tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33953104438318332182024-03-04T20:03:43.708-08:00Hell's RumblingsSébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.comBlogger1648125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-20013601640903995342023-09-27T18:55:00.000-07:002023-11-14T14:56:43.628-08:00Flames Preview: Mikael Backlund Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a week, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b> (RW), <b>Milan Lucic</b> (LW), <b>Troy Stetcher</b> (D), <b>Michael Stone</b> (D), <b>Nick Ritchie</b> (LW), <b>Trevor Lewis</b> (C), <b>Dryden Hunt</b> (RW), and <b>Matthew Phillips</b> (C).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Yegor Sherangovich</b> (C), <b>Jordan Oesterle</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (C/LW), <b>xxx</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Jakob Pelletier</b> (LW, 22 years old, point-per-game player in the AHL, 26th-overall pick in 2019), <b>Dustin Wolf</b> (G, 22 years old, .932 save percentage in the AHL), <b>Matt Coronato</b> (RW, 20 years old, 13th-overall pick in 2021, point-per-game player in the NCAA), and <b>Connor Zary</b> (C, 22 years old, 24th pick in the 2020 draft).<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45Aa5bR" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Calgary Flames</a></i> are a riddle in a question in quicksand in a parallel universe in a different timeline trying to prentend they were of this worls all along. They are everything you ever thought and its exact opposite. They are a two-year-old having hissy fits in need of a new downtown arena.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Three-quarters of this team won its division two seasons ago, and although two 100-point players left that team, they were replaced by another division winner in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/jonathan-huberdeau-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Huberdeau</a></b> and Stanley Cup winner <b>Nazem Kadri</b>. This is a much better team than what transpired last season.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Previous GM <b>Brad Treliving</b> left because the <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/04/darryl-sutter-2-autographed-items.html" target="_blank">Darryl Sutter</a></b> problem was getting too big - both men were eventually replaced by their direct underling. Will that really be enough to chance the team's culture? Will that really get Huberdeau back to his All-Star level, or incite <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/elias-lindholm-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Elias Lindholm</a></b> to re-sign?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team is too good and too deep to not make the playoffs two years in a row regardless of circumstance, and with a goalie like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, once in there, they could make a serious dent into many experts' prognoses.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Fourth in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
With news that he had been <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/calgary-flames-sign-mikael-backlund-extension-1.6980395" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">signed to a two-year contract extension</a>, Flames utility forward <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/09/mikael-backlund-cloth-card.html" target="_blank">Mikael Backlund</a></b> was named the team's 21st captain - and first since <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/01/mark-giordano-three-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mark Giordano</a></b>'s exit at the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40bLclP" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seattle Kraken</a></i> expansion draft.<br><br>
Backlund is a cerebral two-way centre who can chip in offensively, able to replace on the first two lines at a whim but at this point in his career ideally situated in the 3C role where he can shut down opposing teams' top lines and pad his stats up when playing againt middle-of-the-lineup players.<br><br>
After missing the playoffs by two points last season, his <a href="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/backlund-lindholm-non-committal-to-future-in-calgary-following-flames-disappointing-season-1.1946038" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">end-of-season presser was steeped in disappointment</a>, and he let float the idea that he might <a href="https://flamesnation.ca/news/seravalli-mikael-backlund-leaning-towards-not-re-signing-with-calgary-flames" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">leave as a free agent next summer</a> or perhaps even ask for a trade, as it seemed the drama surrounding the team had put too much weight on him, but he seems to view the new admninistration in a positive light, enough to warrant sticking around for a couple of extra seasons at least and give it an honest chance. His staying means the Flames don't have to go through a rebuild regardless of Lindholm's status and that the team can contend for a playoff spot (and likely get in).<br><br>
Here he is wearing the Flames' white <i>Reebok</i>-designed uniform on card #178 from the <i>2016-17 O-Pee-Chee</i> set, manufactured under license by <b>Upper Deck</b>, always a favoutite of mine to get signed:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AvgB8YqsQnaGgqBl09IpLBbI-GjbnIOQaotgJeWNR_RbZrQgnhBUsuvPMzJ_lYs5fuWDed_UHfW3pO55pqZXHJra5gPNiNuwdwDJrRmCOh_Sq01FBGxM7TedJ-Vfz_mKaQdtkvZLbkFFtznOZe_bWFIHO3RPew_Jn60pbM21dwkWp8iky_0KAbdlS9_o/s1913/Mikael%20Backlund%20Autographed%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="1373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AvgB8YqsQnaGgqBl09IpLBbI-GjbnIOQaotgJeWNR_RbZrQgnhBUsuvPMzJ_lYs5fuWDed_UHfW3pO55pqZXHJra5gPNiNuwdwDJrRmCOh_Sq01FBGxM7TedJ-Vfz_mKaQdtkvZLbkFFtznOZe_bWFIHO3RPew_Jn60pbM21dwkWp8iky_0KAbdlS9_o/s400/Mikael%20Backlund%20Autographed%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in thick black sharpie after a game against the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3S4BNu9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Montréal Canadiens</a></i>, probably that same year.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-22705742821086550022023-09-22T21:38:00.009-07:002023-10-13T11:17:10.852-07:00Sharks Preview: Mike Grier Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a week, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/erik-karlsson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Erik Karlsson</a></b> (D), <b>James Reimer</b> (G), <b>Andrew Agozzino</b> (LW), <b>Noah Gregor</b> (C), <b>Evgeny Svechnikov</b> (LW), <b>Steven Lorentz</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/derrick-pouliot-signature-pucks-card.html" target="_blank">Derrick Pouliot</a></b> (D), and <b>Andreas Johnsson</b>.<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mike-hoffman-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Hoffman</a></b> (LW), <b>Mackenzie Blackwood</b> (G), <b>Andrej Sustr</b> (D), <b>Givani Smith</b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/anthony-duclair-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Anthony Duclair</a></b> (LW), <b>Filip Zadina</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mikael-granlund-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mikael Granlund</a></b> (LW), <b>Kyle Burroughs</b> (D), <b>Ryan Carpenter</b> (C), and <b>Jan Rutta</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>William Smith</b> (C, 18 years old, fourth-overall pick in 2023), <b>William Eklund</b> (LW, 20 years old, seventh-overall pick on 2021, 43 points in 54 AHL games last year), <b>Shakir Mukhamadullin</b> (D, 21 years old, 20th overall pick in 2020, 25 points in 67 KHL games and 10 points in 12 AHL games last season), <b>Thomas Bordeleau</b> (C, 21 years old, 22 goals in the AHL in 2022-23), <b>Tristen Robins</b> (C, 21 years old, developpig into a capable two-way forward), <b>Filip Bystedt</b> (C, 19 years old, 20 points in 45 games in Sweden last season), <b>Mattias Havelid</b> (D, 19 years old, 5'9", 165 pounds, so he will need to bulk up playing against men in Sweden), <b>xxx</b> (D), and <b>Alexander Chmelevski</b> (C, 24 years old, 48 points in 65 KHL games last year).<br><br>
There is talent coming up, but the next two seasons should be just as painful as the last one - perhaps even more so with the absence of Karlsson.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The odds are great they finish last in the NHL and get another high pick next summer, and at some point those will add up into a decent young roster like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45gitNC" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ottawa Senators</a></i> or <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZNkfER" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> have. There are a lot of veterans in their final year of their contracts (Hoffman, Duclair) who could be shipped out at the trade deadline for more future assets and furthering the tank job<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:<br>
The defensive corps and the goalies will have all the trouble in the world giving up fewer than 3.5 to 4 goals per game, which is by design - will it demoralize the young talent?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
It's the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZyS6RF" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">San Jose Sharks</a></i>, so I cannot commit to saying their future looks bright, but there likely will be playoffs eventually, and maybe another Western Conference run in the next decade.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Eighth in the Pacific Division, last in the NHL.<br><br>
I really feel bad for GM <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/mike-grier-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Mike Grier</a></b>, whom I really respected and liked as a player, for inheriting <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/doug-wilson-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Doug Wilson</a></b>'s mess, brought upon by a <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/joe-thornton-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">leadership void</a>, hiring bad coaches and doubling down and <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/sharks-sign-erik-karlsson-massive-eight-year-extension/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">signing Karlsson to a massive extension</a> when his acquisition didn't even fill a team need (already having <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/11/brent-burns-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Brent Burns</a></b> at the same position).<br>
<br>
But Grier was a tough customer on the ice, and I'm sure he'll get to show his Detroit-born and Boston-raised roots as a manager when the time comes, and he will not get pushed around. What's cool is his brother is also a GM, for the NFL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PwBF3F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Miami Dolphins</a></i>, who are having a terrific start to their season.<br><br>
Here is the hockey-playing Grier the way I remember him best, as a member of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rstvRY" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> at the turn of the millennium, on the gold variant signature version of card #54 from <b>In The Gam</b>e's <i>1998-99 Be A Player</i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFyHKL-ZurVMUhXAINbKAG7xSezEpI-YoUZE5aZmP8YvKUkjuxybF6MdebmOvXgj8-dNw_4amBMjowkQWUMS8fm84JSUopIpcuu3L56jK_pjlWbawubspPxuX_MGQLn3oPpVXcbl2uVVnBMtmh-8RrN1vQ7MiKnWVI2akbqWW5wo4ArBRRagwk495LrSd/s1899/Mike%20Grier%20Gold%20Autograph%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1899" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFyHKL-ZurVMUhXAINbKAG7xSezEpI-YoUZE5aZmP8YvKUkjuxybF6MdebmOvXgj8-dNw_4amBMjowkQWUMS8fm84JSUopIpcuu3L56jK_pjlWbawubspPxuX_MGQLn3oPpVXcbl2uVVnBMtmh-8RrN1vQ7MiKnWVI2akbqWW5wo4ArBRRagwk495LrSd/s400/Mike%20Grier%20Gold%20Autograph%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It shows him wearing the team's white (then-home) uniform, advancing toward the enemy's zone. He could always be counted on for 20-some goals in his prime and 10 to 15 outside of it, while providing a hard-hitting drive that didn't get called for penalties too often. He rarely made costly mistakes, which is a trait he'll be looking to bring to his new career as well.<br><br>
There is a bronze medal on his mantle as a souvenir for his lone time playing on the adult mens' <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EUuBJ7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team USA</a></i> squad at the 2004 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-37151071624213044942023-09-17T15:08:00.010-07:002023-10-13T11:17:24.209-07:00Predators Preview: Tyson Barrie Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/10/matt-duchene-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Matt Duchene</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/ryan-johansen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Johansen</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mark-borowiecki-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Borowiecki</a></b> (D), <b>Zach Sanford</b> (LW), <b>Rasmus Aplund</b> (C), and <b>Cal Foote</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/ryan-oreilly-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan O'Reilly</a></b> (C), <b>Gustav Nyquist</b> (C), <b>Luke Schenn</b> (D), and <b>Denis Gurianov</b> (LW).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Yaroslav Asparov</b> (G, 21 years old, generally seen as a "can't miss" prospect), <b>Joakim Kemell</b> (RW, 19 years old, exploded in the AHL but could benefit from a bit of seasoning), <b>Luke Evangelista</b> (RW, 21 years old, candidate for the All-Rookie Team), <b>Zachary L'Heureux</b> (LW, 20 years old, has a bit of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/two-claude-lemieux-jersey-cards.html" target="_blank">Claude Lemieux</a></b> in him), <b>Matthew Wood</b> (RW, 18 years old, an NCAA All-Star at age 17 last year), and <b>Fedor Svechkov</b> (C, 20 years old, did not get much of a chance in the KHL last season).<br><br>
Former head coach <b>Barry Trotz</b> took over from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Ze2hL5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nashville Predators</a></i>' only other GM in team history, and the first thing he did was send away all the bad apples in the dressing room, and then he brought in guys who used to think they were franchise players but learned to win Stanley Cups by relying on their teammates - O'Reilly's pivot still got him a Selke and a Conn Smythe, while Schenn won two championships riding the third pair with the mighty <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LfXL96" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>. <br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
When you have a goalie like <b>Juuse Saros</b>, you have a chance. Factor in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/09/roman-josi-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Roman Josi</a></b> having another two-three years of prime hockey left in him and you have an above-average defense that can win you those 3-2 and 2-1 games.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Is sophomore <b>Tommy Novak</b> really their #1 center? The offense is very below average, but responding to the right system and a few players playing above expectations would help drag the Preds to the middle of the pack.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
They were a playoff bubble team last year and in terms of talent are about on the same level this year, except they have a new head coach in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/andrew-brunette-7-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Andrew Brunette</a></b> and his boss is one of the best bench strategists in NHL history, who will be able to help and give his protégé tips at any given time. Trotz and Brunette might be worth a few more wins, say 3 or 4, but that cannot be enough to bring Nashville to the postseason, which isn't the point this year anyway.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Sixth in the Central Division.<br><br>
Trade deadline acquisition <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/tyson-barrie-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tyson Barrie</a></b> came over from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3rijmam" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> last season having quarterbacked the best powerplay in NHL history (with the help of <b>Connor McDavid</b>, <b>Leon Draisaitl</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/oilers-preview-ryan-nugent-hopkins.html" target="_blank">Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</a></b> to some extent, I guess). He can handle that task with the Predators as well, with help from Josi.<br><br>
It hasn't always been perfect for Barrie, though. Since <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/tyson-barrie-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">the last time I wrote about him</a>, he also had a one-year stint with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3RlClv9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> where it simply did not work out, stepping into an immuable environment, in the midst of a run of regular-season success and spectacular playoff failure; there simply was no place for him on that team. His move to Edmonton proved that it wasn't on him, however, and that he could still be a very appreciated player, both on the ice and in the locker room.<br><br>
He led all NHL defensemen in scoring during the 2020-21 season, with 48 points in just 56 games, finished 12th in All-Star voting, but did not receive a single Norris Trophy vote - the first time in history the points leader at the position is entirely snubbed for the trophy.<br><br>
Here he is sporting the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZmMXfo" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>'s white (away) uniform on card #A-TB from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PHtfYE" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">2015-16 Artifacts</a></i> set and <i>Autofacts</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_csh-VlAnUHJiibel2Oe9KNqA156Tyyl5I2x1V5nQLexIqYK6E3-2bVRwLGLgQtkN7EtHJ4hCKf5hiHyW63WASgvhvoWy6GqNLIUJ1jqLTmvIqQgNpfuelXi5kb7YlFC6S4RG0p4kZs8fXKo49pbJwugRLeKJSMqUc8pa-IOHtXGAjM9b64cJE7HW4DP/s2091/Tyson%20Barrie%20Autograph%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="1513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd_csh-VlAnUHJiibel2Oe9KNqA156Tyyl5I2x1V5nQLexIqYK6E3-2bVRwLGLgQtkN7EtHJ4hCKf5hiHyW63WASgvhvoWy6GqNLIUJ1jqLTmvIqQgNpfuelXi5kb7YlFC6S4RG0p4kZs8fXKo49pbJwugRLeKJSMqUc8pa-IOHtXGAjM9b64cJE7HW4DP/s400/Tyson%20Barrie%20Autograph%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
Barrie has suited up for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/46fz05e" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i> multiple times, winning silver at the 2011 World Juniors and 2017 World Championships, as well as gold at the 2015 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-33492581807571988962023-09-08T21:04:00.004-07:002023-10-13T11:17:39.709-07:00Lightning Preview: Steven Stamkos Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Ross Colton</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/05/alex-killorn-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Killorn</a></b> (LW/C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b>Ian Cole</b> (D), <b>Patrick Maroon</b> (LW), <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (D), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/brian-elliott-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brian Elliott</a></b> (G).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Calvin De Haan</b> (D), <b>Conor Sheary</b> (LW), <b>Josh Archibald</b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/luke-glendening-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Luke Glendening</a></b> (C), <b>Logan Brown</b> (LW), and <b>Jonas Johansson</b> (G).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Roman Schmidt</b> (D, 20 years old, will require a year of AHL seasoning), <b>Gage Goncalves</b> (C, 22 years old, will jump straight to the second line in case of injury), <b>Jack Thompson</b> (D, 21 years old, will likely see a handful of games this season), <b>Cole Koepke</b> (LW, 25 years old, a spot in the bottom-six is his to lose), <b>Gabriel Fortier</b> (LW, 23 years old, will likely see 5-10 games this season), <b>Isaac Howard</b> (LW, 19 years old, will play another couple of seasons in the NCAA, <b>Jack Finley</b> (C, 21 years old, will require more AHL seasoning), and <b>Niko Huuhtanen</b> (RW, 20 years old, will play one more season in Finland before playing in the AHL to adapt to the North American ice surface).<br><br>
No other team in the NHL has seen its depth depleted like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LdGbTi" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> in the past three to five years; the Bolts have lost the equivalent of three top-of-the-food-chain third lines in the past two offseasons and trade deadlines, in addition to a slew of first- and second-round draft picks. You would think that would close their contending window for a while, but their elite talent is so good that it will not affect them for the next two, three or perhaps even four seasons. After all, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> is fresh off a 113-point season, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden Point</a></b> got his usual 95 and even broke the 50-goal barrier, while <b>Steven Stamkos</b> added yet another point-per-game season to his Hall of Fame resume. Add to that a pair of #1 defenders in <b>Mikhail Sergachev</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/victor-hedman-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Hedman</a></b> - don't get fooled by Hedman's dipping offensive stats, he's still dominant, he just surrendered some prime producing moments like first-line powerplay time to Sergachev, but they both played nearly 24 minutes a game and had simlar plus/minus and possession stats - and a top-five goalie who still has the best legs in the game in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/lightning-preview-andrei-vasilevskiy.html" target="_blank">Andrei Vasilevskiy</a></b>, and there is still an All-Star team's worth of players in the middle or end of their primes as the foundation.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/44LIyUp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> may have equivalent star forwards, but no team in the East has the type of elite defensemen the Lightning has. With support from <b>Brandon Hagel</b>, Sheary, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/nick-paul-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nick Paul</a></b> and <b>Anthony Cirelli</b>, there will be plenty of offense to win between 50 and 60 games this season.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Can <b>Tanner Jeannot</b> step up and prove invaluable like Hagel did last year? At a cost of a first, a second and a third-round pick, or in context, a possible 2025 middle-six player, a 2026 top-six forward and a 50/50 shot at a depth player, he needs to be responsible for 2-3 wins this year and 3-5 wins next year as well as a few important playoff moments (say a couple of game-winning goals) to justify the cost of acquiring him from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lc5xRG" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Nashville Predators</a></i>. Anti-vaxer Archibald lost a year and a half of play due to Covid travel restricioons while with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Rx0UFR" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> and has lost a step, going from third-liner with occasional bumps to <b><a href="https://amzn.to/3Evc6Le" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Connor McDavid</a></b>'s line to part-time fourth-liner. Should he make the team, he will probably <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-man-arrested-attempting-cross-atlantic-human-powered-hamster-w-rcna103873" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">love Florida</a>.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
Don't get me wrong: they <i><u>are</u></i> at the tail end of their contending window and are probably no match for the likes of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3PeVKvh" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Dallas Stars</a></i> or <i><a href="Vegas%20Golden%20Knights" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> out West, but they can take anyone in the East (yes, including the equally depth-deprived Leafs and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lcgxys" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i>, as well as the inexperienced <i><a href="https://amzn.to/463XYo1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> and coach cemetery <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Lh1Gmq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>), and there is no guarantee the Western finalist won't also be a team with its own issues. And this time around, for the first time in four years and just the second in six seasons, Tampa Bay has had a short postseason, getting eliminated in seven games in the first round. They are well-rested and (probably) hungry.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
