Parity is pretty amazing right now

[I cAnT wAtCh]

I look at the standings every day like it matters much at this point (hey, my team hasn't made the playoffs in a decade, give me a break).

It's pretty amazing how every team seems to be bunched up together now about 1/4 of the way through the season.

Is it just me or are there more competitive teams this year?

 

[pixburgher66]

Oh man...is it nearly a quarter way through already? CRIKEY!

 

[BlueandWhiteForever]

It always seems this way the first three months. The contenders start to hit their stride around mid January and separate themselves from the pretenders. I expect to see the Vancouvers and Washingtons start stringing win streaks together around/after Christmas, while others like the Leafs and Panthers will fall back a bit.

 

[pixburgher66]

I mean, there's certainly been some changes in the guard however, with the bottom teams being MUCH more competitive this year, and the top teams not necessarily changing. So in that regard I'd agree there's more parity. The leagues gotten more competitive merely because the bottom teams have gotten better without stealing talent from other contending teams.

 

[I cAnT wAtCh]

There's usually a dominant team or two by now, and that hasn't happened yet.

Like Washington was a given already at this point past couple of years from what I remember. Could be wrong. I think Boudreau's going to get fired soon.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

There's usually a dominant team or two by now, and that hasn't happened yet.

Like Washington was a given already at this point past couple of years from what I remember. Could be wrong. I think Boudreau's going to get fired soon.

When pigs fly....

 

[pixburgher66]

There's usually a dominant team or two by now, and that hasn't happened yet.

Like Washington was a given already at this point past couple of years from what I remember. Could be wrong. I think Boudreau's going to get fired soon.

I mean, this season has basically been very similar to last season. At very similar times too. Maybe a bit earlier this year than last though. They had a bad 7 game losing streak last year when most people were calling for Boudreau's head, and McPhee stood by him...but that may be "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice" territory. Who knows, I somehow doubt it though. It's like when the Pens fired Therien: "But we owe him! He brought us to this point, developed our young guys, got us to the Cup final" Well, sometimes it's in spite of the coach that those things happen.

 

[IPostedWhat]

[/B]

When pigs fly....

 

[I cAnT wAtCh]

I mean, this season has basically been very similar to last season. At very similar times too. Maybe a bit earlier this year than last though. They had a bad 7 game losing streak last year when most people were calling for Boudreau's head, and McPhee stood by him...but that may be "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice" territory. Who knows, I somehow doubt it though. It's like when the Pens fired Therien: "But we owe him! He brought us to this point, developed our young guys, got us to the Cup final" Well, sometimes it's in spite of the coach that those things happen.

Their 7-game losing streak last year was a bit less relevant because they basically locked up the putrid division by midseason.

If they continue to struggle the next couple of games, I could see it happening.

Last year was another playoff disappointment, so that's there.

Now they're currently tied for 8th in the East. Couple more losses they'll fall out of the top-8. That team is too talented for that. Combined with all the disappointments in recent years + something like this happening, it might just be the time for them to make the move, imo.

 

[Jimmy_the_Tongue]

Ha! Brilliant

 

[pixburgher66]

Their 7-game losing streak last year was a bit less relevant because they basically locked up the putrid division by midseason.

If they continue to struggle the next couple of games, I could see it happening.

Last year was another playoff disappointment, so that's there.

Now they're currently tied for 8th in the East. Couple more losses they'll fall out of the top-8. That team is too talented for that. Combined with all the disappointments in recent years + something like this happening, it might just be the time for them to make the move, imo.

Personally I agree...which is why I don't want him gone But seriously, it's just a weird part of NHL rooms. When the coach loses the team, he's gotta go. His pedigree doesn't mean anything, in this league it's "what have you done for me lately". A new coach, not even necessarily a new system, does wonders just by lifting the burdens so many guys carry. It's a clean slate...no one has any "strikes" against them, just free to play your game.

 

[puckhead]

from 1st to 25th is only EIGHT points.


also, the Minnesota Wild are in first place.
wait, what?

 

[I cAnT wAtCh]

from 1st to 25th is only EIGHT points.


also, the Minnesota Wild are in first place.
wait, what?

Pretty remarkable.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Looks at the standings..


looks for teams bunched around mine at the bottom


doesn't see a lot


pretty lonely down there



goes off into a corner and cries a little into his Hurricanes blankie... dreaming of 2006 and what once was...




<<sigh>>
My team blows.

 

[puckhead]

NINE teams are currently for the league lead in wins, with 14.
4 points separate 1st from 9th in the west.

 

[SLY]

'Tis pretty crazy this season. I like.

 

[pixburgher66]

There's yet to be one team to separate itself...no one has been overly dominant.

 

[buffhockey]

There's usually a dominant team or two by now, and that hasn't happened yet.

Like Washington was a given already at this point past couple of years from what I remember. Could be wrong. I think Boudreau's going to get fired soon.

When pigs fly....

 

[4thstreet]

Don't like the fact that the Bruins and fucking Rangers have games in hands on everyone with the way they're playing.

Did anyone really expect the Ducks to suck this bad?

 

[pixburgher66]

Rangers are riding on Lundy. They're fairly deep up front, but I think their defense will be their downfall. The B's, well, they're just as dangerous as last year. We'll see what happens when the inevitable injury bug hits.