2020-2021 NHL Regular Season Thread

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Sun Mar 07, 2021 10:31 am

Rams Fanny wrote: ↑Fri Mar 05, 2021 1:59 pm Don't forget to tune into Hockey Day in the Eastern Half of America this Sunday on NBC!

The Sabres are on NBC at noon. Morbid curiosity should account for half a ratings point.

MaxWebster · Post by **MaxWebster** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 8:25 am

no big deal, nothing to see here - they just lost one game 5-2 to the Isles as far as I could tell.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:23 am

The Sabres repeat scores a lot, don't they? 0-3, 0-3, 2-5, 2-5, 2-5. They're like that annoying guy who watches a movie a hundred times so that he can memorize all of the dialogue.

At least Skinner scored yesterday.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:38 am

Earlier in this thread, I mentioned waiting years for Kirill Kaprizov to play in the NHL. He was a big deal in juniors and the KHL. Every summer, articles would be written about him, wondering if this would be the year that he came over.

Yesterday, a friend sent me an email and mentioned the Minnesota Wild. This friend happens to be a Guns N' Roses fan. And then I realized: Kirill Kaprizov is the 'Chinese Democracy' of the NHL. (I don't know what this makes the rest of the Wild, but I'm pretty sure that Zach Parise is Buckethead.)

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:42 am

bapo! wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:38 am Earlier in this thread, I mentioned waiting years for Kirill Kaprizov to play in the NHL. He was a big deal in juniors and the KHL. Every summer, articles would be written about him, wondering if this would be the year that he came over.

Yesterday, a friend sent me an email and mentioned the Minnesota Wild. This friend happens to be a Guns N' Roses fan. And then I realized: Kirill Kaprizov is the 'Chinese Democracy' of the NHL. (I don't know what this makes the rest of the Wild, but I'm pretty sure that Zach Parise is Buckethead.)

Kaprizov is actually good though. Really good.

wlu_lax6 · Post by **wlu_lax6** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:54 am

EdRomero wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:40 pm Whenever Bruin fans complain about the Wilson hit or something similar, there are always yeah but Marchand replies. Bruins twitter claims he's cleaned up his act over the last few seasons, but his shenanigans seem to distract from how good of a player he's been.

Oh you mean like yesterday
https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2 ... cheapshot/

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:55 am

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:42 am Kaprizov is actually good though. Really good.

I've heard that 'Chinese Democracy' is good, too -- just unappreciated. But, after a decade of build-up, it was pretty much forgotten a week after release. I'm hoping that Kaprizov sticks around a while longer. New stars are fun.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:00 am

bapo! wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:55 am
govmentchedda wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:42 am Kaprizov is actually good though. Really good.
I've heard that 'Chinese Democracy' is good, too -- just unappreciated. But, after a decade of build-up, it was pretty much forgotten a week after release. I'm hoping that Kaprizov sticks around a while longer. New stars are fun.

To be fair, I haven't heard a note of CD. KK (and the Wild) are the real deal.

Post by **brian** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:08 am

Kaprizov is definitely good but I wouldn't rush to judgment on the Wild yet. They have exactly two wins against the other of the top four teams in the West (both against Colorado) so far, so they've mostly padded their point total against the likes of the Ducks, Kings and Sharks.

That said, they're beating the teams you have to beat if you're going to make the top four so they definitely look like the favorite to take that fourth playoff spot in the West.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 10:20 am

I just want the Wild to be watchable. I don't think I've ever cared about them in their entire history. That's finally starting to change.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Mon Mar 08, 2021 11:11 pm

Make it three.

EdRomero · Post by **EdRomero** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 7:41 am

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 08, 2021 9:54 am
EdRomero wrote: ↑Sat Mar 06, 2021 12:40 pm Whenever Bruin fans complain about the Wilson hit or something similar, there are always yeah but Marchand replies. Bruins twitter claims he's cleaned up his act over the last few seasons, but his shenanigans seem to distract from how good of a player he's been.

