2026 NHL Draft

[Hockey Widow]

From what I heard it was well known in the dressing room that he wanted to return to the US. He was not secretive about his desire. In fact it was used partially as a rallying cry the year they won the Pacific, like they knew they had a short window, much shorter than we knew. I think the frustration that JT had the following year was based partially on that concept, That not everyone showed up to camp ready to go and their window was narrow.

[Ronning's Ghost]

... they knew they had a short window, much shorter than we knew. I think the frustration that JT had the following year was based partially on that concept, That not everyone showed up to camp ready to go and their window was narrow.

Now that's interesting.

I always find it vindicating when the players -- who presumably have more information than any of us -- agree with me. (Like when Kesler knew the window was closed and it was time for a long rebuild.)

My complaint (okay, amongst my complaints) with whatever-you-want-to-call-what-Benning-was-trying-to-do was that any window it created would be too brief. I am pleased that J.T agreed with me, although I must admit that Hughes-will-want-to-bolt-soon was not part of my original assessment.

[2Fingers]

Who said Miller was the loved one? Or is it just the EP hatred this site has that colours everyone’s glasses?

[donlever]

The fans at every Game.

JT MILLER

JT MILLER

JT MILLER

[Carl Yagro]

Yes, Reef.

JT Fuckin' Miller. At every game that I've been to.

The paying customer knew who Da Man was. The true #1 center. They chanted his name.

Just like they all knew who the best Canucks was. Quinn Hughes. They ooh'd and aah'd every time he had the puck.

Fans were happy when EP did well. Polite cheers and all.

His teammates quietly supported him. His coaches quietly supported him. His neighbours supported him. They all met him the first time he returned.

EP was and still is persona-non-grata. No vocal support from teammates, coaches, outgoing management, etc. In fact, some damning details coming from new management and outgoing coaches.

It's the ridiculous over-the-top EP love that has this franchise in the pickle that it's in. If you still can't see that their choice isn't and never was Da Man, if you can't see with all of the details coming out now... I don't know what to tell you at this point. Change the colour of your glasses.

It's the over-the-top hatred of Miller and Benning at this site which colours the truth of the Internet fans and some here at this site. The scum media has told you who to hate and you've been doing this for half a decade for one, and more than a decade for the other.

There is no EP hatred. There is only the failure of the owner, TFGs and EP himself. The paying customers and fans in general are just calling this out for the last 27 months.

[donlever]

It's the over-the-top hatred of Miller and Benning at this site which colours the truth of the Internet fans and some here at this site.

..and Hughes.

Good post....can't agree more.

[Meds]

Haters gonna hate.

[Cousin Strawberry]

I hate...that you're right Carl

[Topper]

Why I enjoy pointing out the similarities between Benning's actions and the new group's words.

[donlever]

Here's a dude for you RG.

20 y/o D man Nate Corbett (#22 in black defending his teammate here....watch to the end...he gets a couple of solid rights in before ref shut down)...

Went to camp with the Oil last year.

Was in the Hat but traded to Kelowna (maybe AP has an opinion).

Has made a bit of a name for himself with his fists.

Talking Abby not the show.

https://x.com/i/status/2058030832531526087

[donlever]

A different view of the fight.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYrBZYNO ... E4dXQ4OXkx

[Ronning's Ghost]

A different view of the fight.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYrBZYNO ... E4dXQ4OXkx

Right spirit; not enough fighting skill.

I don't want a good tilt; I want a beat-down. Anything that results in the other guy just skating to the penalty box with an unbloodied face is not sending the right message.

Having said that, I have said for years that I can't see any reason why fighting in hockey is a less coachable skill than any other hockey skill, or than fighting skills under any other combative sports ruleset. Right spirit is a good place to start.

[Meds]

A different view of the fight.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYrBZYNO ... E4dXQ4OXkx

I don't want a good tilt; I want a beat-down. Anything that results in the other guy just skating to the penalty box with an unbloodied face is not sending the right message.

+ fucking 1.

Having said that, I have said for years that I can't see any reason why fighting in hockey is a less coachable skill than any other hockey skill, or than fighting skills under any other combative sports ruleset. Right spirit is a good place to start.

I think it's the optics of it for the NHL more than anything. If they start coaching fighting as a skill.....I shudder to think what the cupcake fans and media would squawk.

[Ronning's Ghost]

I think it's the optics of it for the NHL more than anything. If they start coaching fighting as a skill.....I shudder to think what the cupcake fans and media would squawk.

You may well be right, but I think there's ways to keep it low key and out of the limelight.

How much do you, a relatively dedicated and well-informed fan, know about the summer off-ice training programs of a bunch of random 3rd and 4th liners? Take it out of the country, if necessary. I can scarcely imagine the sporting press in anywhere but Canada (or maybe Sweden?) even starting to care enough to investigate. (And it can't be in Sweden anyway because there are a lot of rules around combative sports training there.) If some media types do get wind, play it off as some "martial-arts derived zen focussing meditation balance exercise" -- or whatever they called it in any of the arts your various black belts are in.

[Topper]

There are severe restrictions on team lead or involvement in off season activities under the CBA.

No one will notice the new signing that was banned from tier 2 Junior and doesn't need to bend over to tie his skates and may have difficulty crossing Provincial boundaries.