yave1964

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Pretty much last place in the division and a sure fire top lottery pick was the prediction by everyone. Nobody thought much of them this year.

FINAL RECORD 19-54-9 47 points. Last in Pacific. Last in the West. Last in the NHL.

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR The Sharks scored the  second least amount of goals of any team in the league, and also gave up the most goals of any team in the league. They had a whopping minus 150 goal differential, worst in a third of a century and 8th worst of all time.

  Another strange stat, 36 skaters played for the Sharks and not a single one was a plus player. In fact, 25 players were double digit minus players.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR None really. Oh in January they had a modest 3 game winning streak upsetting the Presidents trophy winning Rangers in one of them, but then they lost 16 of 18 right after so none really. Unless they win the lottery then all bets are off.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR The opening act. They started the year 0-10-1 a near record for opening futility. During the 11 straight losses they scored 12 goals and gave up 55. In fact they gave up 13 power play goals in that time, so the other teams record on the power play was better than the Sharks was for 11 full and complete games. 

WHAT WENT RIGHT Granlund had a decent year leading the team with 60 points. Hertl was ok early until injuries finished him off then he was dealt to the Knights. William Eklund had a decent showing and promise. Zetterlund led the team with 24 goals. Mario Ferraro had a good year, he actually played pretty well. Kids Thrun and Emberson established themselves on the back end.

WHAT WENT WRONG Couture missed most of the season. Kevin Labanc was wretched and looks washed up early. Addison was added to breathe life into the power play and scored 1 goal all year and was a sieve on defense. Vlasic was a shell of his former self, as was Mike Hoffman. Zadina, Eklund and Burroughs were all minus 40 or worse. The goaltenders had bad stats, i have a hard time mentioning them here because their defense was so bad no goalie could have survived the year. Sturm, Barabanov and Carpenter were not NHL players on their best day.

FREE AGENTS lABANC, hOFFMAN, Bailey, Barabanov and Carpenter will all be gone. Kunin, Addison and Zadina are all RFA none will break the bank. 

  Cap issues are a bit of a problem, they are paying Burns, Martin Jones, Hertl and Karlsson over 7 million per season NOT to play for them.

TOP PROSPECTS Eklund is firmly established as a top line winger, Bordeleau is likely to be a bottom six center going forward. Thrun and Emberson are bottom pair defenders with a bit of upside. They have so very young prospects such as Musty and Estrom who will likely wait for a year or two before getting regular shifts. They have a few other AHL players in mid twenties who will get into games out of desperation but most are illusion.

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS Cmon, there are none. Vanacek is the goalie who will take a beat down next year, Couture and Vlasic make over 15 million a year to wind down their career and the seven plus million they are paying long gone vets eats the salary cap in a very ugly way. Most of the kids are not nearly ready and very raw and are better served as Barracuda in the learning process. 

  I guess my question would be, what could they trade Ferraro for? He was rumored being dealt near the deadline, maybe they could add a second for him? 

  This was a near historical bad team, one of the worst in ages, I simply think they are bottoming out now and it will be quite awhile before you notice any marked improvement. 

OFFSEASON OUTLOOK Huge changes, Taresenko and O'Reilly were gone, the hope was that Robert Thomas and Kyrou would replace them and they might fight for a playoff spot.

FINAL RECORD 43-33-6 92 points, missed the playoffs by six points.

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR they won 25 home games, one of only 8 teams to have done so, all the others made the playoffs and had damn solid road records. The Blues had a non playoff very bad 18-19-4 road record, their futility on the road doomed their season.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR tHEY BEAT Edmonton on February 15th running their record to 29-22-2 right in the thick of the playoff hunt. They were on a nice streak of 8-2-0 and looked like they were going to fight with Nashville and the surprisingly (as of then) Knights for the wildcard spots.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR They simply got passed by the red hot Predators down the stretch. They didnt play badly, iin fact they won more than they lost down the stretch it was just that Vegas and Nashville caught fire and St. Louis didnt. You could make the argument that firing Berube after losing 6-4 to the Wings as they limped along at 13-14-2 in mid December was the low.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Robert Thomas is the most unknown star in all of hockey, 86 points, 870 faceoffs, 60 assists, nobody noticed but man this guy can play. Kyrou replaced Taresenko with 31 goals. Buchnevich was also under the radar, had a damn fine season. Saad and Neighbors had cool solid Cy young seasons with 52 goals between them. Faulk and Krug, warts and all were decent on the back end. Parayko was the anchor back there, again, underrated nobody noticed. For all the criticism of Binnington, he and Hofer were both solid and a hell of a net tandem. Drew Banister did a good solid job with the roster and is in consideration for the head coach job.

WHAT WENT WRONG Kevin Hayes is washed up, scoring 3 goals all year. Brayden Schenn labored all year but while I cannot call last season a bust many cracks appeared in his game. Kapanen and Sundqvist were brought in to supply secondary scoring and both failed. It seems like years ago but Jakub Vrana last year blew his probable last chance in the NHL and was a huge bust. 

