I don't get to watch too much Western Conference, so I'll talk Eastern Conference.
1.I thought the Rangers would be OK but they are better (coached) than I thought they would be at this point. Gustaffson and Quick are surprise players for me. Not surprised by Cuylle as he is going to be a good NHL'er. Kakko was by most expected to be good this year and he is not. He has 0 jam to his game. Still early but you are seeing some trends.
2.I thought Pittsburgh would struggle and they are. Philly started out hot but are coming back down to earth.
3.Florida struggling but Tampa is doing better than I expected and they're struggling in goal.
4.Nobody predicted Boston to be this hot to start the season. Certainly not I.
5.Washington started badly but has picked it up. A bubble team perhaps but I don't think they have the depth.
6. Montreal and Ottowa suck...No surprise. Nobody cares.
7.Islanders are middle of the pack and they don't score enough.No Surprise.
8.The rest are meh.
Any thoughts?
If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team
Yeah for me…thought Quick would be awful so 3-0-1 is way better than I expected. Gustafson I thought would be good, but he’s been better than I expected. Trouba has been better too, perhaps the system suits him better.
didn’t expect Panarin to come out of the gate this fast, and Kreisler is scoring more quickly than I imagined. Thought Wheeler would struggle, but this is more than I expected.
in terms of teams, NYR are doing better than I anticipated, really thought it’d be a slow start…Rangers have made the most of a soft schedule so far
Boston definitely better than I thought, Washington, Tampa and Isles a little bit towards the higher end of expectations. Buffalo, Ottawa and Pittsburgh towards the lower end.
Do wonder if Treliving is breaking the Leafs with his odd moves over the Summer
Oh and I thought the Canes might be more vulnerable this year…certainly off to a slowish start
I think if the Rangers can survive the Fox injury (maintain a winning record) they can emerge stronger. I might like Harpur instead of Jones defensively.
If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team
Surprises?
Rangers. I would not have predicted a 9-2-1 start. Overachieving? Possibly, but I love hearing Bisonette eat his words. He called us Fugazi's.
Biggest disappointment: Kakko. Playing in a top 6 role going 1-1-2. ZERO HITS. In the game against the Wild, I heard Rosen utter the words, "Kakko with a hit." Only it wasn't a hit. He could of had the guy dead to rights, but he let up. Management has to stop spoon feeding this guy. This is hockey not Holiday on Ice. And please avoid commenting that "he doesn't get enough PP time." He gets 15 minutes a game playing with Zib and Kreids, and all he has to show is 1-1-2 with no hits. Time to get this vagina off the team.
Biggest surprise: Gustafsson and Cuylle. I'd like to see them try Cuylle as a top 6 wing. He's everything Kakko is not.
Surprise teams:
Bruins
Penguins (is the reign over?)
Canucks (best goal differential in the league +30)
Kraken (what happened?)
Oilers (are nothing without McDavid, but only stating the obvious)
I said when the Rangers hired Laviolette he was a good choice, this is a experienced group that needed a veteran coach with a proven past. So far so good. But its early, and the real hockey starts in the spring. Surprised by Panarin's tenacity so far, very disappointed in Kakko, almost to the point of jumping off his wagon. Cuylle not waiting for his game to fall into place like Kakko, instead he is imposing his game. Such a lesson for young players, got to go after it can't sit back, making excuses. Coaches like it. Gustaffson has been a great pickup, kudo's to coach for his obvious input in his signing.
I thought the Rangers would struggle to start the season but am surprised at the 9-2-1 record so far.
Biggest surprises for me are:
1. The play of Lafreniere. I think he has played pretty well, hope he continues.
2. The 5 on 5 play. I thought they would be much better with scoring more at 5 on 5.
3. Blake Wheeler. He has been a disappointment on the ice, I expected better play from him.
I think this is the best coaching staff the Rangers have had in quite a while.
LGR!!
De Oppresso Liber..
from the left elites
Rangers started better than I expected but still not totally sold on Laviolette or that the Rangers are really built to play the 1-3-1 system.
I'm surprised kakko is not benched
If they need me to bleed, then I'll bleed for my team
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