Take a never-ending well of hockey fans. Add 5 questions that almost everyone will have an opinion on. What do you get? Well, take a look….
If you’re interested in jumping in next time, we’ll be hosting #PuckChat on Twitter every Thursday. You can get an idea of what to expect here. We’ll have a morning session—and then an evening session for those who prefer to participate when they’re a little more awake. We’ll take the tweets from both sessions and put all the responses here.
So without further ado, here’s what the masses think!
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Question #1: What is a bigger cause for parity? The salary cap or the 3 point game?
bluejacketsbabe: 3pt game. When the loser gets points it’s hard to break away from the pack.
Devsfan55: 3 point games definitely
DougS_AG6: 3 point games, if you got a point every game there is a pretty good chance you could make the playoffs
DownGoesSpezza: Salary Cap, keeps talent hoarding out of the game
felixpotvin: without loser points nobody will play to win in OT. Get ready for five boring minutes before a shootout oh boy. run the numbers; standings don’t change that much. Shrug.
FightNightatJoe: Both are terrible ideas.
finzzup: The 3 point game. And don’t get me started on this topic….tonight.
Heat3855: 3 Point Game, man it makes it hard to pull away or catch someone in the standings
Heyitskarla: 3 point game-keeps the standings close.
icebaby20: Scoring from the olden days was better
kevinmfay: Cap is necessary. Loser pt is not.
KingsOfLA: Cap
kyleroussel: 3-point games for sure (at least I’m sure in my mind).
LetThereBeLH: that’s why making every game worth 3 points is the only thing that makes sense – itd stop teams playing for OT
MonicaMcAlister: Hard to say – is the Cap causing more of the three point games?
mvaldmar: cap
NonAmericanHero: the Three point game. Loser points are stupid
opiatedsherpa: The cap has done a lot to spread out the talent (ie. #Blackhawks & #Thrashers)
patriceleonard: both give me heartburn
PredsOnTheGlass: 3 pt game, big spenders can still suck
reinadelaisla: I’d say the salary cap. -8:02 PM Mar 17th, 2011
ReynoldsSBN: It’s the mentality that comes with a three point game. Sitting on the free point at the end of the game.
ryansrowdies: Too many teams.
Sandwiches1123: 3-point game. Cap has just increased gap between have and have nots
SensDew19: salary cap
sirjordandodge: Biggest cause of parity? Good teams not playing to their ability nightly.
stars_gal: Salary Cap … 3 Pts annoy. YOU LOST. …but I still say parity comes (the most) from the environment the Salary Cap creates
talkendo: Salary cap. 3pt gms cause migraines. A hypothesis: parity exists at the talent level, NOT at the point level. 3 point games are a FUNCTION of parity, not the cause.
teebs33: 3 point game easily keeps 4 more teams in the race until late march.
tylermckinna: 3 point game.
Yotesgurl: Parity: Cap or 3pt game: East = salary. West = home of the 3 pt game. Is that possible?
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Question 2: Ignoring this year, which teams have the most cause for hope in the future? Why?
bluejacketsbabe: I think the Oilers will have a bright future considering all the talent they’re drafting.
davidlasseter: Dare I say, Florida?
Devsfan55: Devils. Once they started working together they are really good
DownGoesSpezza: Toronto Maple Leafs: they finally got their goalie in James Reimer. It’s more credible when a Flyers fans says the Leafs have hope, right?
FightNightatJoe: The Red Wings, cause they get to be the Red Wings. Also: Kings look scary for the future
Heyitskarla: Canes-loads of young talent
icebaby20: LA-strong goaltending/consistent scorers
Jeremy1026: #NJDevils, their rookies (Tedenby and Josefson) have been playing great lately, oh and 14 more years of Kovy
KingsOfLA: Kings! Youth. Oilers too.
MikeBarbz: Tampa Bay. Another Cup is in the near future
mvaldmar: NYI. If the young talent can get past the horrible, horrible management, I think the future is bright
NonAmericanHero: Toronto- the only thing they’ve got left to do is find some way to get rid of Komisarek and Lebda
opiatedsherpa: The #Oilers, #Avs & #Isles… all about potential talent in their systems
Ozzy: #Devils. Parise resigns, great. If not, the compensation will be big.
patriceleonard: #Kings. 2 words: Kopitar/Doughty. Great base for any team.
