NHL season 2015-2016

months of nothing and suddenly two deals, including a blockbuster.

-The first trade is Ryan Johansen (1st line center) from Columbus to Nashville for Seth Jones (highly talented Dman). Both players are still young and selected 4th in their respective drafts. Nashville is deep in Defensemen and was searching for a first line center for over a decade now. Johansen had some trouble with the head coach about discipline and it is better for him that he moves. Looks like a win-win for both teams (although I still think a 1st line center is more valuable).

-The second trade is Vincent LeCavalier (50% salary retained) and Luke Schenn (50% salary retained) from Philadelphia to Los Angeles for Jordan Weal and a 3rd round pick. This is clearly a great move by Philadelphia to clean up their salary house. Los Angeles need a 4th line center and hope the veteran LeCavalier still has some gas in the tank, while Schenn will probably play in the bottom defense pairing, where the Kings have some trouble. LeCavalier has agreed to retire after this season which means 4 million of the books for Philadelphia the coming two years.

Originally posted by AmsterdamCalling
Dallas (west) and Washington (east) are now running away from the rest of the field. http://www.nhl.com/ice/standings.htm?season=20152016&type=LEA

Who will win the regular season? I would put my money on Washington. Dallas was owning St Louis big time last night but still not convinced about their goalie tandem. Washington has solid tending with Holtby in net. Other surprise is that the Florida Panthers are in the lead in the Atlantic, the first time in a looong time. They have a pretty nice squad with a lot of young talents like Huberdeau, Barkov, Bjugstad, Ekblad and (old) veterans in Jagr, Campbell and Luongo.

Everything can happen but Dallas and Washington are pretty much at their own levels atm. I`m actually pretty convinced about Dallas goalies. Equal amount of ice time for both is just gonna increase Dallas edge when they reach the playoffs when other team has more tired No.1 goalie. And Niemi is already Stanley Cup winner so... But we`ll see if they`re gonna continue like this at the playoffs or choose another to be No.1 at the playoffs. Who knows, they might even trade other one away before.

Originally posted by AmsterdamCalling
-The first trade is Ryan Johansen (1st line center) from Columbus to Nashville for Seth Jones (highly talented Dman). Both players are still young and selected 4th in their respective drafts. Nashville is deep in Defensemen and was searching for a first line center for over a decade now. Johansen had some trouble with the head coach about discipline and it is better for him that he moves. Looks like a win-win for both teams (although I still think a 1st line center is more valuable).

Kind of high risk-high reward. Columbus is not reaching for the playoffs anymore. If they get a first draft pick this year, they will for sure pick Auston Matthews (#1 prospect, C). http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199898

What comes to this year draft, I`m looking forward to see if someone will pick a Finnish players as No.1. Even though Matthews is #1 prospect in almost every rankings. We have this year two player who will very likely go to top 3 and total three prospects who will very likely to go top 10.

Originally posted by NutzAreOk

Originally posted by AmsterdamCalling
-The first trade is Ryan Johansen (1st line center) from Columbus to Nashville for Seth Jones (highly talented Dman). Both players are still young and selected 4th in their respective drafts. Nashville is deep in Defensemen and was searching for a first line center for over a decade now. Johansen had some trouble with the head coach about discipline and it is better for him that he moves. Looks like a win-win for both teams (although I still think a 1st line center is more valuable).

Kind of high risk-high reward. Columbus is not reaching for the playoffs anymore. If they get a first draft pick this year, they will for sure pick Auston Matthews (#1 prospect, C). http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=199898

What comes to this year draft, I`m looking forward to see if someone will pick a Finnish players as No.1. Even though Matthews is #1 prospect in almost every rankings. We have this year two player who will very likely go to top 3 and total three prospects who will very likely to go top 10.

Yeah, the first line of Finland at the world juniors was amazing. Puljujarvi and Laine both looked like top 3 picks and maybe one of them will go first, but I will still think the teams chose 'homer' Matthews first, baring long term injuries.

I agree that with Columbus tanking this may be a good deal for them long term. For Nashville, with their top 4 D, it looks like a pretty solid deal as well.

Washington now has a commanding lead (5 points, 2 games in hand) over Dallas. Chicago are only 2 points behind Dallas in the Central Division due to a 8 game win streak. Florida, leading in the Atlantic, just lost to Vancouver after a 12(!) game win streak, a franchise record (I think?).

Blackhawks are hot, Canadiens not. Montreal started with a 9 game win streak the season but only have won 4 in 20 games or so and are now even out of the play offs. They need Price back in a hurry or it is too late (even a chance no Canadian team will make the play offs, at this point no teams would be in!). Chicago has won 12 in a row and the Kane-Anisimov-Panarin has to be one of the most powerful lines I've seen in my entire life.

Currently in PO positions over half of the season:

East: Washington, Florida, New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Boston, New Jersey (they still are, what a surprise). Lot of teams are close, expect Pittsburgh to throw out New Jersey of the last wild card spot.

West: Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, St Louis, San Jose, Arizona (see New Jersey), Minnesota, Colorado. I expect Anaheim and Nashville to take the places of Arizona and Colorado respectively but here are also some other teams with chances.