FREE AGENTS Kapane, Blais and Vrana will absolutely not be invited back and will not be missed. 

BLUES TOP PROSPECTS I really like Jimmy Snuggerud and think he will fit in with Neighbors as exciting young top six scoring wingers. Hofer is only 22 and is established as a 1B and may push for more net time. Zack Dean and Zachary Bolduc are B minus forwards who will fight for time. If Dalibor Dvorsky impresses in camp and earns a spot he will push middle six minutes and has a very high upside.

  I like the forwards, not quite love them but close. They will push a talented group and make them better. The defense has nobody who I feel will compete or earn a job next year, nobody close and defense is a gaping hole everywhere.

QUESTION MARKS How to rebuild the defense? Look i like Parayko, i cannot stand Faulk and Krug and there is nobody else on the back end worth a damn (including Leddy) and the defense cost the team a playoff spot. The Blues need to add likely not one, but two top four blueliners for them to be competitive.

  Can they compete? Yes, absolutely. Thomas is the real deal, as is Kyrou with kids coming up among the forward ranks. They need to give up assets to move out the 4 years at 6.5 million on Schenns deal and the 4.5 million for two years left for Saad. 

  I like the core, i like nearly love the prospects, I have been ultra critical of GM Armstrong but the team looks like it has been rebuilt on the fly, they desperately need two legit d-men and I feel they are in the playoffs next year. They need to bite the bullet and trade the msitake contract of Schenn to anyone willing to take it on.

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Went out and added erik Karlsson to an already old core, the thought was he may be the tipping point that carries them deep in the playoffs for another run with the old guys.

FINAL RECORD 38-32-12 6TH in Metro, missed the playoffs.

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Tristan Jarry led all goaltenders with 6 shutouts, not tied, he led the league by himself with those shutouts. HOWEVER, when he was not shutting people out Jarry went 13-25-5 with a 3.44 goals against and a bad .880 save pct. 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR On February 27th Erik Karlsson scored in OT to defeat the Canucks, they were on a 5-1-1 streak, they caught the Islanders and quotes after the game said they were right in it and going to fight for a playoff spot.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR They fell flat from there, losing 7 of their next 8, forcing them to face facts that the season was done and trading Guentzel to the hated Hurricanes.

WHAT WENT RIGHT He wont get Hart votes but Crosby was brilliant as ever with 42 goals and still the games best faceoff man. Malkin chugged along with 67 points, second on the team and for once played all 82 games. Karlsson and Letang were solid building their hall of fame creds. Rust popped in 28 goals. Reilly Smith came on hot at the end and was decent, as was Rakell. Drew O'Conner had a surprisingly good year. Under the radar Marcus Pettersson was the steady rock on the back end. Nedjelcovic was very solid in net nearly forcing an inmprobable playoff push late. Bunting was ok after coming over. 

WHAT WENT WRONG Jarry was God awful other than those 6 shutouts. Guentzel was sadly traded away. Jeff Carter was barely usable and retired at seasons end. P.O. Joseph did little and looks like a potential first round bust. The Penguins rotated retreads like Hinostra,  Harkins, Acciari, Puljujarvi, Nieto, colin White all of whom did absolutely nothing other than take up roster spots. They played (ineffectively) 

because the kids such as Gruden, Shea, Ludvig and Zohorna were even worse. A pathetic farm system didnt produce for the bottom three on defense or bottom six at forward. Karlsson, Letang, Malkin all scored decently I guess but none moved the needle and are now another year older.

 FREE AGENTS Carter retired. Nedeljkovic was brilliant at times but is an UFA and the Pens may not be able to bring him back. About it.

TOP PROSPECTS Sam Poulin is the darling in Pittsburgh but i dont see it, he is a floater who can score a bit, i doubt he ever hits 45 points in a year ever. Puustinen is NOT a prospect, he and Zohorna play in the NHL because of desperation and because someone has to. Owen Pickering is a meh, C level defensive prospect as is St. Ivany, nothing more. I do like Joel Blomqvist and if big Ned leaves he will inherit the 1B role and may surprise.

 Very limited talent pool and they traded away their first round pick this year and next.

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS Are they done? Man i dont like this team, Crosby was brilliant but whined a lot this year, i mean whined even more than he usually does. Malkin, Karlsson, Letang all were good but none were close to their peak. The farm system is horrible, Jarry lost confidence. I dont see them going further.

  Do they resign Guentzel? All signs point to no, Guentzel didnt want to leave but there is a time to take your game elsewhere.

  The team is old and slow, rust and Ryan Graves may be dealt for futures at or before the frenzy begins......

Colorado had the worst home/road split of any playoff team, i feel Dallas steals one in Colorado and takes advantage with a six game win 

Florida in five if Bennett is back, in six if he is not

48 minutes ago, ruxpin said:

Is it fair to add the Maple Leafs here?  They seem like maybe a different category that has the same result. 

