Official Northern Canada Division Thread Brought To You By Scotiabank: You're Ri.....

[bax]

Regarding the Tkachuk incident- it’s nothing. Yes, he’s being annoying but that’s the extent of it. I’ve read some claims of intent to injury and slamming his knees into the back of Campbell’s head, it’s gross hyperbole. Even Campbell brushed it off as nothing post game.

Early assessment of each team so far:

Toronto- looking about as good as I would have expected so far. Will be a top 4 team come seasons end, but prone to lapses and inconsistency. Not the run away best team in division.

Montreal- forward depth is looking good. They are a better team than last year. Looking forward to seeing them against Calgary this week. Hard to judge too much the way Van and Edm are playing. Should finish in the top 4.

Calgary- so far so good. Markstrom has come as advertised, defense and forward depth allowing for better match ups, unlucky to not get at least a point yesterday. Should finish in the top 4 as well.

Winnipeg- good start for them, but 3 games against Ottawa helps. They will compete but I don’t see them getting into the playoffs. Will be interesting to see how Dubois factors in.

Ottawa- fun, scrappy team. Won’t be winning much, but looks like they are in the early phases of building something.

Edmonton- same old team so far. If McDavid doesn’t put up 3 points they won’t be winning much. Terrible depth. Have a chance at number 4, but I’m not betting on it.

Vancouver- terrible start for them. The defense in shambles without Tanev. Their goalies haven’t even played horrible, but nowhere near the level Markstrom did for them last year. Major regression for them. Should improve a bit once Pettersen find his game.

[Table 5]

I miss seeing other teams, but not as much as seeing fans in the stands. The NHL has done as good a job as it can, but it's really hard to replicate the energy of a real crowd.

[MrMike]

I just don’t care enough about Toronto or Montreal or Ottawa. To me they are just another team out east. I rather watch stars that we rarely see like Crosby and Ovechkin. And at this point we have better rivalries with California that I’d rather be watching.

[SeanCharles]

Ottawa is becoming my 2nd favourite team.

This year aside, they won’t be our direct rivals and have the other Tkachuk brother.

Plus they have guys like Norris, Stutzle, Batherson and Chabot.

They are going to be an exciting team in a few years and went back to the original Senators logo and beautiful black jerseys.

Im going to be rooting to for them when they don’t play us.

In regards to the other teams, good for Montreal to turn things around; Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Toronto can suck it.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I miss seeing other teams, but not as much as seeing fans in the stands. The NHL has done as good a job as it can, but it's really hard to replicate the energy of a real crowd.

I barely notice it.

Never really watched hockey for the crowds, and have spent many games in the Dome where Minnesota or Phoenix came on a Tuesday and you could hear a pin drop

[Yamer]

C'mon, we seriously can't own that Tkachuk is a dick and we absolutely love him for it?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Yamer

C'mon, we seriously can't own that Tkachuk is a dick and we absolutely love him for it?

He is. And we do.

Still a nothing play though

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

He is. And we do.

Still a nothing play though

He accidently-on-purpose fell onto an already injured goaltender. That's not precisely nothing, but I agree it's not much worth a second look regarding discipline.

Still, if I was a Leafs fan I would be justifiably upset.

And as a Flames fan, suck it Laffs. Tkachuk ain't getting any friendlier.

[blender]

Here is how I am viewing this season of divisional play. This is for my own enjoyment, so your results may vary:

If we assume that 66 points will get the Flames (or any team)into the playoffs, here is one way to get there.
Basically look at each set of games vs each respective team as a series. If you go 6-4 against the teams you play 10 times and 5-4 vs the other teams, you have your 66 points.

Obviously there are other permutations and ways to get the points, but I like the challenge of "winning" every series throughout the season.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

For the Tkachuk incident I think it was dirty but there is no way you can prove intent so I doubt there is any punishment.

Honest question to suss out any confirmation bias...

If that "incident" happens with Johnny Gaudreau or even Sean Monahan, do you have any reaction whatsoever? If not, you may need to reassess your bias.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by savemedrzaius

For the Tkachuk incident I think it was dirty but there is no way you can prove intent so I doubt there is any punishment.

What about the leaf player that pushed Gio in the back while Markstrom was freezing the puck. There was definite intent there, and Gio was able to not lose his balance and collide with the goalie. Gave the guy a decent crosscheck for the shenanigan. Should that be a suspension because of intent?

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Table 5

I miss seeing other teams, but not as much as seeing fans in the stands. The NHL has done as good a job as it can, but it's really hard to replicate the energy of a real crowd.

I'm in the camp of having not missed fans a whole lot but I know the energy and atmosphere will pick up when they're back and that adds to the overall enjoyment.

Case in point, UFC welcomed crowds back this past week and while the shows have been fine without it was pretty noticeable hearing chants and spontaneous roars of applause again. It made it more fun honestly. Oddly refreshing.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Edmonton is no good.
Vancouver is no good.
Toronto is no good.
Winnipeg is no good.
Ottawa is no good.
Montreal is no good/Montréal n'est pas bon.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Edmonton is no good.
Vancouver is no good.
Toronto is no good.
Winnipeg is no good.
Ottawa is no good.
Montreal is no good/Montréal n'est pas bon.

It makes one wonder if this thread actually serves any useful purpose.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Honest question to suss out any confirmation bias...

If that "incident" happens with Johnny Gaudreau or even Sean Monahan, do you have any reaction whatsoever? If not, you may need to reassess your bias.

TBF, while that's true to a certain extent, when can you recall Gaudreau or Monahan being in that position?

[Tron_fdc]

Leafs may just win a round or two in the playoffs seeing as they won't play Boston.

I wonder who they will likely choke against this year though. Calgary? Montreal? Edmonton?

I'm DYING for a Calgary-Edmonton series though. If there is a baby jesus there will be crowds for playoffs, and a donnybrook or two when Tkachuk slaps the taste out of Mcdavids mouth.

[Monahammer]

Tkachuk is a huge dick and its one of the best parts of his game.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Tkachuk is a huge dick and its one of the best parts of his game.

Selection of other players known to be huge dicks on the ice:

Brad Marchand
Corey Perry
Gordie Howe
Chris Pronger
Keith Tkachuk
Mark Messier
Scott Stevens

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Yamer

C'mon, we seriously can't own that Tkachuk is a dick and we absolutely love him for it?

He's our dick. ��

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Selection of other players known to be huge dicks on the ice:

Brad Marchand
Corey Perry
Gordie Howe
Chris Pronger
Keith Tkachuk
Mark Messier
Scott Stevens

You forgot Tony Amonte