Ducks Gameday—First impressions on the new Ducks
by Earl Sleek on Mar 19, 2009 9:29 AM PDT
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For a canine angle, head to Five For Howling.
Well, now I've seen the new acquisitions play two home games, and I have to say they're not bad. In fact, other than my Pahlsson man-crush, I'm not sure that there's a trade that I feel rotten about, though certainly two games isn't a lot to base that on.
Still, I guess let's take a quick look at the Final Four:
Ryan Whitney
Possible nicknames: Cotton Gin, Eli Whitney, Half-Whit
Initial impressions: I think I like the idea of Ryan Whitney, we just shouldn't expect very much use out of the big body to crush opponents. He does, however, seem to have a good package of reach, mobility, and puck skills, and it seems reasonable to think that he'll improve some as he gets adjusted. Probably not a guy we want to see against the opposition's top scorers, but that's fine. There's still value in playing easy minutes well.
James Wisniewski
Possible nicknames: Vishnevski, The Wiz, The Wizard of Niewski
Initial impressions: Not sure what to think of the new version of Vishdog just yet -- he seems decently versatile, though, and doesn't look out of place with Scotty Niedermayer as a partner. I haven't noticed him a ton (though he did show good patience in setting up Ebbett's goal last night), to tell the truth, but that's probably not a bad thing for a new d-man. And just like Eli Whitney, you can't properly spell the Wiz's last name without the letters "W-I-N".
Erik Christensen
Possible nicknames: Fake-Pahlsson, E.C. Bias, Hans Christian Andersen
Initial impressions: A decent fill-in on the scoring lines, sort of our poor man's Kunitz. He's a guy that I've heard shaky reports about both from Thrasher fans and Ducks fans who saw his first few games, but in the two games I've watched he's been a good passenger. I'd like to assign him a reasonable nickname, but whenever I see him on the ice, so far all I can call him is "fake Pahlsson" -- damn that deceptive #26.
Petteri Nokelainen
Possible nicknames: Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick at Nite
Initial impressions: Seems like a good depth player and has fit in pretty well on a stopper line which no longer features Pahlsson or Moen. Again, I'm somewhat reliant on what I've heard about the Nokester, but he's put himself in solid position most of the two games I've observed, and doesn't seem afraid of the front of the net on either end of the ice. Generally, it's nice to see a European forward on the Ducks not named Selanne or Pahlsson, so he's also got that going for him.
We'll see where these guys really do fit into the present and future versions of the Ducks, but based on early impressions, I do like Bob Murray's deadline day. Picked up some useful pieces in his UFA firesale, which at least speaks to his decisiveness and realism. Going into next week I'll take a look at the go-forward roster and try to guess what this team will do this summer to avoid a repeat of this crap-the-bed season.
Feel free to leave your impressions (plus any nickname suggestions) in the comments -- I won't be around for tonight's game, btw, but feel free to visit the comments for that as well.
And now, an update on our old theme of "The Art of Suicide", drawn by Spade after we went to Sunday's game together.
A logical update to his previous Earl/Duck/Spade cartoon.
Sorry, Spade, I did have to throw this after the jump, just in case my folks were perusing the ol' BoC. Still, I'm guessing this won't be the last we'll see of this cartoon series.
Prediction: I finally set my sights on the Ducks losing, and they win?! They'll get it right tonight, though. 'Yotes 4, Ducks 3. Goals by Nick at Nite, Fake-Pahlsson, and Vishdog 2.0.
Go Ducks.
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You’ve got some anger management issues, my friend.
The Ducks aren’t making the playoffs. I’m sure of it, but at least this time I’m not saying it just because I don’t like the Ducks. I looked at the schedules of the 7 teams competing for those final two spots: Predators, Oilers, Wild, Stars, Blues, Ducks, and Kings. And I’ve “predicted” the outcomes for the rest of the season. In all, there are 69 games that involve those seven teams, and since probably 15 of them are gonna be OT/SO games, the standings are gonna get all fucked up in the next three weeks.
