Got into a big argument with a buddy of mine (Flyers fan) who says Pens-Flyers is the best current rivalry in the NHL, I obviously countered with Hawks-Nucks, which IMO is just as physical, way faster, and a much higher quality of hockey rather than the cluster-f that is philly pitt. Wondering what you guys think is the best current one going in the NHL?

P.S. I wish we had a game tonight
- rollpards19

Philly/Pitt's a powder keg rivalry for sure, but i agree with your conclusions on our 'thing' with Van. Chi/Van seems to produce a better tempo, more flow, and some eye catching hockey. Pitt/Philly tends to be a clutch and grab, in the alley, quagmire.

I bet the Canucks and their fans were also pleased the last 3 seasons. AND they are also Presidents cup trophy winners which made their fan base ecstatic!

I truly hope I am wrong and that additional grit to allow the Hawks to play any type of game isn’t necessary, but if they do lose I promise not to gloat and say ‘I told you so’.
- paulr

The Cannots are not enjoying a culture of winning. They are more of an entitlement culture. They blame all their PO losses on conspiracies and bad calls.... Everybody hates them for a reason.

Also, Gillis has little or nothing in his prospect pipeline. As JJ pointed out - that culture is also about future expectations. I am certain there are Canuck players and agents who observe they are consistently among the worst in the league in prospect development.

Even Esplin posts occasionally about the mire Gillis has created there.

Tallon took that bullet!
- paulr

He did as he should as the 'GM' in title...but i recall he was very ill in the days leading up this. As the 'numbers guy,' how did Stan not only evade any scrutiny, but remarkably, end up being promoted ?

Anyone with facts please take the floor.

The Cannots are not enjoying a culture of winning. They are more of an entitlement culture. They blame all their PO losses on conspiracies and bad calls.... Everybody hates them for a reason.

Also, Gillis has little or nothing in his prospect pipeline. As JJ pointed out - that culture is also about future expectations. I am certain there are Canuck players and agents who observe they are consistently among the worst in the league in prospect development.

Even Esplin posts occasionally about the mire Gillis has created there.
- tredbrta

I know we all hate the Canucks and make fun of their president's trophies and such, but they have lost to the cup champs three years in a row. And they made a game 7 of the finals which is an accomplishment no matter how that game went. Hopefully we play them because the cup champ probably has to beat Vancouver

Philly/Pitt's a powder keg rivalry for sure, but i agree with conclusions on our 'thing' with Van. Chi/Van seems to produce a better tempo, more flow, and some eye catching hockey. Pitt/Philly tends to be a clutch and grab, in the alley, quagmire.
- philco28

Just a thought on this rivalry thing...

I'm not happy with this Hawks/Pens match-up for the 6 headed monster of a Winter Classic next season. I would rather see a Hawks/Blues match up.

Just a thought on this rivalry thing...

I'm not happy with this Hawks/Pens match-up for the 6 headed monster of a Winter Classic next season. I would rather see a Hawks/Blues match up.
- EKolb13

I'd rather see Chi/Tor

Just a thought on this rivalry thing...

I'm not happy with this Hawks/Pens match-up for the 6 headed monster of a Winter Classic next season. I would rather see a Hawks/Blues match up.
- EKolb13

I wouldn't guarantee this, but I bet the league is betting this will be the cup final, with 4 of the most widely known names to more casual fans (Crosby, Malkin, Kane, Toews) that they can hype as a rematch. I'm also pretty sure they draw the best on national TV. While a real rival would have been cooler, its tough to deny this makes sense for the league

Just a thought on this rivalry thing...

I'm not happy with this Hawks/Pens match-up for the 6 headed monster of a Winter Classic next season. I would rather see a Hawks/Blues match up.
- EKolb13

TV advertising dollars. Crosby vs Toews in downtown Chicago.

Nobody gives a crap about David Backes, Roman Polak and the fat ex-running shoe salesman coach of the Blues.

But as a fan base there is a figure head. We will applaud or rip that figure head. We know based on your info that it is a FO which makes decisions as a group, or it is rumored that way. I guess we should say Hawks management, not Stan.
- droe411

Yep

TV advertising dollars. Crosby vs Toews in downtown Chicago.

Nobody gives a crap about David Backes, Roman Polak and the fat ex-running shoe salesman coach of the Blues.
- RickJ

They are going for large markets. STL isn't going to be that market they are in search for. I love the extra games! The Winter Classic should be treated a little differently than the other outdoor games. I will watch all of them if the times fit in with my schedule!

Hutton is probably a look-see if they want to re-sign him or not. Rosters have expanded so it does not necessarily mean Crawford or Emery are hurt.
- John Jaeckel

Doesn't that hurt Rockford's chances of making the play-offs?

Got into a big argument with a buddy of mine (Flyers fan) who says Pens-Flyers is the best current rivalry in the NHL, I obviously countered with Hawks-Nucks, which IMO is just as physical, way faster, and a much higher quality of hockey rather than the cluster-f that is philly pitt. Wondering what you guys think is the best current one going in the NHL?

P.S. I wish we had a game tonight
- rollpards19

That PO series last year was as serious as any Canucks/Hawks games I have seen.

Of course, the Flyers are really terrible this year. Realignment and the Canucks coming decline due to age and lack of young talent will erode the H/C rivalry.

I think Blues/Hawks will be the rivalry for the next decade. The Wild may become a serious rival as well. If Dallas or the Avs turn the corner they can be too.

Maybe JJ...but he is a key face of the franchise and is quite visible. I guess what i'm saying is...i don't dislike Stan as much as i sometimes let on in this space. He's not that bad a guy.
- philco28

Actually, by all accounts, he's a really good guy.

