Around the NHL: 2024-2025 Season

[TheAud]

Doesn't feel like the Jets 15-1 start is getting enough press. Maybe I just haven't seen it. Imagine if the Leafs, Rangers, or Habs were 15-1!

Also, going to Avs-Kings tonight. It's Grateful Dead night at Ball Arena. I am wearing a Tragically Hip hockey jersey. 
That's all I got. 

[LGR4GM]

Idk where to put this but Tim Connolly, still has it

[Wyldnwoody44]

  On 11/14/2024 at 12:52 AM, LGR4GM said:

Idk where to put this but Tim Connolly, still has it

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CTE? 

😂😜

[spndnchz]

Leafs over Caps surprised me

[Andrew Amerk]

  On 11/14/2024 at 12:20 AM, TheAud said:

Doesn't feel like the Jets 15-1 start is getting enough press. Maybe I just haven't seen it. Imagine if the Leafs, Rangers, or Habs were 15-1!

Also, going to Avs-Kings tonight. It's Grateful Dead night at Ball Arena. I am wearing a Tragically Hip hockey jersey. 
That's all I got. 

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Last time I checked, the Jets were 3-7. 

[Jorcus]

And on the Jeff Skinner front. The Oilers are wondering what to do with him. Good luck trying to trade him. 

 

https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/oilers_forward_jeff_skinner_gets_harsh_demotion_amid_trade_rumors/s1_17450_41223872

 

 

[ska-T Palmtown]

Is this a good place to put my review of the Seattle Kraken's Climate Pledge Arena experience?

Out here for work and went to see the BJ's v Kraken game on Tuesday. The arena is spectacular. The in-game experience has a hollywood production value feel to it. TWO 360 degree score boards, full projection scenes on the ice surface, additional drop down screens between scoreboards for MORE video surface. The use a modified Nirvana song as their goal song ... smoke and fire ... 2-minute long 2nd and 3rd period intro videos. Craft ciders, amazing food options. Arena was probably 80% full and the concourses never felt crowded.

The first period was atrocious - it looked like two over-70 beer league teams going through the motions. It made me think of all the angst over the Sabres' effort levels, and was all prepared to write a dissertation about effort levels across the league. Then, whatever Disco Dan said to the Kraken between periods had the Kraken absolutely FLYING in the second period. So ... yeah, no idea what Buffalo's problem is, lol.

[LTS]

  On 11/14/2024 at 4:47 PM, ska-T Chitown said:

Is this a good place to put my review of the Seattle Kraken's Climate Pledge Arena experience?

Out here for work and went to see the BJ's v Kraken game on Tuesday. The arena is spectacular. The in-game experience has a hollywood production value feel to it. TWO 360 degree score boards, full projection scenes on the ice surface, additional drop down screens between scoreboards for MORE video surface. The use a modified Nirvana song as their goal song ... smoke and fire ... 2-minute long 2nd and 3rd period intro videos. Craft ciders, amazing food options. Arena was probably 80% full and the concourses never felt crowded.

The first period was atrocious - it looked like two over-70 beer league teams going through the motions. It made me think of all the angst over the Sabres' effort levels, and was all prepared to write a dissertation about effort levels across the league. Then, whatever Disco Dan said to the Kraken between periods had the Kraken absolutely FLYING in the second period. So ... yeah, no idea what Buffalo's problem is, lol.

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It's a great place to put the experience.  I want to get there some time.  I saw a Knights game at T-Mobile center 3-4 weeks ago. That was, as expected, top notch. I'd probably put it a level above Nashville, which is incredible in its own right.

[ska-T Palmtown]

  On 11/14/2024 at 4:52 PM, LTS said:

It's a great place to put the experience.  I want to get there some time.  I saw a Knights game at T-Mobile center 3-4 weeks ago. That was, as expected, top notch. I'd probably put it a level above Nashville, which is incredible in its own right.

