2023-2024 Around The League thread

[2ELIAS6]

3 minutes ago, NJDfan1711 said:

I'm not going to pretend to know more than scientists or even psychologists, but I have to take up for 2ELIAS6 here a bit.  Alcoholism, and any other addiction for that matter, may be classified as a "disease" to some, whether that's scientifically or medically speaking, or just normal vernacular and semantics, but at the end of the day when it comes down to someone's brain being unable to control the behavior to the point where a person cannoy actually stop, the point at the end of the day is that the whole reason the person is even addicted in the first place is because of their own poor judgment and decision making.  

Crack-addicted babies and things of that nature I completely different story. I'm not talking about infants who are born this way where it's out of their control. But regular everyday adults who choose to stick a needle in their arm or down a case of beer every night don't get much sympathy from me and I'm certainly not going to promote the notion that they're somehow disadvantaged, or that they drew the short straw. Doing so is only enabling bad behavior.

9 times out of 10, it was a choice that got them into the situation they're in. 

Well said. 

[jagknife]

10 minutes ago, NJDfan1711 said:

I'm not going to pretend to know more than scientists or even psychologists, but I have to take up for 2ELIAS6 here a bit.  Alcoholism, and any other addiction for that matter, may be classified as a "disease" to some, whether that's scientifically or medically speaking, or just normal vernacular and semantics, but at the end of the day when it comes down to someone's brain being unable to control the behavior to the point where a person cannoy actually stop, the point at the end of the day is that the whole reason the person is even addicted in the first place is because of their own poor judgment and decision making.  

Crack-addicted babies and things of that nature I completely different story. I'm not talking about infants who are born this way where it's out of their control. But regular everyday adults who choose to stick a needle in their arm or down a case of beer every night don't get much sympathy from me and I'm certainly not going to promote the notion that they're somehow disadvantaged, or that they drew the short straw. Doing so is only enabling bad behavior.

9 times out of 10, it was a choice that got them into the situation they're in. 

On the surface, 100% accurate, its about decisions. A person chooses to, like you said, use the drug or down the vodka. There is no question.

When you peel it back, from a psychological and physical standpoint, it isn't as simple as "Jimmy decided to try heroin tonight and now is hooked." There's predispositions and genetics (akin to your crack-addicted example) where a person's literal genealogy has been mutated due to a history of addictive behaviors. It is the main argument over loot-boxes in video games, for example, or the counterpoint to consistent onslaught of gambling advertisements, or why casinos are designed the way they are, they get their hooks in.

It is an individual's choice to partake, but in some cases, the individual is not helped whatsoever by literal science and psychology, and its an escalation to disaster.

As for Galchenyuk, in this case, fvck him, as most have said, he has made his bed and done jack sh!t to change his ways and surrounded himself by enablers.

[NJDevils1214]

3 hours ago, jagknife said:

The neurological synapses and the literal chemical composition of the brain need to be adjusted, and essentially re-programmed, to return him to normal chemical balances. It is the same as when people become addicted to say working out or even, worse, eating disorders.

He entered the NHL and NHLPA Player Assistance program on 17 July 2023, the same day he published his letter apologizing for his actions and taking responsibility for them.

It does not excuse the past behavior AT ALL but he has taken steps to remedy it.

Edit: upon further research, he left the program in early August and went to Russia. I'll leave my comment, but struck through, for the whopping 3 weeks he tried to get help.

To your last part-- I was aware of all that which is why I said what I said. Idk if it is true that his dad is a big POS as is rumored but I could totally see it as a possibility with how he tried to "help" handle this situation. Help was the avenue to get back to making money until an opportunity opened up in the KHL, and I could see a scenario at least being possible where his dad is the kind of person who doesn't care much as long as a paycheck is coming in. Hopefully I am wrong because that is pretty sad but it wouldn't be the first time someone used their child as a paycheck.

[Rob_Ottawa]

3-1 San Jose over edm lol. Can't make this up

[Have Another Donut]

38 minutes ago, Rob_Ottawa said:

3-1 San Jose over edm lol. Can't make this up

Final Score 3-2 Sharks!  Big Z with 2pts  G+A, Blackwood was spectacular.  

[NJDfan1711]

3 hours ago, Have Another Donut said:

Final Score 3-2 Sharks!  Big Z with 2pts  G+A, Blackwood was spectacular.  

41-18 shots too lol.  Blackwood with a .951 save % for the game.  Good for him. 

