8 Hard Truths NHL Fans Need To Accept

[@dimeohs]

Top 5 favourite channels for Sens fans and this isn't even a Sens channel. Mike we love you in Ottawa

[@MikeBartner]

HAHAHHAAHAH got you!

[@sethdiab2783]

Lol ya check the pipeline bruh. I hope it’s over alright

[@buck2577]

I love Mike Bartner - sincerely Sens fan

[@alexchenierdrums]

Yupppp

[@lancemccullersjr43]

@@buck2577i also love mike bartner- another sens fan

[@JSL0202]

It blows my mind how highly people still rate Svechnikov. He is a solid top 6 player, and frankly there’s not many forwards to compare to in the 2018 draft, but some people act like he’s better than Tkachuk and he’s simply not. Brady is a better player, maybe not more skilled, but is definitely better all around

[@MrTimothyG]

I’m a canes fan and a svech fan and I agree, he just gets injured too much and isn’t as consistent as someone like tkachuk

[@alfredohenry1286]

I think part of why he hasn’t reached that elite superstar level is playing in the system of Rob Brind’Amour

[@Bnz640]

Hard Truth: Vegas is still a cup contender. After their first round exit and losing some key forwards, a lot of people were saying Vegas was no longer in the same tier as Cup favorites like Florida, Edmonton, Dallas, and the Rangers(lol). The regular season so far has shown they’re still just as good as the team that won the cup

[@jonmendelson1104]

To add to the Landeskog point, Couture's likely never playing again for San Jose.

[@stephenlucas5130]

As a Canes fan....spot on with your take on Svechnikov. Where's the Russian power forward that was gonna take over games? We got the penalty taken Svechnikov. Penalty taking machine he is.

[@MikeBartner]

Yea his PIMs are crazy

[@subwichman]

"The corpse of Ryan Lindgren" 💀

[@MikeBartner]

HAHAAH it's true

[@parkerfurr7338]

Your take about Svech's development potentially being the reason the Canes could miss out on a Cup run hurt... but I think because it may be right. He's our only top 10 pick since 2015 and our best shot at having someone come in and completely change the franchise and he just hasn't. Would love nothing more than to see him explode but I just haven't seen any reason to think that'll happen. Honestly wouldn't shock me if another franchise saw potential for him to flourish with a change of scenery and a trade went down at some point over the next few years.

[@PitzAWolF]

To add on Quinn Hughes is a year younger then makar too

[@MikeBartner]

Only 1 year but yes that does factor in

[@MrTimothyG]

For me I also agree on svech not really improving, and I think some of that could be him being injury prone, I think if he had played more he might have been slightly better, but he’s only 24 so I can be a little more hopeful that he improves

[@red_ph0enix192]

9. This Buffalo core will never win a Stanley cup unless Kulich becomes a special talent

[@justinkruse9534]

Buffalo owners need to sell the team and let new management rebuild again before they make the playoffs

[@red_ph0enix192]

@ sad but true. Martone McKenna Dahlin Power core would go crazy

[@MikeBartner]

*Konsta Helenius my goat

[@aksis2133]

IMO, on Makar/Hughes - I don’t think Hughes will ever reach the level of 2022 Makar. That guy was on another level. But I do think that 2022 Makar may be behind us… potentially for good. He hasn’t been the same player defensively since.

[@MikeBartner]

Very well said and I agree

[@ANT4G0NIST]

I still do not get how people can have Makar as their #1.

[@MikeBartner]

Nah I mean dude is still an offensive freak, I only have a problem with those who act like it's still 2022

[@Nate-vq8wy]

Hughes is good but Cale is on another level. Its not close... 3 players can single handily take over a game in this league. Mcdavid, Mackinnon, and Makar.

[@Nate-vq8wy]

Watch him play. Its pretty easy to see lol Last night he had 1 point in 27 min of play against the preds and he was far and away the best player on the ice. The back checking or for checking and the way he sucks in a defense because of how incredibly dangerous he is. No player garners more attention in this league besides Mack or McDavid. Your not compared to Bobby Orr every season for a reason

[@blueguyyt970]

@@Nate-vq8wy but you can’t act like hughes isn’t on the same tier

[@potatonator-w8w]

@@Nate-vq8wy hughes can easily take over a game dont know. what your talking about

[@jonathanchin3396]

Not only do I agree with these facts, Mike, but as a Devils fan, I find a few if them rather enjoyable! Svechnikov stagnating and not becoming a true, difference-making superstar is good for us as is the Rangers' continued freefall for obvious reasons. And the Flyers are filled with middle-six and mid- to bottom-pair D talent-wise but will likely continue to draft outside of the Top 10, certainly Top 5, because Torts is too good of a coach. If I had to add a 9th, if the Sens are starting to put it all together, that ought to mean that neither Brady, Norris, Pinto nor Chabot should be the subject of trade rumors, much to my chagrin when it comes to the younger Tkachuk.

