August Question 2: Opinions

I thought I'd toss a second question out there right away to keep it going (if possible).

State a controversial or challenging opinion, then respond to the opinion posted above yours.

I'll start:

ONLY the Vancouver Canucks and the Ottawa Senators will make the playoffs next year representing Canada.

The Montreal Canadiens and the Calgary Flames (along with Toronto and Edmonton) will NOT make it.

SpezDispenser wrote:I thought I'd toss a second question out there right away to keep it going (if possible).

State a controversial or challenging opinion, then respond to the opinion posted above yours.

Great call on this question Spez... Although this could be a dangerous one. Hopefully, and I'm sure the greater majority will, take the "controversial or challenging opinion" in stride, and not get too worked up over them. We are all friends here... Deep breath... Koombayah my Lord...

Response to SpezD's opinion:

How can you be so stupid??!!?!? (Joking around... of course) How could the Leafs not make it for a 5th (?) consecutive year? Easily. But I do believe the Habs will squeak in there. THere playoffs will be cut short with no Halak. But I believe Price will have a rebound season. Not a great season, but adequate, with decent numbers. Jacques can make his goalies look good. And with Markov around for the whole season, and the emergence of PK Subban, their puck movement from the back end will greatly improve.

My controversial/challenging opinion:

Due to the loss of Gonchar, emergence of young players around the league, and possibly injury, Sidney Crosby will not finish in the Top 5 League scoring! (Huh!? Gasp!!! Blasphemy!!!!!)

Controversial opinion first? Nuh-uh, I'm going to reply to yours.

The Habs *will* make the playoffs. I agree about the other three, although, if Kipper has a great year the Flames are never out of it.

OK, now for a controversial opinion:

Cowen won't get more than a handful of games toward the end of the season.

Why: His mono will prevent him from being in top-form for the start of camp; we already have 5 defensemen on 1-way contracts plus Karlsson, leaving room for Cowen fighting for 7th with Lee, and he really needs to be playing more than that.

Wait, how's this going to work if we are not in strict serial order? We both replied to SpezD's semi-controversial opinion (good call, by the way), but who is going to respond to *our* controversial opinion, though?

Ooh, ooh, I will!

Crosby won't have Gonchar, but Martin had 11 points in 22 games last season, playing for the *Devils*. Plus Goligoski will have more ice time, and Michalek will have fun playing with the offensively-focused Penguins. And, maybe they'll get some -- ahem -- magic out of Potter.

So, in short, Crosby *should* still be top-five in scoring.

wprager wrote:
Cowen won't get more than a handful of games toward the end of the season.

Why: His mono will prevent him from being in top-form for the start of camp; we already have 5 defensemen on 1-way contracts plus Karlsson, leaving room for Cowen fighting for 7th with Lee, and he really needs to be playing more than that.

Damn you Prager (kidding)...

I can't disagree with this. In fact, he'd be lucky to see any NHL ice time this upcoming season. Dammit. He looked so awesome, just don't see a spot for him + the mono + Spokane is the best choice in all probability - people have talked me into it.

wprager wrote:Wait, how's this going to work if we are not in strict serial order? We both replied to SpezD's semi-controversial opinion (good call, by the way), but who is going to respond to *our* controversial opinion, though?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure how it all works, I assume we can go back at least 5 posts in order to give our agree/disagree. Does that sound right? Or do we limit it to the post before only?

Bass Destruction wrote:
Due to the loss of Gonchar, emergence of young players around the league, and possibly injury, Sidney Crosby will not finish in the Top 5 League scoring! (Huh!? Gasp!!! Blasphemy!!!!!)

I want to agree because he has no wingers, but Gogo and Letang? They're good PMs, Martin is underrated in that respect. I think he's a slam dunk for top 5 assuming he doesn't get hurt. But this is the first of the semi-controversial statements.

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:Wait, how's this going to work if we are not in strict serial order? We both replied to SpezD's semi-controversial opinion (good call, by the way), but who is going to respond to *our* controversial opinion, though?

I'm sorry, I'm not sure how it all works, I assume we can go back at least 5 posts in order to give our agree/disagree. Does that sound right? Or do we limit it to the post before only?

Make it like the Lightning Round. Or maybe 'Next Question' format is more appropriate.

wprager wrote:
Make it like the Lightning Round. Or maybe 'Next Question' format is more appropriate.

Sure, whatever gets this flowing - because I'm suddenly quite excited to see people's opinions and responses. We've already had a pretty serious opinion on Crosby - a VERY interesting one from a smart poster. And we've also had a jarring post about Cowen - which people should have an opinion about one way or the other.

I like it!

SpezDispenser wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:
Due to the loss of Gonchar, emergence of young players around the league, and possibly injury, Sidney Crosby will not finish in the Top 5 League scoring! (Huh!? Gasp!!! Blasphemy!!!!!)

I want to agree because he has no wingers, but Gogo and Letang? They're good PMs, Martin is underrated in that respect. I think he's a slam dunk for top 5 assuming he doesn't get hurt. But this is the first of the semi-controversial statements.

If you like him so much, why don't you marry him!

Bass Destruction wrote:
If you like him so much, why don't you marry him!

Haha, you know I don't like him that much. I wanted his head crushed by Sutton in last year's playoffs.

SpezDispenser wrote:

wprager wrote:
Make it like the Lightning Round. Or maybe 'Next Question' format is more appropriate.

Sure, whatever gets this flowing - because I'm suddenly quite excited to see people's opinions and responses. We've already had a pretty serious opinion on Crosby - a VERY interesting one from a smart poster. And we've also had a jarring post about Cowen - which people should have an opinion about one way or the other.

I like it!

Did I just ruin your opinion of me by telling you to marry him?!?! Damnit!

Bass Destruction wrote:

SpezDispenser wrote:

Bass Destruction wrote:
Due to the loss of Gonchar, emergence of young players around the league, and possibly injury, Sidney Crosby will not finish in the Top 5 League scoring! (Huh!? Gasp!!! Blasphemy!!!!!)

I want to agree because he has no wingers, but Gogo and Letang? They're good PMs, Martin is underrated in that respect. I think he's a slam dunk for top 5 assuming he doesn't get hurt. But this is the first of the semi-controversial statements.

If you like him so much, why don't you marry him!

Take him behind the middle school and get him pregnant.

wprager wrote:Controversial opinion first? Nuh-uh, I'm going to reply to yours.

The Habs *will* make the playoffs. I agree about the other three, although, if Kipper has a great year the Flames are never out of it.

OK, now for a controversial opinion:

Cowen won't get more than a handful of games toward the end of the season.

Why: His mono will prevent him from being in top-form for the start of camp; we already have 5 defensemen on 1-way contracts plus Karlsson, leaving room for Cowen fighting for 7th with Lee, and he really needs to be playing more than that.

Very cleverly worded... You didn't specify Cowen wouldn't also play a lot of games at the beginning of the season... You sly fox... You sly sly Dickie Fox you...

But seriously, this one I would agree with. It would have been neat to see him play a couple games at the beginning of the season, but you are spot on that the mono will hurt him. Someone his size and his style of game getting mono could be disastrous, as he's losing workout time. He needs to be big and nasty to have a chance at making it out of camp, and with this latest derailment, i don't think it will happen. But this could end up being a good thing. And at least it's not a recurring injury. Hopefully he'll make Team Canada this year. Lead Spokane well into the playoffs, and learn much from these times. And as you say get a shot at the end of the season, if God forbid Spokane gets eliminated. Or maybe get a handful of games midseason as an emergency call-up a la Brayden Schenn.