The Best of the Nation – 10.7.12

After the jump: why the 2012-13 season won’t be cancelled, looking at the possibility of replacement players, trying to identify players that raise their game in the post-season, and a lot more.

Why the league will not cancel the 2012-13 season. Much has been made of the fact that it’s in the players’ best interests to capitulate soon, but as it turns out the same is true for owners – they’re better off accepting the NHLPA’s offer than losing a year and getting everything they want. Bottom line: both sides have ample incentive to make a deal. [NHL Numbers]

Would you watch replacement players? Jason Gregor gets into the dynamics of the NHL brining in replacement players, and also asks the pivotal question – if the league did it, would you watch the games? [Oilers Nation]

Replacement players: a former NHL player’s take. Veteran defenceman Jason Strudwick explains why he thinks using replacement players would be bad for the NHL. [Oilers Nation]

Two minutes of hate: Esa Tikkanen edition. Oilers fans remember Esa Tikkanen as a loveable little Finn, as well as a pretty good player with a penchant for incomprehensibly jabbering at the opposition and occasionally inserting his stick into places it didn’t *technically* belong. Apparently, Flames fans remember him differently. [Flames Nation]

Do players elevate their game in the post-season? Eric T. compares the results of players in the regular season and the post-season, and looks for outliers. [NHL Numbers]

Graphic Comments: Be a player. The always spectacular Graphic comments series continues with some advice on how to handle an NHL lockout like a professional. [CanucksArmy]

Photo: Dave O/Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0

Warning: You may agree with Don Cherry here. The legendary Hockey Night in Canada personality discovers Twitter and blasts Toronto for their treatment of Nazem Kadri. Does Cherry have a point, or is it so much hot air, uh, typing? [Leafs Nation]

But while you may agree with Don Cherry, Dallas Eakins does not. The Toronto Marlies head coach responds Cherry, mostly respectfully until the subtle little elbow at the end. [Leafs Nation]

The subtle PR war being waged by the players and the NHLPA. It’s interesting to note how the NHLPA is coordinating what players say and tweet, but there’s a better side to the story – in Vancouver, at least, players are doing a lot for the community. [Canucks Army]

Why Patrick Thoresen should be in the NHL A gritty, heart-and-soul utility player when he made his major league appearance a few years back, Thoresen has discovered his scoring touch overseas, and emerged as one of the most dominant players in the KHL over the last four seasons. Why isn’t this guy playing in the majors? [Oilers Nation]

Are there players who drive shot quality? We all know shot quality exists at the individual shot level, but are there individual players in the NHL who do a good job of suppressing the shot quality of the opposition, or improving that of their linemates? [NHL Numbers]