I'm talking big picture - they're not the team they were at their peak, and while they develop their assets as well as anyone, they'll take some time before they're really challenging for the cup. Although to be fair, the East tends to be fairly wide open, so who knows. Not me, that's for sure.

If Toronto wants to become elite, they're going to need a change in organizational style. Which is why I thought they brought Shanny in, and would push for a guy like Babcock.
- Mr_Squeaks

Detroit is doing a damn good job of building/keeping a decent young core while the vets get older. Especially up front, defense does look thin though. Nyquist, Mantha, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Pulkkinen, Larkin, etc is a solid young core of forwards. And Mrazak looks like a promising young goalie.

Babcock was also pretty critical of his teams at time last year, this year he said it's one of the best teams he's coached. I don't think it's a bad situation long-term at all.

Detroit is doing a damn good job of building/keeping a decent young core while the vets get older. Especially up front, defense does look thin though. Nyquist, Mantha, Tatar, Sheahan, Jurco, Pulkkinen, Larkin, etc is a solid young core of forwards. And Mrazak looks like a promising young goalie.

Babcock was also pretty critical of his teams at time last year, this year he said it's one of the best teams he's coached. I don't think it's a bad situation long-term at all.
- Nucker101

They are a world class organization. They are run well from top to bottom. They are in better shape than Toronto in every way. Other than money I cant think of a reason why Babcock would choose Toronto over Detroit and I'm certain Detroit won't be cheap with him.

I hope I am wrong and he comes here but I would be surprised.

They are a world class organization. They are run well from top to bottom. They are in better shape than Toronto in every way. Other than money I cant think of a reason why Babcock would choose Toronto over Detroit and I'm certain Detroit won't be cheap with him.

I hope I am wrong and he comes here but I would be surprised.
- daeth

Money is REALLY important and often underrated in talk like this. Detroit apparently does not want him making more than Holland, and Babcock will need to be the highest paid NHL coach.

I really think that if Babcock really wanted to stay, he would have signed already.

Maybe. Lots hockey remaining and we all know Fleury seems to fall apart in the playoffs.
- Pecafan Fan

He did make the biggest clutch save by any goalie in a generation and secured the 09' cup.

But there would need to be a commitment to developing players in the AHL, like the Wings have been doing now for a couple of decades, and that would require a major change in philosophy for leaf management that would be under scrutiny for the media and the fan base who want Nylander in the leaf line immediately after the WJC conclude and no later than the beginning of next season.


As one (well known) pundit always puts it, when describing how the Wings develop players...."better to be over ripe than under done", and that would see Nylander play one maybe two seasons in the AHL before making the jump to the NHL,
- Doppleganger

I think this started when Shanahan was hired..slowly its changing
I like the Hunter Hiring also. many good moves since he started with Dubas

Who is the next coach?
- Doppleganger

HonestHockey

They are a world class organization. They are run well from top to bottom. They are in better shape than Toronto in every way. Other than money I cant think of a reason why Babcock would choose Toronto over Detroit and I'm certain Detroit won't be cheap with him.

I hope I am wrong and he comes here but I would be surprised.
- daeth

Well, there's also the part where he has to live in Detroit.

Well, there's also the part where he has to live in Detroit.
- Feeling Glucky?

Hey, the cost of owning a house in Detroit is much less than in toronto.

Nylander is doing pretty good

Domenic Galamini ‏@MimicoHero
Just to put Nylander's current SHL scoring pace into perspective...



- senstroll

Did not get a chance to see a second of the Swedes playing at the WJC, so just wondering how you thought Nylander was doing so far, with one more game left to play.

