Comments on: Eastern Conference Playoff Spots http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/ This Just in... Mon, 03 Oct 2011 20:42:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: jtbourne http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3789 jtbourne Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:32:59 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3789 We have negotiated a deal, sir. Good talk. We have negotiated a deal, sir. Good talk.

]]> By: Peter http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3788 Peter Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:19:22 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3788 Good call on four years being too short for a perennial tease. He started with such promise then got in Wilson's doghouse then was traded to the disaster that was Tampa last season. The plus-17 helps playing with Prongs but we'll see how he fares down the stretch and in the playoffs. If he can get through that and still be a firm top-4 guy then I'll be a convert. Sound fair? Good call on four years being too short for a perennial tease.
He started with such promise then got in Wilson’s doghouse
then was traded to the disaster that was Tampa last season.

The plus-17 helps playing with Prongs but we’ll see how he fares
down the stretch and in the playoffs. If he can get through that and
still be a firm top-4 guy then I’ll be a convert. Sound fair?

]]> By: jtbourne http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3784 jtbourne Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:45:33 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3784 Thanks, and you're right about being objective. I'm just saying: Perennial tease his whole career? It's his <em>fourth</em> season in the league, and he's compiled 113 points <em>as a defenseman </em>(125 including playoffs). He's <strong>plus 17 </strong>this year, and not even on the first powerplay unit (Pronger and Timmonen). What more would you like from him? Thanks, and you’re right about being objective. I’m just saying: Perennial tease his whole career? It’s his fourth season in the league, and he’s compiled 113 points as a defenseman (125 including playoffs). He’s plus 17 this year, and not even on the first powerplay unit (Pronger and Timmonen). What more would you like from him?

]]> By: Peter http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3783 Peter Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:36:01 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3783 I didn't mean to imply that the Sens are better than Philly but the Flyers had a lot more expected of them this season. Matt Carle was a perennial tease his whole career before he got to Philly. You have to be objective now that you're a writer Justin, and that includes guys you played against in college and those from Alaska. Carle's 2-for-2 in that department. BTW, congrats on the new career and blog. I didn’t mean to imply that the Sens are better than Philly but the Flyers had a lot more expected of them this season.

Matt Carle was a perennial tease his whole career before he got to Philly.

You have to be objective now that you’re a writer Justin, and that includes guys you played against in college and those from Alaska. Carle’s 2-for-2 in that department.

BTW, congrats on the new career and blog.

]]> By: jtbourne http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3782 jtbourne Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:52:00 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3782 You don't believe in Matt Carle? You should. I can be talked into Ottawa as a playoff team, easily, but I can't be convinced they're better than Philly. You don’t believe in Matt Carle? You should. I can be talked into Ottawa as a playoff team, easily, but I can’t be convinced they’re better than Philly.

]]> By: Peter http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3781 Peter Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:44:47 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3781 The Sens are actually more than they may appear. They are no longer the Euro-heavy team that would fade come spring time. This team has a lot of grit but the skill level is also apparent with Alfie, Spezz, Kovie (when motivated), Michalak (he's been hurt but still near 20 goals) and this Danish kid Regin has some game also. Fisher may actually be the second-line center they always thought he was. If not, he can go back to third line next year and be usurped by Regin. Footsoldier forwards with a little skill include Foligno and Neil. Their D isn't overwhleming with big names but Phillips and Volchenkov are a formidable shut down pair and the other guys play their roles (Kuba and Picard on PP) while the rookie Karlsson is going to be a good one. The jury is still very much out on Minnesota native Brian Lee, however. In nets Brian Elliott (4-0 last week) may be for real, which is good news because Leclaire (nine shutouts 2 yrs ago) can't stay healthy. The Flyers' D seems like their weak link. Not a believer in Matt Carle and Timonen is overrated. They'll need to add a D-man (preferably a top-4 guy) by the deadline or they'll be the same playoff team we see every year - one filled with exciting tough and skilled Canadian forwards let down by their D or goaltending. The Sens are actually more than they may appear. They are no longer the Euro-heavy team that would fade come spring time. This team has a lot of grit but the skill level is also apparent with Alfie, Spezz, Kovie (when motivated), Michalak (he’s been hurt but still near 20 goals) and this Danish kid Regin has some game also. Fisher may actually be the second-line center they always thought he was. If not, he can go back to third line next year and be usurped by Regin. Footsoldier forwards with a little skill include Foligno and Neil.

Their D isn’t overwhleming with big names but Phillips and Volchenkov are a formidable shut down pair and the other guys play their roles (Kuba and Picard on PP) while the rookie Karlsson is going to be a good one. The jury is still very much out on Minnesota native Brian Lee, however.