As mentionned before, Steven Stamkos is carving himself quite the career, with little to no signs of slowing down at age 33. His days of leading the league in scoring (51 goals in 2009-10 and 60 goals in 2011-12) are probably a thing of the past in the era of McDavid, <b>Auston Matthews</b>, <b>David Pastrnak</b> and <b>Leon Draisaitl</b> - and with <b>Alex Ovechkin</b> still around - but his 84 points were still 23rd in the NHL last season, which would have put him first on 17 teams.<br><br>
He's been around or over the point-per-game mark every year since 2016-17 after a dip in 2014-15 (43 goals and 72 points in 82 games) and 2015-16 (36 goals and 64 points in 77 games), two seasons in which his points totals may have dipped but during which he garnered some Lady Byng consideration - and even finished fourth in right wingers for the end of season All-Star Teams and finished 11th in Hart voting in 2014-15.<br><br>
He has 515 goals, 541 assists and 1056 career points in 1003 regular-season games so far, and another 45 goals, 50 assists and 95 points in 123 playoff games. The only time his playoff shooting percentage was below 10% was in 2015-16, when he played just 11:55 in a single game and did not score on his two shots taken; however, his lone 2:47 of ice time in the 2019-20 is the stuff of legends, as he scored on his only shot, despite being on the ice for just three shifts in total. The goal gave the Bolts a 2-0 lead, paving the way to a 5-2 victory.<br><br>
Here he is wearing Tampa's white (away) uniform, on card #6 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2014-15 SP Game-Used Edition</i> set and Jersey Card sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6-S3r6nZN2dpL34hT0W8saFVqie-PsWCQdyIAskHE3upwGgBtbfrYy4u6BV2gZnGq0EpO8qbnHRZuDHSvqEl-kLeWMOgV3pfOXHQl19bkeMPwbHMcXzvdklf3kY8r7LDCVfFszzytwJ9DwT47gDNWJhmAoUEJbpZw8xgxrfSbRNQYxfnr0sLmjgJvyh/s2091/Steven%20Stamkos%20Jersey%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2091" data-original-width="1493" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLM6-S3r6nZN2dpL34hT0W8saFVqie-PsWCQdyIAskHE3upwGgBtbfrYy4u6BV2gZnGq0EpO8qbnHRZuDHSvqEl-kLeWMOgV3pfOXHQl19bkeMPwbHMcXzvdklf3kY8r7LDCVfFszzytwJ9DwT47gDNWJhmAoUEJbpZw8xgxrfSbRNQYxfnr0sLmjgJvyh/s400/Steven%20Stamkos%20Jersey%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching game-worn jersey swatch.<br><br>
Internationally, he has won gold medals in 2008 (World Juniors) and 2016 (World Cup) and was a silver medalist at the 2009 World Championships playing for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3sGs6r0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i>. He has also represented his country in 2007 (U18s and Ivan Hlinka tournaments), as well as the 2010 and 2013 World Championships.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-64438271630240406922023-09-06T20:43:00.000-07:002023-11-12T21:45:25.464-08:00Kraken Preview: Jared McCann Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Joonas Donskoi</b> (RW), <b>Daniel Sprong</b> (RW), <b>Carson Soucy</b> (D), <b>Ryan Donato</b> (RW), <b>Martin Jones</b> (G), <b>Morgan Geekie</b> (RW), and <b>Jesper Froden</b> (RW/LW).<br><br>
<b><u>Key arrivals</u></b>: <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (C), <b>Brian Dumoulin</b> (D), <b>Kailer Yamamoto</b> (RW), and <b>Connor Carrick</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Shane Wright</b> (C, 19 years old, went from projected first-overall pick to fourth to being sent down to Juniors to being named captain of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3srlQ6X" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Team Canada</a></i>'s World Juniors team to ending up sixth in team scoring - fourth among centres! - and a full 16 points behind <b>Connor Bedard</b> in seven games, still probably a future middle-six player), <b>Ryker Evans</b> (D, 21 years old, 44 points in 77 AHL games last season), <b>David Goyette</b> (C, 19 years old, a bit on the short side but dominant in the OHL), <b>Ty Nelson</b> (D, 19 years old, undersized speedy defenseman with nice offensive skills), <b>Jagged Firkus</b> (RW, 19 years old, good offensive skills but needs to add muscle to his 153-pound frame), and <b>Eduard Sale</b> (W, 18 years old, was named the 2022-23 Rookie Of The Year in Czechia).<br><br>
I didn't have them in the playoffs last year and they ended up eliminating the reigning Stanley Cup champion <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3QU2RLI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>, so I'm aware I may have to eat my words at some point, but this roster is two goalies, a GM and a head coach short of making an actual permanent dent in a divisional race of the playoffs. Like the light blue on their white uniform, it's probably NHL-caliber, but... there's just something missing.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3FVzSkk" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Seattle Kraken</a></i> have been on an upward trajectory since coming into the NHL two seasons ago, with steady progress and smart salary cap management. They had 13 players hit the double-digit mark in goals last season - six of them with 20 or more - two more at nine, and one apiece at eight and seven. As far as I remember, I have never seen this balanced an offense <i>in practice</i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
What about that goaltending, eh? Team goaltending below ,900 is simply unacceptable in today's NHL.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
GM <b>Ron Francis</b> wanted depth - essentially icing four second lines - but without the elite talent that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40BnfEy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> have; hopefully the draft can remedy that in time. There is definitely a solid base, but Francis has not poven to be able to get to that next step as a manager, to take a very good roster and turn it into a champion, which is why he was let go in 2018 as GM of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3stFdfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Fifth in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
<b>Jared McCann</b> led the Kraken with 40 goals last year in what may end up proving to be a career year, but he can certainly hit 30-35 goals on a consistent basis. A former first-round pick (24th overall in 2014, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3QUJ2Uq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vancouver Canucks</a></i>), fans expected McCann to be a top-six player right away and the fact that he wasn't seemed to have hurt his confidence.<br><br>
A trade to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3FWAc26" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Florida Panthers</a></i> didn't fix anything, and as the league forged an opinion that he may be at best a third-liner, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ufNV1G" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> offered him that role on a silver platter; not only did he excel at it, but he also showed that he still had that sparkle - so much so that the Pens were convinced the Kraken would select him in the expansion draft; to at least recoup an asset, they traded his rights to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3stGfIq" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i>, who wanted to ensure <b>Alexander Kerfoot</b> remained with the organization; offering up McCann nearly guaranteed he would be taken, thus semi-protecting Kerfoot for the remainder of his contract with the Leafs. He signed a two-year deal with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/40x8u5G" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arizona Coyotes</a></i> this summer, as the Leafs went through an organizational shift at the bottom of their roster.<br><br>
In the second of a five-year deal with a cap hit of $5M, McCann will no doubt be worth his salary for the remainder of his contract. He loves being relied upon for goals and it will be at least three or four years until Seattle can develop a finisher who will be able to challenge him for his spot. This is a perfect fit for both player and team.<br><br>
Here he is as a rookie with the Canucks, wearing their white (away) uniform, on card #J-JM from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2015-16 Champ's</i> set and <i>Relics</i> / <i>Rookie Relics</i> sub-sets:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL4d2KHXQUMJybe-K0q7PFXKUYX8rdiF6efzIc8ZLfrfOTM5IXWFfajWiPnwQo-5jwM_0EcCb4QQOlIVwoycNZfi1cKX3JiVUZjyAnIk8R83sw65bP3Gbqaqv3TyvgtYCNMsnp38Pt2lF4ieXF2JecmqPG67u3TICcXl75vptpdY2o5ELbWwAql_SaJNG/s1909/Jared%20McCann%20Jersey%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQL4d2KHXQUMJybe-K0q7PFXKUYX8rdiF6efzIc8ZLfrfOTM5IXWFfajWiPnwQo-5jwM_0EcCb4QQOlIVwoycNZfi1cKX3JiVUZjyAnIk8R83sw65bP3Gbqaqv3TyvgtYCNMsnp38Pt2lF4ieXF2JecmqPG67u3TICcXl75vptpdY2o5ELbWwAql_SaJNG/s400/Jared%20McCann%20Jersey%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue "event-worn" jersey swatch from a rookie photo shoot.<br><br>
Internationally, McCann suited up for Canada at the 2019 World Championships, winning silver and finishing the tournament with 2 goals and 5 points in 10 games.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-85578241844026841562023-09-04T21:02:00.006-07:002023-10-13T11:17:53.452-07:00Flyers Preview: Keith Jones Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's <i>Season Preview</i> posts: Unlike in the distant past where I would post different texts on <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">this personal blog</a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my collectibles one</a>, I've been using a new format for the past couple of years, where I'll copy the same text on each one. As a father of two young kids, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. This year again, the entire scope of the analysis will take place first and the featured player will have a direct or perhaps indirect connection to what's written, below.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camps being set to start in a couple of weeks, several players haven't found a team yet and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Kevin Hayes</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/ivan-provorov-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ivan Provorov</a></b> (D), <b>Kevin Connaughton</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/two-james-van-riemsdyk-swatch-cards.html" target="_blank">James Van Riemsdyk</a></b> (LW), <b>Kiefer Bellows</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/anthony-deangelo-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tony DeAngelo</a></b> (D), <b>Brendan Lemieux</b> (LW), and <b>Justin Braun</b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Marc Staal</b> (D), <b>Sean Walker</b> (D), <b>Garnet Hathaway</b> (RW), <b>Ryan Poehling</b> (C), <b>Cal Petersen</b> (G), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/victor-mete-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Mete</a></b> (D).<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Matvei Michkov</b> (RW, 18 years old, in the KHL for at least three more years), <b>Tyson Foerster</b> (RW, 21 years old, had 48 points in 66 games in his AHL rookie season last year), <b>Bobby Brink</b> (RW, 22 years old, missed most of last season due to injury), <b>Cutter Gauthier</b> (C/LW, 19 years old, looked like a star in the NCAA as well as the World Juniors), <b>Emil Andrae</b> (D, 21 years old, impressed in the Swedish league and AHL last season), and <b>Elliot Desnoyers</b> (LW, 21 years old, 44 points in 65 AHL games last season).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
There is a plan in place, and GM <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/daniel-briere-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Daniel Brière</a></b> will be stockpiling young players and draft capital for the next few seasons; head coach <b>John Tortorella</b> will instill good habits with the help of veterans he knows well, such as Staal. There might not be another generational talent to tank for in the next three or four drafts, but what matters is drafting talented players who work hard to have a competitive <i>team</i> when the time is right.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Who will be kept as part of the core among young veterans like <b>Travis Konecny</b>, <b>Carter Hart</b> and <b>Travis Sanheim</b>?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This isn't an accidental bottoming out, this is a calculated move to turn over nearly the entire roster and hopefully contend when the current veteran cream of the Metropolitan Division - your <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45MbjS9" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45RCJWI" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/45RWFJh" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> - start to drop in the standings in four or five seasons, with just the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LnqFUP" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New Jersey Devils</a></i> remaining as a power, and even then, possibly in decline.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Eighth in the Metropolitan Division, bottom-five in the NHL.<br><br>
The day <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37602067/flyers-name-tv-analyst-president-give-danny-briere-gm-title" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brière was announced as the new team GM</a>, <b>Keith Jones</b> got the nod as the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EI0gxl" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>' new team President of Hockey Operations, a job for which his co-analyst on TNT NHL broadcasts, <b>Ed Olczyk</b>, was also up for; ultimately, as is their modus operandi, the team went with their alumnus.<br><br>
A solid middle-six player with some power forward skills, Jones skated part-time with the likes of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/07/joe-sakic-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Joe Sakic</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/peter-forsberg-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Peter Forsberg</a></b>, <b>Eric Lindros</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/john-leclair-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">John LeClair</a></b> in his day, and was a respected member of the dressing room. So much so that his good relations with just about everyone around the league will surely help the Flyers and Brière in their relationships with other teams.<br><br>
I mostly remember Jones on the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3LtaB48" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i>; he was like a "clean" version of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/03/tom-wilson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tom Wilson</a></b>, both having in common that they <i>look</i> like they <i>should</i> consistently score 30-40 goals, with neither having topped the 25-goal mark as of 2023.<br><br>
Having watched Jones analyze the game and crack jokes for the past 10-15 years on TV (all within acceptable social standards), however, I am relatively confident that he can handle a front office job on one of the premiere rich organizations in the sport. I certainly wish him well.<br><br>
Here he is sporting the Flyers' black (third / home) uniform on card #304 from <b>Pacific</b>'s flagship <i><a href="https://amzn.to/48iyEN1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1999-2000 Pacific</a></i> set, crashing into the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ZpJGMn" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">New York Rangers</a></i>' <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/05/mike-richter-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mike Richter</a></b>:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxnbrrG2FljRSBq-rMYjXwJQ-yf6n1QET3kXr5d5zQwf5cr7vr2rAaTWS2aPSUN2DUkF7uwuXMnwsIKuEdQ_Yp86unCBV2Rj1OaJK9qGaPC08mrJlOdmg-NqsUg45kJvcMZPTmpZrNV3VpbuhNwPiUBqybVjUkwwas2CaNtiEA0qoT-hIoJ_ONDF0IrYP/s1911/Keith%20Jones%20Autographed%20Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="1369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxnbrrG2FljRSBq-rMYjXwJQ-yf6n1QET3kXr5d5zQwf5cr7vr2rAaTWS2aPSUN2DUkF7uwuXMnwsIKuEdQ_Yp86unCBV2Rj1OaJK9qGaPC08mrJlOdmg-NqsUg45kJvcMZPTmpZrNV3VpbuhNwPiUBqybVjUkwwas2CaNtiEA0qoT-hIoJ_ONDF0IrYP/s400/Keith%20Jones%20Autographed%20Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in blue sharpie as a guest at a card convention, back when one didn't have to pay extra on top of the entry ticket to get autographs at those events, circa 2005 or so.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-15711086270483582262021-10-07T11:24:00.006-07:002023-10-13T11:18:06.889-07:00Sens Preview: Colin White Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/evgenii-dadonov-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Evgenii Dadonov</a></b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/ryan-dzingel-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Dzingel</a></b> (F), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/01/artem-anisimov-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Artem Anisimov</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/derek-stepan-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Derek Stepan</a></b> (C), <b>Marcus Hogberg</b> (G), <b>Joey Daccord</b> (G), <b>Matthew Peca</b> (F)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Michael Del Zotto</b> (D), <b>Nick Holden</b> (D), <b>Kole Sherwood</b> (RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Shane Pinto</b> (C), <b>Filip Gustavsson</b> (G), <b>Jake Sanderson</b> (D), <b>Jacob Bernard-Docker</b> (D), <b>Tyler Boucher</b> (W), <b>Roby Jarventie</b> (LW), <b>Lassi Thomson</b> (D), <b>Ridley Greig</b> (LW), <b>Tyler Kleven</b> (D), <b>Zack Ostapchuk</b> (LW), <b>Egor Sokolov</b> (RW), <b>Mark Kastelic</b> (C), <b>Maxence Guenette</b> (D)<br><br>
It would take a lot of things to go right with the development of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2YGzZ19" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i>' young stars for the team to be able to contend for a playoff spot until the end of March... but chances are a lot of them will. Most of the forwards will take a step forward (although<b> Tim Stützle</b> may go through a sophomore slump, particularly if asked to fill the #2 centre role instead of remaining on the wing), and the defense showed during the final month of the 2020-21 season that they were ready for more responsibilities. As a matter of fact, had the Sens received just league average goaltending from <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/09/matt-murray-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Matt Murray</a></b> in any of his first 10 games, they team would have been a lock for the playoffs, seeing as they fell a single point behind the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3oNrXy0" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> who were in a tailspin at the end of the season, because of a compressed schedule due to a Covid outbreak.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Finishing the season with a 10-4 record was impressive, but it may be a mirage, due to teams resting players or being unprepared to face them because they were at the bottom of the standings. Illusion or not, these young players learned to win and can now bank that experience for future use.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Can sophomore <b>Josh Norris</b> continue progressing to keep a stranglehold on the #1 centre role? Will Murray bounce back, or has he simply lost his way? How many games will <b>Brady Tkachuk</b> miss as a contract holdout, and will it cost him the captaincy (I, for one, would give it to <b>Thomas Chabot</b> at this point, who has bought into what the team is looking to build by signing the eight-year deal that GM <b>Pierre Dorion</b> hopes to build other contracts around)?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team will be a powerhouse three years from now, it's just a matter of gaining more experience, some of the current contenders taking a step back, and Tkachuk deciding if he wants in or if he'll conspire with brother <b>Matthew</b> to eventually land with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3BsHIy7" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i> together.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Tied for 4th in the Atlantic Division, with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2WXGE6h" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i> and Habs.<br><br>
One key player in the Sens' rebuild had been <b>Colin White</b>, a 2015 first-round pick (21st overall) who plays well in all three zones, once thought to be the team's next first-line pivot (which is why he was given a <a href="https://www.nhl.com/senators/news/ottawa-senators-sign-colin-white-to-a-six-year-contract/c-308587152" target="_blank">six-year deal averaging $4.75M</a> after a strong rookie season in 2019) but who can go up and down the lineup without hurting the team while amassing anywhere between 25 and 45 points, perhaps with a peak of 60.<br><br>
Unfortunately, he will <a href="https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/ottawa-senators/snapshots-colin-whites-shoulder-injury-will-require-surgery-and-hes-likely-done-for-the-season" target="_blank">miss the entire 2021-22 season</a> after <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/senators-forward-colin-white-suffers-upper-body-injury-maple-leafs/" target="_blank">falling awkwardly and dislocating his right shoulder</a> in a pre-season game.<br><br>
The good news for the Sens is the Canadiens and Bruins also have plenty of injury troubles to start the season, as do the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uVcgpI" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> who will be competing for the same Wild Card playoff spot - and Ottawa has the most depth and best prospects of the lot.<br><br>
Here is White, wearing the Senators' white (away) uniform from a few years ago, on card #DD-CW from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2017-18 Black Diamond</i> collection and <i>Diamond Debut Relics</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtTVFGQZSjf-ntCa2RbhkIgr4pkjXNeagokbbmUZ8vmMjnQT2Qi0A6lC-rRxuakF1zWOUm-SMkNCjgNqCjPh03EKgV3w739JN4eqUj5Ds1cQS4gvZlhksr_6iaMp5Enp9Q0nhGYdG6hz/s2048/Colin+White+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqtTVFGQZSjf-ntCa2RbhkIgr4pkjXNeagokbbmUZ8vmMjnQT2Qi0A6lC-rRxuakF1zWOUm-SMkNCjgNqCjPh03EKgV3w739JN4eqUj5Ds1cQS4gvZlhksr_6iaMp5Enp9Q0nhGYdG6hz/s400/Colin+White+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching white swatch from a photo shoot.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-14898112725457024382021-09-24T06:51:00.004-07:002021-10-04T06:51:42.842-07:00Habs Preview: Christian Dvorak: Two Autographed Cards(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjBAysAIe41DxN0Z5JtFsiAI15oLKjObmtqlpLmlctp1Z7hqBvPwXUnz9n-T-NFWc_uflBxx_hfIQypKHR6HTgc4I92hVtwsuw1SOhEG8RL8hlbAYuGmBVt-5VRQIHv8tjv-ifeF0Cg6/s2048/Christian+Dvorak+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwjBAysAIe41DxN0Z5JtFsiAI15oLKjObmtqlpLmlctp1Z7hqBvPwXUnz9n-T-NFWc_uflBxx_hfIQypKHR6HTgc4I92hVtwsuw1SOhEG8RL8hlbAYuGmBVt-5VRQIHv8tjv-ifeF0Cg6/s400/Christian+Dvorak+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg"/></a></div>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Phillip Danault</a></b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b>Jordan Weal</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/cale-fleury-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cale Fleury</a></b> (D), <b>Jon Merrill</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/tomas-tatar-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tomas Tatar</a></b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/eric-staal-3-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Eric Staal</a></b> (C), <b>Erik Gustafsson</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> (D), <b>Cédric Paquette</b> (LW), <b>Mathieu Perreault</b> (C/LW), <b>Jean-Sébastien Dea</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/mike-hoffman-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Hoffman</a></b> (LW), <b>Chris Wideman</b> (D), <b>Sami Niku</b> (D), <b>Samuel Montembeault</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Cole Caufield</b> (RW), <b>Cayden Primeau</b> (G), <b>Kaiden Guhle</b> (D), <b>Mattias Norlinder</b> (D), <b>Jordan Harris</b> (D), <b>Jan Mysak</b> (LW), <b>Ryan Poehling</b> (C), <b>Oliver Kapanen</b> (C), <b>Luke Tuch</b> (LW), <b>Logan Mailloux</b> (D), <b>Gianni Fairbrother</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/rafael-harvey-pinard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Rafaël Harvey-Pinard</a></b> (LW), <b>Joël Teasdale</b> (LW)<br><br>
