Chitchat Chat for hockey fans

[The Silent Z]

Random maybe not so random thought- If Bruce still wants to coach I’d personally love to see him takeover in Ottawa or Columbus. Least two teams at the top of my head that could use a change and I’d like to see start winning games and making the playoff runs. Florida would be cool too But I’d guess Maurice will be safe til next year barring a shock move and massive downfall to end the year. Although Panthers are a bit rough at times this year, and barely hanging onto their playoff chances another loss and to the Pens tonight. Lyon back to back losses in net but not quite all on him although it has been a lot of goals these past two games.

Edit: Overall Lyon had played well and given the effort in his starts this season. 42 saves tonight on 49 shots against definitely not on him really, just got blitzed too much compared to the help he got and needed to win.

 

[Edric Blight]

I’d personally hate to see him in a shithole like Columbus (and also a Metro rival). He doesn’t deserve that type of bottom of the barrel no talent team.

Ottawa tho would be an interesting fit. That I could totally see.

 

[The Silent Z]

I’d personally hate to see him in a shithole like Columbus (and also a Metro rival). He doesn’t deserve that type of bottom of the barrel no talent team.

Ottawa tho would be an interesting fit. That I could totally see.

Yeesh… lmao definitely can see the metro rival coming out haha. Talent wise… They have talent though imo, it’s the wasting of talent and the not fixing the problems on the roster that’s the real issue… besides ownership and front office constantly screwing up and not caring. Coaching there usually sucks too outside of Tortz run that was decent and better then expected with that roster. But simply agree to disagree there.

Ottawa would be fun too. Another squad that could use a coaching upgrade and should be closer to a complete team with playoff hopes not far off with a few changes.

 

[Edric Blight]

Yeesh… lmao definitely can see the metro rival coming out haha. Talent wise… They have talent though imo, it’s the wasting of talent and the not fixing the problems on the roster that’s the real issue… besides ownership and front office constantly screwing up and not caring. Coaching there usually sucks too outside of Tortz run that was decent and better then expected with that roster. But simply agree to disagree there.

Ottawa would be fun too. Another squad that could use a coaching upgrade and should be closer to a complete team with playoff hopes not far off with a few changes.

Yea I’ll admit I’m biased. But I don’t wanna see Bruce wasted in a shithole like Columbus. Their only “talent” is Laine and now Gaudreau and those two are pathetic and don’t produce.

Ottawa now has potential with bringing in guys like DeBrincat and Giroux to name a few. I think Bruce could really take that club to the next level. They’re a great team on paper but aren’t actually great. I think Bruce could possibly fix that.

 

[The Silent Z]

Yea I’ll admit I’m biased. But I don’t wanna see Bruce wasted in a shithole like Columbus. Their only “talent” is Laine and now Gaudreau and those two are pathetic and don’t produce.

Ottawa now has potential with bringing in guys like DeBrincat and Giroux to name a few. I think Bruce could really take that club to the next level. They’re a great team on paper but aren’t actually great. I think Bruce could possibly fix that.

Nah, it goes beyond those two but others get overlooked cause of age and not enough nhl level exposure and play that’s developed more in full. Laine is better served in the supporting role with his skill set and injury history where he could maximize his play and numbers going back up on a more consistent level. Johnny… Too much hype. He was never going to be a top guy for a franchise just a very solid Robin or even a elite third option maybe, behind a complimentary elite talent to take over as the Batman/franchise guy role imo. Neither of which Columbus has right now. Boone Jenner is not really top line center level imo, yet he’s almost always in that role despite being maybe more of a second line guy to possibly third line. But bad coaching, no defense to help their goalies and high expectations and money on Robin role players without the depth to hide some of that definitely hurts. Some of their young guys though if they develop properly and reach potential, should be pretty good in the future. Maybe not elite talent, but plenty of depth to be had down the line to atleast start filling the roster with more quality. Bruce would be one of the few solid moves and hires for the franchise. An ownership change and front office shake up would help as well, but likely won’t happen. Only saving Grace to start though would be CBJ seeing the Canucks backlash and not wanting to bring that to Ohio and their squad. But production wise with Laine…. Overall pretty good numbers for a guy who’s only played in 32 games out of 45+ due to injuries. 14 G 14 A 28 P not bad at all for 32 games. Last year with another injury plagued season he put up a point per game average as well. But yeah agree to disagree there. To me it’s more how they use players and lacking of building around them properly while expecting more then what your going to get out of the current player. Laine hasn’t been the same guy he started out as with his history of injuries and whatever else he may have going on. Johnny decent numbers as well this year, just shy of a point per game average but definitely shows he’s not a main goal scorer kind of guy or top guy role kind of player and unlikely to repeat last years numbers.