PredsOnTheGlass: Fla, Edm – good young talent
reinadelaisla: can I be biased and say mine? xD all kidding aside,I really think we have a shot at doing good stuff in the yrs 2 come. our guys
Tavares,Moulson and Grabner are producing wonderfully,and we’ll have Streit and Poulin back nxt yr hopefully.
ReynoldsSBN: Everyone but Minn. Mostly because Minnesotans have a built in complex of having zero hope
rinkrebel: I think the Oilers, really. They have some great rookies and will be getting more in this year’s draft. Rebuild on the way.
rynasmillroth: Sabres. Just got a new owner and are already changing dramatically.
Sandwiches1123: LAK
SensDew19: Oilers but not immedite future, lots of great talent and more to come this year
stars_gal: I say Avs. Young’ns cming up.
talkendo: Edmonton, Carolina.
wakerider79: #DallasStars – Jamie Benn, Thomas Vincour, Tom Wandell, Kari Lehtonen and Jamie Bennnnn
Yotesgurl: What team has brightest future? The Oilers are gonna be sick. Maybe the Avs.
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Question 3: We know they’ve been ridiculously hot, but can the #Devils really make the playoffs? Do you WANT them to?
Adam_KOL: The Hurricanes made a similar run last year, but the teams above the Devils are falling apart. It’s possible.
ajinnashville: What, are you kidding? The #Preds have #NJDevil’s 2nd pick in the draft (Arnott trade)! Keep ‘em dowwwn, baby!
BlackoutDallas: No they will not, I think they finish 10th. Just too big of a hill. And I don’t care if they do or not.
bluejacketsbabe: Im an underdog fan, and I dont dislike to #NJDevils, so I kind of hope they pull it off.
Devsfan55: yes and Oh HELL yes. Lol
DownGoesSpezza: they won’t and I hope they never make the playoffs again #NJDevils
FightNightatJoe: They might if they continue like this. Would be kinda fun if they did.
Heat3855: I desperately want them to, but the aforementioned 3 point games will keep them out
Heyitskarla: It would make a great story, but no.
irockthered: Honestly, it would take a miracle for the #Devils to make the playoffs this year… And no, I don’t want any part of the #Devils in the playoffs. Our luck, the #Caps would draw them first round.
Jeremy1026: Yes and YES! 6 points with games in hand is not an impossible deficit to overcome with 13 games left to play. If the #NJDevils make it I can only hope they don’t meet the #Caps in the 1st round.
jordanortillan: They’ve come so far from that horrid start to the year. Shame if they don’t make it now. #Devils
KingsOfLA: yes they can and yes I’d like it. Great story. And let the east beat the sh*t out of each other = okay by me!
likecrazypaving: Yes x2 they’re not my team but I do love a fairytale.
MikeColligan: Mathematically, #Devils have a 5.5% chance of making the playoffs (1% chance of being a 7 seed)
NM_WAACHCast: No, the playoffs will be better without the Cult of Lemaire.
NonAmericanHero: OH HELLZ YEAH (plus it means the Rangers potentially missing out on the playoffs too)
Ozzy: Yeah. Duh. #Winning!
patriceleonard: anything is possible. and NO I don’t want them to.
reinadelaisla: I don’t WANT them to, 
, but… who knows… honestly. They’ve had crazy streaks before…
rinkrebel: They might be able to squeak in. They’re dangerous right now, I wouldn’t want to face them 1st round.
Sandwiches1123: No and No. Kovalchuk is good when the pressure is off
stars_gal: No, peaking too soon I think. No, I don’t.
talkendo: They can. and yes, to face Philly.
technicolor_cat: don’t think the devils can make the playoffs but wish they would, they’d give the caps or whoever ends up 1st a run!
Yotesgurl: Devils make playoffs? want them 2? They can make it. Why not? Gives teams who suck hope
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Question 4: Which team do you fear the most in your conference for the playoffs (mention YOUR team that should fear them)?
