Popular Post Rocket-68 Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 (edited) A Random Hockey Story ... Apologies on the late start, late night, closing massive biz deal ... WOOHOO! CGC Ranking the 10 greatest years in hockey history 10. 1968 The NHL added six expansion teams for the 1967-68 season, including the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars. Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images As tumultuous a year in hockey as you'll find. The NHL expanded from its "original six" to 12 teams in 1967-68, with the California Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and St Louis Blues joining the fray. The NHL put all of those teams in the same division, meaning that an expansion team was going to have the chance to win the Stanley Cup in its inaugural season. Every "West Division" playoff series in 1968 went seven games, including the No. 4-seeded North Stars stunning the Kings in the first round. Sure, the Blues got rolled by the Canadiens in the Cup Final, but who didn't the Habs demolish back then? But the most memorable moment of 1968 was also one of the most tragic in hockey history: the death of Bill Masterton of the North Stars. On Jan. 13, 1968, Masterton suffered a severe internal brain injury during a game against the California Seals when he fell backward and hit his unprotected head on the ice. Masterton passed out, was taken to the hospital, never regained consciousness and died, at the age of 29, on Jan. 15. To date, he's the only player in NHL history to have died as a result of an in-game injury. His death left a lasting legacy, from the institution of the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, which is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the virtues of "perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey" that Masterton displayed to hastening the adoption of helmets for NHL players. It was also an Olympic year. The Soviets routed Canada -- which had previously been stunned by Finland in pool play -- 5-0 to win gold. But the tournament was notable for another reason: It featured the first and only Olympic hockey game between East and West Germany, which the West Germans won 4-2. 9. 1942 Look, the NHL is 100 years old. Our perspective is, admittedly, skewed toward the more recent years. Which is why we reached out to the great Stan Fischler, hockey historian, and asked him what his favorite hockey year was. And he said the 1941-42 season. From Stan: "I was 10 years old at the time, and became a Maple Leafs fan -- even though I lived in Brooklyn -- because I was 'lured' to the Leafs by Foster Hewitt's broadcasts. That was for starters. It was a seven-team league [before the "Original Six" era] and World War II had yet to decimate rosters. Lines such as the 'Krauts' in Boston were supreme, and so were the goaltenders who never wore masks. Hardly any players wore helmets. "A fan like me got to know every player just by looking at him; no scorecard was necessary. It was the acme year for clean-tough hockey, with the likes of Jimmy Orlando, Bucko McDonald, Bingo Kampman and Art Coulter tossing genuine body checks -- the likes of which are virtually unknown today. The best goalies were Mister Zero, Frankie Brimsek in Boston, Davey Kerr in New York, Turk Broda in Toronto and Johnny Bowers in Detroit. The Rangers finished first, led by Sugar Jim Henry in the net. "Even the Americans, in their last year, had a rookie goalie named Chuck Rayner who would make the Hall of Fame. Tommy Anderson won the Hart, if I'm not mistaken. [Ed. Note: He's not.] "Yes, the game was slower but it was 'good slower,' because plays could be made and the dopey fire-the-puck-in-the-corner-and-hope-for-the-best' philosophy didn't work. "Tickets were cheap enough that the lower-middle class could afford to go whenever -- as was proven in my case. Of course, when you have only seven teams, fans can easily zero in and get to know them much better than they can today." All great points from The Maven, but we'll add a couple of more. The 1942 Stanley Cup Final featured what was, at the time, the greatest comeback in the history of professional team sports: The Maple Leafs rallied from a 3-0 series deficit to defeat the Detroit Red Wings for the Stanley Cup. It took 33 years for it to happen again in a best-of-seven series in the NHL -- and then it happened twice from 2010 to '14. In Major League Baseball, it has happened only once, in 2004. Later in 1942, the Brooklyn Americans were dropped by the NHL, leaving the league with only six teams -- the Bruins, Black Hawks, Red Wings, Canadiens, Rangers and Maple Leafs. It would remain that way for another 25 years. 8. 1986 In the calendar year of 1986, Gretzky scored 213 regular-season points, which was 83 points more than the next-highest player, Mario Lemieux. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images This year makes the cut for two reasons: Wayne Gretzky and Patrick Roy. Gretzky's achievements are legion, and many of his records won't be broken without some radical recalibration of the game. This year saw the Great One hit one of his greatest marks: 215 points in a single season, topping his 212 in 1981-82. That's 215 points on Edmonton's 426 total goals that season. He scored more points in a single season than Justin Abdelkader has scored in his career so far (213 in 574 games). Gretzky's 163 assists are also the most in a season in NHL history, 28 more than the next-closest total. In the calendar year of 1986, Gretzky scored 213 regular-season points, which was 83 points more than the next-highest player, Mario Lemieux. (Keep in mind that Gretzky also achieved this after the NHL board of governors voted to end four-on-four play after coincidental minors, which was believed to give the Oilers an overwhelming advantage.) Oh, but 1986 would be memorable for the Oilers on an entirely different scale: Game 7, Calgary Flames, Steve Smith's own-goal and the conference semifinal upset that shocked the world. The Flames and rookie goalie Mike Vernon would make the Stanley Cup Final, facing another pretty decent rookie goalie: Roy, who pulled a Ken Dryden and won the Cup and the Conn Smythe for Montreal with a brilliant performance. Away from the NHL, there was one huge story: Rookie sniper Brett Hull of the Flames was passed over for the 1986 Team Canada squad at worlds, so he used his dual citizenship to play for Team USA, scoring seven goals for the Americans in the tournament and remaining with the U.S. program throughout his international career. In 1996's World Cup of Hockey, Hull helped Team USA to a monumental win over Canada. 7. 1918 As the saying goes, you never forget your first time. The NHL's inaugural season was 1917-18, and the nascent four-team league saw Toronto win the Stanley Cup against the Vancouver Millionaires of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association in Game 5 of a best-of-five series. Fun! Also fun: Hall of Famer Joe Malone of Montreal led all players in that calendar year with 38 points in 17 games, a 2.235 points-per-game rate. He shared the aggregate point lead in that year with fellow Hall of Famer Cy Denneny, who had 38 points in 19 games. But Malone was just dominant in goal scoring with 33, a ridiculous 1.94 per game. Teams finished 1917-18 averaging 4.75 goals per game, the second-highest rate for a season in NHL history. We're going with 1918 in the 7-spot, however, for two reasons: Rules changes and drama. On the rules front, 1918 saw the NHL allowing goaltenders to drop to the ice surface for the first time to make saves; the creation of five-minute majors for intent to injure; the creation of three zones on the ice with the addition of two lines parallel to the center ice line; and "forward passing" was allowed in the neutral zone, for the first time anywhere on the ice. Oh, and on the drama front: The NHL nearly folded after one season, thanks to a year of legal challenges from disgruntled Toronto owner Eddie Livingstone and other factors. The 1918-19 season opened with three teams, one of whom (Toronto) would drop out during the campaign. (Eventually, the Stanley Cup Final would be prematurely ended due to a Spanish flu outbreak ... but that's another year.) 6. 1971 Phil Esposito may have put up ridiculous numbers during the 1971 calendar year, but it also marked the dawn of the Ken Dryden era. Melchior DiGiacomo/Getty Images Remember that "Dawn of the Dead" remake, which might still stand as the only truly good movie Zack Snyder has directed? The remake has its virtues, but couldn't quite top the gory glory of the George Romero original. This is, in essence, why 1971 was ranked ahead of 1986. Like Gretzky's points explosion in 1985-86, the 1970-71 season saw one of the single greatest offensive seasons up to that point in NHL history: Phil Esposito's 76 goals for the Boston Bruins, which is tied for the fifth-highest total ever for a single season. But within context, it's even greater: Before Espo's 76 goals, the highest total was Bobby Hull's 58 goals in 1968-69. So this was unprecedented. Esposito was simply dominant throughout the 1971 calendar year, scoring a league-best 72 goals and 146 points. The only player who had more assists than his 74 in that span was teammate Bobby Orr, with 96. Esposito had the most power-play goals (25), power-play points (52) and game-winning goals (18) that year as well. The Bruins finished the season with 399 goals, most in a season at that time. It was a remarkable year for the Hall of Famer, but ultimately a disappointing one, as Montreal stunned the Bruins in seven games during the quarterfinal of the 1971 Stanley Cup playoffs, a series that included the classic Game 2 that saw Montreal rally from a 5-2 deficit with five goals in the third period. And while Patrick Roy's run to the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe was great, you still can't top the original: Ken Dryden, having played six regular-season games in his career, played 20 in the 1971 playoffs and won the postseason MVP for Montreal after a Game 7 Stanley Cup win over the Chicago Blackhawks. .... will sprinkle in the rest of the story in future GDT ... Greg Wyshynski, ESPN Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/21778530/nhl-ranking-top-10-greatest-hockey-years-100 ************Now for the Game Day Thread********** Overview The bookies are favoring the Canucks to win, Magic 8-ball agrees and picks the 'Nucks to top the blue ones by 3 goals. Ranking the 10 greatest years in hockey history However, the Blues should not be taken lightly as they have won 3 out of 5 games this season in which they have been picked as the underdogs