[@racasm]

Hmm, the only problem I have is makar shows up in the playoffs, hughes doesn't at least as much as makar, hughes kinda just gets bullied and destroyed, now this might be because he is small, but you need to be big for a defenseman. But yeah makar knows the playoffs and hughes doesn't a skill which will come, that's why makar is #1 for now.

[@saracollins1234]

Hope you're right about the Ottawa Senators! Love the videos by the way - I watch everyday and "like" every one to support!

[@nolanbuote3949]

Agree Hughes is pushing for the top spot, but he was pretty invisible in the playoffs last year, at least against the oilers

[@MikeBartner]

True with a big playoff run he could take the number 1 spot for sure

[@aidancarpenter37]

He was overplayed and was dealing with minor injuries

[@nathanbalser2537]

@@aidancarpenter37makar was hurt the entire last season

[@sssamui286]

before this season i thought hughes had to be really good again this season to prove that last season wasnt a fluke so that was why i still had makar as by far the best defenseman. but now i could tell its not and now theyre 1a and 1b

[@XaviRonaldo0]

Rangers are suffering the Laviolette effect. He really provides a boost to his new team when he joins but they tend to fall off hard

[@MikeBartner]

True, happened big time in Washington then they fell off hard

[@LucaC27]

#1: The Rebuild is Over

[@MikeBartner]

WATCH THE FULL VIIIDDDDEOOOOOOO LUCA

[@michaelkeller5927]

If Pitt would have traded their old core with retention, they could have scored like 6 1st round picks. Instead they are going to be in the basement for a decade.

[@InsightfulTravelsUSA]

It blows my MIND how people are ALREADY on the stretch of 2023 draft isn’t that great like are we not just 1 SEASON away from that draft? Like 95% of the players haven’t TOUCHED the NHL ice from that draft how are you even saying something on that OTHER THAN for views and reactions like this😭😭

[@jarmat2.051]

Saying tkachuk clears when averaging more TOI with less takeaways more penalties drawing less, shooting a lower percent but shooting more, while having basically equal points is confusing. Especially when Brady hasn’t went through the injuries Svech has and is always top line. Svech plays with KK as often as Aho. Svech has the most expected goals per 60 this season of any everyday player outside of Matthews. He’s been good but unlucky. Unfortunately he does get in his own head. He’s still more than capable of being a 40+ goal ppg guy I think anyone who’s truly watched would know that.

[@JayBoogie666]

Stats and expected goals and TOI aren’t what matter at the end of the day, production is what matters. I don’t watch enough of those teams to comment further but underlying stats don’t mean anything if you aren’t producing. And for the record I enjoy watching both of those players, they are both great hockey players. My point isn’t directly about either of them and applies to every player. Look at the Caps making the playoffs with a crazy negative goal differential. Stats don’t mean everything

[@MikeBartner]

"Svech has the most expected goals per 60 this season of any everyday player outside of Matthews. He’s been good but unlucky." Maybe when it's been year 6 of him being a bad finisher, he is just a bad finisher and not unlucky? I'm taking Brady all day.

[@MrTimothyG]

@@MikeBartnerHopefully svech can improve his shot, he could really step up then

[@benwoelfle1502]

Hardest truth is that Tyler Boucher is gonna win the Calder next year on the way to a sens cup run

[@MikeBartner]

Yea that one is a lock at this point

[@Kiyoyams]

Wait til Hughes starts playing with Hronek again

[@Surl9596]

I’ve said before that if Tortorella is coaching a team they’re hoping to maybe be 3rd in their division and for a miracle 2nd round appearance. He’s gonna be perpetually be hired by mid teams. No one going through a proper rebuild or contending is touching him with a 10 foot pole

[@alexthebasilisk]

JBB had a fantastic offseason, bounced back from that dud of a Jeannot trade big time

[@bartholomewesperanza3442]

I think svechnikovs knee injuries have really hurt his progression. He just isn’t quite the same player, it really sucks.

