Random Hockey Thoughts
@therkt.bsky.social
Some random guy dropping random thoughts about more than just Anaheim Ducks
Rangers are so cooked. Feels like Ducks at the end of Murray era.
January 15, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Rangers are so cooked. Feels like Ducks at the end of Murray era.
A lot of teams do strange things in the NHL now. Look at BOS for example. What is the goal there? This team won't win the cup. Not this year, not next year. It's just impossible. Do they just want to make playoffs to sell tickets and earn money? That's the only explanation I got
January 14, 2026 at 4:42 PM
A lot of teams do strange things in the NHL now. Look at BOS for example. What is the goal there? This team won't win the cup. Not this year, not next year. It's just impossible. Do they just want to make playoffs to sell tickets and earn money? That's the only explanation I got
By the way as for RHD search I wonder what PHI thinks about Ristolainen. They should be selling and rebuilding but they seem to believe they could make playoffs. I'd call and ask anyway if I'm #FlyTogether Verbeek.
January 14, 2026 at 4:39 PM
By the way as for RHD search I wonder what PHI thinks about Ristolainen. They should be selling and rebuilding but they seem to believe they could make playoffs. I'd call and ask anyway if I'm #FlyTogether Verbeek.
I really liked Kreider-McTavish-Strome line yesterday. It actually looks like an excellent 3rd line with complimentary skill sets. I also like Killorn-Carlsson-Sennecke as the concept. It leaves Gauthier-Granlund-Terry as the other line. Why not. I'd run those and see what happens.
January 14, 2026 at 2:24 PM
I really liked Kreider-McTavish-Strome line yesterday. It actually looks like an excellent 3rd line with complimentary skill sets. I also like Killorn-Carlsson-Sennecke as the concept. It leaves Gauthier-Granlund-Terry as the other line. Why not. I'd run those and see what happens.
#FlyTogether should look for a competent backup for the next season. Husso is okay but an upgrade wouldn't hurt. I guess Rittich or Nedeljkovic is the upgrade over Husso. There are some other interesting UFA goalies but less proven.
January 14, 2026 at 2:21 PM
#FlyTogether should look for a competent backup for the next season. Husso is okay but an upgrade wouldn't hurt. I guess Rittich or Nedeljkovic is the upgrade over Husso. There are some other interesting UFA goalies but less proven.
That next little stretch is critical for #FlyTogether. 10 games before the break and 8 of them are against Pacific. They really need to put together a decent run and win 6-7 of those to force themselves back into the playoff conversation.
January 14, 2026 at 1:11 PM
That next little stretch is critical for #FlyTogether. 10 games before the break and 8 of them are against Pacific. They really need to put together a decent run and win 6-7 of those to force themselves back into the playoff conversation.
Told ya! Absolute heck of an effort from #FlyTogether especially without Gauthier/Carlsson/Terry. Great win. Absolutely deserved too.
I think today is the great day to end the losing streak #FlyTogether
January 14, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Told ya! Absolute heck of an effort from #FlyTogether especially without Gauthier/Carlsson/Terry. Great win. Absolutely deserved too.
hockeyviz.com/fixedImg/sGD...
Found a nice stat by @hockeyviz.com
Meet Ryan Strome. Anaheim's best forward according to sG. Didn't see that coming.
Found a nice stat by @hockeyviz.com
Meet Ryan Strome. Anaheim's best forward according to sG. Didn't see that coming.
January 13, 2026 at 2:06 PM
hockeyviz.com/fixedImg/sGD...
Found a nice stat by @hockeyviz.com
Meet Ryan Strome. Anaheim's best forward according to sG. Didn't see that coming.
Found a nice stat by @hockeyviz.com
Meet Ryan Strome. Anaheim's best forward according to sG. Didn't see that coming.
#FlyTogether are very well represented here at the top. However I laughed so hard reading McTavish's "no notable flaws" and "he could be one of the best second-line centers in the league at his peak". Also apparently his skating as good as Gauthier's and Carlsson's
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
Ranking the best NHL players and prospects under 23: Celebrini, Bedard remain at the top
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:40 PM
#FlyTogether are very well represented here at the top. However I laughed so hard reading McTavish's "no notable flaws" and "he could be one of the best second-line centers in the league at his peak". Also apparently his skating as good as Gauthier's and Carlsson's
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...
I think today is the great day to end the losing streak #FlyTogether
January 13, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I think today is the great day to end the losing streak #FlyTogether
What's weird about #FlyTogether current struggles is that it's really hard to say who and what causing this. Based on xG data it is goaltending but it's very hard to blame goalies given the quality of chances team surrenders. Player xG also pretty equally spread. Nobody is super bad. Interesting.
January 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM
What's weird about #FlyTogether current struggles is that it's really hard to say who and what causing this. Based on xG data it is goaltending but it's very hard to blame goalies given the quality of chances team surrenders. Player xG also pretty equally spread. Nobody is super bad. Interesting.
If it wasn’t for the electric start I think it’d be time to start asking questions about #FlyTogether coaching staff job security. I doubt they fire Quenneville first season in but his inability to fix the team is concerning.
January 11, 2026 at 2:48 PM
If it wasn’t for the electric start I think it’d be time to start asking questions about #FlyTogether coaching staff job security. I doubt they fire Quenneville first season in but his inability to fix the team is concerning.
Well, at least Carlsson scored.
January 11, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Well, at least Carlsson scored.