Did not get a chance to see a second of the Swedes playing at the WJC, so just wondering how you thought Nylander was doing so far, with one more game left to play.
- Doppleganger

He's been among the best playmakers in the tournament. Nothing compared to McDavid, of course (who is unreal - his puck skills remind me of Tavares). but potentially second best. He's fast, incredible stick skills, spends a lot of time in the corners despite his size, not afraid to muck around, and gets back on defense. The knock I would have on him is that in this tournament he seems to lack some finish. He's set up some beauty plays, many ended up in goals, many more ended up with his teammates flubbing some serious chances. He's also fanned on several chances in close. He didn't really get much of a shot off at all on one breakaway, among a few other weak attempts to finish. He drew a tonne, and I mean a tonne of penalties for Sweden. Without question their best forward. Some might say their best player, some might say Sebastien Aho. Aho, however, was terrible yesterday against Russia. The entire team seemed to be fighting the puck. But Aho lost his edge two times that I noticed, with no one pressuring him. Overskated the puck. Glaring issues all day with him yesterday. Nylander didn't do much, either negative or positive yesterday.

He's been among the best playmakers in the tournament. Nothing compared to McDavid, of course (who is unreal - his puck skills remind me of Tavares). but potentially second best. He's fast, incredible stick skills, spends a lot of time in the corners despite his size, not afraid to muck around, and gets back on defense. The knock I would have on him is that in this tournament he seems to lack some finish. He's set up some beauty plays, many ended up in goals, many more ended up with his teammates flubbing some serious chances. He's also fanned on several chances in close. He didn't really get much of a shot off at all on one breakaway, among a few other weak attempts to finish. He drew a tonne, and I mean a tonne of penalties for Sweden. Without question their best forward. Some might say their best player, some might say Sebastien Aho. Aho, however, was terrible yesterday against Russia. The entire team seemed to be fighting the puck. But Aho lost his edge two times that I noticed, with no one pressuring him. Overskated the puck. Glaring issues all day with him yesterday. Nylander didn't do much, either negative or positive yesterday.
- prock

Wow, great insight. Thanks.

Sebastien Aho is going to be available in this srpings' entry draft, any idea where he ranks? I did a quick look and did not see him ranked in the first round anywhere

Just heard on TSN 1200, that since the NHL returned from the Olympic break, up to today, Craig Anderson has the best Save Percentage in the NHL, Carey Price is second.

They were talking about this, because there are some dougheads( suggesting) that Anderson, who just started a brand new 3 year contract this season, should be traded?????

Wow, great insight. Thanks.

Sebastien Aho is going to be available in this srpings' entry draft, any idea where he ranks? I did a quick look and did not see him ranked in the first round anywhere
- Doppleganger

He'll climb the ranks anyway. He's been really good. The entire team was pretty bad yesterday. They just couldn't even gain the zone, for huge periods of the game. The puck was bouncing off their sticks, hopping their sticks. It was just one of those days, for most of the team. Even when they got it deep, they couldn't hold the zone. It was very strange, because Russia hasn't been great in the tournament. It was a pretty even game against the Danes.

Aho was noticeably bad, IMO, but maybe because I was watching him a little more. He was literally falling over. And yet, most of the time, you can see some serious skating ability in that kid. He's really quick. I don't know what was up. I honestly, at one point, wondered if there was an issue with the ice, because the puck was bouncing.

I'll keep an eye again this afternoon. I've got second level tickets, near the front of the section (third row). It'll be the 5th Sweden game I've watched live this tourney.

I like Toronto and Ottawa.
- Morris

Just wondering what you think of the Oilers sending Leon Draisaitl back to junior, after playing 35 plus games?

IF management were contemplating sending him back to Junior, why did they send him before he played 35 games? Also why not send him to play at the WJC??

Someone's not thinking straight in Oilers Management.

Just wondering what you think of the Oilers sending Leon Draisaitl back to junior, after playing 35 plus games?

IF management were contemplating sending him back to Junior, why did they send him before he played 35 games? Also why not send him to play at the WJC??

Someone's not thinking straight in Oilers Management.



- Doppleganger

You're being way too kind with your wording I think.

Just heard on TSN 1200, that since the NHL returned from the Olympic break, up to today, Craig Anderson has the best Save Percentage in the NHL, Carey Price is second.

