NHL Season 2015-2016

[von Rantala]

im guessing its mainly because the countries are close to each other and the passion for winning means everything and represents an entire country. here in NA, its the same passion but not as intense due to only Canada vs USA for bragging rights over here.

 

dont get me wrong, i love my pitiful leafs, but not as crazy as say the Italians are for Juve to win the champions league or the Dutch are to win the world cup. totally different atmosphere and fan base there.

 

the major thing i notice is the fans in europe whistle instead of booing...over here whistling means you approve or applaud with whats happened on the pitch/field. strange.

 

Thanks mate for clarification, now i know more! Yeah its strange how small thing like whistle can have so different context in two country!

[von Rantala]

We lost again in overtime, we are 1-5 in overtime, and if am correct only Vancouver is worse team in overtime than us, in my mind overtime should be good for our gamestyle, we try play fast hockey, but in overtime we just play very slowly, very carefully without any risk, you cant win in overtime if you dont take any risks. But anyway, we did suck in that game, in last 8 away game, we have won only 1 game and lead only once in those 8 game, and it was that victory game. So we should start play better hockey in away too. But anyway i am happy that we got one point, but sametime little bit worried how badly we play in away from home :/ I am not so worry about overtime play, because in playoff we dont use that kind overtime.

 

Second line is my biggest worry, and powerplay, we have made only one goal from last 16 powerplay, and our second line Zucker-Koivu-Niederreiter havent made goal in 9 game now, it was our best line first 15 game, now i hope Yeo will make some line changes. Let see! Next game is in Friday, i hate so long breaks in the season, we are already couple game behind others and again we rest 3 day. lol. Probably will watch Calgary game tomorrow if Rämö is in the goal, let see if i have time.

[von Rantala]

25 game mark update

 

 

 

Goals for i am in seventh place, Goals Against i am in seventh place also, goal difference i am in fifth place, i am in eighteenth place in overall points (whole league) and in seventh place in western so in playoff spot

 

Line ups

 

[meow]

Montreal Canadiens sings "Let It Go"

 

[von Rantala]

Its 30 game mark, i decided to make minor report of 5 interesting teams who are outside of playoff spot.

 

Edmonton Oilers

 

Oilers has won sixt last game and with those wins they are now last playoff spot, before winning streak they was bottom of Western Conference, but last place of Western conference is only 3 point away from last playoff spot because Pacific has been for big mark NHL most worst division. Last year here was couple member who was saying that Pacific is best division of NHL, but it was worst in last year and in this year it has been even bigger mark to other divisions. When east last playoff spot is 9 point away from Columbus. I think Oilers will be seen in playoff this year, in last spot, they still need to fix defence group to be real contender. Nilsson has played couple great game in goal, when Talbot has been disappointment, even that i did wait that Talbot would not be answer and was waiting that Nilsson has better opportunity to take starter role, he played great season in KHL last year. It still question mark can Nilsson be that answer to Oilers goalie problems, but we can see that after this season, if Edmon is in playoff spot when trade deadline come, they probably trade some of talent forwards for defender or goalie support. I have waited Oilers raise to Cup race now last 3 season, and rightway when they hire proper coach and GM you can see results/wins.

 

Columbus Blue Jackets

 

I just watched they last game http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=2015020450-X-h(from higlights not full game) and you can cleary see that Columbus was better team, or at least they had better opportunitys, they had at least 4 break away without goal, and they was denied one clear shootout. They are 3-4-3 from they last 10 game and are last team of NHL and that last 10 game stats are huge disappointment to me, i waited a lot better results after they take Tortorella behind bench, Torts is good coach who made good results in NYR and he can really spark team, i was surprised too how he bench they best player Hartnell from one game, and that look like rush move, what can have more negative effects than positives, biggest weakenst is defence group, if you watch NHL best teams, you can see atleast one star defender in they group, good offencive defender is in my mind 50% of your offensive stats, without good offencive defender you cant get those fast starts from own zone, you cant get puck through to goal from blueline when needed etc.. so, they need to get better defenders to group, plus they offence group was overrated in many ratings, they have 4 good forward, but you need at least 6 to make playoffs and 8 give you good chance to Cup. I hope they dont rush and kick Kekäläinen, he is good GM who has started build good team, its just not ready yet.