even if they are far removed from the 2019 Stanly Cup Champions. This is the first time the Canucks and Blues meet this season but Tocchet and Berube are no strangers. They were roommates while playing for the Flyers in the late 1980's. Craig Berube won a Stanley Cup coaching the Blues in 2019, and the way he wants his team to play is very much how Tocchet wants his own team to play. “He did a helluva job of making every one of them important. That’s what I learned from him. How important the top guys and even the fourth line are,” Tocchet said of Berube. The Canucks are riding a high getting better with each game on the road after the win in Edmonton despite losing the next game. That is all one can ask for a team, other than win the Stanly Cup of course. Player Movement to Watch According to Rick Tocchet, Blueger is nearing a return to the ice but remains on a week-to-week basis so doesn't look like he will make the lineup during this 3-game homestand. Quote of the day: "Teddy had another scan and it (his recovery) is on schedule," Tocchet said after Thursday's practice at Rogers Arena. "He's looking very good here and I think he's going to start to skate here very soon. I don't know whether it's tomorrow, but it's going to be very soon." By the Numbers Tonight marks the first of three meetings between the Canucks and Blues this season: Oct. 27 (home), Jan. 4 (road), Jan. 24 (home). Vancouver is 78-99-18-6 all-time against St. Louis, including a 45-45-9-3 record at home. The Canucks are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games against the Blues (1-3-1 in their last five). Among active skaters, Elias Pettersson (5-12-17, 11 GP) leads the team in career scoring vs St. Louis. Casey DeSmith posted a 3.37 GAA and .862 SV% in two career games (0-0-0) against the Blues. In five career games (2-1-2), Thatcher Demko has a 3.14 GAA and .903 SV% all time against St. Louis. Elias Pettersson has 10 points (2-8-10) in his last six games. Brock Boeser has posted eight points (6-2-8) in his last six games and is currently on a three-game point streak (2-1-3). J.T. Miller has eight points (2-6-8) in his last six games. Quinn Hughes has six points (1-5-6) in his last six games. Thatcher Demko posted a .924 SV% and has a 2.42 GAA in his last four games (2-2-0). Media You know the drill, GO BUY A TICKET AND throw random objects at the opposing team - just kidding, no violence please, just your best one-liners hurled at the Blues bench, and the zebras as needed. Otherwise go to your local watering hole and support your team and swill some beer. TV: SportsNet 1, ESPN+ and BSMW Radio: SportsNet 650, KMOW, NewsRadio 1120 Streaming: lots on various Reddit threads ... plus Bally Sports and Fubo TV Matchup Info Da Zebras Player Spotlight JT Miller has been playing like a #1 centre ever since Bo Horvat left the Canucks ... for @-dlc- There have been many times throughout the franchise history of the Vancouver Canucks during which the team has found themselves without a true number one centre. The present moment, however, is decidedly not one of those times. There is no one left who would dispute Elias Pettersson’s status as a genuine 1C. He’s become a simply dominant two-way force at the position, earning Selke votes and consistently appearing amongst the NHL’s top scorers for the past two calendar years running. That much is certain. But there’s also an argument to be made that the Canucks actually have two true number one centres — meaning two players meeting the league standard for a 1C — on their roster, with the second being JT Miller. The exact label might be up for debate. But what isn’t really debatable is that, at the very least, Miller has been playing like a 1C ever since Bo Horvat left town via a trade to the New York Islanders in late January. In fact, the difference between Miller pre- and post-Horvat trade is so stark, it bears further examination. It’s not as though Miller hadn’t played well, or even at the level of a 1C, before that moment. Miller’s landmark 99-point season — which earned him his hefty seven-year, $8 million AAV contract extension — came back in 2021/22, with Horvat as his teammate. But there was some clear-cut slippage after that. As of this writing, it’s now been 38 games since Horvat was dealt. In taking a look at the 38 games prior to the trade, we can see just how far back Miller’s production and quality of play had fallen during that stint. No one can look at that stat-chart and suggest that Miller was playing bad during this stint. A rate of 34 points in 38 games is solid production by nearly any measure, especially for someone who was ostensibly playing a 2C role during that time. But it definitely wasn’t Miller as his best as a Canuck, either, and there are some specifics worth noting. This version of Miller relied nearly as much on power play production as he did even-strength production, a near-even split. What that really means is that this version of Miller relied heavily on Horvat, the designated shooter on the man advantage, for his points. Take Horvat out of the equation, as eventually happened, and one might expect Miller’s production to drop, no longer able to pick up easy assists to Horvat in the bumper slot. One also can’t help but notice that -9. Now, everyone knows that plus/minus is a flawed stat, but in this particular instance