They were talking about this, because there are some dougheads( suggesting) that Anderson, who just started a brand new 3 year contract this season, should be traded?????
- Doppleganger

they put out a graph yesterday. price is 1st, andy is 3rd, bernier is 5th. can't remember who was 2nd and 4th. i want to say rask and quick, but i'm not 100%

He'll climb the ranks anyway. He's been really good. The entire team was pretty bad yesterday. They just couldn't even gain the zone, for huge periods of the game. The puck was bouncing off their sticks, hopping their sticks. It was just one of those days, for most of the team. Even when they got it deep, they couldn't hold the zone. It was very strange, because Russia hasn't been great in the tournament. It was a pretty even game against the Danes.

Aho was noticeably bad, IMO, but maybe because I was watching him a little more. He was literally falling over. And yet, most of the time, you can see some serious skating ability in that kid. He's really quick. I don't know what was up. I honestly, at one point, wondered if there was an issue with the ice, because the puck was bouncing.

I'll keep an eye again this afternoon. I've got second level tickets, near the front of the section (third row). It'll be the 5th Sweden game I've watched live this tourney.
- prock

Will you be wearing a leaf jersey, and if so will you stand up and wave to us when the camera pans in your general direction?


On another note, how do you think the Russians will do vs Canada? I did not like the path Canada took to the gold medal game. Other than the USA, they basically played a lot of minnows, while the Russians played against mostly whales.............and cold catch Canada by surprise.

they put out a graph yesterday. price is 1st, andy is 3rd, bernier is 5th. can't remember who was 2nd and 4th. i want to say rask and quick, but i'm not 100%
- sensarmy_11

Like I said, just heard on TSN that these ranking were just updated, with Anderson being number one. Just wondering why anyone in Ottawa would suggest Anderson being traded regardless of his ranking in the top 3.

Just heard on TSN 1200, that since the NHL returned from the Olympic break, up to today, Craig Anderson has the best Save Percentage in the NHL, Carey Price is second.

They were talking about this, because there are some dougheads( suggesting) that Anderson, who just started a brand new 3 year contract this season, should be traded?????
- Doppleganger

I think I got poop on a bit for suggesting Anderson and Bernier were comparable with either one of them capable of having a better season this year. I'm not sure why.

He's been among the best playmakers in the tournament. Nothing compared to McDavid, of course (who is unreal - his puck skills remind me of Tavares). but potentially second best. He's fast, incredible stick skills, spends a lot of time in the corners despite his size, not afraid to muck around, and gets back on defense. The knock I would have on him is that in this tournament he seems to lack some finish. He's set up some beauty plays, many ended up in goals, many more ended up with his teammates flubbing some serious chances. He's also fanned on several chances in close. He didn't really get much of a shot off at all on one breakaway, among a few other weak attempts to finish. He drew a tonne, and I mean a tonne of penalties for Sweden. Without question their best forward. Some might say their best player, some might say Sebastien Aho. Aho, however, was terrible yesterday against Russia. The entire team seemed to be fighting the puck. But Aho lost his edge two times that I noticed, with no one pressuring him. Overskated the puck. Glaring issues all day with him yesterday. Nylander didn't do much, either negative or positive yesterday.
- prock

i've watched a few of the sweden games, and nylander in particular, and this is a pretty bang on assessment.

i've found myself intrigued in this tournament by both lazar and nylander, and watching the differences in their game, but how they're both so good at what they do.

nylander is the slick playmaker, setting up other guys with sick passes and good vision.

lazar is the goal scorer, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, banging in rebounds or sniping with a really good shot. hard on the forecheck to create turnovers.

i think both teams got gems with these 2 guys.....and they'll both be fun to watch for years.


what has really pissed me off this tournament is to realize how (frank)ing well winnipeg has been drafting for the past few years.......man they're gonna be good in a couple of years.

Like I said, just heard on TSN that these ranking were just updated, with Anderson being number one. Just wondering why anyone in Ottawa would suggest Anderson being traded regardless of his ranking in the top 3.
- Doppleganger

the graph on twitter was as of saturday.....not sure how anderson could jump 2 spots without playing a game....but whatever.

either way, he's been good.

i've watched a few of the sweden games, and nylander in particular, and this is a pretty bang on assessment.

i've found myself intrigued in this tournament by both lazar and nylander, and watching the differences in their game, but how they're both so good at what they do.

nylander is the slick playmaker, setting up other guys with sick passes and good vision.

lazar is the goal scorer, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, banging in rebounds or sniping with a really good shot. hard on the forecheck to create turnovers.

i think both teams got gems with these 2 guys.....and they'll both be fun to watch for years.


what has really pissed me off this tournament is to realize how (frank)ing well winnipeg has been drafting for the past few years.......man they're gonna be good in a couple of years.
- sensarmy_11

Looked good on Saturday night I heard.

