2013 NHL Playoffs Thread

[madlee]

Looks like the Wild finally have a serious team.

hopefully they don't send stuntman dany to pick up parise and suter


these two improve the team no doubt, but i hardly would call giving out mondo contracts to a 68 point player with swiss cheese knees and the second coming of jay bouwmeester a stab at becoming a "serious" team.

I think Parise was a better player a few years ago, pre-injury, but he's a solid player.

I'm not sure what to think of suter. I don't know if I would consider him a top 20 defenseman in the league. He might not even be top 30. However, as far as I know, he's not an injury risk, so that alone may be worth it.

[Auntie Ovipositor]

I'm not sure what to think of suter. I don't know if I would consider him a top 20 defenseman in the league. He might not even be top 30. However, as far as I know, he's not an injury risk, so that alone may be worth it.

Easily top 10. Not many d-men can carry a team, and he can. Not being on the Preds is going to give him a lot of opportunities to shine, too.

[madlee]

I'm not sure what to think of suter. I don't know if I would consider him a top 20 defenseman in the league. He might not even be top 30. However, as far as I know, he's not an injury risk, so that alone may be worth it.

Easily top 10. Not many d-men can carry a team, and he can. Not being on the Preds is going to give him a lot of opportunities to shine, too.

Going by TOI/G, it looks like you are right:

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm? ... me=summary

I think it is a telling stat, because I reason, if they sucked, they wouldn't get all that ice time, no? Sure, maybe the other two d-pair suck, but this is close enough.

[lemur68]

Looks like the Wild finally have a serious team.

What the hell.

Meanwhile, their expansion-year cousins in Ohio are content to enter the season with the worst and fourth-worst goalies as their tandem. CBJ = Detroit Lions

They have to get rid of Nash. I hope he goes to NYR. It would be great if they could get a couple 1st rounders and maybe a Dubinsky or a Boyle also?

God, I hope not the Flyers.

Looks like one of the teams on his list is...the Red Wings. No. Just no no no. Howson is dumb enough to trade him not only within the division but to the effing Red Wings.

[windofpain]

suter strikes me as a brian rafalski type, good everywhere on the ice, can eat up minutes and is always consistent game after game BUT he doesn't have the moxie or presence on the ice to lead a teams defense. a true 1-B type player, he's gonna be the man on the wilds blueline and he won't have a defense partner the caliber of shea weber, not yet anyway.

[Auntie Ovipositor]

Looks like one of the teams on his list is...the Red Wings. No. Just no no no. Howson is dumb enough to trade him not only within the division but to the effing Red Wings.

Even though I think Howson's decided the team will suck for another year or two (I mean, it can't be accidental, can it? Gotta be intentional), him trading to the Wings is just not possible. It couldn't happen... Could it?

Nash definitely isn't going to the Sharks. Howson wants Couture as part of a package. Since Couture is better, cheaper, and younger, this makes no sense. Hmmm... maybe the BJs sucking isn't an intentional act. Maybe Howson really is that dumb.

suter strikes me as a brian rafalski type, good everywhere on the ice, can eat up minutes and is always consistent game after game BUT he doesn't have the moxie or presence on the ice to lead a teams defense. a true 1-B type player, he's gonna be the man on the wilds blueline and he won't have a defense partner the caliber of shea weber, not yet anyway.

The Wild's D is not much to look at. Up front they look pretty good (not kidding about Mitchell - before he broke his leg he was on target to be great, and I hope the change of scenery will do him some good), but the D's not much. I'd hate to see it, but the Sharks are possibly unloading Douglas Murray. Most of the players on the Wild are ex-Sharks, so they don't have much to offer in return, but Murray would do them well.


I think the best thing about the Parise/Suter deal is all of the entitled Red Wing fans who'd just assumed those two would end up in Detroit. They find it inconceivable that anybody would say no to their blighted city. They're ORIGINAL SIX! That must mean something, right? How could anyone say no? Their message boards are alight with outrage, and it's hilarious.

[joelb]

Red Wing fan

here, yes. Actually a lot of people are saying the Wings were right not to stretch for both at a combined $200 million over 13 years. That would be a stupid move for a team like the Wings unless it's for two truly elite talents - which Parise and Suter are not. Maybe it makes sense for a shitty team like the Wild that needs an anchor on both ends, but no thanks.

[Auntie Ovipositor]

Red Wing fan

here, yes. Actually a lot of people are saying the Wings were right not to stretch for both at a combined $200 million over 13 years. That would be a stupid move for a team like the Wings unless it's for two truly elite talents - which Parise and Suter are not. Maybe it makes sense for a shitty team like the Wild that needs an anchor on both ends, but no thanks.

By most accounts, the Wings matched the offers out there. At the very least they were at around $180m over 10 years. So it appears that Parise and Suter chose not to go there, not that they were asking too much and the Wings wisely stepped away.

