Week 11 Results

1) One of those days for us on the picks that we'd like to forget. For the day/night we went a piss-poor 5-6 to bring the 11 week total to 68-46, or a .596 winning %. WE did manage to get our 'Lock' correct to bring that stat to 8-3.  We will ofcourse be back at this for week 12 next Saturday when 10 games are scheduled.  Of course this is 'trade deadline week so lots of exciting stuff to be looking for as the week unfolds.  As always, keep it here for all the latest!

week 11 picks

1) We go into the home stretch of the season(trade deadline this week)! today with week 11. Big day/night of  11 games are up for grabs.  We bring our record of 63-40, or a .612 winning into action. With further ado, here are our picks.

Boston		at	Philadelphia		Flyers
NY Islanders		at	Pittsburgh : Penguins
Carolina		at	Winnipeg : Jets
Nashville		at	Colorado: Predators
Washington		at	Buffalo: Sabres
NY Rangers		at	Montreal: Rangers
Toronto		at	Ottawa: Senators
New Jersey		at	Florida: Devils
Los Angeles		at	Minnesota: Wild
Vancouver		at	Edmonton: Oilers
Phoenix		at	San Jose: Sharks (Lock of The Week)

Single Elimination Game??

1) Tonight is a pivotal game between the struggling NY Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.  Both teams are a piss-poor 4-5-1 in their past 10. The Rangers have a tenuous hold on the 8th and final playoff spot in The Eastern Conference, with DC, Carolina, and Islanders all within a win from taking that spot over from the Blue Shirts. On the other hand it gets even worse from a Flyer's perspective. Team Orange is 13th in the Conference, 5 points from 8th and a mere 4 from 15th!  Not where most, including Fauxrumors expected them to be. Both teams for that matter are NOT where we would have expected them to be this late (2/3) thru the 2013 season.

2) As for our 'single elimination' title. In our opinion, and according to multiple sources the losing coach tonight might be looking for work come Wednesday morning. We have already listed both coaches as being on thin ice with our post last week other-shoe.  Since that post 'Scar', Guy Boucher has been let go. Its only a matter of time before additional members of that list are joining him. Ironically, we wouldn't at all be surprised to see one of tonight's losers get that job in TB. Tortorella has roots in Tampa as the coach of their one Stanley Cup in 2004.  While things were never cozy between he and captain Vinny Lacavalier, Steve Yzerman wouldn't let those old wounds prevent him from bringing in a proven winner in 'Torts'.

3) Likewise if its Laviolete that is first to see his walking papers, it also wouldn't shock us to see Yzerman reach out to the coach who won the Hurricanes only Cup in 2006.  His resume, like Tortorella is as good as any one available right now.(Please don't give us the Lindy Ruff crap- He was always one of the most over rated coaches in the NHL)  Both are 1 and 2 respectively all time winningest US born NHL coaches.  While both Massachusetts natives can, and are abrasive with players and media alike, there is no denying that they bring something to the table that will continue to be in demand even if one is eventually let go, as soon as later tonight/tomorrow!  Stay tuned!

Week 10 Results

1) As we look toward another NHL week we look back at last night's results of our weekly foray.  On the day/night we went a rather mediocre 5-4. That brings our 10 week total to 63-40, or a .612 winning %. Still decent, but we don't want too many weeks like this one.  We did get our 'Lock' correct to bring that stat to 7-3 on the year.  Ofcourse we will be back at this again next Saturday when 11 games are on the schedule. 

2) We are working on several posts for the upcoming week. One is a likely follow up from our 'other shoe post last week. We may look at realignment as well as look at the trade deadline and who may be moved by next Tuesday.  As always, keep it here for all the latest!

Week 10 Picks

1) We've made it all the way to week 10 of the abbreviated NHL season. Thus far through 9, we have an acceptable standing of  58-36, or a .617 winning %.  Here are our picks for today/night's 9 contests:

Tampa Bay at Ottawa: Senators

San Jose at Minnesota: Wild

Vancouver at Los Angeles: Kings

Boston at Toronto: Bruins

Buffalo at Montreal: Habitants

Florida at New Jersey: Devils

Columbus at Nashville: Predators (Lock of the Week)

Colorado at Dallas: Stars

St. Louis at Edmonton: Oilers

Other Shoe?

1) The 'other shoe' I'm alluding to is who will get canned next?  Lindy Ruff got fired a month or so ago, and it would seem that a couple of others are on the precipice of being let go very soon if their teams' fortunes don't take an immediate turn for the better.  Here are a short list of whom we feel are at most risk of looking for employment very soon.

• Peter Laviolette: rarely do the Flyers put up very long with losing. Despite having won a Cup(with Carolina) and having a winning record as a Flyers coach, the Flyer brass we're told is VERY unhappy with how the team is playing despite their injuries. They have a bit of a layoff this week, so an announcement today or tomorrow wouldn't shock me.
• Todd McLellan: Hired on June 11, 2008, the Sharks head coach is on very thin ice we're told. If the team continues to slide he will be given his walking papers BEFORE the season is out!
  