They drafted Eric Comrie, and acquired Michael Hutchinson from Boston, so the future of their goaltending looks good too.

Watch for Pavelec to be dealt sometime in the future.

the graph on twitter was as of saturday.....not sure how anderson could jump 2 spots without playing a game....but whatever.

either way, he's been good.
- sensarmy_11

Both Anderson and Price played on Saturday, with Anderson stopping 26 of 28, and Price stopping 30 of 31, so don't know how that factors in................but I just heard what I heard, but as you say he's (Anderson) is right up there, and why anyone would think now is the time to trade him is beyond me. You never get back the value of what Anderson is to the Senators. This is still one of the youngest teams in the NHL, and solid goal tending is kinda of a NHL atmosphere insulation for the younger players to develop in. Take a look at the young Oilers developing (?) with sub-par goal tending.


Another point they brought up, there are only two goaltenders in AHL history, that have won both the Calder Cup and the Playoff MVP award (in the AHL)............Price and Lehner.

Both Anderson and Price played on Saturday, with Anderson stopping 26 of 28, and Price stopping 30 of 31, so don't know how that factors in................but I just heard what I heard, but as you say he's (Anderson) is right up there, and why anyone would think now is the time to trade him is beyond me. You never get back the value of what Anderson is to the Senators. This is still one of the youngest teams in the NHL, and solid goal tending is kinda of a NHL atmosphere insulation for the younger players to develop in. Take a look at the young Oilers developing (?) with sub-par goal tending.


Another point they brought up, there are only two goaltenders in AHL history, that have won both the Calder Cup and the Playoff MVP award (in the AHL)............Price and Lehner.
- Doppleganger

i get the logic in some people wanting to move andy.

is he a great goalie? no doubt, and if this team was even close to contending, he'd be the perfect fit. that being said, his good play right now is keeping this team (which other than goaltending is still not close to being a regular playoff team) close enough to give management hope, maybe affecting moves they make (in a negative way), and it's also meaning that instead of getting maybe a top 5-6 pick, sens maybe end up with a 12-13 pick.

andy is 31 (i think) and by the the time ottawa is ready to be a contender, andy will not be a high end #1 goalie. move him now, let lehner take over and gain experience, improve draft position, don't give any stupid ideas to management that being buyers at the deadline is a good idea, and maybe get a couple of good assets for him.

i think the reason that it wouldn't be like edmonton is the fact that lehner is a good goalie.......significantly better than anything the oilers have had for nearly a decade. if lehner wasn't there, then no way you move andy, but because he's actually good enough to be a #1, maybe not a dominant one yet, but still a #1, then it's not a terrible idea.

i'd be okay either way....keep him, i'm happy....move him, i'm happy.

Will you be wearing a leaf jersey, and if so will you stand up and wave to us when the camera pans in your general direction?


On another note, how do you think the Russians will do vs Canada? I did not like the path Canada took to the gold medal game. Other than the USA, they basically played a lot of minnows, while the Russians played against mostly whales.............and cold catch Canada by surprise.
- Doppleganger

No, I will not be in a leaf jersey, I'm walking over after work. I wouldn't wear a Leaf Jersey anyway. Would you wear a Sens jersey, or would you be too ashamed after the way Lazar has played?

I think the Russians will get killed. I suspect Canada will have upwards of 40 shots. Russia, for the most part, has not been very good. That said, I thought they'd get killed by the Swedes. The Swedes just played like garbage. The Russians have been bad defensively for the most part, giving up tonnes of shots, and been anchored by a goalie playing very well. But Canada's snipers are not the same as Denmark's or the US's, and I doubt that works. Petan, McDavid, Domi, Reinhart, these guys will bury those chances.