Colin
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Posts posted by Colin
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Honestly, this whole thread is a little disconcerting to me. Not that I don't respect others opinions, which I do completely, however I find it almost discouraging that people don't see what they have under their noses.
First of all, Souray. I have my doubts that he'll ever be a number one defender. He just doesn't have what it takes in a one-on-one situation as far as I've seen thus far. While he has good anticipation and stick-work, it's still not what I call number one quality. He brings an excellent physical presence to the table, gets the job done down low (though will see how the new rules affect his game) and can put up some decent numbers now and again - though he seems to be streaky. There was talk of Norris last season for him, and while it was warranted talk, that's all that was ever going to come from it, I believe: talk.
On the other hand, and what I find most frustrating, is the lack of respect given to Markov's game. Here's a player who excels one-on-one and is probably one of the top-three guys in that situation league-wide. He has phenominal anticipation and stick-weilding skills, easily better than anyone on the Habs by a long shot. How often does he, instead of retreating like the run of the mill guy, stop and cut out a pass? And when he's in the corner in a scrum, there always seem to be complaints that he doesn't have enough of a physical presense. And yet, if you watch how he uses his stick, you see he has an incredibly uncanny ability to pull out the puck and take control of the play.
Markov needs one thing: confidence. He has all the skills to be a Norris defender, he just needs to be given that position by the team and allowed to grow into it.
Now, I'm sure there are going to be posters coming on here saying how he's beaten and he's this and that, but in reality, if you watch every game from the Norris trophy winners from the past? They all make the same mistakes, you just don't see those in highlight packages. I've seen Niedermeyer get whiffed through the legs by an onrushing attacker so many times it makes me laugh. He's an excellent defender, of course, but that much better than Markov? No way. More confident? Absolutely.
As for Komisarek being a number one in the future, I suppose it's possible. But he still needs a lot of work. He's what I would call the Scott Stevens of the Habs future. Not really a number one guy, but a number two who will do all the nitty gritty that's so needed.
Honestly, and sadly, I think Hainsey has more potential to be a number one than does Komi. Sad, of course, because he doesn't seem able to commit. Anyone remember Bryan Fogarty? He was supposed to be a Norris winner once he hit the big time, problem was he never really hit the big time because it all went to his head and he folded like a cheap tent under the haze of booze.
I don't think we need to look elsewhere at all. Aucoin? Sure, he would have been wonderful and people would have been cheering in the streets. However he would have taken precious time from our young and improving corps that needs playing time and confidence. This is not a "this year" team. No matter how much management would like us to believe that's their target. This is a next three years team, no doubt about it. All our kids are just stepping up, and they'll need maturing time. Then we'll be a force.
Here's another quick example of how things change in this sport, and I'll try and draw the parallel with Markov. There was a time in the '90's when some kid named Steve Yzerman was in the headlines because everyone said he was a bad leader and that the Wings were never going to win a Cup with him as captain. Boy oh boy did he ever prove them wrong. A little more time to develop into his role and he's now called one of the best leaders ever to play the game. Yet, early on, Wings fans wanted him gone or at least demoted.
Like Markov.
Today, we look at him and there are plenty out there who believe he'll never be a number one (heck some say never a number three) and lots out there are ready to give up on him and trade for someone else. Yet I believe, if we give him the patience and time in the position that I think he needs, we have our Norris candidate right under our noses. Wouldn't it be most gratifying if, in three years, he won the Norris the same year he wins the Cup? Would everyone look back then and say, "I knew it..."
Now, of course, this is just a series of observations by me, and with no influence from anyone else, so you can take it or leave it as you will.
Colin
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I think we have to realize that in the case of Milroy, we're talking about a guy who struggled to find any ice time with the Dogs two years back, and last year was really his first full pro season. Will he be a perennial all-star? Probably not. But to say that he's out of it and not in the long-term plans is perhaps going a little far. He's a smaller player who probably needs a little more development time, and the faster he gets to the Dogs, the more time he has.
The case of Urquhart bothers me a little more. On the one hand, he's in a similar situation to Milroy in that he's still young and still needs to develop. However, the fact that he has great size and seems to be in the mould of the Habs player that Gainey would like makes me wonder. I would have much preferred he stayed with the big boys for another few days at least, and cutting him off with Milroy at the first cut might indicate a lack of progress.
Milroy, as I see it, needs all the time he can get with the Dogs, especially since he lost almost a whole year on the bench with them. Urquhart, on the other hand, would have been one of my picks to go a little later into camp with the Habs. I feel he's more a disappointment.
