hockeyrealist

You must be joking, we aren’t talking twenty pounds (maybe ten as mentioned) of beer gut. An extra 10-20 lbs of muscle and leg strength is a huge benefit and definitely plays a factor in player potential/ratings. To compare it to hair colour is so basic that if you were serious I am baffled by that post. There is a reason small, successful players (especially short and light) are still a rarity even today once they get to upper levels. Crosby is perfect example of height mattering less when you have a solid core and heavy weight, thick legs (his legs are huge). Someone mentioned Suzuki thriving/surviving as he is built solidly, and it is true. He would not have gotten up from some of the massive hits he has taken if he was not so strong/solid. It plays a factor and was an obvious downside of Adam Brooks, but this appears to not be the case with Pitlick. That is good thing for Habs so why not just enjoy the little thing that it is. Why make an absurd comparison just to rain negativity? Shorter players who are solidly built, with a low centre of gravity can be very effective in many roles and positions. The weight a player can put behind a shot is a big deal, their battling ability (Mete haha), their ability to stake claim to space, all affected by weight. Shorter players that are also light have to be hockey geniuses with elite skills/skating in order to have a shot and even then are limited in what roles they can best play (obv exceptions exist). Mass matters in athletes, hair colour does not. Two identical players: player A : 5’10” 185lbs player B : 5’10” 170lbs It’s not even a choice.

To this point, the NHL, NBA, NFL are built on a game. A GAME for kids that a select few get paid handsomely to play and earn massive fortunes for rich people, corporations. The fact that our elderly and vulnerable population are dying in isolation, alone and without proper medical support while people worry about a GAME speaks to the ####ed up society we live in. Not enough Covid testing, prevention happening so kids can go to school yet a bunch of grown men playing a kids game can travel all over the world, spreading Covid all over, and then complain about being tested too frequently? people are waiting in lines for hours on end to get turned away due to lack of test kits, businesses all across the country are shuttered and mental health is at an all time low for many of the population. Yet, there are unlimited test, treatment and prevention for these athletes and elite few. Special travel arrangements to get them from one country to another while regular citizens are/have been stranded all over the world. Hockey is a game and currently a waste of resource, money that could be put to better use helping fellow citizens. Listening to entitled, rich athletes whining about not going to the Olympics or being tested too frequently is bullshit. Mg grandfather died alone in hospital waiting for treatment that was delayed due to limited resources, he was a veteran, won medals for bravery and saving lives and died alone because even family were not allowed to see him. #### these entitled pricks, go get a real job and wait in line for hours for a rapid test like the rest of us. Kids can’t even play a game, can’t get to class in person, elderly dying alone and people bitch about professional athletes having to be tested too frequently, what a joke. It’s a kids game played by rich men to generate wealth for the 1%. Hockey (NHL/semi pro/junior level) has lost any high ground it ever held.

wtf? Nobody is saying he wasn’t in the wrong, at least no posts I am seeing here. And he went through the legal system in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred, was sentenced, served and deserves the chance to prove rehabilitation works. He is continuing to rehabilitate and apparently the powers that be seem to think he is authentic in those efforts. continuing to bring up his criminal past in completely contradictory to the point of modern legal systems and the idea of rehabilitation. I think it is shitty of you to keep bringing it up as though it’s been forgotten, you do it in every mention of this kid. We all know he committed a crime, as far as I am concerned he has paid a bigger price than the scum bag executives, coaches, even teammates who allowed the rapist with the Blackhawks to linger around and continue raping future kids, most of them are not held accountable at all or at least the amount the this kid has. His generation of players are the first to potentially be a visible change that young kids can see and model after (as far as tolerance, mental health awareness goes) if he is working on his issues as is commonly stated and actually becoming a healthier person he could become a leader and role model for future generations as was mentioned above. Craig Mactavish murdered someone and continued to be employed by the league, broadcasters. People sometimes get second chances and sometimes do make the best of it.

Haha I like that, and that the youth are playing more. I do believe the reasoning has more to do with the number of vets out of lineup more so than DD making a decision to play the kids more. It will be telling what happens as vets return to lineup, which looks like a while yet so good for the kids. I hope they continue to make a case for themselves, build up some sort of trade value/internal value.

