Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Brian Boyle is one of my favorite players in the NHL :thumbsup. Would love for the Avs to get him.

"would love for the Avs to get him" :lol - sometimes I say crazy things

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Watch out! Here come the Avs!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

You never really know with the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams can get hot or go cold so quickly it can change the momentum of the series. I know what you mean though - I often wonder whether I would rather play a team in the first round that was a de facto pushover or the team with a better record just to get them out of the way. We have all seen strange things happen in the playoffs, injuries, guys getting hot, guts who can't score to save their lives despite being great players, etc, etc. Tough call, sort of a damned if you do damned if you don't scenario.

2015, the year the Rangers lost game 7 of the ECF to Tampa (when the Hawks went on to win the cup) was probably the closest we have seen to that possible matchup.

That would be a great series showcasing some very skilled players. Love to grab Sharp but the cap or an absurd asking price from Dallas could both throw a wrench into that idea. Honestly, to this day I believe had Keith not been suspended for that first game against St. Louis in round 1 they win that game then the complexity of the series changes and the Hawks probably win that one in 6 games - then I also fully believe they'd have blown past Dallas and won a tight 6 or 7 game series against San Jose which would have given us a CHI/PIT SCF and that is a series I would not have bet a dime on - I think even Penguins fans would have been wary and unwilling to bet on an outcome.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Still trailing the Patriots in total wins this season...

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

The biggest wrench in the Hawks plans is the cap, but not because Sharp can't fit. Today they can absorb a yearly cap hit equivalent of $3.3 million at the deadline. That's without a demotion or two that could open up more space. The problem is cap overages. Last year they had next to NO space at the end of the season, which resulted in things like Panarin's bonus carrying over to this season's cap. With Artemi's new contract kicking in, I bet they want to absorb as much bonus payout as they can in this year's cap. So acquiring someone like Sharp would keep them from doing that.

To your second point - what's most amazing about the Hawks is that they really could easily have 4 or 5 Cups. That OT game against the Kings? If the puck doesn't weirdly go off Leddy's sweater and he actually blocks that shot, Hawks would have likely done the same thing to the Rags the Kings did. And yeah, I think Keith's suspension really hurt, but if Seabrook's shot didn't ring off BOTH posts there at the end of the 3rd...who knows what happens in OT? They were a couple really simple bad breaks away from really having a shot at both those. The only years I really think the Hawks just didn't have it were 2010-11 and 2011-12. Those teams were just not good.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Completely agree on the cap issue, my point was that if Dallas asked for one of our young guys (Hartman, Kero, Hinestrosa, Abbot, etc, etc) in return for a rental it is a dumb deal. Regarding Panarin, I believe you are correct and the Hawks are probably hoping the same as well - though I am damn happy he is signed for a while longer!

Yeah, the 2010-2011 and 2011-1012 teams were not that great because they essentially had get rid of some key guys from the 2009-2010 team - namely Ladd and Byfuglien for starters but I credit the front office for doing it smart and keeping that core group (Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharpe, Seabrook, Keith and Hjarlmasson) together so they could rely on new talent coming in like say Saad, Shaw, TVR and others who have come - and in some cases gone.

I agree, I don't even want to think about that fucking Kings game, it is like recalling Mariano Rivera throwing the ball into center field during the 9th inning of game 7 against the Diamondbacks - AKA it sucks. They would have beaten the Rangers that year just as I am sure they would have made the SCF (not claiming they'd have beat PIT but it would have been a great series) last year!

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Flyers fans are idiots. Are they really trying a 'Holt-by' chant when he's only given up 1 goal?!?!?


