# NHL: January 2023 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** hockey-nhl\ **Created:** [January 2, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543 "2023-01-02T19:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2023, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/1 "2023-01-02T19:28:11Z")
How far downhill has the Winter Classic gone? Rather than being on National television, it’s on TNT and the same usual suspects. Get your credit cards out to buy yet another limited jersey if you’re a Bruins or Pens fan, but otherwise a yawn. Bell Biv DeVoe to sing the national anthem? Is this 1992? At least the matchup should be decent and I definitely didn’t think the Bruins would be this good this season. I hope the rumours of Kraken vs Golden Knights for next year is true, be nice to see someone else besides the same 6 teams and moving to out west will be good too. Golden Knights vs Avalanche tonight should be more interesting and I wish that was the Winter Classic instead ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2023, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/2 "2023-01-02T20:30:31Z")
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken confirmed as 2024 Winter Classic in Seattle. > **[Vegas Golden Knights to play in 2024 NHL Winter Classic vs. Seattle Kraken](https://www.ktnv.com/news/golden-knights/vegas-golden-knights-to-play-in-2024-nhl-winter-classic-vs-seattle-kraken)** > > The Vegas Golden Knights will make their second appearance in the annual NHL Winter Classic in 2024 against the Seattle Kraken in Seattle. Gotta say, this peeks my interest and I’d consider attending. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/3 "2023-01-03T19:37:50Z")
Interesting, Jakub Vrana returns from the player assistance program and immediately gets put on waivers? I would have thought he’d be given time to show improvement post treatment. > **[Red Wings place F Vrana on waivers - TSN.ca](https://www.tsn.ca/detroit-red-wings-waive-jakub-vrana-1.1901068)** > > The Detroit Red Wings placed forward Jakub Vrana on waivers Tuesday, two-plus weeks after he returned from the player assistance program set up by the NHL and NHL Players’ Association. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/4 "2023-01-04T01:50:44Z")
Well, it _is_ the Dope, so: > [@dalej42](#): > > peeks should be “piques” 🙂 > [@dalej42](#): > > I would have thought he’d be given time to show improvement post treatment. I’m guessing they just made a switch decision to quickly get his skating back in the minors before heading back up again. (heh, granted he’ll earn the promotion) Not NHL, but almost urgent: there’s a new Connor on the horizon. Canadian 18 year-old Connor Bedard is essentially breaking almost every record in the World Juniors right now, scoring some very pretty goals. Our next generational player. ETA: Meanwhile the other Connor has the most goals and assists right now. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2023, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/5 "2023-01-04T03:12:50Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > …get his skating back in the minors… Which he still needs to do considering his first three games back with Grand Rapids hasn’t registered a point, with a minus 5 rating. Derek Lalonde made the right decision. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/6 "2023-01-07T17:59:09Z")
Good news for the Caps as they get both Backstrom and Wilson back. > **[Caps' Backstrom, Wilson ready for season debuts](https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35398602/nicklas-backstrom-tom-wilson-make-season-debuts-capitals)** > > Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson are finally ready to return for the Washington Capitals. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/7 "2023-01-13T12:23:07Z")
Blackhawks beat the slumping Avalanche, definitely didn’t have that on my bingo card. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/8 "2023-01-13T12:28:02Z")
The Chicago Blackhawks:: How bad are we?! 😔 ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/9 "2023-01-13T22:51:34Z")
There are some really bad teams in the NHL now just salivating over Connor Bedard. The Hawks would love him to step in as fresh blood while the Toews/Kane era ends. Of course, maybe the Yotes get him and give us a reason to actually pay attention to the team. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2023, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/10 "2023-01-14T00:18:27Z")
Yet another injury for the Golden Knights as Mark Stone is now week to week. They’ve done well with all the injuries they’ve had, although Logan Thompson has come back down to Earth. > ---
**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 14, 2023, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/11 "2023-01-14T03:21:24Z")
Well, the Pens lost _grr_, but It’s Friday the 13th…and Jason Zucker getting into a fight with Brenden Dillon was rather appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2023, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/12 "2023-01-16T04:00:13Z")
Not your usual hockey story. > **[Robin Lehner files for bankruptcy related to purchase of exotic snake farm](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/robin-lehner-files-for-bankruptcy-related-to-purchase-of-exotic-snake-farm-024727623.html)** > > Lehner bought a collection of snakes for $1.2 million from world-renowned reptile breeder Ben Renick in 2017. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/13 "2023-01-18T17:24:52Z")
> **[Flyers' Ivan Provorov refuses to wear Pride Night jersey due to religion](https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/flyers-ivan-provorov-refuses-to-wear-pride-night-jersey-due-to-religion-043133852.html)** > > The 26-year-old defenseman and head coach John Tortorella addressed the decision after the game. Screw your religion, Proverov. It’s 2023. Torts: > [@](#): > > “He’s being true to himself and his religion. This has to do with his beliefs and his religion,” Tortorella said. “It’s one thing I respect about [Provorov], he’s always true to himself.” Tortorella said he didn’t consider benching Provorov over his decision. Wow, true to himself. So super-ultra blown away by such steely resolve. Not only didn’t bench him but gave him a game-high 22:45 in ice time. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2023, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/14 "2023-01-21T01:38:43Z")
