idiot bros are mighty quiet lately.
- Feeling Glucky?

moar summer talk. 4th > 2nd.
- Tumbleweed

I think the Sens win the Divisin.

Seriously, this is the best evaluation Hockey News has done on Sens in several years.

It is a simple reality that all hockey publications pump Leaf tires for the readership numbers alone. Las Vegas odds makers set preseason odds based on betting profiles rather than actual expectations. A boatload of early money will be put down on the Leafs in preseason betting...odds will reflect the numbers bet rather than the sports proabability.

It is just the way it works.

This actually a significant upgrade from anything written previously by this writer. Saying the Sens will finish 4th is a big move up.

Practical reality they are writing about teams moving up (Tampa and Carolina) into playoffs and they need to displace two teams from last year (Ottawa and Boston). It is Hockey News, they always pump the Leafs and Montreal (to a lesser extent) it is about circulation.

They have actually strongly improved their Sens evaluation over last year and the comments on the mega rookies is also a major concession in the way they report the Sens.
- spatso

Just odd you didnt post the whole article or the link to it.
Like you were trying to hide something

You posted a small part from it as if to prove something, but then say their evaluation of the Sens is not good.

lol.. so transparent ... this writer is terrible...except for the parts I agree with..

I think the Sens win the Divisin.

Seriously, this is the best evaluation Hockey News has done on Sens in several years.

It is a simple reality that all hockey publications pump Leaf tires for the readership numbers alone. Las Vegas odds makers set preseason odds based on betting profiles rather than actual expectations. A boatload of early money will be put down on the Leafs in preseason betting...odds will reflect the numbers bet rather than the sports proabability.

It is just the way it works.
- spatso

thanks captain obvious

I think the Sens win the Divisin.

Seriously, this is the best evaluation Hockey News has done on Sens in several years.

It is a simple reality that all hockey publications pump Leaf tires for the readership numbers alone. Las Vegas odds makers set preseason odds based on betting profiles rather than actual expectations. A boatload of early money will be put down on the Leafs in preseason betting...odds will reflect the numbers bet rather than the sports proabability.

It is just the way it works.
- spatso

-saved for future summer talk bananzas

-saved for future summer talk bananzas
- systemtool

I think thn is dumb, no clue about the sens...... But they said their prospects are da bomb so they so smart again.....but they picked them 4th in the division so they dumb again.

1. Tampa Bay
2. Toronto
3. Boston
4. Ottawa
5. Montreal
6. Buffalo
7. Florida
8. Detroit

And could you please answer this, Spats? Thanks.



A one year, a two year, and a three year that will probably be a two year. Those are the contracts to the older players. Can you please explain to me how these players or their contracts will have a negative impact on the team? Without just pulling up opinion tweets or written pieces from 'reporters'.
- BetterCallSaul

I think there is a competitive cycle (a window of opportunity). Teams sometimes forget the hockey Gods and their capricious nature. If you don't respect the Gods they can screw you over.

I think the best example of that is Edmonton on their previous cycle (Hall, NuHop, Yakupov et. al.). They thought they could just assemble talent and win. They had some early successes but failed to learn how to play defense. They could score goals but were unable to protect leads. They finally gave up and had to rebuild again.

Last year the Leafs gave more 2 goal leads than any team in the NHL. Teams played the Leafs loose, often fell behind and had to scramble to get back into the game.

Columbus has the youngest team in the league. A few years ago they had great regular success. Going into the next season expectations were very high. They blew a tire and badly missed the playoffs. They stepped back and added two quality Dmen Jones (trade) and Werensky (draft) and this year they had a great regular season. But they were crushed in the first round of the playoffs by a veteran Pittsburgh team.

I think the Leafs have a natural fall back from last year. Not unusual. I think they could falter big time if they push too hard for too much without better defining their ability to win in the third period.

I think there is a competitive cycle (a window of opportunity). Teams sometimes forget the hockey Gods and their capricious nature. If you don't respect the Gods they can screw you over.

I think the best example of that is Edmonton on their previous cycle (Hall, NuHop, Yakupov et. al.). They thought they could just assemble talent and win. They had some early successes but failed to learn how to play defense. They could score goals but were unable to protect leads. They finally gave up and had to rebuild again.

Last year the Leafs gave more 2 goal leads than any team in the NHL. Teams played the Leafs loose, often fell behind and had to scramble to get back into the game.

Columbus has the youngest team in the league. A few years ago they had great regular success. Going into the next season expectations were very high. They blew a tire and badly missed the playoffs. They stepped back and added two quality Dmen Jones (trade) and Werensky (draft) and this year they had a great regular season. But they were crushed in the first round of the playoffs by a veteran Pittsburgh team.

I think the Leafs have a natural fall back from last year. Not unusual. I think they could falter big time if they push too hard for too much without better defining their ability to win in the third period.
- spatso

This is a disappointing comment. I never think of myself as trolling anyone. I concede that I may be wrong, perhaps more than I want to be. But, trolling is based on deception. A person must present themselves differently, maybe dishonestly, in order to drive a particular response pattern.

