2014-2015 NHL Offseason/Regular Season Thread

[CaliforniaChief]

Free Agency starts today. I'm probably the worst candidate to keep up an OP with player movement and the like, but figured it would be cool to have a repository for all things NHL leading up to next season.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anaheim acquires Kesler from Canucks for Bonino, Sbisa, and picks.

-Dallas acquires Spezza from Montreal for Chiasson, others, and a 2nd round pick.
-Avs acquire Briere for Parenteau and a late pick.
-Predators acquire James Neal for Spaling and Hornqvist.
-Marian Gaborik re-signs with Kings.
-Ryan Miller to Canucks via UFA.
-Paul Stastny to the Blues via UFA.
-Jarome Iginla to the Avs via UFA.
-Dan Boyle to the NYR.
-Brad Richards to the Blackhawks.
-Vanek to the Minnesota Wild.
-Robidas to the Maple Leafs.
-Niskanen to the Caps via UFA.

Feel free to add other moves and I'll do my best to update.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I agree the Blues are an excellent hockey overall. I don't think we have the goalies to win it unless Allen really turns it on, which as a young player you never know, which if he does watch out. But we all know they will somehow blow it in a fashion only the Blues can.

With Quick out and Rask possibly not making it either, the 'elite' goalie pool has dwindled in this year's playoffs.

Maybe you run into Price or Lundqvist if you get to the finals (in which case, who cares? House money). Otherwise the only goalie in the West that really worries me is Crawford. Crawford isn't even that amazing, he just plays his ass off against us. The rest are just as untested as Allen and no any more talented.

Unless you're willing to say that Frederik Andersen has arrived or that we should ignore Rinne's lack of post-season experience and recent scuffles, I just don't see a goalie situation in the West where I think "damn, we're outmatched here".

I'd be surprised if we get bounced due to goaltending like we did against the Avalanche when Roy just absolutely outclassed Turek.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

With Quick out and Rask possibly not making it either, the 'elite' goalie pool has dwindled in this year's playoffs.

Maybe you run into Price or Lundqvist if you get to the finals (in which case, who cares? House money). Otherwise the only goalie in the West that really worries me is Crawford. Crawford isn't even that amazing, he just plays his ass off against us. The rest are just as untested as Allen and no any more talented.

Unless you're willing to say that Frederik Andersen has arrived or that we should ignore Rinne's lack of post-season experience and recent scuffles, I just don't see a goalie situation in the West where I think "damn, we're outmatched here".

I'd be surprised if we get bounced due to goaltending like we did against the Avalanche when Roy just absolutely outclassed Turek.

More I think about you are right, I guess its the beat down Blues fan in me that expects the worse.

[DaFace]

I do enjoy watching the Wild get their asses beat. Hopefully that continues next week.

[MMXcalibur]

Playoffs are set:

NYR vs PIT
WSH vs NYI
MTL vs OTT
TBL vs DET

STL vs MIN
NSH vs CHI
ANA vs WPG
VAN vs CGY

Here's my prediction:

Rangers in 4
Islanders in 6
Senators in 7
Lightning in 5

Blues in 6
Blackhawks in 7
Jets in 6
Flames in 7

-----

Islanders in 7
Lightning in 5
Blues in 7
Jets in 7

----

Lightning in 5
Blues in 4

----

Blues in 6

[Bearcat]

I love the level of parity in this league... the Central is going to be brutal (in a good way), I could see any of those teams making it to the WCF. Caps/Isles seems like one of those really intriguing matchups that usually end up with the more defensive minded team beating the shit out of the softer/offensive minded team, followed by that team vs the Rangers....

I'll kind of miss the Bruins and Kings though.

[Rams Fan]

If the Blues do not beat the Wild, Hitchcock has to go as well as 2 of Oshie/Berglund/Steen.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

Playoffs are set:

NYR vs PIT
WSH vs NYI
MTL vs OTT
TBL vs DET

STL vs MIN
NSH vs CHI
ANA vs WPG
VAN vs CGY

Here's my prediction:

Rangers in 4
Islanders in 6
Senators in 7
Lightning in 5

Blues in 6
Blackhawks in 7
Jets in 6
Flames in 7

-----

Islanders in 7
Lightning in 5
Blues in 7
Jets in 7

----

Lightning in 5
Blues in 4

----

Blues in 6

i haven't kept up with hockey likei used too, but there is no damn way the rangers are sweeping the pens

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

i haven't kept up with hockey likei used too, but there is no damn way the rangers are sweeping the pens

It might not be a sweep, but there's no way the Penguins will make it past the first round. They backed their way into the POs and beat the worst team in the league to clinch a PO spot on the last day of the regular season.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by Rams Fan

It might not be a sweep, but there's no way the Penguins will make it past the first round. They backed their way into the POs and beat the worst team in the league to clinch a PO spot on the last day of the regular season.

don't they have syd the kid and malkin still doin' work? they are usually fire in the playoffs

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by RobBlake

don't they have syd the kid and malkin still doin' work? they are usually fire in the playoffs

Penguins have been ass lately and don't even deserve to be in there. Don't mistake this team for being good just because they have been historically.

That said, a sweep is a bit much. I'll say done in 4-2 Rangers.

[RobBlake]

Originally Posted by DaFace

Penguins have been ass lately and don't even deserve to be in there. Don't mistake this team for being good just because they have been historically.

That said, a sweep is a bit much. I'll say done in 4-2 Rangers.

I have to get back into hockey like i once was.. hence my username. The lockouts and losing my fav players to retirement.. sakic,foote,forsberg,hedjuk... *avs fan* essentially put a sour taste in my mouth.

I'm glad to see the islanders actually being good now and i think the ducks may make a run this year

[The Poz]

Excellent start to the playoffs. No shortage of nail biting action.
3 of the 4 games were decided by 1 goal while the other saw the big guns for Wash being shut down.
Will P.K. get suspended for his slash?
Will my Flames be this years Cinderella team?
What happens tonight? Can the Penguins prove everyone wrong and make a series out of it against the 1st place Rangers?

Playoff hockey is the tits!

[Predarat]

After last night I am tired, irritable, grumpy, pissed off. Had the Preds won in Double OT, I would be the opposite. Tough losing sleep over squandering a 3 goal lead and coming out with nothing. Hope the Preds can get Friday and split in ChiTown.

[Predarat]

Originally Posted by The Poz

Excellent start to the playoffs. No shortage of nail biting action.
3 of the 4 games were decided by 1 goal while the other saw the big guns for Wash being shut down.
Will P.K. get suspended for his slash?
Will my Flames be this years Cinderella team?
What happens tonight? Can the Penguins prove everyone wrong and make a series out of it against the 1st place Rangers?

Playoff hockey is the tits!

Your Flames made a ton of "Vancouver Rhymes With Hoover, That Means They Suck" fans feel like I do today.

[Rams Fan]

Originally Posted by Predarat

After last night I am tired, irritable, grumpy, pissed off. Had the Preds won in Double OT, I would be the opposite. Tough losing sleep over squandering a 3 goal lead and coming out with nothing. Hope the Preds can get Friday and split in ChiTown.

Preds will be lucky to get the series past game 5.