Yep, play a man short on the game day roster for the duration of any Kronwalling suspension. Suspending the coach too would be a deterent......

Liked the way TT looked last night. Not only are his skill, vision and hands noticeable but his awareness might have been his best attribute last night.

Nordstom too was as advertised. An aware player making smart plays and doing so in all 3 zones.

Smith looked determined. Think this guy makes the team.

Q had Hayes on a PK!!!

Stanton will step up and hit people in the nuetral zone. Couple nice ones.

Bickell hustling 100 feet to save icing with 25 seconds left made me think we have a great chance of not having a cup hangover. May have been the thing that exited me most last night.

Seemed to me the Hawks have implemented their system at the AHL level where guys are stepping in without much learning being needed, other than to the speed and skill of a higher level........They are really close to having complete cohesion and teaching throughout the system.

As has been mentioned, great to be back at the UC but man traffic was worse than a Finals game. This 7:00 start is gonna be bruuuuutal.
- Mr Ricochet

I think Smith has a great chance at making the team, likely on the 4th line to start. In your opinion who gets the third line spot, Hayes or Morin?

Some video from last night including the cheap shot.

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/?id=445216
- Beaver-Warrior

Gee another preseason game against the Wings and another one of Babcock's guys cheapshots one of ours - a la Ben Smith the other fall. No surprise there. Hope this kid gets a nice long suspension.

Why? Speed is no issue, conditioning? Maybe. I think he'd be fine, especially if he's really in as good of shape this year as the reports out of Manitoba say he is.
- Ogilthorpe2

Buff likes the game to come to him. Doesn't like to spend the energy skating around much without the puck like a winger has to do. Now with the puck, different story. The play and puck comes to him on defense, doesn't have to chase it. In shape he could play defense on an olympic surface. He will tell you he prefers defense, and I just told you why. (not just going to say simply "no" like a couple a'holes do here)

Looking for unbiased fantasy advice here.

In a keeper league (points only) who would you keep and why...

Dougie Hamilton or Jake Gardiner?
- As_I_See_It

take matt carle

Looking for unbiased fantasy advice here.

In a keeper league (points only) who would you keep and why...

Dougie Hamilton or Jake Gardiner?
- As_I_See_It

take Carolina's rookie Murphy

Buff likes the game to come to him. Doesn't like to spend the energy skating around much without the puck like a winger has to do. Now with the puck, different story. The play and puck comes to him on defense, doesn't have to chase it. In shape he could play defense on an olympic surface. He will tell you he prefers defense, and I just told you why. (not just going to say simply "no" like a couple a'holes do here)
- 6628

I'm no a-hole (ok maybe sometimes)...there are times when the simple "no" is warranted.

It's supposed to be a punishment right? So what if two of your D-get suspended? Deal with it, and play smarter next time.

Suspended players can't be replaced in the lineup. Do it. Do it now.
- Ogilthorpe2

I am just saying there is no way the league will punish owners and teams for the actions of individuals with actions like this ...

I am just saying there is no way the league will punish owners and teams for the actions of individuals with actions like this ...
- wiz1901

And that's why the cheap shots will never end. Maybe someone has to die on the ice first.

To all the "holders" of Dale Tallon.

Have you figured out yet what his long term plan as GM is yet?

It's not attempting sweeping trades or acquistions, and just going along with the hopes that each of his first five seaosn will let his team pick close to last and get some qualitt telent in the draft.

It is not about winning.

If it was why would you let it be mid-Septemebr and you are still going in with three centres with little or no experience in Huberdeau, Barkov, and the Bjuggy, or Matthais and after having the absolute worst defense around doing little to fortify it.

GM of the year?

well, he does have a plan...keep losing and keep drafting.

ROCKFORD ANNOUNCES 2013 TRAINING CAMP INVITEES

The camp invitees include six forwards, and seven defensemen. The six forwards are Kyle Bodie, Jared Brown, Emerson Clark, Daniel Koger, Matt Lowry and Kyle Stroh. The seven defensemen include Arthur Bidwill, C.J. Chartrain, Antoine Corbin, Joe Gleason, Tristin Llewellyn, Bobby Shea and Jordon Southorn.

There are five IceHogs players under AHL contracts for 2013-2014 including Wade Brookbank, Brad Mills, Pat Mullane, Jared Nightingale and Viktor Svedberg.

(source: email from the IceHogs)

And that's why the cheap shots will never end. Maybe someone has to die on the ice first.
- Ogilthorpe2

After expansion Teddy Green almost DID when Vancouver's Wayne Maki hit his skull with the stick. Let see, that was 42 years ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXoO2QkIlH8

so I am not holding my breath to et them to do what is being suggested...

Good observation on Crawford. From my vantage point at the time I knew Crawford to be a lot more athletic when he first was drafted, but a strict butterfly with over sized pads does not play to the strengths of Corey Crawford. I believe it contributed to a lot of the posters here thinking Crawford was not athletic. I think the reduction in the pad size is going to help CC become more agile like he was when drafted. Should make the stick a little easier to manipulate as well.

- 6628

When I saw Crawford in his draft year in the QMJHL, he was the very impressive and agile as you said, but he wasn't anywhere polished as the guy taken first overalll Fleury.

He as already pretty solid in technigue and even in the glove.

It should be interesting to see if he continues to moves faster without the giant brillo pads on....

Yep, play a man short on the game day roster for the duration of any Kronwalling suspension. Suspending the coach too would be a deterent......

Liked the way TT looked last night. Not only are his skill, vision and hands noticeable but his awareness might have been his best attribute last night.

