| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| spade632 |
Posted - 01/10/2012 : 19:42:58
Inspired by Sensfan101's mid-season awards thread...
What do you think is the greatest surprise of the season so far? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ryan93 |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 16:36:00
While certainly not to the degree he has this season, I thought there were stretches last season as well where Ryan Miller really struggled. |
| Alex116 |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 15:20:53
Beans / nuxfan.... I was actually just kidding about the Lucic hit. I don't consider him a goon and was just throwing a little friendly jab at a Bruin fan (Tox).
He may be playing slightly worse nuxfan (since the hit), but i agree with Beans, he's not been very good all season. I know this, i have him in one of my pools!  |
| nuxfan |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 14:10:45
quote:
Originally posted by Beans15
Alex, Miller was bad this season before that as well. Just check the stat on TSN.ca and you will see. Especially if you see them the way I see them. 
Miller has not been the same since that hit, and its apparent in his stats since then:
Before the hit: 5-5, .912 SV%
After the hit: 6-8-1, 889 SV%
W/L is more of a team thing, and the team has put up with a great many big injuries... but SV% is very telling. He doesn't look comfortable in the net, and hasn't produced when he needs to. Might be a nagging injury that he's playing through, I think if BUF fall out of the playoff race, or in the summer, we'll see him go under the knife for something.
But onto the thread - like with any season, there have been surprises. But for the first time in a while, I'm seeing more surprises at a team level, rather than individual surprises. Most have been mentioned here - FLA, OTT, TOR, STL, and on the downside, TB, MTL, BUF, ANA, LA, PIT. I don't recall a year recently where there have been so many team-level reversals of fortune (either up or down). The playoff picture could look very different in both conferences this April. |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 12:41:41
Alex, Miller was bad this season before that as well. Just check the stat on TSN.ca and you will see. Especially if you see them the way I see them.
Slozo, I completely agree with the Washington assessment. Vokoun has been a huge disappointment this season. I think they started slow last year as well, but this is more than that. I think the coaching change happened too late and should have been in the off season. However, I think they are a team better built for the playoffs than they have been in the past and once they are in they will be trouble makers for anyone who they play agains.
A couple of other surprises for me are:
FLA - They got better a year faster than I thought they would. They are tied with LA for the most OTL in the NHL which makes the look better than they are, but none the less, Dale Tallon is a beast of a GM.
LA - I thought they would be better than what they are.
DET - When will people learn?? You can not count out a talented, coached team with a culture of winning regardless of how old they are. Best home record in the NHL, most wins in the NHL. Stop counting them out.
However, as the question is the greatest surprise this season, hands down is the Ottawa Senators. Welcome back Spezza!! Nice to see you can play hockey again like you used to!! That team is landslides better than most (include I) ever thought they could be. I have always like the Sens but I completely counted them out this year and bet heavily against them. It's a bet I won't mind losing.
Now, losing the Leafs bet with Slozo, that one stings. 
|
| Alex116 |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 12:12:41
quote:
Originally posted by ToXXiK1
could be the multitude of injuries and the fact Miller hasn't been able to stop a beachball in last month or so.
He hasn't been the same since that goon Lucic ran him Tox!  |
| ToXXiK1 |
Posted - 01/20/2012 : 02:44:55
could be the multitude of injuries and the fact Miller hasn't been able to stop a beachball in last month or so. |
| Guest7116 |
Posted - 01/17/2012 : 17:09:22
sorry dont know how to edit but dallas was the only team out of the division tomiss the playoffs and they were in 9th |
| Guest7116 |
Posted - 01/17/2012 : 17:06:56
7th actually |
| Guest7116 |
Posted - 01/17/2012 : 17:05:51
could be the pacific division which goes from having almost everyone make the playoffs... someone in 9th last year? to having sanjose leading the division who would be placed 5th or 6th according to points |
| Alex116 |
Posted - 01/17/2012 : 16:53:57
If you want to talk teams, how about Buffalo? A team many considered a favorite to win their division (even over Boston) and possibly the conference, is not even within 3 wins of a playoff spot!! |
| ToXXiK1 |
Posted - 01/17/2012 : 01:32:20
Karlsson in Ottawa is a major bonus for them this season. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/16/2012 : 22:17:25
I have to say, after thinking about it long and hard, the single greatest surprise to me this year is the Washington Capitals. I expected them to be 1st or 2nd EASILY in the eastern conference . . . but then again, I think many if not most people have seriously underestimated what Mike Green means to that team. I think their record with him out of the lineup shows his true value.
Florida and Ottawa are second for me in disbelief at where they are. WAY above expectations . . . although, that is SO FAR, could totally straighten out by the end of the season.
The west has been far less surprising, other than that I expected Anaheim to do much better. St. Louis is only slightly ahead of Chicago and Detroit in their division, I expect them to fall into a lower seed by end of season.
For players . . . #1 surprise is Joffrey Lupul. His emergence as a dominant power forward type player with immense skill is astounding . . . did. not. see. that. In fact, in my mind before the regular season, I had him as the most likely trade bait . . . hunh, guess that is not happening now, eh?
