pi2000

If they continue at their last 17 games pace (55.88% points per GP) they'll finish with 79 points (53 + (48 * 0.5588) = 79.82), round down as they'll come up just short of 80 points. Anyway, with 79 points they would have a 64% chance of finishing in the bottom 5, and a 3% chance of finishing in the bottom 3.

confirmed

if Buffalo finishes their last 24 games at the same pace (54.31% points lost in GP) they'll finish with 75 points, which gives them a 77% chance of finishing in the bottom 3.

You folks have no idea how bad the cocaine problem is in hockey, not just the NHL. I understand you have no reason to believe me, I'm just words on a page here, so I'll leave it at that.

I know about a dozen people here in southern california that look like that guy and they're all cocaine abusers. I play hockey with one of them and he's always pushing it on us and tells us stories about parties w/ Ducks/Kings players he knows well, stories backed up by another guy that works for the Ducks... I could name names, I won't, but players you wouldn't suspect are ravaging users. It's not just the big time stars with money to burn, it's the guys bouncing up and down from the "A" as well. Do I know for a fact this esilver guy does coke? No. But I wasn't born yesterday either.

A second sounds about right.... to a playoff team , which is mid-low second.

I meant that esilver guy is probably a supplier, not Kane.

They're overworked and have the money. It leaves the system within 24hrs, curbs hunger, and suppresses the ability of the body to store fat. Just look at the instagram of Kane's buddy who gave him the tickets to the NBA All-Star game. https://www.instagram.com/esilver82/ That guy just looks like a big time user and looking at all the pro-atheletes he's hanging out with, I wouldn't be surprised if he's a big time supplier for these guys.

You don't think there's a cocaine problem in the NHL? Don't be naive.

apparently he didn't bring enough 8-balls to the all-star game Sunday and overslept. i like Kane, honestly, I do. it's just the lifestyle these days. people wonder why cocaine is the drug of choice for hockey players.... just look at how many hours they spend on the ice a week, no off days, twice on game days, trouble falling asleep after a game then getting up early for another skate, back-to-backs, etc.... they need to cut back on the number of practices and back-to-backs so these guys can clean up their noses.

Moulson will score tonight.

Look, I'm not saying he made the wrong decision. My point is that his decision is unique and it raises questions that need to be answered. 99.9% of hockey phenoms grow up in areas where they dream of playing major junior or college hockey. Did he choose Europe because of where he's from? Or is he just chasing the money? Those are questions that Jack didn't need to answer. What's his Mom and Dad like? What do they value? Does that influence his decision making?

I love reading these. Moulson won't score, not at home.

Yes, thank you. College isn't for everyone. My point is that if I'm the GM with #1 overall pick, I'm going to spend some extra time studying the reasoning behind his decision to play in Europe. Is he motivated by money? Does he have dreams of winning a Stanley Cup? Or is he just motivated by money? The decision to go play for money at such a young age raises those questions. Maybe he is motivated by money and doesn't have Stanley Cup dreams since he grew up in the desert. That's OK, I'm not saying he's a bad kid... although we don't know enough about him to make that judgement, his decision to chase the $$$ at a young age raises those questions. I would've liked to see him finish his studies and play one year of college. Why didn't he do that? Because of where he's from? Or because he values money more than anything else? Will his play drop off after his he signs a large contract? Or is he motivated by winning? His Mom is mexican.

No, he did not accelerate his studies to met the requirements to attend college.

Kane? He has his HSED. In order to attend college last fall, Matthews would've need to accelerate his studies to earn the academic requirements necessary to attend college. He choose to go play in Europe instead.

They get an education while on their junior teams. They have their high school diplomas.

Nobody remembers their names. He's Latvian.

I don't, nobody does. What I'm saying is that I would not be surprised (based on his decision making thus far) if he was ultimately a bust. If I'm the GM of the Sabres and I land the # 1 pick in the draft, I'm going to exercise extreme caution and perform due diligence before selecting A. Matthews #1 overall. Jack could've chosen to go Europe to chase the $$$ after one season in the NTDP, but he choose to get his High School diploma and attended college. It's a sign of character. Sure he's not going to make a living based on what he "learned" in college, but it's a sign of character and what he values. It was a dream of his to play college hockey, and make it to the NHL, he didn't give up on that dream because it was too much work to met the academic requirements to attend BU. He put value on playing college hockey and succeeding in the NHL, not money. That said, I don't expect his effort to drop off once he gets his max contract. I don't know enough about Autson Matthews character to say what he values most, but the fact that he choose to earn a paycheck in EU (over juniors/college) makes me question his values. What will he do when he's a pending UFA? Is he a team first guy? Or will he follow the money? Does he care about winning as much as he does about money? What are his dreams? To win a Cup? Lead the NHL in scoring? Or become a multi-millionaire? What happens when he meets his financial goals? Will there be a huge drop off in his performance?

They're the exception, not the rule.

I've been around a while. It's the little things one does or doesn't do off the ice that determine whether you'll quickly flame out or have a lengthy successful career in the NHL. His decision not to finish High School and chase the money in Europe tells me what his values are.

After tonight Buffalo could be in 30th or 25th or anywhere in-between.

His is doing the same thing, just minus the college part because he hasn't even finished High School. You don't think he's partying like a rock star in Europe, getting paid, playing pro with no curfews or any academic responsibilities? At least if he were in college he would have a curfew, and need to make grades to stay eligible. He choose the easy way, that to me shows lack or character, lack of moral fiber. I see a lot of Alexandre Daigle in him. When I look this guys off ice decision making, its just full of red flags.

OK, make that a 6 way tie for 30th. Who wants a top 3 pick?! Anyone? Anyone?!

Great preview WC. Moulson will score tonight... confirmed.