2021-2022 NHL Regular Season Thread

[slaps]

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Stay strong, Bertuzzi!

I still hate the Wings for some reason.

[slaps]

I think the real test is what happens if an actual useful player refuses to get jabbed.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

I was thinking Bertuzzi was the only one and he plays for the hated Wings.

He is in the convenient position of not having to prioritize winning, however.

Actually it's kind of a genius way of cutting down your travel schedule at the small price of everyone hating you.

[ToddM]

Plus if he gives covid to all his teammates no one would even notice.

[B Kat]

He's fortunate to be around people that are ALL vaccinated. He will forfeit quite a bit of $$ as the Wings play in Canada many times and he will have to be scratched for all of those games. And I'm fairly sure, even on a shitty team, his teammates are gonna end up pissed about it.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Hell yeah they will.

It's great.

[mookie1010]

I love it when people get all precious about their life meaning anything. So very on brand for white westerners.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

Mookie is a ray of sunshine these days.

[Troy McClure]

This is what? Two NHLers unable to play because of lingering covid problems?

[Knives Out]

^Prolly.

Khudobin should be on that list LOL.

[Knives Out]

I think the real test is what happens if an actual useful player refuses to get jabbed.

Mackenzie Blackwood gets to skip returning home (Canada) now.

[Knives Out]

Oh right, so Kelly Hrudey started following me on Instagram a few weeks ago. That's pretty cool.

[ToddM]

This is what? Two NHLers unable to play because of lingering covid problems?

[Math]

https://evolving-hockey.com/blog/2021-2 ... ojections/

[ToddM]

Thank God for the Coyotes.

[slaps]

The Stars certainly seem more optimistic. I am glad to see objective sites that aren't as high on the team. Makes me feel better about my expectations.

[Knives Out]

I have a strange feeling about this season ...

[ToddM]

I have a strange feeling about this season ...

Here you go:

[The Frugal Gourmet]

I always like to expect the worst and then be excited when they manage to do even worse than I ever imagined.

[wonko80]

My expectation is that they'll not be boring as *poo poo* to watch. I'm only expecting that so I can have a reason to watch the games, at least at first. Otherwise I wouldn't even bother tuning in.

[The Frugal Gourmet]

I predict 0 goals this year.

[ToddM]

Man, remember this absolute piece of *poo poo*?

[Troy McClure]

I have a strange feeling about this season ...

I worry the goaltending will have nice numbers because of the system but will be spectacularly subpar in terms of their play quality.

If there's reason for optimism, it's because there should be three forward lines trying to score. This is a big change from seasons past, but it only works if everyone stays healthy. Last season they were playing one scoring line, one checking line, and what felt like two lines of kids who aren't ever going to be NHL players. The forward depth looks the best it has in years. But holy *f-bomb* are there some really old and fragile guys up front.

[Math]

Predicted record: 4-3-75

[Troy McClure]

It's almost like Kane wants to be suspended.

[Knives Out]

I’ll clarify what I meant by “strange” once the season is over LOL.

[B Kat]

Every season is strange, ‘cause that the way hockey go.

[slaps]

I have a strange feeling about this season ...

I worry the goaltending will have nice numbers because of the system but will be spectacularly subpar in terms of their play quality.

If there's reason for optimism, it's because there should be three forward lines trying to score. This is a big change from seasons past, but it only works if everyone stays healthy. Last season they were playing one scoring line, one checking line, and what felt like two lines of kids who aren't ever going to be NHL players. The forward depth looks the best it has in years. But holy *f-bomb* are there some really old and fragile guys up front.

With this front office and coaching staff, I think saying "trying to score" is a stretch.

[slaps]

I was listening to Puck Soup the other night and Lambert pointed out something I found really interesting. Generally, most people want more excitement and scoring in the game, and the guys were debating how much more is needed. Lambert pointed out that one goal a game extra would be perfect, and threw this out to illustrate what a difference it would make: the Avalanche last year, who looked like they could score against anyone at any time and were a blast to watch? In around 91-92 (when scoring was one goal per game higher than it is now), the Avalanche would have been 12th in scoring. That's fascinating to me, that just one goal per game can have such an impact.