I won't be surprised if Ottawa battles for the division this season. I don't think that's even a possibility for the Leafs. Ottawa impressed the hell out of me last year with their depth.
- daeth

I think both teams can battle for a top-3 spot. And as impressive as depth is, it's only really useful for injured teams, so If we're comparing healthy rosters, it doesn't bestow a huge advantage.

I think both teams can battle for a top-3 spot. And as impressive as depth is, it's only really useful for injured teams, so If we're comparing healthy rosters, it doesn't bestow a huge advantage.
- Feeling Glucky?

i think the leafs miss the playoffs. Unless one the the Goalies at least duplicates Reimers stats from last season

i think the leafs miss the playoffs. Unless one the the Goalies at least duplicates Reimers stats from last season
- senstroll

There's a good chance of that.

There's a good chance of that.
- RogerRoeper

I hope so.

The other part that has me worried is an 82 game season and the weak advanced stats the leafs show, which were not helped by the addition and subtractions they have made.

I think both teams can battle for a top-3 spot. And as impressive as depth is, it's only really useful for injured teams, so If we're comparing healthy rosters, it doesn't bestow a huge advantage.
- Feeling Glucky?

Rob Vollman (Hockey Abstract) does his annual statistical projections on teams and this year he has established the Senators as the favorites to win the President's trophy.

http://legrandclub.rds.ca...31468/posts/160513/public

PDF version of book available for download at $12.95. I have not read the book, just the reviews and the french language review is the most detailed.

Rob Vollman (Hockey Abstract) does his annual statistical projections on teams and this year he has established the Senators as the favorites to win the President's trophy.

http://legrandclub.rds.ca...31468/posts/160513/public

PDF version of book available for download at $12.95. I have not read the book, just the reviews and the french language review is the most detailed.
- spatso

I find this very hard to believe.

I hope so.

The other part that has me worried is an 82 game season and the weak advanced stats the leafs show, which were not helped by the addition and subtractions they have made.
- senstroll

just updating this. Based on this report someone posted on clarkson, thats a good sign. this was before Toronto signed him. I know Ottawa was in the mix as well for him. I dont like the 7 years one bit though

http://www.inlouwetrust.c...scoring-2013-ufa-forwards

I find this very hard to believe.
- Doppleganger

I was surprised as well.

On reflection, I am less enthusiastic about the Ryan trade than a lot of observers. They gave up a lot to get him. I believe Ryan was a better add than Rick Nash. Still think it was crazy for Murray to offer up Zibanejad and Lehner for Nash (the guy who scores lots of pretty goals for the losing team).

I believe Karlsson/Methot will be far and away the best defensive duo in the league and a nightmare for most teams to play against. But, I worry that Spezza may never regain his full form and that Michalek's knees are badly deteriorated. Anderson and Lehner are very strong.

Keep it simple. The best team is usually the team that can put the best six players on the ice at the same time. So, Spezza, Michalek, Ryan, Karlsson, Methot and Anderson are strong on paper...but can they stay healthy.

I am a huge Pageau fan.

Would be content if Murray allowed this to be year three of a three year rebuilding program. I think this team is still a few years away from being as really good as they are to become.

I find this very hard to believe.
- Doppleganger

something we can agree on.

something we can agree on.
- Feeling Glucky?

you'd be surprised with what I agree with you, and others about, I usually comment when I have a different POV on a given issue.

For example I'll bet you did not think were enough unintelligent voters in Ottawa South to keep Dalton's riding in the Red column.

I was surprised as well.

On reflection, I am less enthusiastic about the Ryan trade than a lot of observers. They gave up a lot to get him. I believe Ryan was a better add than Rick Nash. Still think it was crazy for Murray to offer up Zibanejad and Lehner for Nash (the guy who scores lots of pretty goals for the losing team).

I believe Karlsson/Methot will be far and away the best defensive duo in the league and a nightmare for most teams to play against. But, I worry that Spezza may never regain his full form and that Michalek's knees are badly deteriorated. Anderson and Lehner are very strong.

Keep it simple. The best team is usually the team that can put the best six players on the ice at the same time. So, Spezza, Michalek, Ryan, Karlsson, Methot and Anderson are strong on paper...but can they stay healthy.