I don't buy that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a7vxKJ" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> played in the weakest division last year, because they didn't: the West had the three California teams, which were essentially 30 free wins for the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2ZTrNuI" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>, while the Habs had to contend with <b>Connor McDavid</b>, <b>Auston Matthews</b>, <b>Leon Draisaitl</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/jacob-markstrom-atograph-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, <b>Thatcher Demko</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b> in any given game while the rest of the league faced much easier matchups down the middle and in net.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The team gained a lot of experience during last season's playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final, and many of the returning faces up front (<b>Nick Suzuki</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b>, Caufield, <b>Josh Anderson</b>, <b>Joel Armia</b>) have room to grow their game, the leadership rock remains stable with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/06/brendan-gallagher-autographed-unused.html" target="_blank">Brendan Gallagher</a></b> despite <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/shea-weber-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Shea Weber</a></b>'s probable absence, and the defense is a brick wall only the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3l6m9h4" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> can pierce... year after year.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will Weber's health force him to retire? Which is the real <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/04/carey-price-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Carey Price</a></b>: the regular-season bottom-dweller of the past four seasons, or the quality playoff starter from last year's run? Will the team actually keep <b>Jonathan Drouin</b>, or is he off to clear his mind with former teammates in Colorado, or adding to a top-six in Edmonton?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The Atlantic is stacked. The Bolts remain the gold standard, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a0FQQV" target="_blank">Florida Panthers</a></i> finally delivered on par with their talent, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uHvAGL" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> can outscore their uncertainty between the pipes, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3lb77Xr" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i> are on the rise, and the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3B88zz0" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i>, although older and stating to see core pieces retire, can still hold their own; the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3A58lHC" target="_blank">Detroit Red Wings</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uCm8og" target="_blank">Buffalo Sabres</a></i> don't matter in the playoff conversation, but finishing ahead of the fifth-place team in the Metropolitan does, as the team with the most points in slots 7 and 8 in the Conference make it to the dance, so the Bs, Sens and Habs may cancel each other out in the end.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Tied for 4th in the Atlantic Division, outside the playoff picture.<br><br>
Going by comments on social media, Montréal fans do not seem to have a fucking clue how important Danault was to this team. His line with Tatar and Gallagher was the most potent for goals and shot differentials at five-on-five for the past three years combined, and in any given year also held their ground and were top-three, matching favourably with the likes of McDavid/Draisaitl/whoever, <b>Brad Marchand</b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/PatriceBergeron-JerseyCard.html" target="_blank">Patrice Bergeron</a></b>/<b>David Pastrnak</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/gabriel-landeskog-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Landeskog</a></b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nathan MacKinnon</a></b>/<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mikko-rantanen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mikko Rantanen</a></b>. Even when they didn't score, their 60-point pace mixed with defensive acumen made them a better a more effective unit than any other unit in the league, including those with multiple 100-point players. In last year's playoffs, Danault even took most draws when his line wasn't on the ice.<br><br>
<a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-acquire-christian-dvorak-coyotes-two-draft-picks/" target="_blank">Acquired in a trade</a> with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3l5Lp6T" target="_blank">Arizona Coyotes</a></i>, <b>Christian Dvorak</b> is a 25-year-old centre who wins faceoffs, scores 15-20 goals a year and collects some 45-60 points (pro-rated) at $4.45M per, for four more seasons. He covers 80% of what Danault brought, with added net-front presence in the offensive zone and is the epitome of "cost certainty", which is nice to have under a salary cap. He cost more (a first-rounder and a second-rounder) than the Habs received for Kotkaniemi (a first and a third), who could hit the 50-point mark this season and be a very good player five years from now - although <i>that</i> is no certainty, especially to those who saw him fall to the ice five times per game for the past three years. Like Price and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/alex-galchenyuk-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Galchenyuk</a></b> before him, "KK" was rushed to the Big Show way too soon for his own good.<br><br>
The Canadiens' centre depth took a big hit this summer, and I'm afraid Dvorak has big shoes to fill, although casual fans might not realize just how clownesque they really are - it's a good thing McDavid and Draisaitl are in the Pacific Division this year. Dvorak has evolved nicely from the 2016 World Juniors' bronze-winning <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3a04Jwb" target="_blank">Team USA</a></i> squad as a much more complete 200-foot player, but he is not the player who accumulated five more points than <b>Mitch Marner</b> (121 to 116) when both were teammates in their final year of Juniors playing for the OHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ovbmPi" target="_blank">London Knights</a></i>.<br><br>
This is what he looked like in recent years, wearing the Coyotes' purple and black (home) uniform on card #156 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iweVkB" target="_blank">2019-20 Series 1</a></i> set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUpD5Bo37ItwDCztElVnyunMvC-X-wKJoMwV8oOMl-U3rZN5YQD_wZqu_eT2z3oHh0vW2Q1u8DGLSG0mauJFG1vkrybhrI_UWO7FaQmtpyQDm_bblhfw0s4wURd2aBeO_gZ_lq2YgZsr/s1924/Christian+Dvorak+Red+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1924" data-original-width="1376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvvUpD5Bo37ItwDCztElVnyunMvC-X-wKJoMwV8oOMl-U3rZN5YQD_wZqu_eT2z3oHh0vW2Q1u8DGLSG0mauJFG1vkrybhrI_UWO7FaQmtpyQDm_bblhfw0s4wURd2aBeO_gZ_lq2YgZsr/s400/Christian+Dvorak+Red+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
And here he is wearing their correspondig white (away) uniform, on card #144 from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3AaQsau" target="_blank">2018-19 O-Pee-Chee</a></i> collection by UD:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM6AR8ZxmFkYAgKTGaZecflVW8R1aZgeI-Q1lUSDDcU57Hy4m6JRf9tgvLqjpC67jEMbPBoIjnaYQU7-5wT8XblYohF-M9WteWSjloNALYOFbL9oq1b7WlE66n581tcXBqSk_BnJ9-5TE/s1917/Christian+Dvorak+White+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="1370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieM6AR8ZxmFkYAgKTGaZecflVW8R1aZgeI-Q1lUSDDcU57Hy4m6JRf9tgvLqjpC67jEMbPBoIjnaYQU7-5wT8XblYohF-M9WteWSjloNALYOFbL9oq1b7WlE66n581tcXBqSk_BnJ9-5TE/s400/Christian+Dvorak+White+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed them in (fading) black sharpie before Covid-19 hit.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-42029792759712234922021-09-12T07:27:00.010-07:002021-09-20T08:14:10.012-07:00Lightning Preview: Andrei Vasilevskiy Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: at this point, despite training camp being set to start in less than two weeks, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Yanni Gourde</b> (C), <b>Blake Coleman</b> (LW), <b>Barclay Goodrow</b> (RW), <b>Tyler Johnson</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> (D), <b>Luke Schenn</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/curtis-mcelhinney-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Curtis McElhinney</a></b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/05/brian-elliott-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Brian Elliott</a></b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> (RW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/zach-bogosian-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Zach Bogosian</a></b> (D), <b>Pierre-Édouard Bellemare</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/11/charles-hudon-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Charles Hudon</a></b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Alex Barré-Boulet</b> (C),<b> Roman Schmidt</b> (D), <b>Boris Katchouk</b> (LW), <b>Taylor Raddysh</b> (RW), <b>Simon Ryfors</b> (C), <b>Odeen Tutfo</b> (C), <b>Cal Foote</b> (D), <b>Hugo Alnefelt</b> (G), <b>Jack Finley</b> (C), <b>Nick Perbix</b> (D), <b>Dylan Duke</b> (C), <b>Cole Koepke </b>(LW), <b>Gage Goncalves</b> (C)<br><br>
I have called the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nn6Im5" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> the "best-assembled team in the cap era", but "best team" would be just as fitting. Even past Rocket Richard Trophy winner and captain <b>Steven Stamkos</b>, Hart and Art Ross winner <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b>, Vezina and Conn Smythe winner <b>Andrei Vasilevskiy</b> and Norris and Conn Smythe winner <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/victor-hedman-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Hedman</a></b>, there is still the ever-clutch antics of point-per-game player <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden Point</a></b>, two-way star <b>Anthony Cirelli</b>, playoff hero <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/05/alex-killorn-2-swatch-cards.html" target="_blank">Alex Killorn</a></b>, consistent beast <b>Ondrej Palat</b>, heart-and-soul grinder <b>Pat Maroon</b>, future Norris winner <b>Mikhail Sergachev</b>, All-Star <b>Ryan McDonagh</b>, sophomore <b>Foote</b>... they're like the Canadian Olympic team, they could ice two teams and still be serious contenders.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They are the back-to-back champions and replaced every departed player with their equivalent (at least on paper).<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
They lost their entire third line (Gourde, Coleman and Goodrow), which had been essential for them last postseason - while Coleman and Goodrow also led the team with over 100 hits apiece in the regular season, followed by Schenn, with 99, who also left. But they have players lined up to replace them, both old (Perry, the returning Bogosian) and young (Barré-Boulet) and in-between (Bellemare and Hudon).<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team can withstand missing an entire season of Stamkos and win the Cup. This team can withstand missing an entire season of Kucherov and win the Cup. This team can withstand a sub-par postseason by Hedman and win the Cup. They could possibly only get challenged by losing two MVP-level players, as losing "just" one clearly still had them on top of the rest of the league. We have three more years of them being heavy contenders for the title - or until they get bored and tired of winning.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
1st in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
Of course, Vasilevskiy will have a great say on whether the Bolts finish first, second (if he misses time to injury), third (if for some reason he falters and completely loses his way) or fourth (if he misses nearly the entire season due to unforeseen cicumstances), but unless the team's plane crashes altogether, Tampa will make the playoffs and be a threat to win it all again this year. The only thing standing between Tampa Bay and a third consecutive Stanley Cup is fatigue - not just accrued from the last two championship runs, but also because a lot of their best players (Vasilevskiy, Hedman, Kucherov, Palat, Point, McDonagh, possibly Stamkos) will be representing their countries in the Olympics mid-season.<br><br>
You may recall my attempts at ranking Vasi with the best of the best last season, admitting he was currently the best in the world at covering the bottom-third of the net, but that he had flaws up high; in terms of "which goalie would be best playing behind the same team as his counterparts", I would likely have him second behind the <i>Winnipeg Jets</i>' <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b> with an asterix for <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/John-Gibson-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">John Gibson</a></b> in that he would be capable to elevate his game to #2. Rounding out my top-five for the upcoming season are <b>Marc-André Fleury</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/09/jacob-markstrom-atograph-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/robin-lehner-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Robin Lehner</a></b> right outside. <b>Thatcher Demko</b> is making a strong case for consideration as well. In terms of a farther future, say five years down the line, <b>Spencer Knight</b>, <b>Cayden Primeau</b> and <b>Devon Levi</b> are probably the bigger names coming, ahead of <b>Carter Hart</b>, who I do not necessarily view as a future perennial Vezina candidate the way many pundits do.<br><br>
Here is #88 sporting the Bolts' blue (home) uniform on card #GJ-AV from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3llKcqT" target="_blank">2017-18 Series 1</a></i> set and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VFJOf4UbRSOKus2ghpH2dVIwkOYmkCc1Bflt8qNkbJRAM9657Cc1wxxq9a4mBXlQgrpO6euDH3fcVZvSzbL3sXDF9VRcFVoquIAElKjw1ZVEUlgxoy_yv6v4uRePJ8GYayt9DWpT4Uqo/s2048/Andrei+Vasilevskiy+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1471" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VFJOf4UbRSOKus2ghpH2dVIwkOYmkCc1Bflt8qNkbJRAM9657Cc1wxxq9a4mBXlQgrpO6euDH3fcVZvSzbL3sXDF9VRcFVoquIAElKjw1ZVEUlgxoy_yv6v4uRePJ8GYayt9DWpT4Uqo/s400/Andrei+Vasilevskiy+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a matching game-worn jersey swatch.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-41169865632581631312021-09-07T08:15:00.002-07:002021-10-19T20:16:34.021-07:00Oilers Preview: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Adam Larsson</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/james-neal-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">James Neal</a></b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/alex-chiasson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Chiasson</a></b> (W), <b>Ethan Bear</b> (D), <b>Caleb Jones</b> (D), <b>Dominik Kahun</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/tyler-ennis-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Ennis</a></b> (LW), <b>Jujhar Khaira</b> (C), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/07/dmitri-kulikov-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dmitry Kulikov</a></b> (D), <b>Joakim Nygard</b> (LW)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/duncan-keith-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Duncan Keith</a></b> (D), <b>Zach Hyman</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/cody-ceci-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cody Ceci</a></b> (D), <b>Warren Foegele</b> (LW), <b>Derek Ryan</b> (RW)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Evan Bouchard</b> (D), <b>Dylan Holloway</b> (C), <b>Raphaël Lavoie</b> (RW), <b>Xavier Bourgault</b> (C), <b>Philip Broberg</b> (D), <b>Carter Savoie</b> (LW), <b>Ryan McLeod</b> (C), <b>Tyler Benson</b> (LW), <b>Ilya Konovalov</b> (G), <b>Olivier Rodrigue</b> (G), <b>Stuart Skinner</b> (G), <b>Tyler Tullio</b> (C), <b>Dmitri Samorukov</b> (D)<br><br>
As a lifelong <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Xer725" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> fan, I must admit the departures of Bear and Jones were baffling, particularly with the team unable to keep Larsson in the mix, who would have been the ideal partner for Keith on a second pairing.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They have the best player on the planet (<b>Connor McDavid</b>) and the third- or fourth-best centre on earth (<b>Leon Draisaitl</b>), who are finally complemented by a decent surrounding cast at nearly every position...<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will the goaltending duo of 41-year-old <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/mike-smith-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mike Smith</a></b> and the untradeable <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/mikko-koskinen-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Mikko Koskinen</a></b> (he of the 3.17 goals-against average and .899 save percetage last season) hold up or anchor the team?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2XqEdt1" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> are the cream of the Pacific Division, so much so that they can withstand injuries to an entire line from their top-six <i><u>and</u></i> an elite defenseman without worrying aout losing home-ice advantage in the first two rounds, but the Oilers are definitely the best of what's left, if only because of their firepower up front. Their defense is also no longer an issue, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/darnell-nurse-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Darnell Nurse</a></b> reaching elite status himself and Bouchard making for a nice wildcard to have, in addition to such steady defensive defensemen as <b>Kris Russell</b> and (believe it or not) Ceci, while a guy like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/tyson-barrie-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Tyson Barrie</a></b> can produce upwards of 50 points from the blue line.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Pacific Division.<br><br>
For the past three years, most of the focus in Edmonton has been centered around McDavid and Draisaitl, with <b>Ryan Nugent-Hopkins</b> figuring as an afterthought at best and perhaps a serious question mark regarding his production versus his salary and re-signing value, a situation GM <b>Ken Holland</b> dealt with well last summer by <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/7989709/edmonton-oilers-ryan-nugent-hopkins-contract-agreement/" target="_blank">signing him to a long extention</a> that diminished his cap hit by a little bit, saving the team nearly a million per season. I believe last year's points totals (13 goals, 19 assists and 35 points in 52 games, for a points-per-game average of 0.67 as a 27-year-old) to be an outlier in terms of his prime (0.77 PPG at 24, 0.84 at 25, 0.94 at 26), and that hovering between the third line when playing on the road and manning the second unit with Hyman and <b>Kailer Yamamoto</b> at home will enable him to return to at least 0.75 points per game, possibly 0.8 if he gets a few looks with either of the two superstars here and there.<br><br>
As a former first-overall pick (2011), he cannot be considered on even footing with McDavid as a generational player, but he can be seen as a success, particularly in light of other recent Oiler first-overall players like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/two-nail-yakupov-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nail Yakupov</a></b>. In his draft year, he currently ranks sixth in point production behind <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> (58th overall), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/gabriel-landeskog-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Landeskog</a></b> (2nd), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b> (7th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/jonathan-huberdeau-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Huberdeau</a></b> (3rd) and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/johnny-gaudreau-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Johnny Gaudreau</a></b> (104th), and ahead of the likes of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/sean-couturier-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Sean Couturier</a></b> (8th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/07/mika-zibanejad-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Mika Zibanejad</a></b> (6th), <b>Ondrej Palat</b> (208th), <b>J.T. Miller</b> (15th), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/dougie-hamilton-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dougie Hamilton</a></b> (9th), and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/vincent-trocheck-autograhed-card.html" target="_blank">Vincent Trocheck</a></b> (64th). I believe he will catch up to Gaudreau, but Couturier and Zibanejad will give him a run for his money in terms of who will round out that draft class' top-five when their careers are over.<br><br>
Here he is wearing Edmonton's orange (home) uniform on card #GJ-RN from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2XsiZuS" target="_blank">2020-21 Series 1</a></i> collection and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve4Fj-hesSNAwZxZnbwHKT7Lq9ZiZS74ZGySE73TSbnLO8Bl8zBRdV9LGq5n5X9hi7MXnhmSOZoPpVP1gQ4vJnU6_kf58AQtnIgurXTt33G0Ar4BY0Nc1oHP4uQATyF8vkCfomBWwHNCn/s1916/Ryan+Nugent-Hopkins+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="1916" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgve4Fj-hesSNAwZxZnbwHKT7Lq9ZiZS74ZGySE73TSbnLO8Bl8zBRdV9LGq5n5X9hi7MXnhmSOZoPpVP1gQ4vJnU6_kf58AQtnIgurXTt33G0Ar4BY0Nc1oHP4uQATyF8vkCfomBWwHNCn/s400/Ryan+Nugent-Hopkins+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white swatch that is certified as having been used in an NHL game. I was pretty stoked to land it, as it's my first RNH "hit" ever.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-47520936979367158472021-09-06T09:18:00.009-07:002021-09-12T11:26:06.141-07:00Sabres Preview: Travis Turnbull Autograph Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: at this point, despite training camp being set to start in less than two weeks, several players haven't found a team yet, most RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams yet, and a few teams are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Sam Reinhart</b> (C), <b>Linus Ullmark</b> (G),<b> Rasmus Ristolainen</b> (D), <b>Jake McCabe</b> (D), <b>Will Borgen</b> (D), <b>Matt Irwin</b> (D), <b>Tobias Reider</b> (RW), <b>Riley Sheahan</b> (C), <b>Taylor Hall</b> (F, at last year's deadline)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Aaron Dell</b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/02/craig-anderson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Craig Anderson</a></b> (G), <b>Devon Levi</b> (G), <b>Robert Hagg</b> (D),<b> Mark Pysyk</b> (D), <b>John Hayden </b>(C), <b>Vinnie Hinostroza</b> (RW), <b>Will Butcher</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Owen Power</b> (D), <b>Jack Quinn</b> (RW), <b>Arttu Ruotsalainen </b>(C), <b>John-Jason Peterka </b>(LW), <b>Isak Rosen</b> (F), <b>Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen</b> (G)<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/38K7Bww" target="_blank">Buffalo Sabres</a></i> are a complete trainwreck, and have been for the better part of the last two decades. They have not made the playoffs since the 2010-11 season and haven't won a round since 2005-06. Even before then, they were acting as if they were in the middle of a pandemic, making drastic cuts to their drafting budget, letting go three-quarters of their staff and having the ones that remain work mostly from video footage instead of actually traveling to see the young players perform live. They failed to extend captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/10/daniel-briere-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Daniel Brière</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/05/chris-drury-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Chris Drury</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/04/jason-pominville-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Jason Pominville</a></b>) after captain (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/thomas-vanek-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Thomas Vanek</a></b>), they wasted elite goaltending (<b>Dominik Hasek</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/12/ryan-miller-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan Miller</a></b>), and even getting rid of a locker room cancer with a habit of drunkenly crashing his cars into coffee shops such as <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/ryan-oreilly-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Ryan O'Reilly</a></b> did nothing for them but allowed ROR to win a Stanley Cup with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h6IOY6" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i>.<br><br>
