Most Shocking Qualifying Round Upset?

[30ranfordfan]

I don't think any are "shocking". Edmonton losing? I'm surprised, but not shocked. For the most part, I think the Oilers have been a good (not great) team this year. Chicago is a BAD team, and will probably be swept by Vegas. Oilers seriously lack any secondary scoring. The goaltending isn't great (average, at the best of times), and the defense... there is still no bonafide #1 back there.

I think a major trade is probably in order for them, but I don't know what they're supposed to do. My guess is that they try and move Russell (for cap space), deal Nurse, change a few of the spare part types of front, and don't bring back Mike Smith. A new split-time goalie comes in, a new dman with a decent sized contract, and some new "support" type players.

Two guys I'd love to see them go after: Joe Thornton (free agent). If he'll take the same money that San Jose gave him this year, do it. That's the kind of old-man this team could use, IMO. The other one? Rumors are that the Devils will eat half the salary... so if that's the case, PK Subban. At 9 million, I'd want no part of him. At 4.5 million? Yes please. He might be a bust, but he's got enough talent I'd love to see them try.

Of course adding a Carry Price would be wonderful, but I don't see it happening. Montreal is not going to move him, AND eat salary. Edmonton does not have room for a 10.5 million goalie.


The other two series: I picked Arizona to win. Nashville, IMO, is no longer the contender that people think they are. Haven't been for a while. Arizona isn't great, but they've got better pieces. (I don't think Arizona makes it out of round 1 though).

Montreal over Pittsburgh? Goalie stole it. It was easy to see that could happen. I didn't think it would, but for a well rested Carey Price to win a few games.... not shocking at all.

[RGM81]

I'm sure it's crazy but I think they should have tried to put something together for price. His age and contract, I wouldn't be surprised if the habs might move him for the right price. Put him in edmonton and theh win 2 out of the next 3 cups imho

Carey Price has a full NMC. He ain't going anywhere unless he explicitly wants to leave, and at no point in his career has he indicated such.

[pwskelly]

Carey Price has a full NMC. He ain't going anywhere unless he explicitly wants to leave, and at no point in his career has he indicated such.

While I would love to see Price finish his career in Montreal I'm going to play devil's advocate here and discuss two factors that could change this ...

Number 1, Carey is 32 years old. Still a phenomenal goalie but even he knows that his time as a number 1 in this league is growing shorter. You know that he is already thinking about wanting to leave the game with a Stanley Cup, and not earning a Cup while on the bench backing up someone else. If Montreal cannot offer that to him, he may choose to start looking at better options. I think Price is a competitor first and foremost and it he cannot win a Cup in Montreal, then I think he would be open to winning one somewhere else, especially if you consider this within the context of my next point.

Number 2, there is a real possibility that the Habs will soon go into a full rebuild. Let's face it, if this season had played out the way it was supposed to, its pretty clear to even the most diehard Habs fans that Montreal was not making the playoffs. If they continue to struggle in the next year or two, then it might be time to focus on the youth and trade aging assets such as Price, as well as their two top defensemen Weber (34 yrs old), and Petry (32 yrs old).

Also, it would be interesting to hear what Price and Weber's thoughts would be if the team did decide to go into a full rebuild. They might decide that they don't want to stick around and mentor the kids, and instead be open to taking their talents elsewhere.

Of course, there is also the possibility that the "rebuild on the fly" scenario works and youngsters Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, and company develop super fast. Who knows, Price himself may decide that he does not want to move either and that staying in Montreal is how he wants to ultimately end his career. You are correct @RGM81, only Price can make that choice due to his NMC.

Finally, there are the gargantuan salaries of Price (as well as Weber). Most teams do not have much success in trading 10 million dollar players so the likelihood of them not moving for that reason alone is pretty strong. I do think that any team, Montreal included, could be persuaded to eat some salary for the right returns.

It will be very interesting to see what happens moving forward.