Yeah those guys are nice pickups for sure and they have played alright so far with that team. Stronger depth in current form as well then CBJ and they should be getting solid with their future pending the new owners and potentially new arena as well. (Although I haven’t heard or kept up with the latest news on that in some time. So for all I know they could have already sold the team and begun plans for the next steps after that…) Yeah definitely on paper look great. Still shocked they’ve underperformed like this when they have the talent and guys are putting up decent numbers all around. But yeah Bruce could definitely fix it

 

[The Silent Z]

In short- I’d love to see Laine in Minnesota. He would fit great with us Wild fans and the current roster at a first glance without seeing it first on ice and in actual games for actual live chemistry fit and play to prove any of that. Second line with possibly Eriksson Ek and Boldy would be a great potential pairing.

 

[Edric Blight]

Nah, it goes beyond those two but others get overlooked cause of age and not enough nhl level exposure and play that’s developed more in full. Laine is better served in the supporting role with his skill set and injury history where he could maximize his play and numbers going back up on a more consistent level. Johnny… Too much hype. He was never going to be a top guy for a franchise just a very solid Robin or even a elite third option maybe, behind a complimentary elite talent to take over as the Batman/franchise guy role imo. Neither of which Columbus has right now. Boone Jenner is not really top line center level imo, yet he’s almost always in that role despite being maybe more of a second line guy to possibly third line. But bad coaching, no defense to help their goalies and high expectations and money on Robin role players without the depth to hide some of that definitely hurts. Some of their young guys though if they develop properly and reach potential, should be pretty good in the future. Maybe not elite talent, but plenty of depth to be had down the line to atleast start filling the roster with more quality. Bruce would be one of the few solid moves and hires for the franchise. An ownership change and front office shake up would help as well, but likely won’t happen. Only saving Grace to start though would be CBJ seeing the Canucks backlash and not wanting to bring that to Ohio and their squad. But production wise with Laine…. Overall pretty good numbers for a guy who’s only played in 32 games out of 45+ due to injuries. 14 G 14 A 28 P not bad at all for 32 games. Last year with another injury plagued season he put up a point per game average as well. But yeah agree to disagree there. To me it’s more how they use players and lacking of building around them properly while expecting more then what your going to get out of the current player. Laine hasn’t been the same guy he started out as with his history of injuries and whatever else he may have going on. Johnny decent numbers as well this year, just shy of a point per game average but definitely shows he’s not a main goal scorer kind of guy or top guy role kind of player and unlikely to repeat last years numbers.


Yeah those guys are nice pickups for sure and they have played alright so far with that team. Stronger depth in current form as well then CBJ and they should be getting solid with their future pending the new owners and potentially new arena as well. (Although I haven’t heard or kept up with the latest news on that in some time. So for all I know they could have already sold the team and begun plans for the next steps after that…) Yeah definitely on paper look great. Still shocked they’ve underperformed like this when they have the talent and guys are putting up decent numbers all around. But yeah Bruce could definitely fix it

Fair points.

I just feel like talent is wasted and goes to die in Columbus.

In short- I’d love to see Laine in Minnesota. He would fit great with us Wild fans and the current roster at a first glance without seeing it first on ice and in actual games for actual live chemistry fit and play to prove any of that. Second line with possibly Eriksson Ek and Boldy would be a great potential pairing.