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I have not attended either Vegas or Nashville, but a coworker has and said this was just a smidge below Vegas, fwiw. I have shockingly few NHL games in my adult life (left Buffalo in 1993 against my will, but I was 15 and had no say in the matter, lol), so I have primarily attended 'Hawks games out in Chicago. My coworker bugged me to go to the Kraken game and I have to say that I may try to get to games whenever I travel now (which is not too often, but should end up including a Caps game at some point).

[LTS]

  On 11/14/2024 at 5:43 PM, ska-T Chitown said:

I have not attended either Vegas or Nashville, but a coworker has and said this was just a smidge below Vegas, fwiw. I have shockingly few NHL games in my adult life (left Buffalo in 1993 against my will, but I was 15 and had no say in the matter, lol), so I have primarily attended 'Hawks games out in Chicago. My coworker bugged me to go to the Kraken game and I have to say that I may try to get to games whenever I travel now (which is not too often, but should end up including a Caps game at some point).

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Yeah.. United Center is on my list if for no other reason than to hear the anthem. I'd love to get to a game in Montreal. There are others as well.  Love the praise on the Kraken game. The arena should be state of the art given its age.

[DarthEbriate]

  On 11/14/2024 at 4:38 PM, Jorcus said:

And on the Jeff Skinner front. The Oilers are wondering what to do with him. Good luck trying to trade him. 

https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/oilers_forward_jeff_skinner_gets_harsh_demotion_amid_trade_rumors/s1_17450_41223872

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The Sabres need a 2nd line winger, you say?

Skinner cap hit if he hadn't been bought out: $9M

Skinner cap hit for this season if the Sabres trade for him from EDM: $3M + this year's $1.444M buyout penalty = $4.444M

The $4.5M EEE savings are there, and you could ask for a pick from Edmonton to free up their cap space. That's some 4.444th level chess right there.

I'm sure there's a rule preventing buyout/reacquisition of this nature, but it would make me laugh.

[Weave]

  On 11/14/2024 at 8:19 PM, DarthEbriate said:

The Sabres need a 2nd line winger, you say?

Skinner cap hit if he hadn't been bought out: $9M

Skinner cap hit for this season if the Sabres trade for him from EDM: $3M + this year's $1.444M buyout penalty = $4.444M

The $4.5M EEE savings are there, and you could ask for a pick from Edmonton to free up their cap space. That's some 4.444th level chess right there.

I'm sure there's a rule preventing buyout/reacquisition of this nature, but it would make me laugh.

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[mjd1001]

  On 11/14/2024 at 8:19 PM, DarthEbriate said:

The Sabres need a 2nd line winger, you say?

Skinner cap hit if he hadn't been bought out: $9M

Skinner cap hit for this season if the Sabres trade for him from EDM: $3M + this year's $1.444M buyout penalty = $4.444M

The $4.5M EEE savings are there, and you could ask for a pick from Edmonton to free up their cap space. That's some 4.444th level chess right there.

I'm sure there's a rule preventing buyout/reacquisition of this nature, but it would make me laugh.

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Obviously, he is no where close to a 2nd line winger at this point. (I'm thinking your post might be sarcasm?)

Put aside his defensive liabilities for a moment (I think you can work around them if he brings something else to the table) and just look at his production:

-In his last 12 games for the Sabres last year, he had 0 goals and 1 assist.

-In his last 36 games for the Sabres last year (his downturn in production started or accelerated near the end of January) he had a total of 6 goals and 4 assists

-Including this year with Edmonton, since that time this past January, over those 52 games he has 9 goals and 7 assists (14 goal and 11 assist pace per 82, and some of that time he did have playing with McDavid and/or Draisaitl). He's shooting 7.3% over that time (about 35% lower than his career average)

I think he's shot offensively.  So he is a defensive liability already, you can only justify him having a spot on your team if he nets 25-30+ for you.  I don't think you are getting close to that. His effective NHL career might be coming to a close rapidly.

Edited November 14, 2024 by mjd1001

[Doohickie]

  On 11/14/2024 at 8:19 PM, DarthEbriate said:

Skinner cap hit for this season if the Sabres trade for him from EDM: $1.5M (with EDM retaining 50%) + this year's $1.444M buyout penalty = $2.9444M

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fify

[Doohickie]

  On 11/14/2024 at 11:01 PM, mjd1001 said:

I think he's shot offensively.