Wondering how much DD has to say in the decision to bring Primeau up to play vs Flyers, but then saying Montembeault goes sometime next road trip. what is the point of having Mont. if you’re gonna not even dress him (Allen is backing up vs Flyers) so Allen doesn’t even really get the night off. Then obv the plan is to send Primeau back down and Mont gets a game on the road trip starting later in week. Why not let Primeau continue to start in AHL where he has had some success and has not in NHL this year? Allen can still backup Mont, since he is anyways. Why have Montembeault at all if he can’t play this one game out of 20. What a waste of a contract, if the goal is to develop Primeau just bring him up and split starts with Allen, otherwise continue to let him season in AHL as he is not ready. This seems like such an unplanned , reactionary move. I see no sound logic to it and can’t help but blame DD as cannot see Gorton dictating this call this early on …

Dvorak was not brought in to score, he’s a two way centre that wins draws. At least that is what he was brought in for. I believe expectations of 40 ish points as well, but not really expected to light it up.

CC was skating well but handling the puck like a hand grenade. Think two of his shots were from at or below the goal line. Legs were working though. Ylonen was unnoticeable as you said. Can’t say I agree about Drouin, was meh. Still think he looks slow and overweight. Thought Hoffman was best player on that line tonight, Suzuki was not impressive. Those are three “legit” top 6 players who need to bring it every night, especially when team is so hit with injuries. That line needs to set the tone with speed and effort. Allen was only reason the game was close, all of the d looked bad. Clague looks like he should have passed through waivers. DD was the biggest disappointment, very poor line management. Even the commentators mentioned how odd it was to roll out the fourth line, centred by Mr. Zero Points Paquette immediately after one of the few sustained pressure shifts. DD should have rolled another offensive line for the o Zone faceoff, but nope here come the shittiest fourth line in hockey. Pacquette has proven to be useless, why can’t DD see that and make an effort to give the team a jump with a strategic move to keep momentum going, but nope let’s throw out the plugs. He is a shitty coach.

If we fast forward to 2024/2025 era: and have same luck Rags did with picking. 2nd/1st in back to back seasons (Kakko, Lafreniere) we’d have a number one and number two pick overall that end up with a total of 214 NHL gp and only 75 points combined. If those results are what Gorton brings to this table I will not call that a success nor will it be worth watching a few seasons of garbage hockey to get those picks. While this thread is hilarious now, it’s gonna age well.

Oh I see your point, but I think he is checked out and just going through the motions as he has to in order to meet his contract requirements. Maybe he has Olympic hopes, but hard to believe he can be ready for that, nor should he leave his team given the roller coaster of issues he has had over past many seasons. In some ways it is Selfish to miss half of a season and then come back to your job, team just to get enough playing time to go play a tournament. I have a hard time seeing him back to top tier quality, health. If he makes it to olympics, hard to picture him then returning to high level of play for the Habs. Hard to picture him coming back to the shit show that is this team, risking further injuries. Think he has to go through the steps, will eventually hit a point like Weber.

good points, big thing for me is that I don’t see him playing in the olympics. I don’t think he is physically or mentally able to nor will he be. Decent chance league doesn’t even send players still, if I was a GM/owner I wouldn’t want to risk the travel, injuries, COVID issues with my star players. The NHL already is best on best for their sport. China is shitty and the olympics are outdated, over rated, corrupt AF.

Been wondering the same thing, As mentioned Fleury would be up there still but is also old.

That’s the dream team of players to deal! Agreed 100, but also agree it is easier said than done. I’d add Toffolli to that list as well.

Fearless Prediction Re Price: just going through the motions and will end up not quite getting healthy enough for this season. Will never play again. Doesn't want to retire and lose out on $$$.

Personally, not sure why people are excited by Gorton. His track record is not that impressive from a team success point of view when he was in charge, seems to have done well personally in his career trajectory. What is there to brag about for a Rangers fan under his watch? Previous posts in this thread provide good example. His statement that he intended to improve/leverage the use of analytics was embraced well, but then followed up with a statement that Bob G is going to be involved with new hiring process contradicts that. Ole Bob is just that, old. and while nostalgia is good it flies in the face of moving forward using modern tools like analytics. Shouldn’t someone strong in that area (technology, youth movement in the league, modern management techniques and analytical thinking)be involved with this new hire? Overall I feel like he is being given a lot of love and I don’t understand why yet.