Oh you mean like yesterday
https://russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2 ... cheapshot/

I'm hoping you're just using this as evidence that he hasn't cleaned up his act that much, and not using it as some type of excuse for Wilson or a gotcha moment for the reaction to Wilson's actions.

Post by **brian** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 9:09 am

Yep, nice win for the Wild. Hopefully VGK get Stone and Petro back for Wednesday's game. Not the same team without Stone especially.

BSF21 · Post by **BSF21** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 9:40 am

brian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 9:09 am Yep, nice win for the Wild. Hopefully VGK get Stone and Petro back for Wednesday's game. Not the same team without Stone especially.

Expected that to be a close one, did not expect them to shut out VGK.

Post by **brian** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:06 pm

NHL coming back to ESPN.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:13 pm

That's pretty cool. I wonder if they'll hire all new announcers. I'd guess Barry Melrose gets back onscreen.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm

Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:19 pm

Love that they're splitting this up between at least 2 broadcasters.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?

Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.

Post by **brian** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:38 pm

DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?
Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.

Yeah, my guess is this is more of a play for the playoffs for ESPN. They'll get the Finals every other year and will probably split the playoff coverage with NBC. But more is better, assuming it does result in more games on national TV.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:10 pm

If you have DirecTV, they are showing all the NHL games free on the Center Ice channels, March 10-16.

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 6:36 pm

Was gonna make a Jack Johnson revenge game joke when the news broke that he was playing.

:(

rass · Post by **rass** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:38 pm

Buch-NAY-vich

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 pm

brian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:38 pm
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?
Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.
Yeah, my guess is this is more of a play for the playoffs for ESPN. They'll get the Finals every other year and will probably split the playoff coverage with NBC. But more is better, assuming it does result in more games on national TV.

Yes to the Cup Finals on ESPN eventually. Beyond that, the NHL will get a modest number of games onto networks with higher levels of carriage (ESPN2 and eventually ESPN, but the latter not often until the playoffs due college football, MNF, NBA, and college basketball) than NBCSN and NHL Net (and USA and MSNBC...). The primary goal is to flood ESPN+ with content. It may not be top-level stuff, but eventually there will be people who decide there is enough stuff they want to watch on there to pay for it (or Disney Plus or what have you).

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:00 am

Erik Cernak got a Gordie Howe hattrick last night, in Detroit.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:45 am

DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:38 pm
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?
Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.
Yeah, my guess is this is more of a play for the playoffs for ESPN. They'll get the Finals every other year and will probably split the playoff coverage with NBC. But more is better, assuming it does result in more games on national TV.
Yes to the Cup Finals on ESPN eventually. Beyond that, the NHL will get a modest number of games onto networks with higher levels of carriage (ESPN2 and eventually ESPN, but the latter not often until the playoffs due college football, MNF, NBA, and college basketball) than NBCSN and NHL Net (and USA and MSNBC...). The primary goal is to flood ESPN+ with content. It may not be top-level stuff, but eventually there will be people who decide there is enough stuff they want to watch on there to pay for it (or Disney Plus or what have you).

Yeah, I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on an ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:53 am

ESPN is a necessary evil in the sports world. NHL games have been streaming on ESPN+ for a while now anyway, so maybe this won't be much of a change.

We've all laughed at some of the NHL's decision-making over the years, but there's a little-brother syndrome that plays into that. Like, it's okay if we do it, because it 'belongs' to us. But if ESPN starts paying attention and taking shots at the league, it's going to feel like bullying. I doubt if they'll ever mention hockey, tho.

DSafetyGuy · Post by **DSafetyGuy** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:07 am

degenerasian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:45 am
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 pmYes to the Cup Finals on ESPN eventually. Beyond that, the NHL will get a modest number of games onto networks with higher levels of carriage (ESPN2 and eventually ESPN, but the latter not often until the playoffs due college football, MNF, NBA, and college basketball) than NBCSN and NHL Net (and USA and MSNBC...). The primary goal is to flood ESPN+ with content. It may not be top-level stuff, but eventually there will be people who decide there is enough stuff they want to watch on there to pay for it (or Disney Plus or what have you).
Yeah, I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on an ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.

bapo! wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:53 am ESPN is a necessary evil in the sports world. NHL games have been streaming on ESPN+ for a while now anyway, so maybe this won't be much of a change.