Such bad news for Max Pacioretty > **[Pacioretty Placed On Injured Reserve](https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/pacioretty-placed-on-injured-reserve/c-340218952)** > > Team to know more on the star winger's status in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/15 "2023-01-22T02:46:41Z")
Ovechkin out tonight for the Caps against the Golden Knights. I’ve had my eye on this game. > ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/16 "2023-01-22T06:17:39Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > There are some really bad teams in the NHL now just salivating over Connor Bedard. Well it won’t be the Vancouver Canucks who get him, I tell you what. They have what I call “The Curse of the Blue Uniforms” where they play terribly until they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and then all of sudden become the best damn team in the league so as to lose at losing by winning (because they are too dignified to tank). Seriously, I almost started a thread on how and why this team is so absurdly bad. The coach Bruce Boudreau was having songs sung about him (“Bruce, There It Is!” which he apparently hated) last season but now he’s on the verge of being canned because the team forgot how to play hockey _again_. I swear to all gods great and small, if there was no salary cap and this team had infinite money and the first, second and third round draft picks they could not buy a win at any price. Instead, they’ll make terrible trades where they end up paying years of salary to players on other teams, they’ll draft normally talented players who will turn into potatoes as soon as they put the jersey on and they’ll end up being about 57th in the draft lottery even if they have the highest chance of winning it. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/17 "2023-01-22T08:07:00Z")
Indeed, the Canucks are in a boatload of trouble, and I’m foreseeing not much room for improvement in the future. My other team, the Flyers, could be in even crummier straights. With Van. I hope they at east hang on to Bear and Kuzmenko. Well, let’s see how Rick does, I guess… > **[Report: Vancouver Canucks to introduce Rick Tocchet as head coach on Monday](https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/report-vancouver-canucks-to-hire-rick-tocchet-as-new-head-coach)** > > Tocchet replaces Boudreau as the Canucks bench in what has been a controversial handling of the situation by Vancouver. ETA: I like this vieled quote, from the second-best winning percentage coach (after Scotty Bowman): > [@](#): > > “I’ve only been here a year, but it’ll go down in my memory books out of the 48 years I’ve played and coached as the most incredible thing I’ve experienced on a personal level other than winning championships,” said Boudreau. (Boudreau had not been officially replaced yet by Tocchet at the time of writing, but yeah, it’ll happen) ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/18 "2023-01-22T17:59:23Z")
Looks like it’s official: > **[Canucks fire Bruce Boudreau, hire Rick Tocchet as head coach in curious gamble](https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl-canucks-fire-bruce-boudreau-hire-rick-tocchet-as-new-head-coach-173954933.html)** > > The Canucks have finally made a coaching change after months of speculation. ---
**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 23, 2023, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/19 "2023-01-23T19:11:22Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > There are some really bad teams in the NHL now just salivating over Connor Bedard. As someone who follows the current worst team in the NHL (the Blue Jackets), I’ve gotten tired of Columbus sportswriters urging the team to tank.\* Of all the teams who’ve gotten multiple #1 picks since 2010 (Edmonton 4, Buffalo 2, New Jersey 2), none have enjoyed marked playoff success and certainly none have won a Stanley Cup in that time. Being really shitty and lucking into a “generational” player is not a winning formula. \*they don’t need encouragement in that regard anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2023, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543/20 "2023-01-24T05:34:57Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Looks like it’s official: So this means that (from what I have read) the Canucks are now paying salary to three coaches who aren’t with the team any longer and they have replaced a good coach with a bum who seems to have gotten the job because he’s friends with someone high up in the organization. And the new coach has a lucrative deal for three years which will pay the dude more than he used to make actually _playing_ hockey. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Of all the teams who’ve gotten multiple #1 picks since 2010 (Edmonton 4, Buffalo 2, New Jersey 2), none have enjoyed marked playoff success and certainly none have won a Stanley Cup in that time. Being really shitty and lucking into a “generational” player is not a winning formula. Despite my earlier rant about how they can’t win for winning or losing, I agree with your philosophy here as it might apply to the Canucks. The problem doesn’t seem to be that they need just one Gretzky-caliber player to backpack them, it’s that they lack defense, offense and any kind of sense of urgency that might lead them in the general direction of victory. I remember a news story from a few years back where a European player hung around with the Canucks on some hockey exchange program deal and he was astounded by how much partying and drinking they did. I’m also reminded of Zack Kassian who was on a downward spiral in his hockey career and his personal life until he got out of Vancouver and the curse was lifted. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nhl-january-2023/977543.md?page=2)