Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Aero = Bob Mckenzie???? :eek:eek

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Dude, I had Vapor gloves for a while too!

And shoulder pads back in high school. :lol

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Eh, yeah, but I like the message it sends to the kids that they're ready to win. Plus, getting someone like that in the locker room for a playoff run usually pays dividends down the line for a team that young. Boyle's been around the block and can show those kids the ropes in the playoffs.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Definitely a lot for Burrows. Ottawa always feels like that team that's close, but you just end up feeling bad for them. If they were a How I Met Your Mother episode, it would be "Awww...honey."

:lol Of course you did. They were great gloves!

But I couldn't pass up an opportunity for free top-of-the-line barely worn gloves. Even if they have "DARTH" stitched in the thumb.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol Dude, I get it. As a young hockey player without loads of money to throw around, you take new gear however you can get it.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, outside of my stick (a Christian) my major equipment (skates/gloves) are both Graf and I love them!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Whoa... now that's vintage.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I just broke my CCM RBZ stick the other day too :mad

Equipment is so stupid expensive.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol I don't think this has ever been more appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBQEji4_SIg

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

How do you like those? I try not to spend too much on sticks, and I know those are kind of middle of the road price-wise. I don't like much flex, so durability is key for me. With all the chopping you know I do.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, it is but way back when Easton was making aluminum sticks the Christian version was far lower in cost and now I am used to it and I always use a toe hook (illegal I know) for the blade!

Graf sort of vintage these days too, skates I got new but the gloves I got used on the cheap.

Rest of my gear is CCM.

Basically I have no issues with any of my gear, I am just so used to it all after using it for literally nearly 2 decades! :)

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Seriously, why?

"Budaj, 34, appeared in 53 games this season with the Kings, posting a 27-20-3 record with a 2.12 goals-against average (third in the NHL), a .917 save percentage and seven shutouts (tied for the league-lead)."

"Bishop, 30 (born Nov. 21, 1986), has played in 32 games with the Lightning this year, posting a 16-12-3 record, a 2.55 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and one shutout."

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Only thing that makes sense is flipping Bishop. But, to who? Dallas? Avs? Maybe?

gah

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

You really want one of their goalies as a backup for Quick, they are both subpar and it is not like there is an abundance or good goalies that you could obtain by flipping Bishop since he is a free agent at years end! :)

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Then what's the point of giving away our backup goalie who has better stats than Bishop?

There's something more to this. Package of Bishop & Gaborik.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Love it. I have (had) two of these:

https://www.totalhockey.com/product/.../itm/10246-41/

Someone broke mine by slashing down on my stick and it just snapped in half. I was pretty pissed.

BUT, to answer your question, I love them. I really thought it was a lot of marketing mumbo-jumbo, but the puck really does just explode off the blade. It has a great kick-point too. I love the variable kick point stuff, as when I had a Vapor with a low-kick, I was just launching slap shots into the netting. It has a great feel in the blade too. I'll likely stick with these for a while.

I was lucky though and caught mine on clearance for like $100/ea. They were normally $250/ea, I think.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Cool, good to know. Great to hear about the kick point. That's good stuff for me right now. Playing a bit more of a mobile role where sometimes I'm sending them from the blueline, and where I'm dropping a little lower into the slot and wristing a few. You know how it is... all depends on the situation.

I think I saw some at our local shop for $120. May have been an older model, which I'm fine with as long as it's not to the point of brittle. No need for the latest and greatest when I'm just playing once-a-week beer league.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I'm right there with you. Been trying to get more offensively involved lately, which is usually just resulting in me being way out of position, dropping my head, whispering "fuck" to myself and skating hard back to catch-up with a developing 2-on-1 the other way.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

To be fair, I don't think the stats tell the entire story. Overall Ben Bishop is good enough to be a #1 in the NHL and is probably better than what you traded away. Tampa has really had a surprisingly shit year and the play in front of BB was not great this season.