it captures what everyone was seeing on the ice at the time, which were obvious defensive struggles and shortcomings from Miller. For these specific 38 games, it could be argued that Miller was not playing to the quality of a number one centre, and also that he was not playing up to his pending $8 million salary. But, like we said at the outset, that would change as of the Horvat trade. We’re not here to suggest that Horvat was holding Miller back or anything like that. Much the opposite. The patterns of Miller’s production show that he benefitted clearly from being on the same team and on the same sheet of ice as Horvat. What appears to have happened here is that Miller felt the need to step up his game following Horvat’s trade. And step it up he has. The numbers are really undeniable in this regard. Now, who could look at results like that and argue that they don’t meet the minimum NHL standard for the performance of a 1C? Nobody, that’s who. The difference, as we said at the outset, is stark. Minus Horvat, Miller increased his rate of both goal-scoring and assist-earning to a significant extent. A 0.32 rise in PPG over this long a stretch is a lot more than just a hot streak, it’s a straight-up increase in production, and a big one, at that. ] The discrepancy in how those points were scored is also well worth discussion. Despite the point total being so much higher, Miller actually scored fewer power play points post-Horvat than he did with him. In turn, Miller’s even-strength production has gone up sharply. But not nearly as sharply as his rate of shorthanded points, which nearly equaled his power play points during this stint. That goes hand-in-hand with the +12 as obvious demonstrations that Miller didn’t just start scoring more after the Horvat trade, he started contributing more all over the ice. Sure, the power play production might be down slightly, but Miller’s still on the first unit, and that first unit is performing better overall than it was when Horvat was the triggerman. Maybe always cycling the puck from Miller to Horvat in the bumper was great for Miller’s PP assist rate, but not so good for the Canucks’ special teams overall. So, even in the one column in which his production hasn’t increased, Miller is still contributing as much or more. Really, the argument makes itself. A PPG of 1.21 over this long a stretch of time, while playing almost exclusively at centre, is the stuff of a 1C, plain and simple. Normally in this situation, arguments could be made about the quality of competition, as in “1C Pettersson faces the tougher competition, leaving easier minutes for Miller in the 2C role.” But those arguments don’t actually apply very well to Miller, who still faces a QoC that is significantly more difficult than that of an average NHL centre and well within the range of what is expected for a 1C. Then there’s the leaguewide measures. Over that same stretch of time, from January 30, 2023 to now, Miller’s 46 points rank him 11th overall in centre scoring, just one point back of Mika Zibanejad and the top-ten. Ahead of Zibanejad is a who’s who of who’s definitely a 1C: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Elias Pettersson, Tim Stutzle, Brayden Point, Dylan Larkin, and Jack Hughes. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is in there, too, but he got most of those points playing on the wing. Right below Miller, one will find names like Anze Kopitar, Evgeni Malkin, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Sidney Crosby. It’s a number one centre club, in other words. And it’s a club that “Post-Horvat Mill-one” definitely belongs in. Just measuring by PPG puts Miller in a tie with Matthews and Zibanejad and into the top-ten leaguewide. Which means that, really, we might have to amend our headline. Miller hasn’t just been playing like a 1C since Horvat left town. He’s been playing like a top-ten NHL centre. He just happens to be one of two that the Vancouver Canucks currently have on there roster that share that same distinction. And that’s worth pointing out. Stephan Roget, Canucksarmy Source: https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/jt-miller-has-been-playing-like-a-1-centre-ever-since-bo-horvat-left-the-canucks/ar-AA1iQyPn Now for Some Fun Stuff Gino Odjick goes after everyone! Canucks vs Blues fighting 2020 08 14 Canucks vs Blues in the 1970's Edited October 27, 2023 by Rocket-68 11 11 1 1 Quote
Popular Post Ghostsof1915 Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 First page! 4 1 Quote
Popular Post Jess Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 Very much looking forward to the day we get Blueger back. In the meantime, this feels somewhat like the Preds. Not a bad team, but a team we should be able to beat if we play well. 2 6 Quote
AlwaysACanuckFan Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 (edited) Brock will come up with a song Edited October 27, 2023 by AlwaysACanuckFan 1 3 Quote
Lewlowned Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 Fewest PPs in the league, but it's flying along at a 35.5% success rate The Blues PK is sitting at 75%, in the bottom 40% of teams Hopefully we can get some opportunities and that deadly PP can pop a few in STL is not the team it used to be, and while they've been somewhat strong defensively this season, they have had little scoring success (14 GF, 15 GA) GCG! 1 2 Quote
