2022-23 NHL Season Thread

[KaiserDave]

https://twitter.com/OhRyanMead/status/1580882419804418050

[KaiserDave]

I'm not an Ovie fan but damn man, that's impressive.

It is and it isn't. Crosby essentially ties him or slightly leads in points because the latter has always been a playmaker and a team player. It was recently reported that Ovi didn't want any rebuilding of the team while he's on his quest to make the goal record. That sums the guy up in a nutshell. The absolutely antithesis of the idea there's no I in team. So the coaches will keep putting him out to score empty netters every chance they can get and otherwise leave major holes in their program unplugged to accommodate their star, meanwhile the team languishes in the mid to lower part of the division and is in serious risk of not making the playoffs.

I'll take a consistent team playmaker like Crosby everyday of the week and twice on Sunday over a puck hog like Ovi.

Ovi sounds very much like Gretzky.

Much worse, grumps. Gretzky was the consummate playmaker as well. It was tough to argue Gretzky was somehow a puck hog considering the number of assists he racked up.

IMO, Crosby is still a better asset to his team because he has sacrificed stats to be the ultimate 200' player. 

Those arguing for Ovechkin being a superior player to Crosby are blinded by team-partisanship. Crosby is just such a team player and makes the Penguins whole lot better by being on the ice.

[KaiserDave]

Some opinions

1) Binnington is a juvenile thug who wastes away his talent with provocations and stupidity, MAF the bigger man in all respects.
2) The Rangers are HOT HOT HOT. They are finally gelling. With Shesterkin at his best, with Lindgren returning soon hopefully to join Fox, and that top 6 offensive lineup, the New York Rangers are, in my opinion the second best team in the NHL behind Boston. Beat Pittsburgh 6-0, and the Predators 7-0, and won their last four.
3) Really tough loss for Carolina losing Svechnikov for the season, not good at all
4) Connor McDavid needs even more respect than he currently receives, man is easily the most skilled hockey player we've seen since Lemieux and Gretzky, and is putting up totally incomprehensible numbers. In all likelihood he's going to put up +60 goals, a point total approaching 150, and take home the Rocket Richard, Art Ross, Hart, and Lindsay trophies. Lack of a Stanley Cup hangs around his neck like an albatross, but it's not for lack of trying. He led the 2021-2022 playoffs in points despite only making the WCF. He can definitely lead the Oilers back there, maybe more if the goaltending and defense is up to the task. If he can win a Cup he can finally clear away the doubters, and begin to enter the top 3/5 GOAT conversation, maybe win a few more and who knows...
5) Penguins are very much washed and I don't think they will make the playoffs. Not because of Sid though he's great per usual, blame Jarry and bottom 6.

[KaiserDave]

5) Penguins are very much washed and I don't think they will make the playoffs. Not because of Sid though he's great per usual, blame Jarry and bottom 6.

Boom

[KaiserDave]

These will all be horrifically wrong but here it is.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

ROUND ONE

Colorado def. Seattle
Dallas def. Minnesota
Vegas def. Winnipeg
Edmonton def. Los Angeles
Boston def. Florida
Toronto def. Tampa Bay
NY Islanders def. Carolina
NY Rangers def. New Jersey

ROUND TWO
Colorado def. Dallas
Edmonton def. Vegas
Toronto def. Boston
NY Rangers def. NY Islanders

ROUND THREE
Edmonton def. Colorado
NY Rangers def. Toronto

STANLEY CUP FINAL
NY Rangers def. Edmonton