2014-2015 NHL Season

[iacas]

We have new rules and the season kicks off next week.

My Penguins are in a year of "interest." I won't say transition because they still have two of the top players in the world, but interest because their GM and coaching staff are all new, and they are replacing a lot of players (particularly forwards, and two top D with the departure of Orpik and Niskanen, both of whom were drastically overpaid by the Crapitals).

Rules thread: .

[billchao]

I'm feeling pretty good about the Devils this year. I'm hoping they make the playoffs by virtue of better goaltending. Not that I don't have anything but the utmost respect for Martin Brodeur and everything he's done for the franchise, but he's been a below average goaltender for a couple of years, now. Still, they're depending on another 42 year old to be their top scorer, so I don't know.

I'm still waiting for the advanced stat guys to give me a good explanation for why the team is near the top of the league in possession numbers the last few years and still failed to make the playoffs.

[billchao]

In the category of WTF?: [URL]http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2226616-why-the-nhl-made-the-wrong-move-by-hiring-chris-pronger[/URL]

[iacas]

In the category of WTF?:

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2226616-why-the-nhl-made-the-wrong-move-by-hiring-chris-pronger

Makes no sense and may not be "legal" (per the CBA, the salary cap, etc.).

[Warren Zevon]

Pronger will go down as one of the dirtiest players of the past decade. I can't help wonder if it's karma that he'll never play again due to concussion issues. That being said, I'm eternally grateful for he and Dwayne Roloson carrying the Oilers to the finals back in '06. Somehow the staff did a wonderful job keeping the evil Pronger at bay, for the most part. It's a shame my team has absolutely sucked donkey balls since he demanded a trade.

[billchao]

Pronger will go down as one of the dirtiest players of the past decade.

I don't even have an issue with that. I think it actually makes him better qualified for the position, to be honest. What I do have issue with is the fact that he is still under contract with the Flyers, who (along with some other teams) are using a loophole in the CBA to save salary cap space (whatever happened to the "spirit" of the CBA?). Forget the spirit of the CBA. This actually directly violates it. I'd love to see how the NHL I going to explain that. I think Pronger should have to retire from the Flyers - thus bringing his 35+ contract back on the books - before he becomes employed with the league, but I'm not holding my breath.

[Warren Zevon]

I'm In agreement that his contract status is kind of a joke. I'm just opposed to him having the job from a moral standpoint. Although Shanahan was no saint on the ice, I don't remember him ruining any careers. I remember reading somewhere that Dean McCammond still has issues with post concussion syndrome. No way is it right to appoint Pronger to be in charge of anything regarding player safety. It would be like putting a war criminal on a human rights council.

[iacas]

:sigh:

In the last 13 or 14 months, the Penguins have had, in addition to the standard hockey injuries:

• A player basically have to retire because of blood clots.
• A second player have a stroke due to a hole in his heart.
• A third player develop cancer.
• A fourth player develop a pulmonary embolism, likely ending his career but definitely ending his season.

Uncle.

[billchao]

:sigh: In the last 13 or 14 months, the Penguins have had, in addition to the standard hockey injuries: [LIST] [*] A player basically have to retire because of blood clots. [*] A second player have a stroke due to a hole in his heart. [*] A third player develop cancer. [*] A fourth player develop a pulmonary embolism, likely ending his career but definitely ending his season. [/LIST] Uncle.

At least your guys manage to stay on top of the division. The Devils managed to go from the top penalty killing team in the league to the worst. Too many guys puck watching and chasing after the play while leaving dangerous spots on the ice open, taking stupid penalties, or making ill-advised passing plays. It's really frustrating to watch at times. There's buzz going around now about Peter DeBoer's job might be in jeopardy, but unless we can convince Jacques Lemaire to come out of retirement again, I don't think a coaching change will do very much. What's your take on Dan Bylsma? ;-)

[iacas]

What's your take on Dan Bylsma?

You can have him. :) Easy to defend system, particularly when you have 4-7 games.

[Ernest Jones]

What's your take on Dan Bylsma?

He ain't no Michel Therrien.

[billchao]

You can have him. :) Easy to defend system, particularly when you have 4-7 games.

Don't really want him, but he's the premier name on the list of currently available coaches, which says everything you need to know about what's out there. Actually if Guy Boucher is available, that could be an interesting option for the Devils.

[Ernest Jones]

Don't really want him, but he's the premier name on the list of currently available coaches, which says everything you need to know about what's out there. Actually if Guy Boucher is available, that could be an interesting option for the Devils.

Boucher teams can be a lot of fun to watch.

[dennyjones]

:sigh:

In the last 13 or 14 months, the Penguins have had, in addition to the standard hockey injuries:

A player basically have to retire because of blood clots.

A second player have a stroke due to a hole in his heart.

A third player develop cancer.

A fourth player develop a pulmonary embolism, likely ending his career but definitely ending his season.

Uncle.

I take away from this post that it's dangerous to live in Pittsburgh.

[billchao]

Boucher teams can be a lot of fun to watch.

Absolutely. Plus, the Devils have a good goaltender and the defensive talent that he was missing in Tampa to make his system work.

Marek Zidlicky and Eric Gelinas suck at defensive positioning anyway, so you might as well stick them in the neutral zone

[Ernest Jones]

As long as Carey Price is my goalie, I don't really give a rats ass who my coach is.

[Warren Zevon]

Nine losses in a row for my team. Fundamentally flawed at every aspect of the franchise, it's hard to picture when things will turn around. Three first overall picks in the lineup and they still can't manage to win a game against anyone who plays in their conference. I'm starting to feel like Randy Quaid in Major League.

[mcanadiens]

Rest in peace Jean Beliveau. He was one athlete who really deserved to be a role model.