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But his Mohawks!

[That Aud Smell]

  On 11/14/2024 at 12:52 AM, LGR4GM said:

Idk where to put this but Tim Connolly, still has it

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Elaborate, please.

The guy had the filthiest hands I've ever seen (at least, as far as the Sabres go).

  On 11/14/2024 at 7:56 PM, LTS said:

Yeah.. United Center is on my list if for no other reason than to hear the anthem. I'd love to get to a game in Montreal. There are others as well.  Love the praise on the Kraken game. The arena should be state of the art given its age.

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Same. One of these years, I'm thinking the winter trip to Florida will be replaced by a winter trip to Quebec.

[Wyldnwoody44]

  On 11/15/2024 at 1:39 PM, That Aud Smell said:

Elaborate, please.

The guy had the filthiest hands I've ever seen (at least, as far as the Sabres go).

Same. One of these years, I'm thinking the winter trip to Florida will be replaced by a winter trip to Quebec.

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I drive to Quebec city every January, one of my favorite places, ice skating in the forests of Troix Rivies, ski Le Masif, the food is delicious, just a beautiful walled city on the St Lawrence. There's this awesome spa that has a hot floating river on the banks of the river as well. 

Popped into an AHL playoff game with the Amerks vs Laval and that was a blast, more energy there than I've seen in buffalo in some time. 

If you go in January, let me know 😁

 

[LGR4GM]

Liam Ohgren will be playing in the NHL tomorrow for Minnesota. He was a linemates of Östlund and impo the player we should have drafted. No offense to Östlund who still can be a good nhl player. 

[French Collection]

  On 11/15/2024 at 11:45 PM, LGR4GM said:

Liam Ohgren will be playing in the NHL tomorrow for Minnesota. He was a linemates of Östlund and impo the player we should have drafted. No offense to Östlund who still can be a good nhl player. 

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Former junior linemate of those two, Lekkeremaki has played a few games for the Canucks this year.

 

[...]

 

[LGR4GM]

Ik the Montréal game left a bad taste for us. The Redwings just imploded against the Ducks allowing 4 third period goals. 

[Flashsabre]

  On 11/16/2024 at 12:19 PM, LGR4GM said:

Ik the Montréal game left a bad taste for us. The Redwings just imploded against the Ducks allowing 4 third period goals. 

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Pens got spanked by the Jackets too.

There is definitely a path to the playoffs this season if they can find consistency.

[Jorcus]

  On 11/16/2024 at 5:56 AM, ... said:

 

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I guess Mike Bundt does not read the Aud club. 🙂

There have been some legit excuses for his plus minus ratio. Half his points have been on the power play and a number of goals against have been defending an empty net. Saying that he has gone pretty cold lately. I think they are going to take him off the PP now that some of the other players are back. I love Byram with Dahlin. They really seem to dominate the play. If Dahlin can only cut down his mistakes. It's like having Batman and Robin, especially in the O zone.  

 

 

[Second Line Center]

  On 11/16/2024 at 5:56 AM, ... said:

 

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I've been saying for weeks Byram has been playing fantastic.  
 

The problem fans have had has been the absence of Cozens from the 2024 season - but I think he’s finally showed up.   

[shrader]

  On 11/16/2024 at 3:45 PM, Jorcus said:

 

I guess Mike Bundt does not read the Aud club. 🙂

There have been some legit excuses for his plus minus ratio. Half his points have been on the power play and a number of goals against have been defending an empty net. Saying that he has gone pretty cold lately. I think they are going to take him off the PP now that some of the other players are back. I love Byram with Dahlin. They really seem to dominate the play. If Dahlin can only cut down his mistakes. It's like having Batman and Robin, especially in the O zone.  

 

 

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Casey is one goal off of the worst +/- in the entire league and 6 goals clear of anyone else on his own team. Whatever excuses might be out there, that’s a pretty damning figure at this stage of the season. There’s still plenty of time to correct that, so we’ll have to wait and see. Personally I think this deal will work out just fine for both teams.