Hockey Night In DSP 2024-2025

[10spro]

Just tuned in and it's 5-1 FLA. What happened?

Simple. When you have players spending more time in the penalty box than your own bench, you have fallen into the Panthers’ tactical game. Grinding, aggressive in the forecheck, luring Oilers’s more physical players to make dumb penalties which were quite a few especially in the 1st period, the old S. Skinner not showing up although you can’t really blame the loss on him as the entire team just played poorly.

Oilers need to go back to their old game or this is over in a hurry. But in your personal case, I wouldn’t worry about it. You got your formula going.

[Lancer]

oilers just won he cup with this incredible comeback win

[Lancer]

spoke too soon

i still think oilers win this in OT

[10spro]

Exciting series it’s been. OT should be awesome. Now Troy Stretcher hardly played after FLO’s first goal, you wonder if Oilers’ D would be tired. Knowblauch has to play all 6 D’s vs this Panthers’ team.

[Lancer]

Draisatil winning goal. he finally is stepping up in the finals. maybe my opinion will change on him if they win it.

florida had all the momentum too in OT.

but the oilers will win this in 6 now.

[pk500]

"Draisaitl set the record for most overtime goals in a single postseason, with four -- after setting the record for most overtime goals in the regular season. He is the third player in Stanley Cup Final history with multiple OT goals in a single series -- along with Don Raleigh in 1950 with the New York Rangers vs. the Detroit Red Wings and John LeClair in 1993 with the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Los Angeles Kings."

Led the league in goals this season. Runner-up in the Hart voting. Most OT goals ever in regular season and postseason, set this year.

Yeah, but he's just good.

[fletcher21]

Draisatil winning goal. he finally is stepping up in the finals. maybe my opinion will change on him if they win it.

florida had all the momentum too in OT.

but the oilers will win this in 6 now.

You just keep digging that hole, don't you lol. If this was a fight they'd stop it

[Diablo25]

He’s just trolling fellas. Just enjoy the rest of the finals.

[MizzouRah]

What a pickup Brad Marchand was for Florida, 10G, 10A, and a +18 in the playoffs.

The Oilers are an awesome team, but Florida has been on quite the run these past 3 years, even with the loss to Vegas in 23.

Are we going to see a Game 7 or is this the end for the Oilers?

[Diablo25]

Florida is VERY good. It’s going to take an unreal effort and some luck for Edmonton to win 2 games. I am rooting for them. Win game 6 and then it gets real interesting.

[10spro]

What a pickup Brad Marchand was for Florida, 10G, 10A, and a +18 in the playoffs.

The Oilers are an awesome team, but Florida has been on quite the run these past 3 years, even with the loss to Vegas in 23.

Are we going to see a Game 7 or is this the end for the Oilers?

Best part? Hardly cost them a penny since he was traded. Just imagine a rat in a team full of them. They are a perfect match.

I wouldn’t write them off yet. But as I was saying at the start of the series. You can’t keep guessing who’s your next goalie on every game, which has been on/off.

[MizzouRah]

I'm definitely pulling for Edmonton, it's only been like 30 years since a Canadian team won the cup.

I've just never seen a team like the Panthers in a long time, maybe Detroit back in the day or the Kings when they were on that run years ago.

[10spro]

Boy, what a dominant performance from FLO. The way they hustle, forecheck, the way they neutralized #97 and #29. S. Jones and Marchand have been a huge addition even though Bennett won the C. Smythe throphy. The Rat at his age and what they paid for him, what a steal for the Panthers. They have a few RA to sign now including him, Bennett, Reinhart, but with the culture that P. Maurice has built in them, this is a deep team that will be hard to beat again next season.

[pk500]

Florida was too relentless, responsible and consistent.

Just look at the playoff scoring for both teams. The Panthers had about seven to nine guys who could be counted on to score. The Oilers had ... two, and they were shut down by Barkov and the Panthers' forecheck in the Final. It was SO easy for Florida to enter the Edmonton zone throughout this series and the exact opposite for the Oilers.

Plus, I think the Oilers can't win a Cup with two mediocre goalies. Stan Bowman may need to take a big swing and package a bunch of players for an elite goalie, IF a team is willing to part with one. We really don't have a Swayman-Ullmark situation this offseason in which one team has two legitimate No. 1's and is willing to move one.

This series wasn't close. It wasn't 4-2. It was FAR less close than last year's series, which the Oilers dominated for long stretches but were blunted by Bobrovsky. Bob wasn't even that great this series. It was the Florida forecheck and relentless scoring depth that proved the difference, and Maurice outcoached Knoblauch.

