NHL 2017 -Official Discussion Thread

[StCapps]

Under what circumstances do you all think it's OK to change your team allegiance in any sport? I was a lifelong Blues fan (but not a hardcore hockey fan) until 1998, when Nashville made the scene.

It's kind of the same for the Titans for me, for the same reason. But otherwise, I don't tolerate johnny-come-latelys.

It's okay to switch your allegiance when you are a kid and haven't really chosen a favorite team yet. It's okay to switch your allegiance as an adult if a new franchise moves closer to your hometown than your current favorite franchise.

[StCapps]

I only NHL team I cheer for is the Avs.

I might cheer for another team, it's not like I have prove my fandom by not cheering for another team, I'm a Leafs fan, there's no requirement to say "I only cheer for the Leafs", because if you're not playing the Leafs, maybe I will cheer for your team, depends, I mean, I can cheer for the Pens, but Pens fans know that doesn't make me a Pens fan, it's not about cheering, cheering doesn't mean anything, merely cheering for does not a fan make.

Well I cheer for other teams like I cheer on good plays. It isn't the same as actively rooting for a team and actually caring about the outcome, that's what I meant. If some team playing the Avs makes a great play at their expense, it's not like I pretend they opposition did nothing right and won't even applaud a good play.

[Smitty-48]

Under what circumstances do you all think it's OK to change your team allegiance in any sport?

I have no idea, because it's just not possible for me, I was raised on the Leafs, mothers milk, it's not something I could choose to decline, under what circumstances would you stop feeling like an American? At what point would you feel the same for some other nation? I couldn't stop being a Leafs fan, even if the team ceased to exist, and there's no other team, that I could ever feel anything for, not in the heart, not down in the bones.

[Fife]

Under what circumstances do you all think it's OK to change your team allegiance in any sport?

I have no idea, because it's just not possible for me, I was raised on the Leafs, mothers milk, it's not something I could choose to decline, under what circumstances would you stop feeling like an American? At what point would you feel the same for some another nation? I couldn't stop being a Leafs fan, even if the team ceased to exist.

I'm the same way about the Cards. If Nashville got a big league team tomorrow, I'd like them OK, and I'd go to games, but I'd never switch my fandom. Not for a day, not for a minute.

I just never cared so much about hockey (or pro football) until Nashville got teams. Different sports makes a difference, I guess. At least to me.

[StCapps]

I have no idea, because it's just not possible for me, I was raised on the Leafs, mothers milk, it's not something I could choose to decline, under what circumstances would you stop feeling like an American? At what point would you feel the same for some other nation? I couldn't stop being a Leafs fan, even if the team ceased to exist.

Well unless some other team moves to Toronto, you would have no reason, and even then you stick with the Leafs no doubt. If some new team moved to Hamilton, I'd still be an Avs fan too, so I see where you are coming from. But it was certainly okay for Fife to switch over to the Preds, even if it isn't the decision we'd make in a similar scenario. I for one can't blame him for switching sides on that one and I think most Blues fans can understand where he's coming from.

[Smitty-48]

Well, if they add another NHL team in Toronto, I guess I'd have to root for them too, 6ix God till I die, but it wouldn't be the same as the Leafs, Leafs fans would still be Leafs fans, the other team would just be the "Clippers". The only time they would have a full house, would be when they were playing the Leafs, it would just be another way to get Leafs tickets, instead of having to go out of town.

That being said, I probably would end up being a "Clippers" fan too, two Toronto teams would be different than picking someone else's team, any team in the 6ix, is still Team 6ix, I would only root against them, if it came down to them or the Leafs, as long as they were actually in the 6ix and not Mississauga or some shit like that, they could only take a back seat to the Leafs.

[SilverEagle]

Well StCapps......Fleury looked good last night and slammed the door on the Caps. The Pens taking game 1 is huge and it might just be the series. The Pens have been in the Caps heads forever and them taking Game 1 in the fashion they did will haunt the Caps. Pens in 6

[StCapps]

Well StCapps......Fleury looked good last night and slammed the door on the Caps. The Pens taking game 1 is huge and it might just be the series. The Pens have been in the Caps heads forever and them taking Game 1 in the fashion they did will haunt the Caps. Pens in 6

Fleury looked okay, neither goalie was great. The Caps made it easy on Fleury the first half of the game by passing constantly and refusing to get pucks on net. The Caps main issue is their defense is too slow footed and they got caught on the game winner by Bonino as a result, they need to find a way too minimize that deficiency going forward. Also they have to stop starting the period so slowly, letting Crosby glide in untouched for that second goal was next level terrible defense. I thought the Caps played better for the most part in Game 1, but their defensive breakdowns at inopportune moments cost them the game.

The Pens will probably win the series in 6 or 7, but if I was a Pens fan, I still want Matt Murray back ASAP, because the Fleury meltdown could come at any moment, especially without Letang to bail him out, so keep them fingers crossed.

[SilverEagle]

Well StCapps......Fleury looked good last night and slammed the door on the Caps. The Pens taking game 1 is huge and it might just be the series. The Pens have been in the Caps heads forever and them taking Game 1 in the fashion they did will haunt the Caps. Pens in 6

Fleury looked okay, neither goalie was great. The Caps made it easy on Fleury the first half of the game by passing constantly and refusing to get pucks on net. The Caps main issue is their defense is too slow footed and they got caught on the game winner by Bonino as a result, they need to find a way too minimize that deficiency going forward. Also they have to stop starting the period so slowly, letting Crosby glide in untouched for that second goal was next level terrible defense. I thought the Caps played better for the most part in Game 1, but their defensive breakdowns at inopportune moments cost them the game.

The Pens will probably win the series in 6 or 7, but if I was a Pens fan, I still want Matt Murray back ASAP, because the Fleury meltdown could come at any moment, especially without Letang to bail him out, so keep them fingers crossed.

Again with the Fleury hate. He actually played extremely well. Look you keep screaming about Murray but guess what Murray is not going to be back anytime soon and when he does he will be rusty as shit. This is NOT the same old Fleury. He's playing much better and if you actually read any press releases you'll notice his quotes are all have one thing in common. "It's fun" He is having fun and he is relaxed. A player in any sport that is having fun and playing relaxed mentally will perform at the top of their game. So no I'm not worried about Fleury at all. Pens in 6.

[StCapps]

Fleury is being overrated by a media looking for a story. Of course he's happy and having fun, he's overjoyed not be a complete sive in the playoffs for once since he won his first Cup, who the fuck wouldn't be? Fleury wasn't particularly impressive last night, he didn't see much action until the third period and when he did he didn't have to make any massive saves. Guentzel played better in net last night. The rest of the team is doing all the work for him right now, but when the defense stops overperforming and the offense slows down, then we'll see how he holds up.