Looking at the next couple weeks, ESPN+ is running two games a night on a daily basis, save for Wednesdays due to NBCSN having a double- or triple header and a couple other days where either the schedule is lighter or NBC/NBCSN has a bulk of the games. When NBC is not driving the sport's package, that number could increase. The "replace nhl.tv" angle is an interesting one, as I can imagine a "get Disney Plus with ESPN+ and you can get all the NHL games for some smaller cost than whatever nhl.tv currently is" as a legit option.

Post by **brian** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:08 am

degenerasian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:45 am
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:38 pm
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?
Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.
Yeah, my guess is this is more of a play for the playoffs for ESPN. They'll get the Finals every other year and will probably split the playoff coverage with NBC. But more is better, assuming it does result in more games on national TV.
Yes to the Cup Finals on ESPN eventually. Beyond that, the NHL will get a modest number of games onto networks with higher levels of carriage (ESPN2 and eventually ESPN, but the latter not often until the playoffs due college football, MNF, NBA, and college basketball) than NBCSN and NHL Net (and USA and MSNBC...). The primary goal is to flood ESPN+ with content. It may not be top-level stuff, but eventually there will be people who decide there is enough stuff they want to watch on there to pay for it (or Disney Plus or what have you).
Yeah, I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on an ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.

NHL.tv isn't going anywhere, if nothing else because of all the money the league has invested into it. It also serves as the only method to see games outside of North America and they're not going to abandon the European market.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:28 pm

brian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 11:08 am
degenerasian wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 10:45 am
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 8:51 pm
brian wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:38 pm
DSafetyGuy wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:30 pm
mister d wrote: ↑Tue Mar 09, 2021 5:14 pm Does this mean NHL won't be 23rd on the sports dropdowns on ESPN.com now?
Possibly a touch higher. Depends on how much they need to promote the games on ESPN+.

I would be surprised if they air more than two games a week, most likely on ESPN2.
Yeah, my guess is this is more of a play for the playoffs for ESPN. They'll get the Finals every other year and will probably split the playoff coverage with NBC. But more is better, assuming it does result in more games on national TV.
Yes to the Cup Finals on ESPN eventually. Beyond that, the NHL will get a modest number of games onto networks with higher levels of carriage (ESPN2 and eventually ESPN, but the latter not often until the playoffs due college football, MNF, NBA, and college basketball) than NBCSN and NHL Net (and USA and MSNBC...). The primary goal is to flood ESPN+ with content. It may not be top-level stuff, but eventually there will be people who decide there is enough stuff they want to watch on there to pay for it (or Disney Plus or what have you).
Yeah, I wonder if they'll put all out of market games on ESPN+ and ditch nhl.tv. I could see that being seen as a strong driver to ESPN+ subscribers. A game of the week on an ESPN linear isn't really worth much on its own. Playoffs and a strong streaming draw are probably where the money is.
NHL.tv isn't going anywhere, if nothing else because of all the money the league has invested into it. It also serves as the only method to see games outside of North America and they're not going to abandon the European market.

I'm not sure NHL.tv is available in Europe. You have to register a cable provider. Plus each country in Europe has their own TV deal with the NHL. I'm sure there are ways around it.

Rams Fanny · Post by **Rams Fanny** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:50 pm

Per the Athletic, NBC is likely the other partner but not secured yet. This being the NHL, there's a non-zero chance they sign a long term deal with Discovery channel.

degenerasian · Post by **degenerasian** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 12:57 pm

More information here. nhl.tv is moving to espn+, but it sounds like it would be an add on to the base package, or maybe it is part of it?

