The Hockey Writers - Latest Comments

Re: Tyler Seguin Trade Revisited

sloehand1 — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 19:07:38 -0000

Seguin is usually in top 10 scoring though. The Bruins could really use that right now.

Re: Fixing The NHL: Four Easy Rule Changes

HoosierOne — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:53:10 -0000

...

Re: Sabres Should Draft for Offense

Zach — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 00:59:31 -0000

Yeah all's good, I've stopped going on Sabres articles for awhile, it's because I joined Twitter, but I'll probably get back into the articles, I like the interaction with you, Rich, David, ECT.

Sabre noise is dead, I believe the last article they put out was like 3 months ago so I stopped going there.

Something I really miss is the pregame predictions, I can't remember what they were called but they were so fun. Something that I also miss were the days of wondering/debating if Steven Stamkos would become a Sabre, well that didn't work out, but hey we got another chance with John Tavares and hopefully he will come to Buffalo next season.

But let's get down to the main reason I stumbled upon Discus again, I didn't realize how much I missed Eichel playing.

He put up 3 points in the game vs Pittsburgh tonight, but he probably would've put up more if the Sabres hadn't gotten 9 penalties 0_o, Eichel doesn't play PK much at all so there's basically 18 minutes of a 60 minute game he wasn't able to hit the ice for

Eichel had instant chemistry with Pominville, he set up Pominville twice in the second period and then Eichel scored the game winner just :25 into the OT.

I can't wait for regular season play!!!!!!!!

Hope all's well with you, looking forward to hearing from you.

Zach😃

Re: Maple Leafs’ Free Agent Targets

Owen Durkin — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 23:37:45 -0000

Do you think any normal, self-respecting individual with any modicum of integrity reading this thread thinks you're anything but an ignorant, irrelevant piece of shit? I don't. Lets catch up in March. No further responses until then. You're simply not fucking worth it.

Re: Penguins Fans: ‘You Throw Catfish. We Throw Parades.’

Joey D — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 08:33:26 -0000

Adam, you do a fantastic job of avoiding the topic you have been exposed as knowing nothing about after you've been called out and embarrassed. Let me try and help you out. You like to look at these fancy stats because you can't watch a game and pickup what makes players good, and how teams play to win games. So let's leave the ice, and go to the basement with the Excel sheet open. You like to track players right? So when you are tracking a player, do you take into account how long that player's shift is? How long it's been since his previous shift, or the amount of shifts and ice time he's had previous to that shift? What about the same with the players he's on the ice with at that point? And the ones he's going against? Is there a factor put in to whether that player played the night before where his opponent didn't? Hockey is the only sport that has personnel changes that happen during the play, and can see every single skater be swapped out in less than a minute. No other sport has that kind of turn over, or sees that many different line combos and match-ups. You most likely don't know this, but in the 2nd period of a hockey game, teams are faced with the "long change" because their bench is further away from their own end than in the 1st and 3rd periods. So if I'm on a team that gets caught in their own end for an extended period of time while the other team is able to change, but I'm the only one who is able to come over the boards on a change, does this factor into any negative ratings your new stats would have for me? This isn’t baseball where its pitcher Vs hitter
Now, let me tell you about Dallas Eakins and the Edmonton Oilers. Eakins was a big supporter of nerd stats. He wanted his players shooting from everywhere, since corsi tracks shot attempts, even if the miss or are blocked, as a positive. So his players didn't bother to move the puck to create shooting situations in prime areas on the ice, they just wildly shot from everywhere, not caring if it didn't end up on net. Conversely, because shot attempts against were bad, Eakins implemented his "swarm" defence that was thought would stop attempts. Of course, simple puck movement allowed teams to open up past this, and put them in prime scoring chances. So Eakins created great corsi for his team, but shooting from everywhere didn't allow them to score much, and giving up shots from close in surrendering goals. And it doesn't matter if your corsi is good if the other team scores more than you do. So tell me again why corsi is good. Certainly hasn't been when tired at any level. Maybe you should take up coaching this winter to learn for yourself. Now, let's go further. Yes, "possession" is important. If you have possession, you are most likely on offence, or at least the other team isn't. In baseball, you'd rather have your team at bat than on the field. In football, its better your QB is on the field rather than your LB's. Possession is not a new thing to hockey, much to the surprise of your ilk. No hockey coach in the world tells his team to give up the puck to their opponents. Every team would like to have possession of the puck, it's just that some of them aren't good enough to keep the puck. Bad passing, being out of position is a big cause of this. People who know hockey can see if a player is out of position (even being turned the wrong way can cause this), but your stats can't identify this. So generally speaking, good teams will be on offence more than on defence. So yes, Cup winning teams will have good corsi. They will also have a good PP%, PK%, GF, GA (ie +/-), SV%, etc. Again, your fake stats are meaningless. Instead of nerd stats, they should be called CNN stats