Here’s what I have as the final standings, as well as what I think the teams’ records will be for the remainder of the season:
7. Wild (88 pts, 7-5-0)
8. Predators (86 pts, 5-6-0)
9. Ducks (86 pts, 7-5-0)
10. Oilers (85 pts, 5-8-0)
11. Stars (84 pts, 5-6-0)
12. Blues (83 pts, 5-7-0)
13. Kings (83 pts, 8-5-0)
A few points. First off, you’ll notice I haven’t predicted any of those teams to have an OT/SO game. That’s obviously because they’re so impossible to predict. So, let’s just assume that every team loses two games in OT/SO. That doesn’t change the standings at all, so we don’t need to pay attention to that.
Second, the Predators would each have 86 points, with identical records. The tiebreaker would be head-to-head, and I have the Predators winning the final game of the series, going to 3-0-1 against the Ducks. And it’s looking very much like that terrible start to this season could very well be what keeps them out of the playoffs. If they miss it, that’s what people are gonna turn to. If they somehow squirm in, then it’ll be a blessing.
Third, I’m being very generous with the Kings’ 8-5-0 record, and yet they still get 13th place in the West. Before I did this, I thought they’d need to win at least 10 games to make the playoffs. Now, I see that could give them 87 points and just make it in. So, I’m feeling like I might actually know something.
I’ve learned one key thing in this “exercise”… NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING TO HAPPEN!!! As of right now, the difference between 7th and 13th is 8 points. Based on my “calculations”, the difference is 5 points. There are six teams separated by 3 points, which brings us to head-to-head. If the Ducks were able to win one of the first two games with the Predators, they’d make it.
The Kings helped themselves with successful seasons against the Wild, Stars, Blues, and even the Ducks, but I’m reminded of the December collapses against the Leafs and Coyotes, as well as their perpetual failures against the Predators, Flames, Avalanche, Red Wings, and Sharks… wow, that’s a lot of teams. Against those five opponents, the Kings have gone 1-14-4. That really hurts in April.
The Blues… well, fuck them. Fuck everybody else. The Kings aren’t making the playoffs, the Ducks aren’t even making the playoffs. Let’s all just hop aboard the Sharks bandwagon.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
So really, all that needs to happen is that the Ducks need to surprise you with one of their “expected losses” becoming a win, and absolutely nothing else deviating from your expectations?
That’s not nearly so bad as I thought, though again - I haven’t taken even a cursory look at the standings in a few weeks. I find my life and my hockey viewing to be much less stressful when I stop thinking about the meta“make the playoffs”-game. For now, I’m just watching a hockey game and not worrying about the bigger picture, though that approach probably stops once Galactica dies on Friday.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I have no idea wtf happened in that comment. I guess be wary of the ol’ “-” symbol, it can really kick your ass, apparently.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I don’t know what the “standard deviation” of my projections are… I just looked at each team’s schedule and said “do I think they’re gonna win or lose this game?” and put it all together. But for the most part, all these teams are gonna go about .500 the rest of the way, in all likelihood, which is consistent with my projections.
Although, based on my past with filling out my NCAA Tournament Brackets, I’m not at all expecting things to go the way I think they are.
Speaking of which, has anybody else here filled a bracket?
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
not me…im the only one apprently whos does not give a shit about NCAA
maybe cuz im a trojans fan.
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of which, has anybody else here filled a bracket?
Not I. I haven’t given a crap about basketball in years; why start now?
http://www.battleofcali.com/
honestly id be happy just to see progress….get a feel of who should stay and go the offseason….see more of the new guys…
playoffs would be a bonus really….maybe im alone on this…
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
playoffs would be a bonus really….maybe im alone on this…
It’s no longer in my sights, that’s for sure — at this point, we’ll leave optimism to the players.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
So when you watch the games, you’re gonna do so as just a casual fan then? No worries; that’s what us Kings fans have been accustomed to for the past several years.
…God, I’m not exactly prepared for a Duck-less postseason. Although I’m really anxious to see what kind of postseason cartoon you’re gonna draw.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
yea i miss a good ole sleek toon….hes put more thought in to them then i do….
what happen to the fanhouse cartoons?…they stop sending u checks or somthing?
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
what happen to the fanhouse cartoons?…
I’ve been lazy as fuck (plus I haven’t watched enough hockey to know what’s up lately). It’s more me than Fanhouse, that’s for sure.