 

To your basic question, put me in the tear it down/rebuild camp.  I'm driven by a desire to win.  I've been to parades. There is very little that beats that (there ARE things better; I said "little").  Shaking hands a fortnight later is little consolation. 

 

But tearing it down and never actually managing the rebuild is no fun.  And the Flyers, for example, have been so pathetic that at least some decent hockey for awhile was entertaining. The truth is  though, that I watched extremely little if it because it was ultimately always doomed.

 

Tear it down, proper rebuild, win (or have legitimate chance) for me, please.

 Leafs, man, ugh. Yeah they are in here as well. Maybe the poster child. Every year they run over the weak sisters in the league then fold. God alone knows what they do now. Year after year they look amazing until some lesser talent team who is unafraid of getting dirty buries them. First round. 

4 minutes ago, TropicalFruitGirl26 said:

@yave1964

 

Regarding how the Bolts did it, yes, they were bad, got good picks, and went from there.
The Melrose ^%$# show was not by design...NO ONE at that time knew just what the hell they were doing!
The organization before Jeff Vinik took over was a complete clown act...an embarrassment....and one that almost got the team relocated.

When got Stamkos, things were looking up behind the scenes, and they didn't exactly tank...they just iced the best they had (admittedly, it wasn't so hot), and let sports nature take it's course.

But the idea since then has always been maintain the top spot....again, like your Wings did for over two decades.

And to top all that off, the Lightning, again, since Vinik, have ALWAYS invested in good hockey people, let them do their jobs, and come up with draft picks and players that no one gave a second look to, and either turned them into roster regulars, or used them to acquire such players.

That is all I really want from my teams....the best they can put out there, and the smarts behind the scenes to keep it going, without resorting to BS tank jobs and foisting (LOVE that word @JR Ewing  ) suffering on their fans in the meantime.

I still prefer the full rebuild, the Wings had a terrible farm system with slugs on long term contracts we took the hit and have young talented players everywhere that very well could lead the team to serious contention.

   Every now and then a fodder team makes a run, Nashville did it when they made it to the SCF after trading for PK, i get it but looking at the Isles, Caps, Jets, Smashville, the Kings, even the Blues and Pens, all could easily make a run for playoff spots but I cannot see any of them making it out of the first round. I dont see them ever going deep and all need something. The Isles were bold trading for Horvat and changing coaches but there is something missing. The Peg signed their main two UFAs early and they built on that but again, sometyhing is missing. I just do not see them, any of them ever fighting for a cup which to me is the ultimate prize. It comes down to what is more valuable, playoffs or Stanley Cup and i get it as a Wings fan year after year making the playoffs but the last five years were tough losing in round two to the Sharks, losing in round one to everyone for three years and the bill finally came due. I think on top is fantatic, below is easy, just rebuild, the hardest spot in the league are teams 12 thru 20 in the middle once there it is so hard to move up.

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Yzerman signed every vet in the Worls, like nine free agents July first and they were all good, not great but replacing people who were not. A modest improvement was expected with the hope that they would fight for a wildcard playoff spot.

FINAL RECORD 41-32-9 91 points, tied with Washington for the final playoff spot, Washington made the playoffs with the tiebreaker

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR I can argue that very few players meant as much as Dylan Larkin meant to Detroit. He missed 14 games including a horrible stretch late, without him in the lineup the Wings were a pitiful 3-10-1. With Larkin in the lineup they were an exceptional 38-22-8. There is absolutely no doubt that if Larkin had not broke down and missed a critical 7 game stretch late where the team fell apart, he would have certainly won multiple games and we would be doing the writeup for the Caps right now instead of the Wings.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR Two. Signing Patrik Kane was fantastic, he played amazing at near a point a game player. They had an amzing February, culminating with a six game winning streak ending by beating Washington 8-3 pushing the record to 33-20-6. Vegas oddsmakers had the Wings at a 94 percent chance of making the playoffs. 

LOW POINT Larkin was injured and the team did not respond. The Wings lost their next 7, including twice to the bad Coyotes and the Sabres. Larkin came back, they straightened it out but the damage was done. Lyon who had been a world beater played very bad down the stretch. It was sickening and painful to watch as we fell off the playoff cliff.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Larkin scored 69 points in 68 games and was brilliant in both ends of the ice. Seider was one of five players in the game to have 200 hits and 200 blocks and established himself as a top flight minute muncher. Raymond was brilliant down the stretch and established himself as a top winger to fear for years to come. Kane was brilliant and amazing. The free agents mostly worked out well, Gostisbehere ran the power play and was great, Petry was steady , Sprong was great with 18 goals and 43 points. Fischer did a good job on the 4th line. Chiarot and Waalman were a steady influence on the back end. Compher was solid on the back end. Debrincat was a ton of fun to watch. Perron was steady especially down the stretch.
 

