2025-2026 NHL Offseason

eeriepadave

F Me In The Brain said:

pjhawks said:

So excited for the playoffs.   I think this is the year the Leafs win the Cup.  A brutal path for them with Tampa and most likely Florida though.   So I am going a bit off the board and going with Leafs over the Wild.  

I think the Leafs lose in first round, again.  

I hope not I like Austin Matthews and Jack Cmapbell (Both USA guys). I think they can make it to the conference finals. Haven't really been following the NHL too much this year since the Flyers sucked ass.

F Me In The Brain

eeriepadave said:

F Me In The Brain said:

pjhawks said:

So excited for the playoffs.   I think this is the year the Leafs win the Cup.  A brutal path for them with Tampa and most likely Florida though.   So I am going a bit off the board and going with Leafs over the Wild.  

I think the Leafs lose in first round, again.  

I hope not I like Austin Matthews and Jack Cmapbell (Both USA guys). I think they can make it to the conference finals. Haven't really been following the NHL too much this year since the Flyers sucked ass.

I like Soupy, as well, but still think they lose round 1

Vitalogensia

That Pens win last night was awesome!  Was hoping the Wild would stop looking like the Wild in the playoffs...not over yet, obviously, but not looking great.  The LA win over Edmonton was sweet too.  Hope Florida gets their shit together.

dankind

I stopped watching after they disallowed the Rangers goal in the third. Dumoulin clearly checked Kaapo Kakko into DeSmith, but whatever.

Actually, when the brackets had the Rangers playing the Penguins, I pretty much just accepted a first-round exit. The NHL always puts its thumb on the scale for the Pens/Crosby. So I ain't watching anymore of this bullshit series. If by some miracle the Rangers get through the first round (spoiler alert: they won't), I'll watch then.

pjhawks

dankind said:

I stopped watching after they disallowed the Rangers goal in the third. Dumoulin clearly checked Kaapo Kakko into DeSmith, but whatever.

Actually, when the brackets had the Rangers playing the Penguins, I pretty much just accepted a first-round exit. The NHL always puts its thumb on the scale for the Pens/Crosby. So I ain't watching anymore of this bullshit series. If by some miracle the Rangers get through the first round (spoiler alert: they won't), I'll watch then.

it's always fun to hear from irrational fans.  If the NHL wanted anyone to win that series they'd take the New York market over Pittsburgh every day ending in Y.  Admittedly was a tough call.  Could have gone either way.  I was surprised they called it goalie interference.  This series is going 6 or 7 so maybe see you in two weeks?

F Me In The Brain

Saying the NHL doesn't suck up to Pitt is ignoring some not too distant history.  

That being stated, I work with a huge Rangers fan and he was similarly disgusted at the game, although his ire was toward how pathetic he thought the NY effort was.

One of the reasons I love Philly fans, as well.  Gotta love rabid fandom....it is one the things that makes sports fun.

dankind

Rangers did not adjust their game plan at all. If they continue to play their 1st line against the Crosby line, they deserve a quick exit. Shit. Rooney’s line would be better. 

mpedone

pjhawks said:

dankind said:

I stopped watching after they disallowed the Rangers goal in the third. Dumoulin clearly checked Kaapo Kakko into DeSmith, but whatever.

Actually, when the brackets had the Rangers playing the Penguins, I pretty much just accepted a first-round exit. The NHL always puts its thumb on the scale for the Pens/Crosby. So I ain't watching anymore of this bullshit series. If by some miracle the Rangers get through the first round (spoiler alert: they won't), I'll watch then.

it's always fun to hear from irrational fans.  If the NHL wanted anyone to win that series they'd take the New York market over Pittsburgh every day ending in Y.  Admittedly was a tough call.  Could have gone either way.  I was surprised they called it goalie interference.  This series is going 6 or 7 so maybe see you in two weeks?

Something I've learned from reading Twitter during the playoffs - the refs/league are always biased in favor of your opponent. ALWAYS. Doesn't matter who you root for. Rangers fan? They're biased in favor of the Pens. Bruins fan? They're helping Carolina. Kings fan? Expect some of your goals to be called back after Edmonton complains. Pittsburgh fan? Every call/non-call will go New York's way.

Also, I learned a great tip on goaltender interference - look at where the contact happens. In the crease? Goal's probably coming back, unless the player was making every possible effort not to be in the crease.

Vitalogensia

I was surprised by the interference call, and taking the goal away.  I wasn't upset of course, but I was surprised. Not as much as the Rangers not being able to score on a cold third-string goalie, but I don't think the Pens have much of a chance if they have to rely on that much longer. 

F Me In The Brain

mpedone said:

pjhawks said:

dankind said:

I stopped watching after they disallowed the Rangers goal in the third. Dumoulin clearly checked Kaapo Kakko into DeSmith, but whatever.

Actually, when the brackets had the Rangers playing the Penguins, I pretty much just accepted a first-round exit. The NHL always puts its thumb on the scale for the Pens/Crosby. So I ain't watching anymore of this bullshit series. If by some miracle the Rangers get through the first round (spoiler alert: they won't), I'll watch then.

it's always fun to hear from irrational fans.  If the NHL wanted anyone to win that series they'd take the New York market over Pittsburgh every day ending in Y.  Admittedly was a tough call.  Could have gone either way.  I was surprised they called it goalie interference.  This series is going 6 or 7 so maybe see you in two weeks?