While it has been disappointing so far, think we need to give more time to fully assess his value on the team. You’re right that at the moment he’s a third liner and not even a good one at that. A good half-season this year could change our mind given the small history we have and his years on the dessert being x files.

Some good points made throughout this thread, so just gonna add my unsolicited two cents. short term: perhaps wise to play Armia in top 6 with special teams in hopes to bolster his stats, increase his value for trade deadline. Can see a team taking his contract on, over paying so to speak for a playoff run. Same idea for Toff, Hoff, Drouin, Gally, but they get these minutes usually anyways. Showcase them for trade purposes. Obv have to play the kids too, so balance will be the key. Otherwise, of the big contracts I think Anderson could be part of the future (he seems to bring a decent effort level/leadership to the table) and think we need to give Dvorak more time to settle in/grow before writing him off. He (like Anderson) are just young enough to hold onto. They stick around with Suzuki, Evans, Poehling, Caufield. That’s potentially four decent centres, a sniper winger, a power forward to build around. Depending on how the next draft/two drafts go, may not need all of these even. Back end: I like the Edmundson and the precious mention of holding onto him. Eddy, Romy, Guhle, Norlinder are not a bad four to build around next in the next two seasons. Move out Petry, Chiarot, Savard as possible. Obv Chiarot appears to be gone this year, think someone will take a shot at Petry too if he even begins to rebound. Perhaps injures or Covid will force a contender to seek out a “safe” stay at home dman for playoff run and Savard gets out too. With a stud pick this coming year, a few deft moves and many major moves over this and next season (to unload all of those vets) there is a possibility of a good team with strong mix of youth and experience that could begin to compete in three years. With all of the picks and some easily moveable assets (some hard ones too) the team may not be in as tough of a spot as I personally thought.

Notice he doesn’t move his head/neck. all lower body movement, obv smart but wouldn’t take it as a sign he is playing anytime soon.

Good point, Is hoped it was over since they’d essentially gotten their “man” and also stooped so low on social media that then saga is over… New GM should get them back haha.

Re Anderson, that is scary as well b/c it could very well be a shoulder injury again. Which is what had required surgery and missing pretty much a full year previously. He has been one of the few regular high energy and effective players.

I watch a lot of Canucks games, have family that see them live often. Peterson has sucked big time the past two seasons, looks to be more of a bust actually. He barely plays at this point.

Of course Molson handled à presser well. He is formally trained in public speaking, controlled the narrative, and has a pile of experience with press/boards. He didn’t do anything while this tire fire was lit and burned for season after season, is apparently rushing to hire a mandated bilingual GM, and handled this transition poorly given the leaks, questionable timing in the hiring/firing, leaving a lame duck GM in place for too long, refusing to address the well known/stated issues with player development for years. Yeah, he was presidential in that he glossed over all the responsibility he should own, stuck to his desired narrative and threw his subordinates under the bus. That is presidential, about as presidential as the orange man was.

ugh, this team is getting even harder to watch. Time for CC to go back down to AHL and stay for rest of season. He has zero chemistry with Suzuki at this point and is bringing down Suzuki since they apparently have to play together. The “vets/leaders” are the bigger problem. Gallagher has been next to useless for most of the season. Toffolli looks like a waste of money, slow, no physicality and rarely even noticeable amount there. Petry continues to blow chunks, shows promise one shift and then shits the bed the next. Drouin looks decent one shift, moving his legs and then over handles the puck, gives it up, doesn’t back check the next. He looks over weight, perhaps medication related. His face is chubby, he is slow. Dvorak: has been a disappointment. Positive: Poehling has looked like an NHL’er. When you see him and usually Anderson flying out there it reminds me how slow/coasting the others are going. Blow it all up, rebuild around Suzuki, Romanov.

Less than 36 point pace since you’re comparing it to 31 as though 5 point projection justifies anything. It is really a 34 point pace, and it is close to his average. So, I’d say he is performing at his usual clip. Easy player to like, hard to love. and regarding you question about D on PK, all five guys do, especially the four skaters. Did you see Washington forwards making life miserable for 200 feet of ice? Have see. Lehks do it, but not this year.

Indeed he is, know some DC locals/Caps fans and he isn’t going anywhere as long as they have a cup window with Ovi, Kutz, Backy, Carlson.