Lateralous

He’s absolutely fair game overall, I just don’t see why he would be getting called out tonight. He’s frankly been better than Hall or Nico.

I get that some people will never get past the fact that Zacha is not Barzal but he’s had a few good chances (tip in first and at least two good shots), great pass to set up Severson and a good heavy hit on the play where Tampa took a boarding penalty. He’s been fine tonight

The neon drum line in the upper deck is defintely Vegas...and awesome

Ha, we would be killing Ottawa for years for a pre-game ceremony like what Vegas is rolling out right now

I think the argument to be made is that you would take Hischier over Barzal going forward. Hischier looks like the type of center you actually win with as your 1C IMO. Barzal had a great season no doubt and should be the Calder winner but I could see him leveling out as prime Scott Gomez (30 goal year anomaly excluded). Given his junior scoring, I wouldn't be surprised to see him below 20 goals most years and his defensive game doesn't strike me as anything top end. He is a wizard with the passing though. Conner is another one that could sneak in there.

I think everyone understands he's 1-3 years younger than everyone else ahead of him in the Calder voting. One year out it looks to most everyone outside of delusional Canucks fans that he's still the best player in his draft class and deserved to be #1. Hall/MacKinnon is going to be a really tight race. It will unfortunately probably come down to how many writers drop one of them more than one spot below the other. For example, do the Colorado writers slip one or more of Giroux, McDavid or Kopitar between MacKinnon and Hall and vice versa? Hopefully they tie because they've both had crazy good seasons that deserve to be recognized.

Honestly, I was hoping for Kovy to the Rangers. It's a perfect fit, especially if he's lost a step.

I'm not sure why this has to be a negative thread. Kovy did us a favor by bailing when he did. I mean, at this point is there really anyone out there that wishes he was on the roster? Besides, I find this kind of amusing. It's such a NYR type of move. I guess they got impatient with the rebuild after 3 weeks and have decided to go for the re-tool?

Ugh, Toronto would be unbearable. I want them out ASAP.

...because Shero made the Henrique for Vatanen trade.

Mostly I just lurk and read everyone else's posts but I joined in 2002 and check in at least once a day to keep up with whats going on. I don't mind HF Boards as much as some but I do find this board much more informative on all things Devils since their aren't so many fans of other teams chiming in. Just sent money via paypal. Worth every penny.

I know all of Toronto has the "Big 3" penciled in as a future dynasty but are there two players who pile up softer points than Mitch Marner and William Nylander? Nylander is torching torching the big bad Sabres tonight and usually he just seems to float around and pile up second assists on Matthews goals. I don't put a ton of stock in +/- but Marner is a team worst -2 on a team that is +41 on goal differential. I just don't get the hype other than it's Toronto being toronto. I will be interested to see how these two do in the playoffs when things tighten up because my perception when watching the Leafs are that JVR and Kadri are the actual 2nd and 3rd best forwards on the team.

I usually don't care much for the individual awards, especially after watching Brodeur run himself into the ground at the end of several regular seasons trying to pile up the wins and then being out of gas in the playoffs, but I really hope Hall wins the MVP this year. I know MacKinnon and Kopitar are also having amazing seasons but it's hard to imagine a guy being more valuable.

Not that Chiarelli is any good but that’s a little deceiving given that he absolutely robbed Toronto on the Kessel deal. Was sending Hamilton to Calgary also him?

I agree with those three being the finalists. If the Avs continue to tail off and MacKinnon doesn't pile up a bunch more points, it hopefully opens the door for Hall. Kopitar is at a little bit of a disadvantage because I still expect McDavid (and MacKinnon) to steal some votes from the Western voters.