Just my thoughts.

Now will LA please trade Brown to the Rangers for a conditional pick so we can win the Cup and you can just be a Rangers fan again!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

So, I guess they don't have confidence in Quick finishing out the season, otherwise a #1 goalie is backing up at #1 goalie. Seems odd.

Unless they are going to move Quick. :lol

And yes to your last part!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

To add to my above post. The trade doesn't make sense because Budaj is more than enough to be a back up. And Quicks return game on Saturday he looked great. So thats why I can only think that Lombardi is going to try and flip Bishop with Gaborik as there have been reports they are trying to trade Gaborik.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

No clue, perhaps that is why I am not a GM. Who knows what he has up his sleeve. I see no real benefit to the trade unless they plan on moving Bishop and already have something set up to an extend to swap Bishop and maybe someone else for a solid backup.

Yeah, aint that always the way - we fall in love with a certain type of stick and they break. For years I used a Koho fiberglass (some ugly purple thing but light as a feather) that was similar to an old Titan Turbo gold and I probably ended up buying 5 new ones a season. Loved that stick, wish I still had one. They discontinued it so I switched to the Christian after trying a few other similar ones I hated. Sucks that Koho was bought out by Reebok, the quality has gone down - I have tried some of the Adidas composite sticks (back when they actually made them before returning entirely to wooden stcks) and they are nowhere in the same ballpark as my trusty old Koho!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Wow, that hooking call against LA was a really soft call. Ref should have kept the whistle in his pocket on that one.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Rumor of Shats going to the Caps. If that happens...wow.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

looks like it's a done deal, but we don't know what's coming back.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

C'mon Caps, do it for Sharts

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

From Lebrun: Shattenkirk trade has other details but main parts I believe: 1st RD pick in 2017, 2nd RD pick in 2018 and Zach Ranford going to St. Louis

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Definitely a rental price for sure. I heard somewhere he wants to sign with the Rangers in the summer.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, curious they are loading up like this. Maybe they took him to deny him to another team, guess we will know more soon about this rumor and who St. Louis gets in return if this is all true!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Shattenkirk to the caps. That's a good move for them, it's about time to go all in.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Carlson, Alzner, Niskanen, Orlov, Shattenkirk, Orpik

That might be the best top 6 I've seen. At least on paper. Not kidding.

Capitals know their window has never been more open than it is right now. All in.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:freak:freak:freak:freak:freak

Shatty gives them another top 4 defenseman who plays at least 20 minutes a night. Why wouldn't they load up?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Dayum caps

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I mean, any guy on that top 6, with the exception of maybe Orpik at this stage in his career, has the skill set to play on the top pair. Crazy.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Holy shit. Blues got robbed.

Arizona got more for Hanzal, didn't they?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol

CAPS GUY 1: "We're a regular season juggernaut that struggles to reach the Cup. What should we do?"
CAPS GUY 2: "Get guys from the Blues."

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Flyers do it all the time :death

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

A little tough to compare apples to apples.

Arizona got a 1st, 2nd, and conditional 2nd. BUT going back to Minny was also another roster player (White) and a 4th.

STL also gets a 1st and 2nd, but then a prospect who is supposed to be decent. STL also retaining 50% of salary. Sharts was the only piece going to Washington.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Still feels like Sharts should have commanded more than that. Especially for retaining that much salary.

Defensemen usually have a higher value at the deadline, too. Just crazy.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Damnit, HL, can the Kings do ANYTHING right?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

They had one job, just beat the Wild in regulation.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Wow, Granlund just absolutely embarrassed Kopitar, Doughty and Quick all in one play.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Agreed, motherfucking Minnesota! God dammit. Lucky pricks.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

One of them should have taken him down and gone to the penalty box for a 4 on 3.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Keith, Seabrook, Hjarlmasson, TVR, Campbell and Kempney or Rozsival would give then a run for their money!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, I'd take the Hawks top-end blue line talent over the Caps for sure (Keith, Seabs, Hjalmarsson), but they're probably more well rounded 1 through 6. TvR is probably the Hawks 4th best at this point, and he's prone to a lot of boneheaded mistakes (see: goal last night). Campbell is starting to show age, and we know what Rozsival is.