You’ll notice it’s been a while since I drew a cartoon for this site, also — I’ve been reusing old images quite a bit. I expect I’ll get back into things next week, I hope. There’s nothing intentional about the dropoff, just some work business mixed with the magic lazy spell my couch (+ some BSG DVDs) casts on me.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Actually, that’s exactly the perspective I’ve been thinking about; how to see through the eyes of a Kings fan.
I’ll tell you, I thoroughly enjoyed last night’s game, not thinking about standings or anything like that. Just a chance to see some new players and a 61-minute game; it was kind of pleasant.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Let’s all just hop aboard the Sharks bandwagon.
wooohooo! so we’ll see you over at fearthefin soon?? :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Mar 19, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah… Sleek and Spade both did that last year… frankly I will never forgive them for being traitors. If the Cup’s in California, it’s because the Ducks won it. Period.
Nobody cares about your opinion.
WHY CUZ YOUR SMOKING? HEHE
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:16 AM PDT reply actions
haha i had to be realistc….only thing missing was a $20 double (underwelhming..thanks to the mustache drink server guy) shot of jd… i thought of putting it on the table with 2 dice with double sixes…but i wasnt sure if anyone would get it….maybe a $20 bill next to it would have suffice
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
o im talking about sleek in case the parents are reading
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
shit
i forgot to darken the outside lines like i normally do…im getting sloppy..that way the cartoon pops out a little more…
El Spade-o
by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Mar 19, 2009 10:18 AM PDT reply actions
Vishnevski 2.0
You oughta consider nicknaming Wisniewski “cherry,” since his name is from the Polish word for cherry (or “sour cherry”).
And Wisniewski is the Polish form of Vishnevski, which is the Russian form of Visnovsky.
It’s kind of odd how the three players in the NHL with functionally the same name are all defenseman.
by Alexander Dubcek on Mar 19, 2009 10:38 AM PDT reply actions
I will definitely take “Sour Cherry” under advisement — nothing wrong with root meaning as a nickname basis.
It’s kind of odd how the three players in the NHL with functionally the same name are all defenseman.
Don’t forget about prospects Ivan Vishnevskiy (DAL) or Andy Wozniewski (PIT). They’re both defensemen also.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Yeah, and “Sour Cherry” sounds pretty cool. Though admittedly it might be more apt for a certain ex-NHL coach and current CBC commentator nicknamed “Grapes.” Not that “Sour Grapes” wouldn’t work for him as well.
by Alexander Dubcek on Mar 19, 2009 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Plus there would be a certain sense of irony, in that the Wiz’s style (read: bloodline) seems to be something that Don Cherry would approve of , whereas the nickname “Sour Grapes” somewhat implies that Cherry would have issues with his play.
And I’m not sure that “Sour Grapes” isn’t a nice theme for this entire season for Anaheim.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
Vishnevskiy is, I’m almost certain, the Ukrainian equivalent. Wozniewski is Polish, but means something else I can’t parse.
by Alexander Dubcek on Mar 19, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions
And Wisniewski is the Polish form of Vishnevski, which is the Russian form of Visnovsky.
Vishnevskiy is, I’m almost certain, the Ukrainian equivalent. Wozniewski is Polish, but means something else I can’t parse.
Vitaly Vishnevski was born in the Ukraine, even though most sites list him as Russian. Is that why he is Vishnevski and not Vishnovski?
Now my brain hurts. ha
Wiz has one thing on Vish, he doesn’t skate like his knees are locked in a permanent upright position.
Don't bRuin your life. Make love with a Trojan
Vishnevski would seem to come from the large Russian minority that lives in Ukraine. He spoke Russian when Oleg Tverdovsky (another Ukrainian-born Russian) interpreted for an interview for me several years ago.
by Alexander Dubcek on Mar 19, 2009 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Something completely irrelevant:
When the “bigger nets” rumor goes around, how much bigger do they mean? Like, a tiny bit bigger, or like bandy-style bigger?
Nobody cares about your opinion.
I think it’s negligible, but I’m not sure. My impressions have been that they want bigger nets, but not “noticeably” bigger nets. So I think they’re looking at adjustments of less than 6 or 8 inches, but I have nothing to back that up.
But hey, I’m still trying to figure out what a “staged fight” is and why I’m supposed to be pissed of that it happens.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I might be able to score into that net. Kyle Calder might even be able to score into that net.
