The Syndicate

I think Aquilini wants to win the Cup this year. That's his own initiative. I know he wants it more than I do by now.

CBJ seems forever trapped in fringe playoff team purgatory.

They’re the NHL team of the future and they always will be.

Just saw this headline...

Blue Jackets Will Play Home Games Without Fans

...and I wondered how that was any different than before.

Anyone else been watching Bubble Hockey?

I watched the CBJ games. Now that they're out I'm not sure I'll have time to stick around.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:15 pm I watched the CBJ games. Now that they're out I'm not sure I'll have time to stick around.

That quintuple overtime game is easily the most exciting and newsworthy thing the Columbus Blue Jackets have ever been a part of. Tough break for your team, but this might (finally) be the Lightning's year. Tampa is one of the ten or so teams in the league that I find it easy to cheer for, so I am excited for them.

G-Man wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 9:04 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:15 pm I watched the CBJ games. Now that they're out I'm not sure I'll have time to stick around.

That quintuple overtime game is easily the most exciting and newsworthy thing the Columbus Blue Jackets have ever been a part of. Tough break for your team, but this might (finally) be the Lightning's year. Tampa is one of the ten or so teams in the league that I find it easy to cheer for, so I am excited for them.

I think sweeping Tampa last year was more newsworthy than one OT game.

Nah. Nobody remembers the first round, but everyone remembers a historic OT game.

LIGHTNING!!!!!!

Have I mentioned the LIGHTNING lately????????

Ok, this will be the last time:

LIGHTNING - STANLEY CUP WINNERS HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

112 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 5:57 pm I'm a life-long and loyal Canucks fan- super excited for the upcoming season as I think it's the first one in quite a few years that they might have the chance of making the playoffs.

I was, last year, skeptical of Jim Benning/management; but now I see a clear direction for the team and am happy to see him in charge for the foreseeable future.

Hey eleventy twelve.
I'm also a huge Canucks fan.

Hold me

Stupid Sexy Flanders wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:08 pm

112 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 5:57 pm I'm a life-long and loyal Canucks fan- super excited for the upcoming season as I think it's the first one in quite a few years that they might have the chance of making the playoffs.

I was, last year, skeptical of Jim Benning/management; but now I see a clear direction for the team and am happy to see him in charge for the foreseeable future.

Hey eleventy twelve.
I'm also a huge Canucks fan.

Hold me

omg

We have a pretty big Canucks population on here, actually. You're in good company.

[mention]Master Radishes[/mention] [mention]Benson[/mention] [mention]KZA[/mention] get in here boys

112 wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:23 pm

Stupid Sexy Flanders wrote: ↑Fri Oct 16, 2020 1:08 pm

112 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 29, 2019 5:57 pm I'm a life-long and loyal Canucks fan- super excited for the upcoming season as I think it's the first one in quite a few years that they might have the chance of making the playoffs.

I was, last year, skeptical of Jim Benning/management; but now I see a clear direction for the team and am happy to see him in charge for the foreseeable future.

Hey eleventy twelve.
I'm also a huge Canucks fan.

Hold me

omg

We have a pretty big Canucks population on here, actually. You're in good company.

@Master Radishes @Benson @KZA get in here boys

Eleventy twelve!? Damn I can't read.
I meant eleventy-two

The Canucks had a bad time at free agency.

I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately. I don't really know how to feel about their off-season. Bogosian, Vesey, Simmonds? The prevailing thought in my mind is "Why?" But then I look at their results the past couple seasons and I shrug my shoulders. Might as well try.

Brodie was a good signing. No more Ceci on the backend. Thank god.

Syn wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:40 pm I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately.

I'm so sorry.

juliets wrote: ↑Tue Sep 29, 2020 8:23 am Ok, this will be the last time:

LIGHTNING - STANLEY CUP WINNERS HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad the Lightning won. Nice redemption story. Talent and effort deserve to be rewarded.

