# NHL January 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 1, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048 "2019-01-01T18:13:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2019, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/21 "2019-01-09T20:11:04Z")
Fuck Fuck Fuck…My Blues need a total rebuild from The GM on down… Ryan O’Riley seems to be the only player consistently giving 100% Jake allen couldn’t stop a beach ball… FUCK ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/22 "2019-01-10T17:02:22Z")
In addition to the Blue Jackets’ inability to beat good teams, they’re apparently now dealing with a prima donna goaltender. [https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20190110/blue-jackets-sergei-bobrovsky-will-not-play-thursday-night-after-incident](https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20190110/blue-jackets-sergei-bobrovsky-will-not-play-thursday-night-after-incident) (in case the above link is subscriber-only, it basically says that Sergei Bobrovsky won’t play tonight because of an unspecified “incident” that violates team “culture”). He has reportedly felt dissed by management, which needs to sign him to a new contract this year or he’ll become a free agent. Columbus has had at best mixed results with Russian-born players. That includes first-round draft picks who were disappointments (Nikita Filatov, Nikolai Zherdev), excellent players who can’t wait to get out of Columbus (Artemi Panarin) and now Bobrovsky, a (usually) terrific regular season goaltender who flames out in the playoffs and is now having a tantrum for unknown reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/23 "2019-01-11T04:02:04Z")
I just saw [the 2019 All-Star jerseys](http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41052351-4). :eek:☹ I like the attention-to-a-cause part but the jerseys look like ass. Not including the All-Star logo at all is the opposite of smart branding and the monochrome look gets old in about 3 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/24 "2019-01-11T07:28:55Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I just saw [the 2019 All-Star jerseys](http://www.espn.com/espn/now?nowId=21-41052351-4). :eek:☹ > > I like the attention-to-a-cause part but the jerseys look like ass. Not including the All-Star logo at all is the opposite of smart branding and the monochrome look gets old in about 3 seconds. The All-Star jerseys always look like ass – why are you surprised? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/25 "2019-01-11T18:04:03Z")
I disagree; [there have been lots of cool NHL All-Star jerseys](https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/ranking-every-nhl-all-star-game-jersey-of-all-time). But [did you see the good news](https://apnews.com/9b4f641237a647aa9ea69ad7094f7afa)? I’ve been wondering for at least 12 years why they hadn’t done this already: > [@](#): > > The NHL for the first time has tested real-time puck and player tracking in regular-season games and intends to have it in place across the league next season. > > Microchips were added to players’ shoulder pads and fitted inside specially designed pucks for two Vegas Golden Knights home games this week, against the New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks. Antennas around the arena tracked the players and the puck through radio frequencies and relayed the data to a suite where league and Players’ Association executives and representatives from 20 teams and various technology firms, sports betting companies and TV rights holders were watching. 21st century hockey totally fucking rocks! ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2019, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/26 "2019-01-11T20:18:41Z")
All this technology and yet every time there’s an offsides challenge they go to some crappy video with a poor frame rate, angle, and resolution that makes the Zapruder film look like it was shot in 4K. ---
**Author:** ![tim-n-va](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim-n-va/32/3001_2.png) [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/27 "2019-01-16T00:21:23Z")
Brooks Orpik played in his 1,000 NHL game Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/28 "2019-01-16T00:34:04Z")
Wow! :eek: 17 years in the NHL, an 18 year professional career that includes at least 2 Stanley Cups. A college championship back in 2001 as well. The guy is not only a proverbial workhorse, he’s a ddamned good one at that. Congrats Mr. Orpik on a spectacular career and may the rest of it be all that too. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/29 "2019-01-16T13:24:24Z")
Naturally, as soon as I comment that the Blue Jackets can’t beat the good teams, they knock off the Predators and Capitals as part of a win streak that has them (for a day, anyway) on top of the Metro division, and their backup goalie is hot.\* \*which means he’ll probably get hurt, making Bobrovsky trade rumors moot for now. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/30 "2019-01-20T07:35:40Z")
woot ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2019, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/31 "2019-01-20T18:45:51Z")
Well that sucked – we totally should’ve had Murray in, not DeSmith. (It’s so hard to hear “Fleury saves!” – I keep wanting to cheer. Dammit) ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2019, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/32 "2019-01-21T20:48:10Z")
It’s very strange seeing the Islanders ahead of the Caps and Pens, and even the Leafs with Tavares. I know it won’t last, but it’s fun for now! They went from most goals against (by far) to least in one year with basically no change in defensive players. Trotz should definitely win Coach of the Year. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/33 "2019-01-22T21:52:01Z")
