Not much being said aboout it but you can see the way the league is headed. If you are a tough guy/goon who can't play at all, roster spots are very limited (San Jose excepted with John Scott). Shanahan won't sit by idily watching Randy Carlyle play Colton Orr and Fraser McClelland 2 minutes a night and paying them $750K a year while better players are in the AHL.

And all you get from most of these goons are staged fights.

So if a team wants a fighter on their roster, he had better be able to play some.
- RickJ

Exactly. A player who will make some checks, plays a physical brand of hockey. And who can win often enough against most of the guys who fight. Just so other teams do not take a whole lot of cheap runs at our star players because no one will do the same to their players. No, I am not talking tit for tat. I mean each team needs enough players who agitate and or make "hits" as is recorded in NHL stats each period.

Chicago has players like Shaw. Big size players who can be mean, like Seabrook also are on the roster. But whom is the resident tough when needed?

Bollig was the answer as a fourth line player. It would have been better if he could have fared well against the true heavyweights, but I was ok with Bollig. Now that he is gone, there appear players with less ability who by the way will fight sometimes (The minor pro guys like Mashinter, Labrie, Bass). That doesn't make me too happy.

I do not know that it is easy to acquire players who play a rough two way game yet have a descent modicum of ability.

Too bad Beach was lacking between the ears. He lost all his fights and besides, not sure part of his problem was never completely resolving the proper balance on his skates issue. Beach really resembled an immature kid who still was at any moment fully capable of taking dumb penalties. Hoped he would mature and would surprise teams because he actually had ability to score and play smart defensively. I saw him think and make sound plays defensively, although I cannot vouch how he did the bulk majority of Rockford games I did not see. Anyway,
no team needs goons who cannot play the game or a fighter if he cannot play the game!

In Chicago there is Bickel, a large player who can hit and I guess is alright as a fighter. But he does not scrap often. Which is no big deal when Bollig was around. But Bickel disappeared for long stretches of play as a non physical combatant and this is not good. A lack of motivation has been a label attached to Mr Bickel over his pro career.

A team has big players, then hopefully they play big or a physical brand. The jolly green giant with no meanness too often was Big Buff in his Chicago days. Oh, he had more hits than fans might have thought he had. Well, when tempers flared he might push or shove but he did not then lay out a mean big check or fight. Not his nature.

Chicago needs someone who will answer the bell when matters get ugly or spirited on the ice. No, I am not in favor of the minor pro candidates but maybe that is just what Bowman provides for this team. At least for a while. Maybe Bowman will eventually move a significant salary. Yet this is no guarantee that trader Stan then goes out and brings in a tough guy who can play a little. Those type aren't growing on trees and easily plucked.

Show me several per year then for Backes.
- carcus

Just look at YouTube. Without looking I can remember garbage moves by Backes on many occasions - kneeing Stajan last year was far more deliberate and egregious than anything Seabrook has ever done (including the hit on Backes).

He is a borderline player just like Dustin Brown - it is indisputable. Your constant denials or weak attempts to compare him to Seabs is just a waste of time. Like I said if you want to make the comp to Keith I will concede it. There is no comp with Seabs - NONE.

He fought Bickell once. At the end of the 13 RS he refused to fight him again. Trash talked Bickell about it not being a fair trade even though Bickell had out scored Wakey Wakey significantly on the season.

Exactly. A player who will make some checks, plays a physical brand of hockey. And who can win often enough against most of the guys who fight. Just so other teams do not take a whole lot of cheap runs at our star players because no one will do the same to their players. No, I am not talking tit for tat. I mean each team needs enough players who agitate and or make "hits" as is recorded in NHL stats each period.

Bollig was the answer as a fourth line player. It would have been better if he could have fared well against the true heavyweights, but I was ok with Bollig. Now that he is gone, there appear players with less ability who by the way will fight sometimes (The minor pro guys like Mashinter, Labrie, Bass). That doesn't make me too happy.

I do not know that it is easy to acquire players who play a rough two way game yet have a descent modicum of ability. Too bad Beach was lacking between the ears. He lost all his fights and besides, not sure part of his problem was never completely resolving the proper balance on his skates issue. Beach really resembled an immature kid who still was at any moment fully capable if taking dumb penalties. Hoped he would mature and would surprise teams because he actually had ability to score and play smart defensively. I saw him think and make sound plays defensively, although I cannot vouch how he did the bulk majority of Rockford games I did not see. Anyway,
no team needs goons who cannot play the game or a fighter if he cannot play the game!