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
That’s basically bandy-style width. I only asked this question because I was watching bandy videos on youtube and thinking “Man, that’s a huge fucking net”
Nobody cares about your opinion.
Yeah, just screwing around since whenever I hear talk about making the nets bigger I immediately think of the above Conan bit.
“I give you the Conan net right here. It will revolutionize the game. Bigger scores, more attendance. In this version of the game, the goalie on odd numbered nights would be allowed to have a piece of furniture to help. An ottoman, a recliner, a small sectional. Not a large sectional. Its not a circus.”
To bad it looks like the Ducks have no idea what’s going on out there
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
haha, apparently his whole family lives there? or so I’ve heard
Fuck, I’m looking for Perry too!! And Getzlaf…where the hell are those guys?!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
although putting money on whether or not they’re going to give up a goal in the final minutes of the game…might just make you a fortune!
GO DUCKS!! Girlwithapuck.blogspot.com
Wow.
I just saw the Nokelainen goal. “Doesn’t seem afraid of the front of the net” is right.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
I realized this morning, when I was going over my projections, that I made an error on the Kings. For some reason, I completely fucked up when adding a couple numbers together. Here’s the update, based on all my projections BEFORE yesterday’s games:
7. Wild (88 pts, 7-5-0)
8. Predators (86 pts, 5-6-0)
9. Ducks (86 pts, 7-5-0)
10. Oilers (85 pts, 5-8-0)
11. Stars (84 pts, 5-6-0)
12. Kings (84 pts, 8-5-0)
13. Blues (83 pts, 5-7-0)
For some reason, I added the 8-5-0 record to their then-29-30-10 record and got 33-32-10. Obviously, that’s only 75 games. I got the 83 points based on the fact that one game above .500 is one point more than games (82+1=83).
Now, here’s my update, including yesterday’s results:
7. Ducks (88 pts, 7-4-0)
8. Wild (88 pts, 7-5-0)
9. Predators (87 pts, 5-5-0)
10. Oilers (87 pts, 4-8-0)
12. Kings (86 pts, 8-4-0)
11. Stars (84 pts, 5-6-0)
13. Blues (83 pts, 5-6-0)
So, now both the Ducks have vaulted the Predators and Oilers and now are in the playoffs. How is that, when the Oilers also won? Well, the Ducks won a game I thought they were going to lose, giving them more points then I thought they would. The Oilers won a game that I thought they were gonna win, so I still think they’re gonna have the same number of points.
I thought the Predators were gonna lose this game against the Sharks, but they did so in SO. They did get one more point than I thought they would, but ANA picked up two more points. Since they were tied with 86 before the games, ANA now has a one-point lead.
Maybe there’s hope for you Ducks fans after all.
Meanwhile, the Kings actually passed the Stars because I thought they were gonna lose last night. They got two more points than I thought they would and broke the new-found tie with the Stars.
Big games for tonight: LA @ PIT, EDM @ CHI, and STL @ CGY. Go Kings, Hawks, and Flames!!
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
Okay, I made another error. Here’s what it really is:
7. Ducks (88 pts, 7-4-0)
8. Wild (88 pts, 7-5-0)
9. Predators (87 pts, 5-5-0)
10. Kings (86 pts, 8-4-0)
11. Oilers (85 pts, 4-8-0)
12. Stars (84 pts, 5-6-0)
13. Blues (83 pts, 5-6-0)
Fuck you, Denis Gauthier. You deserved that 5-game suspension.
uh … 1+1=2 … :)
Ever get the feeling we are on a collision course with reality?
by ang6666 on Mar 20, 2009 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions
E.C. Bias
The funny thing about that is there are people on the Angels SB blog who occasionally complain about baseball’s East Coast bias. While I have no doubt it exists to an extent, I feel about as bad for them as I would feel for a Red Wings fan complaining about it.
Nobody cares about your opinion.
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Pacific Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose
|
54 | 31 | 17 | 6 | 68 |
|
Los Angeles
|
57 | 27 | 19 | 11 | 65 |
|
Phoenix
|
57 | 27 | 21 | 9 | 63 |
|
Dallas
|
56 | 28 | 25 | 3 | 59 |
|
Anaheim
|
57 | 24 | 24 | 9 | 57 |
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