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Post by Justin on Mar 30, 2014 21:27:57 GMT -5
1) Team and 2) Player(s)
1) The biggest (pleasant) surprise for me this year was Colorado. As a huge fan, I totally expected another meh-at-best year, and am very happy they are coming together so quickly. It's great that Roy is (currently) working out so well for them, but yeah, I was totally expecting another year or two before that team even hit 500.
2) K, so I don't watch as much as I should (no cable) but Mason Raymond's rebound season is making me happy. I also discovered during the Olympics I legitimately like Phil Kessel. I was neutral to him forever (though I respected him as a good player) but at the Olympics, I found myself cheering for the States (after Canada of course) because of Phil. I NEVER cheer for the states. Just love the guys heart and everything he's put up with and endured in Toronto. And found a way to overcome and excel.
And as I kinda said, I am a Colorado fan, so that's not really "homer" talk. Well, it kind of is, in that I cheer for and like Toronto to win, but I don't always love their players. Mats Sundin, for example. Was never a Sundin fan. Like, ever. He did fine, but I just never loved him as some people do.
...wow I babble a lot. Sorry, someone elses turn now.
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Post by Calgary Flames GM on Mar 30, 2014 22:25:34 GMT -5
1) St.Louis Blues, I wouldn't have even thought at the beginning of the season that they will be in first. Blues are a huge surprise this year for them. They have played amazing this season and they got the nice pickup with Ryan Miller. If Leafs don't make the playoffs, I will definitely be cheering for the Blues.
2) Tyler Seguin. First off Kessel made a close second. Seguin has had an amazing season this year. 76 points in 72 games (bet the Bruins are pissed off by that). Him and Benn have played extremely well together and if the Stars do make the playoffs it is because of them. Also I am only saying this because if my gf saw that I didn't choose her brother I would be in a lot of doodoo.
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Post by Tampa Bay Lightning GM on Mar 30, 2014 23:09:08 GMT -5
I'm surprised with the Avs too. Didn't expect this kind of season AT ALL. New coach and everything so you'd expect the players to take a while to get accustomed to the system but they were on a roll from the 1st game.
Pavelski is the biggest surprise for players. I was always a fan but didn't see this kind of production from him. Always saw him as the perfect 2nd line center in the NHL but he's playing unbelievable this season.
And to what Flames posted: I always thought the Blues would do really well. Their core got their feet wet in the playoffs last season so I see them going to the West finals this year. Hitchcock is also a great coach. I thought Bruins lost that Seguin deal but Reilly Smith is playing awesome hockey and he's outshining Eriksson (albeit injured for a good chunk) right now, who was the main piece to the deal lol.
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Post by Colorado Avalanche GM on Mar 30, 2014 23:38:23 GMT -5
... The Leafs epic collapse.
Yes, I am surprised by that.
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Post by Tampa Bay Lightning GM on Mar 30, 2014 23:40:45 GMT -5
I am numb to anything the Leafs do. I've seen too many of these collapses.
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Post by Colorado Avalanche GM on Mar 30, 2014 23:45:38 GMT -5
I don't think anything in life will ever be as devastating as what the Leafs do to me.
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Post by Calgary Flames GM on Mar 30, 2014 23:47:50 GMT -5
Agreed
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Post by Justin on Mar 31, 2014 2:05:44 GMT -5
The collapse was huge, but like...I donno, before season started I pretty much pegged them as a "just-missed the playoffs" type team. They did well and I was glad, but now I feel like they are approaching where they should have been. I also expected Colorado to fall, but they haven't yet.
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Post by Tampa Bay Lightning GM on Mar 31, 2014 4:55:39 GMT -5
Toronto relied on goaltending, our first line, and a bit (actually a lot) of luck. Every reporter/analyst said they would not be able to sustain the success for a full season based on how they were playing. They are on pace to set a record for most shots against lol. If it wasn't for our goaltenders, we would be a lottery team. I blame the coaching - the system employed is garbage. Randy is known for a defensive, physical system; and I don't see defense or physicality from this team. Randy needs to go.
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Post by Mike - Former Wild GM on Mar 31, 2014 5:49:01 GMT -5
I'm in the same boat, but I can see them giving Randy another shot, but I just really don't like his style anymore. When he came in, the team was exactly what they needed - get away from Ron Wilson's stupid blow-it-open style.
Their defence core is unbelievable horrendous. Jake Gardiner I'm starting to come around to, Morgan Reilly will be a phenomenal defenceman, but...
Dion Phaneuf NEEDS to be a number 2. Cody Franson can't skate. Carl Gunnarsson isn't the same player anymore, and is probably the biggest financial mistake on the back end. Paul Ranger is terrible. Period.
They need to promote some kids or something, but I did read that Nashville is on the hook for like 20M on June 1st for Weber's signing bonus and the team is struggling due to a mediocre season. I would trade an entire team for him. Fingers crossed on that slim slim slim possibility. I'm not delusional, but if that team even remotely comes close to making him available, I throw everything at them but the kitchen sink.
Biggest Team Surprise:
Anaheim Ducks. This team doesn't really do anything big, but they rebound well with their top line, have good consistency with depth, and they are legit tough.
Biggest Player Surprise:
Alex Steen. Glad we got Stempniak for a year and a half for this bum.
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Post by Florida Panthers GM on Mar 31, 2014 14:21:43 GMT -5
Biggest surprised to me is how bad the season has been going for Vancouver. We only had ONE good month for Pete's peppers ! Henrik and Daniel no where to be seen . Torts making stupid decisions and forcing Vancouver to play a system they aren't built for . Injuries and don't even get me started on how he's treated the goalie situation.
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Post by Justin on Mar 31, 2014 14:43:23 GMT -5
Alex Steen and Blues, yes that as well.
I like John Tortorella, but don't follow enough Vancouver hockey to really evaluate his performance. I will trust you, Panthers, obviously, as you'd know more than me. But if I were an owner, I'd kinda love to have Brian Burke GMing and John Tortorella coaching. Yay personality team!
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Post by Mike - Former Wild GM on Mar 31, 2014 15:55:08 GMT -5
True, but it's never really a good thing to have the face of your franchise be someone that isn't on the ice.
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Post by Justin on Mar 31, 2014 16:11:10 GMT -5
Hahah totally. I didn't say my team would be good. Look at my sim site team. It would be a terrible team, but it would have lots of stuff I liked. No fans though, perhaps, due to our 5-77 record, but at least I would be happy.
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Post by Winnipeg Jets GM on Mar 31, 2014 23:16:20 GMT -5
Biggest surprised to me is how bad the season has been going for Vancouver. We only had ONE good month for Pete's peppers ! Henrik and Daniel no where to be seen . Torts making stupid decisions and forcing Vancouver to play a system they aren't built for . Injuries and don't even get me started on how he's treated the goalie situation. Mike Gillis/Alain Vignealult are the ones who created this goalie situation. Gillis should have traded Schneider a couple of years ago. Don't blame Torts for the goalie situation Lu has wanted out since last year.
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