I now will proceed to cheer against the Lightning except when playing Boston.

Syn wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:40 pm The Canucks had a bad time at free agency.

I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately. I don't really know how to feel about their off-season. Bogosian, Vesey, Simmonds? The prevailing thought in my mind is "Why?" But then I look at their results the past couple seasons and I shrug my shoulders. Might as well try.

Brodie was a good signing. No more Ceci on the backend. Thank god.

There's some frustration there for sure (Canucks free agency).
I cant help but wonder if Marky, Tanev, Stecher, Madden and a 2nd (Toffoli) was actually worth the 18 playoff games.
If JB knew all these guys wanted 4 year terms then he shouldve looked to trade at least Tanev and Stech at the TDL... and probably not made the trade for Toffoli.
If he didn't know the term expectation of these guys at the TDL, he's a turd for not having more productive meetings with those players' agents.

Venting. Sorry

And really sorry to read you're a leafs fan. Must be awful

Syn wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:40 pm The Canucks had a bad time at free agency.

I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately. I don't really know how to feel about their off-season. Bogosian, Vesey, Simmonds? The prevailing thought in my mind is "Why?" But then I look at their results the past couple seasons and I shrug my shoulders. Might as well try.

Brodie was a good signing. No more Ceci on the backend. Thank god.

There's some frustration there for sure (Canucks free agency).
I cant help but wonder if Marky, Tanev, Stecher, Madden and a 2nd (Toffoli) was actually worth the 18 playoff games.
If JB knew all these guys wanted 4 year terms then he shouldve looked to trade at least Tanev and Stech at the TDL... and probably not made the trade for Toffoli.
If he didn't know the term expectation of these guys at the TDL, he's a turd for not having more productive meetings with those players' agents.

Venting. Sorry

And really sorry to read you're a leafs fan. Must be awful

Stupid Sexy Flanders wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:04 pm

Syn wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:40 pm The Canucks had a bad time at free agency.

I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately. I don't really know how to feel about their off-season. Bogosian, Vesey, Simmonds? The prevailing thought in my mind is "Why?" But then I look at their results the past couple seasons and I shrug my shoulders. Might as well try.

Brodie was a good signing. No more Ceci on the backend. Thank god.

There's some frustration there for sure (Canucks free agency).
I cant help but wonder if Marky, Tanev, Stecher, Madden and a 2nd (Toffoli) was actually worth the 18 playoff games.
If JB knew all these guys wanted 4 year terms then he shouldve looked to trade at least Tanev and Stech at the TDL... and probably not made the trade for Toffoli.
If he didn't know the term expectation of these guys at the TDL, he's a turd for not having more productive meetings with those players' agents.

Venting. Sorry

And really sorry to read you're a leafs fan. Must be awful

Nah, it was worth it. Showed not only fans, but the league as a whole, that the Canucks have the pieces to become a legit contender much sooner than many thought possible. Hell, it made OEL put us on a list of 2 teams.

falcon45ca wrote: ↑Mon Nov 09, 2020 2:21 pm

Stupid Sexy Flanders wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 12:04 pm

Syn wrote: ↑Sat Oct 17, 2020 12:40 pm The Canucks had a bad time at free agency.

I'm a Leafs fan, unfortunately. I don't really know how to feel about their off-season. Bogosian, Vesey, Simmonds? The prevailing thought in my mind is "Why?" But then I look at their results the past couple seasons and I shrug my shoulders. Might as well try.

Brodie was a good signing. No more Ceci on the backend. Thank god.

There's some frustration there for sure (Canucks free agency).
I cant help but wonder if Marky, Tanev, Stecher, Madden and a 2nd (Toffoli) was actually worth the 18 playoff games.
If JB knew all these guys wanted 4 year terms then he shouldve looked to trade at least Tanev and Stech at the TDL... and probably not made the trade for Toffoli.
If he didn't know the term expectation of these guys at the TDL, he's a turd for not having more productive meetings with those players' agents.