Almost certain no Canadian team will make it Anaheim is the best team since December and have won 10 in a row now

Trade deadline has passed and Boston probably got the best assets together with Chicago (both had to pay a high price though).

so now it is certain: No Canadian team will make the play offs. Last year 5 of 7 Canadien teams made the play offs but this year none, and they even didn't come close (Ottawa was the last team eliminated with 5 games left). Very painful.

In the East Philadelphia put up a great streak and they have overtaken Detroit, who are now out of a play off position. Can be the end of a 24 year play off streak for the Red Wings if they don't turn it around. Detroit is 1 point behind plunging Boston for third in the Atlantic and 2 points (and 1 game more played) behind Philadelphia.

In the West the wild card race is almost decided. Dallas, St Louis, Chicago, Nashville (WC1), Minnesota (WC2) from the central division and Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose from the pacific division will go the play offs. Colorado has a small change to overtake one of Nashville or Minnesota in the remainder of the season but I don't see it happening.

That’s sounds painful for the Canadian ice hockey that no club is qualified for it.

hope to se Andersen and the ducks go all the way:f_drink:

Boston, Detroit and Philadelphia still battle for 2 spots. Tonight at 1 am (Paris time) Boston and Detroit play each other. It's a MUST win in regulation time for the Bruins as they are 2 points behind the Red Wings with only 2 games left for both teams. Boston has the same number of points as Philadelphia but the Flyers have 1 game in hand, including a relatively easy game against Toronto.

In the West we have Dallas and St Louis battling for first in Central and Los Angeles and Anaheim for first in Pacific (tonight they play each other). Chicago, San Jose, Nashville and Minnesota are also already qualified. It's just about positioning now and home advantage.

Originally posted by deralte71
hope to se Andersen and the ducks go all the way:f_drink:

Agreed, like the Ducks a lot. Lot of depth up front. Hope Andersen is ready for the play offs but they will probably start with Gibson in net the first two games anyways.

I’m not following the action, but all seats for the playoffs decided yet?

The playoff positions have been decided. First round matchups below:

So who will ultimately lift the Stanley Cup aloft?

So finally the play off started with 3 games during the night, as a Swede i am happy to see Swedish players had a big impact at some games,,, Victor Hedman scored the game winning goal for Tampa against Detroit in their 3-2 win, Patrik Hörnquist had 3 goals and 1 assist in Pittsburghs 5-2 win against New York Rangers( where Henrik Lundquist had to leave the game after 1 period after geting a stick in his eye late in first period, he did came back in goal for the last minute of period and allowed 1 goal)

In the 3rd game St Louis got a overtime win against Chicago 1-0.

I would guess on Tampa Bay Lightning, but why they would win I don’t know

4 games was played during the night, Washington got off with a good start with a 2-0 win against Philadelphia. Swede Marcus Johansson had 2 assists

New York Islanders beat Florida 5-4 Dallas beat Minnesota 4-0 and San Jose beat Los Angeles 4-3

Originally posted by SDK1987
I would guess on Tampa Bay Lightning, but why they would win I don’t know

Tampa has some problems due to injuries for Stamkos and Stralman but luckily they will have a relatively easy first round.

Predictions: Dallas in 4, Chicago in 7, Los Angeles in 6, Anaheim in 7 in the west. Washington in 5, Pittsburgh in 6, Florida in 7 and Tampa in 6. Anaheim will hoist the cup if they get passed LA (or Sharks) in the second round.

Originally posted by rompas
4 games was played during the night, Washington got off with a good start with a 2-0 win against Philadelphia. Swede Marcus Johansson had 2 assists

New York Islanders beat Florida 5-4 Dallas beat Minnesota 4-0 and San Jose beat Los Angeles 4-3

The Swedes are doing well Your defense will be amazing in 2018: Karlsson, Hedman, Klingberg, OEL (my personal favourite), Lindholm, Stralman and Hjalmarsson! If they keep getting better that may even be 4 of the top 5 best Dmen in the world....

4 games during the night, at Swedish Front Filip Forsberg got the game winning goal in Nashville 3-2 win against Anaheim, otherwise nothing special for Swedish Players in today games...

Tampa Won against Detroit with 5-2 this time ( lead series 2-0) and Detroit will have it hard to turn this series i think.

Chicago won this time with 3-2 against St Louis ( series tied 1-1) would not be supriced if this series go to 7 games

Florida beat New York Islanders 3-1 ( series tied 1-1) To me Islanders looks stronger then Florida in this 2 games but Roberto Loungo was great in this game and will need to stay at that level for Florida to have a chance win this series

Originally posted by AmsterdamCalling

Originally posted by SDK1987
I would guess on Tampa Bay Lightning, but why they would win I don’t know

Tampa has some problems due to injuries for Stamkos and Stralman but luckily they will have a relatively easy first round.

Predictions: Dallas in 4, Chicago in 7, Los Angeles in 6, Anaheim in 7 in the west. Washington in 5, Pittsburgh in 6, Florida in 7 and Tampa in 6. Anaheim will hoist the cup if they get passed LA (or Sharks) in the second round.

We will see what happened in the end, but you are most of the time pretty good with predictions.