2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

Geez, got to watch most of the Pens-Caps game last night, and wow are the Caps lost. What in the world is going on? How long will Oates' leash be? And what of McPhee?

 

There are a few good behind the scenes hockey shows on...saw a chunk of the first installment of 24CH the other night...Bergevin and Therrien welcoming I think it was Gallagher to the team, telling him they were going to keep him. Also, On the Edge, which is following the Saskatoon Blades. Lorne Molleken is the head coach there. His pre game speeches are all pretty much one note, but there's good access.

 

I've wondered about McPhee for a while now. But, just a hunch, it may be one player poisoning the well.

 

DVR'd but haven't seen CH24 yet. On the Edge is good, I worked in junior hockey for more than 10 years and Molleken's level of profanity impresses even me.

 

Is there anyway to see these shows in the States? Oil Change at least shows up on NHL Network in the summer.

Also the Wild had an Internet series from the 2011-12 offseason that included the call to Mike Yeo telling him he had the job.

 

Oil change is on edmontonoilers.com

On the edge can be found here, not sure if you can watch it in the US http://www.sportsnet.ca/video/40416277001/40264830001/On-the-Edge-Road-to-the-MasterCard-Memorial-Cup-Ep-3--PT-3

 

When does Rick DiPietro's contract expire? Surely not yet, eh?

 

I figured they knew the window of opportunity was closing, if not already closed.

They never really had:

(1) the real elite stud goaltender who could single-handedly steal games in the playoffs... or

(2) a defense good enough that they really didn't need stud goaltender

When teams like Detroit and Chicago won championships with pedestrian goaltenders, they had really top-notch defensemen playing in front of them. The last two years, Boston and Los Angeles had goaltenders play unbelievably well during their Cup runs. Washington neither had either of those elements in the Ovechkin era.

 

Salary cap move by the Islanders. Don't have to pay Thomas, but are above the floor.

 

Window closing? The core of the group is all well under 30. That window is far from closed. They do, however, need a goalie and help on the back end. They also need their stars to play like they can.

As far as the Blackhawks go, Niemi played damn well during the Hawks cup run and has played very well for San Jose since.

 

I think you are misremembering on Niemi. That Stanley Cup Final was a battle of atrocious goaltending. There's a reason Chicago let him go for a contract that was only worth 2.5

He may be playing well this year but he has not been great in SJ.

 

Ducks beat St. Louis tonight 6-5 in a shootout and Hitchcock was clearly pissed after the game. Stated if Halak is not ready to come off IR Monday for Los Angeles, rookie Jake Allen will get his first start. St. Louis led 3-1 (bad goal) after one but gave up three straight in 1:41 of the second.

I was happy to get a long look at Viktor Fasth. Not bad at all, but was particularly vulnerable in the five hole tonight. Needs to keep his blade on the ice.

Saw Toronto was beating Montreal 4-0, at one point. Price get pulled? How'd it shake down?