They are on their fourth GM (<b>Kevyn Adams</b>, following in the footsteps of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/jason-botterill-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jason Botterill</a></b>, <b>Tim Murray</b> and <b>Darcy Regier</b>), who themselves have overseen head coaches <b>Lindy Ruff</b>, <b>Ron Rolston</b>, <b>Ted Nolan</b>, <b>Dan Bylsma</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/phil-housley-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Phil Housley</a></b>, <b>Ralph Krueger</b>, and now <b>Don Granato</b>; job security or stability do not have a home here.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
Only a die-hard fan or gambler in need of a long-shot win would put their money on Buffalo. They'll perhaps be better than last year in team play, but the talent level just isn't there apart from a few pieces - and Granato as a coach is not <b>Barry Trotz</b>, so this isn't the next <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3zSM9Bw" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i>, either.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
When does disgruntled captain <b>Jack Eichel</b> get traded, and what will the return be? Is <b>Aaron Dell</b> really going to be their starting goalie, or will <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/devan-dubnyk-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Devan Dubnyk</a></b> agree to sign with the one team left that still has an opening for top spot in net?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
There are building blocks here: <b>Casey Mittelstadt</b> is looking like a centre who can play on one of the top two lines, <b>Victor Olofsson</b> can score on the powerplay and would ideally be slotted in the middle-six on a good team but will see top-line ice time here, and <b>Dylan Cozens</b> shows promise up front as well, with <b>Jack Quinn</b> and <b>J.J. Peterka</b> possibly coming in in a few years, but re-signing <b>Jeff Skinner</b> was always going to be dead money, and <b>Anders Bjork</b>, <b>Tage Thompson</b> and <b>Cody Eakin</b> only seem to be placeholders at this point, either to play out their contracts while the team tanks or (particularly in Eakin's case) until a trade deadline deal to a contender makes enough sense. There are more defensive sure bets per capita, with <b>Rasmus Dahlin</b> seeming like he's regained form under Granato, <b>Owen Power</b> graduating from College eventually and <b>Robert Hagg</b> as a rescue project from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jNC9Uo" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>. I can't say I'm as optimistic about former <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7axIi" target="_blank">New Jersey Devils</a></i> prospect <b>Will Butcher</b>, though. But you don't lose your two best centres, you legitimate #1 goalie and your two most consistent defensemen without replacing any of them and purport to leave the bottom of the standings.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
8th in the Atlantic Division.<br><br>
Which brings me to <b>Travis Turnbull</b>, whose father <b>Perry</b> was a useful NHL journeyman who finished his career playing in Italy and Germany. Undrafted, the Sabres signed Travis as a free agent following a four-year career with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7J49e" target="_blank">Michigan Wolverines</a></i> in the NCAA; after four seasons in the Sabres' system, consistently improving from one season to the next, he was allowed to suit up in three games with the parent club in 2012-13, scoring a goal. Unfortunately, the 2012-13 lockout happened, and he set his sights for Germany, putting up 46 points and 88 penalty minutes for <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h7JFI0" target="_blank">Düsseldorfer EG</a></i>, so he may have preferred being a star player overseas than a grinder in North America. His point production regressed starting in 2016-17, but what he brought to the game was still appreciated nonetheless. He was captain of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3h8868g" target="_blank">Schwenninger Wild Wings</a></i> last season (11 points in 32 games), and I suspect he will be this year as well. This is leadership the Sabres could have brought back at just about any moment in the last decade, but instead chose ROR to lead the room, then handed the reigns to his heir apparent without ever earning it or showing him what he should keep from O'Reilly's teachings and what to throw away. Since Ruff's firing, the Sabres have seemigly always hired the wrong leader at every crucial position, strating with management down to the coaching staff all the way down to the players on the ice. They will need to admit it to their fans before embarking on another rebuilding phase.<br><br>
Here is Turnbull wearing the team's retro white (away) uniform, on card #SI-TR from <b>Panini</b>'s <i>2013-14 Select</i> collection and <i>Select Signatures</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8Bz70y5QnZpXvK3U6JpgEcds-xRXK5QH8BvHedJ_gpU8VrNOoKL11mRmgfPTXcDyDv6fBHkaJlUS7j-UWuWUHjrbrEan9z20f7Q2ccSxwzugY7Ulu4IkRmUVnRY6gWyjWWKpNoiJqXAu/s2048/Travis+Turnbull+Autograph+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8Bz70y5QnZpXvK3U6JpgEcds-xRXK5QH8BvHedJ_gpU8VrNOoKL11mRmgfPTXcDyDv6fBHkaJlUS7j-UWuWUHjrbrEan9z20f7Q2ccSxwzugY7Ulu4IkRmUVnRY6gWyjWWKpNoiJqXAu/s400/Travis+Turnbull+Autograph+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a blue-sharpied on-sticker autograph.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-18008850275096785712021-09-05T11:28:00.006-07:002021-11-04T11:29:14.539-07:00Caps Preview: Alex Ovechkin Swatch Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Brenden Dillon</b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/02/craig-anderson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Craig Anderson</a></b> (G), <b>Michael Raffl</b> (LW), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/10/zdeno-chara-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Zdeno Chara</a></b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Matt Irwin</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (C/LW), <b>xxx</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (D), <b>xxx</b> (G)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Connor McMichael</b> (C), <b>Hendrix Lapierre</b> (C), <b>Martin Fehervary</b> (D), <b>Alexander Alexeyev</b> (D), <b>Vincent Iorio</b> (D), <b>Damien Riat</b> (LW), <b>Aliaksei Protas</b> (C), <b>Brent Johnson</b> (D), <b>Brett Leason</b> (RW), <b>Kody Clark</b> (RW), <b>Lucas Johansen</b> (D)<br><br>
Sure, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bDw7kq" target="_blank">Washington Capitals</a></i>' stars are all in their 30s, they have few top-tier prospects that have Toronto-based pundits salivating and have exited the playoffs early every year since their 2018 Stanley Cup win, but this nucleus remains rock-solid with the likes of <b>Nicklas Backstrom</b>, <b>Alex Ovechkin</b>, <b>Evgeny Kuznetsov</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/anthony-mantha-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Anthony Mantha</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/03/tom-wilson-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tom Wilson</a></b>, <b>T.J. Oshie</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/John-Carlson-Jersey-Card.html" target="_blank">John Carlson</a></b> and <b>Dmitry Orlov</b>. The goaltending position is also in good hands with <b>Ilya Samsonov</b> and <b>Vitek Vanecek</b>.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
They can outscore the opposition like few teams can and have better goaltending than the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mHVbwY" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i>. If someone in the Atlantic can eliminate the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bIdEmM" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>, a team from the Metropolitan Division could make it to the Cup Final.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
A lot of their firepower is tied into a handful of players, who account for a lot of the team's cap space. There are depth issues, and any injury troubles would mean a huge drop in the standings for the Caps.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team hired <b>Peter</b> <b>Laviolette</b> as head coach because it is still hungry for a Cup. Regular-season seeding doesn't have to matter much, the postseason is how this team will be judged, now and forever.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Third in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
Fresh off <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/capitals-resign-ovechkin-to-five-year-million-deal-1.6119293" target="_blank">a five-year deal</a> that will realistically lead him to breaking <b>Wayne Gretzky</b>'s career goals record, Ovechkin is a man on (another) mission. And while the chase for Gretzky's goals record is huge in itself, Ovie is also chasing <b>Sidney Crosby</b>'s two undeserved Conn Smythes, a gimme from a handful of Toronto-based journalists who didn't want to give <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/01/phil-kessel-and-nikolai-kulemin-jersey.html" target="_blank">Phil Kessel</a></b> his due. Should Ovechkin get a second one, it might even force the Hall Of Fame to waive its three-year waiting period to get him in.<br><br>
Here he is wearing the team's dreadful red (home) <i>Reebok Edge</i> uniform from a few years back, on the swatch version of card #73 from <b>Panini</b>'s <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CMIZAC" target="_blank">2010-11 Luxury Suite</a></i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc0FMl8_C_8cZuBs-t8VkyHObvVt8s32ubd4ELYct3unAOjLq5rTpXsNLhrYp0z1IFN9nUUIhv4uRECV71a-sIPG1_Me0QmtymT7AvPAgwt1vMe8Ya1UUoruUZPk7NXcmGSreHj6jKE2C/s2048/Alex+Ovechkin+Swatch+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjc0FMl8_C_8cZuBs-t8VkyHObvVt8s32ubd4ELYct3unAOjLq5rTpXsNLhrYp0z1IFN9nUUIhv4uRECV71a-sIPG1_Me0QmtymT7AvPAgwt1vMe8Ya1UUoruUZPk7NXcmGSreHj6jKE2C/s400/Alex+Ovechkin+Swatch+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white game-worn jersey swatch. I got this one on <i>Ebay</i> for just over five bucks; its usual book value is closer to $40-50.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-43978590657726356292021-09-04T12:47:00.001-07:002021-10-11T21:48:42.019-07:00Hurricanes Preview: Rod Brind'Amour Autographed Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start at the end of the month, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/dougie-hamilton-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Dougie Hamilton</a></b> (D), <b>Alex Nedeljkovic</b> (G), <b>James Reimer</b> (G), <b>Petr Mrazek</b> (C), <b>Warren Foegele</b> (W), <b>Cédric Paquette</b> (F), <b>Brock McGinn</b> (LW), <b>Morgan Geekie</b> (C), <b>Jake Bean</b> (D), <b>Jani Hakanpaa</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/anthony-deangelo-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Tony DeAngelo</a></b> (D), <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (C), <b>Ian Cole</b> (D), <b>Frederik Andersen</b> (G), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/08/derek-stepan-jersey-and-stick-card.html" target="_blank">Derek Stepan</a></b> (C), <b>Ethan Bear</b> (D), <b>Antti Raanta</b> (G), <b>Josh Leivo</b> (LW), <b>Brendan Smith</b> (D), <b>Jalen Chatfield</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Seth Jarvis</b> (RW), <b>Dominik Bok</b> (W), <b>Ryan Suzuki</b> (C), <b>Anttoni Honka</b> (D), <b>Noel Gunler</b> (RW), <b>Scott Morrow</b> (D), <b>Vasiliy Ponomarev</b> (C), <b>Jack Drury</b> (C), <b>Pyotr Kochetkov</b> (G), <b>Aleksi Heimosalmi</b> (D), <b>Joey Keane</b> (D)<br><br>
For a team with a low budget that moved on from captain <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/eric-staal-3-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Eric Staal</a></b> only to hand the title to his little brother <b>Jordan</b>, that couldn't afford to give its best goalie (Nedeljkovic) $3M per season and who let its star defenseman (Hamilton) leave as a free agent to sign to a $9M cap hit with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3auO7ww" target="_blank">New Jersey Devils</a></i>, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3iQwgVv" target="_blank">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i> sure turned heads when they gave Kotkaniemi <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/jesperi-kotkaniemi-carolina-hurricanes-offer-sheet/c-326039224" target="_blank">an offer sheet</a> that the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3atn2dn" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> were smart <a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-loved-keep-kotkaniemi-not-offer-sheet-price/" target="_blank">not to match</a>, but the 21-year-old forward is a nice project for the coaching staff to develop while the rest of the well-constructed team (a legitimate top line of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/sebastian-aho-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Sebastian Aho</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/teuvo-teravainen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Teuvo Teravainen</a></b> and <b>Andrei Svechnikov</b>, a second line that can put up points with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/vincent-trocheck-autograhed-card.html" target="_blank">Vincent Trocheck</a></b> and <b>Martin Necas</b>, and the aforementioned Staal II manning the third line, with <b>Nino Niederreiter </b>and <b>Jesper Fast</b> able to spend time on one of the top two lines as well, and a defense that still includes <b>Jaccob Slavin</b>, <b>Brady Skjei</b>, <b>Brett Pesce</b>, <b>Jake Gardiner</b> and new acquisitions DeAngelo, Stanley Cup winner Cole and Smith. There is a wealth of talent on that team.<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The roster is as stacked as a team not based in Tampa Bay or Vegas can be.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
If Andersen's an upgrade over Mrazek, can he get back to his 2017 form and adequately replace Nedeljkovic instead? Will DeAngelo become a DeIstraction? Will Kotkaniemi sign a more reasonable extension in January, or has he messed up the Canes' salary structure forever?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
This team is built to withstand roster turnovers whenever a player's production has him reach a paygrade deemed too rich for owner <b>Tom Dundon</b>... except for maybe Aho - a 24-year-old centre who can do it all and produce at a point per game pace - and Slavin, who remains the most underrated defenseman in the game. If they had decent goaltending, they would be (and would have been) serious contenders for years.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
First in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
Head coach <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2010/03/rod-brindamour-2-autographed-cards.html">Rod Brind'Amour</a></b> seems to be the perfect person to lead this troupe and instill team spirit, which is one benefit of having a former captain behind the bench. Not only can he coach this team to success despite never having a true #1 goalie between the pipes, but he's walked the walk as well, <a href="https://twitter.com/PierreVLeBrun/status/1402720047638974464" target="_blank">waiting until each of his assistants and trainers got extended</a> before <a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article252177668.html" target="_blank">signing his own three-year deal</a>. Oh, and he won the <a href="https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/31651840/rod-brindamour-signs-3-year-extension-carolina-hurricanes" target="_blank">Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year</a> the same day.<br><br>
Although the award was well-deserved, I think most people know Brind'Amour isn't the best coach in the league, but he's the ideal bench boss for this team, just like he was a great fit as a player, and a perfect member of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3lwjX2s" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>, with whom he played 633 regular-season games and posted 235 goals and 366 assists for 601 points to go with 563 penalty minutes in the heart of the Dead Puck Era, and another 51 points (24 goals and 27 assists) and 31 penalty minutes in 56 post-season games.<br><br>
On a team where the top line of <b>Eric Lindros</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/john-leclair-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">John LeClair</a></b> and <b>Mikael Renberg</b> was viewed as dominant (and the best line in the NHL), it was Brind'Amour's 13 goals that led the league in the 1997 playoffs, and his two-goal game on March 25th that eliminated the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Duj4h2" target="_blank">New York Rangers</a></i> and sent the Flyers to the Cup Final for the first time in a decade. Here he is wearing the team's white (then-home) uniform, on card #121 from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>1997-98 Series 1</i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-DUeMtM-nzMGDQgpiUIzPRiXbAsOe1-lm0tsoQuLPD2gT37RdWArlmA12JV34JwSFzM0wD8ZLC3WuhVFsAH_gEbt-y_spVqel5gwm4gZ_mIGniUpgWHl7XE_6bXrrHsXVf55Ezd_n7tA/s2048/Rod+Brind%2527Amour+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1471" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-DUeMtM-nzMGDQgpiUIzPRiXbAsOe1-lm0tsoQuLPD2gT37RdWArlmA12JV34JwSFzM0wD8ZLC3WuhVFsAH_gEbt-y_spVqel5gwm4gZ_mIGniUpgWHl7XE_6bXrrHsXVf55Ezd_n7tA/s400/Rod+Brind%2527Amour+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
He signed it in black sharpie 10-15 years ago, when he was still playing for the Canes.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-33393509035615915162021-09-03T08:44:00.005-07:002021-11-04T09:01:52.510-07:00Blue Jackets Preview: Jakub Voracek Jersey Card(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/07/seth-jones-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Seth Jones</a></b> (D), <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/01/cam-atkinson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Cam Atkinson</a></b> (RW), <b>Kole Sherwood</b> (RW), <b>Michael Del Zotto</b> (D)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/04/jakub-voracek-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Jakub Voracek</a></b> (RW), <b>Adam Boqvist</b> (D), <b>Jake Bean</b> (D), <b>Sean Kuraly</b> (C), <b>Zac Rinaldo</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Kent Johnson</b> (C), <b>Cole Sillinger</b> (C), <b>Corson Ceulemans</b> (D), <b>Kirill Marchenko</b> (RW), <b>Yegor Chinakhov</b> (RW), <b>Andrew Peeke</b> (D), <b>Daniil Tarasov</b> (G), <b>Dmitri Voronkov</b> (LW), <b>Trey Fix-Wolansky</b> (RW), <b>Stanislav Svozil</b> (D), <b>Liam Foudy</b> (C), <b>xxx</b> (LW), <b>xxx</b> (LW)<br><br>
This is a transition period for the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CLDger" target="_blank">Columbus Blue Jackets</a></i>, who have only a handful of players left from the failed "all-in" season three years ago. Even head coach <b>John Tortorella</b> left, replaced by assistant <b>Brad Larsen</b>. There will be growing pains while a new system is set up, in the same way an expansion team like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mKkLl5" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i> might face, except exclusively with home-grown young players and draft picks, not hand-picked from the entire league. The four new players coming in look solid to me (even Rinaldo, who will help instill some team spirit).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
The Blue Jackets' top-three on defense consisting of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/zach-werenski-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Zach Werenski</a></b>, Boqvist and Bean will be solid eventually, but the latter two must gain experience first, and it will be trial by fire at least for this season. Goalie <b>Elvis Merzlikins</b> is a very good goalie who may fall into a Vezina Trophy at some point (in the era of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jacob Markstrom</a></b>, <b>Thatcher Demko</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/09/lightning-preview-andrei-vasilevskiy.html" target="_blank">Andrei Vasilevskiy</a></b>, which wil lbe extremely difficult), but he would need his team to make the playoffs for that to happen.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
Will <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/patrik-laine-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Patrik Laine</a></b> regain his offensive touch, or will he bide his time until he can leave himself?<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
The trade deadline brought in a huge leadership void when captain <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/nick-foligno-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Nick Foligno</a></b> and defenseman <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> were traded for high draft picks, which was compounded by Jones' and Atkinson's summer departures. This will take time to rebuild.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
8th in the Metropolitan Division.<br><br>
I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the one-for-one trade involving Atkinson (headed to the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nUFNg0" target="_blank">Philadelphia Flyers</a></i>) and Voracek - on both sides. Atkinson is still a 30-goal man, a feisty little speedster, and Voracek produces at a 0.75-point-per-game clip at this stage in his career - a very good production rate for a 32-year-old player - but he's lost a bit of foot speed and is an assists collector first and foremost, and I fail to see who he will set up unless he is directly tasked with reviving Laine's game.<br><br>
He knows what to expect in Columbus, however, having already been a part of a rebuild there to start his career off as the team's 7th-overall pick in 2007. This is what he looked like wearing deep blue, as seen on card #GJ-JV from <b>Upper Deck</b>'s <i>2010-11 Series 1</i> collection and <i>UD Game Jersey</i> sub-set:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigByHSwoE_7nJ5trW1EX8klo0ruycuzSTtMtxMUWVEXDpJhCnkytfSDeZsYl3uvZy-gWTHno6FfuGmX0Stl-I6Cbvj_DwgC62a-BHhL79ADdmN6VLpnxHuxy_zsB_2KQxKeYPX3vNnz5vs/s1911/Jakub+Voracek+Jersey+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1359" data-original-width="1911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigByHSwoE_7nJ5trW1EX8klo0ruycuzSTtMtxMUWVEXDpJhCnkytfSDeZsYl3uvZy-gWTHno6FfuGmX0Stl-I6Cbvj_DwgC62a-BHhL79ADdmN6VLpnxHuxy_zsB_2KQxKeYPX3vNnz5vs/s400/Jakub+Voracek+Jersey+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
It features a white game-worn jersey swatch.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-18536095970171016272021-09-02T20:39:00.005-07:002021-11-03T20:40:46.269-07:00Jets Preview: Troy Murray: Two Autographed Cards(team and product links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9vGgZktd8WeI4SVMzJLLO88Xp5gE1Sdu767NMkjbH75ee3s_DVMk1t1XI0fEubgWnSuyRaFz7ct-F99Uq2ZImONcjh84ITpRZJwaUTFqcwxGhuJwjVpes7vVuuy5COkh9s2sxGqXoyFw/s2048/Troy+Murray+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9vGgZktd8WeI4SVMzJLLO88Xp5gE1Sdu767NMkjbH75ee3s_DVMk1t1XI0fEubgWnSuyRaFz7ct-F99Uq2ZImONcjh84ITpRZJwaUTFqcwxGhuJwjVpes7vVuuy5COkh9s2sxGqXoyFw/s400/Troy+Murray+Two+Autographed+Cards.jpg"/></a></div>
This will likely be the preface to all of this year's Season Preview posts: I liked doing last year's format, so I'll be doing it the same way this season as well, partly because of that but also because as a father of a toddler and a baby, I just do not have enough time to write two separate posts per day on each blog. I'll copy these on each one instead. Like last year, the entire scope of the analysis will take place here and the player will have some sort of direct connection to what's written.<br><br>
<u>Caveats</u>: At this point, despite training camp being set to start, several players haven't found a team yet, many RFAs haven't signed with their respective teams, and a few clubs are currently above the salary cap, which means there is much maneuvering left to do.<br><br>
<b><u>Key exits</u></b>: <b>Mason Appleton</b> (C), <b>Mathieu Perreault</b> (C/LW), <b>Tucker Poolman</b> (D), <b>Laurent Brossoit</b> (G), <b>Derek Forbort</b> (D), <b>Nate Thompson</b> (C), <b>Trevor Lewis</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Key Arrivals</u></b>: <b>Nate Schmidt</b> (D), <b>Brendan Dillon</b> (D), <b>Riley Nash</b> (C)<br><br>
