Toronto and the Isles both getting worked. Didn't expect it to be so lopsided for the Leafs.

Also, if it wasn't mentioned, the Wild called up that Kuemper kid as Backstrom is still questionable to be back for game 2 if not game 3.
- prd797

groin pulls and goalies are a good combo...that could be an issue the rest of this series...

Because the east has like 4 good teams. The Wild would have won the southeast going away
- rollpards19

Like Pierre Lebrun said today - hockey in the Eastern Conference much different than Western Conference. Teams in the west have to play fast, heavy hockey.

The Maple Leafs are horse manure; about 2 steps above the the Icehogs.

Sold out and capcity in the seats but not as amny standing as has been the case lately.

Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR
- Al

I don't get it. The tv ratings have never been higher. The merchandise sales are through the roof. You figure sellouts wold be easy. Is it really the ticket prices?

i think that sen team can surprise a few folks
- bogiedoc

Yeah you are right. With the way the habs played towards the end, I could see anderson getting hot and stealing the series. Sens need to start scoring more, though. Injuries have killed that

Leafs 1, Bruins 1

Original 6 Matchup + Playoffs =
- Ogilthorpe2

I feel like the Hawks are kind of left out with reallignment 5 original six teams in one conference and the Hawks by themselves. The only positive is that there could be a original six SCF.

Like Pierre Lebrun said today - hockey in the Eastern Conference much different than Western Conference. Teams in the west have to play fast, heavy hockey.

The Maple Leafs are horse manure; about 2 steps above the the Icehogs.
- RickJ

I hope the Leaf fans don't see that Rick or they will swarm us like a bunch of locust.

i think that sen team can surprise a few folks
- bogiedoc

Was really wanting to see the Pens play the Sens in rd 1.

They get an AHL team with the Isles.

I feel like the Hawks are kind of left out with reallignment 5 original six teams in one conference and the Hawks by themselves. The only positive is that there could be a original six SCF.
- jhawk159

I hate it.

But to expand on your last thought:

Hopefully there are a lot of Original 6 finals....it would mean the Hawks are doing very well

Obviously Boston and Pittsburgh are much better than their opponents who are also very inexperienced. I think they just said the Islanders roster has a combined 12 career playoff goals of which half or more than half came from Marty Reasoner.

i assume you're joking about all the money to play with. with cap projected to go down $6M, no backup goaltender signed, leddy RFA, bickell UFA, and kruger RFA... i don't think there's any way they are going to be able to squeeze in what the market will bear ($3-4M+) for stalberg
- Sconnie

This is how I see the summer going down:

Bickell will be back for
around $2M, Stalberg is long gone. Hawks move Frolik into Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line, and Ben Smith fills in at 4th line RW, especially with Smith having a one-way contract next year, I believe. Bolland will be traded, to free up money to give Leddy a long term deal at a number both sides are happy with. Kruger signs for short term at a modest raise, leaving a bit of money available under the cap to sign a backup goalie. I don't see the Hawks hitting the free agent market for players; they will promote from Rockford.

Islanders complete no-show in game 1

Toronto schooled after taking early lead.

Best first round hockey in Western Conference.

A couple sweeps in the East.

This is how I see the summer going down:

Bickell will be back for
around $2M, Stalberg is long gone. Hawks move Frolik into Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line, and Ben Smith fills in at 4th line RW, especially with Smith having a one-way contract next year, I believe. Bolland will be traded, to free up money to give Leddy a long term deal at a number both sides are happy with. Kruger signs for short term at a modest raise, leaving a bit of money available under the cap to sign a backup goalie. I don't see the Hawks hitting the free agent market for players; they will promote from Rockford.
- hawks2010

Why wouldn't you trade Frolik and keep Stalberg??????

This is how I see the summer going down:

Bickell will be back for
around $2M, Stalberg is long gone. Hawks move Frolik into Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line, and Ben Smith fills in at 4th line RW, especially with Smith having a one-way contract next year, I believe. Bolland will be traded, to free up money to give Leddy a long term deal at a number both sides are happy with. Kruger signs for short term at a modest raise, leaving a bit of money available under the cap to sign a backup goalie. I don't see the Hawks hitting the free agent market for players; they will promote from Rockford.
- hawks2010

I agree with what you're thinking here, except for the thought of Bickell getting $2 million per. I think he gets $1.5 million, tops.