In nets Brian Elliott (4-0 last week) may be for real, which is good news because Leclaire (nine shutouts 2 yrs ago) can’t stay healthy.

The Flyers’ D seems like their weak link. Not a believer in Matt Carle and Timonen is overrated. They’ll need to add a D-man (preferably a top-4 guy) by the deadline or they’ll be the same playoff team we see every year – one filled with exciting tough and skilled Canadian forwards let down by their D or goaltending.

]]> By: Josh http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3776 Josh Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:56:27 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3776 Justin, I haven't seen you comment on the Patrice Cormier hit from the Q a couple weeks back, and on the Devils subsequent backing of him. If you haven't seen it, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAoFY0owFXc Clearly one of the most disgusting instances of intent to injure on a hockey rink I have ever seen - would love to hear your thoughts. Justin,

I haven’t seen you comment on the Patrice Cormier hit from the Q a couple weeks back, and on the Devils subsequent backing of him. If you haven’t seen it, here’s the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAoFY0owFXc

Clearly one of the most disgusting instances of intent to injure on a hockey rink I have ever seen – would love to hear your thoughts.

]]> By: Neil http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3775 Neil Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:50:45 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3775 I agree with most of your analysis but also agree with some of the posters that Ottawa might deserve a bit more respect, their #1 goalie has been either injured or terrible for much of the year, Spezza underperformed and then got hurt, Alfie got hurt, Cheechoo should never have been invited over in that trade (a 3 million dollar cap hit for a guy who doesn't score or grind), and the Sens are still managing to get it done (albeit in a brutal division in a conference where half the teams are stuggling to stay above 500). One thing that people tend to miss with Ottawa is that they play a pretty defensive style of hockey now, certainly not the Sens of old. The Flyers are looking scary and I gotta think Emery is better than Biron back there. I agree with Koharski that the Rangers are a mess, I wouldn't be surprised at all if they don't get in or get in just long enough to get manhandled by someone in the first round. I think the Isles will get it done. I agree with most of your analysis but also agree with some of the posters that Ottawa might deserve a bit more respect, their #1 goalie has been either injured or terrible for much of the year, Spezza underperformed and then got hurt, Alfie got hurt, Cheechoo should never have been invited over in that trade (a 3 million dollar cap hit for a guy who doesn’t score or grind), and the Sens are still managing to get it done (albeit in a brutal division in a conference where half the teams are stuggling to stay above 500). One thing that people tend to miss with Ottawa is that they play a pretty defensive style of hockey now, certainly not the Sens of old.

The Flyers are looking scary and I gotta think Emery is better than Biron back there.

I agree with Koharski that the Rangers are a mess, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they don’t get in or get in just long enough to get manhandled by someone in the first round.

I think the Isles will get it done.

]]> By: Will77 http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3774 Will77 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:18:38 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3774 Its crazy that the Isles could go from being weak on defense, to having a pretty awesome dcorp if Hamonic, deHaan, and Kohn pan out to go along with Streit, Hillen, Macdonald. Hillen/deHaan/Mac/Kohn would be a dynamic skating defense. And while points after christmas are hard to come by, the Isles have been one of the NHL's best since then. Rob Shremp is another example of Snow pulling some huge 'minor' moves. Streit, Roloson, Moulson, and Shremp are making him look like a freakin genius. Want to talk about the Coyotes? How awesome is this: http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Face-Off-At-Flip-Cup-82565542.html Its crazy that the Isles could go from being weak on defense, to having a pretty awesome dcorp if Hamonic, deHaan, and Kohn pan out to go along with Streit, Hillen, Macdonald. Hillen/deHaan/Mac/Kohn would be a dynamic skating defense. And while points after christmas are hard to come by, the Isles have been one of the NHL’s best since then. Rob Shremp is another example of Snow pulling some huge ‘minor’ moves. Streit, Roloson, Moulson, and Shremp are making him look like a freakin genius.

Want to talk about the Coyotes? How awesome is this:
http://www.nbcwashington.com/blogs/niteside/Face-Off-At-Flip-Cup-82565542.html

]]> By: jtbourne http://www.jtbourne.com/eastern-conference-playoff-spots/comment-page-1/#comment-3773 jtbourne Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:57:03 +0000 http://www.jtbourne.com/?p=5597#comment-3773 Right - those d-men (Hillen, Macdonald) might be 5th/6th on other teams (every team?), but they won't be in years to come. Right – those d-men (Hillen, Macdonald) might be 5th/6th on other teams (every team?), but they won’t be in years to come.

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