Something I've learned from reading Twitter during the playoffs - the refs/league are always biased in favor of your opponent. ALWAYS. Doesn't matter who you root for. Rangers fan? They're biased in favor of the Pens. Bruins fan? They're helping Carolina. Kings fan? Expect some of your goals to be called back after Edmonton complains. Pittsburgh fan? Every call/non-call will go New York's way.

Also, I learned a great tip on goaltender interference - look at where the contact happens. In the crease? Goal's probably coming back, unless the player was making every possible effort not to be in the crease.

What happens when fans of every team agree that Shitsburgh is the league's charity?

I don't twitter so I don't look there to learn. 

Vitalogensia

Tongue firmly planted in cheek for this.

F Me In The Brain

Hahaha.  I can't wait until Vadar throws him to his death.

mpedone

Vitalogensia said:

I was surprised by the interference call, and taking the goal away.  I wasn't upset of course, but I was surprised. Not as much as the Rangers not being able to score on a cold third-string goalie, but I don't think the Pens have much of a chance if they have to rely on that much longer. 

I think there could be a debate as to whether that play should result in a goal. However, as the rule is written/called, it was pretty much guaranteed to be overturned. Kakko was heading into the crease anyway, got nudged and made little to no effort to avoid contact. If it helps, think of goaltender interference as a modification of the crease violation rule. Used to be that if you entered the crease, the play was blown dead (unless you're Brett Hull). Now, a player can be in the crease all day, but if he touches the goalie, that's a whistle. This is a simplification, and there is, of course, human judgment that comes into play, but the basic takeaway is that if there's contact in the crease, don't be surprised if the goal is overturned.

Vitalogensia

mpedone said:

Vitalogensia said:

I was surprised by the interference call, and taking the goal away.  I wasn't upset of course, but I was surprised. Not as much as the Rangers not being able to score on a cold third-string goalie, but I don't think the Pens have much of a chance if they have to rely on that much longer. 

I think there could be a debate as to whether that play should result in a goal. However, as the rule is written/called, it was pretty much guaranteed to be overturned. Kakko was heading into the crease anyway, got nudged and made little to no effort to avoid contact. If it helps, think of goaltender interference as a modification of the crease violation rule. Used to be that if you entered the crease, the play was blown dead (unless you're Brett Hull). Now, a player can be in the crease all day, but if he touches the goalie, that's a whistle. This is a simplification, and there is, of course, human judgment that comes into play, but the basic takeaway is that if there's contact in the crease, don't be surprised if the goal is overturned.

I appreciate your explanation here.  Reading that, it makes more sense to me now.

Vitalogensia

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

mrussel1

Vitalogensia said:

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

One bad season.. I agree.  I didn't watch them really this year, but they just don't have any firepower.  But they play a stifling game (at least did for the previous two seasons). 

mpedone

mrussel1 said:

Vitalogensia said:

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

One bad season.. I agree.  I didn't watch them really this year, but they just don't have any firepower.  But they play a stifling game (at least did for the previous two seasons). 

In my head, they had diminishing returns, but not at all, right? They did arguably better each of the 1st three years until this year. I have to wonder if he's difficult to work with. Washington let him walk the season he coached them to the Cup. Now, the Islanders axe him after one bad season. That said, if I was a struggling team, I'd give him a serious look.

mrussel1

mpedone said:

mrussel1 said:

Vitalogensia said:

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

One bad season.. I agree.  I didn't watch them really this year, but they just don't have any firepower.  But they play a stifling game (at least did for the previous two seasons). 

In my head, they had diminishing returns, but not at all, right? They did arguably better each of the 1st three years until this year. I have to wonder if he's difficult to work with. Washington let him walk the season he coached them to the Cup. Now, the Islanders axe him after one bad season. That said, if I was a struggling team, I'd give him a serious look.

Yeah, maybe he's like Torts.  Just a little too old school. 

mpedone

mrussel1 said:

mpedone said:

mrussel1 said:

Vitalogensia said:

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

One bad season.. I agree.  I didn't watch them really this year, but they just don't have any firepower.  But they play a stifling game (at least did for the previous two seasons). 

In my head, they had diminishing returns, but not at all, right? They did arguably better each of the 1st three years until this year. I have to wonder if he's difficult to work with. Washington let him walk the season he coached them to the Cup. Now, the Islanders axe him after one bad season. That said, if I was a struggling team, I'd give him a serious look.

Yeah, maybe he's like Torts.  Just a little too old school. 

"Old school" is an odd way to spell asshole.

I totally forgot that Lamoriello is the Islanders GM. This may not have anything to do with Trotz's personality or coaching style. Lou apparently thought the players "needed a new voice", but refuses to explain what that means, what his thought process was here, his reasons, or any of the information that he used to come to this decision. He didn't even talk to players about Trotz:

https://twitter.com/SWhyno/status/1523676519280922624?s=20&t=kcTVFTzCG24kogCD3klkYg

HughFreakingDillon

Vitalogensia said:

I can't believe the Islanders fired Trotz!  Not sure who else is looking for a coach, but I have to assume he's the first coaching hire of the offseason. 

Winnipeg