[OOT] October 14, just four games.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Poster

It's not tanking, it's planning.

They most surely do not enter a season with the plan to lose. They may realize they aren't a contender but no way they enter a board room and tell their staff "guys, our plan this season is to lose and lose often"

They're not trying to win. Sports are binary: win, or lose. If you're purposefully not trying to win...

[Poster]

Ok guys. Sorry to derail. I simply do not believe these ultra competitive sportsmen would ever consider entering a season planning to not win.

Agree to disagree and perhaps it will come up as an topic thread sometime.

[Sylvanfan]

The Coyotes might be the 01-02 Flames. Ride a hot goaltender and bust their are for 15 games until reality sets in.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Poster

Ok guys. Sorry to derail. I simply do not believe these ultra competitive sportsmen would ever consider entering a season planning to not win.

Agree to disagree and perhaps it will come up as an topic thread sometime.

They're only ultra competitive to a point. When the GM clearly trades away many key pieces sending a clear message they're not looking to compete that year, players can be pretty apathetic very quickly. While they're not playing to lose, they aren't playing to win either. Happens with many basement teams toward the end of the year, and falls right into the plan of the organization looking to tank for a high pick.

[Street Pharmacist]

And keeps a coach that he can see can't coach

Edit: Pat LaFontaine couldn't stand it

[KootenayFlamesFan]

The Ducks just aren't scoring so far this year. They've been very quiet.

[Poster]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

They're only ultra competitive to a point. When the GM clearly trades away many key pieces sending a clear message they're not looking to compete that year, players can be pretty apathetic very quickly. While they're not playing to lose, they aren't playing to win either. Happens with many basement teams toward the end of the year, and falls right into the plan of the organization looking to tank for a high pick.

At the end of season it just asset management, no question. I am saying teams don't enter the season with the goal of not winning.

That's not the same thing as trading assets at the deadline.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

4-0 final for Arizona. Duclair with the hatty.

The Ducks need to get rolling, what do they have, 2 goals so far this year?

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Poster

At the end of season it just asset management, no question. I am saying teams don't enter the season with the goal of not winning.

That's not the same thing as trading assets at the deadline.

I'm saying that (as a recent example) the owners / management of Buffalo went into last year knowing they wanted to finish last for a shot at McDavid. The Tank is real.

Players don't get a memo, but they know the deal and when it's clear the management is content to basement dwell, they mail it in and plan Vegas trips etc.

[thefoss1957]

The 'Hawks, over the last decade, or so, really struggle to bring their "A" game to non-O6 Eastern teams...and tonight was no exception. Neuvirth was both lucky and good, as the 'Hawks missed many open chances, and often screwed up on gaping nets to hit Neuvirth in his Flyers' logo. Crawford's D let him down on Gagner's and Giroux's goals, Svedberg screening CC on the PP goal, and Seabrook let Raffl walk out from behind the net to leave the puck in the blue paint for Giroux's tap in.

Philly did enough...the 'Hawks limited themselves to a perimeter game...great possession, craptastic finishing. 3-0 Shutout for Philly.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

The Coyotes might be the 01-02 Flames. Ride a hot goaltender and bust their are for 15 games until reality sets in.

Or The Flames of 2014-2015. But not getting ahead of myself here.

[dammage79]

Mike Smith looks to be having a resurgence. I like it

[Enoch Root]

Every year the kids dominate in October before things really get rolling. And then every year reality sets in for the vast majority of them.

And every year fans seem to be surprised by this.

[Jordan!]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Every year the kids dominate in October before things really get rolling. And then every year reality sets in for the vast majority of them.

And every year fans seem to be surprised by this.

Every year a team makes the playoffs that shouldn't because of said kids.

See, last year's Flames.

With that said, not sure the yotes are The Flames of last year. Wayyyy too early.