NHL 2018-2019 Season - All Out Discussion

[Arfguy]

Another big win by the Flames. I know Arizona isn't a great team, but this is exactly the kind of win the Flames need against a team like this.

Sometimes, I actually feel bad for some teams that have to play Calgary this season. That team is just firing on all cylinders.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

James van Riemsdyk notches his first hat trick in his return to the Flyers in a 7-4 win over Minnesota last night.

[sirmarkus]

Sometimes, I actually feel bad for some teams that have to play Calgary this season. That team is just firing on all cylinders.

When those top two lines get going they're damn near unstoppable. After the past decade it still feels weird to think of them being a dominant team.

[sirmarkus]

Looks like the Leafs are starting to get annoyed with Nylander's slow start. I know it's to be expected given how long he's been out, but they're going to need him to get his game going soon.

[Arfguy]

When those top two lines get going they're damn near unstoppable. After the past decade it still feels weird to think of them being a dominant team.

Killed my Oilers last night. Not that I'm complaining. The Oilers have a history of coming out flat when there are important games on the line. Johnny Hockey definitely won the night over McJesus. I'm surprised Lucic got another goal. Puljujarvi had a decent game, but the better team won in the end.

Looks like the Leafs are starting to get annoyed with Nylander's slow start. I know it's to be expected given how long he's been out, but they're going to need him to get his game going soon.

Toronto fans are idiots. They've got a good team and lots of stars, but opt to focus their negativity on some easy targets. How about the whole team isn't doing well, instead of focusing on just Nylander and Gardiner?

[Arfguy]

WOW! Talk about a lacklustre effort. Oilers come out flat and then quickly go down 3 goals against the Carolina Hurricanes and proceeds to get demolished 7-4. When you're team is "fighting" for a playoff spot and comes out this flat, then what can you honestly expect if they by some miracle make the playoffs?

Disgraceful.

[Arfguy]

While the team isn't close to a playoff spot, Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is having an amazing individual season. Jonatha Toews is also having a great season. I wish this team could fix their issues quick, because seeing these two players not in the playoffs kind of sucks. Dylan Strome has found a place with the team and is quietly contributing and you can't really ask much more of Alex DeBrincat than what he has already done.

[sirmarkus]

While the team isn't close to a playoff spot, Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks is having an amazing individual season. Jonatha Toews is also having a great season. I wish this team could fix their issues quick, because seeing these two players not in the playoffs kind of sucks. Dylan Strome has found a place with the team and is quietly contributing and you can't really ask much more of Alex DeBrincat than what he has already done.

Maybe trade some bad contracts to Edmonton, Chiarelli is desperate right now.

Not sure how I feel about that Koskinen trade. Could be a good three year deal if he can build on what he's done this year, but could get really ugly if his game falls off.

[Arfguy]

Maybe trade some bad contracts to Edmonton, Chiarelli is desperate right now.

Not sure how I feel about that Koskinen trade. Could be a good three year deal if he can build on what he's done this year, but could get really ugly if his game falls off.

The thing is...Koskinen shows signs of being a decent starter. The problem is...the team in front of him is awful. Adam Larsson basically said he was playing some of the worst hockey he's ever played. When you're "best" defensive defenceman (who contributes basically nothing offensively) is having trouble defending, then you know that confidence is at an all time low.

The Oilers are a tire fire. What I see is that anyone who joins this organization basically forgets how to play hockey and do simple things like skate, shoot, pass and hustle. There is such a defeatist attitude with this team that it's unbelievable that any of them are professionals. Obviously I will exclude players like McDavid, Nugent-Hopkins and at times, Draisaitl. Draisaitl is having a career year, but man he looks awful defensively sometimes. He looks slow and indifferent. There's always talks about how little he enjoys playing on his own line and how he betters his game with McDavid. I can see that. Unfortunately, I can't really ask Draisaitl to put up better numbers when he has basically no wingers to play with.

There are so many free loaders on this team that it's a miracle that McDavid, Draisaitl and RNH are having good years. Sometimes, I really like Nurse's game, but other times I dislike his decision making. When you've got a shot...take it. The reluctance of this team to take shots is unbelievable.

I didn't think this team could be more disappointing than they were last season, but this year is trying my patience.

[sirmarkus]

I'm not sure that there are freeloaders, it's just that there's so little organizational depth that they're icing a team of guys that have no business being in the NHL. They're over their heads and they're drowning. Honestly they're almost at the point where you fire everyone in hockey operations and start over from scratch. I know that's not realistic, but at this point why not?

[sirmarkus]

Well, Chia is gone. There's a lot more house cleaning that needs done in Edmonton. Who's next?

[Arfguy]

Well, Chia is gone. There's a lot more house cleaning that needs done in Edmonton. Who's next?

Chiarelli really screwed this team hard before he was fired. The fact that this organization took this long to fire Chiarelli and not right after the Caggiula for Brandon Manning trade shows you how inept they are. Bob Nicholson is just as responsible for this team's failure.

I also think that there are way too many freeloaders.

Let's take a look at a guy like Tobias Rieder. On average, he puts up between 10-15 goals per season. 36 games in and the guy has not scored a single goal. Kyle Brodziak. He was brought in to be a specialist when it came to killing penalties and winning draws. How exactly are you supposed to be winning draws when you're about as close to 50% in face offs as a player can get? Not only that, but I see Draisaitl, RNH, McDavid and Khaira kill more penalties than Brodziak. Ryan Spooner. I thought this guy was a step up from the slow-as-molasses Ryan Strome. I could not believe how much worse he was than Strome. How is that possible? Strome was by no means a good pick up and his lack of foot speed really annoyed me. I thought with a fresh start, Strome would actually turn into a Pavelski type player. Not at all fast, but smart enough to start scoring key goals. Nope. He was a complete waste and then the Oilers trade him for an even worst player. Zack Kassian. He can skate well and has heart, but I haven't seen a guy so lacking the most basic of hockey skills since the Oilers got Lucic.

The less said about Milan Lucic, the better.

I'm telling you. There are so many horrendous players on the Oilers that it's unbelievable.

I just want to punch Peter Chiarelli and Bob Nicholson in the face as hard as I can.

[Arfguy]

Pretty big trade between Florida and Pittsburgh. The hockey fan in me says that Pittsburgh got the better players. However, Florida may try and get Panarin and/or Bobrovsky from Columbus.

[sirmarkus]

Pretty big trade between Florida and Pittsburgh. The hockey fan in me says that Pittsburgh got the better players. However, Florida may try and get Panarin and/or Bobrovsky from Columbus.

That's what I've been reading. If Florida can get either one they could be well positioned for next year.

I also read that the Hawks have been talking to Keith about his future. If he wants another shot at a cup they might try and trade him to a contender. Otherwise they let him retire a Hawk.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Flyers' 20 year old goalie Carter Hart was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for January. Perhaps the Orange and Black have FINALLY found their netminder!