As cool as it would have been to see the Hawks' clinch the cup at the UC (both in 2010 and this most recent one), theres something all the more sweet about doing IN Philly and IN Boston. Theres a sick pleasure i get from seeing other teams fans utter, pure, gigantic disappointment and sadness.
- BlazinMike

Like the guy who ran down the aisle to pound on the glass as Bolly celebrated...classic.

Like the guy who ran down the aisle to pound on the glass as Bolly celebrated...classic.
- Kentxo

There was a look to a man on the Bruins as to WTF just happened.

There was a look to a man on the Bruins as to WTF just happened.
- rtang415

The one thing that sticks out for me was Johnny Boychuk hunched over and not moving after Bolland scored. At that point he knew it was over, barring a miracle.

You have to give the boys credit, after scoring 2 goals in 17 seconds it could have been easy to be distracted and/or over-excited. But the Bruins didn't have any serious pressure after our 3rd goal.

The one thing that sticks out for me was Johnny Boychuk hunched over and not moving after Bolland scored. At that point he knew it was over, barring a miracle.

You have to give the boys credit, after scoring 2 goals in 17 seconds it could have been easy to be distracted and/or over-excited. But the Bruins didn't have any serious pressure after our 3rd goal.
- DarthKane

Bolland was Boychuk's man and he failed to tie him up.

Bolland was Boychuk's man and he failed to tie him up.
- rtang415

He had him tied up, it just didn't matter!

Like the guy who ran down the aisle to pound on the glass as Bolly celebrated...classic.
- Kentxo

Hahahaha YES! That was fantastic, there was such anger. and since there was no TV to throw the remote at he did the next best thing

What does everyone think of Kessel's 8 year $64 million deal? I am so glad we didn't draft Kessel over Toews.

What does everyone think of Kessel's 8 year $64 million deal? I am so glad we didn't draft Kessel over Toews.
- DarthKane

It might be the starting point when Bowman sits down with Kane & Toews.

What does everyone think of Kessel's 8 year $64 million deal? I am so glad we didn't draft Kessel over Toews.
- DarthKane

Overpayment

He had him tied up, it just didn't matter!
- Lash8

Then after the puck is in the back of the net Boychuk decides he's going to clamp down on Bolland's stick. Too late.

whats Erat doing on the fourth line? I always thought he was a scorer and they're not that deep.
- busmaster

That fourth line may not remain intact for long. Wilson is a big bruising physical forward and Erat has the skill/speed combo still going. But is Erat still at the top of his game. Did Nashville pick the right time to move him? Probably on downside of career but still can produce. Might be a sniper in stretches of games in long season, and might have more goals than was possible while stuck in Nashville's pop gun offense.

I noticed three first round players on their top line. Johansson is getting an opportunity to produce some points. He has ability and experience so Oates is trying this combo out for how long? Brouwer to get more goals with Grabowski and Laich? I never thought Brouwer was a 40'goal man in NHL like I think he was in Rockford. But maybe key for that line is a healthy Laich. Many teams, including Chicago, reportedly were interested when Laich was a free agent.

While Grabowski is called an important pick up, Laich is a valuable player who does many things well. Just whom will be the center on that line. Isn't Laich supposedly good in the dot?

The Caps defense and goaltending is their weak point. That third pair is comprised of a journeyman (Hillen) and a Chicagoland rookie they highly regard (Carrick). If Carrick is not ready then they could turn to the promising Orlov.

More than anything else, though, the Caps are toughest to beat when Ovechkin is happy and producing. Will he continue where he left off last season. He was then NHL MVP last year.

Overpayment
- BlazinMike

Exactly and this is why Stan needs to get Kane and Toews re-signed as soon as possible. The more other GMs sign their player to stupid deals like this the more it will cost Stan to re-sign Kane and Toews. If Kessel gets $8 million out boys are worth $10 million (I know they won't get that much).