Nordstom too was as advertised. An aware player making smart plays and doing so in all 3 zones.

Smith looked determined. Think this guy makes the team.

Q had Hayes on a PK!!!

Stanton will step up and hit people in the nuetral zone. Couple nice ones.

Bickell hustling 100 feet to save icing with 25 seconds left made me think we have a great chance of not having a cup hangover. May have been the thing that exited me most last night.

Seemed to me the Hawks have implemented their system at the AHL level where guys are stepping in without much learning being needed, other than to the speed and skill of a higher level........They are really close to having complete cohesion and teaching throughout the system.

As has been mentioned, great to be back at the UC but man traffic was worse than a Finals game. This 7:00 start is gonna be bruuuuutal.
- Mr Ricochet

Appreciate this


Liked how Stanton was in fast to answer for the hit on Kostka, but in a smart, tempered way.

Heard Kane say about Bicks that because of the new contract and fame...a lot more will be expected...nice to see 29 HUSTLING this early. Just hope he doesn't press too much and get hurt early in the season.

To all the "holders" of Dale Tallon.

Have you figured out yet what his long term plan as GM is yet?

It's not attempting sweeping trades or acquistions, and just going along with the hopes that each of his first five seaosn will let his team pick close to last and get some qualitt telent in the draft.

It is not about winning.

If it was why would you let it be mid-Septemebr and you are still going in with three centres with little or no experience in Huberdeau, Barkov, and the Bjuggy, or Matthais and after having the absolute worst defense around doing little to fortify it.

GM of the year?

well, he does have a plan...keep losing and keep drafting.
- wiz1901

That 'Plan' provided the Hawks with the best nucleous in hockey!

I'm no a-hole (ok maybe sometimes)...there are times when the simple "no" is warranted.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes.

There are probably strong cases for other players, too, but I agree here and I think USA Hockey's selection process is about as political as Canada's. I still say leaving Byfuglien off the team (for guys like Callahan) after having him in Camp in 2010 might have cost the US GOld.
- John Jaeckel

Wasnt he a big part of the 2010 olypmic team? I thought i remember him being real good on the pk and scoring a couple big goals. I might be wrong but i dont know if having Callahan instead of Buff cost them the gold.

To all the "holders" of Dale Tallon.

Have you figured out yet what his long term plan as GM is yet?

It's not attempting sweeping trades or acquistions, and just going along with the hopes that each of his first five seaosn will let his team pick close to last and get some qualitt telent in the draft.

It is not about winning.

If it was why would you let it be mid-Septemebr and you are still going in with three centres with little or no experience in Huberdeau, Barkov, and the Bjuggy, or Matthais and after having the absolute worst defense around doing little to fortify it.

GM of the year?

Feel the same way Wiz. I figure he maybe has another 2 years before he is gone if things don't turn around. Granted they had a lot of injuries last year but he has done nothing to build his defense.

well, he does have a plan...keep losing and keep drafting.
- wiz1901

To all the "holders" of Dale Tallon.

Have you figured out yet what his long term plan as GM is yet?

It's not attempting sweeping trades or acquistions, and just going along with the hopes that each of his first five seaosn will let his team pick close to last and get some qualitt telent in the draft.

It is not about winning.

If it was why would you let it be mid-Septemebr and you are still going in with three centres with little or no experience in Huberdeau, Barkov, and the Bjuggy, or Matthais and after having the absolute worst defense around doing little to fortify it.

GM of the year?

Feel the same way Wiz. I figure he maybe has another 2 years before he is gone if things don't turn around. Granted they had a lot of injuries last year but he has done nothing to build his defense.

well, he does have a plan...keep losing and keep drafting.
- wiz1901

Wize I feel the same way. Had a great year his first year (in a weak division) but has done nothing to develop his defense since then. 2 more years tops if he doesn't turn it around soon.

I forgot to mention the biggest change noticed by many last night...beer prices went up!

Wasnt he a big part of the 2010 olypmic team? I thought i remember him being real good on the pk and scoring a couple big goals. I might be wrong but i dont know if having Callahan instead of Buff cost them the gold.
- BlazinMike

Callahan played well in the olympics.

When I saw Crawford in his draft year in the QMJHL, he was the very impressive and agile as you said, but he wasn't anywhere polished as the guy taken first overalll Fleury.

He as already pretty solid in technigue and even in the glove.

It should be interesting to see if he continues to moves faster without the giant brillo pads on....
- wiz1901

Wiz, say you're a GM. Which one is your #1 starting fool this season- Fleury of Crawford?

Wiz, say you're a GM. Which one is your #1 starting fool this season- Fleury of Crawford?
- 6628

I guess I am not sure what starting fool is supposed to be describing.

I am taking Crawford for the hawks because i think his team has less lingering reservations than the other guys teammates after last playoff because he realy and truly seem to unravel, and wasn't techinally or positionally strong. I am not saying he can't rebound, but discipline to how and what you must do on every attacking flurry is what becomes crucial...the team needs to know "this goaler's gonna do this so i will ..."

Or he could have cost him the silver they won.
- yahoodi

Incorrect. Dustin Byfuglien>>>Ryan Callahan, especially in big game situations.

Wasnt he a big part of the 2010 olypmic team? I thought i remember him being real good on the pk and scoring a couple big goals. I might be wrong but i dont know if having Callahan instead of Buff cost them the gold.
- BlazinMike

Callahan's a good player. The US was dominated by Canada's big forwards down low and that's really why they lost. Byfuglien, especially at that time, would have made a big difference for the US.

its the preseason get over it guys.