 

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

 

If they win those two game what they are short, they would be only 3 point from playoff spot, playoffs could be too soon for this season, but you can see Babcock mark in team already, when goalies played well they have won games, they was intention of trade goalie, but then they gave chance to Reimer who use that opportunity well, they probably will give Reimer whole season time to show his skill and if its not enough they could trade Howard from Detroit. Elliot can be trade deadline move if they want give better support for Reimer. From these five what i add here, Toronto is longest way from playoff spot if we watch only roster, they need players in every spots, when other teams are one or two player away from playoff, but in other hand Toronto has best coach from these five team. Komarov ice-time and game has been huge delight to me, i hear that Toronto fans love him, they has seen some as me, Leksa is very liked person in locker room also, and he has been mvp in couple games and spark team when needed, he was bottom 6 player when season started, but gained Babcock trust and is top 3 player of team now. Komarov is great player, but his skill is more like 2-3 line shorthanded and powerplay rebount man than playmaker or scorer, Toronto is need of number one center, couple winger too, and 2-3 defender way from playoff spot, Reimer could be answer in goal or not, they will see that after this season and make final decision after season. This is learning season and they will be playoff in next season.

 

Buffalo Sabres

 

Buffalo has played well, i have loved Bylsma and i think he is fourth best coach in NHL after Babcock, Quenneville, Laviolette, you can cleary see his mark already in team, Bylsma has always good to get offensive product from team, and when Pittsburght kick him out, it was in my mind 2010 centery biggest mistake, (if Roy trade is all time biggest in my mind), Team will be real contender of Stanley in couple years if GM is enough good, i was so hoping to see Bylsma behind Wild bench when he was free. Buffalo goalie situation is still huge question mark and i think team biggest question mark, can Lehner be that big number one goalie for NHL, in my mind he cant, but i can be wrong, Johnson has been better than i wait in second role, and Ullmark has played well too, but i think its a lot because Buffalo has defenced well, Johnson is many time out of game and make those amazing saves, but he should not need to do those if he would play better. Ristolainen has been team MVP in my mind, not maybe best player of team, but because his production from D spot it has made team powerplay a lot better, plus all the forwards got boost from scoring after Ristolainen get his game in where it is now. (23 points in 30 game) Ristolainen could be that star defender what every team needed, can he spark offence as Klingberg did in Dallas or Karlsson in Ottawa we can see, Ristolainen is different type of playear than those two, he is more two way defender than only offencive defender, he is more like Keith or Suter. Team have great first defender pair, solid second, but they still need of 1 defender, and 1-2 forward, but those can been come from inside of team is Girgensons or Larson spark they game. Goalie situation is that what solve if team is playoff team or not. If i would be GM of Buffalo i would try to get new number one goalie to my team, and it maybe hardest to get in current NHL.

 

 

Calgary Flames

 

They defence problems has been huge mystery for me, they have one of best defence group in paper, but they five man defence game havent work, defenders do 70% of defence job rest they need help from forwards, team is so young and talent in offensive way that maybe team young player has forgot to defence when needed, i have watched every highligh of Calgary game and i have seen that goalies give easy goal now and then, but what i see most is that defenders and forwards not clear those rebounts, goalies job is to save, defenders job is to clear those rebounts, and now time after time, you can see how Calgary player just stand and watch when goalie make saves, they dont keep they own players they dont try clear rebounts, that have to be better if they want to go playoffs. Calgary is only 2 point away from playoff spot and they are two game sort of last playoff team, so all is in they own hands, win one of those two and they would be in playoff spot. Rämö has got over 91% percant from last 15 games if i am correct so he has better his game, but can be more than possible that Calgary try trade goalie in trade deadline or before that, but if Rämö can little bit spark his game, he can be answer to goalie problem too, they also need 1-2 forward to group to make it more wide, now they are too much one line team, but they have couple talent player who can fill those two spot what is open, but propably in next season, so rental players can be solution for Calgary, i put Calgary in Western finals in my early season prediction and i believe they still can be in there, if they get they defence play work as it was working last year.