Venting. Sorry

And really sorry to read you're a leafs fan. Must be awful

Nah, it was worth it. Showed not only fans, but the league as a whole, that the Canucks have the pieces to become a legit contender much sooner than many thought possible. Hell, it made OEL put us on a list of 2 teams.

Might just be that Swedes love Vancouver and Vancouver lives Swedes

How are you all feeling about the season?

I'm finding it difficult to really care or invest in it. I found the bubble hockey pretty fun and enjoyed having hockey playing all day every day, but this new approach just seems very meh and like a recipe for disaster. There's already been a bunch of postponed games.

I'm also not a fan of Bogosian, Thornton, and Simmonds, tbh.

go blue jackets

I haven't gotten into hockey much yet this season, which is normally the case. Once the Super Bowl has passed, I switch to hockey. I hear there will be some outdoor games coming up. Always fun to watch.

The bubble was pretty amazing, especially because it was the playoffs. It was like March Madness, but for hockey, so it was even better than March Madness.

The realignment makes sense for this year. Once fans are able to fill the arenas, bubbles won't make sense. What could be cool is if they do a short bubble tournament someday mid-season. All 32 teams, four bubble cities (narrowing down to two, and then one), and non-stop hockey. That would be cool.I'd rather watch that than All Star Weekend, though a bubble tourney would take longer.

Buffalo is the first team eliminated from playoff contention. I feel bad for their fans. Every time the franchise shows promise, it never pans out and is followed by a period of basement-dwelling.

It looks like New Jersey is the net closest to being eliminated. If New Jersey can't match Boston's next six points, it's over for them as well. I've never been a Devil's fan, so this one doesn't have any sting to it.

On the flip side, Colorado is only six points away from clinching a playoff spot. I liked them back in the day when they first moved to Denver from Quebec, and their colors and logo are excellent. I have no idea who is on their roster right now (East Coast bias alert), but I'm happy to see them building off of last season.

As much as I love my Habs, I have to pull for Toronto in the North this year. Canada's Cup drought and especially Toronto's Cup drought need to end. Why not this year?

G-Man wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:19 am Buffalo is the first team eliminated from playoff contention. I feel bad for their fans. Every time the franchise shows promise, it never pans out and is followed by a period of basement-dwelling.

Keep in mind most Sabres fans are also Bills football fans, so they get double the disappointment when that team sucks most every year too.
(I laugh like I’m not from Western NY and don’t support both teams. )

Toronto's Cup dought never needs to end.

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:48 pm go blue jackets

blue jackets suck

blue jackets trade everyone

blue jackets suck more

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 2:31 pm

JaggedJimmyJay wrote: ↑Tue Jan 19, 2021 8:48 pm go blue jackets

blue jackets suck

blue jackets trade everyone

blue jackets suck more

Don’t feel too bad. Nobody but Columbus fans ever expects much out of the Blue Jackets.

fingersplints wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:05 pm

G-Man wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:19 am Buffalo is the first team eliminated from playoff contention. I feel bad for their fans. Every time the franchise shows promise, it never pans out and is followed by a period of basement-dwelling.

Keep in mind most Sabres fans are also Bills football fans, so they get double the disappointment when that team sucks most every year too.
(I laugh like I’m not from Western NY and don’t support both teams. )

Where in Western NY did fingersplints originate?

Sloonei wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:23 am

fingersplints wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:05 pm

G-Man wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:19 am Buffalo is the first team eliminated from playoff contention. I feel bad for their fans. Every time the franchise shows promise, it never pans out and is followed by a period of basement-dwelling.

Keep in mind most Sabres fans are also Bills football fans, so they get double the disappointment when that team sucks most every year too.
(I laugh like I’m not from Western NY and don’t support both teams. )

Where in Western NY did fingersplints originate?