However, getting them both down quickly is probably also in their best interests, despite any of our preferences otherwise. They need to consistently play and, hopefully, dominate at a lower level, and then take the next step. I would suggest that next year will be more a make-or-break for Milroy, and Urquhart will be looked at to stay deep into camp.
Colin
Edit commentary: What does it say to Milroy, but more specifically to Urquhart, that Locke stays in camp longer than either one? In fact, what does it say about Locke's dedication that he's made it to at least the second cut?
[Edited on 2005/9/19 by Guy!]
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Dallas confirms the trade.
In Fransson, we had a young fellow with a lot of potential, but who was expendable if the team could upgrade its defence. This was obviously done most emphatically with the acquisition of McGillis, who may very well be named team captain as well.
With this move the revamp of the Dallas defence is just about complete. There remains one final piece to the puzzle which will be sorted out come the finish of the playoffs.
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Oh yeah? Well...
Okay. I'll still suck next season.
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And the last piece of Ex-GM Armstrong's menagerie is gone. Zubov wasn't going to figure in Dallas' future plans and a new home had to be found. While he is a definite star, he just doesn't fit with where I want to go with this team, and even though he could be resigned for much cheaper next season - and despite his offensive skills - it was time for a change. Hopefully with Carolina he starts playing better as well; I think he had a pretty tough season in Dallas this year.
In Carson I get a young kid with superb defensive abilities, and while I lose all that offence from the blueline, when I look at my goals against, I'm really not that disappointed. Time to stop the puck from going in the net. The 4th rounder is Carolina's so it's a very high pick - basically a 3rd.
On to the draft now - with a defence that looks much better.
Dallas confirms the trade.
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Might want to post an FYI telling people about those players who are not eligible to be drafted because they were put in the game for next season... Mueller I think is one... but I don't know any others.
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Well, at least he won.
Too bad he lost.
I think I'd actually be the most improved team in the league if I could play myself and win and lose every night. Or tie!
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Good job!!! I like this thread.
My name is Colin Prichett. Guy! has absolutely no relation to Guy Lafleur or Lapointe or Carbonneau. My buddy calls me Guy all the time. LOL That's it. In fact, usually he yells it, hence the ! at the end.
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Streamer comes up against the opponent he should fear the most. Edmo is on a roll......
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If you weren't there, NJ (here we go again. Names people, I like names!!! LOL) then I, for one, have no reason to disbelieve you. However, look at this from an outsiders standpoint - I certainly have no reason to disbelieve anyone else. There's been nothing but fair play since I entered the league and I can't see AP or Hannes doing the things you mentioned.
However, when we sit back and look at the facts, perhaps we can come to a conclusion together which can be satisfying, if not pleasing.
You had Ahonen(sp?) in net early on, and that post to the Headquarters said that you wanted to put Brodeur in between the pipes. Regardless of whether you did it or not, and if you can, take a step back from the game and look at it critically, would that not be the logical thing to do? Would the Devils have a much larger chance of winning the game with Brodeur in net rather than Ahonen?
It's unfortunate that your team lost, double unfortunate of being swept, however it seems to me that they lost to a better team. Pure and simple. From what I can see, it wouldn't matter if you put Ken Dryden in net, you were still going to lose the series rather rapidly. Short of bricking the net up, there was little hope for your team. T-Bay, if you look at them with a neutral eye, is a real contender for the Cup this season.
Therefore, from a personal standpoint, I would like you to just forget this incident and move on to improving your still very good club with the goal of whupping T-Bay's butt next season. I appreciate your frustration, but even if there was foul play, I just don't see the need to get in a huff since the outcome will be the same. Indeed, *if* there was foul play, I'm betting that this incident will certainly ensure that there is none in the future.
(Again, I would like to reiterate that I have no reason to disbelieve anyone. As far as I know, you are all upstanding people, and I've never seen any reason to believe otherwise.)
Actually, I can probably lay blame here. Micro$oft. In some way, they are always at the root of any computer conspiracy!!!
Get those players resigned and then make a trade or two to make that club better than T-Bay's, NJ. Whatever happened this year should only be fuel to kick ass next season!
Colin
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I know I'm not a playoff team, but thanks for all the extra effort AP. It's particularly rewarding, playing with a group of diverse people, when those running the show take the extra time and care about what they're doing. Three hours to pull this all together and make it work after a system crash is above and beyond.
This goes to all running the sim. Great for those of us who are sitting here sending in lines every few days or something painfully simple like that, but quite another for guys like our webmaster, or especially AP and Hannes (sorry if I'm missing those who throw in lots of effort, I don't know you all) for putting in all this effort so we can all have fun playing a game like this.
