Explain Arizona for years.......
- powerenforcer

The team in Arizona was kept there for one big reason, a TV Network deal. If there wasn't a team in all regions in the U.S the NHL were never going to secure a Network TV deal.

I've read this on the board lately - it's the players that suck, they were bad under Q and JC, etc.

I tend to agree, but then we have the Islanders. Last year they were worst in the league in goals against - 3.57. This year? Best in the league in goals against - 2.31. Same defensemen. Mostly the same forwards. What happened? Barry Trotz.
- mohel

Better goaltending helps a lot. They probably have more talent on the blue line and a more well-rounded bottom six.

Trotz also plays more of a zone and his teams typically jam the neutral zone and defensively sit in a nice tight box and make the other team take bad shots.

Who was talking about yesterday? I'm using the Islanders as a hopeful example that change is possible quickly. If you wanna just see doom, have at it.
- mohel

Lehner and Greiss are both top 5 in save% which is helpful. Can't discount how much agood goalie helps.

Explain Arizona for years.......
- powerenforcer

TV in the Southwest.

I’ve never seen the building - but I would guess that it does maximize whatever revenue exists for ice hockey in a desert.

TV in the Southwest.

I’ve never seen the building - but I would guess that it does maximize whatever revenue exists for ice hockey in a desert.
- StLBravesFan

Building itself is all right as is the area around it. Only problem is it's on the wrong side of the valley. They'd do much better if they were near Scottsdale.

Lehner and Greiss are both top 5 in save% which is helpful. Can't discount how much agood goalie helps.
- fattybeef

This is a chicken and egg argument- I'm reasonably sure if you plugged Lehner and Greiss behind this defensive poop show their numbers would suffer.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=98119

Lehner and Greiss are both top 5 in save% which is helpful. Can't discount how much agood goalie helps.
- fattybeef

Chicken or egg?

Crow and Quick (89% for him) with bad save %. Are they suddenly bad goalies? Or do sound defensive teams help goalies?

Islanders goalies are not getting a barrage of shots this year. Chicken or egg?