_TheRealDFresh: My team is the Stars and we can NOT beat the Canucks…
Adam_KOL: Caps should fear Rangers, who have outscored them 15-1 in their last three games.
ajinnashville: Nashville just played ‘em — YOUR TEAM, the LA Kings! (Freaking ^&%%$@#* Bernier…) 
BlackoutDallas: #Stars FEAR and must avoid #Canucks. They can play Chi, Det, and SJ. But just can’t play with Van.
Devsfan55: all of them lol. Capitals are on a roll though
FightNightatJoe: Kings (Wings)
Heyitskarla: Canes fighting Sabres for a playoff spot
jordanortillan: #Canucks/#Preds match-up scares me. NSH plays such an ugly, but effective brand of hockey. Rinne’s good.
KingsOfLA: #LAKings would have epic series w/Detroit but I fear Chicago & Vancouver the most. In order = Van, Chic, Detroit.
likecrazypaving: All of them. I’m a Sharks fan.
MonicaMcAlister: I would love for the Canucks and Blackhawks to meet in the first round #historyhasbeenmade
NonAmericanHero: I say the Caps, but I think they’ve seen too much of the MacLame coached Devils to understand the Lemaire coached Devils
patriceleonard: 4 the #HAWKS, I think the #KINGS are quite scary.
PredsOnTheGlass: Van or LA for Preds. two most complete teams in the West
reinadelaisla: The #Lightning have completely gained my respect this year. Stevie Y is doing some great stuff over there.
rinkrebel: After 7-0 and 6-0 losses, I would not want my Caps to face the Rangers.
rynasmillroth: Bruins. They’re hot, and we’re (Sabres) in each others head from last year.
Sandwiches1123: My team is Calgary. Team I fear most is Anaheim. Good at late season runs. #ducks #flames
sirjordandodge: #SJSharks is the answer to both parts. As good as anyone when on their game; gotta avoid mental lapses
stars_gal: Chicago v. Detroit (but mainly bc I hate Detroit.)
talkendo: Chicago should fear Detroit most. No, really. Somebody in #puckchat today said Sharks were the team the Sharks needed to fear most. That goes double for the #blackhawks right now
taloncarde: Dallas is my team, I fear the Kings. Too much talent, good goalies, and D depth.
WvadsaDicfoure: Hawks (Hawks)
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Question 5: Last but not least, give us one word for Zdeno Chara:
_TheRealDFresh: Lanky…
ajinnashville: Intimidating.
bluejacketsbabe: AwkwardlyHuge.
brettdrc: I saw Chara play his Junior career in Prince George. I called him Peewee there.
Comicgirl8: Captain!
damnitjason: Tall…then again I’m not from Montreal. (I rhymed)
Devsfan55: Goof
DownGoesSpezza: Headshotter
edk1979: Tall
erinmharris: Tall. 
FightNightatJoe: OMFGHESAFRICKINGGIANT
finzzup: Only one word? OK. Stupefied
ghosthoffa: Ginormous
gottabe_KD: Godzilla
habsgirl4life: Unintentional.
Heyitskarla: Lurch
irockthered: HUGE!
Jeremy1026: Scapegoat or Example.
JimNeveau: Muresan
KingsOfLA: #NeedsToBeAKing hashtag makes it one word, right?
Levesque7: Overpersecuted
likecrazypaving: Yikes
Mikey_Lombardi: Boss(not because of the hit)
mvaldmar: Skilled
patriceleonard: I’m going to avoid drama & just say he’s really large.
PredsOnTheGlass: Beast
reinadelaisla: Gargantuan. #Chara
rinkrebel: Maligned.
RyanSauls15: Smallhead.
Sandwiches1123: gargantuan would #IfItIsaHitYouMustAcquit count as one word then?
sarah_connors: CAPTAIN. and I stand by that.
SensDew19: giant
stars_gal: Durrrrh.
talkendo: OHMYGODITSHUGERUN!
TheTickSP: wookiee
ViewFromMySeats: My personal answer for Chara: MontrealTshirtModel
