NHL: 2016-2017 Season

[Valkyr1313]

The rumor is that Dumba wants a big deal here while the Wild is looking to give a 2yr bridge deal, and they are far off in their dealings. With everyday that passes however, Dumba becomes more expendable. We have a number of young players who can take on a top 6 role. Our top 4 is basically set. The top pairing will probably be Marco Scandella and Jared Spurgeon with Ryan Suter and Jonas Brodin also there. For our 3rd pairing we can put stalwart Nate Prosser with a younger player such as Christian Folin, Mike Reilly, or Gustav Bouramann.

With Dumba we can potentially trade him to another team for another Top 6 or Top 9 forward which makes this a bit more interesting at the moment

 

[JohnBM01]

Dumba is pretty good. I do hope he and the Wild can work something out.

The Arizona Coyotes signed D Connor Murphy to a six-year deal. The Ottawa Senators signed Mike Hoffman to a four-year deal worth about $21M USD. Hoffman avoided arbitration with this signing. After absolutely no Canadian teams made the playoffs last season, I'm sure this signing will help give the Senators a postseason pulse.


[UPDATE] According to something I just read on CBS Sports Network's bottom line, Matt Dumba signed a 2-year deal with the Minnesota Wild worth about $5.1M USD.

 

[JohnBM01]

According to Twitter, did you know what on this day (August 9) in 1988, a fellow named Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings? It was part of a five-player deal back then. Gretzky came out pretty good since.

The NHL's Winter Classic for the 2016-2017 season will feature the St. Louis Blues hosting the Chicago Blackhawks at Busch Stadium. Blues and Blackhawks. That should be a great game. Plenty of talent on both sides.

The NHL season doesn't start until about maybe sometime in mid-September or early October with the Preseason games. And of course, don't forget about the World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Don't worry, hockey fans... hockey is a' comin'! It may even arrive sooner than you know it.

 

[Valkyr1313]

Oh dear what a shame Payruck Waaaaaa has resigned as head coach of the Colorado Avs. Guess we won't have to deal with them being thugs this season *cough* Cody Mcloud *cough cough* Tyson Barrie *cough*

 

[Sanji Himura]

Well talk about a consolation prize. The Dallas Stars are slated to play two games this upcoming preseason at a neutral site, instead of one last year. For missing out on a Stadium Series game, we get to face Florida on October 2nd at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario, Canada and finally we get the first, and only game in Las Vegas since the NHL announced their expansion team for the area on the 7th. We play the Kings in that game.

Bummer.

 

[JohnBM01]

Dallas vs. Florida sounds like a good game. If both the Stars and Panthers advanced to the Finals this past season, this wouldn't be a bad Stanley Cup Finals series. Dallas vs. Los Angeles also is a pretty good game. Of the two, I'd be a bit more confident Dallas would win against Los Angeles. Not to say the Kings are sorry, though. Dallas and Florida would be a pretty close match. I'd say maybe Dallas wins that one in regulation 3-2 or 4-3.

As for the Wild matching up against the Avalanche, it could be pretty close between Minnesota and Colorado. I'm sure I'd make RedDragon and Northstar smile by saying the Wild would whack the Avs 4-2 or maybe even 5-2. I think the Wild have a good bit more talent than Colorado.


But of course... none of these games have happened yet, and there's still a lot of variables to sort out among the teams. I'm just looking at all of this in the sense of "if they played right now."

 

[JohnBM01]

Yesterday, I saw a little bit of highlights of two Stadium Series games on NHL Network. I saw the game with Detroit at Colorado played at Coors Field, and then I saw the game between Chicago at Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium.

Here is this coming season's outdoor game schedule:

* Edmonton Oilers vs. Winnipeg Jets at Investors Group Field (Oct. 23, 2016)
* Detroit Red Wings vs. Toronto Maple Leafs at BMO Field (Jan. 1, 2017)
* Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues at Busch Stadium (Jan. 2, 2017)
* Philadelphia Flyers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Heinz Field (Feb. 18, 2017)

So you all looking to go to these games, be sure to mark your calendars and get your tickets and stuff.

 

[JohnBM01]

Not much really to report on any real NHL news, but I just wanted to post a few things as far sa the latest news is concerned. So the only real news of late was that the New York Rangers agreed to terms with Jimmy Vesey. Vesey played his collegiate hockey at Harvard. I'm sure he'll bring his Ivy League smarts to the ice for a competitive team like the New York Rangers.


Again- not much really to report of late. The 2016 World Cup of Hockey still has yet to be played. Those games start on September 17 and runs through October 1. I think the regular season begins October 12, or somewhere around.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Colorado Avalanche now have a new name to replace the resigned Patrick Roy. Avs Nation, get to know your new head coach- Jared Bednar. Maybe "Bedsy" can coach the Avalanche to making the playoffs this coming season.

The NHL now has its first full-time female coach. That lady is named Dawn Braid, of the Arizona Coyotes. You may remember hearing of first-ever female coaches in the NFL and the NBA. That loving has now found its way into the NHL. Cool story and congratulations to Dawn Braid.