[@user-ji3il6ce2o]

Even though I’m a Canucks fan, Quinn Hughes can’t be considered to be on Cale Makar’s level until he has a great playoff run. He could win 50 Norris Trophies, but it won’t matter unless he delivers a memorable playoff run. Cale Makar recorded 5 goals and 10 assists last postseason, while Hughes was held goalless despite facing a weak opponent in the first round. The argument that Makar’s metrics are bad without Nathan MacKinnon is completely misguided. Of course his numbers are going to dip when the team's second-best center is Casey Mittelstadt (who is good but not elite). Meanwhile, Hughes plays on a team with Elias Pettersson, an $11.6 million elite player, as the second-line center. Evan Bouchard plays on a team with Leon Draisaitl as the second-line center. Makar’s defensive numbers have been poor over the last two seasons, but that’s largely because he’s been playing in front of an ECHL-caliber goalie.

[@MikeBartner]

"Makar’s defensive numbers have been poor over the last two seasons, but that’s largely because he’s been playing in front of an ECHL-caliber goalie." The defensive numbers and expected goals literally take out the goaltending, just looks at the shots allowed when he's on the ice. I can agree with you on the playoff argument though, Makar seems to always rise to the occasion.

[@rodhenson7657]

Makar is a second rate defenseman. He would be a minus player every year if he didn't play with McKinnon and rantanin. Hughes is clearly the best defenseman in the world. Mvp this season.

[@armaansidhu8199]

Bro you can just say ur an Avs fan it’s okay we won’t bite

[@bentonszylowski1891]

Your playoffs argument is fair, Hughes doesn’t have the same experience as Makar in the playoffs and I think he will improve the more he plays. I don’t agree with the comparison between centers they play with. Hughes’ play doesn’t dip and his underlying numbers are almost the same regardless what center he is on with; whether it is petey, miller, blueger, suter, or ratu. Makar’s underlying numbers drop significantly and are below 50% when he is not on the ice with MacKinnon or rantenan.

[@NickAlsup]

Ryan Lenord is doing just fine in his Development bet he joins the caps this year

[@MikeBartner]

Oh I still like him a lot and think he will be a high level NHLers

[@DBSG1976]

I just wish Seattle would decide to get on pace for 95 points and a playoff spot. Some nights, they look like a complete team, other nights they play on their back heels and can't get the puck out of their own zone.

[@sharkhaos_probably]

Yzerman is Schrödinger's GM. The Yzerplan is either genius or idiotic and we don't know until we open the box.

[@MikeBartner]

HAAHAHAHA

[@uj5436]

Buffalo's 14 year long problem has been the constant: The Owner, Terry Pegula

[@cbjm36]

On the Torts point, if I’m a flyers fan (which I am far from) I would honestly rather be in their current position where they might miss the playoff by a few points than do a rebuild. Sure, a rebuild could be quick. But you could also end up like the Sabres, Red Wings, Sharks, Ducks, and Sens where you’re going on a decade of missing the playoffs

[@GloboSVK]

Or you could also do the Calgary thing, where you don't get any high draft picks and either squeeze into the playoffs to do nothing there, or miss it by a few points. 20 season of mediocrity and counting. I'm happy Conroy was willing to move out some pieces, but seeing how the Flames are overperforming this season, we may be in for more of just the same

[@MikeBartner]

That is fair, not all rebuilds are guaranteed, but I can't say I love your 10 year outlook right now with Matvei and the rest pretty bleh. Also I guess you didn't watch the end bc the Sens rebuild is OVVVVVEEERRRRR.

[@cbjm36]

@ I did watch, I was just referencing the Senators, as it has taken 7 seasons to get to this point (if they do end up making the playoffs, which I hope they do)

[@ugiswrong]

Thanks a lot, I’m gonna focus on how massive cartilage is for months and months now

[@seancolorado]

I'd go further than Svech being disappointing. I'd say the Hurricanes have never been threats to win the Cup with their current core. The only thing I'll say, though, is this year for the first time I've started to believe they have a shot at running through the East with the likes of Necas, Jarvis building that confidence that they need to replicate in the playoffs. Svech though is just a big disappointment and had he become a bonafide elite upper-echelon player, the conversation would be different

[@MikeBartner]

For sure Necas and Jarvis developing has lessened the blow of Svech not developing since 2020

[@jaxonjardine]

Need a “the entire nhl” counter

[@richardbrock8139]

I think it’s insane to judge any of those prospects after 1 season. Tom willander hasn’t even played an nhl game. Just terrible takes.

[@tymmeh2233]

Dam finally the praise for Quinn Hughes

[@Paroseni.]

I agree makar and hughes are so close but fox is not near their level

[@alexfroelich3404]

I think another one is that the islanders will never go anywhere with Roy

[@MikeBartner]

*With Lou

[@893263007]

Makar at his best is a lot better than Hughes at his best. Makar at his worst (now) is slightly worse than Hughes at his best.