I agree that to replace Lidstrom, the Wings should just get another Lidstrom. Unfortunately, that factory closed down, and there's a season coming up soon, including the Winter Classic in Detroit. So: how do the Wings fill the gaping holes in their roster? Obviously adding Tootoo goes a long way towards tha... oh, wait. No. Actually, that does nothing for them except put the screws to their mediocre penalty kill.

And what's this "a team like the Wings" crap? Do you mean a hockey team? Or do you mean something more specific, like an old hockey team? Their days as a measuring stick ended a couple of years ago I'm afraid.

[joelb]

Red Wing fan

here, yes. Actually a lot of people are saying the Wings were right not to stretch for both at a combined $200 million over 13 years. That would be a stupid move for a team like the Wings unless it's for two truly elite talents - which Parise and Suter are not. Maybe it makes sense for a shitty team like the Wild that needs an anchor on both ends, but no thanks.

By most accounts, the Wings matched the offers out there. At the very least they were at around $180m over 10 years. So it appears that Parise and Suter chose not to go there, not that they were asking too much and the Wings wisely stepped away.

I agree that to replace Lidstrom, the Wings should just get another Lidstrom. Unfortunately, that factory closed down, and there's a season coming up soon, including the Winter Classic in Detroit. So: how do the Wings fill the gaping holes in their roster? Obviously adding Tootoo goes a long way towards tha... oh, wait. No. Actually, that does nothing for them except put the screws to their mediocre penalty kill.

And what's this "a team like the Wings" crap? Do you mean a hockey team? Or do you mean something more specific, like an old hockey team? Their days as a measuring stick ended a couple of years ago I'm afraid.

I never suggested I wanted Holland to go after Parise like that. Suter, yes.

Gaping holes on 1st line D, yeah. It will be a problem because the available pool is so shallow. Others, what? Forwards? The league is sloppy with available forwards and we already have superstars on the roster and lots of money to play with. Plus we finally unloaded Hudler. Goalies? Done.

I never said "team like the Wings" but since you asked - that would be a team with financial stability, owner commitment, world-class management and coaching, loyal fans and an expectation and tradition of winning. The Wings' playoff runs shouldering the lockout sucked, it didn't change any of that. It's not like they are the only team that fits this description, but the Wild ain't one, and these are not the reasons Parise in particular went to MN.

[Auntie Ovipositor]

That would be a stupid move for a team like the Wings unless it's for two truly elite talents - which Parise and Suter are not.

I never said "team like the Wings"

I never suggested I wanted Holland to go after Parise like that. Suter, yes.

So when you said that a team like the Wings shouldn't pay for middling talent like Suter, you meant they aren't somehow special and should. Got it.

Gaping holes on 1st line D, yeah.

Losing Lids and Stuart removes the core of their top 2 D. And the remaining parts of that top 2 lines are White and Kronwall. I'm sure Kindl and Ericcson will be fine filling in, though. Or maybe Smith?

There is no defense there. The Wild's D make that group look like beer league drop-outs.

Others, what? Forwards? The league is sloppy with available forwards and we already have superstars on the roster and lots of money to play with.

Datsyuk is great. Zeterberg is getting old and has had mediocre seasons for the last few years. Filpula might be good, might not - you'll never know until it happens. Franzen will not be. Bertuzzi has no business being on one of the top 2 lines.

Not sure what free agents are going to come in and fix that, what with all the availability and all the Wings money rolling around. Ryan won't sign there, Semin might but he's a liability in his own end (not good considering the D core)... Nash won't happen. Doan might (that'd be pretty sweet!), but he'd likely cost too much...

But at least they brought back Samuelsson. He's going to make you miss Hudler.

I'm curious who you see coming in and making this team better, because I'm drawing a blank. 3rd and 4th lines look acceptable, but there's not much in that top 6 that's going to make up for what you've lost.

I never said "team like the Wings" but since you asked - that would be a team with financial stability,

True of 28/30 teams.

owner commitment,

Let's say 25/30. I'm waffling on whether this is true for the Wings, since I don't see Illich spending to the cap, which is the very definition of an owner being committed. He's certainly not going to shell out for a new stadium any time soon, and the Joe kinda sucks.

world-class management and coaching,

Babcock's definitely high end, but Kenny's not by a long shot.

loyal fans

30/30 teams have that, so whatever.

and an expectation and tradition of winning.

They shouldn't expect to win anything this year. They might have a "tradition of winning" but that doesn't mean anything to anybody joining the team now.

It's not like they are the only team that fits this description, but the Wild ain't one,

The Wild are most certainly one of the 25+ teams that fits that description. And unlike the Wings they have a competitive roster and should expect to win.

I like Detroit in all honesty, but they're not a cup contender this year. The Wild have improved over the last few seasons, and looking forward have the potential to be pretty good. There's a good chance they'll be contenders over the next few years. They needed to make changes and did. Detroit needed to make changes and hasn't.

Time for some street hockey.

[joelb]

No way am I going to go through that whole list again, but yes I guess I did say Team Like The Wings.

