NHL 2018-19: The Sharks Really Traded For Erik Karlsson?

[tomalak301]

while I know this thread wont be as active as it was 10 years ago, there are still a few hockey fans here and the season starts in 4 days. Last year we were treated to a special Stanley Cup Final, featuring an expansion team and a team that finally broke through after years of running into the buzzsaw that was the Pittsburgh Penguins. Alex Ovechkin is still probably celebrating, as he and the rest of that team should.

The off-season saw many players moving, especially John Tavares going home, Max Pacioretty going to Vegas, and Doug Wilson fleecing the Senators, twice. I’m excited for what the Sharks might do this year. They are in win now mode and having Karlsson is going to be fun.

The best sport on earth is back, and I hope it’s a great year.

 

[Danny99]

I'm holding guarded optimism that the Leafs will do well. This is the best team we've had when it comes to pure skill. I just hope the defense doesn't fold like an umbrella in the wind and the team doesn't get pushed around.

 

[tomalak301]

Happy Opening Night all. One of the best nights of the entire year.

 

[Danny99]

It was great to have hockey back, but the Leafs/Habs was far too close for my liking.

And when is the NHL going to actual give Marchand a substantial suspension for the stupid crap he gets up to?

 

[tomalak301]

It was great to have hockey back, but the Leafs/Habs was far too close for my liking.

And when is the NHL going to actual give Marchand a substantial suspension for the stupid crap he gets up to?

Well, they did give Wilson a 20 gamer, so maybe we are close for Marchand. I too am tired of his shenanigans.

That Sharks game bummed me out. Jones looked awful, yet the team itself wasn't that bad. Heck, I thought Hertl was the best player on the ice and his goal was really cool. If Jones can clean up his performance and the Sharks stay dominant, they will do well.

 

[BlueStuff]

Too early to worry about anything at this point. Also too early for me to get excited about the Canucks but at least Pettersson is a legitimately exciting player.

 

[tomalak301]

Too early to worry about anything at this point. Also too early for me to get excited about the Canucks but at least Pettersson is a legitimately exciting player.

Pettersson, based on his preseason performance and his first game, made a nice case for leading the Calder rece. Like you said, it's early, but I might watch more Canucks games just to see him.

 

[BlueStuff]

I've been tipping the Hurricanes to break their playoff drought for a couple of years now. Could the addition of Svechnikov be enough for them to make it out of that titanic division?

 

[tomalak301]

Hurricanes are looking decent. Been watching a couple if thier games and while the opponents have been sub par, the games have been fun.

I wonder when the Sharks get thier first power play goal. Thier power play has not been efficient for a whike and I know it's early but they need to improve that.

 

[BlueStuff]

I wonder when the Sharks get thier first power play goal. Thier power play has not been efficient for a whike and I know it's early but they need to improve that.

Well you got your answer. 4 PPG in an 8-2 shellacking of the Flyers in Philly.

Leafs continue to score slightly more goals than their leaky defense ships. Matthews and Tavares on 7 and 6 goals after just 4 games.

 

[Danny99]

I'm getting tired of the Nylander debate. Of the three big young players we have (him, Matthews, Marner), he, while talented, has the smallest toolbox of the three. I don't think he's worth 8 million a year, but I think Marner and Matthews are. Having Tavares also makes it easier to move him for a defenceman or two and find some serviceable cheaper pieces to fill in the bottom 6.

 

[BlueStuff]

Only 2 games played but the Oilers don't look any closer to solving their problem of being completely reliant on McDavid. If he's not on the ice, they aren't likely to score.

 

[tomalak301]

Only 2 games played but the Oilers don't look any closer to solving their problem of being completely reliant on McDavid. If he's not on the ice, they aren't likely to score.

I don't understand the Oilers situation. They have the best player in the league (Or one of them), they have had some really generous draft picks over the last decade, but they are still stuck in mediocrity. Also, they might be regretting the Taylor Hall trade.

 

[Danny99]

They've never been able to get a good team around him. They have good pieces, but not in a team sense.

 

[BlueStuff]

Matthews is continuing his absurd pace. 16 points (10 goals) in 7 games. John Tavares is making Toronto a matchup nightmare.

 

[tomalak301]

Matthews is continuing his absurd pace. 16 points (10 goals) in 7 games. John Tavares is making Toronto a matchup nightmare.

I watched Toronto on Saturday and last night and they are really really good, and really fun to watch. Matthews is already insane in what he's doing and the scary thing is I think he can get better.

 

[BlueStuff]

Matthews is out for a month. Bad luck for the Leafs.

 

[Danny99]

They just need to get themselves together. They still have Tavares to carry the goal scoring load, but they need to buckle down and play some good defense.

 

[BlueStuff]

Rantanen and MacKinnon might give McDavid a challenge. It took a few years for them to reach their potential but they've looked especially exciting since last season.

 

[tomalak301]

Rantanen and MacKinnon might give McDavid a challenge. It took a few years for them to reach their potential but they've looked especially exciting since last season.

I would include Timo Meier in that as well. He's having an incredible season so far.