Hockey talk, thoughts, and opinions.

After last night's only hockey game between the Oilers and Stars, the Oilers had the better odds to win going into that game. They got destroyed in the first period 4-0. In the last two periods they swapped Stuart Skinner with Calvin Pickard, where they lost the game 8-3. This game had been the ultimate wake-up call, and I think personally the problem here is the Oilers coaching staff, ownership, and finally their defense.      Calvin Pickard is a great goaltender, and I think if he deserves another chance at being a starting goaltender elsewhere. But I think the Oilers keep him and likely don't move on from him.  As for Stuart Skinner, he is truly a remarkable goalie. The issue is the Oilers coaches and their defenseman Bouchard and Nurse. Bouchard, excellent offensively, but defensively not to much and he's another case of a player who'd benefit from a change of scenery. Except, I think Darnell makes the same mistakes his sister does in the PWHL -- and there was a ...

Well, it's no secret Stamkos has been quite disappointing in Nashville, but I still do believe he's a good player as he's been quite dedicated to the game of hockey. He has had many injuries but continues to play. I do believe he's truly a Hall-of-Famer, mainly because he did lead the league in goals and captain a team to a Stanley Cup... twice!  Now, I think he's been a very bad fit with Nashville as he doesn't play their style of game. I find if he went to a team that plays his style of game and can give him the assets he needs that he will indeed succeed. The one thing I found weird about Stamkos once he's exited his prime is he's mostly a forward. Not a left-wing, centre, right-wing, just a forward. I think that's quite valuable because he can step right in. But I think he and Nashville need to move on. But I do believe he deserves another shot because I think he can still play in the NHL and put up reasonable numbers. The teams I would see Stamk...

I was watching the Jets-Wild game today, and what I noticed was quite significant. I noticed that Connor Hellebuyck has the best confidence of all NHL goaltenders, but even if he doesn't get an assist he's actually really good at generating offensive chances. Like, Eric Comrie is a great goalie and all, but his confidence isn't entirely there in terms of being sure after he passes the puck of positions himself to make a save -- like Hellebuyck -- to where he makes sure the puck deflects off his pad and to his teammates stick.  Hellebuyck I noticed whenever he starts there's a lot less whistles from the ref given how, like I said, always watches the plays and manages to make incredible stops. He sees everything, and always knows that he can generate offense under pressure which is just so remarkable. What I love about it is how it's so much finding away to help the team to his best, and it throws opponents off guard.  Right now Hellebuyck is injured, and Thomas Milic...