MHF - Hockey Thread

[Smitty-48]

Hopefully VGK-SJ goes to seven games, that way whoever ends playing the Avs gets worn down a little more. Would be surprised if VGK choked this series away though, they probably win the series tonight.

If the Real MVP goes Conn Smythe the Avs could get to the Cup final and have a shot to win.

It's all about getting hot at the right time and everybody riding that wave.

It's all in the mind, sustain the grind.

[Smitty-48]

This is the source of the Leafs inconsistency.

It's a team of young stars.

They're immature.

It's all about focus.

They lose focus and stop grinding, then they get burned.

If they can just grow up a bit, they will sustain the grind.

That's what Babcock means when he says they need to be "men".

They did for one game so far. One complete game.

If they can start to string those together, then they can do some damage.

[Smitty-48]

And Cale Makar stepped right into the playoffs like it ain't no thang.

He's the new Charlie McAvoy.

Now that I've been able to judge him against NHL playoff pace, I think he could be better than McAvoy.

I think he might be Karlsson actually.

His skating is much better than McAvoy's.

Makar's first three steps are Superstar explosive, like Karlsson.

McAvoy is more like Neidermayer. High Hockey IQ, reads and reacts, steady eddie, who can rush the puck.

Makar is more explosive, he's got rocket sauce like a point per game defenseman.

[StCapps]

And Cale Makar stepped right into the playoffs like it ain't no thang.

He's the new Charlie McAvoy.

Now that I've been able to judge him against NHL playoff pace, I think he could be better than McAvoy.

I think he might be Karlsson actually.

His skating is much better than McAvoy's.

Makar's first three steps are Superstar explosive, like Karlsson.

McAvoy is more like Neidermayer. High Hockey IQ, reads and reacts, steady eddie, who can rush the puck.

Makar is more explosive, he's got rocket sauce like a point per game defenseman.

Indeed, but don't sleep on Makar's hockey IQ, that's one his best assets, he just happens to be an explosive skater as well, but he's not lacking in the cerebral department.

[Smitty-48]

Now that I've been able to judge him against NHL playoff pace, I think he could be better than McAvoy.

I think he might be Karlsson actually.

His skating is much better than McAvoy's.

Makar's first three steps are Superstar explosive, like Karlsson.

McAvoy is more like Neidermayer. High Hockey IQ, reads and reacts, steady eddie, who can rush the puck.

Makar is more explosive, he's got rocket sauce like a point per game defenseman.

Indeed, but don't sleep on Makar's hockey IQ, that's one his best assets, he just happens to be an explosive skater as well, but he's not lacking in the cerebral department, he's smart as fuck.

That's exactly why I think he's better than McAvoy.

He can do what McAvoy does, but then go past that all the way to Karlssonville.

Particularly playing with the Real MVP and the Real Patrik Laine. Makar could really rack up some points.

[Smitty-48]

LIke, Tyson Barrie has already been bumped by Makar.

Makar is already the Real 1RHD right now.

Just have to get rid of Johnson somehow.

Need to swap out Johnson for an LHD.

[Smitty-48]

Cole is fine as a bottom pairing LHD

Girard is a 2LHD

Zadorov is kind of like Zaitsev, looks good on paper but never seems to get it together.

So they need a 1LHD to play with Makar.

Zadorov is probably not that guy, he can't handle top comp.

Have to choose between Zadorov and Girard, which, is prolly Girard.

Then you have Johnson as a $6 million bottom pairing D.

Need to get rid of Johnson and upgrade on Zadorov.

[Smitty-48]

The other problem is that Makar, Barrie and Girard is too many small rushing D.

So probably should move Barrie too.

Player X - Makar.

Girard - Player X.

Cole - Player X.

Barrie = not worth paying for two Makars when Makar will play 30 mins.

Zadorov = Zaitsev dead end.

Johnson = bad contract.

[Smitty-48]

Like maybe swap a Zadorov for a Pesce cause the Canes have too many RD.

Then if you could swap Barrie for a veteran 1LHD.

Giordano - Makar

Girard - Pesce

Cole - Timmins.

[Smitty-48]

Bottom line, if you're commiting to Makar and Girard;

I don't think Zadorov and Barrie are a fit as complementary pieces.

Zadorov - Makar ; Zadorov is a weak link in the top pair.

Girard - Barrie ; two small rushing D is not complementary.

It's like with the Leafs;

I wouldn't play Sandin and Liljegren as a pair in the NHL.

I would play Liljegren with a grinder like Dermott.

Sandin I would actually play with Zaitsev until I found a better option.

When Muzzin goes, may have to make another trade to complement Rielly on the top pair.

That guy could just be a steady eddie tho, Hainsey 2.0

Rielly - Pesce

Dermott - Liljegren

Sandin - Zaitsev