WCQF: Colorado Avalanche [CENT1] vs Seattle Kraken [WC1] KRAKEN WIN 4-3

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by TrentCrimmIndependent

Not a fan of this insta-contender theme with expansion teams.

If they expand to 34 I think a change of rules is in order.

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

They got roasted here and all over social media for their expansion picks. Even tonight's roster, you don't look at it and think 'wow, what a powerhouse.'

Sometimes the right mix of players, good coaching and good goaltending can win a lot of games. Plus there is zero pressure on them. They are not supposed to win this series. They are playing with house money.

Expansion rules are fine. You get either a teams 8th best forward, 4th best dman, or second best goalie...that isn't crazy.

To me it shows the value of cap space in the NHL.

Largely a big part of the Kraken team was made via UFA signings that they were able to make with cap space: Schwartz, Wennberg, Donato, Sprong, Larsson, Schultz,

Plus if you have cap space you can take advantage of other NHL teams. Oliver Bjorkstrand for free...thank you very much Columbus. Eeli Tolvanen for free on Waivers...don't mind if I do.

So I don't really think the expansion rules really helped the Kraken or the Knights a ton, in the end it's still a lot of GM incompetence that helps create these teams.

For example the Leafs/Penguins both could have easily just protected Jared McCann...but instead they protected Justin Holl and Teddy Blueger respectively. The Islanders needed the cap space so they protected Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin over Jordan Eberle (lol Lou).

The biggest advantage they probably got was getting the 2nd overall pick - Beniers looks like the real deal.

[Toonage]

The Kraken's success this season rests more on their off season and in season pickups then their expansion draft choices IMO.

Granted last season they had their issues, and many of those players are still there and thriving (McCann), but the addition of Bjorkstrand, Tolvanen and Burakovsky elevated this team substantially. A full year for Beniers and Daniel Sprong finding his groove on the 4L didn't hurt either and Martin Jones finding the fountain of youth for a few weeks was a boost.

Also, I'm not sure I can wrap my head around Hakstol being a good coach, but here we are.

[AC]

wow, Tanev with a SHG to put Seattle up 2-0.

Tanev celebrates by blowing a kiss to an Aves fan, hahaha.

[AC]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1649236020339113984

[Toonage]

Don't get cocky Kraken. Stay out of the box. Eventually it will hurt you.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

The Avs look like a team that just expect to win this series. Seattle is playing like they want it more. Very feisty team, playing well so far.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Grubauer is goaling the hell out of the Avs

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

They got roasted here and all over social media for their expansion picks. Even tonight's roster, you don't look at it and think 'wow, what a powerhouse.'

Sometimes the right mix of players, good coaching and good goaltending can win a lot of games. Plus there is zero pressure on them. They are not supposed to win this series. They are playing with house money.

Exactly.

Also, Giorgiev has been awful, and Grubauer has been great.

[oldschoolcalgary]

I'd be happy to see Seattle oust the Avs

[Toonage]

Christ almost 3-0

Lol crowd booing the Avs off the ice

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Karl

Games like this one are why the addage of anything can happen when playoffs come to is so damn true. So just making it is nothing to scoff at.

No.
Obviously making it is great but this adage is typically used to justify poor decision by management when they need honest reflection and longer term thinking.
It's a terrible mentality.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

No.
Obviously making it is great but this adage is typically used to justify poor decision by management when they need honest reflection and longer term thinking.
It's a terrible mentality.

totally agree with this. It is an outlier. Also, getting past the first round isn't the goal: winning a Stanley Cup is.

Not many teams Cinderella their way through 4 series.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

No.
Obviously making it is great but this adage is typically used to justify poor decision by management when they need honest reflection and longer term thinking.
It's a terrible mentality.

That doesn't make the adage wrong.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

It's Turbo Time! Being a Kraken fan continues to be fun.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

That doesn't make the adage wrong.

Two things can be true at once:

1. Anything can happen in the playoffs
2. It's not the best idea to build a team off the mentality of "just sneak in"

[Southside403]

I'm shocked the avalanche look so lost

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Hockey_Ninja

Two things can be true at once:

1. Anything can happen in the playoffs
2. It's not the best idea to build a team off the mentality of "just sneak in"

Yes, and my point was the other poster was conflating the two

[Drake]

That changed quickly.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

That escalated quickly. Tie game.

[Enoch Root]

Two quick goals by the Avs

They are all over the Kraken now