Rochester

fingersplints wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:34 am

Sloonei wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 12:23 am

fingersplints wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 12:05 pm

G-Man wrote: ↑Sun Apr 18, 2021 10:19 am Buffalo is the first team eliminated from playoff contention. I feel bad for their fans. Every time the franchise shows promise, it never pans out and is followed by a period of basement-dwelling.

Keep in mind most Sabres fans are also Bills football fans, so they get double the disappointment when that team sucks most every year too.
(I laugh like I’m not from Western NY and don’t support both teams. )

Where in Western NY did fingersplints originate?

Rochester

I might have already known that.
I spent the last two years pre-covid going to school in Buffalo. The University of Rochester was actually my second choice if I didn’t get accepted to Buffalo! It was a nice looking school, but more expensive and further from the border.

Toronto is going to get embarrassed in the first round, as per tradition

Syn wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:20 pm Toronto is going to get embarrassed in the first round, as per tradition

Which team(s) do you gravitate towards?

G-Man wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 9:27 pm

Syn wrote: ↑Mon Apr 19, 2021 4:20 pm Toronto is going to get embarrassed in the first round, as per tradition

Which team(s) do you gravitate towards?

Toronto

Vegas is in the playoffs. ESPN has Colorado as locked in, even though by my spreadsheet they could miss if they lose all their remaining games and St. Louis wins all of their remaining games.

Columbus is the latest team eliminated from playoff contention, with Detroit a loss away from suffering the same fate.

Carolina looks to be the next closest team to clinching a spot.

Time for another update:

EAST:
No one has clinched yet. New Jersey and Buffalo have been out, and Philly is closing in on the final nail in their coffin.

CENTRAL:
Carolina, Florida, and Tampa have all stamped their tickets for the playoffs. Columbus has been out. Detroit is out now to. I remember it like it was only yesterday when Detroit fans snickered that they would have their way with the Eastern Conference when they were moved over from the West. I'm still waiting to see that happen. *snicker(

NORTH:
Ottawa is on the verge of being eliminated. Otherwise, this is still a bit of a grab bag. Vancouver playing catch-up on postponed games complicates things.

WEST:
Vegas, Colorado, and Minnesota are all in. Anaheim is a point away from being sent to the golf course.

Here's the latest:

EAST:
Washington and Pittsburgh clinched playoff spots, and Philly completed their slide into irrelevance. Better luck next year, Flyers (actually, just keep sucking please). The Rangers have an outside chance at sneaking into the playoffs, but it's looking unlikely.

CENTRAL:
No new changes. It's really a toss-up through the end of the season as to which meh team limps into the 4th seed.

NORTH:
Toronto clinched, and Ottawa is still treading just above elimination. Beyond that, it's still somewhat wide open. Vancouver slipped to last place in the division, but they have enough games to make up that they could still take the 3 seed.

WEST:
The Ducks are not mighty this year, and have been knocked out. It's a toss-up still between St. Louis and Arizona for the #4 slot.

I hope it's Leafs vs Habs.

Even though it may be Leafs vs Habs, this will be a year where I don’t want my Habs to win. They’re just not good enough this year for a deep run. I don’t want to deprive a better Canadian team a shot at the Cup Finals.

Update update update!

EAST:
It's all settled now except the seeding. Washington, Pittsburgh, Boston, and NY Islanders are in the playoffs. Technically, any one of these four can clinch the 1-seed still.


CENTRAL:
Chicago has been eliminated. The next few days should firm up the 1-3 seeds. Dallas needs a lot of help from the hockey gods to steal the 4-seed.


NORTH:
Edmonton is in and Ottawa is out. Calgary is one game away from being knocked out. Vancouver had a chance, but their margin for error grows narrower every game. Toronto is inching closer to securing the 1-seed.


WEST:
San Jose has been eliminated. Both Arizona and LA need St. Louis to lose out to have a chance at the playoffs.

