybe a little bit of a tweak. The system wasn’t necessarily crying out for major change.”

It was also reported this month that the 2021 NHL Draft will not be moved and will take place July 23-24.

NHL

 

certainly makes sense.
unfortunately it looks like your Red Wings will be the last team to get screwed before these rules come in to effect.

 

Hockey starts early today...

 

Referee, Tim Peel got fired after last nights Red Wings game for being caught on a live mic saying; I want to get an early fucking penalty in on the Preds... lol.

 

Some great teams back then. Too bad Bobby’s knee was shredded and there wasn’t much that could be done. The injuries he had wouldn’t be a big deal these days from a medical standpoint.


I lived in Wakefield, Quebec in 1976 and got too see Bobby practice in Ottawa for the Team Canada - Canada Cup /76

Matty his knee was already Toast.........But OMG to watch him skate was something I will always remember.

Bobby Orr could skate like the wind.........he was absolutely brilliant with the Puck.

Espo was part of Team Canada as well.........albeit they were not teammates then they had a Lot of fun.

You know I'm not a Bruins Fan because they beat the Canucks in game 7 for the "Cup" in 2011......

But what an Honour I had to see Bobby Orr Skate.

 

that is amazing! what a time and place in hockey history to witness.

 

Obviously a bad look for the NHL and something had to be done once it went viral. I read somewhere that Peel was retiring after the season anyway. Wondering is this will effect his pension. Seems like the league has cutdown on make-up calls and "putting the whistle in your pocket" in OT and playoff games.
Does anyone know if he was wearing a mic or was he just near a mic?

 

It was a rink-side TV mic... according to a report on Yahoo.

 

The pension question is interesting (Peel), but with the unions, I kinda doubt he will be effected in any way, but im just guessing.