PDO Podcast: Florida #1 in league?

[FanIn80]

Lots of really great points. Love what they're saying about Forsling. This guy is just so good.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/650/hockey-...ve-east-teams/

Edit: Also their playing style, which is just "attack puck, move forward."
Edit: Or, as they described it: "see puck, get puck, move forward."

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I've been watching them all year and they look light years better than last year, especially defensively. Unless their play falls off right before the playoffs, I'd be betting on them to come out of the East again.

[FanIn80]

Yeah, you gotta like how Zito recognized their lack of depth on D and zeroed in on that in the offseason. Their third pair against the Pens last game was Ekman-Larsson and Kulikov.

Edit: I mean, they were without Ekblad and Montour for the entire first month of the season, but they're still sitting 2nd in the East and top three in all 5v5 metrics.

[metroneck]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Lots of really great points. Love what they're saying about Forsling. This guy is just so good.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/650/hockey-...ve-east-teams/

Edit: Also their playing style, which is just "attack puck, move forward."
Edit: Or, as they described it: "see puck, get puck, move forward."

Edmonton not the best team in the league? That’s unpossible.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Yeah, you gotta like how Zito recognized their lack of depth on D and zeroed in on that in the offseason. Their third pair against the Pens last game was Ekman-Larsson and Kulikov.

Edit: I mean, they were without Ekblad and Montour for the entire first month of the season, but they're still sitting 2nd in the East and top three in all 5v5 metrics.

Ekman-Larsson has 9 goals and 25 points. That's his highest goal total in 5 years. His play early when both Montour and Ekblad were out is the single biggest reason the team was in a decent position when they returned.

Evan Rodrigues has also been a nice pickup, and fit in quite well. Even someone like Kevin Stenlund (who?) has been quite valuable this year in a bottom 6 and PK role.

Zito has a really good eye for talent that could flourish in his team's identity. I'm impressed by his ability to team build from scraps.

[Icantwhisper]

If only there were a poster that could pull up some obscure fact to prove this is all smoke and mirrors

[blankall]

It's the 2025 pick that impacts the Monahan trade? So we need them to finish outside of the top 10, and Calgary to finish in the top 10 next year?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

If only there were a poster that could pull up some obscure fact to prove this is all smoke and mirrors

Dino's been all over Tkachuk and the Panthers this year as finally coming back down to earth.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by blankall

It's the 2025 pick that impacts the Monahan trade? So we need them to finish outside of the top 10, and Calgary to finish in the top 10 next year?

This years pick and next years. Unless they have an amazing fall from grace then this year's pick will transfer to Philly and then it comes down to Florida not getting a top ten pick next year to be really safe.
The ultimate screw job next year would be for Florida to end up with the 16th overall, winning the lottery, and the Flames having the 2nd overall.I might stop watching hockey if that happens lol

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Dino's been all over Tkachuk and the Panthers this year as finally coming back down to earth.

lol I know. Chucky spent the entire offseason unable to workout, and we just have to look at Keith to see what a stationary Tkachuk can start to look like. A couple months to get back into game shape while actually playing games isn't too bad.

27 points in his first 36 games, followed by 24 points in his next 13 games.

"Florida sucks. Tkachuk sucks. I won money on a bet. Rawwwrrr."


(Good-natured ribbing, Dino. No offence intended.)

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Ekman-Larsson has 9 goals and 25 points. That's his highest goal total in 5 years. His play early when both Montour and Ekblad were out is the single biggest reason the team was in a decent position when they returned.

Evan Rodrigues has also been a nice pickup, and fit in quite well. Even someone like Kevin Stenlund (who?) has been quite valuable this year in a bottom 6 and PK role.

Zito has a really good eye for talent that could flourish in his team's identity. I'm impressed by his ability to team build from scraps.

Yeah for sure. It always bugged me that all those years we were trying to find a center for Jarome, our whole MO was "draft crashers and bangers, then sign a center and hope for the best." (I'm over-simplifying for effect.)

Zito just carpet bombs any weaknesses. "We need D. Gimme these 5 for now and I might come back for more later."

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Ekman-Larsson has 9 goals and 25 points. That's his highest goal total in 5 years. His play early when both Montour and Ekblad were out is the single biggest reason the team was in a decent position when they returned.

Evan Rodrigues has also been a nice pickup, and fit in quite well. Even someone like Kevin Stenlund (who?) has been quite valuable this year in a bottom 6 and PK role.