<b><u>Top prospects</u></b>: <b>Cole Perfetti</b> (C), <b>Ville Heinola</b> (D), <b>Dylan Samberg</b> (D), <b>David Gustafsson</b> (C), <b>Kristian Vesalainen</b> (LW), <b>Chaz Lucius</b> (C), <b>Mikhail Bergin</b> (G), <b>Dmitri Kuzmin</b> (D), <b>Simon Lundmark</b> (D)<br><br>
Now that they've added to their blue line via the low-key Norris-level Schmidt and dependable Dillon, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3Boz5DM" target="_blank">Winnipeg Jets</a></i> are once again a force to be reckoned with, with the best goalie in the world in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>, tremendous leadership in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/blake-wheeler-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Blake Wheeler</a></b>, star power in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b>, the NHL's most underrated forward in <b>Kyle Connor</b>, and another potential first-line centre in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/pierre-luc-dubois-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Pierre-Luc Dubois</a></b>, who underperformed last season after coming in a couple of weeks late due to Canadian Covid-19 protocols and never really getting enough time to catch up, but who has proven in the past that he can carry the load. And Schmidt's arrival will send N<b>eal Pionk</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/05/josh-morrissey-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Josh Morrissey</a></b> in ideal slots (they were fine operating as the top-two defensemen but will be elite #2s and #3s).<br><br>
<b><u>What makes their odds look good</u></b>:<br>
A team with Hellebuyck between the pipes makes the playoffs. A team with him and Schmidt, Pionk and Morrissey might win a round. Add two potent offensive lines and a full cast on D (including <b>Dylan DeMelo</b>) and you may get a Conference Final.<br><br>
<b><u>Question marks</u></b>:
<b>Eric Comrie</b> is now in his 8th season trying to make it as the Jets' backup goalie. Will it work this time? He's a bit too good for the AHL and no longer has anything to prove there, he just needs to step up and have a save percentage above .905 to keep his head above water. This team is strong but not especially deep. A couple of key injuries could derail a lot of good things - and one to Hellebuyck would be deadly.<br><br>
<b><u>Outlook</u></b>:<br>
Don't sleep on the Jets. In a relatively weak Central Division where only the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nEjafM" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> are a powerhouse, there is a path to the third round that's wide open, and Winnipeg's talent level ranks on par with that of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3bq2ral" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i>, and above the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3mq1gxX" target="_blank">Minnesota Wild</a></i>, <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3w3vrOz" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3nEjxqG" target="_blank">Dallas Stars</a></i>.<br><br>
<b><u>Prediction</u></b>:<br>
Second in the Central Division.<br><br>
<b>Troy Murray</b> was only a member of the Jets for a year and a half before the team - which had acquired him from the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3CGttGv" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> prior to the 1991-92 season - sent him back to the Hawks in February of 1993. The Jets ended up with the rights to <b>Warren Rychel</b> (who never played in Winnipeg) and <b>Steven Bancroft</b> while the Hawks landed <b>Bryan Marchment</b> (one of the meanest and dirtiest players of all time) and <b>Chris Norton</b>. Murray was by far the best player in any transaction, captaining the Jets for the duration of his stay in Canada and winning the Selke trophy in 1985-86 as well as the Stanley Cup in 1996 with the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wbbd5B" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> alongside Rychel.<br><br>
He was also captain of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3qfdSKL" target="_blank">Team Canada</a></i> squad that took home the gold medal at the 1982 World Juniors.<br><br>
After two stints with Chicago spanning 12 seasons and one year playing for the IHL's <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3jVgwkE" target="_blank">Chicago Wolves</a></i> (posting 21 goals, 29 assists and 50 points as well as 63 penalty minutes in 81 games), Murray joined the Hawks' broadcast team upon retiring as a player, and it was announced just last week that he had been <a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2021/8/9/22616954/chicago-blackhawks-latest-news-2021-nhl-offseason-troy-murray-cancer-diagnosis-updates-statements" target="_blank">diagnosed with cancer</a>. I wish him the best of luck in his fight for his life.<br><br>
Here he is wearing the Jets' white (then-home) uniform, on card #215 from <b>Pro Set</b>'s <i>1992-93 Series 1</i> collection:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafPx2R8mChAmZZsQBYTSfj8lQpDt8n2QO9fVPb1jXBfa9CHs18EXr2CKSoNInrsgEZGS0_FUfeV09gfyX8bb22-ecmOZDsFpi4MqHmXcgbzIV36M7yVS7M-5dPprDaPQULZYyf0dKfcm/s2048/Troy+Murray+White+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafPx2R8mChAmZZsQBYTSfj8lQpDt8n2QO9fVPb1jXBfa9CHs18EXr2CKSoNInrsgEZGS0_FUfeV09gfyX8bb22-ecmOZDsFpi4MqHmXcgbzIV36M7yVS7M-5dPprDaPQULZYyf0dKfcm/s400/Troy+Murray+White+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
And here he is in action pivoting in front of <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3EHtR8m" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i> goalie (and fellow current broadcaster) <b>Glenn Healy</b>, with <b>Jeff Norton</b> in possession of the puck:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFbdf752BcY_oeI-J7EiCmpBWSnQi4arfP-TNyFPYneruJlP03tWmrV5JVHQVEt_ClI1nDqfogZn-oH4xcEC1hDvnW_ngMfyabI9mvthclUhCUYtnblGyKUxeFype4KVG5s0BRn6rGTtg/s2048/Troy+Murray+Blue+Autographed+Card.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFbdf752BcY_oeI-J7EiCmpBWSnQi4arfP-TNyFPYneruJlP03tWmrV5JVHQVEt_ClI1nDqfogZn-oH4xcEC1hDvnW_ngMfyabI9mvthclUhCUYtnblGyKUxeFype4KVG5s0BRn6rGTtg/s400/Troy+Murray+Blue+Autographed+Card.jpg"/></a></div>
Both were signed in blue sharpie while he was in town with the Hawks, around 2015-2017.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-73726920816858691172021-06-28T20:36:00.373-07:002021-09-12T14:18:35.347-07:00NHL 2021-21 Stanley Cup Final Predictions (team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)<br><br>
(full disclosure: while I started writing this piece a couple of days ahead of Game 1, I only finished it once the game was over; the only difference is that <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> does not appear injured as advertized, looking like <b>Connor McDavid</b> playing with and against teenagers out there instead of like <b>Mike McPhee</b>)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPANgjdS3e8LS8FZKNpNNsu4FSGO4TWkv2hF2DxREoFxDg3kAW-PsVde9EMV73y7u0FB4ITkIg2vxoZLkIIXSKEB0FlgD22EFM7CShJRgQpekosBFOgV6TrpWFZldyeJZmis_uKB0HYi9v/s339/2021_Stanley_Cup_Finals.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="339" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPANgjdS3e8LS8FZKNpNNsu4FSGO4TWkv2hF2DxREoFxDg3kAW-PsVde9EMV73y7u0FB4ITkIg2vxoZLkIIXSKEB0FlgD22EFM7CShJRgQpekosBFOgV6TrpWFZldyeJZmis_uKB0HYi9v/s400/2021_Stanley_Cup_Finals.png"/></a></div>
I pointed out <a href="http://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/2021/06/nhl-2021-21-round-3-predictions.html" target="_blank">a couple of weeks ago</a> that each Final Four team had a legitimate chance at winning the Stanley Cup, and with the elimination of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2UPHYqd" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i> and <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2SBSUXM" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>, the best and worst head coaches of the postseason have been removed from the equation, meaning the end result will fall on strategy, health and the players themselves.<br><br>
The <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ye3Z0f" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> end up with their ideal matchup, as they are built to eliminate the opposition's scoring threats, but they also fall onto their biggest thorn on their side outside of the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3AgaZMg" target="_blank">Ottawa Senators</a></i>, the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3dvYz92" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>. Of course, the Bolts aren't merely "good", the best team of the Salary Cap era (yes, better than the 2012-2014 <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3dxaLGz" target="_blank">Los Angeles Kings</a></i> who were essentially this year's Habs, better than the back-to-back winning <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2UisElF" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> whose defense was suspect, and even the revamped <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3dtULVQ" target="_blank">Chicago Blackhawks</a></i> who had a handful of potential Hall Of Famers but lacked depth). And they don't have to rely on theri talent either, they can grind it out with the toughest of them, especially with the addition of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/david-savard-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">David Savard</a></b> on the back end at the trade deadline.<br><br>
Here are the comparisons and match-ups:<br><br>
Vegas Tampa Bay Lightning (1) vs Montréal Canadiens (2):<br>
Offense: Lightning<br>
Defense: tie<br>
Goaltending: Lightning<br>
Coaching: Lightning<br><br>
First Line:<br>
As we've seen with Vegas, Toronto and Winnipeg, it doesn't really matter that the opposition has the better players on paper, since the game is played on a sheet of ice and the Habs' top unit comprised of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Phillip Danault</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/brendan-gallagher-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brendan Gallagher</a></b> and a rotating cast of left wingers can and will shut them all down, just like they did with McDavid in the regular season. Except that without <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/tomas-tatar-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tomas Tatar</a></b>, this line no longer scores, so while they do outshoot, outchance and outpossess the other side, they do not produce, what with <b>Artturi Lehkonen</b> and/or <b>Jake Evans</b> not having found a way to translate their skill-set into goal production yet. And the Bolts have Kucherov, by far the best player in the series. Sure, there is also <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden Point</a></b><br>, particularly if you believe he is the heir to clutch playoff performers like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/two-claude-lemieux-jersey-cards.html" target="_blank">Claude Lemieux</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2009/12/brad-richards-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Brad Richards</a></b>; whether that is the case or not, he just scored in nine consecutive games, he's due for a cold streak, I do not see him finishing with 20 markers. Point can get the Danault treatment like <b>Auston Matthews</b>, <b>Nikolai Ehlers</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/03/mark-stone-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Stone</a></b> before him.<br><br>
The second lines are where it gets tricky, because the Bolts have <b>Steven Stamkos</b> on that right wing, who can also play centre, so when they're merely playing well, they are nearly at the level of <b>Nick Suzuki</b>, <b>Cole Caufield</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b> when they are nearing their (current) high upside. I believe the Habs can hold their own, but one game could slip them by due to this match-up, despite the presence of <b>Anthony Cirelli</b> has inserted himself in the Selke conversaion that inexplcably always leaves Danault on the outs, with the same ability to counter and counter-attack.<br><br>
The third lines also technically match on paper, and maybe down the line the edge switches, but for now, <b>Josh Anderson</b>'s skill-set as a quick, tough power forward is lacking in goal-scoring finish, and <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> will have a hard time staying on his feet against the hard-skating and hard-hitting Lightning players, while <b>Paul Byron</b>'s worth is clearer on the penalty kill than in a regular shift. Over six or even games, they will get outscored by <b>Yanni Gourde</b>, <b>Blake Coleman</b> and <b>Barclay Goodrow</b>, but the important part is that I believe they can keep it even three times and get the best of them once.<br><br>
The fourth line is clearly at Montréal's advantage, with <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/04/corey-perry-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Corey Perry</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/eric-staal-3-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Eric Staal</a></b> bringing toughness, Championship experience and a drive they hadn't displayed in years, well complemented by <b>Joel Armia</b>'s ability to retrieve and protec the puck. <b>Patrick Maroon</b>, <b>Russ Colton</b> and the ghost of <b>Tyler Johnson</b>'s salvation can only come in being pests and antogonizing the Canadiens' forwards and taking them to the penalty box. Which leads me to...<br><br>
Special teams:<br>
The deadliest power play versus the best penalty kill of the entire playoffs. The Canadiens are riding a 13-game kill streak, which is bound to get broken, and their ability to bounce back instead of reverting to a mean right away will be key in keeping the momentum up in games. Danault, Armia, Byron, Lehtonen, Gallagher and perhaps even Evans ar every good at blocking passing lanes, getting in front of shots, killing time and gaining possession while down a man, and facing what is essentially the top five players of a perfect team will be their toughest assigment yet, but I expect Danault to continue fooling his detractors and Byron to score another breakaway shorthanded goal.<br><br>
Defense:
I have these as being equal despite the presence of Norris and Conn Smythe winner <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/07/victor-hedman-autograph-card.html" target="_blank">Victor Hedman</a></b> on Tampa's back end because <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/shea-weber-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Shea Weber</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/08/jeff-petry-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jeff Petry</a></b>, <b>Ben Chiarot</b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/joel-edmundson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Joel Edmundson</a></b> are so good at keeping shots coming from dead corners or the blue line that what the equivalent of "zero chances given" can only be, well, zero chances. Of course, Weber and Petry's ability to use their Norris-level shots is obviously impaired by injuries to their hands, but Hedman's been looking human too in these playoffs, so much so that <b>Ryan McDonagh</b> actually looks like their top guy right now. And while <b>Mikhail Sergachev</b> is well on his way to a role in the Norris conversation, he can get riled up rather easily and has a tendency to take bad penalties. Watch out for trade deadline acquisition <b>David Savard</b>'s deadly hits, he could injure somebody.<br><br>
Goaltending:<br>
Both former Vezina Trophy winners, <b>Carey Price</b> and <b>Andrei Vasilevskiy</b> are by no means perfect. Vasi is probably the best in the league to stop shots at ice level and up to a foot and a half high, but if one has time to lift the puck, particularly after a cross-crease pass, he's vulnerable up top. He has fewer gaping holes than Price (three vs six), but they're larger. Here's a look at their stances and weaknesses, starting with Vasilevskiy, who always has his pads perfectly flat on the ice surface:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsddrW7-m0W8jxkMgApCVqSryCp2H_4rWRfc70cyV8cT-bmPRR8W7BjUa5V9vrxL021QEjqLeel_g6O0QZlhucF_FvqaAnQgF_YtNYa3arkkK4eq9aPdYU7omV2C1b1N2tz_oMP7laRgu/s1024/vasilevskiy1.jpeg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsddrW7-m0W8jxkMgApCVqSryCp2H_4rWRfc70cyV8cT-bmPRR8W7BjUa5V9vrxL021QEjqLeel_g6O0QZlhucF_FvqaAnQgF_YtNYa3arkkK4eq9aPdYU7omV2C1b1N2tz_oMP7laRgu/s320/vasilevskiy1.jpeg"/></a></div>
He is also excellent at (and large enough to) stick both pads together to cover the five-hole without using his stick to do so, while still covering the rest of the net at ice level:
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He even moves from one end of the net top the other in near-perfect butterfly so that no shot that isn't quicker than he is can ever enter the net:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WaxAoSKg2uFVgxll8M7U2xpFBC339eRwvDkVWpozSHpsQRqQgytuaRWYVxPgyLfm5-TJQnF1rDdVj4xoULuRM4Mwzw-6fKC4PXpf8P2QV4YR5ntBm0Hw_tPRe3red8LqeXvd-L_cYN1/s1140/vasilevskiy3.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6WaxAoSKg2uFVgxll8M7U2xpFBC339eRwvDkVWpozSHpsQRqQgytuaRWYVxPgyLfm5-TJQnF1rDdVj4xoULuRM4Mwzw-6fKC4PXpf8P2QV4YR5ntBm0Hw_tPRe3red8LqeXvd-L_cYN1/s320/vasilevskiy3.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJMBl43hM4h9EkfOMMy1xmb2Xk8wcieiBWDRsH-9q6gYwmhX2nhUPbXW2T0kFKq_dGSJqE1IUsZw3T7KNRNdxLN8g52RjPQOTjxYBsnJvhVlbR92GP5fcOKcdwE_gTiilcHPjwxu9r0DI/s500/Vasilevskiy1b.gif" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyJMBl43hM4h9EkfOMMy1xmb2Xk8wcieiBWDRsH-9q6gYwmhX2nhUPbXW2T0kFKq_dGSJqE1IUsZw3T7KNRNdxLN8g52RjPQOTjxYBsnJvhVlbR92GP5fcOKcdwE_gTiilcHPjwxu9r0DI/s400/Vasilevskiy1b.gif"/></a></div>
Because he's so good at it - and because the Lightning's defense rarely leaves opposing forwards enough time to lift the puck - it's becoem his go-to move, so much so that his gloves have more or less become more of balancing tools that hope to stop pucks mid-motion than space-takers and puck-tracking devices:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvs6hQylEl885sqwZVfgYAh0kjxkbA8PsN-FeBPOfGJIGv6DCvkJJJ3QqWJpFr9fECvmePr_Drc26UrjE-WgAqv58sisG_DUcXaumFYSnY-shRBmlZrPVrKqrW6Fj3irdEWlC89fd2Fhe/s594/vasilevskiy4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvs6hQylEl885sqwZVfgYAh0kjxkbA8PsN-FeBPOfGJIGv6DCvkJJJ3QqWJpFr9fECvmePr_Drc26UrjE-WgAqv58sisG_DUcXaumFYSnY-shRBmlZrPVrKqrW6Fj3irdEWlC89fd2Fhe/s320/vasilevskiy4.jpg"/></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyuqYCg9fcaERbZbmJM6TJu8zQoc3Js_5yfoDXprOZQFn0gbuE491KEmuXtrI9J1pRaR5YYebKaO2y-XoADuaH_Pslch06MwSrtlCc4WNUxeh2f1zXmjznOLo0NSoyaY4j7k1DSpgfPn5/s1200/vasilevskiy5.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyuqYCg9fcaERbZbmJM6TJu8zQoc3Js_5yfoDXprOZQFn0gbuE491KEmuXtrI9J1pRaR5YYebKaO2y-XoADuaH_Pslch06MwSrtlCc4WNUxeh2f1zXmjznOLo0NSoyaY4j7k1DSpgfPn5/s320/vasilevskiy5.JPG"/></a></div>
That, and the fact that he uses the "swat-down" position for his catching glove means he's faster to bring his glove down than bring it upwards and leaves the top of the net vulnerable:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZEGB2ofL2BtQIFKEgg-3kHKWjEV8n0myQDpF4_2W1aL2ih_isWQrtMuBxmhyphenhyphenMDdOoWoOqrNzAMB-HjVZtTdilpcY0cE1ZhZbvxjgToc0wlft95nIk8YQam2LZo2WxmyKPtdK_V651AI_/s2048/vasilevskiy6.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZEGB2ofL2BtQIFKEgg-3kHKWjEV8n0myQDpF4_2W1aL2ih_isWQrtMuBxmhyphenhyphenMDdOoWoOqrNzAMB-HjVZtTdilpcY0cE1ZhZbvxjgToc0wlft95nIk8YQam2LZo2WxmyKPtdK_V651AI_/s320/vasilevskiy6.jpg"/></a></div>
Price also uses the "swat-down" position, but he adds difficulty (to his own life...) by only putting the butt of his stick on the ice, instead of the entire blade, creating five-hole surprises:
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Sometimes he also looks like he's slightly off-balance, leaning forward to anticipate moving, which can also lead to surprises (notably giving up the five hole, inability to stop the pucks in the high corners and susceptibility to a side-to-side pass):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUv2G9z4mOjVhxW7KDwxALYU15n0ZvZsPXtY2HHBT6JbCGEOFKjbL_Nt6G59Sr1-IdpJRzGALv87eWEo7iAvSxhyogDb7wZlUhTIMTDd1NY1fI3SYy7fEUmc6RKGiyy9vH6lrJILTdF2_/s1200/price1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUv2G9z4mOjVhxW7KDwxALYU15n0ZvZsPXtY2HHBT6JbCGEOFKjbL_Nt6G59Sr1-IdpJRzGALv87eWEo7iAvSxhyogDb7wZlUhTIMTDd1NY1fI3SYy7fEUmc6RKGiyy9vH6lrJILTdF2_/s320/price1.jpg"/></a></div>
His high blocker side has been an issue since his rookie season, and the same can be said for the high glove side. Most of his glove saves have added flair that look spectacular, but replays show the puck just enters a basket that was already there. Another issue is the five-hole, because he rarely is able to stick both pads together, and almost never covers the area with his stick (or blocker):
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOwvZd5lPs9SgLXb80_7cBFScXMfRdg4kZ-dGnVDgHcRRf3eLvZpJPVuwGHBJjxzjXJOA5kLxeL9XVCDwhKWGbxXwOJ-DmK7jBdHCHzb4JXl06HAcYUv635SACmdAZcCKcgGm-oavVybG/s1000/price-down.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOwvZd5lPs9SgLXb80_7cBFScXMfRdg4kZ-dGnVDgHcRRf3eLvZpJPVuwGHBJjxzjXJOA5kLxeL9XVCDwhKWGbxXwOJ-DmK7jBdHCHzb4JXl06HAcYUv635SACmdAZcCKcgGm-oavVybG/s320/price-down.jpg"/></a></div>
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Prediction: Tampa in 7.<br>
Conn Smythe:<b> Nikita Kucherov</b> or <b>Carey Price</b><br><br>
Here are <u>my</u> MVPs for each team so far:<br>
Lightning: <b>Nikita Kucherov</b><br>
Canadiens: <b>Phillip Danault</b>Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-3681511526237639562021-06-13T13:14:00.006-07:002021-06-30T17:44:24.290-07:00NHL 2021-21 Round 3 Predictions(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYnzv5BjnwhCsllUivQgacDWs_YVy1ZQJNS7EtGkhsKPyVLRgrzLyiPyf-GdFtBl8fT6E_h6eUfpDoyRXFubMacroUHZ2LxPrGgE65o3HnBxIHtvJKwx4BFh2TFhZ3dAKGofVtjG8n6nG/s477/nhl21.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYnzv5BjnwhCsllUivQgacDWs_YVy1ZQJNS7EtGkhsKPyVLRgrzLyiPyf-GdFtBl8fT6E_h6eUfpDoyRXFubMacroUHZ2LxPrGgE65o3HnBxIHtvJKwx4BFh2TFhZ3dAKGofVtjG8n6nG/s400/nhl21.png"/></a></div>
Welcome to the 2020-21 Stanley Cup semi-finals! In an odd turn of event, each one of the Final Four teams has a clear path to the Cup:<br><br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3xopWJY" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i>: the best team of the Salary Cap era, they can beat anyone on any day, but still don't have this one in the bag.<br><br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/35jIoai" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i>: with the best coach in the world (<b>Barry Trotz</b>) and a magician in charge of the defense and goaltending (<b>Mitch Korn</b>), they are a Giant Killer. Where they have a little less of a shot than the Habs is they are much less physical, and they will not be able to wear down both the Bolts and Knights back-to-back with just their speed.<br><br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3cCvF6T" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>: contenders since their inception, this is the best defensive team they have iced yet, though it has less offensive firepower than in its second and third seasons with the departure of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/paul-stastny-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Paul Stastny</a></b>. Their weak point is the fact that they are outcoached by nearly all remaining teams, but they have enough talent to overcome that.<br><br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/2SyofL2" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i>: they can shut down offensive supwerpowers, which means going through the Golden Knights and Lightning is possible, but it wouldn't be as "easy" (nothing will be easy at this point...) to get through the Isles.<br><br>
Let's get to the match-ups!<br><br>
Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs Montréal Canadiens (4):<br>
Offense: Golden Knights<br>
Defense: tie, but slight advantage to the Habs<br>
Goaltending: Golden Knights<br>
Coaching: Habs<br><br>
<b><u><i>First Line</i></u></b>:<br>
On paper, both teams have one of the best shut-down/outscoring first lines in the league, with a true Selke nominee on one side (<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/mark-stone-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Stone</a></b>) and the guy who should have won it this year but isn't even nominated because of writers' bias towards the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3cFAkVw" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i>' <b>Patrice Bergeron</b> (<b>Phillipe Danault</b>). The fact that <b>Tomas Tatar</b> was not producing while nursing an injury and is no longer even dressing for games shouldn't affect our analysis since both <b>Jake Evans</b> (currently nursing a concussion) and <b>Artturi Lehkonen</b> have been able to slide in at the opposite of <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/06/brendan-gallagher-autographed-unused.html" target="_blank">Brendan Gallagher</a></b> (who may score a little less than his counterpart <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/02/max-pacioretty-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Max Pacioretty</a></b> but more than makes up for the difference on grit , leadership and physical play) and keep carrying the play, which is a testament to just how effective Danault really is. We're talking about the only forward in Canada sho shut down <b>Connor McDavid</b> in the regular season and who kept <b>Auston Matthews</b> and <b>Mitch Marner</b> at bay during the first round, then by his mere presence on the ice domesticated a <i>Winnipeg Jets</i> team that was without its star centre <b>Mark Schiefele</b> (suspended for his idiotic and predatory hit on Evans) and didn't even <i>want</i> to put up any kind of fight. Knights centre <b>Chandler Stephenson</b> has yet to reach his linemates' stature (though now is as good a time as ever). Clear advantage Montréal here.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Second Line</i></u></b>:<br>