WHAT WENT WRONG I am gonna piss off some Wings fans, but our goaltenders were downright awful. Yeah Lyon had a nice stretch but in crunch time he faded badly and lost starts to Reimer who was not good down the stretch. Husso was ineffective and couldnt stay healthy. Not alll free agents worked out, Kostin was terrible and was dealt near the deadline. At the free agent frenzy the Wings were ripped on for signing Justin Holl to that term and money and he was ineffective and was a healthy scratch for much of the year. Fabbri had a hot stretch early but was invisible in the second half. Copp had a second disappointing season. 

FREE AGENTS Big news here. Gostisbehere is an UFA and the Wings want and need back. Perron is probably leaving looking at the Canadiens to finish his career. Reimer wont be back. Fischer was solid and we would like to have him back. Kane is the big one with rumors that he wants to play in Chicago again with Bedard but we have to hope he returns. Sprong was under the radar secondary scoring and wants to return.

  The problem is Seider and Raymond are RFA and both will demand term/money and will eat a lot of the cap space up. It will play a critical role in who they can return or sign.

 PROSPECTS There is no doubt that Edvinsson will be an extremely valuable second pair defender who was an offensive force with the Griffins and should develop as the second crown jewel on the back end. Jonatan Berggren is an absolute middle six winger who is an offensive force, he will be top six on the wing and will be a great add. Marco Kasper became stronger and more a force for the Griffins as the year went on, he will fight for a middle six position either on the wing or at center. William Wallinder will certainly play on the bottom pair on defense at one point, many scouts feel he is as good as Edvinsson. Sebastian Cossa was amazing for the Griffins and that includes the playoffs. Yzerman is not rushing him but he would be brilliant in a 1B role in net.

OFFSEASON QUESTIONS Will the Wings carry the loss of the playoffs carry over the coming year? Will Kane be back, and if not will Berggren and other young kids fill up the offense? Will we go with Lyon and Husso with Cossa in the minors in the wings or will we bring in a better netminder? 

  I see a lot to like, Edvinsson and Berggren in full time with Kasper, Wallinder and Cossa chomping at the bit for a chance. Detroit has depth everywhere and look like a team on the rise.

  There are teams that every year manage to make the playoffs and lose in the first round, year in and year out. The Islanders, Prtedators, Capitals, the Jets, also the Kings. Every year they seem to be in the playoff convo, most make the playoffs, high hopes and lose in six games to a better team or a team that is more prepared for the playoffs.

  I mentioned a few years ago the Predators have a bad year when they lose in the first round on four, a good year is when they lose in the first round in six games. All of the teams above are going through it, they are good enough to make the playoffs, not good enough to do anything when they make it in. Pittsburgh was in the mix but stumbled out of the playoffs altogether this year.

 As a fan, would you rather have a team that is in that mix, making the playoffs year in and year out losing in the first round year in and out as well, or a team that has slumped to bottom feeder and is properly rebuilding towards a Stanley Cup run?

  I have to admit i am of two minds. The Wings lost the tiebreaker and the Capitals made it in. I would have loved to see the Wings in the playoffs, even getting spanked in four by the superior Rangers as the Caps did. But truthfully IMHO making the playoffs and losing in four or five would have possibly set the rebuild back a few years. It would have looked like a success and we might have signed a few of our free agents to longer deals that they didnt deserve. 

  My opinion is I would rather take the hit, get our teeth kicked in for a few years and rebuild the system and try to properly set up for a rebuild. Tampa did it masterfully a decade ago, Melrose and ownership destroyed the team, it went on for a few years as players got old and moved on, they took the hit, sucked for a few years drafted Stammer and Hedman and many others and turned into a fantastic team, one of the best in the game. It is the blueprint for how to rebuild. Simply a masterclass. Given the two, the Isles or Preds or a rebuild done right, give me the Tampa model any time.

Not trying to kick the Yotes bot nearly three decades in Arizona their number one most hated rival was the fans. 

If i missed anything, i would say PWHL coming alive. Probably shoulda made the top ten, wrestled with that one

My favorite top ten moments of 23-24 regular season

10. REMPE MAKES BIG SPLASH IN THE NHL  Lets face it, he is a meh player but the grin is real, he is unafraid to mix it up with anyone, can score a bit and took the league by storm. five years from now he will be playing in Europe or the AHL but today, the kid brought fresh air into the league

9) FLEURY TAKES OVER AS SECOND ALL TIME WINNING GOALIE Nobody is gonna catch Brodeur, but Mark andre Fleury passed Patrick Roy for second all time in career wins. A bit of perspective, Bobrovsky is in 14th place all time, 2nd highest among all active goalies, Bob is 162 wins behind MAF.

8. MATTHEWS QUEST FOR 70 He came up just short with 69 goals which is a remakable stat, highest by a goal scorer in over 30 years and according to Stats inc. he banged 26 off a post. Simply a dominating season.