Having all out of market games available for all espn+ subscribers would be pretty good marketing for the NHL. That, combined with the national exclusive games on espn and espn+ makes for a pretty solid presence on the ESPN platforms. If NBC stays on board, I would think they would have a much more slimmed down package than they currently have.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:14 pm

As long as enough games are available on tv, I don't care which network they're on. I just don't want everything pushed to a streaming service. I don't want the NHL to become the Champions League.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:44 pm

Question for the D: what's the general feeling for Kakko and Lafreniere amongst Rangers fans? I know that they're not scoring. That doesn't surprise me in Lafreniere's case, because very few Draft+1 players look comfortable right away. But Kakko is in his second year, so I was wondering if there's any uneasiness there.

They're both only 19 years old, so I'm not concerned. But sports fans aren't always known for their patience. Any insight would be appreciated. I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

govmentchedda · Post by **govmentchedda** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:18 pm

bapo! wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:44 pm Question for the D: what's the general feeling for Kakko and Lafreniere amongst Rangers fans? I know that they're not scoring. That doesn't surprise me in Lafreniere's case, because very few Draft+1 players look comfortable right away. But Kakko is in his second year, so I was wondering if there's any uneasiness there.

They're both only 19 years old, so I'm not concerned. But sports fans aren't always known for their patience. Any insight would be appreciated. I'll hang up and listen to your answer.

Our resident blue shirt is busy watching the lighter blue shirts demolish Southampton currently.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:51 pm

bapo! wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 1:44 pm Question for the D: what's the general feeling for Kakko and Lafreniere amongst Rangers fans? I know that they're not scoring. That doesn't surprise me in Lafreniere's case, because very few Draft+1 players look comfortable right away. But Kakko is in his second year, so I was wondering if there's any uneasiness there.

There are the POINTS watchers who are freaking out but most that I follow or talk to understand the underlying shit is what matters. I don't think I have any real concerns with any of the kids right now, especially since I don't see the contention window open until probably the year after next. The bigger issue is figuring out who should be on that roster and maximizing return on those who won't. Like Buchnevich has been great, but can you really pay full cost when you already have two expensive wingers and three lottery picks there? That basically locks up an entire position on the roster with no room for anyone playing up, which is the issue we've historically put ourselves in at left defense. I really don't even mind the losses; that means maybe we sell one more time at the deadline and have a more valuable 1st rounder for use or trade.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:52 pm

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:18 pmOur resident blue shirt is busy watching the lighter blue shirts demolish Southampton currently.

Also, this.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 3:24 pm

Thanks, d. I'm not the most attentive viewer, always distracted by something, but I've barely noticed Kakko in the games I've watched this year. And I never hear anybody talk about him. But if you say that the underlying numbers look good, at least the foundation is there. Lafreniere stands out a bit more, but that could be due to linemates.

As for the salary crunch, it does help that four of their big pieces are still on their rookie deals, so they have some time to figure it out. We can revisit this conversation in 2022.

Now I just need somebody who watches a lot of Devils games to tell me about Jack Hughes. I never hear about him, either.

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:18 pm Our resident blue shirt is busy watching the lighter blue shirts demolish Southampton currently.

I'm used to being ignored. I don't mind if it's for a good reason. ManCity is an excellent reason.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 3:27 pm

I don't watch hardly any Devils games, but I saw them on the NBC Sunday game not too long ago. Jack Hughes scored a goal and the broadcasters couldn't stop gushing about him.

bapo! · Post by **bapo!** » Wed Mar 10, 2021 3:41 pm

sancarlos wrote: ↑Wed Mar 10, 2021 3:27 pm I don't watch hardly any Devils games, but I saw them on the NBC Sunday game not too long ago. Jack Hughes scored a goal and the broadcasters couldn't stop gushing about him.

He was already one of the best skaters in the league at age 18, so that helps. But it's weird that his brother gets exponentially more attention than him.

And then the next Hughes brother will be a top-10 pick in this summer's draft. It's like the Sutters, if the Sutters were all elite skaters and less truculent.