Apr 5, 2023 12:50:30 GMT Zappy said:

Buffalo dealt a huge blow to their playoff hopes losing to Florida last night.  They have two games in hand on every team in front of them, but they need to win virtually every game.  On the very bright side, Devon Levi is very impressive.  He is a future Vezina trophy winner.  If he is ready to be a full time starter next year the Sabres will be in a comfortable playoff position.

Mar 29, 2023 23:16:30 GMT @admin said:

Wow Drury managed to get Chytil to resign 4x4.5, what an absolute steal. That's an amazingly team friendly deal to help with negotiating Miller and Lafreniere's extensions.

Good deal.  Chytil's next contract will be his first big boy deal at 27, but the length of the deal affords the Rangers plenty of time to not worry about that.

Saw Levi for the first time tonight and you're right, he's really good. Buffalo's chances of making the playoffs are still very minimal but basically everything went their way tonight.

Leafs goalie situation got so weird today.

Apparently Woll got sent down because the Leafs thought Murray would be healthy. When he wasn’t they tried to call Woll up on an emergency basis and the league blocked it, forcing the Leafs to sign an ATO.

Under league rules, you can only use an ATO for one game, meaning once you use a guy you can’t use him again until a certain amount of time passes.

So the guy they used last night can’t dress for tonight’s game against Tampa.

Two mystery goalies skated with the team this morning. One is an OHL goalie for the Windsor Spitfires and the other nobody knows.

Once the media got a hold of it, suddenly Joseph Woll can join the team on an emergency basis.

Such a joke of a league. Kucherov can wear an $18 mil over the cap shirt while hoisting the Cup, Boston used SIX emergency contracts the other night, and Arizona is icing a $20 million team. But sure, the Leafs can use a goalie that they already have under contract. Gimme a break.

Apr 11, 2023 5:20:35 GMT @admin said:

Apr 5, 2023 12:50:30 GMT Zappy said:

Buffalo dealt a huge blow to their playoff hopes losing to Florida last night.  They have two games in hand on every team in front of them, but they need to win virtually every game.  On the very bright side, Devon Levi is very impressive.  He is a future Vezina trophy winner.  If he is ready to be a full time starter next year the Sabres will be in a comfortable playoff position.

Good deal.  Chytil's next contract will be his first big boy deal at 27, but the length of the deal affords the Rangers plenty of time to not worry about that.

Saw Levi for the first time tonight and you're right, he's really good. Buffalo's chances of making the playoffs are still very minimal but basically everything went their way tonight.

Levi is a stud. He has such a strong lower body his lateral movements are quick and efficient. That is such a difference maker when entering elite status as a goaltender. He reminds me of Shesterkin. I know it is super early, but he is exactly what the Sabres need. This will go down as one of the best trades in franchise history.

When he allowed 6 goals the other night his responses in the interview were very impressive.

Kenny Omega narrated a promo video for the Jets:

The fan experience in Winnipeg suuuucks. True North takes for granted that we'll just blindly come out. No in game improvements. Insane prices for beer and food (I know, the norm at all arenas). Very few promos and giveaways during stoppages. Classic timbits hockey for the kiddos at intermission but nothing else. Just so lame. My buddee is now the head chef for the arena owned restaurants/food services there and he has made massive improvements to the menus.

We're sitting at 90% capacity lately I believe. For an arena of only 15000+ they need sell outs. But the team has sucked since 2018 and management has done virtually nothing to improve it. Chevy has to go. Bowness needs to go. Need a younger coach with relai new ideas. Jettison Scheif and Dubois and rebuild on the fly giving young guys the ice they need to learn and improve. Let's play three scoring lines PLEASE. Enough of this top 6, third line checking line and then 4th line losers who get 5 mins of ice per game. Such an outdated model.

Apr 11, 2023 22:53:22 GMT Foos said:

The fan experience in Winnipeg suuuucks. True North takes for granted that we'll just blindly come out. No in game improvements. Insane prices for beer and food (I know, the norm at all arenas). Very few promos and giveaways during stoppages. Classic timbits hockey for the kiddos at intermission but nothing else. Just so lame. My buddee is now the head chef for the arena owned restaurants/food services there and he has made massive improvements to the menus.

We're sitting at 90% capacity lately I believe. For an arena of only 15000+ they need sell outs. But the team has sucked since 2018 and management has done virtually nothing to improve it. Chevy has to go. Bowness needs to go. Need a younger coach with relai new ideas. Jettison Scheif and Dubois and rebuild on the fly giving young guys the ice they need to learn and improve. Let's play three scoring lines PLEASE. Enough of this top 6, third line checking line and then 4th line losers who get 5 mins of ice per game. Such an outdated model.

This sounds exactly like the Leafs circa 2005-2015. Team started to slide in skill, management didn't give a fuck about the fans because every game was selling out, then everyone got wise and suddenly the entire management team was replaced and it was like night and day from that point onward.

So yeah...give it a decade and then it'll be good? 

The Sharks season has been so bad besides EK. I forgot they were 2 games left. Morale is low with me heading into future seasons with San Jose.

Apr 11, 2023 22:53:22 GMT Foos said:

The fan experience in Winnipeg suuuucks. True North takes for granted that we'll just blindly come out. No in game improvements. Insane prices for beer and food (I know, the norm at all arenas). Very few promos and giveaways during stoppages. Classic timbits hockey for the kiddos at intermission but nothing else. Just so lame. My buddee is now the head chef for the arena owned restaurants/food services there and he has made massive improvements to the menus.

We're sitting at 90% capacity lately I believe. For an arena of only 15000+ they need sell outs. But the team has sucked since 2018 and management has done virtually nothing to improve it. Chevy has to go. Bowness needs to go. Need a younger coach with relai new ideas. Jettison Scheif and Dubois and rebuild on the fly giving young guys the ice they need to learn and improve. Let's play three scoring lines PLEASE. Enough of this top 6, third line checking line and then 4th line losers who get 5 mins of ice per game. Such an outdated model.