7. OVECHKIN CHASING GRETZKY He slowed down this year but managed to score 31 goals, leaving him with 853, 41 goals from catching the great one. he is one damn fine year from passing Wayne, inching closer this season.

6. SAROS LEADS LEAGUE IN GOALIE APPEARANCES FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS. Saros is the throwback goalie, three years in a row he has led all goalies in starts, minutes, twice in shots faced. He is firmly established as teh iron man among todays goalies.

5. BEDARD DEBUT The kid missed time to injury, played with an awful team and awful linemates, yet in spite of all that he led all rookies in most every category proving he is hyped but not overhyped. The kid can flat out play and was a toon of fun to watch.

4. MIKE BABCOCK DEBACLE. That was quick. Simply a disaster that cost a GM his job on the long run. Less said the better.

3. McDAVID HAS 100 ASSISTS Man he got hot late, pushed the puck to teammates left and right managing to have 100 assists highest total in 34 years. Only 3 players, Orr, Gretzky and Lemieux ever hit the century mark in assists. An amazing season.

2. HART, DUBE, FOOTE, FORMENTON AND MCLEOD ACCUSED. Five players who took the rest of the season off as Ontario was deciding what to do with them as far as charges go. Again like Babcock, the less said the better but this was massive, Hart was having a great year, the Flyers would have made the playoffs if this had not happened.

1. COYOTES FINALLY GIVE UP ON ARIZONA AND MOVED TO UTAH The move was inevitable, it was more a question of where instead of when. Houston, KC, Quebec, several others were in the running. Utah gets its first NHL team.

  These are my thoughts on top ten for 23-24 regular season, honorable mention to Rangers winning the Presidents trophy and the Eastern conference final playoff spot going down to the last minute of the last game, and Vegas adding Hanifin and Hertl . 

  Anyone else?

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Lots and lots of people simply fell in love with the Sabres before the season began. Devon Levi was looked at like a young Carey Price, Tage Thompson came of a fantastic season and they had come on strong the year before, missing the playoffs by a single point in 2023. Many fans simply felt the Sabres were due to finally return to the postseason.

 FINAL RECORD 39-37-6 84 points, 6th in Division 7 points out of a playoff spot

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR alex Tuch was a fan favorite away from Buffalo, his road stats were so much better than at home. Road he led the team with 15 goals and 34 points and was a plus 10, at home he was very ordinary, 7 goals, 7th on the team in scoring and was a minus 1. 

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR you want the truth? None really. They slogged out to start the year, winning a couiple losing a couple in return and that is what they did all year. They were never worse than 3 games below .500 or better than 2 games above. They just kind of hovered around mediocrity all year long.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR Trading Casey Mittlestadt for Bowen Byram was a sign that they threw in the towel and IMHO a terrible trade at the deadline. Again, nothing as far as a super low, they just went along as if in a mediocre fog all year.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Dahlin is a superstar, point blank, just an amazing player, just fun to watch. Luukonen was fantastic, he carried the load in net and was rock steady most nights. Four forwards, Tuch, Thompson, Skinner and Peterka all scored 20 plus goals. Owen Power was very steady. Dylan Cozens, Jack quinn and Zach Benson were tremendous as kids establishing themselves as the future. Jordan Greenway was a snarling winger who could score a bit. 

WHAT WENT WRONG Nobody in the NHL failed more miserably than Levi, period, full stop. He was awful for much of the year, spent time in Rochester, got hurt and lost his job to another young goalie. He personally cost the team a shot at running for the playoffs. Tage Thompson had a good season but after the great one the year before crashed hard overall. Olofsson was the softest player i have seen in years and was a complete bust. Some kids worked out while others namely Peyton Krebs did not. Tyson Jost had an awful season. Samuelsson was supposed to steady the blueline could not stay healthy and reallly when on the ice was not that good. Don Granato lost the team, he never developed a rotation among the blueliners, killing Dahlin and Power played waaaay to much and the third pair guys player 13, 14 minutes a night which might work in the postseason but doesnt come close in the long regular season. 

FREE AGENTS Olofsson and Jost wont be invited back and will be replaced by talented young kids. Nobody of significance will be lost. Luukonen is a RFA and wants paid. Krebs and Jokiharju will want multiple years and the team must decide whether or not to extend them. 

TOP PROSPECTS Matthew Savoie will fight for a top six forward role and brings energy and skill. Levi is still a prospect, he has to shut last years hype away and build a career which he is certainly capable of doing. Isak Rosen and Noah Ostlund are skilled forwards fighting for a job as well. 

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS This team is set roster wise, maybe one defensive position is available, about 13, 14 forwards fighting for 12 spots, all deserving of a regular shift in the NHL, two young goalies, cap space is ok, not good or bad. Ruff back as the coach which you have to admit knows how to set a lineup and squeeze the other team like  anyone. 

  The question, IMHO is can this team win with what they have? Lots of kids, vets tied up long term, they are who they are with minor tinkering but can Ruff identify a lineup that can compete out of these players? If Thompson is a 55 point a year player that is devastating but they have kids who need to step up and more in the pipeline. Can they step up and push for the playoffs after missing for 13 years in a row? 