The structure is what it is. Scotty is way more involved than people realize. Stanley way less. But Scotty lives in Florida and Stanley does the press conferences. That's pretty juch it as I understand it.

Doesn't that hurt Rockford's chances of making the play-offs?
- StLBravesFan

Pretty sure Karlsson is their number one, is he not? Eli?

The Cannots are not enjoying a culture of winning. They are more of an entitlement culture. They blame all their PO losses on conspiracies and bad calls.... Everybody hates them for a reason.

Also, Gillis has little or nothing in his prospect pipeline. As JJ pointed out - that culture is also about future expectations. I am certain there are Canuck players and agents who observe they are consistently among the worst in the league in prospect development.

Even Esplin posts occasionally about the mire Gillis has created there.
- tredbrta

Gillis will fix all of Vancouvers problems in one fell swoop! He'll not not only restock the entire farm team but he'll add a whole new second line, a number 3 defenceman, a back goalie and a first round pick all by trading Luongo ... just ask him!

Actually, by all accounts, he's a really good guy.

The structure is what it is. Scotty is way more involved than people realize. Stanley way less. But Scotty lives in Florida and Stanley does the press conferences. That's pretty juch it as I understand it.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ

He did as he should as the 'GM' in title...but i recall he was very ill in the days leading up this. As the 'numbers guy,' how did Stan not only evade any scrutiny, but remarkably, end up being promoted ?

Anyone with facts please take the floor.
- philco28

The fact is Daddy!

Actually, by all accounts, he's a really good guy.

The structure is what it is. Scotty is way more involved than people realize. Stanley way less. But Scotty lives in Florida and Stanley does the press conferences. That's pretty juch it as I understand it.
- John Jaeckel

No offense to Stan, but if that is the case then good. Hockey genius trumps hockey genius' son.

JJ

You named a group of young promising players on the current roster who are contributing yet most of them have only tapped into the success they eventually should produce.

I am somewhat disappointed -- though not alarmed -- when two of the next set.of prospects do not get into the lineup during Rockford's playoff run. Both Danault and McNeill have been cited for strong defensive effort/role in the last WJC. Both are fast and skilled yet were willing to play in a different role not only in the WJC but have made the adjustment to playing a sound defensive game when asked to for a brief period.- of - time as.they advanced to the next level in their junior career.

Now we do see the 160 pound frame Nordstrom playing each game.during the Icehogs playoff run. His scouting report does say that he is a two way player with a.good skill set but not expected to be a big scorer. Nordstrom is good in face offs....so has Danault been in junior.

It has been said that Dent's orders come from Chicago. Dent has been known to play head games with his lineup omission one such example. Not knowing what this is all about, it is probably all going to come out later in the wash (as the expression goes). I do think first thought regarding this lineup Dent has been using....in playoff run not wanting to use three rookies, two fresh from junior. Nordstrom had been playing in an elite Swedish league which is a higher level of play.

Don't know what you have heard/your take on this. But this is not necessarily a bad mark on Danault or McNeill. They remain top prospects. I am wanting to see.that McNeill is a rugged all terrain player and doesn't' turn out to be an occasional grind and tough like Bickel. But I do believe that McNeill is a nice combination of skill and toughness/ hard worker until I hear otherwise.

I am hopeful each of these prospects could find a role in CHG by late next season, although that may be wishful thinking. Nordstrom obviously needs to add strength and some.weight.

On a side note about other prospects: TT also.needs to add muscle strength. Johns made full time conversion to defense late (after arrival at ND) so.I expect that he needs at least.one season AHL. And are you intrigued by Birch after the eye opening very impressive rookies.camp two summers ago (he did not participate last summer).
- jhawk59

i have ZERO issue with Danault/McNeill not seeing a lot of time in Rockford right now. Maybe I didn't make this clear enough in the blog, but it goes back to the question yesterday about Stanton. You will not see guys playing in Chicago anymore until they're more than ready or there are a rash of injuries at the NHL level.

Give these kids time to develop. No need to rush them as deep as the Hawks are at the NHL level.

I'd rather see Chi/Tor

- philco28

If the Leafs make it to the Finals it will be very hard to stop that momentum. After the Canucks the last team I want to lose to are the Leafs.

Got into a big argument with a buddy of mine (Flyers fan) who says Pens-Flyers is the best current rivalry in the NHL, I obviously countered with Hawks-Nucks, which IMO is just as physical, way faster, and a much higher quality of hockey rather than the cluster-f that is philly pitt. Wondering what you guys think is the best current one going in the NHL?

P.S. I wish we had a game tonight
- rollpards19

it is the best rivalry to those living in Pennsylvania. I'm not sure there is one single best rivalry.

The fact is Daddy!
- paulr

Sounds like a coup d'etat perpetrated by a professional hockey legend who on a personal level comes off like the arrogant REPTILE he may well be.

i have ZERO issue with Danault/McNeill not seeing a lot of time in Rockford right now. Maybe I didn't make this clear enough in the blog, but it goes back to the question yesterday about Stanton. You will not see guys playing in Chicago anymore until they're more than ready or there are a rash of injuries at the NHL level.

Give these kids time to develop. No need to rush them as deep as the Hawks are at the NHL level.
- John Jaeckel

Good! No more rushing kids like Leddy, who they threw into the fire. They have to realise that sometimes it works, but other times it will ruin a kid.

Pretty sure Karlsson is their number one, is he not? Eli?
- John Jaeckel

It's been split evenly. However, Dent has been leaning on Hutton as of late. Hutton also has been pretty hot as of late too.

If the Leafs make it to the Finals it will be very hard to stop that momentum. After the Canucks the last team I want to lose to are the Leafs.
- paulr

I hear that and i'm sure we all feel this....but let it be clear....I DON'T WANT TO LOSE...TO ANYONE.