Thing is, come playoff time, it's top-end talent that wins you the Cup. Keith will be eating 30+ minutes per game, Seabs and Hjalmarsson will be 25+ each, etc.

I really love Nashville's blue line, too.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Keith, Seabrook, and Hjalmarsson, yeah. But after that, disagree. Even taking off the Caps top three guys to even it up, I'd still take Orlov, Niskanen, and Orpik over TVR, Campbell, Kempney or Rozsival
this. I would take Keith over any Caps blue liner any day. Hammer and Seabs in some cases too. But like you said, There's top end talent 1-6 on washington's back end. Sure, they may not have the Cup experience that CHI does, and not discounting that value. But hey, there was a time when they didn't have that either. These guys have the depth and talent. They're green, but they just set themselves up to have their best shot at the Cup yet, IMO.

Again, deepest blue line in the NHL on paper

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Well I'll be god damned

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

What exactly is curious about it?

Caps window is wide open. It'll dramatically shut on July 1. Shattenkirk is best player available ahead of deadline. Load up, go for Cup. Nothing curious about that at all.

Good for BMac. Dude's a fucking stud.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I just can't get over this one. I wasn't a proponent of a big trade but this is different. That's a trade you don't say no to.

He got fucking Shattenkirk. Unreal. His tenure as GM has been nothing short of brilliant.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Two closest things I can compare it to is Detroit in 99 (a little different since they were trying for 3 but..) Holland said I dunno how long this window will be open so lets do it and got Chelios, Ulf Samuelsson, Wendal Clark and Bill Ranford at the deadline and the other and maybe closer comparison is Avs in 2001. Already had a stud team, got Bourque the year before and then went out and got Rob Blake. Shats is no Rob Blake but it's the stacking up and going for it. Probably one of the last places I saw him going but makes sense because they are a team that needs to go all in when they get the shot.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

If Brendan Smith is re-signed I will flip my shit. Is he better than some of the guys they have or might have? Sure. But does he make them that much better? Like does he make them a playoff team next year with him and not one without him? No. So why waste the money?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Good thing MacLellan listened to the smart people in this thread (me), made a move, and got Shattenkirk for a good price

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

SHATTY!!!!!!!

Honestly thought that the Caps would bring in a top 6 forward but this is better.

Also wouldn't rule out Caps still bringing in a top 6 forward by tomorrow

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Really happy about the trade. Rangers should not have been in the Shartinkirk sweepstakes and now it will be even more entertaining when the Caps don't win the Cup!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

What?? Rangers need a puck moving Dman more than the Caps did

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I think the Rangers will definitely go for Sharts, but will do it in the offseason when they don't have to give up anything for him (besides dollarz).

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

#1: This is not any sort of justification. The Caps had never had any issues getting out of the 1st round generally speaking. So not sure why you would think that would be justification.

#2: Play the Rags tonight, it's just another regular season game but would be great to blow them out of the water for once. Caps are the better team just need to prove it

#3: Why am i even responding to your stupidity right now

#4: This team is the deepest they've ever been. All 4 lines are solid. Team is finally the most well rounded then they have ever been. Leadership is there. They are also more deep on the center than they ever been, backstroke/kuzy/eller/beagle is pretty good as long as Kuzy doesn't have his head up his ass. If you don't see any differences in this team than years past then I don't know what to tell you

#5: Would like a top 6 forward to put on the second line while AB65 deals with his hand issues. And even when he comes back what says he'll be 100%? Also Shattenkirk

#6: Claude Giroux is fucking awful and a shit captain

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah. You take your chance in the offseason. Caps gave up a lot for a rental so I would assume the cost for a sign and trade was probably more so you just wait until July 1.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

For the semi-steal the Caps got Shattenkirk, its surprising the Rangers didn't make the same move. Unless they think with such a stacked Metro they don't see themselves making a deep run this year?? while saving up for the years to come

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I never like to agree with you, but the bold is spot on. Caps are scary good this year. On top of all that, there's the world-class Vezina candidate Holtby in net.