OFFSEASON OUTLOOK Most people disliked the Ducks, thought they were going to be bad as usual, I really thought they would take a step up, lots and lots of good young kids especially on defense. Nobody took them serious as a playoff contender, it was just hoped that they would show progress.

FINAL RECORD 27-50-5 59 points. Thanks to the Sharks, they didnt come in last.

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Leo Carlsson led the league as the worst faceoff man in the past five years among any center who had at least 500 attempts. His futile 34.8 percent faceoff win was awful.

 HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR tHEY LOST 4 OF the first 5, then caught fire. They won six straight, lost two and then beat San Jose and Nashville, bumping their record to 9-6. Most importantly, they scored 4 or more goals in 7 of the first 15 games showing signs that the offense was improving.

 LOW POINT OF THE YEAR, Well pretty much everything else. After the surprise 9-6 start, they lost 8 in a row, all in regulation. Then beating Colorado in a shootout, they lost five more in a row, going 1-13 during that stretch. During that 14 game stretch they only scored 4 goals in a game twice and the season was over before Christmas. After scoring 4 goals in a game in 15 games, nearly half, they only scored 4 goals in a game 7 times in the next 37.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Frank Vatrano had a very satisfying season with 37 goals. Troy Terry came on strong after a slow start and had a good year. Mason MacRavish had a decent year and surprised with 86 penalty minutes showing a fire in his game. Leo Carlsson has a mixed bag but at 19 didnt embarrass himself. Pavel Mintyukov as a solid rookie on the back end did a solid job. Gudas was a solid player. Jackson Lacombe and Olen Zellweger were a couple of blue chip defenders who got their feet wet and held their own. Lukas Dostal was not great but was better than Gibson, granted that bar was pretty low.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Lets start with Trevor Zegras. He has developed a rep among Ducks fans and coaching staff for lack of heart, he missed a lot of time with injury, did very little when playing and floated around a lot. John Gibson had yet another bad year, this one his worst ever. Killorn came over from Tampa, missed 19 games and looked like he was simply there for a last check and playing in California. Jakob Silferberg hit the wall, had nothing left and is gone to Europe literally one day at the end of the year. 

  Vatrana had a fluky 37 goal season, nobody else on the team scored 20 except Terry who scored exactly that. The offense was offensive.

FREE AGENTS Silferberg is gone, nobody else will be missed. No RFA will break the bank

TOP PROSPECTS LOTS OF YOUNG KIDS have established themselves in the NHL already and should be fixtures, but they still have more. Jacob Perreault could be a 3rd line winger. If one of the kid blueliners slips, Tyson Hinds is highly thought of, as is Tristan Luneau. They have a power froward in Nathan Gaucher who looks like the real deal. Of course their prize possession who will almost certainly stick is Cutter Gautheir who came over from Philly.

  Lots of kids in the NHL, lots of kids still coming and may get lucky and get a top two or three pick.

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS Gibson is down to two years at a highway robbery 6.4 million per, can tehy move him? Will they give up the picks prospects to do so? Do they give up on Zegras and move him now before his career completely derails and he loses all value? 

  Most importantly, the team is being built around good, solid B and low A prospects who are already in the NHL or will be next year, the question is, do they go all out by signing one or even two real deal free agents? 

  Look, i like what i see here, this is the deepest batch of young kids in the NHL today with more on the way, but the vets are a lot of guys just chasing their paycheck. I do not see anyone who i would consider a leader of the kids excepting Mactavish. I truly believe this team needs Guentzel, Stamkos, Reinhart, at least one of them sends a message down the roster that the club is buying in on their progress.I am very intrigued by this team.

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Cautionary hope that they might show signs of improvement. Gaudreau in his second year was bound to be better, the defense with Provorov, Werenski and Severson would help a defense that was overrun the year before and lots of talented kids among the forwards would help drive the forwards.  Nobody felt they were expected to drive towards a playoff spots but the hope was they would show signs of improvement. 

FINAL RECORD 27-43-12 66 points, dead last in Division, 15 points behind the next worst team in the Metro Division

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR As Boone Jenner went so went the Jackets.  The CBJ went 11-5-2 in games in which Jenner scored a goal, in the games in which he appeared in that he did not score, the Jackets were a pathetic 8-26-6. 

  WHAT WENT RIGHT The Russian forwards, Voronkov, Chinakov and Marchenko all showed signs of promise. Werenski had a damn fine season. Gaudreau led the team in scoring woith 60 points. Jenner (when healthy) had a fine season. Fanilli was a mixed bag but did not embarrass himself as a teenager playing against men. Alexander Nylander came back from the dead and scored a bit when he was dealt by Pittsburgh. David Jiricek showed he is ready to play as a middle four defenseman. Provorov was a minute munching top pair defender. Texier came back from homesickness and played good solid hockey.

