Hockey talk, thoughts, and opinions.

 I'm a neutral hockey fan. I will pick teams I want to win while also picking teams who I think will win whether I like it or not. I mean, I'll also admit there are teams I don't like either such as Vegas for obvious reasons. But anyway, I am going to mention in the predictions who I want to win while also mention who I think will actually win. But my pick this year for who I want to win is the Winnipeg Jets because they have an amazing fanbase, their economy is based around the Jets, Canada should win a cup again and Winnipeg doing it would be amazing considering they're the smallest NHL city. East Atlantic Toronto vs Ottawa - Prediction: Ottawa in 6 - I think Ottawa is going to be quite competitive, and they are also the tougher of the two. They also have the edge in defense, offense, and goaltending. As for Toronto, they have lots of offense, but their defensive side isn't always the best compared to Ottawa. Preference to win: Ottawa Tampa Bay vs Florida - Predic...

 Not necessarily a bad thing, but the issue with them for me is there's too many of them now. I find if teams are not succeeding, it's because of the NTC and NMC.  Now, I don't think they should take them out of the game. I just think the NHL should have a limit per team as how many players have one. For example, I think it should be in between 3-6 players. Say three players, one of each position. Or say five maximum per team. I think it's a good rule because the issue I notice is once players sign the contract, they just stay and don't play their top game as players in the minors likely deserve those spots more than them.  My reason for disliking them is in the NHL it's not as manly as it used to be. It's gotten a lot softer, as players don't want to play for teams that either have cold weather or high taxes. I think they should be happy to be in the NHL and making that kind of money. I mean, Winnipeg is good because you can be called up and sent down w...

 The season is almost over. But Utah is out of the playoffs, and they showed promise for their future. I don't think any tweaking is needed, but I expect a coaching change to happen as early as mid-season next season to as late as 2 seasons from now.  If you ask me, all they need is a name and I think a new arena if Salt Lake City is going to host the Olympics again. Otherwise, they're right on track. Their arena isn't terrible though, but Ryan Smith did his best for suddenly acquiring an NHL team. But I think Utah needs just one addition of an experienced NHL veteran that'll pave the way for the future, but my pick here is Brandon Tanev.  As for their name. So, they were almost going to be called the Yeti, which I think would've been great considering Yeti Coolers could've had an agreement to name the arena after them. But after the Utah Yeti being rejected, they were down to Utah Outlaws, Utah Mammoth, and finally Utah Hockey Club.  Now, I think everybody can ...

So... in 2016, there was a rookie in the NHL we all know named Connor McDavid. Connor McDavid played 45 out of 82 games that season and still put up 48 points. Panarin on the other hand had 77 points in 80 games.  What people don't pay attention to is one very valuable stat for me which is point percentage. Now, I'm not doing to deny Lane Huston and Dustin Wolf having some of the best rookie seasons. But Celebrini also showed he was a guy to build around and had been playing like it was not just his first year in the NHL, but like it was his first year as a captain and was mentoring young rookies on the way, and that rookie was Will Smith.  Lane Hutson has an exceptional and quiet talent for moving the puck while skating fast. Now, what is interesting here is I am noticing the game for defenseman is changing. Defenseman are playing who defend rather than put up points. But I personally believe it's all changed since Quinn Hughes has arrived into the NHL that you put your de...

In my opinion as of today. Left Wing - Kyle Connor: Amazing skating and drive to the net. I know Hellebuyck is the best player on his team, but the offensive abilities he has Centre - Connor McDavid: If he was playing in the 80's, he'd probably be better than Gretzky. He's so impressive that you just can't stop him and even the best coaches won't judge you. He has an incredible teammate in Leon Draisaitl, and whenever he sees McDavid has an opportunity... he just gives him the puck and lets him do all the work. I mean it was at one point McDavid's goalscoring wasn't the best, but he worked on it and got 64 goals. But aside from points, awesome leader and incredible athlete. Some might say he isn't a team player, but what's  Right Wing - Nikita Kucherov: What amazes me about him is that he manages to always find ways to put up points, and is so good at it that his teammates will only have thirty or more less points than him because he's so well ah...

 Sure, they've had some good years and bad years. The only ones who didn't suffer were John Tortorella and Ken Hitchcock, worst-case they went less than two seasons without a coaching job. But some coaches who started there had to really work their way back up again.  Mike Babcock was hired by the team and got fired before even coaching one game. I think that one is funny personally, but goes to show someone once deemed the best coaches ever who is also in the triple gold club can't always succeed afterward.  Scott Arniel, in his first year back as head coach since the 2011-12 season after being fired by Columbus has coached the Winnipeg Jets to their first ever President's Trophy win in franchise history which some don't understand how huge that is. And spoiler alert, he is my pick to win the Norris Trophy this season. Got hired by Columbus after losing in the Calder Cup finals. Had stints as an NHL assistant coach and being an AHL head coach with the Chicago Wolve...

 So, with the talk of the NHL expanding to Houston and Atlanta I thought I'd bring this up. What I dislike about the NHL returning to Atlanta is because they already lost two teams, and it hasn't been effective in that area whatsoever.  Although, I am completely on board with NHL coming to Houston. Reason for that is not only because I love to see the NHL grow, but I find Houston can not only support an NHL team, but they can make it last. I would call them The Houston Aeros as a tribute to their WHA, IHL, and AHL teams; similar if the NHL went to San Diego I can only agree with them being called the 'San Diego Gulls.'  The obvious answer is Quebec should get a team. But if Quebec doesn't get a team, I say give them PWHL because it'll be somewhere with a passionate fanbase where they can also be top-tier for girls hockey being the first place in the world to do so. That would be one giant step for hockey. As for the Coyotes, I am happy to see them return if they...

 The Chicago Blackhawks had just started being a good team when I began watching hockey. Lots of hype around Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane being two young talented hockey stars both starting their rookie seasons at the same time. Now, to see where they're at now for me doesn't look like the Chicago Blackhawks I knew. Honestly, I believed them to just be hitting their low point now.  I will begin saying that they have lots... of work to do. I could make it simple in a complicated way by saying trade all the players who aren't under twenty-one except Spencer Knight. Because if the cap didn't exist I think Chicago could've been an unstoppable team until as late as 2021-22 where players likely start getting traded to other contenders or retire one-by-one. Today's NHL has changed a lot as it's become somewhat cutthroat while also being harder to make. I mean, if Tyson Barrie could barely hold a spot with the Flames as he is truly a serviceable player. Now, I am...

 First post to my hockey blog. I prefer to remain anonymous right now, but I am a hockey fan by heart and choice. As a Canadian, I was forced to be educated on hockey. Although, why I love hockey is the passion it has I find is way better than any sport. I can agree, it's not for everybody. But, I feel it's the one sport everybody needs to give a genuine chance. Also, they play more games which I find enjoyable and the season ends at the perfect time which is Canadian summer.  What got me into hockey personally was playing the video games, EA NHL going as early as 08 -- in my opinion when EA NHL was actually awesome. As a gamer, I thought it was cool to meet the players in the video game so I felt that reality and what they say doesn't exist can exist. My favourite modes were 'Be a GM,' and 'Be A Pro.' I liked be a GM because it taught me how to manage a hockey team at the NHL level. Be a pro because... well... I wanted to be an NHL player. But I never made ...