Kudos guys. Two big thumbs up.
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Of all the draft lists that were made, the TSN list, compiled in large part by MacKenzie was easily the closest. Bob may be a lot of things, but what is isn't is ignorant of the draft and of young talent. That's where he's at his best, and I think it'd be hard for *anyone* to challenge him there.
As to the Toronto Hockey News....
'Nuff said.
Anyone who rates Toronto highly this year is really going out on a limb. If there's one GM who won't get the benefit of a grace period because of the new rules, it's Ferguson, who has done some pretty daring things. That team is in large trouble and I would say might struggle to make the playoffs.
Interesting to note the difference between the average Leaf fan and the average habs fan. The average Leaf fan will ALWAYS think they are challengers for the Cup. (Uh huh. Well over a quarter century and still dreaming.) While the average habs fan criticizes his team to no end. How DARE Lafleur not score three tonight. Two isn't good enough. And if you think that comment is exaggerating things, ask an old-timer habs fan.
Colin
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Oh, give him a break! He's stolen a beer from the parents and doused his date to get it drunk (hand)! He knows something of sex.
DOUBLE SNAP. lol
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Idaho potato people playoff roster...
Oh wait, didn't make THOSE playoff either...
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Honestly? I don't particularly like that idea. We're playing a season that is similar to the last NHL season when they did the draft that particular way. Changing it now is kind of harsh to those teams down at the bottom and changes ALL the worth of all the draft picks that everyone has struggled to trade for these past few months. In effect, by snaking the draft at all, you'll potentially render many trades unworthy. In fact, I think you'll find that those last five picks have achieved a somewhat religious status since they have the chance at winning the Crosby affair. By lessening that chance, you're in essence thumbing your nose at the neediest teams in the league.
And that's very Toronto/Ranger$ of you!
Since everyone has been operating under the assumption (since it was said this was the way it was going to be) that we're going to be drafting as the NHL does, I don't think it's particularly fair to up and switch that at the last moment. Yes, I'm arguing this because of my placement in the league, but I'm also arguing for Washington, Carolina, and the other extreme bottom feeders. It's particularly poignant since the cap was instituted and we had to shed salary to get under a specific number. I can't comment on anyone else's case, but in order for me to do that, it required remaking the team, since Dallas was based on elder farts with mega-salaries.
If the league is going to change the draft, I suggest doing that for next season, and not so late in the day for this one. As to the snaking idea, I think it will harm trade talks immeasurably. You'll never know where you're going to pick, so how will you value a pick in the future?
Personally, I think the existing lottery is the way to go and the draft is well-suited to how the NHL exists today - and how our league works. I am firmly against any changes that would come at the 11th hour like this.
Apologies for the tone of the post, however I feel it necessary to speak up.
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Hey, I just came online whistling the HNIC theme. Well, a few of the themes.
"All the big guns gonna shoot out the lights,
The place'll be rockin' 'cause there's hockey tonight"
Heh. START THE PLAYOFFS.
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Precisely. Every other team would be unaffected other than those five.
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The draw is for only one team. All teams are ranked as they finished and only one team has the chance to move up. If team number 10 wins the lottery, then they move up four places, to number 6, and then the numbers 6, 7, 8, and 9 teams get bumped down one position. The rest of the teams keep their draft positions.
I dunno how clear that is. LOL
To summarize, only one draw, only one team moves.
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We can also randomize everyone's numbers across the grid, if that's what we want.
I just came up with two other numbers doing my testing.
179
363
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Okay, because I'm THAT damn thorough, I have found a randomizer on the net - a research randomizer which will pick that single number. All we have to do is assign values for each team.
Remember, this will be mildly simplified.
There are to be 1001 possibilities.
Team 1 has a 25% chance, therefore they have 250 numbers.
I recommend a simple dividing of the numbers. For example:
Washington 1-250
Carolina 251-438
Dallas 439-580
team 4: 581-687
5: 688-768
6: 769-830
7: 831-878
8: 879-913
9: 914-940
10: 941-961
11: 962-976
12: 977-987
13: 988-995
14: 996-1001
The number drawn shows the winner. Now, the way this is, there will actually be slightly less chance for everyone, but it's only one in one thousand. I can deal with that. To do the cam thing, if that's the interest, I can turn it at the computer and click the randomize key on the site. Fait accompli.
BTW, the first time I did it, I came up with number 991. Heh. That'd be interesting, eh?
What does everyone think?
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I found it all. Halle freakin lujah.