We're still at least about a month away from any real NHL action. There is still the 2016 World Cup of Hockey to be played out in Toronto in mid-September. The new season is coming. So get ready if you love hockey.

 

[JohnBM01]

Hanging it up after 16 seasons in the NHL is Scott Gomez. I think he last played for the New Jersey Devils. I'd like to wish Scott Gomez the best in his retirement. Sixteen years is quite a lot of mileage and service. To hang around that long is worth some respect. But again... all the best to Scott Gomez in his retirement.

 

[JohnBM01]

According to Twitter and the Yahoo! Sports NHL Twitter feed, nicknames for the Las Vegas NHL team were leaked. One such name was the "Sand Knights." Can you imagine the Las Vegas team being called the Sand Knights?

 

[JohnBM01]

So are you wondering when the NHL action begins this coming season? Well starting on September 17, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey will take form. The first of the NHL Preseason games is slated for September 25. This will apparently be some home-and-home series as the Columbus Blue Jackets is at the St. Louis Blues that afternoon. Then later in the evening, it will be St. Louis at Columbus. So if you're looking forward to the 2016-2017 NHL season, it begins with Preseason action in about three weeks time as of this post.

Don't worry, people. Hockey WILL come around! Everything from goals, saves, hits, and (of course) fights will come around eventually!

 

[JohnBM01]

Hockey is back today with the World Cup of Hockey, but the NHL Preseason doesn't start until September 25. Today is a few NHL birthdays. Auston Matthews turned 19 today. Today is also the birthday of bad boy Alexander Ovechkin. Ovie turned 31 today.

 

[Joel]

Anyone else been watching the WCoH? I was kinda cynical about but Team USA flaming out and Team North America being awesome has been great for entertainment value. I'm really pulling for Finland today against Russia so that we get a Canada-Team North America semi-final.

If you find it confusing that there's a Team Canada, USA, and North America, keep in mind this is a gimmicky tournament the NHL cooked up to maybe avoid going to the Olympics in Korea. The players want to go but the league/owners aren't thrilled about sending the players over there for 3 weeks and risking injury when there's an 11-15 hour time difference from North America.

The issue in terms of entertainment is that in a true best on best format, Canada, Sweden, an optimally chosen Team USA and Russia are really the only countries with a real chance right now. By 2018 you could likely include Finland since so many of their best players are very young (Maatta, Ristolainen, Laine, Puljujärvi, Barkov, etc.). So they made up two teams to make it more competitive, there's teams from Canada, Sweden, Russia, Finland, USA, and the Czech Republic. To make 8 teams they made a team North America made up of players from Canada/USA who are 23 years old or younger, and a "Team Europe" made up of European players not from SWE/FIN/RUS/CZE. It's basically a team Slovakia/Denmark/Germany with one really good player from Slovenia.

 

[JohnBM01]

I did create this thread to discuss the 2016 World Cup of Hockey: https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/threads/world-cup-of-hockey-2016.336839/ . I think I heard of some NHL players wanting to play in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea; like Alex Ovechkin. So it probably isn't too much to say this tournament is a worthy distraction from the Winter Olympics.

The first of the Preseason games starts this Sunday with a home-and-home series between Columbus and St. Louis (if I remember correctly (sorry, I don't use "IIRC")). Time to warm up the ice with some good old hockey.

 

[JohnBM01]

I saw a commercial on NBCSN earlier today that had the slogan of "Love Hurts." The reference was towards the first Wednesday Night Rivalry night of the 2016-2017 season. I was looking up the TV schedule on the NHL's website. NBCSN is going to show the St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks followed by the Los Angeles Kings at the San José Sharks.

Fear not, folks. Hockey WILL return. In fact, the first Preseason game is tomorrow between St. Louis and Columbus. It will be Columbus at St. Louis followed by St. Louis at Columbus later tomorrow. Be ready to welcome back NHL hockey with loving arms.

 

[JohnBM01]

NHL Hockey is back! Today is the first of the Preseason games. Do remember that this is the Preseason, so none of this matters towards the regular season. This is just dress rehearsal for the upcoming season.

As of this post, the St. Louis Blues defeated Columbus Blue Jackets 7-3 in the first Preseason game. Later tonight will be St. Louis at Columbus.

 

[JohnBM01]

Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins signed an eight-year extension worth about $49M USD to stay with the Bruins. Boston missed the playoffs last season, so I'm sure signing this guy will keep Boston in the mix.


The NHL Preseason continues tonight with more games coming up. Just about everybody else will begin their Preseason matches. Here are some of the many Preseason games slated for tonight:

* Minnesota Wild at Buffalo Sabres
* St. Louis Blues at Dallas Stars (a rematch from this past season's playoffs)
* Ottawa Senators at Toronto Maple Leafs
* Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals

Some teams have split teams and playing in home-and-home series. Even still, it's time to get back on the ice and build up excitement for the upcoming season.

