Comments on: Why You Should Keep Watching the NHL

By: Uncle Spike

Uncle Spike — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:03:58 +0000

Players and coaches don’t “throw” games as they ride out the season…they lose some of the fire that was in them or should have been in them in November. The young kids keep going as they have to earn a spot for next year, free agents to be don’t go into the corners as hard knowing they are probably elsewhere next year and they are up against teams that are a game or two out of the 8th spot and already playing playoff style hockey that just steamrolls teams that are riding out the string. Teams become more individualistic and less about “team” as they finish off yet another season of what could have been and start looking at what their own priorities as opposed to what is best for the team, Good article Kev…..gets all ‘Good Old Canadian Boys” fired up for the playoffs and hockey pools!

By: Donnie

Donnie — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 21:36:53 +0000

Great article Kev although as has already been pointed out, if the Oiler’s finish bottom five and win the lottery, they basically traded Stamkos for Penner. Despite that, I doubt the Oil will sit bottom 5 in the league when you look at schedules. They are only 3 points back from 20th in the league and have games in hand on all but the Blackhawks. What ever happens, the race for the playoffs or the simply the race for the standings, its gonna be exciting given how tight all teams are in points.

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 04:53:50 +0000

Yes there is a lottery system. As far as I know it’s like the NBA, you can move up a maximum of four spots. I’m pretty sure Chicago moved up from 5th to 1st in last year’s lottery to get Kane.

Kevin, I completely agree that the oilers will not fall to the bottom but because of the lottery they still have a good shot at giving the ducks a great pick and maybe even number one. I really like Drew Doughty who was awesome in the world juniors so if they get either of the top two picks it will definitely make them forget about losing Penner. And I definitely think they’re looking good to repeat. I’ll take them against any other team if you’d like to put a little ODC friendly wager on it haha.

By: Blake Murphy

Blake Murphy — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:55:21 +0000

Hey, I know I could probably look this up and should probably know anyways, but does the NHL implement an NBA-style lottery for draft picks, or do they use the NFL’s reverse standings only technique? Thanks.

By: kevin

kevin — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:53:02 +0000

gentlemen, great point by ian but wrong on two fronts; ducks will not repeat and the oils won’t finish up in last – garon is playing for his career and, despite being depleted, they are not the worst team and therefore not the first in the race to the bottom.

By: Blake Murphy

Blake Murphy — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:50:18 +0000

Nice point with the draft pick change, Ian. It stinks of the 49ers giving the Pats their 1st this year since they thought they’d be great this year. Stamkos for Penner? Hmm, figure in the finances and I bet Edmonton regrets that one.

By: Ian

Ian — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:27:55 +0000

The wings are just cruising to the playoffs because they’re bored. Wait until they get the avs in the first round. They’ll be back and the Joe will be full. I still don’t see them getting by Anaheim or San Jose though.

And also note that the ducks have the oilers first round pick because of the Penner signing. Watch them win the cup AND get Stamkos.

By: stu

stu — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:10:52 +0000

Athletes might not throw games, but GMs definitely do.

As for soft teams in the West, two words – Red Wings.

By: Blake Murphy

Blake Murphy — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:54:05 +0000

I liked the article a great deal Kevin, it got me excited to watch some playoff-stretch hockey. One thing I disagree with, though:

“With the awesome draft year coming up it would be easy to assume that some teams are playing for positioning, but that’s only if you’ve never been part of a team before. No athlete throws what’s left of a season, not to mention their pride, for a draft choice. You can take that one to the bank.”

No athlete? Did you not watch the NBA last year? I hope that statement was just supposed to cover hockey, or at least exclude basketball, because the opposite of that story is about to begin for 8-10 teams in the NBA.

By: kevin

kevin — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:42:17 +0000

hey, i went with some of the more obvious choices for this article, but let’s start discussing some of the other names you feel could lay under the headings good, bad and ugly. in that order: domenic moore/jonathan cheechoo/jared boll, perhaps?