Depth seems to dip in Vegas' favour, especially since their "second line" of <b>Jonathan Marchessault</b>, <b>William Karlsson</b> and <b>Reilly Smith</b> was its #1 unit when they reached the Stanley Cup Final three seasons ago; Marchessault has 6 goals on his own already, and Karlsson leads the team with 11 points in 13 games so far. The Habs counter with their future #1 centre and former Vegas first-round pick in <b>Nick Suzuki</b>, a clutch player who can score himself or feed a sniper on each wing in <b>Tyler Toffoli</b> and the undersized <b>Cole Caufield</b>. This match-up is even, with Smith's experience compensating for his lack of production this postseason.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Forward depth</i></u></b>:<br>
The Canadiens roll equivalent, balanced lines with speed, grit and some form of potential scoring, with such players as <b>Joel Armia</b> (4 goals), <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b> (4) and <b>Corey Perry</b> (3) have scored important goals, with seven different forwards scoring game-winners - Toffoli (2), Kotkaniemi, Suzuki, Perry, Lehkonen, Gallagher, and <b>Paul Byron</b>. Any line can play heroes, and having a former Cup-winning captain in <b>Eric Staal</b> center the fourth line just adds an intangible that plays strongly in their favour. But the Golden Knights have a checking line taht is extremely dificult to play against, as <b>William Carrier</b>, <b>Nicolas Roy</b> and <b>Keegan Kolesar</b> are relentless forecheckers, and Montréal has yet to face a player like <b>Ryan Reaves</b>. He will toe a very uncomfortable line and bruise the living hell out of everyone he meets alongside the boards; he may be the difference-maker in this series.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Defense</i></u></b>:<br>
There is no doubt the Golden Knights hold the talent advantage here, with two Norris-level performers playing on the same side in <b>Alex Pietrangelo </b>and <b>Shea Theodore</b>, and that holds even more true if the Canadiens' top option on defense - <b>Jeff Petry</b> - is unable to suit up because of his broken finger(s). <b>Alec Martinez</b> and <b>Zach Whitecloud</b> complete a very potable top-four and <b>Nick Holden</b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/09/brayden-mcnabb-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Brayden McNabb</a></b> et <b>Nicholas Hague</b> are no slouches in completing the unit either. Their stickwork in pushing pucks away from the carrier is truly a sight to behold (and leave opposing forwards befuddled at first, then angry), but at least they let the opposing players into the zone mostly unscathed. Petry, <b>Shea Weber</b>, <b>Ben Chiarot</b> and <b>Joel Edmundson</b> operate in a very different manner: they just clobber the body until it breaks and block shots as if they believed their own goalie was unable to. 11 of Vegas' forwards will be hesitant to go into the zone as the series progresses, but Reaves wil lbe dishig out their own medecine to the Habs' D-corps, which will be interesting. He may also grow impatient and get suspended for a dangerous play, which would hurt his team immensely.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Goaltending</i></u></b>:<br>
Future all Of Famer <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/12/marc-andre-fleury-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Marc-André Fleury</a></b> has the edge here, no doubt. Although he and Carey Price have similar GAAs (1.91 vs 1.97), Fleury faced <b>Nathan MacKinnon</b> and the potent <i>Colorado Avalanche</i> offense, the team that won the Presidents' Trophy, whereas Price essentially faced an average AHL team once Scheifele was done with the series and <b>Paul Stastny</b> came back to play injured. Fleury also has the edge in that he's been on fire all year long, earnig a Vezina Trophy nod, whereas Price was outplayed by <b>Jake Allen</b> every step of the way, cost three coaches their jobs this year and hasn't exactly stolen a game this far.<br><br>
This one goes the full seven games. The Canadiens might come up on top if Petry only misses one game; if not, Fleury and Reaves are why the G-Knights make it through.<br><br>
Tampa Bay Lightning (2) vs New York Islanders (3):<br><br>
<b><u><i>Tampa Bay</i></u></b>:<br>
Playing with bank money on account of <b>Nikita Kucherov</b> missing the entire season and other monies being on LTIR at the trade deadline, the Bolts are currently icing a team that is $17M above the cap, meaning even if they didn't have <b>Tyler Johnson</b> (whose $5M contract has been on waivers numerous times), they'd still be $12M over; that's two second-line players, give or take. That means they already had one of the best defensive corps in the league (including a Norris and Conn Smythe winner), and a first line that includes a Hart and Art Ross winner on one side and a Maurice Richard winner on the other, their second and third lines are both top-tier, and their fourth is probably a third. Plus, they have the experience of winning last season, and new face <b>David Savard</b> on D who not only has not won the Cup but was part of the team that surprised Tampa by sweeping them in the first roudn two years ago. He know how to beat them and will not let it happen. Oh, and they have a Vezina winner in net. While I do not agree that <b>Andrei Vasilevskiy</b> is <i>the</i> best goalie in the NHL (that would be <b>Connor Hellebuyck</b>, followed by Fleury and <b>John Gibson</b>), he <i>is</i> the best at stopping shots that are in the bottom foot and a half of the net, as his athleticism and speed is akin to prime <b>Jonathan Quick</b> in that regard, with better anticipation. If you can't aim for the top six to eight inches of net, you're uselessly raising his save percentage and getting him unnecessary praise.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Islanders</i></u></b>:<br>
The Isles have exactly one elite player: <b>Mathew Barzal</b>. He just figured out how to get free in the playoffs two games ago, so he may actually get to turn the backburners on on his offensive production, but so far, the depth pieces have gotten the job done, most notably proven palyoff performer <b>Jean-Gabriel Pageau</b> and breakout star <b>Anthony Beauvillier</b>. They are so clutch it feels like they're on the ice only when it matters most.<br><br>
<b><u><i>Grit</i></u></b>:<br>
If you haven't paid attention to the Central and Metro and just landed in the third round of the playoffs, you'd be inclined to think the defensive Islanders are probably playing as heavy a game as the Canadiens are, but it's actually the Lightning who are the most penalized team of the postseason - just like they'd been all year long. And New York had better hope it remains that way, because Tampa's powerplay is scoring at a 41% clip, so they can make you pay very quickly... when they're not busy making you pay a toll physically. They can play any type of game: speed, skill, toughness. Where they haven't been so tested is their patience. They're so good, they've yet to be stalled for long periods of time, so if Semyon Varlamov can shut the door long enough to get on their nerves, no one knows what will happen, which may be good news for the team whose last playoff success came during their 1980s dynasty.<br><br>
Lightning in six.<br><br>
Here are the MVPs for each team so far:<br>
Lightning: Nikita Kucherov<br>
Golden Knights: Marc-André Fleury<br>
Islanders: Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Beauvillier<br>
Canadiens: Phillip DanaultSébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-12802481201617300812021-06-01T06:09:00.007-07:002021-06-01T19:51:00.572-07:00NHL 2020-21 Round 2 Playoff Predictions (team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYnzv5BjnwhCsllUivQgacDWs_YVy1ZQJNS7EtGkhsKPyVLRgrzLyiPyf-GdFtBl8fT6E_h6eUfpDoyRXFubMacroUHZ2LxPrGgE65o3HnBxIHtvJKwx4BFh2TFhZ3dAKGofVtjG8n6nG/s477/nhl21.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYnzv5BjnwhCsllUivQgacDWs_YVy1ZQJNS7EtGkhsKPyVLRgrzLyiPyf-GdFtBl8fT6E_h6eUfpDoyRXFubMacroUHZ2LxPrGgE65o3HnBxIHtvJKwx4BFh2TFhZ3dAKGofVtjG8n6nG/s400/nhl21.png"/></a></div>
As promised, here are my Round 2 Predictions going into these Stanley Cup Playoffs.<br><br>
<b><u>North</u></b>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3yQ3NWt" target="_blank">Winnipeg Jets</a></i> (3) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3g3xmLy" target="_blank"><a href="https://amzn.to/3i8yu39" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></a></i>(4):<br>
That the Habs eliminated the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3ibQnhh" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> was no surprise to anyone who's seen the core of the Leafs get neutralized when it matters and know that <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Phillip Danault</a></b>'s line has been the most effective at shutting down the opposition <u>for the past three seasons</u>. In the entire league. (Side note: Danault and <b>Tomas Tatar</b> are in line to become free agents at season's end, so a team like the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2RfuPFG" target="_blank">Seattle Kraken</a></i> would start off on solid ground by finding a way to lure them both to the West Coast - it would also be their best bet to follow in the <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3g0DhRA" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>' footsteps).<br><br>
But <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Scheifele</a></b> pulling a Danault on <b>Connor McDavid</b> is something I did not see happening. I had the <i>Edmonton Oilers</i> getting out of the Canadian Division and facing one of the American teams.<br><br>
Both the Habs and the Jets have more depth and stable goaltending than the Oilers do, so these two teams have a much better chance to bring the Cup home to Canada than the Oilers or Leafs would have, and they're similarly constructed, with a mix of speed, talent and grit that works well at the time of year where referees "let the boys play", but Winnipeg has a lot more elite talent. <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/11/blake-wheeler-quad-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Blake Wheeler</a></b> is essentially <b>Josh Anderson</b> come to fruition, Scheifele is one of the ten best in the world at his position, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/pierre-luc-dubois-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Pierre-Luc Dubois</a></b> is a power forward masquerading as a centerman who will eventually join him in that ranking and is two or three years ahead of his counterparts on the Habs (<b>Nick Suzuki</b> and <b>Jesperi Kotkaniemi</b>) in his development, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/paul-stastny-swatch-card.html" target="_blank">Paul Stastny</a></b> is still serviceable and a terrific leader, the defense - led by <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/05/josh-morrissey-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank">Josh Morrisey</a></b> and <b>Neal Pionk</b> - is quick, gritty and stingy - and they have the best goalie on the planet in <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Connor Hellebuyck</a></b>.<br><br>
Of course, Montréal has <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/brendan-gallagher-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Brendan Gallagher</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/habs-preview-tyler-toffoli-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tyler Toffoli</a></b> and <b>Cole Caufield</b>, maybe injuries help them make their way through, but in reality, while the games will be close, the 'Peg will prevail.<br><br>
Jets in 6.<br><br>
<u><b>East</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/2TyJ8Ga" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i> (3) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2S58meT" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i>(4):
The Bs have operated the most successful "retool" in the NHL, where half their prospects came to in the same season and they got back into the playoffs after a couple of seasons of mediocrity, as soon as they moved on from head coach <b>Claude Julien</b> and began the <b>Bruce Cassidy</b> era. Those prospects are now the core of this team, and the veterans who were supposed to age out of that core - namely <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/PatriceBergeron-JerseyCard.html" target="_blank">Patrice Bergeron</a></b> and <b>Brad Marchand</b> up front, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/tuukka-rask-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Tuukka Rask</a></b> in net - have simply refused to age. Hate it or love it (I'm of the former by birth), they have been part of the league's elite for most years in the past decade-plus.<br><br>
The Isles are a beautifully-constructed team made of mostly of home-grown dependable players who have accepted the fact that none of them will retire with a 100-point season under their belt but are willing to trade that off with a championship or two, courtesy of the best coach in the game, <b>Barry Trotz </b>(and the best goalie guru of this era in <b>Mitch Korn</b>). They have a player that is of all-star caliber in <b>Mathew Barzal</b>, but he doesn't have to be a point-per-game player to carry his teammates; there are nine forwards on this team who can get 45 to 60 points in any given year, and GM <b>Lou Lamoriello</b> made sure he acquired playoff-tested players like <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/jean-gabriel-pageau-signed-8x10.html" target="_blank">Jean-Gabriel Pageau</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/08/travis-zajac-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Travis Zajac</a></b> and <b>Kyle Palmieri</b> to complement his core rather than take a gamble on a <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/10/taylor-hall-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Taylor Hall</a></b>, who now skates for Boston.<br><br>
It's going to be a battle to the finish, but I think Boston has a slight edge this season. I'll be rooting for the Isles, though.<br><br>
Bruins in 7<br><br>
<u><b>Central</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wSIIIO" target="_blank">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i> (1) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2SIefi1" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> (3):<br><br>
All praise due to the Canes and their wonderful season, their beautiful offense, their amazing defense and the fact that they may have found their next (first true?) franchise goaltender... but the Lightning are back at full force after <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2021/01/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html.html" target="_blank">Nikita Kucherov</a></b> missed the entire season due to injury, and the Bolts are still the best team of the salary cap era, so, yeah, no, they may not win the Cup again though they're largely favourites to do so in my book, but they're going past the Hurricanes.<br><br>
Lightning in 5.<br><br>
<u><b>West</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uMgcHn" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> (1) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/2Rh6Dmm" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i> (2):<br><br>
These are respectively the second- and third-best teams in the league so, sure, its, a bit unfair that one has to get eliminated as early as the second round, but at least they <i>are</i> facing one another, which is more than what can be said about top seeds most years. But this isn't as even a contest as it could be, because I do not think Vegas head coach <b>Peter DeBoer</b> has what it takes to outsmart his counterpart <b>Jared Bednar</b> - or counter the onslaught of Avalache offense. <br><br>
Q: Are Vegas' goalies technically better than the Avs' #1?<br>
A: Yes, but it doesn't matter, only one can play at a time, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/12/marc-andre-fleury-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Marc-André Fleury</a></b> is 36 and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/robin-lehner-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Robin Lehner</a></b> is rusty.<br><br>
Q: What about Vegas' strong defense?<br>
A: With all due respect to <b>Shea Theodore</b> - and a little less to <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/12/alex-pietrangelo-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Alex Pietrangelo</a></b> - there is no one on the Golden Knights as good as <b>Cale Makar</b> and <b>Samuel Girard</b> is also less of a household name who deserves a spot in this conversation.<br><br>
Q: Is there a better line in hockey than <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Nathan MacKinnon</a></b>, <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mikko-rantanen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Mikko Rantanen</a></b> and <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/gabriel-landeskog-jersey-card.html" target="_blank">Gabriel Landeskog</a></b>?<br>
A: Short answer: no.<br>
Long answer: The aforementioned Habs (Danault-Tatar-Gallagher, most effective in the league) and Bruins (Bergeron-Marchand-<b>David Pastrnak</b>, best two-way line who also put points on the board) lines are crazy-good, but there are two of the most electrifying players in the game here, complemented by one of the hardest-working players in the game, each of these guys is worth two <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/09/max-pacioretty-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Max Pacioretty</a></b>s and 150% of the <b>Reilly Smith</b>-<b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/jonathan-marchessault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Jonathan Marchessault</a></b>-<b>William Karlsson</b> line. There is no <b><a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/mark-stone-autographed-card.html" target="_blank">Mark Stone</a></b> on the Avs (or anywhere else in the NHL for that matter), but that's because they don't need to plan for any other zone than the offensive one.<br><br>
Q: So where does that leave us?<br>
A: With another post-season choke for DeBoer, who should be good to coach the Leafs in a year or two.<br><br>
Avalanche in 6.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-65788331110308476622021-05-30T20:55:00.004-07:002021-06-01T14:59:32.086-07:00NHL 2020-21 Round 1 Playoff Predictions(team links go to sponsored <i>Amazon</i> products, player links go to related pages on my blog, news links go to source pages)
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2N3AgSNJapIFKwmSlzpZR7xiMnGX3fQAvdKz3uZ2sIChV0LdQbtMNcW6osxh472vSYmywrSCdtdO0KmyZBVQuwj66lN9KUxxbIGbuIMlW4lUqCVhb4YZdzwhqKJ71FQCGanutpuaj6F6/s477/nhl21.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="400" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2N3AgSNJapIFKwmSlzpZR7xiMnGX3fQAvdKz3uZ2sIChV0LdQbtMNcW6osxh472vSYmywrSCdtdO0KmyZBVQuwj66lN9KUxxbIGbuIMlW4lUqCVhb4YZdzwhqKJ71FQCGanutpuaj6F6/s400/nhl21.png"/></a></div>
I didn't have time to post my annual first round predictions earlier in the month, but I was spot-on a couple of times, way off as well, and pretty close on the rest:<br><br>
<u><b>Canadian Division (North)</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wQabLy" target="_blank">Toronto Maple Leafs</a></i> (1) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/34JZAFD" target="_blank">Montréal Canadiens</a></i> (4): Habs in 6, because the Leafs cannot get out of the first round<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wJNsAs" target="_blank">Edmonton Oilers</a></i> (2) vs <i>Winnipeg Jets</i> (3): Oilers in 6, they're representing Canada in the Final Four<br><br>
<u><b>East</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/34Cg96r" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Penguins</a></i> (1) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3fDKNmn" target="_blank">New York Islanders</a></i> (4): Islanders in 7, <b>Barry Trotz</b> is too good a coach<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wQoQGi" target="_blank">Washington Capitals</a></i> (2) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3wIZOZI" target="_blank">Boston Bruins</a></i> (3): Caps in 6<br><br>
<u><b>Central Division</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3pibbFx" target="_blank">Carolina Hurricanes</a></i>(1) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3uFuXvJ" target="_blank">Nashville Predators</a></i> (4): Canes in 5<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3peDjcO" target="_blank">Florida Panthers</a></i> (2) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/34EWa76" target="_blank">Tampa Bay Lightning</a></i> (3): Bolts in 7, but if one team can beat a healthy Lightning team, it's the Cats<br><br>
<u><b>West</b></u>:<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3vDHOzQ" target="_blank">Colorado Avalanche</a></i> (1) vs<i> <a href="https://amzn.to/3fDe8gO" target="_blank">St. Louis Blues</a></i>(4): Avs in 5. The Blues have experience, but if Colorado gets its goalie back, they're going to the Final<br>
<i><a href="https://amzn.to/3c6tYyc" target="_blank">Vegas Golden Knights</a></i>(2) vs <i><a href="https://amzn.to/3paL7vW" target="_blank">Minnesota Wild</a></i> (3): Vegas in 6<br><br>
I'll have my Round 2 predictions up when the Habs defeat the Leafs tomorrow.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-84511338282259794322020-08-22T14:47:00.000-07:002020-08-24T20:55:11.968-07:00NHL 2019-20 Playoffs: Round 2 Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As mentioned yesterday, I did even better with my <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/2020/08/nhl-2019-20-playoffs-round-1-predictions.html" target="_blank">Round 1 Predictions</a> than those for the <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/2020/07/nhl-play-in-western-conference-preview.html" target="_blank">Play-in</a>, so perhaps my luck is about to run out.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Eastern Conference</b></u>:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Philadelphia Flyers</i> (1) vs </u><u><u><i>New York Islanders</i></u> (4)</u><br />
<br />
The top seed in the East versus the best defensive system in the NHL. This will come down to <b>Carter Hart </b>showing he is ready to steal a series, as the Flyers' better offense will be stifled in a way they haven't suffered in the postseason yet. Head coach <b>Alain Vigneault</b> will need to find a way to have his defensemen move the play up-ice to help <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/claude-giroux-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Claude Giroux</b></a>, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/sean-couturier-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Sean Couturier</b></a> and a rejuvenated <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/04/jakub-voracek-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jakub Voracek</b></a> without becoming liabilities in their own end in the type of game of patience that the <i>Washington Capitals</i> did not feel like partaking in.<br />
<br />
The Isles are exactly the type of team that can make a dent in the playoffs, so well coached and methodical that they don't need to have the best line on the ice to win - not that their seven forwards who are able to churn out 60-point seasons under <b>Barry Trotz</b> are devoid of talent, they just don't blindly rely on it.<br />
<br />
Offense: Flyers<br />
Defense: Islanders<br />
Goaltending: tie<br />
Coaching: Islanders<br />
My heart: Flyers<br />
<br />
My pick: Flyers in 7.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><i>Tampa Bay Lightning</i> (2) vs <i>Boston Bruins </i>(3)</u><br />
<br />
This one pits last year's Presidents Trophy-winning Bolts against this season's recipients, the Teddy Bears, and while both are technically elite teams, the Bruins are aging and more of a one-line team with a good defense, while the Lightning are one of the best teams ever assembled, with All-Stars and Olympians at every position on at least two consistent waves.<br />
<br />
Boston's got the better coach, as Tampa's <b>Jon Cooper</b> has seemingly
under-performed every year he's been at the helm, with zero Stanley Cups to show for with this
crew under GMs <b>Steve Yzerman</b> and now <b>Julien</b> <b>BriseBois</b>, while the Bs