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Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Oh, and the only goal he allowed was a deflection...dipshits


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Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I would definitely argue that 2014 was. Rangers made the finals and the Hawks lost to the Kings in a game 7 OT. It was one goal away from happening :lol

In 2015, the Rangers lost 2-0 in game 7.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

It won't be those guys. If anyone, it's Ville Pokka.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Fantastic story about the Punjabi broadcaster who did the "Bonino Bonino Bonino!" goal call in last year's playoffs:

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/har...chapared-shot/

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Ovechkin's set up to Oshie's goal in the third was nice. Dude really is a special player.

But...

Welcome to Hockey Fan 101, where this happens at any game, anywhere. Even a dipshit could figure that out.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Pens defense just taking hits so they get Ron Hainsey. You want Brendan Smith too?

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Fucking A. I didn't even know about Daley's knee surgery. I've been out of the loop. I also know nothing about Hainsey

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I didn't know he was still playing. I remember he used to play for the Thrashers.

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I mean, he's old. He's gotta be, what, 36 now? Like Tim said, he was on the Thrashers. And the Jackets back in the day. Been around the block. Probably been in the league 14-15 years or so.

Steep price for him, but defensemen are expensive at the deadline. At this point, he's probably a 6th defenseman, MAYBE 5th with Daley/Schultz out. But he'll likely spend time in the press box when those two come back.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Oh yeah the Jackets too. Poor bastard was on two of the worst expansion teams. The price is what makes me feel ok about the Wings unloading Smith. He's nothing special either but teams want depth on the blue line and Smith can add that.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Dammit Pittsburgh, I wanted Hainsey for the Avs!

You guys will like him for the role he plays. Bottom pair at this point in his career, but will provide solid, reliable minutes there. He's cool as a cucumber in his own zone and is always in position. Will not provide any flash or dash, but that's generally not what you're looking for in a 5/6. Also, a great penalty killer.

Good acquisition by the Pens as they gear up for the playoffs. :thumbsup

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Yeah, I mean, he's your classic steady older bottom pair defenseman. Don't expect him to light up the score sheet, but he'll generally be in the right place and make the right passes. He's not Duncan Keith making 100 foot passes through the neutral zone to create a 3-on-2, or Shea Weber unloading a slap shot, but he'll be steady. He can hit occasionally too.

He's like a 2003 Honda Civic. He won't get you laid, but he's reliable and will do the job you need him to.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Pens are fucked

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It's really incredible how this organization can never stay healthy.

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Aw, I'm so sorry your Stanley Cup Championship team has a few bumps.

#notbitteroranything

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this year is almost at the point of being a wash TBH

the grind of playing 106 games last year is catching up with them. if they were smart, they would rest the big 4 down the stretch to freshen up. and even that might not help.

Maata, Daley, Schultz (should be back soon), Rust, Sheary

that's 5 huge injuries and Hainsey does nothing for me, especially for a 2nd round pick. if he's on the ice for significant minutes in the playoffs, the Pens are toast.

we'll see if GMJR makes another move

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

my life is hard dude

the struggle is real

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I think he will for sure. I'm thinking they bring in a 4th line winger

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:thumbsup :lol

I mean really guys..you have been in the hunt every year and won the damn Cup twice in the last 10 years. I'll be over here playing the worlds smallest violin for you all. :rolleyes

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

He will be the type whose praises you'll sing if the injuries start to pile up in the playoffs.

2nd rounder is steep, but a good contributing depth player. It is apparent the Pens have drafted very well, and perhaps that's what made the pick expendable in the eyes of Rutherford.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

I've been told this year's draft class is a bit on the weak side, so perhaps the 2nd Rounder this year is not as steep as it would be in other years.

Hainsey adds to the depth. It seems to be a move that needed to be made given the current injury situation.

For all the Pens' success, which I will never ever complain about, the injury bug does seem to hit them hard.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

It definitely is. I'm hoping the Avs are able to move the 1st overall as part of a package for a really big name D-man.

Re: The NHL Thread (lolcaps)
 

Schultz is practicing today in a regular jersey.

Take it easy, Pens fans. What are you? Hawks fans? Step off the ledge. You're fine.