Knobby's constant toss of lines and D pairings in a blender shows he's a creative coach. But eventually, a coach must establish a system that breeds the kind of consistency and depth that Florida boasts. Knobby's continued line shuffling showed he doesn't have the system or the depth players yet to do that.

Now it's time for Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson to get to work in the offseason. The Oilers could use an elite goalie -- good luck. But it absolutely needs a top-scoring winger, as Kane isn't the answer, and Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner certainly are not. But moving around pieces won't be easy, as Arvidsson and Adam Henrique both should be traded but have no-move clauses.

Then there's the Evan Bouchard conundrum. He's one of the most talented offensive defensemen in the NHL but is so irresponsible defensively. He'll command a contract of $10M-plus per season, and that's going to top-load the cap when you also factor in Draisaitl's new deal and McDavid's eventual max cap hit sometime next season.

The Oil should re-sign Bouch. He's a cornerstone player. But he needs to focus more on defense to become a truly elite killer on the back line. I would only lose Bouch as part of a package to land a top-five goalie, but that's not going to happen.

If only I had a formula to figure out the Oilers' offseason Rubik's Cube ...

[dbdynsty25]

Someone has moved to 24 out of 26 now. Guess the formula is flawed after all.

[10spro]

Now it's time for Stan Bowman and Jeff Jackson to get to work in the offseason. The Oilers could use an elite goalie -- good luck. But it absolutely needs a top-scoring winger, as Kane isn't the answer, and Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner certainly are not. But moving around pieces won't be easy, as Arvidsson and Adam Henrique both should be traded but have no-move clauses.

The Oil should re-sign Bouch. He's a cornerstone player. But he needs to focus more on defense to become a truly elite killer on the back line. I would only lose Bouch as part of a package to land a top-five goalie, but that's not going to happen.

If only I had a formula to figure out the Oilers' offseason Rubik's Cube ...

Well glad that Vegas caught up with his accurate 24/25 predictions. Boy what a run…

Now, despite your belief that Oilers need a top notch goaltender, not many people are going to argue with you but I dare say that EDM would need another depth D-man as priority then find a top goalie.

With the Abbotsford Canucks playing good hockey and favorites now to win the Calder throphy thanks to the outstanding performance of A. Silovs, would you consider P. Demko who’s only 30 years, had some tough injuries the last couple of years, but us one of the best when healthy?

I ask because VAN can’t pay two top goalies an average of 5-6 million each while the other one just sits on the bench. And if Silovs is ready to be a solid backup, I would shop Demko around.

And yes you’re right when you say that Bouchard will command at least 10 million per. With Connor still to resign, look at where the big money is locked up between Nurse, Draisaitl, McDavid and Bouchard. By the time the last two resign you have about 42-45M committed to them alone.

Demko is appetizing because he’s only making 5M in his last year, and when healthy he’s one of the best.

And I don’t think you have too many draft picks to help your cause, some tough decisions will need to be made in Oil town.

[pk500]

Demko is tempting, but the $25 million contract paid over five years to Jack Campbell three years ago still haunts this franchise. Granted, Demko is far better than Campbell, who basically had one good season in Toronto and couldn't stop a beach ball in his limited run for the Oil.

Still, Demko's durability is a concern. Plus, do the Oilers really want to trade players and picks to a Pacific Division rival? But desperation breeds desperate moves, and I think the Oil needs a quality goaltender desperately.

If only there was another team this offseason like Boston last summer, looking to offload one of its two No. 1 goalies. Sigh ...

You're also right about the Oil's cupboard being pretty bare. Not much NHL-ready talent on the farm. Maybe Noah Filip and Matt Savoie making a run for a fourth-line spot. I doubt Rodrigue will get promoted as the backup goalie even if the Oil sheds Skinner or Pickard. Whomever remains will become the backup hopefully behind a quality NHL starter.

Stan Bowman needs to make moves this summer, for two reasons. One, this team can't compete with Florida if it stands pat. Two, McDavid's future in Edmonton depends on seeing a clear plan to win a Cup in the next few years. He'll leave if that isn't presented to him with urgent clarity.

Where's that f*cking formula when I need it ...

[10spro]

You're also right about the Oil's cupboard being pretty bare. Not much NHL-ready talent on the farm. Maybe Noah Filip and Matt Savoie making a run for a fourth-line spot. I doubt Rodrigue will get promoted as the backup goalie even if the Oil sheds Skinner or Pickard. Whomever remains will become the backup hopefully behind a quality NHL starter.

