You must be having a really tough day, anyway I know one thing we can agree on, Lets hope that the Hawks run Minny out of the building...
- nickmo2699

Agreed. I'm just gonna chalk it up to agree to disagree. Hopefully our euros and NA's bring it, while the Wild's both choke. I've seen Wild fans saying they think Koivu is as good as Toews, now that's a matchup that favors the North American

Already lowering expectations....
- blackhawk24

I can't wait for this year's batch of excuses

Agreed. I'm just gonna chalk it up to agree to disagree. Hopefully our euros and NA's bring it, while the Wild's both choke. I've seen Wild fans saying they think Koivu is as good as Toews, now that's a matchup that favors the North American
- rollpards19

Not sober Wild fans hopefully.

You don't find this fan's pain amusing?

"Alain (frank)ing Vigneault"
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm afraid to comment in fear of a ban. I'll plead the 5th.

I've already spent a little time in the penalty box this month for comments about a certain Canucks fan.

one team picking before Florida, John.

I actually think Jones will be that second pick as I stated earlier, unless an established club is picking earlier, Colorado may feel they get a forward only because he plays from the first day, and if the Avs take Erik Johnson (errrr Seth Jones) they either keep him the pros like all past number ones overall have been since the 90's and try and play him where he will see tons of attackers and may lose confidence when asked to aspire that quickly as a defender.

A forward will let them play say mcKinno on wing at first with no big issue in blown defensive coverages.

IF the hawks were picking second and able to acquire Jones, they COULD go slowly and even let him play some pro in a protected scheme similar to the way the brought in Seabrook. I think the similarities in Seabrook and Jones are there.

I think you don't count out both Drouin wh probably has the most individual smarts, skill, feet and offensive impact to evevntaully be a star.

And Sasha Barkov is probably close NHL ready (when his shoulder heals) and he may be a horse centre.

I have trouble thinking Tallon is so unhappy with what's gonna be there at slot two....because it won't be a consolation prize.

I also have trouble witrh tallon thinking MacKinnon, who Huberdeau spent time playing with in all the junior tourneys, was not a good pick up.

Since it appears Tallon is losing his Weiss, why would NOT want one of the two centres?
(yeah I know Nick Bjugstad was drafted and coming along...)

I just don't see tallon passing on Seth Jones or McKinnon.

Tuevo is this bigger prize????


This sounds like more smoke than fire....and a magician's smoke at that!


You can read about all the soon to be drafted at my Mock draft by clicking on the players name, ok?


- wiz1901 http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2013/

Where do I say or imply otherwise:

"That’s assuming that the likely #1 pick, Portland Winterhawk defenseman Seth Jones, was not the player the Hawks were after.

So this is a story that could bear watching as the draft nears. Or again, if the Hawks were simply hoping for a shot at Jones, then it is likely moot.

Agreed. I'm just gonna chalk it up to agree to disagree. Hopefully our euros and NA's bring it, while the Wild's both choke. I've seen Wild fans saying they think Koivu is as good as Toews, now that's a matchup that favors the North American
- rollpards19

What planet does that fan live on?

What planet does that fan live on?
- nickmo2699

One with better drugs than ours apparently

What planet does that fan live on?
- nickmo2699

Who has the # to that guys dealer ??

Who has the # to that guys dealer ??
- mrpaulish

Why? You looking to bust that guy?

Why? You looking to bust that guy?
- EKolb13

I'm off today and tomorrow !! Wanna get hammered for the Hawks game tonight....

I'm off today and tomorrow !! Wanna get hammered for the Hawks game tonight....
- mrpaulish

I'll be trapped in class for the first two periods.

I'll be trapped in class for the first two periods.
- EKolb13

Ugh, it's only game 1. You want updates ?

Ugh, it's only game 1. You want updates ?
- mrpaulish

That's ok. I'll be checking my smartphone app.

