NHL 2014-2015 regular season running thread

The Sharks are moving their top minor league affiliate from Worcester to ... San Jose. They'll play in the arena when the Sharks aren't.

Purdy: Sharks' Minor League Team Is Moving . . . . To San Jose And SAP Center. Yes, Really. The World's Smartest Stupid Sports Blog

Only team in the league with this setup.

 

So now we're talking Edmonton/Bakersfield, San Jose/San Jose and Anaheim/San Diego. Keep 'em coming, boys.

 

I don't know off the top of my head what Arizona's contractual status with the Portland (Maine) Pirates is but was wondering if the Coyotes would be interested in getting their AHL affiliate closer to the big club. Don't know how deep the new owner's pockets are so it might be a moot point if Arizona has to buy a franchise. Salt Lake City comes to mind. Very good hockey tradition.

 

I think Glendale is a perfect spot for an AHL club.

 

Duly noted, and it's probably going to be that way for a bit. Arizona's headed to rebuild mode.

 

Last year, L.A. had, at times, trouble scoring goals and this year the big problem for the Kings is goals against. Mitchell was an important loss albeit pretty much unavoidable. Voynov's suspension, Regehr's injury, and Muzzin's inconsistency have also spoiled the stew. I have learned to never count the Kings completely out but, right now, that's a weak team in its own end.

I stated a couple of months ago I thought Nashville and the New York Islanders probably had season-long staying power but was skeptical about Calgary. Last night's loss at Anaheim not with standing, pretty impressive how that young club is still hanging around. Calgary is very entertaining to watch. Back to the Predators: good on the blue line but they going to sink without a healthy Rinne who is out for at least another two or three weeks, IIRC.

 

Don't sleep on Hutton in the Nashville net, a very capable goalie. Not great numbers this year but was outstanding last season when pressed into full time duty. Obviously he's not Rinne, but I don't expect them to fall off the face of the earth either.

Also, the Kings have never been a great regular season team, usually just doing enough to get into the playoffs, but once there they usually find a new gear. They will likely add to their blue line At the deadline. They'll be fine.

 

Went to Ducks-Flames last night. Ducks scored 3 in the first period and could easily have had 5. But the Flames never gave up. They cut it to 4-2 in the second and 5-3 in the third before Kesler got an ENG. That seems to be the trademark of the Flames ... they never give up. The Ducks played it a little loose because their first three goals came so easily. They could have had 5 goals on 9 shots. They go into the All-Star break with the best record in the league.

 

I've found myself more and more lately trying to remember to watch Hockey Central (if I can) on NHL Network. Airs at 10 a.m. in the west. A lot of good guests. I've despised Nick Kypreos since his playing days when he tore up Grant Fuhr's knee with a cheap shot. However, always got along well with Doug MacLean and thought he would come across well on television. What others think?

 

The Hockeycentral personalities apart from Friedman are hot garbage. From Maclean, Kypreos, Cox and the worst of all PJ Stock. TSN kicks sportsnets ass all day when it comes to their hockey coverage.

 

Los Angeles/Ontario (CA not CAN)

 

Not saying this because he's an SJ'er but Friedman is tremendous. And Ron Maclean is king. But as JC says, all other Rogers folk are awful except Kypreos. Them giving viewers George Strombolopoulos and passing him off as a hockey expert is pretty insulting too.