it was Lindens fault.
- manvanfan

Didn't the Sens come crawling to the NHL asking for help finding a new Prez? Who did they recommend? Linden, that's who.

The man is a god amongst mortals.

Oh stop. I think plans have changed a few times since day one. Hence the vacuum in Presidency.
- bloatedmosquito

This.

first round nhl playoffs is my favourite sports of the year!

the best teams are usually fresh so the games are the best overall quality.

the stanley cup champions are deserving b/c they run through the 4 round gauntlet but it's the first round that produces the best quality hockey viewing!

best sports season starts now!
- RealityChecker

Spot on!

Spot on!
- Marwood

Unless you get a final like Boston/Vancouver, which must have been pretty damn entertaining for an outsider, the entertainment value drops pretty significantly each round.

first round nhl playoffs is my favourite sports of the year!

the best teams are usually fresh so the games are the best overall quality.

the stanley cup champions are deserving b/c they run through the 4 round gauntlet but it's the first round that produces the best quality hockey viewing!

best sports season starts now!
- RealityChecker

This.

From a pure hockey entertainment standpoint, I enjoy the first 2 rounds more so than the last 2.

Especially since the new format usually produces some decent rivalry matchups in the first 2 rounds. I know a lot of people hate the format, but that's one part of it that I really like.

This.

From a pure hockey entertainment standpoint, I enjoy the first 2 rounds more so than the last 2.

Especially since the new format usually produces some decent rivalry matchups in the first 2 rounds. I know a lot of people hate the format, but that's one part of it that I really like.
- Nucker101

It’s a strong argument for the new format, that and the rivalries that should develop over the years.

Unless you get a final like Boston/Vancouver, which must have been pretty damn entertaining for an outsider, the entertainment value drops pretty significantly each round.
- CubanBuffet

Yup, it's not often that the final matches the entertainment value of the first 2 rounds.

https://www.nhl.com/news/...c-306630982?tid=277764372

Boldy

https://www.nhl.com/news/2019-nhl-mock-draft-after-lottery-results/c-306630982?tid=277764372

Boldy
- neem55

So many options potentially available at #10
Boldy
Dach
Krebs
Turcotte
Broberg
Soderstrom

Will be interesting to see how 3-9 play out.

This.

From a pure hockey entertainment standpoint, I enjoy the first 2 rounds more so than the last 2.

Especially since the new format usually produces some decent rivalry matchups in the first 2 rounds. I know a lot of people hate the format, but that's one part of it that I really like.
- Nucker101

I think the format is fine honestly, I'd rather not have to wait through a month of boring one sided hockey with the occasional upset when we can get solid competition through the full 4 rounds, most prominently when all 16 teams are still in

I don’t usually post, just read the blog and the comments, cause some of them are damn funny and some good takes on the issues. So here goes, sorry it’s a long one.
West First Round
Calgary over Colorado – in general I think the Calgary team is just too good for Colorado to overcome. However it wasn’t an easy choice because of Calgary’s perceived goaltending weakness.
Vegas of San Jose – EK isn’t enough to overcome substandard goaltending from Jones. Fleury carries the day for Vegas and they move on.
Nashville over Dallas – too much depth all round from goaltending to defensemen to forwards, except for Dallas’s top line, for Dallas to win.
St. Louis over Winnipeg – for some reason Winnipeg is playing like crap and only Tampa Bay played better than St. Louis in the 2nd half.
East First Round
Tamp Bay over Columbus – I don’t think this pick needs an explanation.
Boston over Toronto – This was a tough one, it could go either way, but it doesn’t look like the Leafs have learned how to play D well enough yet to get past Boston.
Washington over Carolina – too much overall depth for the Hurricanes to overcome in what has to be a surprise season for them.
Pittsburgh over New York Islanders – I hate to rain on the Islanders very good season, but Crosby, Malkin, Letang et al aren’t getting any younger and have to realize this may be their last chance. Now if Murray goes down, then all bets are off.

West Second Round
Vegas over Calgary – goaltending is the deciding issue here.
St. Louis over Nashville – St. Louis has had the Pred’s number all year and for some reason just match up well against them.
East Second Round
Tampa Bay over Boston – just too much depth for Tampa Bay. But if their goalie gets injured it is a big drop off from Vasilevskiy to Dominque/Pasquale.
Pittsburgh over Washington – tough choice on this. Must have changed my pick a dozen times. Might still have to change it, LOL.

