HockeyIzCool

The anvil over Dallas' head just got larger.

O.K., so prior to the season, who had the Ducks & Queens #2 & #3 in the Division, just prior to the All Star Break?

How in the hell did Zegras not make it? I thought he was getting a lot of votes. Typical for the Ducks to get screwed. I don't have much hope for Terry getting picked. Again, because he's on the Ducks.

Tonight's game against Detroit rescheduled for this Sunday.

Monday's home game against San Jose also postponed.

I remember the days when you could watch every Ducks game on TV, without having to pay extra for some subscription service. You know, earlier this year.

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/covid-19-sports-roundup-december-17-2021-1.6289573

What I'm wondering is whether BM was an A-Hole because of his drinking, or if he's simply using the alcohol as in excuse for the fact he's just an A-Hole. And one does not usually just develop an alcohol problem at the ripe age of 67. Why wasn't this a problem until now? With his resignation and announcement about "counseling," does the outcome of this investigation simply go away now? My guess is we never hear anything further about what actually went down, and are left with rumors from so-called "sources."

It was an accurate comment. I was thinking the same thing. Like she was acknowledging the crowd cheering, but they were cheering for the officer, not her.

They still manage to show up for the special ceremonies, so they can stand on the ice and wave at the half empty arena crowd.

I can't see how they had to do a whole investigation, and then make such a big deal out of it now, just because he's essentially been a D*&k around the office. Couldn't they just fire him? Couldn't they have let him go after the lack of any moves over the summer? Of course, that could have been the orders given from ownership. And it can't be money, because he only had a few months remaining on his contract. Just seems weird, since he's been with the organization for a Looooong time. I can't imagine he suddenly went from someone everyone loved and respected, to a so-called bully, who threatened others constantly. Unless, I guess, he felt emboldened and immune from punishment.

Buffalo would have to be out of their minds to make a deal like that.

Sure, 21 games is nothing to sneeze at, but he'll be back on the ice by the first week of December. If the league really wanted to send a message, that you're a scumbag if you try to violate league policy by presenting a fake document, they would have suspended him for the season. But they're more concerned about hurting the Sharks, or Evander, too much, so they compromised on the side of the player, hence only 21 games.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/18/sport/evander-kane-nhl-suspension/index.html The National Hockey League has handed a 21-game unpaid suspension to Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks after an investigation into whether he submitted a fraudulent Covid-19 vaccination card, according to Front Office Sports and ESPN, which cited unnamed sources. The NHL found "an established violation of, and lack of compliance with, the NHL/NHLPA COVID-19 Protocol," according to the reports. The NHLPA is the league's players' association. "I would like to apologize to my teammates, the San Jose Sharks organization, and all Sharks fans for violating the NHL COVID protocols," Kane said. "I made a mistake, one I sincerely regret and take responsibility for." "During my suspension, I will continue to participate in counseling to help me make better decisions in the future," Kane said. "When my suspension is over, I plan to return to the ice with great effort, determination, and love for the game of hockey." Yeah, I'm sure that "counseling" will help make you a decent, honorable human being, rather than a Douchebag. And I bet there is some truth to your wife's claim that you bet on your team's games.

Nope, confirmed Not on ESPN, only ESPN+ for an extra cost. I guess this is the new normal.

It's also on Cox Cable.

Why in the world would Buffalo take Kesler, a guy who is never going to play another hockey game and has a bloated contract, rather than ask for a player like Henrique or Silf, either of whom could at least be utilized during the current season? It's always risky trading for someone who is in need of major surgery, since you don't know whether his skill set will diminish once he has it.

Whoever they can get on the cheap. Perhaps the current Gulls GM.

They're not rebuilding. They're kicking the can. Rebuilding implies that trades are being made, veterans are being let go in order to get prospects or picks in return. None of that is happening. The roster is almost identical to the one which had the 2nd worst record in the league less than 5 months ago. I don't see the Ducks reaching even 75 points this season, and I won't be surprised to see Getzlaf moved by the trade deadline.

I'm not sure why it's so complicated. Everyone who shows proof of vaccination, gets a wristband. If you're not wearing a wristband, you're wearing a mask. Get seen without a wristband or a mask, and not actively eating/drinking, you get a warning. 2nd time, you're shown the door. This way, those who are vaxxed and don't want to wear a mask, don't have to.

I did not see whether they're going to be requiring masks. I know L.A. County is doing that for indoor events, and to me, that is at least, if not more, effective in preventing the spread, as showing proof of vaccination. Especially since it's possible to contract and spread the virus even if you've been vaccinated. They did that for the 5 games at the end of last season, albeit with a tiny crowd, and I hope they do the same this season. At least while we're still experiencing surges and outbreaks.

I figured I had to be wrong about that. But 150-1 doesn't sound as worth it. I imagine once the season starts, that will drop.

Tanking is not something a good team does in order to score a high draft pick. Tanking is something a lousy team does, when they're already going to finish 15 points out of a playoff spot, and could make the difference between a Top 5 pick and a pick in the teens. The whole topic is stupid and irrelevant though, since NO PLAYERS OR CLUB are going to go out there and try to lose games. There is ZERO incentive for any player to do so, since they are playing for themselves, and always looking ahead to their next contract. Their performance is going to impact how much they stand to get paid, and same goes with the coaching staff, etc. Not to mention that just because a fan roots for a team to lose, is not going to have an impact on how poorly they do. The Ducks played as lousy last season in the games they played at Honda Center with fans in attendance, as they did in the games without them. Fact remains, at this moment, the Ducks are essentially the exact same team as last year. Unless one expects guys like Zegras & Drysdale to suddenly become superstars, the results should be more or less the same. That is why Vegas odds right now are 15,000 to 1 for the Ducks winning the Cup. So if you're even the slightest bit optimistic, I suggest putting money down on them immediately. The possibility of winning $15,000 for a $1 bet is pretty unbelievable. I tend to more believe the article I read, which is that the Ducks will use this season to unload players, one by one. Guys like Rakell, Manson, Lindholm, Gibson, have more trade value now than they will once it's apparent the Ducks are desperate to get rid of them, so I wouldn't be surprised to see some moves early in the season. And given the fact Getzlaf only signed a 1 year deal, I can see him being traded as well, if the Ducks can get something decent in return. His comments at his last signing gave me no assurance that he intends to keep sitting around, while the Ducks flounder. I doubt he wants his legacy to be that he was on a last place club for the final years of his career.

https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2021/08/17/anaheim-ducks-look-like-a-team-still-stuck-in-neutral/

Sure. With all the countless moves made during the off season, you would think that OUR TEAM won the Stanley Cup last year, rather than finishing with the 2nd worst record in the league. OUR TEAM will be lucky to break 75 points this season. No worries. I'm NEVER going to convince you of this. At least not until perhaps March, when OUR TEAM is 15 points out of the final playoff spot. I know that you're Canadian, and Canadians have a reputation for being HARD on their hockey teams when they're not performing. Like ripping them to shreds hard. It's one thing to be optimistic about the Ducks, when they either have a roster that's shown it can compete, or if they upgrade that roster during the off season, bringing in quality players who might bring skills, enthusiasm or energy to the clubhouse. Please do share what BM did these past few months to make you think this season is going to be significantly different from the last? A better question would be, how deep is next year's draft? And what are the Ducks' chances of sucking more than the worst teams in the league over the next 8 months, even though they'll probably end up being the only team to fall a spot in the lottery?