Around the NHL: 2024-2025 Season

[Thorner]

J. Ewing Hoover 

[ska-T Chitown]

34 minutes ago, shrader said:

JR Ewing actually😁

JFC ... you actually got me to google that like "huh? what team did he play fo ... omg he got me!"

[ska-T Chitown]

Not sure how this is not here yet:
https://www.nhl.com/news/capitals-alex-ovechkin-out-4-6-weeks-with-broken-leg

Shame, it would be cool watch him break the record.

[French Collection]

6 hours ago, Thorner said:

More goals than assists every year as a negative? I do see the bias you mentioned considering TT haha

As for talk of Matthews “missing” something intangible: that’s absurd 

What’s missing is the heart to push through adversity and succeed in the playoffs.

[PerreaultForever]

6 hours ago, mjd1001 said:

Interesting article here:  https://www.hockeypatrol.com/nhl-team/toronto-maple-leafs/are-the-maple-leafs-actually-better-without-auston-matthews-the-shocking-reasons-behind-the-debate

Again, very small sample size, but they author puts up some videos and makes some points to support his point of view. 

Some items of note:

Watching Mitch Marner play without Matthews has been a revelation, to say the least. He's controlling the offense more, he's playing incredible defense (proving those critics wrong) and has been riding an 8-game point streak and leads the team with 20. Marner seems to have a bit more patience without Matthews and doesn't look like he's trying to force an extra pass or not taking shots in favor of letting Matthews score. For example, his goal against Montreal on Saturday: (embedded video) Marner took the puck into the zone and passed it to David Kampf, who patiently waited for Marner to reposition himself for the easy goal. If Matthews were in Kampf's position, Marner would have more than likely passed it, cycled around, and waited to make more passes.

Letting Matthews pass a bit more isn't a bad thing, and getting both McMann and Robertson on a hot streak can only lead to benefits, and could pay off huge come playoff time.

This is hilarious. Leaf fans are hilarious. I certainly hope they plan to fully rely on Marner. That way we can be assured of another first round exit as he disappears again once the playoffs start. At which point all the Leaf fans will want him traded and so the cycle continues. 

[ska-T Chitown]

OMG - can the Sabres please do another winter classic?? The 'Hawks jerseys are siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!! 😍

https://shop.nhl.com/chicago-blackhawks/mens-chicago-blackhawks-fanatics-red-2025-nhl-winter-classic-premium-jersey/

[Flashsabre]

14 minutes ago, PerreaultForever said:

This is hilarious. Leaf fans are hilarious. I certainly hope they plan to fully rely on Marner. That way we can be assured of another first round exit as he disappears again once the playoffs start. At which point all the Leaf fans will want him traded and so the cycle continues. 

Welcome to the Toronto media. Leafs called two players up to play last night and there are articles today about whether these two depth callups are making the Leafs change their trade philosophy. 

[Taro T]

47 minutes ago, ska-T Chitown said:

OMG - can the Sabres please do another winter classic?? The 'Hawks jerseys are siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick!! 😍

https://shop.nhl.com/chicago-blackhawks/mens-chicago-blackhawks-fanatics-red-2025-nhl-winter-classic-premium-jersey/

Of course they can.  They can even have another home game.  Which local suburb would you like this one to be played in?   Boston?  Filly?  Maybe they could go to the other side of the county and play that home game in Seattle or Vancouver.