[zunato]

I don't think any are "shocking". Edmonton losing? I'm surprised, but not shocked. For the most part, I think the Oilers have been a good (not great) team this year. Chicago is a BAD team, and will probably be swept by Vegas. Oilers seriously lack any secondary scoring. The goaltending isn't great (average, at the best of times), and the defense... there is still no bonafide #1 back there.

I think a major trade is probably in order for them, but I don't know what they're supposed to do. My guess is that they try and move Russell (for cap space), deal Nurse, change a few of the spare part types of front, and don't bring back Mike Smith. A new split-time goalie comes in, a new dman with a decent sized contract, and some new "support" type players.

Two guys I'd love to see them go after: Joe Thornton (free agent). If he'll take the same money that San Jose gave him this year, do it. That's the kind of old-man this team could use, IMO. The other one? Rumors are that the Devils will eat half the salary... so if that's the case, PK Subban. At 9 million, I'd want no part of him. At 4.5 million? Yes please. He might be a bust, but he's got enough talent I'd love to see them try.

Of course adding a Carry Price would be wonderful, but I don't see it happening. Montreal is not going to move him, AND eat salary. Edmonton does not have room for a 10.5 million goalie.


The other two series: I picked Arizona to win. Nashville, IMO, is no longer the contender that people think they are. Haven't been for a while. Arizona isn't great, but they've got better pieces. (I don't think Arizona makes it out of round 1 though).

Montreal over Pittsburgh? Goalie stole it. It was easy to see that could happen. I didn't think it would, but for a well rested Carey Price to win a few games.... not shocking at all.

Sorry, but Chicago is not a bad team...inconsistent yes, bad no. I do agree with you on Edmonton, no secondary scoring and defense is lacking big time. To be honest as a Chicago fan and our defense lacking at times I would not want any of the Oilers dmen on our team.

Honestly, to me there were no big upsets.

[30ranfordfan]

Sorry, but Chicago is not a bad team...inconsistent yes, bad no. I do agree with you on Edmonton, no secondary scoring and defense is lacking big time. To be honest as a Chicago fan and our defense lacking at times I would not want any of the Oilers dmen on our team.

Honestly, to me there were no big upsets.

We've all got our opinions..... but don't get me wrong: I think very highly of what the Blackhawks have done over the last decade. They're going to be paying for those cups with a few lean years, but I think anyone would take that.

If I was guessing where they'd finish before the season started, I would have had them about 12th. They were there for a reason: The roster is either aging vets that aren't as good as they used to be, or young guys that are still figuring it out. Good enough to get hot for a week or two? Of course they are. Good enough to win consistently? No. Shocking that they beat the Oilers? Of course not.

Again, opinions: I think the Blackhawks have one of the most criminally underrated players of the last 15 years on their team: Patrick Kane. Everyone knows he's good, everyone talks about him like he's a superstar, but IMO - he's not JUST a superstar. The dude is one of the best 5, or so, players of the last 15 years. He's still elite right now.

I'm not trying to bash the team, but as they're presently built: They're not very good. They're not able to win consistently. I expect they will be handed their lunch by Vegas.


Edmonton, I could write forever about their problems. I don't agree with the total dismissal of Edmonton's defense. It's funny. There's some teams out there that we use the cliche "greater than the sum of their parts". Edmonton's defense is the opposite of that. If I were to give each guy an individual rating, out of 10, based on their overall skill set: Benning & Jones would get 5s, Russell a 6, Nurse & Bear at 6.5, Larsson a 7, and Klefbom a 7.5 (that's the top 7). Combined that would add up to 43.5 (out of 70), but somehow the that group only adds up to a combined 35. The mix makes these guys play worse than they really are.

Klefbom being THE offensive guy on a contending team's blueline would probably be okay - if he had very good support around him. He doesn't. I think any of Klef, Larsson, and Nurse could be top pair guys, on a contender - but "top pairing" means "one of the best 62, or so, dmen in the league. If I expanded that to "legit top-4 dman" - I don't think we could come up with a list of 124 defenseman in the NHL, who are better than those guys. Problem is there is nobody in that group that's exceptional at anything, and nobody to really anchor the group. Everyone has to play a little above their actual ability, and they often play like garbage as a result.