But at least they brought back Samuelsson. He's going to make you miss Hudler.

Unless Samuelsson goes into cardiac arrest or suffers a compound fracture in October, this is unlikely, as I assume Samuelsson will actually move toward the puck now and again. Perhaps he'll even be able to keep it in his possession!

Franzen needs to go.

Going long for good D when you've got a hole in the lineup is OK; doubling down just to get it probably not.

Sure maybe the Wild will be a contender in a few years. Maybe not.

If Suter had come to the Wings, everyone would be pegging them as a Cup contender today. If both Suter and Parise had thrown in people would have been talking like it was 2002. Anyone who says MN is a contender today is out of his mind.

[Auntie Ovipositor]

Unless Samuelsson goes into cardiac arrest or suffers a compound fracture in October, this is unlikely, as I assume Samuelsson will actually move toward the puck now and again. Perhaps he'll even be able to keep it in his possession!

Samuelsson (b. 1976):
2008/09: 40pts (19+21) in 81 games.
2009/10: 53pts (30+23) in 74 games.
2010/11: 50pts (32+18) in 75 games.
2011/12: 31pts (14+17) in 54 games.

Hudler (b. 1984):
2008/09: 57pts (23+34) in 82 games.
2009/10: 54pts (19+35) in 54 KHL* games.
2010/11: 37pts (10+27) in 73 games.
2011/12: 50pts (25+25) in 81 games.

Hudler's 8 years younger, gets more points, and plays in more games per season. He's also much funnier looking (although it's close) which I'm going to put in the plus column because I like looking at funny faces in between whistles. There's every reason to believe that these numbers will hold true across this season, so I'm not sure why you figure you're better off. I'd also put odds on Samuelsson getting seriously injured and playing less than 60 games.


In all sincerity, though: who do you think the wings are going to pick up that's going to add something to this team? Which of the free agents that the league is sloppy with do you see them throwing their excessive money at and getting better? Because I'm just not seeing anything.



* Future home of Thomas Holmstrom.

[joelb]

In all sincerity, though: who do you think the wings are going to pick up that's going to add something to this team? Which of the free agents that the league is sloppy with do you see them throwing their excessive money at and getting better? Because I'm just not seeing anything.

I think the Wings are just stringing Holmstrom out in case absolutely everything goes south this summer. But he needs to hang em up.

We're pretty screwed on D, I'll admit. Yandle is the obvious next step to make a move for. I doubt we will be able to go deep in the playoffs this year unless Brendan Smith and Ian White step it up, and we somehow pull Yandle. So I doubt we will be able to go deep in the playoffs.

On forwards not just FAs, trades. Ryan, Nash, Doan all out there. Ryan and Nash both want to leave for sure. Wings problem is all sources are western conference and no one wants to deal with other western teams.

[madlee]

I'm getting the feeling that Vancouver wins the cup next year.

[windofpain]

i'm interested to see where alexander semin is going to end up. i'd love to see him in new jersey, maybe kovy can lure him in. his style of play would mesh really well in PBDs offense. put him on a line with zajac and kovalchuk and his reputation as a "floater" would go away pretty quickly.

[madlee]

i'm interested to see where alexander semin is going to end up. i'd love to see him in new jersey, maybe kovy can lure him in. his style of play would mesh really well in PBDs offense. put him on a line with zajac and kovalchuk and his reputation as a "floater" would go away pretty quickly.

I thought he was their best player in the playoffs. Shades of Forsberg even.

[cesb]

On forwards not just FAs, trades. Ryan, Nash, Doan all out there. Ryan and Nash both want to leave for sure. Wings problem is all sources are western conference and no one wants to deal with other western teams.

Doan's gonna pick Chicago. I like the idea of having ANOTHER top shelf scoring threat on one of our already-ridiculous top lines (not to mention his size/physicality). I guess we're just going to try to outscore everybody?

[andteater]

Doan's gonna pick Chicago. I like the idea of having ANOTHER top shelf scoring threat on one of our already-ridiculous top lines (not to mention his size/physicality). I guess we're just going to try to outscore everybody?

i think signing Doan is a pretty big deal. if they pick him up, they have absolutely stacked the top two lines. furthermore, with the emergence of Shaw at the end of last year, that gives them a set 3rd line (shaw/bolland/frolik OR bickell) then you have a simple grinder line of carcillo/mayers/bollig for your 4th line and you're good to go.

i really hope this happens.

andyk

[cesb]

Yeah man, Toews, Kane, Doan, Hossa, Sharp...yeah, that'd be pretty fun to see.

Don't know about Shaw yet. Small sample size...pretty fun to watch, though.

I think if everybody up top is good to go, Viktor Stalberg's on Bolland's line.

[Sabol]

The Blues are doing weird shit lately, seems like they are trying to stock pile draft picks. after the new NHL contract is agreed on, I bet they use those chips to get a few trades going. New Ownership with some spending money, yet they are chilling out so far