Stan Bowman needs to make moves this summer, for two reasons. One, this team can't compete with Florida if it stands pat. Two, McDavid's future in Edmonton depends on seeing a clear plan to win a Cup in the next few years. He'll leave if that isn't presented to him with urgent clarity.

Where's that f*cking formula when I need it ...

Well puck stoppers of Demkos’ caliber in this offseason that would be available, there’s none. This is his last contract year.

But as next season progresses after January I would definitely inquire about his availability especially if A. Silovs is ready for a full time backup position. But if I were Bowman, I would still concentrate on adding more depth in that D first, then concentrate on trading for a reliable goalie. With #29 already signed long term, I doubt Connor would look at other scenarios as I am sure he’ll get rewarded.

Too bad it was P. Deboer that got sacked after his poor handling of Oettinger because they was no way that relationship would have survived past the preseason as he would have been another solid candidate on you team.

And regarding the famous formula I guess after so much success, it got flushed in the toilet, as a new one needs a restart.

[Lancer]

You're also right about the Oil's cupboard being pretty bare. Not much NHL-ready talent on the farm. Maybe Noah Filip and Matt Savoie making a run for a fourth-line spot. I doubt Rodrigue will get promoted as the backup goalie even if the Oil sheds Skinner or Pickard. Whomever remains will become the backup hopefully behind a quality NHL starter.

Stan Bowman needs to make moves this summer, for two reasons. One, this team can't compete with Florida if it stands pat. Two, McDavid's future in Edmonton depends on seeing a clear plan to win a Cup in the next few years. He'll leave if that isn't presented to him with urgent clarity.

Where's that f*cking formula when I need it ...

Well puck stoppers of Demkos’ caliber in this offseason that would be available, there’s none. This is his last contract year.

But as next season progresses after January I would definitely inquire about his availability especially if A. Silovs is ready for a full time backup position. But if I were Bowman, I would still concentrate on adding more depth in that D first, then concentrate on trading for a reliable goalie. With #29 already signed long term, I doubt Connor would look at other scenarios as I am sure he’ll get rewarded.

Too bad it was P. Deboer that got sacked after his poor handling of Oettinger because they was no way that relationship would have survived past the preseason as he would have been another solid candidate on you team.

And regarding the famous formula I guess after so much success, it got flushed in the toilet, as a new one needs a restart.

i was on vacation and missed games 5 and 6.

If the Oilers picked up Marchand instead of FLA, they win the cup. That's what I mean by they need a real star. maybe star was the wrong word, but a guy who knows how to win. Maybe winner is the right word. A guy who not just wins but knows how to win. I don't think anyone on the oilers is there yet.

The oilers window is closing fast now. The current roster isn't working. Like I said before, they need a big star, a winner, before next years playoffs start. Isn't McDavid on his last year next year w/ the oilers? If they don't do anything ground breaking in the offseason he should shop around.

[Diablo25]

Whatever dude. If my aunt had a dick she’d be my uncle.

[pk500]

If the Oilers picked up Marchand instead of FLA, they win the cup. That's what I mean by they need a real star. maybe star was the wrong word, but a guy who knows how to win. Maybe winner is the right word. A guy who not just wins but knows how to win. I don't think anyone on the oilers is there yet.

Just stop, dude. Corey Perry had won just as many Stanley Cups as Brad Marchand entering this playoffs. Oh, and there's something called a hard salary cap. This isn't franchise mode in EA's NHL 25.

Marchand was not the difference. The entire roster was the difference. Maurice was the difference. The Panthers had six players with 20+ points in this playoff, tying an NHL record. Marchand was at the bottom of that list, with 20 points.

Marchand was just a piece of this. You write as if Florida failed last year in the Final and brought in Marchand to put them over the top.

That was the situation after the 2023 season, when Florida lost to Vegas in the Final. Guess your sports cliche machine, er, the formula, missed that. You're just repeating BS sports radio and podcast tropes that you hear and try to pass as authority.

As for the Oilers' and McDavid offseason plans, well, no kidding. The DSP Puck Nostradamus has evolved into Noshitstradamus. Looks like someone has read a few stories or listened to a podcast because those two topics are all ANYONE in the hockey world has talked about for the last three days.