WHAT WENT WRONG. Kent Johnson is lookin like a first round bust. Patrik Laine could not stay healthy and signed up for rehab treatment. The goaltenders were a season long mess. The young kids, while none embarrassed themselves were really average. Severson was a mixed bag. 

  Nobody was really awful expecting Laine, maybe Johnson, but the truth is the team did not  play well in any area.

HIGH POINT OF THE YEAR jACK Rosplovic scored an overtime winner against the Wild in a thrilling 5-4 victory, pushing their record to 3-2. Fantilli scored his first career goal, it was a fun, lively game.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR From an embarrassing loss to the pathetic Ducks on October 24th through being well beaten by the Flyers 5-2 on November 19th, they went 1-9-4 driving them into the basement from which they never returned. It was more or less all downhill from there. 

  Of course the worst of the worst was the signing of Babcock for his final NHL tour.

FREE AGENTS No real or significant free agents will be departing. Howere the Jackets are packed with RFA all of whom will demand a decent paycheck. Marchenko, Chinakov, Texier, Sillinger Jake Bean are all RFA. Bean may be released, Texier almost certainly will be dealt.

TOP PROSPECTS Jiricek almost certainly will be at least in the top four on the blueline and has a ton of potential. Kent Johnson is running out of chances  and if he wants a career it better happen soon. Denton Mateychuk is a solid blue line prospect and he will be pushing for a bottom pair spot this year with potential to move up. Gavin Brindley is a very solid B level prospect ready to step into a top nine role with higher upside among the forwards.

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARKS Are the kids anything special or are they an entire team of 3rd line NHLers? Merzlikens has four years at 5.4 million per season, can they escape from the horrible contract and add a real goalie? Will they ever move beyond  an insignificant playoff team to  becoming a reall team that deserves to be taken seriously? Can Laine stay healthy and play like they wnated? Will Gaudreau make the Jackets signing look horrible or will he fix his career?

  If you are a hard core Hockey fann you may have heard of Chris Terry. Maybe.

 Terry was drafted by Carolina in the fifth round  in 2007, a decent goal scoring winger built like a fire hydrant, nice shot but not a lot of speed, defense is ok but not great enough to play a checking role. 

  He caught his first break in the NHL at 24, scored his first goal the day before his birthday. He spent the next season in the AHL, his sixth straight and then in 2015 and 16 he spent two years on the bottom line with Carolina, averaging 10 goals a year. He left for Montreal as an UFA which turned out to be a mistake, the Habs were a mess and rotated people in and out of the lineup, Terry spent 14 games in Montreal in 2016-17 scoring two goals. They were his last 14 games in the NHL.

  From there Terry bounced between Grand rapids and Bridgeport, scoring at a point a game pace, at 35 he struggled to find an AHL contract but managed to sign with the Independent Chicago Wolves where he managed to score 21 goals and 50 points in 61 games, proving he can still score.

  Here is the Crash Davis thing comes from.

  Crash is a fictional character from the Legendary movie Bull Durham who stuck around in his quest to break an all time home run record, something that nobody seemed to know about as nobody pays  much attention to Minor league records. Well....
  Terry could score. He can still score. IMHO he could have had a ten year NHL career if the breaks had went right, those days are long gone but he plays for love of the game. This year he entered the season pushing against towards 300 goals, he finally got number 300 against the Griffins and Michael Hutchinson on December 29th. He played hard all year, finishing with 311 goals for his AHL career, good for 16th all time in league history. In the history of the league, only 3 players who appeared in the last quarter of a century have more goals in the league than he does.

   If he has another year in him that is about what last year was, he will crack the top ten goal scorers in AHL history. I followed him early in the year as he was chasing 300, his teammates in about any article about Terry simply gush on and on about what a fantastic teammate and person he is, just well loved by the league.

  Just a quick write up about a terrific goal reached by a 35 year old winger who deserves the recognition for an amazing career. Not that anyone noticed.

PRESEASON OUTLOOK Cautiously optimistic. Korpisalo was brought in to bring a veteran in net, the Debrincat fiasco was over, the hope was that Stutzle and Tkachuk would carry a young hungry roster into playoff contention. Taresenko was brought in to replace Debrincat.

FINAL RECORD 37-41-4 78 points, missed playoffs by 14 points. 

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR Young brilliant Tim Stutzle led the team among all forwards in power play time, yet he only managed 1 power play goal all year. He was 11th among all Senators, and 9th among all forwards in power play goals. Ugh.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Tkachuk didnt live up to the solid brilliant numbers of the year before but still, he had a hell of a year. Stutzle scored quite nicely although many fans felt he was too inconsistent. Batherson managed 28 goals. Giroux had a solid season. Defesneman Chychrun and Sanderson were very solid. Joseph was a solid two way winger. Greig was a fun player, Pinto showed glimpses of a solid future. Jacob Bernard Docker and Artum Zub were very solid on the back end. 