I’d love to see Laine go somewhere else. Minnesota would be cool. That way he could play with amazing players like Kaprizov.

And that Boldy kid is an absolute stud. He’s really gonna be great for the Wild. W move by the Wild GM to sign him to that big extension and lock him down. He’s gonna be great part of that franchise’s future. Love Matt Boldy.

 

[Edric Blight]

And sorry I’m not responding more in depth and hitting everything you said- I’m a bit busy at the moment.

 

[The Silent Z]

Fair points.

I just feel like talent is wasted and goes to die in Columbus.


I’d love to see Laine go somewhere else. Minnesota would be cool. That way he could play with amazing players like Kaprizov.

And that Boldy kid is an absolute stud. He’s really gonna be great for the Wild. W move by the Wild GM to sign him to that big extension and lock him down. He’s gonna be great part of that franchise’s future. Love Matt Boldy.

Dumba-Laine makes the trade work cap wise but I’m sure more pieces will be involved. End the long running rumors of Dumba getting traded and we get a guy like Laine to help fill the gap on offense. While it takes a lot of pressure off both sides on that roster. Both being for Laine and the Wild forwards namely the top lines.

Thinking about it, likely wouldn’t be Ek at center with that line pairing. but still a great potential fit with Boldy and whoever takes center whether it’s Rossi or someone else in the meantime and would be cool to see. Dream move that might be realistic still.

Boldy is definitely awesome and glad we somehow pulled off that extension with our cap situation. The GM we’ve got in Minny can be annoying at times for my liking but he does make some quality moves when he feels like it haha. Even Gustafson has proven to be a quietly good pickup for us which at the time was just a hope of being good for me.

 

[Edric Blight]

Dumba-Laine makes the trade work cap wise but I’m sure more pieces will be involved. End the long running rumors of Dumba getting traded and we get a guy like Laine to help fill the gap on offense. While it takes a lot of pressure off both sides on that roster. Both being for Laine and the Wild forwards namely the top lines.

Thinking about it, likely wouldn’t be Ek at center with that line pairing. but still a great potential fit with Boldy and whoever takes center whether it’s Rossi or someone else in the meantime and would be cool to see. Dream move that might be realistic still.

Boldy is definitely awesome and glad we somehow pulled off that extension with our cap situation. The GM we’ve got in Minny can be annoying at times for my liking but he does make some quality moves when he feels like it haha. Even Gustafson has proven to be a quietly good pickup for us which at the time was just a hope of being good for me.

Oh damn I didn’t even know if the Dumba trade rumors lol.

Hopefully Rossi grows into a great player. He’s got some potential.

Fair enough on the GM lol.

Yea Gustafson isn’t half bad.

 

[The Silent Z]

Oh damn I didn’t even know if the Dumba trade rumors lol.

Hopefully Rossi grows into a great player. He’s got some potential.

Fair enough on the GM lol.

Yea Gustafson isn’t half bad.

Yeah he’s been rumored all season it seems like least going by the headline notifications I keep getting on FB and other places. Though lately it’s been talked about enough that the Gm spoke on it in a press conference. So I figure if we gotta lose him… I’d rather we get a Laine type return on him and not prospects and picks or only prospects and picks with maybe a cap filler contract.

I’m hoping so too. He’s got the potential just isn’t quite ready for the NHL from what it appears. Thankfully Steel and Dewar have been alright so far.

Indeed haha

Yeah, so far it’s been good and pairing with the Flower is working well now.

 

[Edric Blight]

Yeah he’s been rumored all season it seems like least going by the headline notifications I keep getting on FB and other places. Though lately it’s been talked about enough that the Gm spoke on it in a press conference. So I figure if we gotta lose him… I’d rather we get a Laine type return on him and not prospects and picks or only prospects and picks with maybe a cap filler contract.

I’m hoping so too. He’s got the potential just isn’t quite ready for the NHL from what it appears. Thankfully Steel and Dewar have been alright so far.

Indeed haha

Yeah, so far it’s been good and pairing with the Flower is working well now.

Damn. Hopefully you guys can get something in return for him.

