HockeySpy.ca sent our agents a summary of the commonly shared observations emanating from the not-so-inside hockey insiders on social media this week. For every point made, our agents replied with a quick and pointed “yeah but…”
🏒 In the Western Conference the trio of Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota top the list of Stanley Cup contenders. Yeah but, one of them won’t make it past the first round, and another won’t likely survive the second round thanks to Gary Bettman’s stupid and illogical playoff format.
🏒 Tampa Bay has been the runaway dominant force in the Easter Conference all season long. Yeah but, they have stumbled recently and multiple teams (Buffalo, Detroit, Montreal) are closing the gap quickly.
🏒 Since the day the Buffalo Sabres fired their GM Kevyn Adams they have become an unstoppable force. Yeah but, this is Buffalo, home of the heartbreaking Sabres and Bills. Undoubtedly Buffalo fans are holding their breath and covering their eyes in anticipation of the next ridiculous calamity to come their way.
🏒 The Montreal Canadiens are young, fast, skilled and energetic, ready to seriously compete in this year’s playoffs. Yeah but, they have three mediocre goalies who have all failed to grab the starter’s job when given the chance. Even worse, they may be too soft and too small to survive playoff style hockey for very long.
🏒 Ottawa, Florida and Toronto have all flopped badly this season, surprising everyone. All three front offices contend their pratfalls are a one-year thing and they will be back in the fray, ready to contend again next season after some tweaking. Yeah but, if you read our column from earlier this season (here), it’s clear that Toronto GM Brad Trevling’s tweaking skills are suspect at best.
🏒 The Pittsburgh Penguins continue to astound the hockey experts. A team that was widely panned last fall as a contender for the Gavin McKenna Sweepstakes is quickly creeping up on the always steady, division leading Carolina Hurricanes. Yeah but, Sidney Crosby is out for a month or so and their goalkeeping situation is a red flag if there ever was one.
🏒 Since firing coach Dean “Chuckles” Evanson, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been on a major roll, creeping within three points of the final Wild Card spot. Yeah but, this is Columbus. Something will go wrong. It always does.
🏒 The Vegas Golden Salary Cap Cheaters and the Edmonton McDavid’s appear set for another playoff run in 2026. Yeah but, neither team can find a goalie who can play well for more than one game in a row. Look for both teams to pounce on the “Sergei Bobrovsky will be traded” rumours that have been circulating all week.
🏒 The incognito trio of Utah, Seattle and San Jose are all jockeying for a playoff position after years of mediocrity. Yeah but, no one knows they’re even in the league. So, who cares? The Anaheim Orange Ducks have also been revived this year, but despite having the impressive Lukas Dostal in net, their defensive zone play needs a major upgrade pronto.
🏒 The NHL has been touting the upcoming playoffs as a wide-open tournament, there for the taking. Yeah but, once their referees throw away the playbook and their Situation Room botches multiple goalie interference rulings, the focus will be elsewhere…as usual.