 

[JohnBM01]

Did you know the National Hockey League will celebrate its 100th birthday next year? Plans were announced today in Toronto regarding how the NHL will celebrate its centennial. Take a look at this article on NHL.com for more information: https://www.nhl.com/news/2017-nhl-centennial-plans-announced/c-282175554

100 years of the NHL. Tough to fathom for a league born on November 26, 1917. Only Major League Baseball has been around longer (1903) among the major American sporting leagues.

 

[JohnBM01]

If you're looking for a Preseason game, NHL Network is showing the Chicago Blackhawks at the Pittsburgh Penguins. You may never know- this COULD be the Stanley Cup Finals for this season. One or both teams could be playing for Lord Stanley's Cup at season's end. Of course, Pittsburgh is the defending champions heading into this season.

 

[JohnBM01]

The Preseason continues, and the only game that has gone final so far was Montreal at Ottawa. The Canadiens won at the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in this Preseason match. I believe Montreal was about 9-0 or so to start last season. Surely fans of the Habs hope Montreal have a much better season than last.

About six other games make up the card for tonight's batch of Preseason games. Yesterday, Toronto eviscerated Buffalo 8-1 in Buffalo. The only Original Six match from yesterday was Boston at Detroit, and Boston won 2-1 in Overtime. Again- Preseason games. This is all just dress rehearsal.

 

[JohnBM01]

Heads up! NBCSN is showing some Preseason hockey! It will be the Carolina Hurricanes playing the Buffalo Sabres in the latest winner of "Hockeyville"- Marquette, Michigan. Need one more reason to watch? Let me utter only two words: "Doc" Emrick. So you know you're going to hear some great commentary with Doc around. Check it out!

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Hockeyville saw the Sabres beat the Hurricanes 2-0. I also have to admit that the story about the first outdoor game between the Detroit Red Wings and the Marquette prison team was really interesting. I never knew about that until the NBC Sports gave the story.

 

[JohnBM01]

Next Wednesday, people... next Wednesday is the start of the 2016-2017 regular season. If you aren't excited yet, then you still have a full week to get ready for another fine season of NHL hockey.

On right now on NHL Network is a Preseason game with the Detroit Red Wings at the Pittsburgh Penguins. DET currently leads 4-2 at the 2nd Intermission as of this post. Detroit will be looking to make the postseason yet again. Pittsburgh trying to become the first team since 1997-1998 Detroit to be back-to-back champions.


Elsewhere...

* Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers became the youngest Captain in history at 19 years, 266 days. Lot of responsibility and power to give to a young man. I hope he can handle it and lift his Oilers against the other teams.

* Recently announcing hanging up his skates is Dan Boyle. His service in the NHL spanned 17 years. He will retire as a San José Shark. All the best to him in his retirement.

* Tanner Pearson of the Los Angeles Kings got suspended for the final two Preseason games and the first two regular season games after an illegal check he put on the head of Brandon Davidson of the Edmonton Oilers.


But once again... it will be time to lace 'em up and suit 'em up for the regular season next Wednesday. So get ready if you ain't already ready already.


[OMISSION] Happy birthday, Mario Lemieux! Born in 1965, so Super Mario is 51 today.

 

[Sanji Himura]

The EA NHL simulation took place today and it predicted that Nashville will win the Stanley Cup in 6 games from Montreal.

In related news, Connor McDavid is also predicted to win 3 trophies during the season, the Hart, Art Ross, and the Ted Lindsay.

 

[JohnBM01]

Dallas went pretty far last season. Do you see them having another great season or maybe going better than they did last season, Sanji Himura?

And man... it would be pretty sad for Monteal Canadiens fans if Nashville ends up having a better season considering P.K. Subban going from the Canadiens to the Predators. Could happen, though. But imagining the Preds winning it all? Very possible, but I don't see it happening. Maybe not this upcoming season.

 

[Northstar]

The Wild kick off their season on Thursday and I'm extremely excited as I can actually watch the games this year since Sling has Fox Sports North.

 

[JohnBM01]

As of this post, I am watching a bit of the Preseason game between the Winnipeg Jets at the Minnesota Wild. I made the accident of looking at the score, and I learned the Wild won that game 5-1. The two teams were tied 1-1 heading into the 3rd Period. The Wild probably just decided to shut the door on the Jets in the final period and just go all out on them.

In other Preseason games from last night... the Detroit Red Wings defeated their rival Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 in Detroit in this Original Six match. The St. Louis Blues won 2-1 against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. Boston won 1-0 in their Preseason game hosting the Philadelphia Flyers.


Today's Preseason action includes... New York Islanders at the Washington Capitals, and then San José Sharks at the Anaheim Ducks.

 

[kolio]

The "Love Hurts" promo airing on NBCSN is pumping me up for this season!

 

[JohnBM01]

One more day, people. I usually say that about teams who save themselves from being eliminated from the playoffs or from winning a championship, but the "one more day" this time relates to the fact the NHL season begins.... tomorrow. So get ready for the new season if you're an NHL hockey fan! Just remember- the season starts in... One. More. Day.