Zito has a really good eye for talent that could flourish in his team's identity. I'm impressed by his ability to team build from scraps.

It's also a lot easier to do that in Florida IMO.

Guys like OEK, Kulikov, are more likely to sign the cheaper 1 year deals in a place like Florida.

Rodrigues has been a good player the last couple years but teams never seemed to have cap for him. If you're going to take less might as well be in Florida.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

It's also a lot easier to do that in Florida IMO.

Guys like OEK, Kulikov, are more likely to sign the cheaper 1 year deals in a place like Florida.

Rodrigues has been a good player the last couple years but teams never seemed to have cap for him. If you're going to take less might as well be in Florida.

That's a valid point for sure. It's going to be interesting when Verhaeghe, Bennett and Ekblad are all up at the same time at the end of next season.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

lol I know. Chucky spent the entire offseason unable to workout, and we just have to look at Keith to see what a stationary Tkachuk can start to look like. A couple months to get back into game shape while actually playing games isn't too bad.

27 points in his first 36 games, followed by 24 points in his next 13 games.

"Florida sucks. Tkachuk sucks. I won money on a bet. Rawwwrrr."


(Good-natured ribbing, Dino. No offence intended.)

don't worry I will remember it when they don't win the cup and you are all butthurt about me being happy about it

its almost certain they don't get as far this season so have your fun now, we can chat in the spring. Glad you are all so excited for the guy that bailed and ruined the franchise, sorry I'm not lol.

Also, the Avs are the best team in the NHL

[jayswin]

Lol

[dino7c]

Its all in good fun, hating teams is half the reason people watch sports.

Its just funny how we all hate the Oilers and have no problem with anybody celebrating their downfall but when it comes to another team people get so defensive. I mean I would rather Tkachuk win a cup than the Oilers but I will be doing the dance of joy when neither do.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Its just funny how we all hate the Oilers and have no problem with anybody celebrating their downfall but when it comes to another team people get so defensive. I mean I would rather Tkachuk win a cup than the Oilers but I will be doing the dance of joy when neither do.

I lived through Gary bloody Leeman winning the Stanley Cup. I don't even feel that stuff anymore.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Originally Posted by dino7c

don't worry I will remember it when they don't win the cup and you are all butthurt about me being happy about it

its almost certain they don't get as far this season so have your fun now, we can chat in the spring. Glad you are all so excited for the guy that bailed and ruined the franchise, sorry I'm not lol.

Also, the Avs are the best team in the NHL

Colorado team defensive numbers don't look very good. 5 on 5 expected goals against is right around where Calgary is, in the low teens/early 20's. Goaltending numbers are also around the same spot for goals against above expected.

As we saw last year, you need to have some game breaking offensive talent, but strong team defense and goaltending is what wins in the playoffs. Every. Year.

The Avs have a lot to prove in terms of being a legitimate playoff contender. It's probably why they are desperately looking at Lindholm to help defensively.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Colorado team defensive numbers don't look very good. 5 on 5 expected goals against is right around where Calgary is, in the low teens/early 20's. Goaltending numbers are also around the same spot for goals against above expected.

As we saw last year, you need to have some game breaking offensive talent, but strong team defense and goaltending is what wins in the playoffs. Every. Year.

The Avs have a lot to prove in terms of being a legitimate playoff contender. It's probably why they are desperately looking at Lindholm to help defensively.

This is why I've been advocating Markstrom to COL and Tanev to FLA. '96 Cup rematch!

Lindholm to FLA would be pretty fun too. Bennet Lindholm Tkachuk!

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

This is why I've been advocating Markstrom to COL and Tanev to FLA. '96 Cup rematch!

Lindholm to FLA would be pretty fun too. Bennet Lindholm Tkachuk!

If they acquire Lindy, do they move heaven & earth to try and get Johnny too? I'm guessing no, but man would that be interesting if it actually happened.

Originally Posted by dino7c

Its all in good fun, hating teams is half the reason people watch sports.

Its just funny how we all hate the Oilers and have no problem with anybody celebrating their downfall but when it comes to another team people get so defensive. I mean I would rather Tkachuk win a cup than the Oilers but I will be doing the dance of joy when neither do.

No one is getting defensive. We just find it fascinating how you always think they're a trash team no matter what the results on the ice actually are.