Curt

I think that for the purposes of this exercise, neither Backstrom or Tarasenko are superstars.

If you look at the season standings, yes, they are terrible, but this ignores the source of everyone’s newfound optimism. For the past month, they haven’t been terrible.

After reviewing ATP rules, it appears that I was kind of off. By the book, smashing your racket is not allowed at any time. It can result in a $500 fine per offense and warning for 1st offense, point penalty for 2nd offense, and worse for more. I don’t know about how often the fine is imposed, but it seems to me that the warning/penalties are generally not levied in cases where it does not affect play in any way. However, in my experience, ball abuse is punished much more consistently. I don’t think any of this really matters. In a sport that allows players to hit each other with sticks during and after play, allows pushing/shoving/tackling/screaming/light punching after the whistle, I’m not sure why demonstrably breaking a stick should be the bridge too far.

Tennis. Yes, its penalized if you do it during play, but it’s not if you do it on court between games. If you intentionally break your hockey stick during play that would also be called a delay of game or something.

Yes, a cup can be won without a superstar forward. It’s harder, but 2010-11 Bruins and 2018-19 Blues have done it in the recent past.

Dahlin, not Dhalin

I’m not so sure that his actual skating is quicker, but I think he is being much more decisive and confident in his actions.

What? He’s just ringing his bell. Nothing to see here.

1-2 years as opposed to 2-3? You don’t see either of Nemic or Jiricek stepping right in, do you?

If you intentionally smash it during a game, it’s penalized because it stops play. Everyone has to stand around and wait for you to go get another racket. If you smash it at your chair during a changeover, I don’t think that’s ever penalized.

Not out of the question in the 25-32 range. Definitely if he is there when they pick in the 2nd. With 3 first round picks, its the kind of swing you can take. His is obviously a special case. However, I wonder how much the other Russian players will slide in the draft considering recent world events. If a team thinks that said events will not negatively impact their ability to get Russian prospects into their pro system, then it could be a time to load up on Russians at great value.

What if the stick deserves it?

Fitz doesn’t care if your name is Jonathan Toews, he’ll still smack you in the face.

I hope Devon Levi is watching the Sabres tonight so he can see exactly what stands between him and NHL playing time.

This has been an absolutely horrific goaltending performance.

Wow, I didn’t realize that he was ill. Condolences to his family and friends.

Yes, it’s ok to have a player on the 3rd pair who could play top-4. It doesn’t mean that we need to immediately consider trading said player. If/when the Sabres are a contending team, several positions on the lineup card may look like that. I know it’s been some time since the Sabres have allowed us to think about things in that way, but as LGR said, that’s called depth.

You really believe that?

Maybe they just didn’t like it at Northeastern. Their HC and also Goaltending coach were in their first year on the job. Maybe it’s not the staff who were in place when they committed to Northeastern and they aren’t fans. EDIT: I looked it up the current HC and goaltending coach are not the people who were in those positions when any of those players committed. Maybe the just don’t like the coaches or the coaches aren’t good. The team did not perform very well apart from Levi’s virtuoso performances.

Yucky. I sure hope not.

You sir, are correct. It’s pretty rare, but that’s definitely a good example.

Oh, yeah, that’s very likely.

No, they would need to sign them to contracts first.

What is the last goalie to come in from college and skip over the AHL, going straight to the NHL???