made it to the Final last year.<br />
<br />
If the Bruins looked disinterested during the Play-In round, they got their act together to eliminate the<i> Carolina Hurricanes</i> in Round 1 and are a legitimate threat to keep rolling; Tampa Bay's downfall might be that they spent the entire season getting ready to face the <i>Columbus Blue Jackets</i> to avenge last season's first-round sweep, and they've already done that, so unless they get the Miracle On Ice team to deliver pre-game pep talks and warning messages, they might forget that they haven't actually won anything yet.<br />
<br />
Offense: Lightning<br />
Defense: Lightning<br />
Goaltending: Lightning, because of the two potential back-to-backs<br />
Coaching: Bruins<br />
My heart: Bruins<br />
<br />
My pick: Lightning in 6.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Western Conference</b></u>:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Vegas Golden Knights</i> (1) vs </u><u><u><i>Vancouver Canucks</i></u> (4)</u><br />
<br />
<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/12/marc-andre-fleury-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Marc-André Fleury</b></a> 's agent <b>Allan Walsh</b> is back to his old tricks, tweeting up a goaltending controversy ten years after igniting the <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/12/jaroslav-halak-2-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Jaroslav Halak</b></a>/<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/04/carey-price-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Carey Price</b></a> debate. <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/robin-lehner-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Robin Lehner</b></a> just wants to show he can play in the postseason and sign a multi-year deal in free agency, but he knew he was going to a team that was already committed to someone else; The Knights will have to decide whether to run with the mistress or work things out with the spouse.<br />
<br />
On the ice, the Golden Knights are a lot deeper than the Canucks at every position, not just between the pipes where they have two goalies that are as good as <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jacob Markstrom</b></a> - but they do not have the superstar talent like <b>Elias Pettersen </b>and <b>Quinn Hughes</b>; they do, however, have have experience, brand-name recognition, and the capability to shut down superstars while putting the puck behind the goalie in the other end. Vancouver might not win the series, but they will learn a lot from it, which will help them for years to come.<br />
<br />
I will say, however, that I was impressed with <b>Travis Green</b>'s coaching in Round 1. I think the Canucks might have a better hockey brain behind the bench, but a team that has <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/mark-stone-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Mark Stone</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/05/paul-stastny-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Paul Stastny</b></a> on the ice has all the hockey IQ it needs to win every game despite that.<br />
<br />
Offense: Golden Knights<br />
Defense: Golden Knights<br />
Goaltending: Golden Knights<br />
Coaching: Canucks<br />
My heart: Golden Knights<br />
<br />
My pick: Vegas in 6.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Colorado Avalanche</i> (2) vs <i>Dallas Stars</i> (3)</u><br />
<br />
The Avs are just like the Golden Knights: just about perfect and deep everywhere, but with the best offensive line in hockey and a strong second line instead of two #1As, including <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Nathan MacKinnon</b></a>, possibly the biggest game-breaker left in the playoffs. Oh, and two #1 goalies in case of injuries. <br />
<br />
The Stars just disposed of the <i>Calgary Flames</i>, though, a better team than they were, with a better overall defense than Colorado has - but a lower tier of goaltending. Yet Dallas played most of the series with their own backup - <b>Anton Khudobin</b> - in net, after <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/ben-bishop-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ben Bishop</b></a> got into some injury trouble.<br />
<br />
Do not sleep on the Stars, they will win at least two games, three if the top line of <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/09/tyler-seguin-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tyler Seguin</b></a>, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/02/jamie-benn-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jamie Benn</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/07/alexander-radulov-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Alexander Radulov</b></a> wakes up. But The Avalanche are just too good to not win the series.<br />
<br />
Offense: Avalanche<br />
Defense: Avalanche<br />
Goaltending: Avalanche<br />
Coaching: Stars<br />
My heart: Avalanche<br />
<br />
My pick: Avalanche in 6.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-70346831462770118202020-08-21T23:54:00.000-07:002020-08-22T21:46:10.750-07:00NHL 2019-20 Playoffs: Round 1 Post-MortemWell, it turns out I was either spot-on or dead wrong with these, with two of the ones I predicted against my wishes being in the ones I erred on, so I'm fairly satisfied with how it turned out.<br />
<br />
Let's take a look:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Philadelphia Flyers</i> (1) vs <i>Montréal Canadiens</i> (8)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Flyers in 6. Spot on.<br />
<br />
The Flyers were the top seed in the East for a reason - they've been the best team in the league since January and continued pressing in the bubble. The Habs stole one and were handed another when <b>Carter Hart </b>failed to shut the door in Game 5, but his teammates didn't let him do that again in Game 6. This bodes well for Philadelphia going forward.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Tampa Bay Lightning</i> (2) vs <i>Columbus Blue Jackets </i>(7)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Blue Jackets in 6. Dead wrong.<br />
<br />
Yes, I have been more wrong in my life, but this one stings because I really wanted The Blue Jackets to move on to the second round for the first time in franchise history. I like their mix of players, I like their coach, but ultimately what may have contributed to their downfall was that <b>John Tortorella </b>refused to let himself be John Tortorella; when goalie <b>Joonas Korpisalo</b> started feeling the fatigue of his record-making eight-period, 85-save performance later on in the series, he should have been pulled in favour of <b>Elvis Merzlikins</b>, also a very capable netminder that the team has faith in; the "real" Torts has brass (and golden) balls, no pity, and no patience with his goalies. The big game made him emotional and soft.<br />
<br />
It's fair to keep in mind that this is still pretty much the same Lightning team that broke all kinds of records last season, certainly the best-assembled team of the cap era, possibly one of the 10 better lineups of all time. So they had every right to seize their opportunity to move forward.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Washington Capitals </i>(3) vs <i>New York Islanders </i>(5)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Islanders in 7. Right team, they needed two fewer games in the end.<br />
<br />
I gave the Capitals way too much credit and underestimated this iteration of the <b>Barry Trotz</b> system.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Boston Bruins</i> (4) vs <i>Caroline Hurricanes</i> (5)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Hurricanes in 7. Wrong team, gladly.<br />
<br />
The Bruins won and they didn't need <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/tuukka-rask-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tuukka Rask</b></a> in every game to do so. Their top line is waking up, too. Life is sometimes frustrating, but at least it's starting to make sense again.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b>Western Conference</b></u>:<br />
<br />
<u>Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs Chicago Blackhawks (8)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Vegas in 5. Spot on.<br />
<br />
The best-seeded team in the West met the Conference's most flawed roster. Chicago's superstars and playoff experience got the better of the <i>Edmonton Oilers </i>in the qualifying round, but the Golden Knights were ready. They even used both their goalies in back-to-back games, a rare sight in modern playoffs.<br />
<br />
<u>Colorado Avalanche (2) vs Arizona Coyotes (7)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Avalanche in 4. The Coyotes stole one game.<br />
<br />
At this point, only the Golden Knights look like they can win four of seven against this Avs team out West.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Dallas Stars</i> (3) vs <i>Calgary Flames</i> (6)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Flames in 5. Stars won in six.<br />
<br />
Calgary couldn't recover from losing <b>Matthew Tkachuk</b> early in the series, Dallas won it despite <b>Ben Bishop</b> only suiting up for one game. The Flames' <b>Geoff Ward</b> got a coaching clinic from former 1990s <i>Team Canada</i> bench boss <b>Rick Bowness</b> in this series.<br />
<br />
<u><i>St. Louis Blues</i> (4) vs <i>Vancouver Canucks</i> (5)</u><br />
<br />
Prediction: Blues in 6 or 7. I'm not a fan of the Blues and was rooting for the Canucks, so... yay!<br />
<br />
As expected, there were games where St. Louis' Stanley Cup-winning veterans took over the game and bullied Vancouver's skinny kids as a "lesson in winning and effort". What was a nice surprise was that the Canucks applied their opponents' teachings the very next game instead of the following season, and Blues bench boos <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/craig-berube-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Craig Berube</b></a> made the same fatal mistake as Torts did and took out the goalie who got the team back in the series - <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/09/jake-allen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jake Allen</b></a> - to replace him with the guy who had stolen his job the previous year, <b>Jordan Binnington</b>. In the playoffs, you ride the hot hand in nets, loyalty can only be given in first or second games (see: <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/mike-smith-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Mike Smith</b></a> for the Oilers in Game 1 of the Qualifiers). Anything else is asking for trouble.<br />
<br />
Each team's MVPs so far:<br />
<br />
Flyers: <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/sean-couturier-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Sean Couturier</b></a>, but <b>Kevin Hayes</b> is a surprising second<br />
Islanders: <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/anthony-beauvillier-two-autographed.html" target="_blank"><b>Anthony Beauvillier</b></a><br />
Bolts: <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/08/brayden-point-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Brayden Point</b></a><br />
Bruins: <b>David Krejci</b><br />
Canucks: <b>Elias Pettersen</b><br />
Golden Knights: <b>Shea Theodore</b><br />
Stars: <b>Miro Heiskanen</b><br />
Avalanche: <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/nathan-mackinnon-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Nathan MacKinnon</b></a>, who doubles as the Conn Smythe favourite after one true round plus the qualifiersSébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-30192079906845550452020-08-10T21:47:00.002-07:002020-08-14T21:09:54.383-07:00NHL 2019-20 Playoffs: Round 1 Predictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm glad to say I didn't fare all that bad in <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/2020/07/nhl-play-in-western-conference-preview.html" target="_blank">my Play-in Predictions</a> (didn't see both #12 seeds moving on), though you're always aiming at a better than 50% rate, and I think my first-round predictions are worth a read. Sure, I've got a shocker or two in there for good measure, but most of these picks fall within reason.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Eastern Conference</b></u>:<br />
<br />
<u><i>Philadelphia Flyers</i> (1) vs <i>Montréal Canadiens</i> (8)</u><br />
<br />
The Flyers may have a self-destructive GM in <b>Chuck Fletcher</b>, he was wise enough to hire a top-level coaching staff that will compensate for his own failings such as overpaid free agents and botched trades in the three-headed monster comprised of <b>Alain Vigneault</b>, <b>Michel Therrien</b> and <b>Mike Yeo</b>, each playing to their strengths. <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/02/claude-giroux-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Claude Giroux</b></a> is still a capable leader, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/11/sean-couturier-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Sean Couturier</b></a> has become an important first-line player, the wingers are tough, the defense is stingy and <b>Carter Hart</b> in net is showing he can be just as good as <b>Jordan Binnington</b> was last year - except in his case, it's exactly the role he was drafted for and destined to take on.<br />
<br />
Hart will face his childhood idol <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/04/carey-price-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Carey Price</b></a>, who cried on the ice the last time he faced the Flyers as the #1 guy in the 2008 playoffs, unable to solve <a href="http://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/04/rj-umberger-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>R.J. Umberger</b></a> and out-duelled by <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/martin-biron-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Martin Biron</b></a>. The Habs' Big Three did a number on the <i>Pittsburgh Penguins</i>, but they'll be facing guys who will put their own forwards through the same ordeal, so in that case you have to hand it to the best offense to find a way. The Flyers' defense is also much younger and closer to its prime.<br />
<br />
Offense: Flyers<br />
Defense: Flyers<br />
Goaltending: Flyers<br />
Coaching: Flyers<br />
My heart: Canadiens<br />
<br />
My pick: Flyers in 6.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><i>Tampa Bay Lightning</i> (2) vs <i>Columbus Blue Jackets </i>(7)</u><br />
<br />
It won't exactly be a repeat of last season because it cannot be as quick as last year; the Bolts are prepared for the onslaught the Jackets will bring and spent the first half of the season preparing for just that, losing easy standing points in the process but learning a hard lesson. Tampa still has a recent Norris winner (<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/05/victor-hedman-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Victor Hedman</b></a>), last year's Vezina winner (<b>Andrei Vasilevskyi</b>), and a former Hart and Art Ross winner (<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/12/nikita-kucherov-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Nikita Kucherov</b></a>) who are sure to play, and a former Rocket Richard winner (<b>Steven Stamkos</b>) who might suit up if the series goes long enough. The high-end talent is definitely there.<br />
<br />
But the Jackets have just eliminated the <i>Toronto Maple Leafs</i>, the second-best offense in the Conference... behind Tampa's. They crave this match-up. They're ready and warmed up.<br />
<br />
Offense: Lightning<br />
Defense: Jackets<br />
Goaltending: Lightning<br />
Coaching: Jackets<br />
My heart: Jackets<br />
<br />
My pick: Blue Jackets in 6.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Washington Capitals </i>(3) vs <i>New York Islanders </i>(5)</u><br />
<br />
No one wants to face a <b>Barry Trotz</b>-coached team in the first round, and no one wants to face the New York Islanders under Trotz - especially not a team that has underwhelmed and under-performed in the round robin, has lost important elements on defense since their last postseason and whose best goalie will not play. Granted, that leaves them with Stanley Cup winner <a href="http://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/11/braden-holtby-autograph-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Braden Holtby</b></a> between the pipes, but judging by the past three regular-seasons, he will be walking away as a free agent this off-season and may not find a job as a #1 in his next stop.<br />
<br />
The Isles are very disciplined, extremely balanced, and now deeper than ever thanks to the deadline acquisition of proven playoff performer <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/jean-gabriel-pageau-two-autographed.html" target="_blank"><b>Jean-Gabriel Pageau</b></a>.<br />
<br />
In this type of match-up, one question is important: can <b>Alex Ovechkin</b> beat the Islanders by himself? The answer is "yes", but it's also "he would pretty much have to", considering the Caps' questionable defense and goaltending. You simply cannot count on and expect a Conn Smythe-worthy performance just to get through Round One, it's just unfair.<br />
<br />
Offense: Capitals<br />
Defense: Islanders<br />
Goaltending: Islanders<br />
Coaching: Islanders<br />
My heart: Capitals<br />
<br />
My pick: Islanders in 7. In the NHL.com Bracket Challenge, I chose the Caps, but for my "public face", I feel I'm being more honest by picking Long Island.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Boston Bruins</i> (4) vs <i>Caroline Hurricanes</i> (5)</u><br />
<br />
Neither of these teams should be here; the Canes should be at home heeding tornado warnings and the Bruins should be facing the weakest team in the Conference, but instead, Boston coasted through the round robin trying their best not to get injured - or get anywhere near the puck, for that matter. The "Perfection Line" of Rocket Richard winner <b>David Pastrnak</b>, four-time Selke winner <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/09/patrice-bergeron-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Patrice Bergeron</b></a> and rat-faced<b> Brad Marchand</b> failed at pretty much everything they attempted in the three games.<br />
<br />
And look, both Bruins goalies - <b>Tuukka Rask</b> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/12/jaroslav-halak-2-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Jaroslav Halak</b></a> - can outplay their counterparts in their sleep (or in a coma), but the fact of the matter is that <b>James Reimer</b> and <b>Petr Mazarek</b> have played extremely well in sweeping the <i>New York Rangers</i>, and they may not be able to withstand that through two months of play, but it's possible they can do it for another ten days. And that's all they need to get through a lifeless Bruins team.<br />
<br />
Offense: Bruins<br />
Defense: Hurricanes<br />
Goaltending: Bruins<br />
Coaching: Bruins<br />
My heart: Bruins<br />
<br />
My pick: Hurricanes in 7. I don't want Carolina to win. I hate cheering for the Bruins. This is a no-win for me. But I'd rather no-win via Boston moving on, which means they won't.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Western Conference</b></u>:<br />
<br />
<u>Vegas Golden Knights (1) vs Chicago Blackhawks (8)</u><br />
<br />
Although their regular-season standings did not show that, the Golden Knights are not out of place as the first seed in the West; they have a perfect team. I dislike their changing coaches, going from one I like and respect (<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/gerard-gallant-autographed.html" target="_blank"><b>Gerard Gallant</b></a>) to one I can't say a good word about (<b>Peter DeBoer</b>) and I feel it was disrespectful to <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/12/marc-andre-fleury-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Marc-André Fleury</b></a> to go with <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/robin-lehner-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Robin Lehner</b></a> for two of the three round-robin games, but they're still a heck of a team and while the Hawks do have experience, pedigree, elite-level talent and brand-name recognition, they are nowhere near as deep or balanced as Vegas.<br />
<br />
Offense: Golden Knights<br />
Defense: Golden Knights<br />
Goaltending: Golden Knights<br />
Coaching: none<br />
My heart: Golden Knights<br />
<br />
My pick: Vegas in 5.<br />
<br />
<u> Colorado Avalanche (2) vs Arizona Coyotes (7)</u><br />
<br />
The Avs are just like the Golden Knights: perfect and deep everywhere. Two #1 goalies? Check. The best line in hockey? Check. The league's most valuable player? Check. The best rookie defenseman? Check. A solid top-4 on D that can play for 50 minutes? Check.<br />
<br />
Commend the Yotes for beating the <i>Nashville Predators</i> and outplaying them in every facet to an extent where "hey, it's 2020" isn't a good enough excuse to give that core another shot. But these are the Avs. Sure, Colorado has a learning curve to go through, but they'll face hard lessons in the second round, not here.<br />
<br />
Offense: Avalanche<br />
Defense: Avalanche<br />
Goaltending: Avalanche<br />
Coaching: Coyotes<br />
My heart: Avalanche<br />
<br />
My pick: Avalanche in 4.<br />
<br />
<u><i>Dallas Stars</i> (3) vs <i>Calgary Flames</i> (6)</u><br />
<br />
I love the <i>Dallas Stars</i>.<br />
<br />
Let me rephrase that: I love <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/ben-bishop-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ben Bishop</b></a>, who has not suited up for two straight games. The oft-injured Vezina-worthy netminder may not play in this series, and he's Dallas' only hope. The top line of <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/09/tyler-seguin-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tyler Seguin</b></a>, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/07/jamie-benn-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jamie Benn</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/alexander-radulov-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Alex Radulov</b></a> has a combined zero (0) points (<u>not </u>goals, <u><b>points</b></u>) in the round robin and defenseman <b>Miro Heiskanen</b> is the only point-per-game player on Dallas this postseason. The only other player with more than a single point on the entire roster is 36-year-old <b>Joe Pavelski</b>, who has two goals.<br />
<br />
Against the reigning Stanley Cup champions in the final round robin game, the Stars looked like they were skating in slow motion.<br />
<br />
The Flames, on the other hand, went through the <i>Winnipeg Jets</i> like a steamroller, going balls-to-the-wall on every shift and injuring two of the Jets' best offensive threats in the process. To repeat against Dallas, they would have to injure... the Zamboni driver and a pizza delivery person, I guess. Calgary's stars are on a mission to have us forget last year's playofs and their former racist head coach; <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/johnny-gaudreau-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Johnny Gaudreau</b></a> and <a href="http://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/sean-monahan-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Sean Monahan</b></a> have a playoff reputation to restore, and their defense is still great.<br />
<br />
Calgary's not winning the Cup, but they're moving on to the next round.<br />
<br />
Offense: Flames<br />
Defense: Flames<br />
Goaltending: Stars<br />
Coaching: Stars<br />
My heart: Flames<br />
<br />
My pick: Flames in 5.<br />
<br />
<u><i>St. Louis Blues</i> (4) vs <i>Vancouver Canucks</i> (5)</u><br />
<br />
The reigning champs - like fellow finalists Boston - had a tough round robin. They failed to win a single game and looked disinterested most of the time. Can they find enough passion to wake up for their slumber before the Canucks take too commanding a lead?<br />
<br />
My guess is the Blues' experience will shine through in the end, and they'll get into gear as each game passes, slowing down Vancouver's young and talented - albeit thin - legs. If St. Louis' offensive cannons can make some sort of noise, it'll be an added bonus, but by their depth alone and because they're facing a young and inexperienced group and coach, they'll have the best of the series. They'll need more to advance further, however.<br />
<br />
Offense: Canucks<br />
Defense: Blues<br />
Goaltending: Canucks<br />
Coaching: Blues<br />
My heart: Canucks<br />
<br />
My pick: Blues in 6 or 7.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-46957700142837100812020-07-31T22:52:00.000-07:002020-08-03T01:07:09.195-07:00NHL Play-In: Western Conference Preview <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu-888tAHxJGBLZ28allK89kFgi1CHP7j8Eq7GQa8qRWIXnHEyc4asLJSSSUu68RpfLKzj3WVvklkkutf9P3A7Nt4RlxGJqqQsJ7goET1GJpTXsMO3N8hMu3xFWrxX_1H6Tgdh9VTYnHJ/s1600/NHL%252Breturn%252Bto%252Bplay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu-888tAHxJGBLZ28allK89kFgi1CHP7j8Eq7GQa8qRWIXnHEyc4asLJSSSUu68RpfLKzj3WVvklkkutf9P3A7Nt4RlxGJqqQsJ7goET1GJpTXsMO3N8hMu3xFWrxX_1H6Tgdh9VTYnHJ/s320/NHL%252Breturn%252Bto%252Bplay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