[You aren’t the only person who’s starting to make that case](https://apnews.com/b728b3cf06ff419190f58ee1c695d91b): > [@](#): > > After delivering the Capitals’ first championship in franchise history, Trotz is well on his way to changing the culture in his first season as Islanders coach and bringing that proud organization back to prominence. By implementing the same discipline off the ice and structure on the ice he did in Washington, Trotz has the Islanders in first place in their division past the halfway mark of the NHL season for just the second time in the past 28 years. > > “It feels very similar to the first year (in Washington),” Trotz said. “We were building something. We started with the structure and trying to make every moment count, the accountability, how we play, professionalism — all those things that make a pro athlete on and off the ice. We try to involve that with our organization as we did here. They’ve carried it on to the Stanley Cup, and we’re in the infancy stages.” > Modest to a fault and not eager to accept praise, Trotz considers the Islanders a “work in progress.” Still, this infant has legs: > [@](#): > > They have won five in a row and 12 of 14. Their goalies lead the league with a .920 save percentage after ranking 28th last season. They have allowed the fewest goals a game in the league after being the worst in that category last season. > > All this after point-a-game center John Tavares left in free agency to sign with his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders were expected to struggle, to say the least. > > Instead, they’ve thrived. > > “I think a lot of guys took it as a little bit of an insult when we were starting to get ranked to be the worst team in the league after he left,” fourth-line winger Matt Martin said. ”(Trotz) gets the best out of everybody. … He gives everybody the role and responsibilities, everyone’s playing similar minutes every night, getting a real good opportunity to play. As a player, when you’re getting those opportunities and you feel emotionally invested, you feel involved.” It’s a very good article and I think makes an excellent case for Coach Trotz to get CotY. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2019, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/34 "2019-01-22T23:31:59Z")
That’s great stuff. Thanks for posting it! I remember reading an article during the pre-season that they were “obviously” throwing the season by bringing in all those veterans (Komorov, Filpula, and so on) on one-year contracts. Man, was that wrong. Their up-and-comers look pretty good, too – Wahlstrom, currently playing for Boston College, is apparently doing great. I really hope they can keep it going after the break! ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2019, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/35 "2019-01-23T13:03:18Z")
The Oilers [fire Chiarelli](http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25829485/peter-chiarelli-fired-edmonton-oilers-general-manager). Not too surprising when you see what Edmonton has done over his tenure, granted it does seem that the franchise is jinxed. I’m still not sure how Chiarelli got the job. I know he was in Boston, but did he actually build that team or inherit them? After giving away Seguin to the Stars in Boston, Chiarelli did give away Eberle to the Islanders… two terrible moves by any GM. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2019, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/36 "2019-01-25T02:24:11Z")
_squee_ My [local history museum](https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/exhibits/hockey) just opened up an entire wing devoted to hockey in Pittsburgh! I’ve seen some of the stuff from the Pens they had when I’ve went before, but now they have an entire exhibit for hockey. (As soon as my sciatica gets better, I am so there!) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2019, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/37 "2019-01-25T02:28:13Z")
That’s cool **Guin** ; it looks like they do have one helluva collection. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2019, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/38 "2019-01-26T18:23:44Z")
Big, huge, enormous congratulations to Kendall Coyne Schofield for her worthy participation in the 2019 NHL All-Star Skils Competition! A hearty thank you to the NHL for making this happen, too! Good job, everyone! Another excellent skills competition, if a little dry IMO. As such, I’m especially intrigued by [the last item on this list of 10 proposed skill events](http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/22199267/nhl-10-ways-make-all-star-skills-competition-even-crazier-more-fun): > [@](#): > > The 100-on-3 challenge > > The NHL prides itself on trying to get children into hockey through participation. > > So … are you familiar with the 100-on-3 challenge? Because that’s a heckuva way to get kids on the ice: [Here’s the original (soccer) event](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5f8hjzxmkA). And [here’s one that extends the difficulty by including comedian and talk-show host James Corden coaching the 100 kids.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4oWTABwBEY) I would gleefully endorse this event at any and all future NHL ALL-Star weekends. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/39 "2019-01-27T01:13:21Z")
Holy SHIT, the woman who sang the “Star Spangled Banner” fucking SUCKED. Who the hell chose her? Why do singers insist on turning anthems into feats of vocal gymnastics? ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2019, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048/40 "2019-01-27T03:21:07Z")
You got that right, **Guinastasia**. The games have been fun though. It’s not exactly hockey but it is fun to watch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2019/827048.md?page=3)