Provided that both teams take care of their business in Round 1, which is likely, Round 2 is shaping up to be another Pens-Caps slugfest.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Kuznetsov and AB65 are both RFA's. Much easier to deal with. But this year is probably when they lock up Kuznetsov long term. Vrana can replace AB65 easily. Really hope Vrana doesn't have to replace Oshie.

Honestly the Caps really need Orpik to go to Vegas.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, it's scary saying this...but Brohan was spot on there for #4.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

If I'm Vegas, I'm not taking Orpik.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah. Like I said earlier, the window has never been more open for the Caps even before they got Shattenkirk. Good on McLellan for recognizing that and making an additional move that could put them over the top.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

if the caps don't win this year, they're never going to win a cup with Ovi.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Rangers went down this road already and it didn't work with Yadel. We can't keep trading prospects for "our chance." We have done it every season for 4 years. I like my Rangers team and think if we wind up in the Atlantic we could easily make the Eastern Finals again. That said, I would rather wait for summer to fix areas that need improvement. We got younger and faster this year and I believe it opened our window for another few years.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I agree with this to be honest. Sadly, I still like the Penguins to get back to ECF at least.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Well, this is the single most confusing trade of all time.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah were they like "lets fuck with the media and see how crazy we can do this."?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

:lol

Really, I mean, this is Washington protecting themselves, I guess? The more I think about this trade, 1) the more my brain hurts, and 2) the more I think the Blues got hosed.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah I have no idea about the prospects and a 1st is good but they get bounced early they lose the 2nd rounder and I bet they trade his rights between the draft and July 1 so they probably get a 5th or 6th. Better than the Blues only getting a pick for his rights in June I guess. If they get all of the things it's alright but that's a lot of if's especially in a tough Metro.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Glad it's spring break at UM so I can spend a lot more time obsessively checking twitter about Wings trades.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

the Caps have no excuses now

pressure is on

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Pressure has always been on them the last few years. I always go back to...it's the NHL. Anything can happen in a 7 game series. 2003 the Ducks went to game 7 of the Finals and Dallas, St Louis, Detroit, Avs were all gone early and they were all pretty stacked. Same goes 2004 when the Flames went. Wings 2009 team was stacked too. Granted they got to the Finals and had a couple injuries in the Finals but still didn't win it.

If this was the NBA they'd be in the Finals guaranteed.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

this is a different type of pressure now though

they got arguably the best available D-man at the deadline and the Ovie window is closing fast

they've been able to use coaching, goaltending, and blueline as excuses in the past (although unjustified)

it's now or never IMO for the Caps

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I think the pressure is to win now. Look at their roster; Williams Oshie and Alzner are unrestricted free agents after this season while Burakovsky and Kuznetsov are restricted free agents plus my guess is Shattenkirk signs with the Rangers after this year. Ovie, Backstrom and Holtby are not getting any younger either plus they are likely to lose someone to Vegas so I think there is a sense of urgency in Washington too finally climb this mountain.

Yeah, if it was the NBA we could probably just drown them and not bother with the playoffs but strange things happen in the NHL so you never know. What happens if Holtby somehow falters in a crucial game 7, what if he gets injured - is Grubauer capable of winning big games for them?

Damn that is a great roster to look at, so much power and scoring there. I think Trotz's main problem from here until round 1 is going to be getting all his solid blue liners ice time. I think they have all but sealed up the metro with that addition and they are going to be one damn fun team to watch light it up for a few months, maybe this is there year.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I don't understand why everyone thinks this tear's Caps team is so clearly better than last year's.