It's almost playoffs time!


EAST:
Nothing too new here. Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston are all still in the mix for the #1 seed. New York Islanders can only clinch 3rd or 4th. Honestly, I'd rather let Boston and Washington bloody each other up in the first round.

CENTRAL:
Carolina has clinched the #1 seed. Tampa and Florida are neck-and-neck for #2, but are bound to face each other in the playoffs no matter what. Nashville and Dallas are in a tight race for the #4 seed.

NORTH:
Toronto is one point shy of clinching the #1 seed. Montreal needs another win to lock up the fourth available playoff spot.

WEST:
St. Louis clinches the #4 seed, eliminating Arizona and LA. The top three spots are still in flux though.


Lots of games today, so we'll see how that changes the playoff picture. The North has a lot of delay thanks to Vancouver's COVID shutdown earlier this season. If Montreal can lock up the 4th playoff slot, then it's possible that the North could start their playoff series while Vancouver and Calgary play their last few make-up games against each other.

McDavid. 100 points.

Vancouver

Playoff update # ??


EAST:
Pittsburgh has locked up the #1 seed. Washington has locked up the #2 seed based on regulation wins. The Islanders need to win their last game and have Boston lose their last two in order to steal the #3 seed. Boston and NY Islanders play each other tonight, so it's a critical one.


CENTRAL:
Nashville clinched the #4 seed this weekend. Florida and Tampa play each other tonight and the game will determine who will be the #2 seed and who will be the #3. They should make for a heck of a playoff series!


NORTH:
Toronto locked up the #1 and Edmonton will be the #2 seed. Winnipeg punched their ticket to the playoffs, but aren't locked in at #3 just yet. Montreal can't quite figure out how to get that last win to secure a playoff spot. Both Calgary and Vancouver could steal the #4 seed if Montreal loses out based on regulation wins. Montreal has to play Edmonton tonight, which isn't a likely win for the Habs. The Canucks are playing the Jets tonight, and a loss to Winnipeg would knock them out of the playoff hunt.


WEST:
The battle for the #1 seed is between Vegas and Colorado. Minnesota can't claim the #1 seed, but they could steal the #2 from Colorado if the Aves fall apart in their last three games. Colorado and Vegas play tonight, so it's an important game. If Vegas wins, they will lock up the #1 seed.

Just a few more days! All 16 slots have been claimed:


EAST:
#1 Pittsburgh Penguins vs #4 New York Islanders
#2 Washington Capitals vs #3 Boston Bruins

Go Pittsburgh and let's hope for a grueling multiple multi-overtime period seven-game series to drain whomever wins between Boston and Washington.


CENTRAL:
#1 Carolina Hurricanes vs #4 Nashville Predators
#2 Florida Panthers vs #3 Tampa Bay Lightning

I've always had a soft spot for Nashville, but Carolina's ascendancy is too feel-good to cheer against. Also, I am more partial to the Lightning.


NORTH:
#1 Toronto Maple Leafs vs #4 Montreal Canadiens
#2 Edmonton Oilers vs #3 Winnipeg Jets

As much as I hate to cheer against my Habs, they limped into the playoffs and aren't capable of a deep run. Don't spoil a legit Canadian contender this year. By that same logic, I guess I have to support the Oilers, even though I've always been neutral about them.


WEST:
Vegas and Colorado still have to settle the #1 seed, and potentially Colorado and Minnesota may have to settle the #2 seed. If Vegas and Colorado both win their very winnable games tonight, this division will be locked in.

McDavid vs Matthews would be a rad series. If the NHL bothered promoting its stars.

Last game of the season tonight, and then waiting until next Thursday for Game 1 because we're waiting until the two teams not even in the playoffs finish their games.

I hope all four Canadian teams lose, somehow.

The whole 'cheer for Canada's team' thing is stupid. I don't want anyone else to be happy whilst I remain unhappy.

Go...iunno, Florida.