I just can't go that far...I don't believe there are orders from on high. Too conspiratorial for my blood. I just think there's poor officiating at times and when it effects one club negatively, those fans smell a conspiracy.

Besides, I don't think the NHL front office is that devious, omnipotent or smart enough to make the conspiracy work.

And if you do believe the league manipulates officiating is this manner, why watch the games?
- ArlingtonRob

Agreed. You kill the golden goose if you start doing crap like that. In this age of multiple HD camera shots, slo-mo and instant replay, too many fans expect perfection from the officiating crews, and it's never, ever going to happen. Sometimes sports, like life, isn't fair. Get used to it.

By the way, last nights almost tip-in goal, at least as I understand the rules, wasn't a goal for the simple reason that nothing can happen after the whistle, and the refs are supposed to blow the whistle when they can't spot the puck in those types of situations. Too bad it went against the Hawks, but it was the right call just the same.

Was really wanting to see the Pens play the Sens in rd 1.

They get an AHL team with the Isles.
- tredbrta

The isles have some players but defensively and Nabokov.....forget about it!

Why wouldn't you trade Frolik and keep Stalberg??????
- rollpards19

Can Bowman find a taker for Frolik? If he can, then I can see the Hawks finding a way to keep Stalberg.

Obviously Boston and Pittsburgh are much better than their opponents who are also very inexperienced. I think they just said the Islanders roster has a combined 12 career playoff goals of which half or more than half came from Marty Reasoner.
- golfbard

Reasoner? Oh yeah the guy who has not played a playoff gm in 10 years, was a healthy scratch the last 10 gmes and then knees (oh excuse me, makes a grt hockey play called the leg check finish) Jokin to take a 5 min major and gm misconduct with 2 minutes to go!

Can Bowman find a taker for Frolik? If he can, then I can see the Hawks finding a way to keep Stalberg.
- EKolb13

We need picks for the draft, I'd imagine some team would take him for a 3rd or a 4th. Effective pk and energy guy, sure he makes a lot but teams, especially bad teams, can always use versatile forwards. Put it this way, Michael Handzus got a 4th rd pick, if you want to move a guy who can still play (Frolik can) you can move him

Game 1 we were ready emotionally, we were fired up. Probably too much,” Patrick Sharp said. “We want to make sure we’re ready for Game 2, keep the crowd into it.”

I was wondering why they were so lethargic and groggy the first 15 minutes of the gme...thanks Sharpie for clarifying!

We need picks for the draft, I'd imagine some team would take him for a 3rd or a 4th. Effective pk and energy guy, sure he makes a lot but teams, especially bad teams, can always use versatile forwards. Put it this way, Michael Handzus got a 4th rd pick, if you want to move a guy who can still play (Frolik can) you can move him
- rollpards19

Perhaps Frolik could get a pick in return? It all depends on if there is a team out there that wants him and his salary for next season, given the cap reduction.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but who knows what will happen this summer?

The isles have some players but defensively and Nabokov.....forget about it!
- bogiedoc

I've got a few friends who are Islanders fans and I've told them for a while they need that #1 shutdown D-man to pair with Streit. It'll help the rest of their D. That could be a free agent signee or they'll need to wait for Griffin Reinhart or someone else to arrive. Their forward corps is solid. Talent wise they're heading in the right direction.

Perhaps Frolik could get a pick in return? It all depends on if there is a team out there that wants him and his salary for next season, given the cap reduction.

I'm not saying it can't happen, but who knows what will happen this summer?
- EKolb13

Don't forget you can send $ now. So a team that's cash strapped, but needs to be above the cap floor could be an option.

Yes I know he is a doucherocket who wouldn't be playing if Pominville wasn't injured. I was just saying if Shaw was called for the penality, the play would of been dead.
- barth 39

Really......they would sit the best faceoff guy on the team.....

God, I hate myself right now. I find myself rooting for the Sharks vs Vancouver. I know we don't like the 'Couv round these parts, but living where I live, I cannot stand Shark fans. It's like someone giving me the option of choosing between syphilis and gonorrhea.

Don't forget you can send $ now. So a team that's cash strapped, but needs to be above the cap floor could be an option.
- eburgio

No, you can't send cash the other way. You can retain a percentage of salary/cap hit of who you're trading.