  Paul Holmgren: See above.  If the Flyers fail to make the post season Mr Snider might let go the architect of the roster. He made some bold trades of Carter/Richards, etc, but thus far they haven't paid off while Carter/Richards' names are engraved on the Cup.
• Bob Hartley: Although Bob is well respected, the southern Alberta franchise isn't happy with being a bottom feeder. Is Hartley to blame for the crappy, old roster? No, but some one has to take the fall
• John Tortorella: 'Torts' was as safe as any coach coming into this season, but shocker, the acquisition of Nash has disrupted the team chemistry(as we predicted) and the team surprisingly(even to us) could miss the post season. If they fail to qualify John's head would certainly be on the block.  If they continue their current swoon of sub .500 hockey he could find himself gone and replaced by Jim Schoenfeld sooner rather than later!
• Ralph Krueger: Some folks in the East are probably saying, who?  He's the relatively new Oilers head coach.  The folks in Edmonton are done with bottom 5 finishes so another one this year when finally there are expectations, and Ralph will be 'one and done'!
• Guy Boucher: "Scar" is in trouble despite what some are saying about Yzerman's patience. Its THIN, and if the Lightning don't start to improve and get into the top 8 soon, the team will be looking for a replacement 

Week 9 Results

1) Week number nine is complete.  We had a decent/unspectatcular day/night, but adequate, going 8-5 to bring the season total to  58-36, or a .617 winning %.  Right where it was a week ago. WE also got our 'Lock' correct to bring that stat to 8-3.  WE will of course be right back at this again next Saturday when 9 games will be played.
2) Also this week look for a quickie post listing the coaches/execs who we believe are at most risk of getting canned before season's end.
As always, keep it here for all the latest!!

Week 9 Picks!

1) Into the second half we have a big day/night ahead of us. With a record of 50-31, or a  .617 winning % we make our weekly picks on a huge 13 game docket.


Washington at Boston : Bruins (Lock of the Week)

NY Rangers at Pittsburgh: Rangers 

Ottawa at Buffalo: Senators 

Minnesota at Colorado: Avalanche

Winnipeg at Toronto: Maple Leafs 

Montreal at New Jersey: Devils 

Carolina at Tampa Bay: Lightning 

Phoenix at Columbus: Blue jackets 

NY Islanders at Florida: Islanders 

Anaheim at St. Louis: Blues 

Chicago at Dallas: Stars 

Detroit at Vancouver: Red Wings

San Jose at Los Angeles: Kings 

At The Half Way Mark!

1) Seems like it was only last week that we posted out 'Quater Pole' Projections. I guess in the shortened season the delineations come sooner. ;)   Anyway, with all teams near or past the 1/2 way point of the 48 game season, it was time to publish the 'Projected Order of Finish' for the season. As we always state, there are NOT predictions, but projections based upon total points/games played.  The error quotient is much less here than at the Quarter mark.  Anyway, here we go from East, then West. Keeping in mind we will seed teams based upon playoff positioning

East:

1. Boston: 76
2. Pittsburgh: 66
3. Carolina: 58
4. Montreal: 70
5. Ottawa: 58
6. Toronto: 57
7. NY Rangers: 56
8. NJ: 54
9. Winnipeg: 50
10. NY Islanders: 46
11. Philadelphia: 44
12. Washington: 42
13. Tampa Bay: 40
14. Buffalo: 39
15. Florida: 37

West:

1. Chicago: 83
2. Anaheim: 78
3. Minnesota: 56
4. LA: 58
5. Vancouver: 56
6. San Jose: 56
7. St. Louis: 54
8. Detroit: 54
9. Dallas: 52
10. Phoenix: 52
11. Nashville: 50
12. Colorado
13. Calgary: 46
14. Columbus: 44
15. Edmonton: 44 

2) Some interesting trends. 

• LA has climbed back to where most figured they'd be.  Simply too much talent to stay down long.
• How bad are Philly and Washington?  Now DC we figured would fade this season, but Philly despite some injuries are a better team on paper than we are seeing.  Could heads be rolling soon?
• Speaking of heads, how long can the folks in Edmonton watch their perennial 'young up and coming team', simply suck?  Another bottom 5 finish would be ridiculous!
• I guess Lindy Ruff wasn't the problem in Buffalo? 

Week 8 Results

1) Week 8 is history. As is unbelievably half of the 2013 NHL season.  For the day/night we went a pedestrian 6-4 to bring the season total to 50-31, or a  .617 winning %.  Still above our goal of .600.  On the down side we failed to get our Lock for the third time. We didn't get 3 of those wrong ALL last season. We best reassess how we pick that game!  That stat now stands at a very mediocre 7-3.  We will be back at this again next Saturday when a 'Bakers Dozen' (13) games will be contested.