Steamer4GM Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 From all reports out of yesterday’s practice, our boys are dialed in and gonna bring some big time hurt on our visitors this weekend. So stoked for a Friday night home game!!! Go Canucks GO!!!!! 2 1 Quote
Mando27 Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 Big game for the Canucks, can start putting some distance between them and the rest of the division if they can win. Quote
Goal_thecup Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 24 minutes ago, Rocket-68 said: A Random Hockey Story ... Apologies on the late start, late night, closing massive biz deal ... WOOHOO! Congratulations! Always nice to close the deal. (Also, was wondering where you were...) Cheers! 2 Quote
Goal_thecup Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 15 minutes ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said: Brock will come up with a song Saint? No. Louis? Eww, no. Blues? Not really. Brock 'n' Broll? You Betcha! Go Canucks Go! 1 Quote
Popular Post Rip The Mesh Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! 5 2 Quote
Popular Post Ribs Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 3 minutes ago, Rip The Mesh said: The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! Control the narrative 1 4 2 Quote
PhillipBlunt Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 6 minutes ago, Rip The Mesh said: The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! Respected hockey journalist? There's no such thing. 3 Quote
Popular Post Ghostsof1915 Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 I know. It's only Brock and Roll but I like it! 3 3 Quote
Popular Post AlwaysACanuckFan Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 9 minutes ago, Goal_thecup said: Saint? No. Louis? Eww, no. Blues? Not really. Brock 'n' Broll? You Betcha! Go Canucks Go! Twisted Sister? Hell yeah!! You wanna trade me away But all I got to say to you is time and time again I say no (no) No, no, no, no, no Tell me not to play Well, all I got to say to when you tell me not to play I say no (no) No, no, no, no, no So, if you ask me why I like to play here There's only one thing I can say to you I wanna Brock (Brock) I wanna Brock (Brock) I want to Brock (Brock) I wanna Brock (Brock) 1 1 1 1 1 Quote
AlwaysACanuckFan Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 6 minutes ago, Ghostsof1915 said: I know. It's only Brock and Roll but I like it! So you can put another dime in the jukebox baby I love Brock and Roll 2 1 Quote
Ghostsof1915 Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 3 minutes ago, AlwaysACanuckFan said: Twisted Sister? Hell yeah!! You wanna trade me away But all I got to say to you is time and time again I say no (no) No, no, no, no, no Tell me not to play Well, all I got to say to when you tell me not to play I say no (no) No, no, no, no, no So, if you ask me why I like to play here There's only one thing I can say to you I wanna Brock (Brock) I wanna Brock (Brock) I want to Brock (Brock) I wanna Brock (Brock) Everyone on CFF smashes heads into a locker. 1 Quote
Dizzle Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 I feel like we drop this one…. But I’ve also got PBSD (post Benning stress disorder). 1 2 Quote
dannydog Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 15 minutes ago, Rip The Mesh said: The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! That’s a big win for us fans. A ton of knowledge with Abby and players love him. 1 1 Quote
Goal_thecup Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 (edited) Not great music, but fun stuff anyway: Edit: Had to say something about "called the goalie Suzie"! Suzie Binnington! Shaky Suzie - Nervous? Who me? Edited October 27, 2023 by Goal_thecup 1 Quote
Odd. Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 How tf is Binnington 4-0-2 against us. Feels like we always dominate against him. 1 Quote
Cali Canuck Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 23 minutes ago, Rip The Mesh said: The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! From interviews and articles I've seen, he seems like a pretty good dude. Maybe he'll resurrect CDC Quote
Jess Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 33 minutes ago, Rip The Mesh said: The way he'd been talking the last few days, I though he was getting out of Hockey. Ha-ha! Faber is fine and a good writer, but I find it really hard to take anything written by the Canucks themselves as credible when it comes to assessing the state of the team. Given the reputation of both Aqua and the Canucks media team, it's unfortunately likely that Faber will be pressured to write things that fit their narrative. More than ever these days I'm grateful for third party media that can say their piece and speak freely. 1 1 2 Quote
Popular Post Win2024 Posted October 27, 2023 Popular Post Posted October 27, 2023 Going to my first ever game tonight 12 14 1 Quote
Goal_thecup Posted October 27, 2023 Posted October 27, 2023 3 minutes ago, Odd. said: How tf is Binnington 4-0-2 against us. Feels like we always dominate against him. Petey and Brockstar gonna light up that skinny candle. Baby tantrums are the norm for Shakey: (Bit long, but gets pretty good after the first minute.) 1 Quote
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