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The matchups... Western Conference DAL (D1) vs VGK (WC2) WPG (D2) vs COL (D3) VAN (D1) vs NSH (WC1) EDM (D2) vs LAK (D3) Eastern Conference FLA (D1) vs TBL (WC1) BOS (D2) vs TOR (D3) NYR (D1) vs WSH (WC2) CAR (D2) vs NYI (D3)

We have no skin in the game, but it's fun to talk playoffs nonetheless.  Bring it party people...  

I have zero confidence in Tim Burke. Can't believe Grier kept him on. 

Welp, Kings won and Vegas lost.  Kings play a vulnerable Oilers team while the Vegas Knights might get bounced by the Stars.

You can't build a championship team through free agency in any of the four major sports anymore because all four now have either a salary cap and/or luxury tax. The Leafs tried to buy a championship before NHL had a salary cap.  Never worked.  Last season, the Mets tried to build a championship contender by signing every FA they could get.  But they had to overpay and their FAs didn't fill every hole they had.  They bombed and ended up being sellers at the trade deadline. The only way the Sharks can become playoff contenders is to build a core nucleus with the young players and prospects.  But that means that these youngsters need to show improvement.  They don't need to become Richard or Norris nominees but they need to be above avg. players. If they do not show improvement, then either the scouting dept. screwed up or the coaching staff didn't do their job of coaching them to help their development. Sharks can probably get a few FAs who can't get any interest from other teams or FAs who wanted to play for a contender but the contender is capped out.  But the Sharks shouldn't overpay for FAs because they won't be in their prime when this team contends.  Sharks could use 1-2 D-men vets to solidify their blueline - their D-play sucked this season.  But it should be for 1-2 year contracts for D-men who can kill penalties, tie up forwards, and teach the younger D-men like Addison how to play the game.