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admin
Forum Admin
Canada
2340 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2010 : 12:42:47
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Poll Question:
Will the Tampa Bay Lightning make the playoffs this year?
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2010 : 14:08:44
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I voted yes, i just have a feeling they're going to find a way to squeeze in. I'm hoping i'm wrong though, because TB in likely means that NYR are out.
Philadelphia are currently sitting in 6th & only 3 points ahead of 9th/10th place NYR/Montreal...but i think Philly will be able to make it. Goaltending issues or not, they are just too talented a team to miss the playoffs. I'm really not sure on Boston in 7th, and then i just don't see 8th place Atlanta being able to hold on. |
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leigh
Moderator
Canada
1755 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2010 : 14:54:40
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Well they are only 3 point out (but a game back) Sadly though, they are on a 5 game losing skid so things don't look promising. I just find it incredibly hard to believe that with their talent they are so far down the list.
I'm going to say no, although I hope they do. |
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Guest6840
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Posted - 03/06/2010 : 19:15:29
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| They should make the playoffs i said yes but who knows |
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irvine
PickupHockey Veteran
Canada
1315 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2010 : 19:27:01
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I'm going to say no. They have some offensive skill, but the team is lacking some depth on the back end (and slightly up front).
My vote is no. If they happen to, i'd say first round exit.
Irvine/prez. |
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2010 : 19:39:49
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Speaking of Tampa Bay & defense, aside from a few games against the Rangers, i really haven't seen TB play a lot this season. They used to be my 2nd favorite team when Brad Richards was on the team, but since he was traded i started watching them less all the time (he was the only reason i followed them in the first place).
Anyways back to my question, has anyone seen them play much this season? I'm just wondering what everyones opinion is on Victor Hedman's rookie season. As i said i haven't seen him play enough, and you really don't hear too much about him in the media considering all of the hype going into the season. |
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Beans15
Moderator
Canada
8286 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 09:19:43
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I have not watched Hedman play a ton either, but statistically speaking he seems to be holding his own. People seem to put some pretty unreal expectations on the kid. One also has to remember that Hedman would have not been playing at an 18 yr old on most other teams. To think of the other rookie defensemen this year are (for the most part) either 2-3 years older or had more experience prior to hitting the NHL. Considering a guy like Tyler Myers or Michael Del Zotto both got drafted a year earlier and both had 4 years in the OHL before stepping up. Hedman had one year in the Swedish Elite League and 3 years in the Jr league.
It's also interesting to look at time on ice. Del Zotto and Myers, both being the rookie offensive defensemen, literally get double the PP time than Hedman and the big Swede is hanging around at 4th in rookie defensemen scoring. Hedman (as well as Myers) are also counted on to be their team’s top short handed defensemen. That’s a tall order for a kid who can't legally have a beer.
Let's not forget that more often than not a defenseman matures a little bit later in their career.
Hedman is fine and is having the season I expected him to have. He's a young defenseman with a long and bright future on a really poor defensive team. I don't know what people expected.
Tavares is the one that is more interesting to me. He started out a little slow then went like a banshee. Where has he been lately?
Here is another really, really scary thought. Colorado has 5 of the NHL top scoring rookies this year, including the guy who will be holding the Calder in about 4 months, Matt Duchene.
To the point at hand, TB might make the playoffs, but it's irrelevant. Even if they make it, they won't do anything. As previously stated, defense is no where near good enough. If a team is counting on an 18 yr old to take up most of the minutes on PP, PK, and EV it's a pretty clear indication of a lack of depth and talent. (Wonder if they still like that 7 yr deal for the 13 points Ohlund has put up??). No team is ever going to win anything with a two-headed goaltending duo including Mike Smith and Antero Niittymaki. It's really too bad because their have some studs on offense. Ultimately, those top 6 forwards (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Stamkos, Tanguay, Downie, and Malone) on any team with even average defense and goaltending are competing for the top of the league.
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 15:45:10
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I agree, even if Tampa gets in, i just think they are too weak defensively to knock off a top seeded team. Washington or Pittsburgh would pick them apart.
And my Hedman comment wasn't meant to be negative to him in anyway, i'm just curious on how he's been playing since TB don't get a lot of media coverage here in Canada, and i've only seen him play two or three times. |
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 03/07/2010 : 15:52:05
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As for rookie of the year honors, you won't get any argument from me, i think Matt Duchene would be a fine choice. I don't really think there is any rookie forwards that will challenge Duchene. I think his biggest competition will come from Buffalo defensemen Tyler Myers.
If the season was over today, i think the 3 nominees would be Duchene, Myers, and Detroit goaltender Jimmy Howard (23-14-8, 2.33gaa, .925 sp%). |
Edited by - ryan93 on 03/07/2010 15:52:28 |
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Guest4271
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Posted - 03/08/2010 : 01:50:50
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| I voted no, only because I think that Carolina's going to pass em all, finish in 8th and then will take out Washington in the first round. This should get some comments, lol, Ovie's going to choke like a little b...., when Ruutu and company keep beating him in the boards, can't wait til playoffs |
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ryan93
PickupHockey Pro
Canada
996 Posts |
Posted - 03/08/2010 : 04:49:32
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Carolina has been playing great, and as hard as it would be to believe a month or two ago, they aren't out of it just yet.
However, 8 points out with 17 games remaining & having to overtake 5 teams in process is still a huge task, i can't see them doing it. |
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Guest6963
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Posted - 03/20/2010 : 07:43:47
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never i think , their evener stay in the the playoff
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ludakyle
Top Prospect
Azores
12 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2010 : 11:52:57
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest6963
never i think , their evener stay in the the playoff
that made sense |
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Guest7364
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Posted - 03/20/2010 : 12:15:17
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quote:
Originally posted by ludakyle
quote:
Originally posted by Guest6963
never i think , their evener stay in the the playoff
that made sense
hey ludakyle who the hell do u think u r and ill scrap u right now |
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nuxfan
PickupHockey All-Star
3670 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2010 : 12:40:23
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I hope they make it, there is too much talent on that team to not make it. Unfortunatly as others have pointed out, they don't have enough backend depth, and not good enough goaltending, to make much of a push.
Hedman - when he was drafted everyone talked about him like a defensive dman, was there much offense expected out of him? I haven't seen him play this season either. |
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ludakyle
Top Prospect
Azores
12 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2010 : 12:47:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Guest7364
quote:
Originally posted by ludakyle
quote:
Originally posted by Guest6963
never i think , their evener stay in the the playoff
that made sense
hey ludakyle who the hell do u think u r and ill scrap u right now
wut da f***? bring it on mothaf***a ill kick yo white ass. |
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Guest7164
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Posted - 03/23/2010 : 20:28:08
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| go team yaaaaa i like pancakes |
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Topic |
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Can Tampa Bay make the playoffs? 