[von Rantala]

Wild added Jarret Stoll (NYR) from Waiwers to team, my first reaction was that i was surprised, second was that now he will take Konopka old number 28 in Minnesota, my third reaction was that i will give him chance, it will mean that Haula role will smaller, many waited more from Haula, but look like he is shorthand specialist not offensive forward, but very good in defence way, Stoll probably come to play in our third line center, but i was waiting to see Graovac in that role, so that why i was surprised that we added Stoll to our roster, but he is three time finalist and two time Stanley winner what can help us, his production has gone worse way last 4 year, and i dont know him so well as a player, but if he can take Brodziak spot in penalty kill and be solid 3-4 liner it will be enough. I dont know if we can use him in this night game, but i would put him in middle of third line and take Porter out from roster and move Fontaine from third line to fourth line. I know that when Stoll was in top of his game, he was great two way center and penalty killer, and we need penalty killers when we lost Cooke and Brodziak. So in the end i am happy for this claim, but i still hope we would give games to Graovac too. (he just was send to AHL after long injury)

 

http://www.eliteprospects.com/index.php?status=league&view=&leagueid=7

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=8895

[von Rantala]

Wow super busy day today, just got last night game watched, wow it was one of best hockey games for couple year what i have saw, I was so happy that Koivu got production, he has been so close in many games without production, he earned those points, and Wild earned win. I decided to make major chances to my roster, as i say earlier Vanek has made huge impact to me, i remember how i didnt want him to Wild first, he played solid and good first season, but in this season he has been totally different player and oppened my eyes. I wanted add Parise too in my roster before this season, but was not able because salary cap, but now with Vanek i didnt want to wait anymore and i made move, traded Ruutu (over 4 milj salary) what was hard thing to do, and i will take him back rightway when i can. It was affecting too that Niederreiter havent take that next step in his progress, look like he will be good third liner, but not star player or solid first-second liner, so i had room in my top 6 when i moved Niederreiter lower (to fourth line) and put Vanek in third line as start and in alternative lines in first line with Koivu. Yeo tryed Koivu and Vanek duo in last year in 15 game without any production, but put Vanek in Koivu line in Shark game and keep him with Koivu in last game against Vancouver and they has shown magic and great chemistry and they was in ice when Wild made 5 goal, both got 1+3 stats and it was very nice to follow those two chemistry, i think it will not be short time chemistry, because Vanek is changed his gamestyle from last year and they use speedy Zucker in rigthwing. I think line can be one of most dangerous lines of NHL in this season. I liked Vanek two way play and his attitude, those all was affect when i choose take him, and trade T.Ruutu and send N.Bäckström to EU to get enough room to salary cap. (Look like Niklas Bäckström will not get games in this season, but if he will, i might trade Niederreiter and make room to Bäckström)

[L3ftY.]

as per my annual tradition, this is what i will be watching during the holidays...

 

 

 

 

 

 

nothing better than getting together with relatives, eating a huge meal, and having a few wobbly pops while watching the games.

[Helsen]

whoohooo, Rantala forgot about the Avalanche... they are in great shape atm ... they won 7 from their last 9 games.

[von Rantala]

Has been bad shape lately and was depressed also, but wow how hockey can save again, Wild have played they best hockey of year, and my biggest (active) idol Mikko Koivu has made 3+4 in last two game, this week has been one of best Fantasy/GM week ever to me, if not best, Koivu got a lot points, same as Jokinen (FLA), Parise (MIN) Komarov (TOR) Beauchemin (COL), Zidlicky (NYI) Couturier (PHI) Vanek (MIN) and Rämö (CGY) has been played great hockey in Calgary net. If i am correct only Haula and Määttä is only players who havent made point to me in this week. Will update my NHL manager tomorrow (Wild got 30 mark yesterday) Daam how happy i was when Koivu made that empty net against San Jose, that feeling when Koivu end his 7 pointless streak and that moment when it esnure win was great, i was screaming and jumping with so much happiness. There is still three round of hockey left for this week, so i can get a lot more points from my players, and let see if we get Koivu to stars of the weeks, i now hope so much that he will be in stars of weeks, i think it would be Koivu first time if he can be one of stars of weeks.

 

Its hard to believe that we are almost in half season mark. Daam season has gone so fast. Will start make my half season report when most of teams has played 40 game, and try get those ready before 50 game mark and post two team per day, when i got those ready! But i has been super busy lately, so there can be minor chance that i am not able to do it. Let see.