I see a lot of ANA people don’t want Hamilton because of contract or he’s old or logjam. I mean listen this is the upgrade they really need. Not Trouba. This is different. Of course it means you let Trouba and Gudas go after the season. For the next 40 games it’s a bit of logjam, but not critical.
January 10, 2026 at 10:46 PM
I see a lot of ANA people don’t want Hamilton because of contract or he’s old or logjam. I mean listen this is the upgrade they really need. Not Trouba. This is different. Of course it means you let Trouba and Gudas go after the season. For the next 40 games it’s a bit of logjam, but not critical.
Verbeek absolutely has to be all over it
News story on Devils and Dougie Hamilton from me and /jkamckenzie for /TheAthletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6960145/2026/01/10/devils-scratch-dougie-hamilton-trade/?source=emp_shared_article
Devils scratch defenseman Dougie Hamilton, agent says he’s waiting to be traded
Hamilton, 32, is in the fifth year of a seven-year, $63 million contract signed with the Devils in July 2021, carrying a $9 million cap hit.
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Verbeek absolutely has to be all over it
Wondering how the trade could look like. Given the situation I’d assume Hamilton value is lowered. So probably no 1st and top prospect would be required. 2nd + Strome + Warren? I mean I like it and do it in 1 sec, so probably it’s light. But has to be close.
NJ is about to scratch Hamilton. Verbeek time to make a call.
January 10, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Wondering how the trade could look like. Given the situation I’d assume Hamilton value is lowered. So probably no 1st and top prospect would be required. 2nd + Strome + Warren? I mean I like it and do it in 1 sec, so probably it’s light. But has to be close.
Btw I don’t understand why ANA could be interested in Sherwood. As UFA sure why not but trading assets? Hell no.
January 10, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Btw I don’t understand why ANA could be interested in Sherwood. As UFA sure why not but trading assets? Hell no.
NJ is about to scratch Hamilton. Verbeek time to make a call.
January 10, 2026 at 6:09 PM
NJ is about to scratch Hamilton. Verbeek time to make a call.
I’m not big fan of Tocchet coaching but he nailed this:
“The one thing is, we’ve allowed Trevor to be Trevor,” Tocchet said. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”
Cronin and Verbeek completely mishandled Zegras. Costly mistake for #FlyTogether franchise.
“The one thing is, we’ve allowed Trevor to be Trevor,” Tocchet said. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”
Cronin and Verbeek completely mishandled Zegras. Costly mistake for #FlyTogether franchise.
January 10, 2026 at 1:27 PM
I’m not big fan of Tocchet coaching but he nailed this:
“The one thing is, we’ve allowed Trevor to be Trevor,” Tocchet said. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”
Cronin and Verbeek completely mishandled Zegras. Costly mistake for #FlyTogether franchise.
“The one thing is, we’ve allowed Trevor to be Trevor,” Tocchet said. “He’s a fun guy to be around.”
Cronin and Verbeek completely mishandled Zegras. Costly mistake for #FlyTogether franchise.
Just don’t trade 1st or McQueen for Sherwood lol
All that said my conclusion is that this #FlyTogether team cannot really improve much more with the current personnel. There is no point in keeping playing guys like Trouba or Gudas. Play Moore, call Luneau up and see what he is now. Go find your Broberg or Doan. Do something new.
January 9, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Just don’t trade 1st or McQueen for Sherwood lol
All that said my conclusion is that this #FlyTogether team cannot really improve much more with the current personnel. There is no point in keeping playing guys like Trouba or Gudas. Play Moore, call Luneau up and see what he is now. Go find your Broberg or Doan. Do something new.
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
All that said my conclusion is that this #FlyTogether team cannot really improve much more with the current personnel. There is no point in keeping playing guys like Trouba or Gudas. Play Moore, call Luneau up and see what he is now. Go find your Broberg or Doan. Do something new.
I hear a lot how #FlyTogether core is young and inconsistent and they will eventually learn to defend and all that but I am not that sure it works this way. I think they are who they are. Sure they can learn thing or two but they won't turn into great defensive players. They can only minimize damage
January 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
I hear a lot how #FlyTogether core is young and inconsistent and they will eventually learn to defend and all that but I am not that sure it works this way. I think they are who they are. Sure they can learn thing or two but they won't turn into great defensive players. They can only minimize damage
So question is what now? what next? Most important is not to overreact. I know that Verbeek wanted playoffs, but this is just not a playoff team. West is real weak now apart from like 5 teams, so #FlyTogether are in the mix because of that. Not because they are good.
January 9, 2026 at 10:46 AM
So question is what now? what next? Most important is not to overreact. I know that Verbeek wanted playoffs, but this is just not a playoff team. West is real weak now apart from like 5 teams, so #FlyTogether are in the mix because of that. Not because they are good.
I feared that it would happen and it did. #FlyTogether were playing fine but had no puck luck, got a bad losing streak and now spiraled and playing bad. Tough times. But a lot of information about this team.
January 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
I feared that it would happen and it did. #FlyTogether were playing fine but had no puck luck, got a bad losing streak and now spiraled and playing bad. Tough times. But a lot of information about this team.
Every time I watch #FlyTogether play Carolina I just cannot understand how Canes losing so many games. They always look so dominant, Ducks never stood a chance. There is no other team in the NHL who makes them look so miserable.
January 9, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Every time I watch #FlyTogether play Carolina I just cannot understand how Canes losing so many games. They always look so dominant, Ducks never stood a chance. There is no other team in the NHL who makes them look so miserable.