When you characterize me as trolling, it suggests that you don't think I believe or value what I am saying. I am only saying it to trigger a particular kind of response from you.

I think there is a competitive cycle (a window of opportunity). Teams sometimes forget the hockey Gods and their capricious nature. If you don't respect the Gods they can screw you over.

- spatso

Hockey Gods ... aka luck and randomness..

More praying required

This is a disappointing comment. I never think of myself as trolling anyone. I concede that I may be wrong, perhaps more than I want to be. But, trolling is based on deception. A person must present themselves differently, maybe dishonestly, in order to drive a particular response pattern.

When you characterize me as trolling, it suggests that you don't think I believe or value what I am saying. I am only saying it to trigger a particular kind of response from you.
- Tumbleweed

Brilliant comment.

Shocked to discover Leaf fans with such a pleasing skill of articulation. Well done!

I think there is a competitive cycle (a window of opportunity). Teams sometimes forget the hockey Gods and their capricious nature. If you don't respect the Gods they can screw you over.

I think the best example of that is Edmonton on their previous cycle (Hall, NuHop, Yakupov et. al.). They thought they could just assemble talent and win. They had some early successes but failed to learn how to play defense. They could score goals but were unable to protect leads. They finally gave up and had to rebuild again.

Last year the Leafs gave more 2 goal leads than any team in the NHL. Teams played the Leafs loose, often fell behind and had to scramble to get back into the game.

Columbus has the youngest team in the league. A few years ago they had great regular success. Going into the next season expectations were very high. They blew a tire and badly missed the playoffs. They stepped back and added two quality Dmen Jones (trade) and Werensky (draft) and this year they had a great regular season. But they were crushed in the first round of the playoffs by a veteran Pittsburgh team.

I think the Leafs have a natural fall back from last year. Not unusual. I think they could falter big time if they push too hard for too much without better defining their ability to win in the third period.
- spatso

Such nonsense

I think there is a competitive cycle (a window of opportunity). Teams sometimes forget the hockey Gods and their capricious nature. If you don't respect the Gods they can screw you over.

I think the best example of that is Edmonton on their previous cycle (Hall, NuHop, Yakupov et. al.). They thought they could just assemble talent and win. They had some early successes but failed to learn how to play defense. They could score goals but were unable to protect leads. They finally gave up and had to rebuild again.

Last year the Leafs gave more 2 goal leads than any team in the NHL. Teams played the Leafs loose, often fell behind and had to scramble to get back into the game.

Columbus has the youngest team in the league. A few years ago they had great regular success. Going into the next season expectations were very high. They blew a tire and badly missed the playoffs. They stepped back and added two quality Dmen Jones (trade) and Werensky (draft) and this year they had a great regular season. But they were crushed in the first round of the playoffs by a veteran Pittsburgh team.

I think the Leafs have a natural fall back from last year. Not unusual. I think they could falter big time if they push too hard for too much without better defining their ability to win in the third period.
- spatso

They already improved on that during the year, they didn't lose as many 3rd period leads later in the year as they did early on

Hockey Gods ... aka luck and randomness..

More praying required
- senstroll

Both the Greeks and European philosophers (Aquinas) believed that luck and randomness were grounded in providential influence. They understood the math. So, they attributed the unexplained randomness as providential or accidental.

Such nonsense
- burn

Really, I think Lamerello said just about the same thing when he talked about the reason for adding Marleau. He expects teams to come harder at the Leafs right from the first game.

Both the Greeks and European philosophers (Aquinas) believed that luck and randomness were grounded in providential influence. They understood the math. So, they attributed the unexplained randomness as providential or accidental.
- spatso

agreed. Sens = lucky.

They already improved on that during the year, they didn't lose as many 3rd period leads later in the year as they did early on
- burn

If you think that through, not sure it is a positive measure of success.

All teams play the stretch drive differently, even the teams out of the playoffs.

agreed. Sens = lucky.
- Tumbleweed

Aquinas was pretty clear. Luck is influenced by skill and practice.

Just odd you didnt post the whole article or the link to it.
Like you were trying to hide something

You posted a small part from it as if to prove something, but then say their evaluation of the Sens is not good.

lol.. so transparent ... this writer is terrible...except for the parts I agree with..
- senstroll

I thought it was a very good evaluation for Hockey News. The best in many years.

🚾

Aquinas was pretty clear. Luck is influenced by skill and practice.
- spatso

sens have no skill. must be out of luck then.

🐛

If you think that through, not sure it is a positive measure of success.

All teams play the stretch drive differently, even the teams out of the playoffs.
- spatso

What? They improved on their 3rd period holds down the stretch but that's not a good sign? Are you (frank)ing retarded?

I thought it was a very good evaluation for Hockey News. The best in many years.
- spatso

So good you failed to post the original article for all of us to read

So good you failed to post the original article for all of us to read
- senstroll

Really. The original article is still 4 to 5 times longer than what was subsequently posted. So, the full article is still not fully posted.