For the same reasons as <a href="https://sebastianhell.blogspot.com/2020/07/nhl-play-in-eastern-conference-preview.html" target="_blank">yesterday's post about the Eastern Conference</a>, I won't spend too much time on the round-robin portion that is set to
position the top four seeds out West. The West has the reigning Stanley Cup champion <i>St. Louis Blues</i>, as well as the near-perfect and deep <i>Vegas Golden Knights </i>and <i>Colorado Avalanche</i>, while a case can be made to say the <i>Dallas Stars</i> stole the <i>Edmonton Oilers</i>' spot in a top-four that is less dominant towards the bottom-eight than their Eastern counterparts are, but the presence of <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/ben-bishop-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ben Bishop</b></a> alone is enough to take them seriously.<br />
<br />
Wherever these top seeds end up, it's going to be followed by a difficult match-up.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Edmnonton Oilers</i> vs <i>Chicago Blackhawks</i></b></u><br />
The Hawks didn't think they'd be playing meaningful games this Spring/Summer, so they sent their healthiest star goalie to Vegas and kept the one who has had concussion issues for the past two years; this summer, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/05/corey-crawford-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Corey Crawford</b></a>'s also gotten Covid-19. You can never count out Crawford's eliteness or his Cup-winning pedrigree, as well as that of <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/10/duncan-keith-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Duncan Keith</b></a>, <b>Patrick Kane </b>and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/jonathan-toews-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jonathan Toews</b></a>, but the Oilers have two of the three best forwards on the planet in <b>Connor McDavid</b> and <b>Leon Draisaitl</b>, and youth should win over experience in this one.<br />
<br />
I'm a huge Crawford fan, but I believe <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2016/06/mikko-koskinen-autograph-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Mikko Koskinen</b></a> is healthier (<a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2018/07/mike-smith-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Mike Smith</b></a> has a couple of 40-save games left in his fine career, but they are probably not consecutive, which a best-of-five series would require on his part, so logic would dictate he not see more than one or two games in this series). I also believe Edmonton's defense is slightly superior to that of the Hawks.<br />
<br />
Where the Hawks have a chance is they have a higher ceiling in their middle-of-the-lineup forward group. I do not believe it beats a team playing at home, with the feverish atmosphere in the city and media, which should be enough to pump this young group up.<br />
<br />
Offense: Oilers<br />
Defense: Oilers<br />
Goaltending: Oilers<br />
Coaching: Oilers<br />
My heart: Oilers<br />
<br />
My pick: Oilers in 4. It might go to 5 games, because the Hawks have had the Oilers' number all year, but I can't see this 12th seed beating the fifth seed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Calgary Flames</i> vs <i>Winnipeg Jets</i></b></u><br />
This is the hardest one on me: I find it extremely sad that one of these teams will be eliminated in the next couple of weeks. Both are flawed, both seem on the down swing, but both are very exciting to watch and have elite attacks and top-level goaltending, with Winnipeg getting the edge on the latter with my pick for this year's Vezina Trophy, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/connor-hellebuyck-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Connor Hellebuyck</b></a>.<br />
<br />
As a matter of fact, if the Jets weren't in a contract dispute with star defender <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/dustin-byfuglien-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Dustin Byfuglien</b></a>, they would have been one of my two favourites to reach the Conference Final (with Colorado), despite their defense losing key pieces like <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/jacob-trouba-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jacob Trouba</b></a>, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/tyler-myers-autographed-custom-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tyler Myers</b></a> and<b> Ben Chiarot</b> last summer - they're that good - or they would have been.<br />
<br />
Without that kind of game-changer, though, I believe a guy like <b>Matthew Tkachuk</b> will have an important role, taking some of the scoring heat off of <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/johnny-gaudreau-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Johnny Gaudreau</b></a> and <a href="http://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/11/sean-monahan-2-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Sean Monahan</b></a> while attracting the bulk of Winnipeg's cheap shots and anger. And despite <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/07/travis-hamonic-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Travis Hamonic</b> opting out</a> of this year's postseason, the Flames still boast one of the five best defenses in the league, which will only help <b>David Rittich</b>.<br />
<br />
I definitely prefer Calgary's current coach to the one they started the year with, but <b>Paul Maurice</b>'s experience might be a factor in at least one game, as is the Jets' superb offensive firepower from captain <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/07/blake-wheeler-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Blake Wheeler</b></a>, star centre <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/02/mark-scheifele-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Mark Scheifele</b></a>, potential 50-goal scorer <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/patrik-laine-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Patrick Laine</b></a>, and all-around talent <b>Kyle Connor</b>.<br />
<br />
Offense: Jets<br />
Defense: Flames<br />
Goaltending: Jets<br />
Coaching: Jets<br />
My heart: Jets<br />
<br />
My
pick: Flames in 5. They have too much to lose, which is where the Jets were last year - except Johnny Hockey and Dirty Matthew can handle five games. Their playoff path will likely end in the first round again this year, however, because I can't see them beating any one of Dallas, Colorado, St. Louis or Vegas when they're through with the Jets.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Vancouver Canucks</i> vs <i>Minnesota Wild</i></b></u><br />
The Canucks finally have a lineup to get excited about, with <b>Elias Petersen</b>, <b>Bo Horvath</b>, <b>Brock</b> <b>Boeser</b>, <b>Quinn Hughes</b> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/jacob-markstrom-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jacob Markstrom</b></a>, and very few people give the Wild a chance, mostly because it seems backup <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/10/alex-stalock-three-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Alex Stalock</b></a> has supplanted two-time Vezina nominee <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/devan-dubnyk-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Devan Dubnyk</b></a> in nets and an aging group that includes <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/mikko-koivu-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Mikko Koivu</b></a>, <b>Zack Parise</b> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/05/ryan-suter-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ryan Suter</b></a> - some of the NHL's most expensive veteran players. It's like they never decided to go on a rebuild but never realized they stopped contending, either.<br />
<br />
The Canucks, on the other hand, have lost and lost and lost for years - and come up on the other side with prized prospects who are poised to start learning how to win in the postseason. They're another two or three years away from serious contention, but they're on track. This is step one, losing in the first round will be step two.<br />
<br />
Offense: Canucks<br />
Defense: Wild<br />
Goaltending: Canucks<br />
Coaching: Wild<br />
My heart: Canucks<br />
<br />
My
pick: Canucks in 5. I have never believed in the Wild, I will not start today with pretty much the same roster - or same type of roster - they've had since <a href="http://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/02/another-jacques-lemaire-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jacques Lemaire</b></a> left town.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Nashville Predators</i> vs <i>Arizona Coyotes</i></b></u><br />
I'll admit I'm underwhelmed by this one. The Preds are more boring without <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/06/pk-subban-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>P.K. Subban</b></a> on the back end and<b> Peter Laviolette</b> behind the bench, though I'll admit the latter had passed his due date. And <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/pekka-rinne-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Pekka Rinne</b></a> is clearly in the twilight of his career at this point, too, as the team's entire offense at this point. <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/11/matt-duchene-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Matt Duchene</b></a> has once again taken the chemistry of a team away, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/kyle-turris-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Kyle Turris</b></a> looks lost, and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/01/ryan-johansen-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ryan Johansen</b></a> has never lived up to his contract or his own expectations.The defense is still miraculous, and<b> Juuse Saros</b> will probably eventually be really good, but this looks like a team in transition more than the team that almost won the Cup and then followed that with a Presidents' Trophy a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
Arizona... a team that's seemingly always for sale, without a permanent home, without a home city, now <a href="https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2020/07/26/john-chayka-out-as-coyotes-gm-steve-sullivan-takes-on-interim-role/" target="_blank">without a GM</a>... who two best forwards - <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/01/phil-kessel-and-nikolai-kulemin-jersey.html" target="_blank"><b>Phil Kessel</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/taylor-hall-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Taylor Hall</b></a> - have proven time and time again to be unable to lead teams to victory and whose star defenseman - <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/04/oliver-ekman-larsson-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Oliver Ekman-Larsson</b></a> - seems like he's evolving out of his prime at just 29 years of age.<br />
<br />
I'm not the world's biggest <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/01/rick-tocchet-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Rick Tocchet</b></a> fan, but he does have the edge over <b>John Hynes</b> here, because while he didn't win a Stanley Cup with the <i>Tampa Bay Lightning </i>in his previous coaching opportunity, at least he didn't take a dynasty and sink it at the bottom of the league like Hynes did with the <i>New Jersey Devils</i>.<br />
<br />
Offense: Predators<br />
Defense: Predators<br />
Goaltending: Coyotes<br />
Coaching: Coyotes<br />
My heart: Predators<br />
<br />
My
pick: Predators in 5. I do think that failing to qualify for the playoffs would be disastrous for <b>David Poile</b>'s Preds, who has made a succession of questionable personnel decisions after being near-perfect for over a decade, but I can't see this Yotes squad accomplishing anything other than pitching two shutouts in five games - their goaltending tandem is that much better than Nashville's offense, but the Predators can still win games with just their blue line.<br />
<span class="post-labels"></span>Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-80385609504929459922020-07-30T01:13:00.000-07:002020-08-09T22:08:05.398-07:00NHL Play-In: Eastern Conference Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu-888tAHxJGBLZ28allK89kFgi1CHP7j8Eq7GQa8qRWIXnHEyc4asLJSSSUu68RpfLKzj3WVvklkkutf9P3A7Nt4RlxGJqqQsJ7goET1GJpTXsMO3N8hMu3xFWrxX_1H6Tgdh9VTYnHJ/s1600/NHL%252Breturn%252Bto%252Bplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYu-888tAHxJGBLZ28allK89kFgi1CHP7j8Eq7GQa8qRWIXnHEyc4asLJSSSUu68RpfLKzj3WVvklkkutf9P3A7Nt4RlxGJqqQsJ7goET1GJpTXsMO3N8hMu3xFWrxX_1H6Tgdh9VTYnHJ/s320/NHL%252Breturn%252Bto%252Bplay.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I won't spend too much time on the round-robin portion that is set to position the top four seeds, except to say this: it doesn't really matter. The <i>Boston Bruins</i>, <i>Tampa Bay Lightning </i>and <i>Washington</i> <i>Capitals </i>are by far the best teams in the Eastern Conference and can match up against any of the bottom-eight favourably, while the <i>Philadelphia Flyers</i> know they should be battling it out more seriously against a team that is facing elimination instead of just trying to reach game shape, so they'll still be happy with an 0-3 record but are aiming for a higher seed just so they can perhaps avoid playing a team like the <i>Pittsburgh Penguins</i> too early.<br />
<br />
All four of these teams know their Round 1 opponent will be battle-tested and will have faced more recently the pressure of an elimination game.<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Caroline Hurricanes</i> vs <i>New York Rangers</i></b></u><br />
The Rangers are one of three teams (with the <i>Montréal Canadiens </i>and <i>Chicago Blackhawks</i>) that have no business playing right now according to their regular-season performances. Don't get me wrong: having a Hart and Linsday candidate in <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/artemi-panarin-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Artemi Panarin</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/07/mika-zibanejad-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Mika Zibanejad</b></a> to back him up and feed off of him is great, but the supporting cast of Chris Kreider, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/ryan-strome-jersey-card_6.html" target="_blank"><b>Ryan Strome</b></a>, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/pavel-buchnevich-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Pavel Buchnevich</b></a> and a green <b>Kaapo Kakko</b> is not the kind of depth that scares a top seed. Heck, they'll be facing perhaps the best defense in the league in this series - whether <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2014/11/dougie-hamilton-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Dougie Hamilton</b></a> - who should have been on the Norris Trophy finalist list this season - plays or not; <b>Jaccob Slavin </b>is still there, <b>Jake Gardiner</b> can provide some of Hamilton's offense, <b>Brady Skeij</b> was once the Rangers' top guy, <b>Sami Vatanen</b> is a luxury on the second pair, and the likes of <b>Brett Pesce</b>, <b>Trevor Van Riemsdyk</b>, Stanley Cup winner <b>Joel Edmundson</b> and youngster <b>Haydn Fleury</b> can all replace in the middle pairing, be it for a game or a series.<br />
<br />
The Rags' defense isn't shabby either, with <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/12/anthony-deangelo-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tony DeAngelo</b></a>, <b>Adam Fox</b>, and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/jacob-trouba-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jacon Trouba</b></a>, but they lack the Canes' depth and star power. All three of their goalies - yes, even the aging <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/09/henrik-lundqvist-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Henrik Lundqvist</b></a> - are better than Carolina's.<br />
<br />
Offense: Rangers<br />
Defense: Hurricanes<br />
Goaltending: Rangers <br />
Coaching: Hurricanes<br />
My heart: Rangers<br />
<br />
My pick: Rangers in 4. The team that scores more goals wins. The Rangers will have a hard time between the red line and the offensive zone's face-off circles, but they'll score on every other shot they take and stop 90% of Carolina's. The math is in their favour.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>New York Islanders</i> vs <i>Florida Panthers</i></b></u><br />
This one pits two of the best coaches in the game - the Islanders' <b>Barry Trotz</b> and the Panthers' <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/03/joel-quenneville-4-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Joel Quenneville</b></a> - against each other for a chance to enter the Stanley Cup playoffs. Quenneville's three Cups with the Hawks trumps Trotz' single one from his days with the Caps following a decade building the <i>Nashville Predators</i> into contenders, but Trotz still has the edge because he can remake an entire organization in a single season while keeping more than half the same staff. That's a master tactician at work.<br />
<br />
I also want to give the Isles the edge in nets, not because <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/05/thomas-greiss-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Thomas Greiss</b></a> or <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/semyon-varlamov-dual-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Semyon Varlamov</b></a> at their best could ever be in the same zone as the Cats' <b>Sergei Bobrovsky</b>, but this is Bob's second-straight sub-par season, and a Varlamov at the top of his game is better than Bob at 80% of his.<br />
<br />
If <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/03/aaron-ekblad-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Aaron Ekblad</b></a> uses this series to pull out of his shell and become the Norris contender he should be, Florida will also have the endge on D, but if he merely remains "pretty good", he and <b>Keith Yandle</b> will get outshined by the Isles' group in a hurry.<br />
<br />
Where the matchup is uneven is on offense, as the Panthers boast two of the ten best two-way forwards in the game in <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2020/01/aleksander-barkov-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Aleksander Barkov</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/03/jonathan-huberdeau-two-autographed-cards.html" target="_blank"><b>Jonathan Huberdeau</b></a>, two 90+-point players in their prime who do not fear the opposition's top lines - and they've seen better than <b>Mathew Barzal</b>, <b>Brock Nelson</b>, <b>Anders Lee</b>, and the rest of the 40-point producers from Long Island.<br />
<br />
Offense: Panthers<br />
Defense: Islanders<br />
Goaltending: Panthers (I believe!)<br />
Coaching: Islanders<br />
My heart: Panthers<br />
<br />
My
pick: Islanders in 5. They're too deep and balanced to not advance against the Panthers, but it won't be easy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Pittsburgh Penguins</i> vs <i>Montréal Canadiens</i></b></u><br />
Forget <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2011/04/carey-price-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Carey Price</b></a> - the NHL doesn't even <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CDG-AidJhC-/" target="_blank">consider him in the top-10 anymore</a> - and rightfully so. If the Habs are to have a chance, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/12/phillip-danault-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Phillip Danault</b></a> has to outplay <b>Sidney Crosby</b> and/or <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/06/evgeni-malkin-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Evgeni Malkin</b></a> (doable in a short series), <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2012/08/shea-weber-white-swatch-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Shea Weber</b></a> has to shut down the Pens for 30 minutes per game with <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2013/08/jeff-petry-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Jeff Petry</b></a> handling the other half (not likely, but stranger things have happened) and the Canadiens' offensive support cast has to outplay Pittsburgh's, with at least one middle-six forward - so, not Danault, <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/10/brendan-gallagher-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Brendan Gallagher</b></a> or <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/08/tomas-tatar-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Tomas Tatar</b></a> - scoring 5 goals in the series (sure, why not?) and the Pens have to forget they can also enter the Montréal zone from the left side (not likely).<br />
<br />
These games can all go to overtime - that's how much parity there is in today's NHL - but they will all end in Pittsburgh's favour. They are superior in every way despite being on the back end of their Cup contention window.<br />
<br />
This scenario is ideal for Habs GM <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2015/08/marc-bergevin-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Marc Bergevin</b></a>, however: he can claim the team didn't have that bad a season since they made the play-in round and still ice a bad enough team to have a fair shot (25% chance at this point) at the first-overall pick in the next draft,<b> Alexis Lafrenière</b>, a generational talent. <br />
<br />
Offense: Penguins<br />
Defense: Penguins<br />
Goaltending: Penguins<br />
Coaching: Penguins<br />
My heart: Canadiens<br />
<br />
My
pick: Penguins in 2. This is a dress rehearsal for the first round, the intensity will mount with each game, but try as they might, <b>Claude Julien</b>'s men will be overmatched.<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><b><i>Toronto Maple Leafs</i> vs <i>Columbus Blue Jackets</i></b></u><br />
No team is facing more pressure than the Leafs. Sure, the <i>Edmonton Oilers</i> are also playing at home for whatever that means in an empty building - the city is still abuzz and the home teams will get preferred treatment in the media in each hub - but the Oilers will benefit from an excitement factor unseen since 2006 while the Leafs have been expected to contend for the Stanley Cup for three years now, and the fans and media are getting impatient.<br />
<br />
Add to that the fact that the Blue Jackets swept the Presidents' Trophy-winning Bolts last year and made the play-in despite losing Panarin and Bobrovsky (as well as <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2019/02/ryan-dzingel-autographed-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Ryan Dzingel</b></a> and <a href="https://hellsvaluablecollectibles.blogspot.com/2017/11/matt-duchene-jersey-card.html" target="_blank"><b>Matt Duchene</b></a>) on the strength of even better team play and even better goaltending from a pair of rookies and you've got a recipe for disaster in the 416.<br />
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The Leafs have the second-best offense in the Conference after Tampa, but their defense is questionable and their goalie has had a bad year; the Jackets score by committee, but both goalies have ranked in the NHL's top-10 for most of the season, helped by the fact that they're playing behind one of the five best defenses in the league (behind Carolina's and Tampa's, on par with Nashville's and ahead of Calgary's).<br />
<br />
Offense: Leafs, by far<br />
Defense: Jackets<br />
Goaltending: Jackets<br />
Coaching: Jackets<br />
My heart: Jackets<br />
<br />
My
pick: Blue Jackets in 5. The smile on <b>John Tortorella</b>'s face when he eliminates the Queen City's boys in blue will be worth the NHL Center Ice subscription on its own.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3395310443831833218.post-2114405879702343342020-07-27T21:38:00.002-07:002020-07-27T21:40:44.850-07:00The Best And Cutest Little Dancer I try to leave minors out of this blog, for all the right reasons.<br />
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However, my kid's a cute little fucker:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRth45M2sFebNGWT_plBLRIfpN1TKCeWd-R6kZRsefixC8RY2ywzXKoauTPR7YrtHEKUhFZJp-iHo6APYM4KJ5TXn37YQhHWYzJubm9aqcrZlhT6MKU0CpKNtv5ohlBUKBTXDkIiFp9lq9/s1600/Renaud+Danseur.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRth45M2sFebNGWT_plBLRIfpN1TKCeWd-R6kZRsefixC8RY2ywzXKoauTPR7YrtHEKUhFZJp-iHo6APYM4KJ5TXn37YQhHWYzJubm9aqcrZlhT6MKU0CpKNtv5ohlBUKBTXDkIiFp9lq9/s320/Renaud+Danseur.gif" width="179" /></a></div>
14 months old, just started walking (now running all over the place at all times), and a star dancer. Also, as you can tell by the bottles on the floor, a juggler-in-training.Sébastian Hellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10838482234070823738noreply@blogger.com0