That's ok. I'll be checking my smartphone app.
- EKolb13

You must be a computer science major with all that technology

You must be a computer science major with all that technology
- mrpaulish

Far from it.

See the playoff predictor is getting popular.

Agreed. I'm just gonna chalk it up to agree to disagree. Hopefully our euros and NA's bring it, while the Wild's both choke. I've seen Wild fans saying they think Koivu is as good as Toews, now that's a matchup that favors the North American
- rollpards19

I don't think any Wild fan worth his salt would make that comparison. Screwball homer fans always think they have the best players. I would argue that Koivu's defensive play is just as good as Toews, but there is obviously quite a descrepancy offensively speaking.

Yeah it's lowercase.

Joined it with some fairly optimistic predictions. Nothing like the playoffs, that's for sure.
- prd797

I have the Islanders against the Wings.. With the Islanders winning with a total of 3 goals scored in the finals..

Woo. How has Pommer been for you guys?
- rollpards19

Sneaky. You don't notice him much, like you would Parise, Cullen, Seto but his positioning is strong and he's got a pretty wicked shot with nice accuracy. Also very sound defensively and has helped our PP. Need him back on the ice asap

Agreed. I'm just gonna chalk it up to agree to disagree. Hopefully our euros and NA's bring it, while the Wild's both choke. I've seen Wild fans saying they think Koivu is as good as Toews, now that's a matchup that favors the North American
- rollpards19

That surprises me, considering how much flak Koivu gets for being more of a defensive-minded forward. I'd like to call an intervention for these individuals if you happen to recall who said such a thing.

I think the NHL.com love the Pens.. it seems almost every single person has them in the finals.

I think the NHL.com love the Pens.. it seems almost every single person has them in the finals.
- victorymc98

I saw that, its ridiculous. Maybe its just me, but I don't really see them as that unbeatable. Look at their defense, nothing special. They don't possess the puck well five on five (below average FenClose). They rely on PP and goaltending, neither of which are sure things for them going into the playoffs

Edit: I don't know how many guys here care about/accept advanced stats, but FenClose is a measure of shots and missed shots vs. you're opponent in close games 5v5. The Hawks rank second in the NHL to the Kings and both are having statistically fantastic seasons. The interesting portion of these statistics is that they analyze pre and post trade deadline, and its remarkable how much better the Hawks have been since acquiring Handzus. They've been playing at an unbelievably high possession level since he was attained. (FenClose has proven to be the greatest indicator of future success).

I saw that, its ridiculous. Maybe its just me, but I don't really see them as that unbeatable. Look at their defense, nothing special. They don't possess the puck well five on five (below average FenClose). They rely on PP and goaltending, neither of which are sure things for them going into the playoffs
- rollpards19

Off topic...

That bracket challenge you set up is up to 27 people. That was an outstanding idea! Thanks for coming up with it.

The last 2 number 1 centers to win the cup were Anze Kopitar and David Krejci. We also could have used that Niemi guy last year, instead of the Canadian boy we had giving in goals that looked more like thye belonged in the state championship at the UC than a playoff game. Look at who the Red Wings miss most, Lidstrom. Cool it with the xenophobia and appreciate good hockey players. What would have happened if you were the caps or Penguins in the Ovechkin/Malkin draft?
- rollpards19

Finnish goaltenders don't count!

I am not trying to belittle Euros - but, on average (and particularly Russians), they have a difficult time adapting.

Percentage of the NHL that is European: 24% Percentage of european conn smythe winners since the turn of the century 25%. So it looks like statistically there is almost no difference between nationality and playoff greatness
- rollpards19

You can give us subjective examples and even percentages. You're parsing.

Give us the percentage of European players drafted that make it to the NHL. That may even be deceptive as look at how many pull a Radulov and run home after playing with real professionals and experiencing real pressure.

No question the Euros produce their share of hall of famers. Those are all great names you have given.

After the Mike Smith era I would hope we have had enough of Russians at least.