But this idea that the Oilers need a star shows just how little you know about the game. They have two of the biggest stars in the game. The Oilers need a quality starter in goal and a wing to play on the second line with Draisaitl so Knoblauch doesn't need to load up the first line with McDavid and Draisaitl.

You know who doesn't have a megastar on its roster? The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Their leading scorer had 81 points this season, 20 points behind Draisaitl and McDavid. Oh, you're also aware the "non-star" Draisaitl had more goals and points this season than McDavid, right?

So, the team that just lifted the mug for the second straight spring completely defies your idea that a team must have a handful of superstars -- a Big Three like the NBA -- to win the Cup. Well played.

[10spro]

The Habs made a major move acquiring N. Dobson from the Isles. A bit underrated in my books but a major update to boost up that first playoff appearance after sucking up for awhile. The Atlantic division got a lot more interested now, with M. Marner expected to be signed elsewhere than with the Leafs, just resigning with J. Tavares today.

It’s draft day today with the NYI picking first and with Dobson traded no doubt they’ll go after M. Schaefer.

My ‘Nuckers get a bit grittier with E.Kane returning home and in his last contract year, he’s expected to play big and hopefully wake up E. Patterson who’s been a no show for awhile.

This will be an interesting week coming up with a lot of players changing address.

[pk500]

The right side of Montreal's defense may be set for a decade with Hutson and Dobson. Hell of a pickup for the improving Habs.

Looks like Vegas is zeroing in on Marner. Oh, joy, considering my team also plays in the Pacific Division.

Wait: I thought the prevailing opinion in Leafs Nation was that Treliving couldn't roll it back with that core. Well, that core is all returning to Toronto except for Marner. I know that's a big piece, but Matthews, Nylander and Knies are supposed to do better next year? They must have one big move left with their cap space, especially with these team-friendly deals, but who? The top free agent in the market is LEAVING Toronto, not joining it.

Elliotte Friedman reporting a few rumors of Boeser to Edmonton? He would be a NICE wing for McDavid or Draisaitl. Everyone just assumes Boeser will head home to Minnesota. Not so fast, my friends!

In other Oilers' news, I like Trent Frederic. I'm not sure if I like Trent Frederic being signed for eight years with this team. He's good, but I don't think he'll improve or evolve enough where this contract will be called a bargain, even with the rising cap.

[10spro]

The right side of Montreal's defense may be set for a decade with Hutson and Dobson. Hell of a pickup for the improving Habs.

Looks like Vegas is zeroing in on Marner. Oh, joy, considering my team also plays in the Pacific Division.

Wait: I thought the prevailing opinion in Leafs Nation was that Treliving couldn't roll it back with that core. Well, that core is all returning to Toronto except for Marner. I know that's a big piece, but Matthews, Nylander and Knies are supposed to do better next year? They must have one big move left with their cap space, especially with these team-friendly deals, but who? The top free agent in the market is LEAVING Toronto, not joining it.

Elliotte Friedman reporting a few rumors of Boeser to Edmonton? He would be a NICE wing for McDavid or Draisaitl. Everyone just assumes Boeser will head home to Minnesota. Not so fast, my friends!

In other Oilers' news, I like Trent Frederic. I'm not sure if I like Trent Frederic being signed for eight years with this team. He's good, but I don't think he'll improve or evolve enough where this contract will be called a bargain, even with the rising cap.

Well, regarding the Maple Laughs if there’s one more big move that they can afford especially when it comes to changing DNA’s is to go after C. Perry.

Now, I am pretty sure Oilers will do their darnest to keep him, but say Marchand doesn’t go back with the Panthers, why wouldn’t FLO or TO go after a guy that wants to win one more SC at 40? FLO would fit Perry to a T, especially if Marchand goes elsewhere.

BTW, kudos to the Leafs for giving M. Knies a 7.75 extension for 6 years, this guy is a future Superstar. And with Marner pretty much gone to Vegas (LAS will do anything to get him, and there are rumors of tampering already) if they want a true DNA changer, they should go after Marchand.

About Boeser, I don’t see him going to a same division team although he’s a UFA, either he goes back to his home town or goes to The Jets should they lose Ehlers to FA. That’s a forward that everyone will be interested in. CAR would love to have Ehlers with them.

And who knows VAN may pull some magic and resign Boeser, as he would love to stay but terms is the issue here.

Canada’s day couldn’t come sooner, and please (not Bettman’s fault here) for next years’ draft, do it the old fashion way, not this de-centralized crap with FaceTime conversations and audio issues where the excitement was only reserved to the families present in LA with their kids about to be drafted.