NHL 2015-16

Raviathon said:

So does anyone here follow the NHL? I have been a rather devout follower for years, particularly with the Montreal Canadiens. Unfortunately, they have really been tanking in December; no doubt the losses of Gallagher and Price are contributing factors. Still, their record isn't terrible...

How are your teams doing? Do you see any need for trades? What about your predictions for the Stanley Cup?

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I am a huge Blackhawks fan.

One thing I have learned over the years, it is a long season and regular season success, does not assure success in the playoffs.

My Red Wings would be doing a lot better if they traded Jimmy Howard for a real goalie. I can't believe the $10M/yr they're paying him for lackluster numbers.

Thankfully Mrazek looks like he's going to be starting everything except for back to backs now.

147 said:

My Red Wings would be doing a lot better if they traded Jimmy Howard for a real goalie. I can't believe the $10M/yr they're paying him for lackluster numbers.

Thankfully Mrazek looks like he's going to be starting everything except for back to backs now.

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Is Howard really making 10 mil per year?

bhsmte said:

Is Howard really making 10 mil per year?

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Oops, I made an error. Actually I could've swore I saw that he had a 5 year, 50 million deal. It's 6 years $32 million. Which is still a large cap waste on a mediocre goalie (even as a backup)

147 said:

Oops, I made an error. Actually I could've swore I saw that he had a 5 year, 50 million deal. It's 6 years $32 million. Which is still a large cap waste on a mediocre goalie (even as a backup)

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I followed the Wings more closely before they left the Blackhawks division, so I have not kept track of Howard's play.

5 mil per year, would be high, if he isn't considered one of the top 5-6 goalies in the league.

bhsmte said:

I followed the Wings more closely before they left the Blackhawks division, so I have not kept track of Howard's play.

5 mil per year, would be high, if he isn't considered one of the top 5-6 goalies in the league.

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I wouldn't even consider him top 15 at this point. Mrazek is the clear #1, Howard is better holding Blashill's clipboard at this point. He was mediocre before he suffered the groin injury last year, and he just nosedived from there. He had like one great game this season in the opener, and now it's just embarrassing to watch every time he's in the crease. He honestly cannot track the puck at all at this point.

Wild fan and season ticket holder here. I'm a tortured Minnesota sports fan (No championships from the 4 major sports since 1991). The Wild have never been really bad but they've never been really good. As a result we draft mid 1st round and continue to be mediocre.

Our season is currently in the annual mid season melt down. For the last few seasons we've started out really well, then melt down mid-season, become the best team in the league after the all star break and promptly get eliminated by bhsmte's Blackhawks in the playoffs. (3 years in a row now).

bhsmte said:

I am a huge Blackhawks fan.

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Wish the rivalry with you guys was on the level it was with the old North Stars but the Blackhawks are on an entirely different level than the Wild. I eagerly await a 4th straight playoff elimination.

JonFromMinnesota said:

Wish the rivalry with you guys was on the level it was with the old North Stars but the Blackhawks are on an entirely different level than the Wild. I eagerly await a 4th straight playoff elimination.

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The rivilary was red hot in the 80's and early 90's with some really intense playoff series. Great memories of those days.

Go Sabres!!

*sighs* lol

I'm guessing that the 3 teams with a chance to win the cup this year are:

The Chicago Blackhawks
The LA Kings
The Washington Capitals

Detroit might miss the playoffs, along with all the Canadian teams, for the first time in my life!

HarvestTheFields said:

I'm guessing that the 3 teams with a chance to win the cup this year are:

The Chicago Blackhawks
The LA Kings
The Washington Capitals

Detroit might miss the playoffs, along with all the Canadian teams, for the first time in my life!

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Blackhawks aren't playing that well right now and looks like the Stars are starting to get there "D" together...

Uncle Siggy said:

Blackhawks aren't playing that well right now and looks like the Stars are starting to get there "D" together...

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If we have learned anything about ths regular season, it is it is basically meaningless, when the playoffs start.

bhsmte said:

If we have learned anything about ths regular season, it is it is basically meaningless, when the playoffs start.

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That's why I love the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It's unpredictable and everyone has a shot.

JonFromMinnesota said:

That's why I love the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It's unpredictable and everyone has a shot.

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Best playoffs in sports.

My Kings have not been able to get their confidence going in this last stretch.... We lost to the Sharks... The Sharks! Caps v Kings looks like a huge possibility though!

TheGoalie said:

My Kings have not been able to get their confidence going in this last stretch.... We lost to the Sharks... The Sharks! Caps v Kings looks like a huge possibility though!

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The only thing that matters, is how you play when the playoffs start.

bhsmte said:

The only thing that matters, is how you play when the playoffs start.

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that is true! Kings have proven themselves to be a dangerous playoff team over the last few years.

TheGoalie said:

that is true! Kings have proven themselves to be a dangerous playoff team over the last few years.

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Yes.

The last president trophy winner to win the cup, was the hawks in 2013. Otherwise, it is almost a curse to finish at the top, as those teams typically get upset somewhere along the line. Last year, the hawks finished third in their division and won the cup. In 2012, i think the kings made the playoffs on the last day and were an 8 seed.