The secondary scoring, it's confusing to me. At time this year the Oilers looked really good (when most players were clicking). They were getting secondary scoring. Then they go through spurts where most of the players fall off a cliff, and can't generate anything. That this happened again for a week, doesn't shock me at all - and it's tough to win games when you've got two guys that do all the scoring. (For the record, I don't understand why Draistle / RNH / Yammamoto was broken up. That was the hottest line in hockey, for about a month, before the season ended).

The Oilers' best players are still young enough, that I have the expectation they will get better. I don't think we've seen the best from McDavid yet. If the Oilers can't fix their blueline, and their "bottom 8" forwards, they're not going to win anything though.

[pwskelly]

@30ranfordfan not to dump on the Oilers, but I think one of their most pressing problems is goaltending. Smith and Koskinen both looked awful at times during the series and that's not something a team can afford to have happen, especially in a short series.

I feel that there are at least half a dozen backups in the league who would have been better for the Oilers between the pipes. I recognize that Holland has never believed in overpaying for a goalie while he was in Detroit but without a Lidstrom on defence, he might just have to bite the bullet and pay up.

[30ranfordfan]

@30ranfordfan not to dump on the Oilers, but I think one of their most pressing problems is goaltending. Smith and Koskinen both looked awful at times during the series and that's not something a team can afford to have happen, especially in a short series.

I feel that there are at least half a dozen backups in the league who would have been better for the Oilers between the pipes. I recognize that Holland has never believed in overpaying for a goalie while he was in Detroit but without a Lidstrom on defence, he might just have to bite the bullet and pay up.

Oh, I'm happy to dump on the Oilers.....

I think a goaltending upgrade would be great, but I don't see it happening. Koskinen has two more years @ 4.5 million... and a modified NTC (picks 15 teams he can't be traded to). I find it unlikely they will be able to move him, so to get someone that comes in and is clear cut better then him: They'll be spending too much - and more than they actually can - on goalies.

Mike Smith will be gone, for sure. He played well enough this year (at times) and probably earned his 2 million salary, but they'll need to try something different. If they go the UFA route: Of course Holtby is available ... but are they going to spend 8+ million on a goalie? Can they give away Koskinen to free up some of that room? I doubt it.

Other names on the UFA pile: Crawford, Howard, Lehner, Anderson, Markstrom, Griess, Talbot, Khudobin, Elliott. If they could find a taker for Koskinen (give him away) and signed Lehner for 2 or 3 years, for 6ish, I think that'd be great. I'm guessing we'll end up signing Jimmy Howard to replace Mike Smith, for about the same money, and it will be a spit-time role between the two like it was with MK & Smith.

The thing is, I don't Koskinen is THAT bad. I don't think he's great, but he could be a league average, to slightly above average, goalie. I'm talking about a guy that at the end of the season ranks 14th in GAA, and 13th in Save Percentage. Something of that caliber. I think you CAN win with "average-to-good" goaltending, but you need the rest of the team to be really good around him. Anti Niemi was the start for a Stanley Cup winner, and I don't think anyone considered him a top-10 goalie at the time. Thinking about recent Cup winners... did anyone ever put Crawford into "top 10" status? Rask & Quick certainly. Fleury & Holtby too. Anyone ever really think that of Matt Murray? Binnington?

Of course, the ability to get hot, and play out of your mind for an extended period of time, is also something that a goalie needs to have... even if he's more a middle of the pack starter... and all of those cup winners did have that. I'm not sure Koskinen does have that ability. I'm not so much saying "no, I think the goaltending is fine" - I'm more of the mindset that I think the defense is a bigger problem, because the goaltending could be adequate if the defense was better..... and I don't think Koskinen is movable, so a big upgrade in net is probably unrealistic.