West Conference Final - Vegas over St. Louis – or St. Louis over Vegas, does St. Louis have the speed to compete with Vegas? Do they have the goaltending? Do they have the scoring? “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch a tiger by the toe…” Okay gut feel, St. Louis over Vegas. Not logical per say, but what a great second half.
East Conference Final - Tampa Bay over Pittsburgh – once again, Tampa has too much team for Pittsburgh.

Stanley Cup Final – Tampa over St. Louis…or Vegas, nope sticking with St. Louis. Once again too much overall talent for Tampa not to win. And I would suspect anything less than a cup would be considered a failure for them.
Okay release the hounds of hell with all the criticism.

Enjoy the games tonight, the first round usually rocks.

Didn't the Sens come crawling to the NHL asking for help finding a new Prez? Who did they recommend? Linden, that's who.

The man is a god amongst mortals.
- bloatedmosquito

Trevor Linden = the Stu Jackson of The NHL

So many options potentially available at #10
Boldy
Dach
Krebs
Turcotte
Broberg
Soderstrom

Will be interesting to see how 3-9 play out.
- dbot

Dach and Krebs are rated 2 and 3 by central scouting, safe to say that they are not going to be available. The other 4 are each valid options. I like Soderstrom, every once in a while a feistier than usual Swede comes along with the same traditional solid two-way game and I tend to really like those players (Silferburg, Landeskog, Kronwall) and it sounds like he's got that edge. Oh, and he's got a pretty solid right handed clapper too.

Dach and Krebs are rated 2 and 3 by central scouting, safe to say that they are not going to be available. The other 4 are each valid options. I like Soderstrom, every once in a while a feistier than usual Swede comes along with the same traditional solid two-way game and I tend to really like those players (Silferburg, Landeskog, Kronwall) and it sounds like he's got that edge. Oh, and he's got a pretty solid right handed clapper too.
- neem55

Lucas Raymond 2020 draft

Lucas Raymond 2020 draft
- Nighthawk

ya I think he'll be a top5 pick, very talented RW.

Pierre Mcguire... How is he the guy in the playoffs. What in the actual (frank).

Rick Dhaliwal said he is hearing a lot of talk about trading Demko or Markstrom this summer .

Rick Dhaliwal said he is hearing a lot of talk about trading Demko or Markstrom this summer .
- VANTEL

Selling high on Markstrom would be interesting.
Demko ain't ready for f/t duty, but a vet or 2 could be had.

Trading Demko now would be weird timing imo.
I don't think you could get too much for him on his own.
I guess if you packaged him, he'd be a nice piece.

Can we move up and trade with NJD?

OJ, Demko, Goldobin and JV and 10th OA for Hughes Two's.

I'm starting to think that Soylent Green is a good idea.

Rick Dhaliwal said he is hearing a lot of talk about trading Demko or Markstrom this summer .
- VANTEL

Rumour monger.

I'm starting to think that Soylent Green is a good idea.
- A_SteamingLombardi

Its made out of people.

Rick Dhaliwal said he is hearing a lot of talk about trading Demko or Markstrom this summer .
- VANTEL

Markstrom I could get on board with selling high on

Selling high on Markstrom would be interesting.
Demko ain't ready for f/t duty, but a vet or 2 could be had.

Trading Demko now would be weird timing imo.
I don't think you could get too much for him on his own.
I guess if you packaged him, he'd be a nice piece.

Can we move up and trade with NJD?

OJ, Demko, Goldobin and JV and 10th OA for Hughes Two's.
- dbot

A lot of vets would jump at a shot to play a larger role/shot to be a starter too. Wonder who would bite on Marky though...

A lot of vets would jump at a shot to play a larger role/shot to be a starter too. Wonder who would bite on Marky though...
- neem55

Whoever loses in the Bob sweeps

Markstrom I could get on board with selling high on
- Nucker101

Robin Lehner is a UFA
28 years old.
46 GP, 25 Wins
2.13 GAA
0.93 SV%
$1,500,000 last year with NYI.

i'd be into running Lehner with Demko next year.