[jagknife]

3 hours ago, Have Another Donut said:

Final Score 3-2 Sharks!  Big Z with 2pts  G+A, Blackwood was spectacular.  

I cannot wait to see the overreaction by the Oilers faithful as today progresses

they have two of the best players in the world and just got best by one of the worst teams ever assembled in the history of the league.

absolutely hysterically amazing

[Colorado Rockies 1976]

8 minutes ago, NJDfan1711 said:

41-18 shots too lol.  Blackwood with a .951 save % for the game.  Good for him. 

The Sharks have been outshot every game; somehow they’ve eked out a couple wins despite being outshot 39-19 and now 41-18.

Mac has an .899 save% and -1.5 GSAA, neither of which are bad at all considering the mess that’s playing in from him every night.  Even with these two wins, the Sharks have managed just 17 goals in 13 GP, which almost doesn’t seem possible.

McDavid with just 2 goals and 10 points this season, in 10 GP (only one point in his last four, an assist).  What the hell is going on in Edmonton?!

[Lateralous]

1 hour ago, jagknife said:

I cannot wait to see the overreaction by the Oilers faithful as today progresses

they have two of the best players in the world and just got best by one of the worst teams ever assembled in the history of the league.

absolutely hysterically amazing

It’s going to be a great day to listen to hockey podcasts coming out of Canada.  They’ve kinda been on fire anyway but this will give them something other than how bad John Klingberg and Ryan Reeves suck, to talk about 

[MadDog2020]

Woodcroft is gonna get fired

Edited November 10, 2023 by MadDog2020

[MadDog2020]

1 hour ago, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

McDavid with just 2 goals and 10 points this season, in 10 GP (only one point in his last four, an assist).  What the hell is going on in Edmonton?!

That is…. shocking. I know he missed some games with an injury, but that’s just so un-McDavid. Still at a PPG, but two goals? 😵‍💫

Edited November 10, 2023 by MadDog2020

[Lateralous]

They're modest numbers given San Jose's lack of offense but after his 2 point night last night, Zetterlund leads the Sharks with 4 goals and is second on the team in points (with 6 lol)

[Nicomo]

40 minutes ago, Lateralous said:

They're modest numbers given San Jose's lack of offense but after his 2 point night last night, Zetterlund leads the Sharks with 4 goals and is second on the team in points (with 6 lol)

In before “mOrE gOaLS tHAn tIMo!”

[NJDevils1214]

I am all for maximum chaos, cause that's entertainment baby, but we all know star players requesting a trade usually blows up in our faces...

[RunninWithTheDevil]

Hallsy took an awkward hit last night and couldn't get off the ice on his own. That second camera angle looks brutal for those of you with weak stomachs. Hyperextended his knee by the looks of it

 

[RizzMB30]

1 hour ago, RunninWithTheDevil said:

Hallsy took an awkward hit last night and couldn't get off the ice on his own. That second camera angle looks brutal for those of you with weak stomachs. Hyperextended his knee by the looks of it

 

 

I'm pretty convinced that Taylor Hall has had the worst injury luck of any player. 

[MadDog2020]

🤣

[Lateralous]

At his current pace, the Leafs are going to convince themselves that paying 10+ million to Nylander is the right move.  They are going to just continue to ice the "core 4" at an even higher cap hit with absolutely nothing behind them and hope for a different result.  It never gets old  

Ryan Reeves, who they have signed at $1.35 million AAV for the next two years after this one, managed a -2 in just 4:33 of ice time tonight...but hey, he makes the Leafs tough!    

Edited November 11, 2023 by Lateralous

[Satans Hockey]

Should have just done it anyway. Out of all the theme jerseys and nights they do not doing the hockey fights cancer one is the dumbest and most embarrassing becuase it's the one thing everyone can agree on. Cancer sucks, everyone hates it and almost every single person knows someone who has passed or has had it.

The league needs to grow up...

Should have just done it anyway. Out of all the theme jerseys and nights they do not doing the hockey fights cancer one is the dumbest and most embarrassing becuase it's the one thing everyone can agree on. Cancer sucks, everyone hates it and almost every single person knows someone who has passed or has had it.

NHL has come out as the first league to be pro cancer! Good job guys! So embarrassing. The league needs to grow up... 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Satans Hockey

[RunninWithTheDevil]

 

 

[jagknife]

3 minutes ago, RunninWithTheDevil said:

 

 

send them Palat with a pick to a 3rd team roped in to eat half the salary. Put smith in the press box where he belongs or include him in the deal.

the defense needs a shakeup badly, but Lindy won’t do it. Time to step up and be a boss, Fitz.

