2013-14 NHL Season

Funny how GMGM is "dogshit," four years removed from a 54-win, 121-point season, but we shouldn't malign Ovechkin for being one-dimensional.

The guy's not supposed to lead goalies into stopping pucks, but he could work harder in taking the puck away from an opponent when he has that opportunity. When he doesn't do that, which is often, for all intents and purposes it's like the opposition has a 5-on-4 advantage when he's on the ice and doesn't have the puck. Can't blame every opposition goal on the defence and goaltending.

 

Boudreau's nickname among colleagues and friends is Gabby, but I prefer Crabby. He's up there with Kirk Gibson among the biggest jerks I've had to deal with.

 

So GM gets credit for 121 point season but their best player doesn't? Was Ovechkin trying harder 4 years ago? Now 4 years later he is still their best player yet the players around him aren't nearly as good, yeah I'll blame McPhee a hell of a lot more than Ovechkin.

That one dimension you want to malign him for is the hardest thing for teams to get in the league and he is the best at it.

Of course he could work harder defensively that doesn't make him much different from some of the great wingers that are in the hall of fame now. If he's from Moose Jaw instead of Moscow he wouldn't take half the shit he does from people.

 

Agreed.

 

So what do you do with him? Try to find a different coach and/or teammates who can get him to play better? Or give up on him as a guy who does nothing but shoot and try to deal him and get something in exchange?

At this point in his career, my thought is he is what he is. You either accept him as that and build around the strengths he does have. Or you trade him away and get what you can in return? I'm not sure how realistic it is to expect him to change.

 

Vancouver Canucks fire general manager Mike Gillis.

Never liked the guy myself. Brian Burke and Dave Nonis were both better. From the Mats Sundin fiasco to the botching of the goaltender situation to the Tortorella hiring, never like any of his major moves. During his tenure, the Canucks went from a team I really liked to one that had the reputation of a dirty team. Will be interested to see if Tortorella comes back next season and whether they embark on a full-scale rebuilding job.

 

Is Randy Carlyle in trouble if the Leafs miss the playoffs?

 

So the Washington Capitals are facing a must-win game on the road in St. Louis to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Yet goaltender Jarsolav Halak, acquired at the trade deadline, "isn't comfortable" facing his former team??

What?? Dude, you're a professional hockey player. You play for a team in a playoff race. Your job is to play goaltender. If the coach wants you to start, get your gear on and play. It's a chance to show your best stuff against the team that dissed you, not hide on the bench because you aren't "comfortable" playing against them a month after the trade! Sheesh!!

 

Working out so far for them. Washington is absolutely pushing St. Louis' stool in right now.

Like Liut mentioned earlier, I think the Blues' ceiling this year is the second round. And if Dallas is the first-round opponent, they could easily lose to them. They are running on fumes now, and the concerns expressed at the deadline about their lack of offense is coming to fruition. For the third season in a row.

 

Leafs lose to Tampa tonight and they're officially out of the playoffs.

Fucking embarrassing.

Worst part is that in the Centre of the Universe, the analysis about the Leafs failure will go on until the next season starts.

Zombies could invade Toronto but the media will be asking, "Is there a centre in that group?"

 

The "When/if will Carlyle be fired?" debate will now consume the media that isn't covering Rob Ford.

 

No Burke and Nonis weren't, you're talking out your ass as usual.