2) Also look for some interesting posts out next week. First we'll have our 'Half Way' projections. Then possibly look who is on the hot seat as several current coaches/execs might soon be on the chopping block!
As always, keep it here for all the latest!

Week 8 Picks

1) Its the NHL season mid point for all intents and purposes.  WE have a lot to live up to this week after last weeks performance. Thus far on the season we are 44-27, or a .620 winning %  10 big games on the schedule today/night.

Philadelphia at Boston : Bruins

Washington at NY Islanders: Islanders
Detroit at Columbus: Red Wings (Lock of The Week)
St. Louis at San Jose: Sharks
Pittsburgh at Toronto: Penguins
New Jersey at Carolina: Hurricanes

Montreal at Tampa Bay: Lightning
Minnesota at Nashville: Predators
Dallas at Phoenix: Coyotes

Calgary at Los Angeles: Kings

The O'Reilly Factor?

1) With all due respect to the Fox News Egomaniac, our post today has to do with the utter nonsense that took place over the weekend with the previously Restricted Free Agent, Ryan O'Reilly. For those who didn't follow this story closely. The 22 year old center had just come off his 'entry level conract' with the Avalanche, and was apparently seeking more than the team deemed appropriate. Since he didn't have arbitration rights his options were limited so most assumed he'd sign a deal with the team sooner or later. 

2) Despite numerous bogus (Eklund) rumours that he was being shopped to almost every NHL team, the Avalanche never seriously were contemplating trading his rights. Knowing full well they'd never get back what the kid was worth, they simply figured they'd wait he and his agent out as they had little other options. Or did they?  Many failed to realize there are still stupid GM's out there. Step forward Calgary GM Jay Feaster.  He solved the Avalanche "problem' for them.  By making an idiotic offer sheet in an attempt to acquire the young forward, he in effect did Colorado a favour. Sure, it was more money than the 'Lanche wanted to spend on the kid.  So as a result of the offer sheet  Ryan remains an Av and under contract for the next two seasons at $10 million total. $2.5 million of that for this season and $6.5 million for 2013-14.  Featser was hoping the 6.5 would dissuade Colorado GM Greg Sherman from matching as in order to keep Ryan's rights they'd have to at least offer him that same 6.5 mil as a 'qualifying offer' once this deal is completed and he is a RFA again.

3) Surprisingly many respected hockey bloggers/writers thought that Colorado might in fact let O'Reilly go and take the 1st and 3rd round picks as compensation.  However, if one actually looks at the odds, its unlikely the player the Av's would get from that 1st round pick (3rd rounders rarely become blue chip players) would be any better than Ryan, AND they'd  possibly have to wait for his development into a usable NHL player.  To me it was a no brainer to match the offer, and Sherman did the right thing.  Feaster on the other hand did himself no favors with this move. GM's hate when these kind of deals are made. We're told that fellow GM's were displeased to hear the news of Feaster's move.  Which might explain why there have been a scant number of such offers.(6 in the past 8 seasons!)

4) A humorous note was discovered by a sharp blogger who noted that IF Colorado failed to match, O'Reilly would have been required to go through waivers since he was playing in Europe AFTER the NHL season started. Therefore he could (Definitely would have been!!) have been claimed by anyone FOR FREE! So Calgary would have been out a 1st and 3rd pick for NOTHING! (That would have been awesome!!)  If nothing else happens, Feaster should be fired immediately for such a colossal error.  Of course he weakly attempted to defend that by saying he and the Calgary organization had a different interpretation of the rule. Bullshit Jay!  You got caught with your pants around your ankles, and now you're trying to tell us we didn't see it.  LOL Too bad!  You deserved to be canned!  Few NHL execs will be sad if/when that happens!

Weel 7 Results

1)  Finally a night to remember!  We went an astounding 8-1 on the day/night to bring the season total to a now very respectable 44-27, or a .620 winning %  Above our staed goal of .600. We got our Lock correct also to bring that stat to 5-2 on the year.  Of course we will attempt to duplicate this effort next Saturday when 10 games are on the docket.
2) Also look for our take on the O'Reilly contract nonsense, as well as any chatter we are picking up throughout the league.
As always, keep it here for all the latest!

Week 7 Picks

1) Its week 7 in the NHL.  Nine games scheduled where we hope to improve upon our current 36-26 record for a .581 winning %

Ottawa at Philadelphia: Flyers
Tampa Bay at Boston: Bruins (Lock of the Week)
New Jersey at Buffalo: Sabres
Washington at Winnipeg: Jets
Pittsburgh at Montreal: Penguins
Florida at Carolina: Hurricanes
Anaheim at Phoenix: Coyotes
Los Angeles at Vancouver: Canucks
Nashville at San Jose: Sharks