2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, Rnd 3

[Pimlach]

25 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I know people hate what if’s, but that was the biggest turning point of TPEGS tenure. If he picks Zito, who was the other finalist, the legacy is so much different. I’m sure the Pittsburgh connection was the deciding factor.

Yes I think about that as well.   I am quite sure that Boetrill is well spoken, bright and engaging.  Very different than Murray.  

Terry was smitten with landing a Pittsburgh guy, a former Sabre, and I guess he won a bunch of non-NHL Championships that Terry liked to tout.  None of this should have been criteria to me but maybe to Terry it was?  

Zito would have inherited ROR, Eichel, and Reinhart.  

 

[tom webster]

1 minute ago, Pimlach said:

Yes I think about that as well.   I am quite sure that Boetrill is well spoken, bright and engaging.  Very different than Murray.  

Terry was smitten with landing a Pittsburgh guy, a former Sabre, and I guess he won a bunch of non-NHL Championships that Terry liked to tout.  None of this should have been criteria to me but maybe to Terry it was?  

Zito would have inherited ROR, Eichel, and Reinhart.  

 

I agree, it shouldn’t have been a factor but it often is. It’s rare to leave a series of interviews with a slam dunk candidate and when it’s close, people tend to go with familiarity. 

[Doohickie]

On 5/22/2025 at 2:56 PM, ... said:

I'd root for Dallas with much more enthusiasm if it weren't for their spearmint green primary color.

You don't like Victor E. Green?

[Taro T]

16 minutes ago, tom webster said:

I agree, it shouldn’t have been a factor but it often is. It’s rare to leave a series of interviews with a slam dunk candidate and when it’s close, people tend to go with familiarity. 

They do.  But taking the risk is where the reward typically is.  (And maybe they'd've gone that other direction had they not been so displeased with how Murray's tenure went.  In hindsight, grabbing a sociopath was a bit more risk than they should actually have been taking. 😉 )

[FrenchConnection44]

This Panthers team reminds me of a modern — present hockey culture — version of the Philadelphia Flyers at their peak in the mid 70s. Known as the broad street bullies that was not why they won. They were a tough team. Grind it out. Had scorers and could play 200 feet and annoy teams. That’s what the Panthers do. They have offensive talent but they have some really tough forward in Barkov, Tkachuk, etc. 

[FrenchConnection44]

And this. Sorry for those who think size and toughness don’t matter. You have to have someone like Tkachuk on your team. And Marchands only comes around once ever quarter century or so.  The Sabres need a couple of tough guys to deal with people like this and their players as a whole need to get tougher. 
 

 

[French Collection]

Just now, FrenchConnection44 said:

And this. Sorry for those who think size and toughness don’t matter. You have to have someone like Tkachuk on your team. And Marchands only comes around once ever quarter century or so.  The Sabres need a couple of tough guys to deal with people like this and their players as a whole need to get tougher. 
 

 

Bennett is a guy I want. Just a solid player than can play middle six C and doesn’t back down from any challenge.

[OverPowerYou]

Kind of an odd start time for todays game at 3pm

[Taro T]

32 minutes ago, OverPowerYou said:

Kind of an odd start time for todays game at 3pm

It is but, presuming Canada doesn't celebrate Memorial Day, having the game just after lunchtime in Alberta gives fans attending a chance to get home at a reasonable hour and get a good night's sleep before heading back to the grind in the AM.

Lot's of Sunday games end up getting played in the afternoon presumably for that reason.

[Night Train]

McDavid with an amazing effort. Wow.