However, it's pretty darned complicated so I think we'll have to adapt ours somewhat differently. I'll post the rules here to look at for now, but I'm going to go and figure out another way to work out something close.
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The Draft Drawing will involve clubs that do not qualify for this season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs, or clubs that acquired the first-round drafting positions of those non-playoff clubs. The Draft Drawing result does not affect the draft order for the remainder of the first round and rounds two through nine.
The club selected in the Draft Drawing may not move up more than four positions in the draft order. Thus the only clubs with the opportunity to receive the first overall selection are the five clubs with the lowest regular-season point totals (or clubs that acquired those clubs’ first-round drafting positions). No club can move down more than one position as a result of the Draft Drawing.
Under the weighted lottery system, the club with the fewest regular-season points will have the greatest chance (25%) of winning the Draft Drawing and will pick no lower than second at the 2004 Entry Draft.
The Draft Drawing will be observed by the independent public accounting firm Ernst & Young. Fourteen balls, numbered 1-14, will be placed in a lottery machine and four will be expelled, forming a series of numbers. A probability chart, created by Bortz & Company, divides the possible combinations among the 14 participating clubs. The four-digit series that results from the expulsion of the balls will be compared to the probability chart to determine the team to which that combination has been assigned.
The current percentage chance of being selected in the Draft Drawing is as follows, based on team finish:
30th........... 25.0%
29th........... 18.8%
28th........... 14.2%
27th........... 10.7%
26th............. 8.1%
25th............. 6.2%
24th............. 4.7%
23rd............. 3.6%
22nd............ 2.7%
21st............. 2.1%
20th............. 1.5%
19th............. 1.1%
18th............. 0.8%
17th............. 0.5%
There are 1,001 numerical combinations possible, and one combination has been eliminated to make the odds equitable. If the eliminated series of balls is drawn, a 0.1% probability, the drawing will be re-held immediately.
After the club selected moves up, the balance of the first 14 draft selections are adjusted by one, with the appropriate clubs moving down one slot to accommodate the winner, if necessary.
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There's loads of information, unfortunately, on the lottery that just came to pass with all 30 teams involved. As to the previous lottery where only non-playoff teams are invited, I've found nada. Normally I'm a pretty calm guy, but when there's no information at all available on the world wide web... at least none that's readily available, I start to get cranky.
I promise not to beat Streamer with that pillow too badly.
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Well, after searching for an hour or so, this is what I've found:
Virtually nothing.
I can tell you that the winner of the lottery does not move up 5 positions, but only four. I can tell you the percentages of the bottom four teams in terms of winning the lottery. What I cannot say is how many "balls" there are and what the percentages for everyone else would be. And I've looked everywhere I can think of. The actual NHL site is *painfully* out of date in terms of those rules.
30. 25%
29. 18.8%
28. 14.6% (or 14.2 depending on the source)
27. 8.1%
Really quite aggrevating, if you ask me. So if anyone knows the number of balls that would be in the lottery, that would be BRILLIANT, because otherwise I might just have to beat Streamer about the head and neck with a wet pillow.
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If you want every team involved in the lottery, you're going to remove chances for those at the upper end to get a fair shake at the number one pick. I'll sit down here and try to come up with a way to figure it all out, if you like. And I'll find out what the usual percentages are when the NHL does it's usual lottery. We can come up with some kind of system for HWL that works.
Perhaps two lotteries? One, the regular one, for the non-playoff teams where they get that chance to move up 5 spots. Then another lottery for playoff teams which bumps one team up 5 spots?
I'll go think on the rest.
Which kid will make the Habs?
in Habs & Hockey Talk
Posted
Hossa has had a few stints in Montreal, and while the end result has always been sounded on a sour note, there have been more than a few symphonic moments as well.
He *has* all the skills necessary to succeed at this level, it's all a matter of putting it together and combining that with the drive to succeed. In fact, I was firmly against his demotion last time he was with the big club. I felt that he wasn't given quite enough chance to play - it was only a handful of games. And during that handful of games, while there were many shifts where he was weak, there were also a good many when he was one of the better players on the ice. I felt that he should have been allowed to stay up and develop a little more - sometimes that's all it takes.
That, however, is all in the past and he's back and competing again. If he's found the drive, he's an NHLer and there's no doubt he could be a solid impact player. From what I've heard so far, he's doing well, but this is early and I'll wait to pass judgement until he actually makes the club.
In reality, as far as I'm concerned anyhow, even if three other rookies make the club, Hossa should be up there anyhow. He has at least the potential that Sundstrom has thus far, so at the very least I could see him replacing Sunny. As long as he puts in that effort, I think he's a lock for the NHL.
Colin