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

macreeves — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:54:38 -0000

my my you Zaitsev fans are a touchy bunch. I see Zaitsev as a below average
d man getting an over average pay check. He is in over his head and looks unhappy all the time he is on the ice.

Re: Maple Leafs’ Free Agent Targets

Drunk Canuck — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:53:25 -0000

How pathetic it is that ONE year of barely getting into the playoffs means so much to you. ONE YEAR!!! That's it. Just one. I guess that's enough for you, since you're a crippled handicap and won't live much longer. This is good enough for you. Congrats Corky.

I get a laugh at of how you think the Leafs' brass is any good. They just gave a 38 year old a $18.75million 3 year deal. Think about that. No one else in the league was willing to go anywhere close to that. But a career choker is now the Leafs' highest paid player. Don't worry though, you still have another $6million to pay Kessell to win Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh. Great management there Corky. Really on top of seeing the value in players. Get your excuses ready Corky, you're in for a long year. If you survive that long.

Re: Buffalo Sabres Top 4 Prospects 2017

Tyler Hayes — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 12:31:52 -0000

The title is misleading...the Sabres four best prospects are Mittelstadt, Nylander, Guhle and Asplund.

Also, Hudson Fasching is better than Bailey and Baptiste, and has a better chance to make the team than any of the four you listed...the fact he's not even mentioned is quite a joke.

Re: Buffalo Sabres Top 4 Prospects 2017

Matthew McNutt — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 11:23:05 -0000

While Guhle and Nylander are undoubtedly two of the best prospects in the system, I wonder if they will crack the line-up, other than maybe for an injury call-up and probably not until the second half of the season. Don't get me wrong, if Guhle and/or Nylander look completely ready to make the jump, sure. It just doesn't seem to be Botts' style...and I agree with him. A year in the AHL will do both of these players wonders.

If we are talking about prospects that are likely to crack a semi-full time spot, I'd say Bailey, Baptiste, Fasching (in no particular order) and then ... Smith? or Malone?

Re: Nail Yakupov’s Last Chance to Earn an NHL Career

Field Marshal — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:57:40 -0000

Right, because all evidence thus far has indicated that.

Re: Nail Yakupov’s Last Chance to Earn an NHL Career

Dameion hall — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:45:03 -0000

You don't know hockey, he will strive and be way better you watch.

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

Jebster — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 08:40:11 -0000

It's Chuck Fletcher, not Cliff.

Re: Penguins Fans: ‘You Throw Catfish. We Throw Parades.’

Boydie — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 07:22:38 -0000

So if 3 Cups in 6 years isn’t impressive, a feat that hasn’t been done since before you were born, what does?

Again, you made the claim you could come up with a better Team Canada, but refuse to follow through. You do know what the definition of internet troll is right? If you haven’t clued in that it’s you. Just repeating back what we’ve discovered you to be isn’t going to improve your situation.

Shocking you don’t know about Dallas Eakins. Your ilk got quiet about him pretty quick when he failed miserably. Just wondering though, how would you know what to coach or not coach? You have no experience behind a bench. I do like how you think an Assistant GM in the NHL was the one developing players in the AHL. You continue to amaze me not with how little you know, but how proud you are to show it to everyone

I will gladly admit I don’t understand or care to understand a stat that has no bearing on the sport that was invented by those who couldn’t watch a game and understand what it takes to win a hockey game. I think the same way as every successful person ever to be in the NHL. And since you cannot explain why this stat matters, I will assume you don’t understand it either. And since you are such a big believer in it, I will also assume you don’t understand hockey for that fact. That, along with you admitting you have never played the sport, not to mention you being too scared to follow through on your claim you could make a better Team Canada, makes you the last person on the planet who’s opinion means anything.