Exactly and this is why Stan needs to get Kane and Toews re-signed as soon as possible. The more other GMs sign their player to stupid deals like this the more it will cost Stan to re-sign Kane and Toews. If Kessel gets $8 million out boys are worth $10 million (I know they won't get that much).
- DarthKane

That will come this summer.

Really like the third line with Hayes as the wing instead of Smith
Hoping or a breakout season from Hayes [ie Bichell 2.0]

Really like the third line with Hayes as the wing instead of Smith
Hoping or a breakout season from Hayes ie Bichell 2.0
- molly2522

Long shot

Really like the third line with Hayes as the wing instead of Smith
Hoping or a breakout season from Hayes
- molly2522[ie Bichell 2.0]

I think you're really reaching with the Hayes as Bickell v2.0.

Bolland was Boychuk's man and he failed to tie him up.
- rtang415

The sense of URGENCY Bolland showed while entering the zone on his eventual winner is a trait CHAMPIONSHIP teams all have in common: PLAY HARD THROUGH the final whistle.

I think you're really reaching with the Hayes as Bickell v2.0.
- EKolb13

Maybe EK, but i've heard Jimmy say Bicks' breakthrough inspired him to aspire for a similar result, the idea being that both are big guys who are at their best using their size to the max.

Really like the third line with Hayes as the wing instead of Smith
Hoping or a breakout season from Hayes
- molly2522[ie Bichell 2.0]

I like Hayes on the 3rd line too, but I'm not expecting him to play like Bickell did last season. Maybe the Bryan Bickell of 2011/2012, but not the 2013 Bickell.

Bickell has exceeded our expectations, a lot of people (myself included) thought he's be a bottom 6 forward (more likely bottom 3) given his inconsistencies.

Overpayment
- BlazinMike

Not really. He's pretty much a Patrick Kane clone who's faster/ better shooter while Kane has better hands and vision. He also stepped up big time in that Leafs/Bruins series. Parise is a pretty good comparable and he and Kessel will make about the same amount

Caps goaltending needs to improve from what I have seen..

Otherwise I think they could have a big year.


Some thoughts on this season....

Blackhawks Look to Become Part of an Elite Group. Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/17ohWZo
- Al

Holtby didn't look good on Sat.

Maybe EK, but i've heard Jimmy say Bicks' breakthrough inspired him to aspire for a similar result, the idea being that both are big guys who are at their best using their size to the max.
- philco28

Inspired? Sure, I'll buy that. However, Bickell skates much better than Hayes can ever hope to be. I saw some improvement during the couple of pre-season games I caught, but at the end of those games, I noticed that he wasn't as energized as he was during the first period.

Someone brought it up yesterday, but how is Hayes going to look once things are going full speed and not against prospects?

Also, there's always been that question about the lack of physical play supposedly brings. That's going to be something that Hayes will have to improve going forward.

Maybe EK, but i've heard Jimmy say Bicks' breakthrough inspired him to aspire for a similar result, the idea being that both are big guys who are at their best using their size to the max.
- philco28

For a long time I wondered if Bick would even be Bickell 1.0. Hayes needs to use his size to live in the house. Not rent it. Own it.

Not really. He's pretty much a Patrick Kane clone who's faster/ better shooter while Kane has better hands and vision. He also stepped up big time in that Leafs/Bruins series. Parise is a pretty good comparable and he and Kessel will make about the same amount
- rollpards19

No.

Inspired? Sure, I'll buy that. However, Bickell skates much better than Hayes can ever hope to be. I saw some improvement during the couple of pre-season games I caught, but at the end of those games, I noticed that he wasn't as energized as he was during the first period.

Someone brought it up yesterday, but how is Hayes going to look once things are going full speed and not against prospects?

Also, there's always been that question about the lack of physical play supposedly brings. That's going to be something that Hayes will have to improve going forward.
- EKolb13

True about the skating EK. IMO, Bickell success came when he stayed in front of the net instead of fly-bys. It baflles me why more guys dont get that.