[piper1]

Having read all the posts that dump on the Oilers I think many of you had forgotten how good a player Jonathan Toews really is. Unfortunately I think too many of the Oilers players also forgot.

[zunato]

We've all got our opinions..... but don't get me wrong: I think very highly of what the Blackhawks have done over the last decade. They're going to be paying for those cups with a few lean years, but I think anyone would take that.

If I was guessing where they'd finish before the season started, I would have had them about 12th. They were there for a reason: The roster is either aging vets that aren't as good as they used to be, or young guys that are still figuring it out. Good enough to get hot for a week or two? Of course they are. Good enough to win consistently? No. Shocking that they beat the Oilers? Of course not.

Again, opinions: I think the Blackhawks have one of the most criminally underrated players of the last 15 years on their team: Patrick Kane. Everyone knows he's good, everyone talks about him like he's a superstar, but IMO - he's not JUST a superstar. The dude is one of the best 5, or so, players of the last 15 years. He's still elite right now.

I'm not trying to bash the team, but as they're presently built: They're not very good. They're not able to win consistently. I expect they will be handed their lunch by Vegas.


Edmonton, I could write forever about their problems. I don't agree with the total dismissal of Edmonton's defense. It's funny. There's some teams out there that we use the cliche "greater than the sum of their parts". Edmonton's defense is the opposite of that. If I were to give each guy an individual rating, out of 10, based on their overall skill set: Benning & Jones would get 5s, Russell a 6, Nurse & Bear at 6.5, Larsson a 7, and Klefbom a 7.5 (that's the top 7). Combined that would add up to 43.5 (out of 70), but somehow the that group only adds up to a combined 35. The mix makes these guys play worse than they really are.

Klefbom being THE offensive guy on a contending team's blueline would probably be okay - if he had very good support around him. He doesn't. I think any of Klef, Larsson, and Nurse could be top pair guys, on a contender - but "top pairing" means "one of the best 62, or so, dmen in the league. If I expanded that to "legit top-4 dman" - I don't think we could come up with a list of 124 defenseman in the NHL, who are better than those guys. Problem is there is nobody in that group that's exceptional at anything, and nobody to really anchor the group. Everyone has to play a little above their actual ability, and they often play like garbage as a result.

The secondary scoring, it's confusing to me. At time this year the Oilers looked really good (when most players were clicking). They were getting secondary scoring. Then they go through spurts where most of the players fall off a cliff, and can't generate anything. That this happened again for a week, doesn't shock me at all - and it's tough to win games when you've got two guys that do all the scoring. (For the record, I don't understand why Draistle / RNH / Yammamoto was broken up. That was the hottest line in hockey, for about a month, before the season ended).

The Oilers' best players are still young enough, that I have the expectation they will get better. I don't think we've seen the best from McDavid yet. If the Oilers can't fix their blueline, and their "bottom 8" forwards, they're not going to win anything though.

I completely agree on Patrick Kane being a top five player and it seems as he just keeps getting better every year. Something people don't realize is that the whole time playing in Chicago he has never had consistent line mates. It seems as if every other year or so he plays with a new center or winger.

You have to remember Chicago is the youngest team in the playoffs and are probably going to get younger next season. Hopefully the playoff experience the younger players are getting this year will help them play more consistent next year, I just hope the management lets Colliton stick around for a few years and see what he does with the younger players.

Maybe part of Edmonton's D problem is that they are not paired together the right way. I don't watch them enough to know.

Rumor in Chicago was that Lehner wanted 6+ million a year, but he also wanted like 5-6 years. I think Chicago didn't want to give him that many years. I have never been a fan of Crawford. I don't think he is as good as many people think he is. I hated the contract they gave him and was hoping he was gone after this year, but I think he will get resigned for another year or two.

[zunato]

Having read all the posts that dump on the Oilers I think many of you had forgotten how good a player Jonathan Toews really is. Unfortunately I think too many of the Oilers players also forgot.

Completely agree with you. He may not be a huge scorer during the regular season but he's clutch in the playoffs.