But yeah they should probably get it done this year.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

There's no way anyone could've predicted a trade like this. Of course anyone would've done it. When I said I wasn't a fan if bringing someone in a) I was mostly referring to a forward and b) I had no clue the Blues were planning to give Shattenkirk away

I don't agree, Caps got him for a steal

They won't

It will surely become much more difficult after this season.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I agree with both of you - I would certainly take Keith, Seabrook of Hjarmalsson over anyone on the Caps - TVR is still maturing but is generally solid, my fear is that Vegas is going to snatch him up PDQ. Yeah, Campbell is getting old but he is still steady, Kempny is still growing as a player, Rozsival is on the downside I think - thing is all of them except Kempny are tested in Cup finals and have proven their mettle and I think when the Hawks sever ties with Rozsival Gustav Forsling will be taking his place and he is only going to get better. On paper the Caps look more steady for sure but on the ice experience counts for a lot and the Hawks have that in abundance in their blue liners so I guess we will see what gives in the playoffs - a Caps/Hawks final would be a great series.

On another note anyone catch Kucherov's natural hat trick last night - damn that was gorgeous to watch. At first I thought they were replaying the same damn shot three times until I saw the hats come on to the ice. That was on helluva performance!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Eric Fehr was just put on waivers. I've also read that the Pens are taking a look at D-man Justin Falk. Something appears to be in the works. Hmmm...

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

this is weird that all the Pens rumors are coming out of Raleigh

i know GMJR is familiar with that organization, to say the least, but Faulk?!?!

he's young, which is nice, but his salary is almost $6 million...no way that works unless they trade Fleury (unlikely) or Carolina picks up his salary.

seems like a stretch to me. i know very little about him, though.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Oh I agree the pressure might be a little more but my expectations of this team are no different than it was a year ago so that's why I don't think it's that big of a deal. They could easily lose in round 2 and that's nothing against them it's just the way it is.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, the only way it makes any sense is if they trade Fleury.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

That would have been a lot for the Rangers to give up just for a rental which I don't think they wanted is my point.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Brendan Smith on his way to the Rangers for a 2nd and 3rd in this year's draft. Thank you Ken Holland. Vanek, you're on deck.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

it's not so much that they are way better, it's that the window is 1 year closer to closed and they made a splash deadline deal. that builds the pressure IMO.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Fehr on waivers is a weird move to me too, though.

something is happening...

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Who did the Caps lose in the offseason? Besides Jason Chimera? And now they added Sharts?

I'm guessing that's why.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Chatting with my coworker, he said that they likely tried to trade him but got no takers. They seem to be making room for someone. We shall see.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Guess not a #2 this year for NYR so...next year? Curious to see what the deal is when official.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

yea for sure

i wonder if Fehr will clear waivers

would be nice to bring him back as a depth forward

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

This year's deadline has 0 consistency. This shit cray.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Blackhawks sign Rozsival and Tootoo to one-year extensions.

Clearly expansion draft related.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

What can you tell me about Smith?

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

So happy to get two picks for him. Sure they might end up failing, you never know, but that is more valuable than Smith. If this team was on a cusp of a Cup then fine but clearly they are not.

Looks like 2nd rounder is in next year's draft but i'm ok with that.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

He's not Sharts.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Best comment I've seen - "Detroit just got some great players they can put on waivers in a few years."

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I will say though that he certainly adds depth for you guys. I mean, the Rags need blue line help. He'll slot in fine, especially when Girardi comes back. Besides Sharts, he was probably the best defenseman available. Maybe you go after Johnny Oduya too? Or Kyle Quincey? Or Cody Franson? Idk. But he helps.

Just be ready to get occasionally REALLY frustrated at dumb turnovers.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Eh we'll see what happens. Can't get better sitting still.
Yeah this. Days where he really brings it (game 3 against Tampa last year) and then days where he just...doesn't.