WHAT WENT WRONG Look i am not gonna blame Stutzle but he took a massive step back and again, many Senator fans are screaming that he showed zero passion many nights. Hard to say a player scored 70 points had a bad year but every single stat from the year before went down in 2024. Chabot could not stay healthy and kind of lost his role to Sanderson on the first power play. Taresenko didnt do much and was dealt at the deadline. Korpisalo and forsberg both Bluejacket rejects were dreadful, positively rotten most nights. Josh Norris is a shadow of his former self and cannot stay in the lineup. Kubalik was possitely dreadful. 

HIGH POINT OF THE SEASON, Very early in the season, Ottawa won three in a row over Philly, Tampa and Washington to push their record to 3-1. They pummelled the goalies, scoring 16 goals in 3 games. Sadly, that was the high point of the season.

LOW POINT OF THE SEASON They stumbled through October a game or so over .500 But beggining with a brutal loss to the Isles on November 24th they lost early and often. When they lost January 11th to the Sabres, they had lost 16 out of 22, with three months to go in the season essentially the year was done.

FREE AGENTS Kubalik is a free agent and wont be brought back. Thats about it. Brannstrom, Parker Kelly and Pinto are RFA who all want paid.

PROSPECTS a very ordinary bunch of forward and defense prospoects, most of the kids are already established in the NHL. They do have three good, B level goalie prospects in Sogaard, Mandolese and Merilainen and the hoipe is one or more of them will push Forsberg off the roster and steal the 1B role possibly this coming season.

OFFSEASON QUESTION MARK This team has one of the biggest baddest toughest men in the game in tkachuk but as a whole wow were they soft. IMHO the number one question in who will sort this roster out and assign players to the proper roles. Lots of talent but they were soft and something was missing most of the year. 

FPRESEASON OUTLOOK A lot of pundits thought this would be a very good year for the Coyotes, solid goaltending, lots of young prospects, vets such as Keller developing into a near star, many thought they would be a dark horse for a wild card

FINAL RECORD 36-41-5 77 points, missed the playoffs.

STRANGE STAT OF THE YEAR For the first time in NHL history, a team, the Coyotes, had not a single player win at least 50 percent of their faceoffs. None. Haytron came in first with 49.8 faceoff wins, and it was downhill from there. Serious,  This was the most inept faceoff team in NHL history.

WHAT WENT RIGHT Keller developed brilliantly into a dangerous point a game weapon. Schmaltz quietly had a fantastic season. Durzi came over from the Kings an potted 41 points on the back end. Macelli was a fantastic playmaker. Bjugstad and Kerfoot were solid vet players. Goalie Ingram was among the top five goalies in all of hockey for the first half of the season until he got banged up. Logan cooley started slow but caught fire late and showed so much promise. Guenther looks like the real deal. Crouse and Carcone had Cy Young 20 goal seasons. 

WHAT WENT WRONG Well Arizona voted them off the Island and now they are moving to Utah so there is that. Other than Durzi the defense had not a single puck mover and looked bad. Centers were hugely dissapointing, not a playmaker among them. Vejmelka had some damn fine games but long stretches where he was awful. 

HIGH POINT OF THE SEASON jANUARY 20TH the Coyotes bested the Penguins raising their record to 23-19-3 right in the thick of the final playoff spot. Ingram was injured but the hope was that Vejmelka and coompany could keep them in the mix and they would finish strong and attract fan interest.

LOW POINT OF THE YEAR Everything fell apart right then and there. Vejmelka was awfulm, the kids did not hold it together and they managed to lose an insane 14 games in a row ending their season. During that 14 game stretch they were outscored 66-34. The season came to a sickening thud.
   Oh and they moved to Salt Lake City so there is that.

FREE AGENTS Liam OBrien and his goonery will likely move on, nobody of any importance is a free agent this year. Durzi and Hsyton are both RFA who will expect to get longer deals at decent salaries.

TOP PROSPECTS lots of kids are already in the NHL and proven with upside. In the minors Conor Geekie and Artu Raty are chomping at the bit for a middle six center position, Maveric Lamereaux may step into a top four defense position and is highly skilled and more or less ready. The Coyotes have 7 picks in the top three rounds this year and next.

 OUTLOOK FOR 2024-25 Who the Hell knows? At least they arent playing in a college facility named Mullet Arena. The new owner may step up to the plate and add to the roster with a splash. Or he may let them settle for a year or two, let the ton of good solid kids develop and build according to the old plan. Hard top say.

Caps built on defense, will make it a series but rangers will have their way in six 

Snoozer series, Vancouver best a surprising Nashville club

Edmonton has a better goalie, defense and offense. I cannot imagine the Kings winning this one 

My favorite first round series, cannot wait. Stars are deeper and will win in a fantastic seven game series 

Been waiting for this series for decades, elite Panthers easily handle aging bolts

Colorado offense will push them to the second round

Carolina and incredibly overrated, but will push past a feisty and Isles club