[HughesCorporation]

Dont know enough about Zadorov to put a value on him, the Flames are probably looking to get younger and or shed salary, is NZ worth giving them Holtz or even Mercer????, we do need some Defense on this team

[MadDog2020]

42 minutes ago, RunninWithTheDevil said:

 

 

https://newjerseyhockeynow.com/2023/11/11/source-nikita-zadorov-would-welcome-trade-to-devils/?fbclid=IwAR01H1VcRJ7_rqemYs7Hl3iqfrgoa4KKflLOAe9ouDHiFyRlfpLOMo5GKWw_aem_Aaj4zQVyW5AEGrXbw-zclVxBZJnQaE1MwvgsxAMcKPdbEu2rhAdSPjkiXm7C6MMPSdA

[Guadana]

On 10/31/2023 at 3:29 PM, Colorado Rockies 1976 said:

The funny thing is that you just KNOW they're thinking "Look at Mercer, he hasn't put up any points yet, maybe the Devils are ready to give up on him and move him for a guy who's ready to help them win RIGHT NOW!  Good deal for both sides!"  No dummies, you're not getting a very promising 22-year-old for a guy who's not only nothing special, but comes with a sh!tty cap hit to boot.  Give up the "Anderson to the Devils" nonsense already!

I don't have Mercer has an untouchable necessarily, but the only way that I'd even begin to consider trading him would be for an obvious upgrade in net, who's on a reasonable cap hit for what he'd bring...such a deal would likely involve VV (to clear cap space) and Dawson (who will be making a good chunk more next season), so that the Devils could take on the hit in 2024-25 and beyond.  And given the Devils' current cap situation, I'm not sure such a deal would be able to happen until the offseason anyway.

To be clear, to suggest that trading Mercer in a deal for a goalie has nothing to do with his slow start; like I've said elsewhere, even with some concerns (such as lack of shots on goal), I think he is going to be fine and I think he'll eventually start to provide some offense. 

I'd prefer that Mercer sticks around myself, but if Fitz decides that he needs to pursue a goalie who's under contract elsewhere, he's going to have to give to get.  There's quite a few "no way" players locked up here who won't be made available in deals, and others who might be available but who aren't the kinds of players that other teams would want to deal an above-average goalie for.  Mercer would probably be the prime trade chip. 

Sorry for being late.

From the past SC wins, teams did it with Vasilevsky(twice) and Hill, Kuemper, Murray, Binnington. Devils dont need to lose Mercer for goalie. Mercer is 25-30 goal scorer in NHL, young and shifty. Not consistent, but he is young. Teams spending tonns of assets for players like him(Hagel for example), goalies are cheaper and streaky.  Guy like Hellebyuck couldnt really help to his team in play off. Bobrovskiy was great once but his deal was an anchor mostly. 
I believe its enough to deal for Vejmelka\Ingram and we dont need to spend Mercer for that. 

More over, Devils have huge window (Jack is so young, Nemec and Luke and very young too), they need offensive depth for years. They dont need to lose Mercer for goalie who would be good(if he will) for 2-4 years. Reason why I hated Hellebyuck trade(thanks, God, there are no more of this on the horizon). Im okay to invest something in Saros(he isnt really good btw this season), but again  - something reasonable. Because in modern NHL you need hot goalie, not a great goalie.

But I think Fitz should invest in goalie market. VV is really bad. Schmid shouldnt be the savior. 

[Satans Hockey]

Very happy none of our players acted like this out of touch goof when we chanted fire Lindy which he still deserved those chants... 

"An infuriated Casey Cizikas had a message for the Islanders fans who chanted for coach Lane Lambert’s firing: Stay home.

The Islanders lost their fourth straight game Saturday night, falling to the Capitals, 4-1, at UBS Arena.

A succession of progressively louder “Fire Lambert” chants were heard in the third period, and the players on the bench certainly were aware of the crowd’s displeasure.

“It’s a joke,” Cizikas said. “It’s a joke. That kind of stuff ticks me off. It really does. I’ve got no time for those fans. I’ve got no time for them.

“If they want to be like that, they can stay home.”

The Islanders did not play like a team that has tuned out the coach’s voice, but the losing has prompted calls for a change in management. President/general manager Lou Lamoriello was the subject of “Lou Must Go” chants during the previous home game."

Edited November 12, 2023 by Satans Hockey