I am a huge Pageau fan.

Would be content if Murray allowed this to be year three of a three year rebuilding program. I think this team is still a few years away from being as really good as they are to become.
- spatso

They'll be a great pairing...I don't necessarily know about far and away the best. I think pairings like Weber-Josi, Chara-Seidenberg and Pietrangelo-Bouwmeester are at least good enough to keep it from being 'far and away'.

They'll be a great pairing...I don't necessarily know about far and away the best. I think pairings like Weber-Josi, Chara-Seidenberg and Pietrangelo-Bouwmeester are at least good enough to keep it from being 'far and away'.
- Morris

Ottawa coveted Methot for a long time. He is huge and plays a big physical game. He is also a very good skater. If Ottawa makes a run at the President's Trophy it will be because Karlsson has an even bigger year than his Norris year.

If Ottawa does make the big run this year Karlsson/Methot will be right at the top of most people's lists of top pairings.

Ottawa coveted Methot for a long time. He is huge and plays a big physical game. He is also a very good skater. If Ottawa makes a run at the President's Trophy it will be because Karlsson has an even bigger year than his Norris year.

If Ottawa does make the big run this year Karlsson/Methot will be right at the top of most people's lists of top pairings.
- spatso

Yeah, they're definitely there. I just don't think that any line, pairing, goalie, player, etc. is really that 'far and away' the best in the NHL. Just my opinion.

Ottawa wins rookie tournament, again, hammering the leaf rookies 6 - 2 last night.

Ottawa wins rookie tournament, again, hammering the leaf rookies 6 - 2 last night.
- Doppleganger

didnt watch it...was Rielly playing?

didnt watch it...was Rielly playing?
- senstroll

Nope no Finn either.

didnt watch it...was Rielly playing?
- senstroll

No, they held him out. Did not want him to go against Ottawa (nothing to prove was the comment).

No, they held him out. Did not want him to go against Ottawa (nothing to prove was the comment).
- spatso

You really have a way of twisting the truth eh! didn't want him going against ottawa? Like they would somehow wreck him?

Just so you know he was also held out of the Pitts game too, it's not just Ottawa. He showed in game one against chi that he was head and shoulders above the competition. He had nothing to prove, so they kept him out. He's headed straight to the big camp, no point messin around with the rookie camp at that point.

No, they held him out. Did not want him to go against Ottawa (nothing to prove was the comment).
- spatso

phew...we dodged a bullet

You really have a way of twisting the truth eh! didn't want him going against ottawa? Like they would somehow wreck him?

Just so you know he was also held out of the Pitts game too, it's not just Ottawa. He showed in game one against chi that he was head and shoulders above the competition. He had nothing to prove, so they kept him out. He's headed straight to the big camp, no point messin around with the rookie camp at that point.
- burn

Was not my statement entirely correct?

Those were the exact words used in the pre game. Perhaps your too sensitive?

- Doppleganger

I'd cut whoever that was that bailed on the puck for that 3rd goal at the 4:15 mark in that video. So bad

edit:

Trevor Murphy, undrafted.

You really have a way of twisting the truth eh! didn't want him going against ottawa? Like they would somehow wreck him?

Just so you know he was also held out of the Pitts game too, it's not just Ottawa. He showed in game one against chi that he was head and shoulders above the competition. He had nothing to prove, so they kept him out. He's headed straight to the big camp, no point messin around with the rookie camp at that point.
- burn

I know it's spasto, but you might be reading into what he said a bit much there.

Was not my statement entirely correct?

Those were the exact words used in the pre game. Perhaps your too sensitive?
- spatso

Entirely correct? No. You made it sound like they kept him out specifically because they were afraid of the sens. The fact he was also held out of the previous game agains the pens shows otherwise.

And no that's not what they said pre game.

Entirely correct? No. You made it sound like they kept him out specifically because they were afraid of the sens. The fact he was also held out of the previous game agains the pens shows otherwise.

And no that's not what they said pre game.
- burn

"Nothing to prove" were the exact words used on the Roger's broadcast.

How can it " sound" like anything. This is written text there is no voice, tone or inflection. The words are there to be read for what they say. Perhaps the sound you hear is a tone or inflection that is being created within your own head.