Running NHL 2023-24 regular season thread

Gaetz was in SJ that first year, and had an epic fight with Probert. I believe the Sharks got him in that bizarre, only-in-the-NHL dispersal draft with the North Stars.

 

Second straight game the Sharks get 10 hung on them. It’s down right comical how bad this team is.

 

No way the coach survives this, is there?

 

The Sharks have been a powerhouse in the Western Conference for what seems like forever. Years of poor drafting position and spending picks on rentals, if I recall, have finally caught up to them….I guess. Plus they are obviously tanking, or so it seems, but taking it to a new level. This is as hard as I have ever seen an NHL franchise fall this far from an elite level, a bit sad really.
You have to think SJ is still a desirable place to play for free agents and maybe that’s how they get it stabilized is with laddered FA contracts while their draft talent develops.

 

What is really sad is there are three guys—Vlasic, Hertl, and the injured Couture—we’re on that team that went to the Cup Final. They know what success looks like. But their big free agent targets a couple years ago didn’t pan out and they needed to cut salary. Their farm is atrocious. Clearly they’re starting over but I don’t think anyone suspected they’d be this horrendous. Giving up 10 goals in two straight games is just not trying. I get it that it’s hard when injuries force you to play guys who aren’t ready, but damn.

 

I didn't see the whole game, but I watched an extended highlights package put together by a YouTuber who does it for every Penguins game. The defense and goaltending on many of those goals was just pathetic.

 

I fear Marisa's right here. It's going to get worse before it gets better. (May be paywalled)

 

Oilers waive G Jack Campbell. He’s in year 2 of 5 at $5 million a year, so beginning tomorrow he will count almost $4 million against the cap as he walks the streets of Bakersfield.

 

Good God almighty, the Sharks have won! 2-1 over Philly.

 

Last Wednesday (Nov. 1), Connor Zary of the Flames scored on the first shot of his career.
Last Saturday (Nov. 4), Martin Pospisil of the Flames scored on the first shot of his career.
I defy anyone to find another example of a team having players score on the first shot of their careers in back-to-back games.

 

Is scoring on your first shot all that rare?