Sam Steel had a great game against the Isles unfortunately this year that I remember.

Can’t go wrong with the Flower!

 

[The Silent Z]

Damn. Hopefully you guys can get something in return for him.

Sam Steel had a great game against the Isles unfortunately this year that I remember.

Can’t go wrong with the Flower!

Definitely

Haha nice for us, I think I missed that game tbh but he’s had some nice games and moments this year in others I’ve seen. He’s not setting the world on fire, but he’s definitely been a nice low risk flyer pick up this year and on the lines he is playing on. Also a good chemistry fit so far too.

True! Although it looked pretty rough for him and the Wild all around early on this season haha. Those days had me highly concerned but back to quality now haha and am definitely glad to see it.

 

[Edric Blight]

Definitely

Haha nice for us, I think I missed that game tbh but he’s had some nice games and moments this year in others I’ve seen. He’s not setting the world on fire, but he’s definitely been a nice low risk flyer pick up this year and on the lines he is playing on. Also a good chemistry fit so far too.

True! Although it looked pretty rough for him and the Wild all around early on this season haha. Those days had me highly concerned but back to quality now haha and am definitely glad to see it.

Yea the Islanders sucked. They suck this year so bad.

 

[The Silent Z]

Yea the Islanders sucked. They suck this year so bad.

Yeah it has been a rough year. Many teams that should be good to playoff level have greatly disappointed and teams that should have atleast improved from last year somehow got worse despite certain moves. (Even with taking multiple long term and short term injuries into account.) A few surprises I’m happy about this year but far too many disappointments overall.

 

[Edric Blight]

We suck. We aren’t making the playoffs. I’ve sadly come to terms with that. The Isles SUCK SO BAD this year lol.

 

[The Silent Z]

We suck. We aren’t making the playoffs. I’ve sadly come to terms with that. The Isles SUCK SO BAD this year lol.

Yeah that’s rough goings. Looking at the standings in the metro they’d definitely need to get on a good run and have the Caps and Pens fall off for a fair stretch to up those odds for a playoff opportunity. Tough year for the Isles though.

 

[Edric Blight]

Yeah that’s rough goings. Looking at the standings in the metro they’d definitely need to get on a good run and have the Caps and Pens fall off for a fair stretch to up those odds for a playoff opportunity. Tough year for the Isles though.

Yea. Plus Buffalo and Florida are already passing us in the standings and we’re on a nasty losing streak. We aren’t catching up.

 

[The Silent Z]

Yea. Plus Buffalo and Florida are already passing us in the standings and we’re on a nasty losing streak. We aren’t catching up.

Buffalo and Florida in the playoffs would be nice to see for me personally. Been hoping to see them make it and give a couple of options in the eastern conference as it looks now. Likely only one will make it if I recall the standings right and the way they’ve played this season as streaky teams. But yeah could still be tough.

 

[Edric Blight]

I’d love to see Buffalo in the playoffs. Florida not so much but Buffalo since they haven’t been in it in what- 11 years? Would be cool to see those guys back.

 

[The Silent Z]

I’d love to see Buffalo in the playoffs. Florida not so much but Buffalo since they haven’t been in it in what- 11 years? Would be cool to see those guys back.

Yeah that’s another bonus to them making it in. End the drought.

 

[Edric Blight]

Yeah that’s another bonus to them making it in. End the drought.

Exactly. Such a young team with so much potential too.

 

[The Silent Z]

Damn the Rangers and Blais…. Sutter and the Flames need to really go beast mode and rack up W’s. No time to waste on the players having down years and slow half’s to the season just need to win games and score way more then we have.

And damn…. Those effort yotes really just pulled out a win over the Wild. Now a gauntlet month is starting up to follow it for Minnesota…. I gotta feeling the playoffs will be a 0-2 for me, if both squads keep playing up and down like they both have.

 

[Edric Blight]

Yea man it’s crunch time. Crucial games to win here.

 

[The Silent Z]

Yea man it’s crunch time. Crucial games to win here.

Agreed. No room for error at this stage and current records.