[@michaelkeller5927]

Hard truth: Edmonton is once again Canada's best team and best chance to bring the Cup back to Canada

[@liammckay3018]

How is this a hard truth they were in the finals last season 💀

[@BloodRider1914]

​@@liammckay3018Hard truth to Canucks, Flames, Jets, and Leafs fans

[@Mattias-17]

Leafs are looking good this season as well! But I needa see it in the playoffs to start believing 😭

[@wainber1]

@@Mattias-17 The Oilers are the only Canadian NHL team to have an active streak of playoff series wins in consecutive seasons while the: - Flames, Habs and Sens, in order of shortest to longest playoff appearance drought, have active playoff appearance droughts - Leafs and Jets have won only 1 post-2004 and post-2018 respective playoff series - Canucks have been gangbusters on the road but at home they've sucked so badly lol

[@Mattias-17]

@@wainber1 yeah ik

[@FlamesEnjoyer]

Hug your local Sabres fan

[@MikeBartner]

HAHAHAAHA

[@PigeonholePrinciple]

Another hard truth the NHL needs to accept: The Sabres will never make the playoffs…ever.

[@FlyHenryFly]

svechnikov has lost his confidence after all of the injuries. it looks like he wants to do anything but be known for putting pucks in the net, which we know him as russian guy does lacrosse goal once every few years. he has the talent to be an elite level goal scorer but he simply isnt

[@V83742]

7:53 wait the rangers are contenders im confused

[@MikeBartner]

Huh

[@AceMatthew25414]

Landy unfortunately might be a 7 million dollar 3rd line grindy type guy.

[@cygnusx-1862]

Makar is overworked in colorado, the avs defensemen in general are undersized puckmovers, except for manson, and makar has to play in all situations he's just overworked. Colorado needs to get a couple big gritty d-men to help because right now they are first round losers.

[@SkyWalker7d1]

I’m not big on the Bedard sophomore slump narrative, yes his goal scoring hasnt progressed the way you would want it too but dudes on by far the worst team in the league. Ryan Donato has been his best help so far. Ryan Donato.

[@MikeBartner]

For sure I'm not saying he's a bum, but maybe won't be the clear best player in the league in his prime like we thought in 2023

[@Cdanto95]

@@MikeBartnerdid you have this take about Mackinnon back then? Guy didn’t breakout until he had rantanen on his line. It’s not even full two seasons for bedard he has yet to play on a line with an elite player or prospect

[@devandh]

Don't even think id have adam fox top 5

[@Rain.34.89]

Makar leads the Avs D in percentage of ice time against top players. He’s on the shutdown pair for the Avs and still over a PPG. Hughes is 5th among Canucks D. He’s getting sheltered minutes.

[@MikeBartner]

May I ask where you get your #'s from because while yes Hughes doesn't play Mo Seider level competition, it's still pretty solid.

[@not_a_planet4086]

Are you on crack? Hughes plays 25 minutes a night, how many minutes do you think other teams fourth and third lines play a night lol? And Quinn Hughes is definitely not 5th in ice time against top players among the Canucks D considering the Canucks only have two other dmen who can play big minutes.

[@Rain.34.89]

Puckiq

[@Kruger-g7f]

Hughes 8th best in the league for plus-minus.. Makar 88th best. Just sayin, either case you want to make you could cherry pick stats to favor one over the other. But like Bartner put it quite sensibly, The only real dumbass takes are the ones where people say Makar is still undisputed top D in the league and it's not even close. A really strong case could be made for Hughes right now. Better overall stats for more than a year now.

[@Kruger-g7f]

More interestingly, Hughes without Miller or Petterson on the ice is a plus 7 and corsi 58% . Makar without Mackinnon or Rantanen on the ice has a minus rating (-1) and corsi 48%

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

Sven plays in carolina , its a defense 1st system , all of them are lacking points individually , i bin sayin for 3yrs necas would be 100pts guy in a different system like tampa or edmontons run and gun system...necas would be puttin up these numbers for a while else where an would be a 150 guy elsewhere

[@Scr16-j1p]

penguins should have let letang walk. Agreed

[@taniab2018]

I agree with you on all of it & I will go further on Svechnikov.- he disappointed from the start. I expect a MINIMUM 80 points from a guy drafted top 5, as soon as he makes the team. But I also want & expect more offense in general from the league itself That is how we'll get casual fans to watch & become hard core fans. I want the NHL to move up and challenge MLB, NFL, NBA in popularity & TV ratings. Best way to do that is make games more exciting. And that comes from high scoring games.

[@thedoomofvalyria6466]

Your expectations - your problems. On average only one out of top 5 players will grow to be 80+ points guy. Can't really complain about Svech pick. Yes his upside was a lot more than he is now, but he is still about average for a 2nd overall player in the weak draft class.