Erik Karlsson is my second most surprising player . . . thought he would develop into a "good young player", but not this - Norris trophy candidate. He may not win it, and there's no shame in that - but he has impressed mightily, and leads defencemen in points by an astounding 11 points ALREADY., and is on pace for something close to 80 points. Nobody thought that Karlsson would emerge as the next Mike Green, especially on a team (Sens) that were thought to be offensively challenged before the start of the year . . .
"Take off, eh?" - Bob and Doug |
| Guest7961 |
Posted - 01/15/2012 : 03:12:58
complete dominence by french canadiens |
| Guest7116 |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 19:51:20
49ers |
| Guest0959 |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 17:36:14
Biggest surprise: PHIL KESSEL |
| Guest2943 |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 15:53:22
quote:
Originally posted by mandree888
how about the monster takeing over the number 1 spot in TOR.... VERY surprised about the "legendary loch ness" monster coming out of hiding.
Are you the Monster or the Monsters Mom? You have to be related. Pot aint for everyone folks! |
| mandree888 |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 07:42:36
how about the monster takeing over the number 1 spot in TOR.... VERY surprised about the "legendary loch ness" monster coming out of hiding. |
| Guest7752 |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 07:33:36
quote:
Originally posted by sahis34
quote:
Originally posted by Guest7752
Crosby still missing from the game becasue of cheap shot hit to the head.
(refer to other discussion on the "Bubble Wrap League" forum topic)
Crosby's still out of action, because they improperly handled his concussion.
oh... that's right, i forgot you are the doctor that properly handles concussions and knows better "them".
What does your comment have to do with "greatest surprise of the season so far"?
|
| spade632 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 22:30:05
Ryan93 hit most of the big surprises for me.
A few others that come to mind are:
Emery's "resurrection" in Philadelphia where he's 9-3-2
Michalek's season in Ottawa is pretty good so far - 5th in the league with 20 goals.
And, Kris Versteeg is in the midst of a career season in Florida, just under a PPG pace. |
| nuxfan |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 21:04:01
quote:
Originally posted by Shepsky
What about the fact that the Leafs have 2 of the top 3 point getters in Lupul and Kessel? When was the last time they had one top point scorer, let alone 2. and the fact they may see the post season for the first time since '04? GO LEAFS
The Leafs have a top point scorer every year. Its just that last year for Kessel, it was in the top 37 
Kessel is not such a surprise for me, we all knew he could collect points to some level. I don't think anyone saw Lupul doing what he's done this year, in any way, he's been a huge surprise for TOR. And he's going into a contract year next season, it could be interesting. |
| sahis34 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 20:38:33
quote:
Originally posted by ryan93
Improperly handled it how? Are you referring to him coming back last season & playing against Tampa Bay/the Hedman hit?
Yes |
| Shepsky |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 19:15:17
What about the fact that the Leafs have 2 of the top 3 point getters in Lupul and Kessel? When was the last time they had one top point scorer, let alone 2. and the fact they may see the post season for the first time since '04? GO LEAFS |
| ryan93 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 14:38:51
Improperly handled it how? Are you referring to him coming back last season & playing against Tampa Bay/the Hedman hit? |
| sahis34 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 13:39:52
quote:
Originally posted by Guest7752
Crosby still missing from the game becasue of cheap shot hit to the head.
(refer to other discussion on the "Bubble Wrap League" forum topic)
Crosby's still out of action, because they improperly handled his concussion. |
| foolpittier |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 13:07:48
TIM TEBOW |
| Go_Habs_Go |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 11:41:08
I think Jordan Eberle is the biggest suprise. He has shown that he's already one of the best of the league with more than a PPG, and fits in very weel with Hopkins and Hall. This trio will become the best in the nhl in a couple years i think. Hopefully his (eberle's) injury won't last more than 2-3 weeks.
2bad the oilers are still a bad team
"Bon point Jacques!" - Benoît Brunet |
| Guest7752 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 11:38:43
Crosby still missing from the game becasue of cheap shot hit to the head.
(refer to other discussion on the "Bubble Wrap League" forum topic) |
| Leafs81 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 11:19:40
Rangers is also a big surprise. I had them battling for top of the Atlantic but not top of the league. Other then that I agree with all you said ryan. |
| ryan93 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 06:25:07
Also want to mention Brian Elliott. I basically had him written off heading into the season. Currently, he's 15-5 with a 1.62 GAA & .940 SP%. |
| ryan93 |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 06:22:30
From a team perspective, a couple of the biggest surprises for me are the Ottawa Senators & St.Louis Blues.
However, the biggest surprise for me team wise is the number of clubs that are performing well below expectations heading into this season. In the Eastern Conference most had Pittsburgh (although in fairness to PIT, they have been devastated by injuries) & Washington battling for the Presidents Trophy, not the 8th seed. Buffalo currently sitting in 11th & Tampa Bay in 13th are both dissapointments as well. While in the West, LA has underachived (though are coming around, picking up points in 9 of the last 10), and obviously Anaheim sitting in 14th.
As for individual surprises, it's hard to overlook what Joffrey Lupul has done this season for Toronto. Seriously, did anyone think he'd be tied for 4th in the league in scoring at the halfway point? Crazy! Erik Karlsson is another. I knew he was good, but certainly wasn't expecting him to flirt with a PPG this season.
|