How many more L’s are you going to take before you throw in the towel?

Re: Montreal Canadiens Top 4 Prospects 2017

Chaz — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 05:26:24 -0000

Lindgren is much better than McNiven.

Re: Winnipeg Jets Top 4 Prospects 2017

Juha Kalliomäki — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 04:36:11 -0000

Agree with Garret. Although I get what the writer is going for here as I also remember how Chara was laughed at for years before he broke through. But calling Stanley the best defenseman among the Jets prospects is a bit too much. All the while there are also players like Niku, Samberg and Poolman to choose from.

Re: Philadelphia Flyers Top 4 Prospects 2017

Michael Clark — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 00:00:02 -0000

Great list, you're right the Flyers have some really good prospects and these four are the cream of the crop. The only guy I think could challenge would be Rubstov but I don't know who I would replace...

Re: Up Next for the Red Wings: Moving a Goalie

Harvey Rinke — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 23:07:43 -0000

Nobody wants to take on those two contracts. They will have to be traded for value for less than Wing fans think the two are worth.

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

Ritchie — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 21:45:07 -0000

Do U watch hockey at all , ever ? Do U know who the Toronto Maple Leafs R and what sport the NHL is? If not then shut the Puck Up!!!!!

Re: Winnipeg Jets Top 4 Prospects 2017

Rob Mahon — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 21:07:24 -0000

Woof. That takes the cake for lowest I've seen Stanley. Interestingly also the highest I've seen Samberg. I quite liked that pick but felt I had insufficient data on him to rank him just yet. Give him a year.

Re: San Jose Sharks Top 4 Prospects 2017

Spencer Fascetta — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:54:56 -0000

O'Regan is a Boston University Alum, not Boston College. Played with Jack Eichel is junior year.

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

On2Wheels — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:38:22 -0000

I was going to ask you if you've lost your body mind, but I see that there is no need to ask. You are fu**ing insane, to want to get rid of our 2nd best D man and the best right handed D man we have, who as a rookie played against the opposing teams best players and did pretty damn good and he will only get better. Also the team has him locked up at a team friendly contract. I just don't understand why it is so important for stupid people to have to show everyone how totally clueless they really are. Go and learn a bit about the game of hockey, ask someone to explain it to you before you decide to post again, or better yet just don't post. If an urge comes over you to post again fill a large bucket of water then stick your head in there until the urge goes away. Cheers....unbelievable!!!!

Re: Toronto Maple Leafs Top 4 Prospects 2017

WatchinTheLeafs — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 19:13:22 -0000

Lilijigren obviously aims high in emulating Lindstrom and Karlson and that's a good thing. Overall the depth is really coming along but it will pose a challenge in coming years as the Maple Leafs picks fall down the draft order. But that's okay if it means they become one of the elite teams. Consider just a few short years ago in the pipeline was there Biggs, Devane, and the Brolldozer. Depressing.

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

Jari Michael Ronka — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 18:55:58 -0000

Wow are you fucken retarded ? Why would the Leafs sign Zaitsev to a long term contract and then just sell him like a yard sale and see what you can get. Boy oh boy if you where in charge of the team you would be thrown out in 5 seconds.

Re: Rumor Rundown: Maple Leafs, Golden Knights, Wild Might Be Busy

Frank A. — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 18:17:07 -0000

Don't be ridiculous. Zaitsev was a revelation for Leafs last season. Why would we want to lose probably our 2nd best dman?

Re: Detroit Red Wings Top 4 Prospects 2017

Brett Slawson — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 17:09:52 -0000

Nice work here, Tony. Personally, I think Saarijarvi should be ranked much higher - even higher than Rasmussen. I had the pleasure of watching him with the Mississauga Steelheads on over 20 occasions this season, and I can definitively say he is an incredible talent. Although he could use some work defensively, his offensive abilities are off the charts and he is as consistent as they come. Safe to say the Red Wings found a gem with their third round pick in 2015...