[@Idkwhattoputhere24-m8v]

As a Rangers fan, until Quinn Hughes gets it done in the postseason, Makar is still head and shoulders above Hughes.

[@sharkhaos_probably]

I see your point and respect your opinion, however my opinion is that your opinion is false

[@Idkwhattoputhere24-m8v]

@ The postseason holds more weight.

[@MikeBartner]

That's fair

[@Nate-vq8wy]

Hughes is to damn small and will get bullied every postseason that comes around. He doesn't play the pk, block shots, draw penalties, or take the puck away. Its not close how much better Makar is.

[@chrisgoodings4450]

Head and shoulders above is wild. Makar absolutely took the avs to the cup in 2022 but he also has some seriously talented players around him. Lately Hughes is doing everything and getting no help. Our d core is extremely weak one guy can only do so much. Their close and any other debate is just wrong.

[@Amackk0307]

Adam fox is not on the same level as Cale or Quinn

[@cartermccreery2772]

I feel like the 2016 draft wasn’t bad. I’m kinda confused

[@cartermccreery2772]

I spoke too soon.

[@MikeBartner]

HAHAHAHA yea I'm not calling it the 2012 Draft

[@Draisaitlgoat]

Quinn Hughes shouldn’t even be in the same sentence as makar. Makar is the best d man and it’s not close at all lol

[@Kruger-g7f]

nah. And Draisaitl isn't the goat of anything

[@rodhenson7657]

You must not have seen him play, he's the best player in the league now.

[@NL-ub7ou]

either ragebait or u don't know hockey

[@XaviRonaldo0]

I would add the Caps are legit contenders

[@GromitMug_]

Someone take Mika Zibanejad

[@MikeBartner]

Only 5 more years at 8.5!!!!!

[@haslamabad_]

but landeskog🤓👆

[@MikeBartner]

HAHAAHAHHAH

[@rickyaz8640]

Rangers and islanders both miss the playoffs Rangers win the lottery

[@yunkyys8124]

Cale makar is still far from Hughes because he showup in playoffs, hughes was dogshit

[@idontwatchfilm5727]

nice

[@MikeBartner]

nice

[@pipoj5]

Torts is the perfect coach for the flyers dont wana be the next buffalo you speak like rebuilding has to mean tanking which is not true at all

[@christhakingpin1]

chapters

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

Makar didnt even have the best year as a dman in 22, roman josi was f in robbed and its not even debatable

[@youknowimright.3137]

Ottawa rebuild is never coming to an end .... I dont know what people see in that team.

[@catJAM19]

I see a team in the second wild card who have years to go before their core is even in their prime and they can already contend with the best teams in the league

[@jfkst1]

They are almost in a playoff spot now. Not close to being a rebuilder adding top picks.

[@catJAM19]

@@jfkst1 *in a playoff spot right now as long as the rangers don't come back from 3-0 down in the 3rd

[@Surl9596]

That’s because you want to believe that being in their division

[@strategy2k]

Does Hughes have a chance to be better all time then makar

[@Surl9596]

Yes

[@Chetanp1445]

Probably not cause Makar already has a cup plus hes gonna play with mackinnon for the rest of his career so he’ll probably get another

[@Rain.34.89]

No

[@racasm]

No, unless he shows up in the playoffs.

[@Chetanp1445]

@@racasm hes 20th all time in ppg for defenseman in the playoffs, he shows up

[@NoahKlentz]

First

[@MikeBartner]

STUD

[@marquisduhsade]

Frank Nazar will be a better 2C than Will Smith

[@MikeBartner]

Dammmmnnn that's bold and I disagree but Smith has not played to the level where I can definitive say you're wrong

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

Torterella is garbage , philly has more then enough to be in the playoffs when you look at sanhiem tippet farabee , they are deep down the middle with laughton , coutierier , frost , sure non of them are a number 1 but they are all solid centers .....this guy is a typical american, learned hockey playing video games ...go comment on baseball or somethin bud

[@MikeBartner]

"Solid down the middle" and then "laughton , coutierier , frost" lol

[@CanadianBiPolarBear]

@MikeBartner you cant even tie your own skates properly , all 3 are solid in all 3 zones , plus poehling and all 4 are nhl bonafied centers , which is all you need when you are as good and deep on the wing that they are ...never said any of them were a top line center but they all do their job , if you dont see that you need to switch sports , seriously

[@MosquitoMurderer]

Playing the role of the bad news bearer... It's for the best to help people come to terms with reality. No more living in denial

[@MikeBartner]

Someone's gotta be the realist debbie downer