[L3ftY.]

id say koivu is your idol....you mentioned the name koivu 6 times in that paragraph

 

 

this is my favorite koivu ....

 

 

[von Rantala]

id say koivu is your idol....you mentioned the name koivu 6 times in that paragraph

 

 

this is my favorite koivu ....

 

 

 

I love Saku Koivu also, followed him when he was playing in Habs and everytime when i watch his comeback from cancer i start cry too. I play lottery with my idols numbers, in Eurojackpot last couple year and in finnish national lottery about five year (now and then not all the time), in finnish lottery we choose 7 number (from 1-39) mine are, 3, (Petteri Nummelin), 9, (Mikko Koivu) 11 (Saku Koivu) 19, (Scott Hartnell) 26 (Martin St. Louis) 30 (Antero Niittymäki) 38 (Pavol Demitra) and in eurojackpot u choose 5 main number from 1-50 and two star number from 1-9, my line in there has been 11 (Saku Koivu), 26 (Martin St. Louis) 27 (Teppo Numminen) 30 (Antero Niittymäki) 44 (Kimmo Timonen) and in star numbers i have 3 (Petteri Nummelin) 9 (Mikko Koivu) So idols play big part in my life and my sporting watching habbits, and i truly are very happy when they get success, it make me super happy, and thats why i follow my idols very closely, i use atleast 1-2 hour in NHL site every and watch every goal where my idols are along (make assist or make goal) My biggest lottery win has been 50e from Finnish nationally lottery with my idols line, i also play birthday line also ofc. Just got 7,70E with my Idols line yesterday from EuroJackpot =) I had Saku Koivu and Teppo Numminen right and from stars Mikko Koivu

 

I have other idols too like Zenon Konopka, Karri Rämö, Jussi Jokinen, Marco Scandella, Francois Beauchemin, Sami Vatanen, Niklas Bäckström (Goalie) and some favorite players who are not yet idols

Edited December 19, 2015 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Guess who is watching Calgary game live today? Yes me, its start 22:00 in Finnish time, i have waited long to get opportunity to watch Calgary game and now i get it. Hopefully Rämö play good game in the net!

 

whoohooo, Rantala forgot about the Avalanche... they are in great shape atm ... they won 7 from their last 9 games.

 

Yes they played well after Varlamov found his game, but because Central is so tought its hard to go in the playoff from so long, if u see my SS u can see how tough is Central division, with old system there would be 6 team from Central in playoffs and only two from Pasific.

 

 

In old system Colorado would be in last playoff spot, but for current system they are 3 point away from playoff spot.

Edited December 19, 2015 by von Rantala

[von Rantala]

Calgary bring 7 game winning streak in game, but has played very poorly, allowed three goal already, in first Rämö didnt have any chance, second he played little bit too agressive and in third one he should save. I can see same problems than Calgary had in early season, Defence in own zone suck, they give to much room, they are very good to defence neutral zone, but if St. Louis get over the neutral zone Rämö have to do amazing saves to keep team in the game. In first period Calgary gave a lot giveways, played a lot better second period.

[von Rantala]

Minor Goalie update

 

I watch Columbus highlights because Hartnell is playing in there and Kekäläinen is GM, and Korpisalo has started well in there, can even overtake McElhinney, in second start he was poor, but played solid first and third games.

 

Teams who need new starter in my mind!

 

Arizona (was surprised how they didnt take new goalie when Smith injured, he is not number one caliber either, Domingue played first shutout in last game, but its huge question mark, havent play starter role in AHL yet(whole year))

 

Buffalo (Johnson played better than i waited, can deley goalie question to next year)

 

Calgary (Rämö has played well in net, from last 15 game he had 92,4 save percante and under 2,50 GA before last game, but team could try to trade goalie in trade deadline)

 

Carolina (They have huge need of goalie atm, can make move before trade deadline)

 

Edmonton (Can make move in trade deadline, young goalies has played ok, so could give chance to them too, but if they are in playoff run, they probably seeking goalie in trade deadline)

 

Toronto (Probably make goalie move in trade deadline, Reimer played well, but he need better back up goalie)

 

Vancouver (Probably will not make move in this season, but Miller will not be answer if they want make long playoff run, lost his starter role to Läck last year)