You do know that Canada Life began as an IHL/AHL arena, right?  Shouldn't expect too much from venues like that.

CM Punk'd yes of course I know that. You do know that it's an NHL franchise now, right?

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Have you gone to an NHL game in Winnipeg? I've gone to NHL games in four cities, and have spoken extensively with friends who have gone regularly to games in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary (three places I've yet to see a game).

In-game experiences, from a major NHL franchise need to be better. No more Moose level AHL style stuff anymore. It's the NHL. Step up your game, hire a promotions department who will actually response to feedback. Have management travel to different arenas simply to learn what they do (Dallas was AWESOME). It's embarrassing.

Now what was your point? A 15000+ size arena is too small to do what exactly?

(I know you won't respond)

Apr 12, 2023 1:36:35 GMT Foos said:

CM Punk'd yes of course I know that. You do know that it's an NHL franchise now, right?

I'm not sure what point you're trying to make. Have you gone to an NHL game in Winnipeg? I've gone to NHL games in four cities, and have spoken extensively with friends who have gone regularly to games in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary (three places I've yet to see a game).

In-game experiences, from a major NHL franchise need to be better. No more Moose level AHL style stuff anymore. It's the NHL. Step up your game, hire a promotions department who will actually response to feedback. Have management travel to different arenas simply to learn what they do (Dallas was AWESOME). It's embarrassing.

Now what was your point? A 15000+ size arena is too small to do what exactly?

(I know you won't respond)

In game, you mean.  OK, well then, I retract.  

Panthers clinch with Buffalo (eliminated) and Pittsburgh both losing. NYI can clinch and eliminate Pittsburgh with a win tomorrow against Montreal.

Winnipeg and their dud fan experience 10 minutes away from locking up the final spot in the West.

Not sure who I think Jets match up better against. Edmonton is red hot with 10 wins in a row and an insane McDavid. Probably looking for pay back after the Jets swept them in the covid playoff season.

Vegas on the other hand have a forechecking style that the Jets have historically done very poor against. Plus Vegas is pulling a Chicago/Tampa/Vegas again salary cap circumvention by having Mark Stine suddenly being healthy for the start of playoffs, allowing them to roster a team $9 more than the cap allows.

Forced to decide I'd pick Vegas to match up against.

Buffalo has been eliminated. They need to be more organized in their defensive zone in order to be a playoff contender. That improvement will be necessary if they want to compete with the top teams in the league. A bunch of young studs this is going to be a fun team to watch if not already. Dahlin should win his first Norris trophy next year. Levi will be in the discussion for definitely the Calder and Vezina.

Isles clinch the last spot in the East - first time Pittsburgh and Washington have both missed the playoffs since 2006.

Leafs last game and possible ECF opponents if both teams make it that far. I’m curious if tonight is a statement game or if both teams are going to just try not to get hurt heading into round 1.

Either way, friends off with @admin and Zappy until tomorrow. :@

Kaapo Krakko more like Craapo Crapko

We got our answer to my question earlier. Both these teams might as well just shake hands and say “hope to see you in the ECF.”

Apr 14, 2023 0:09:23 GMT RT said:

We got our answer to my question earlier. Both these teams might as well just shake hands and say “hope to see you in the ECF.”

I couldn't watch the game but the Rangers have seemed pretty blase for a couple of weeks now, getting the home ice advantage obviously wasn't too important for them. 

We've talked about it before but the kicking rule is so terrible. In isolation I don't have a problem with Chytil's goal being ruled out but there have been numerous examples of the exact same thing being allowed. They should just allow them all to reduce the subjectivity. 

Now go boot Tampa for us. 

Leafs won! Yay!

Now for…

*checks notes*

…

Playoffs!? Fuck!

Apr 14, 2023 1:59:13 GMT RT said:

Leafs won! Yay!

Now for…

*checks notes*

…

Playoffs!? Fuck!

I'm not gonna say a thing after this.  But hey, 50 wins.  Good for that.  But it ain't gonna count for shit, if we can't win a series.

Hopefully a NYR/NJ series will reignite the rivalry. NJ is a tough match up.

Rangers lost 3 of 4 against the Devils in the regular season. Regular season doesn't matter sure, but I'm more concerned with how poorly the Rangers played against the Devils.

The lack of travel is definitely going to help whichever team advances.

Rangers/Devils is for sure the series I’m most looking forward to as a neutral fan.

Kings/Oilers should be good too. I will also be watching the Kraken of course since Mrs RT jumped ship from the Canucks.

Isles/Canes is going to be the most boring series of all-time, unless you like watching two teams play defence for 60 minutes. Could actually see this one going long with lots of OT.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a OMG JIZZ MY PANTS moment in hockey then last night.

I placed a $700 bet on Zach fucking Hyman to score a goal last night to win 2K. The game goes to overtime tied at 4 and he has no goals. Then in overtime, the greatest hockey moment ever happens for me and ZACH FUCKING HYMANNNNNNNNNN scores the game winning goal! I WENT FUCKING INSANE!

I’ve hit on McDavid in Game 3 for $500, Eichel in Game 3 for $300, McKinnon for $250 and tonight…. I GOT MONEY ON MIKA ZIBANEJAD. Please Mika, you are due. I got him for first, anytime and TWO goals.

Check out my TikTok @ kootymarks for receipts.

Oh yeah; also got money on a STAMKOS/MATTHEWS parlay after their fight.

Man having two superstars fight on ice feels so rare yet so awesome. The fight wasn’t great or anything but still. They should both angrily score goals tonight.