Eklund: Best Opening Round Ever? Onto Round Two and The Rumor Chart. Buzz@3

This first round was INSANE.

Questions for the Summer? Who will be the big "winner" in free agency? Will the Flyers make a big move, a bunch of small moves, or will they simply start shedding the team that Hextall assembled?

What is going to happen in Toronto? Edmonton?

What can the Jets do next?

How does Vegas react to being eliminated?

Yeah, the story lines are there for sure. Being a Flyers fan, there seem to be more than usual, but wow...league wide, stories for sure.

Trotz in 6!

https://twitter.com/Caugh...tatus/1121378499678359554

Who won the t-shirt?

Eklund: Best Opening Round Ever? Onto Round Two and The Rumor Chart. Buzz@3
- Eklund

Which team are the Leafs trading Nylander to?

If the Sharks go on to win the Cup, will it be tainted like the 98/99 Dallas Stars Cup win?

Does Ken Holland look like a fool for choosing Jimmy Howard over Petr Mrazek?

Will Vegas GM George McPhee sign Erik Karlsson when he's a UFA?

These playoffs are crazy, the games have been good and you never know what is going to happen any given minute.

But what does it say about the league if anything that all the division winners were knocked out by wild card teams?

I am fine with some of these lower skilled teams with lower seeds pulling out all kinds of defensive traps, lane blocking and countering attacking as that is strategic to hockey and the players are laying it on the line. Reminds me of the Brodeur led Devils.

But I hate how the refs allow teams to clutch/grab/hook with impunity as this is a big advantage to help negate the more skilled players. I am not saying this is the reason the top seeds lost because they all lost for their own reasons but I feel the games would be even better if they removed the uncalled clutch/grab/hooking from the playoffs. But that is just my opinion.

I have always said the opening round of the playoffs is an entity to itself.
- Eklund

I've never heard you say this.

These playoffs are crazy, the games have been good and you never know what is going to happen any given minute.

But what does it say about the league if anything that all the division winners were knocked out by wild card teams?

I am fine with some of these lower skilled teams with lower seeds pulling out all kinds of defensive traps, lane blocking and countering attacking as that is strategic to hockey and the players are laying it on the line. Reminds me of the Brodeur led Devils.

But I hate how the refs allow teams to clutch/grab/hook with impunity as this is a big advantage to help negate the more skilled players. I am not saying this is the reason the top seeds lost because they all lost for their own reasons but I feel the games would be even better if they removed the uncalled clutch/grab/hooking from the playoffs. But that is just my opinion.
- stammerman

You sound like excuse making Red Wings fans after the Devils swept Detroit in the 1995 SCF.

These playoffs are crazy, the games have been good and you never know what is going to happen any given minute.

But what does it say about the league if anything that all the division winners were knocked out by wild card teams?

I am fine with some of these lower skilled teams with lower seeds pulling out all kinds of defensive traps, lane blocking and countering attacking as that is strategic to hockey and the players are laying it on the line. Reminds me of the Brodeur led Devils.

But I hate how the refs allow teams to clutch/grab/hook with impunity as this is a big advantage to help negate the more skilled players. I am not saying this is the reason the top seeds lost because they all lost for their own reasons but I feel the games would be even better if they removed the uncalled clutch/grab/hooking from the playoffs. But that is just my opinion.
- stammerman

All the wild card teams that one didn't do it by clutching and grabbing. Canes dominated both OTs, just as an example. Plenty of skill on all of the 1st round winners. Isles, Jackets, and , Canes play defense first, but none, besides Isles, sort of, play a trap

All the wild card teams that one didn't do it by clutching and grabbing. Canes dominated both OTs, just as an example. Plenty of skill on all of the 1st round winners. Isles, Jackets, and , Canes play defense first, but none, besides Isles, sort of, play a trap
- rrentz

He's just trying to selectively justify his team performing one of the biggest choke jobs in NHL history.

I can only speak of one division winner with experience, Nashville, and I can tell you that they won by luck. Winnipeg had led the division most of the year but the wheels came off late. Nashville was woefully inconsistent all year. The only reason St. Louis didn't win the division is because of their horrid start.

I'd put an asterisk next to "Nashville: Division Winner".

I dont think the "Hurricanes truly wanted it more", lol. They are the better team right now. If I bench 400 and you do 150 it's not because I wanted it more 🤣

Will Malkin finally get to go be “The Man?”

You sound like excuse making Red Wings fans after the Devils swept Detroit in the 1995 SCF.
- gergeswillems

Good memories.

Thanks.

Good memories.

Thanks.
- Queenie_5_hole

Will Malkin finally get to go be “The Man?”
- Rinosaur

Yes. He's being traded to the Flyers for Claude Giroux.

He's just trying to selectively justify his team performing one of the biggest choke jobs in NHL history.
- gergeswillems

Okay, if you think that is what I am doing that is fine but its not. I said each division winner lost for other reasons then the clutch/grab/hooking.

My team the Lightning deserved to lose - they played with no heart, took dumb ass penalties, gave up 5 PP goals on 10 opportunities, couldnt clear traffic in front of their net, couldn't figure out how to beat a neutral zone trap, and got out coached.

Columbus had their number and put them into their grave. Columbus was the better team that series.

What I am saying is to me I think the NHL playoffs would be even better if they checked some of the clutch/grab/hooking that goes on. It would allow more speed and skill of the game to be shown.

All the wild card teams that one didn't do it by clutching and grabbing. Canes dominated both OTs, just as an example. Plenty of skill on all of the 1st round winners. Isles, Jackets, and , Canes play defense first, but none, besides Isles, sort of, play a trap
- rrentz

I didn't say only the wildcard teams are clutch/grab/hooking. I said all the teams are doing it even the top seeds. If they are going to allow it then why not use it to an advantage to negate the speed and skill. I would just prefer to see less of that to open the ice a little more to showcase more skill.

You are right the Isles, Jackets, Canes do play defense first and in my post I said that is great as its a strategic part of hockey they are using traps, lane blocking,etc. The players are buying in and laying themselves out to win the games. Its great, its a battle of strategies to win games.

I didn't say only the wildcard teams are clutch/grab/hooking. I said all the teams are doing it even the top seeds. If they are going to allow it then why not use it to an advantage to negate the speed and skill. I would just prefer to see less of that to open the ice a little more to showcase more skill.

You are right the Isles, Jackets, Canes do play defense first and in my post I said that is great as its a strategic part of hockey they are using traps, lane blocking,etc. The players are buying in and laying themselves out to win the games. Its great, its a battle of strategies to win games.
- stammerman

I disagree with all teams clutching and grabbing in playoffs....it's just playoff hockey that is being played. Just less room out there due to higher level of play. Flow of play has been better every year with the rules in place. IMO, the rinky dink calls for holding, hooking, etc. During regular season have curbed what you are talking about alot compared to playoffs in the past. Refs always swallow the whistle more in postseason

You are right about Tampa performance....They were outplayed in every facet of the game. Dumb penalties and Cooper was out coached. Sorry for yiur dissappointing season

You sound like excuse making Red Wings fans after the Devils swept Detroit in the 1995 SCF.
- gergeswillems

Seriously though, the way the games were called reminded me of 1995. The refs really did put their whistles away for round 1.

All the wild card teams that one didn't do it by clutching and grabbing. Canes dominated both OTs, just as an example. Plenty of skill on all of the 1st round winners. Isles, Jackets, and , Canes play defense first, but none, besides Isles, sort of, play a trap
- rrentz

I know this is just a hockey site and It's not English class but for Fack sake's man