In Chicago there is Bickel, a large player who can hit and I guess is alright as a fighter. But he does not scrap often. Which is no big deal when Bollig was around. But Bickel disappeared for long stretches of play as a non physical combatant and this is not good. A lack of motivation has been a label attached to Mr Bickel over his pro career.

A team has big players, then hopefully they play. The jolly green giant with no meanness too often was Big Buff in his Chicago days. Oh, he had more hits than fans might have thought he had. Well, when tempers flared he might push or shove but he did not then lay out a mean big check or fight. Not his nature.

Chicago needs someone who will answer the bell when matters get ugly or spirited on the ice. No, I am not in favor of the minor pro candidates but maybe that is just what Bowman provides for this team. At least for a while. Maybe Bowman will eventually move a significant salary. Yet this is no guarantee that trader Stan then goes out and brings in a tough guy who can play a little. Those type aren't growing on trees and easily plucked.
- jhawk59

On Buff, he was disinterested in the RS but you did not want to get him angry. That in itself is a deterrent. When he was motivated in the playoffs it was always entertaining watching post whistle how guys avoided him or immediately looked to see where he was.

I'd be happy with a Bollig/Mashinter type as long as Q does not dress him in the playoffs.

Just look at YouTube. Without looking I can remember garbage moves by Backes on many occasions - kneeing Stajan last year was far more deliberate and egregious than anything Seabrook has ever done (including the hit on Backes).

He is a borderline player just like Dustin Brown - it is indisputable. Your constant denials or weak attempts to compare him to Seabs is just a waste of time. Like I said if you want to make the comp to Keith I will concede it. There is no comp with Seabs - NONE.

He fought Bickell once. At the end of the 13 RS he refused to fight him again. Trash talked Bickell about it not being a fair trade even though Bickell had out scored Wakey Wakey significantly on the season.
- tredbrta

That is your answer, look up on YouTube? You said you could show me several per year.

The hit on Stajan was not even close to as bad as Seabrooks. Backes was going for an open ice hit. Stajan tried to side step him at the last second. Backed did not sick out his leg/knee. That was not even close to being intentional.

Seabrook tried to send Backes into the Mezz. Direct head contact. How you don't think that is worse completely baffles me. Even if you hate Backes.

CT ‏@HockeenightsCT 13m
HBO robbed me of the opportunity to see Jay Blunk run into a camera shot, throw a sheet over Patrick Kane and scream "NOTHING TO SEE HERE!"

i got a kick out of this

CT ‏@HockeenightsCT 13m
HBO robbed me of the opportunity to see Jay Blunk run into a camera shot, throw a sheet over Patrick Kane and scream "NOTHING TO SEE HERE!"

i got a kick out of this
- FourFeathers773

Yeah, just saw on Pro Hockey Talk that HBO has cut ties with the NHL for the 24/7 series...which I thought was great for the game providing real insight and behind the scenes stuff and helping promote the "Classic"...and now we won't get to see the Hawks on there...the NHL may go it alone but you can't replace Liev Schrieber's narration...big step back for the league in terms of marketing.

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...247-partnership-with-nhl/

Specious. Backes back down from Bickell. Reaves is not Bickell. Also, Seabs has fought a number of tough guys. Backes jumps player like McKinnon.
- tredbrta

Sorry buddy,but if you give me a choice of either Backes or stiff Bickell on my roster,I 'm taking David Backes hands down. No koolaid aid here! Well this will upset the apple cart.

Rules change: no more spin-a-rama on Penalty Shots or Shootout Attempts.

Rules change: no more spin-a-rama on Penalty Shots or Shootout Attempts.
- StLBravesFan

I'm not surprised. I guess the Flames won't be using Mason Raymond in their shootouts.

Rules change: no more spin-a-rama on Penalty Shots or Shootout Attempts.
- StLBravesFan

A few others that I like:

Face-off stays in offensive zone even if tipped out by a teammate on a shot at the net. Same for a puck that goes out of play after hitting boards/net.

Full ice scrape before OT, with teams switching sides. (makes for longer changes in OT)

A few others that I like:

Face-off stays in offensive zone even if tipped out by a teammate on a shot at the net. Same for a puck that goes out of play after hitting boards/net.

Full ice scrape before OT, with teams switching sides. (makes for longer changes in OT)
- carcus

Yes on both.

Not sure if it's been discussed, but just read that HBO and the NHL have ended relationship.

No 24/7 for this years Winter Classic...at least not the HBO production.

No replacement was mentioned.

A few others that I like:

Face-off stays in offensive zone even if tipped out by a teammate on a shot at the net. Same for a puck that goes out of play after hitting boards/net.

Full ice scrape before OT, with teams switching sides. (makes for longer changes in OT)
- carcus

I may be the only one left, but just bring back the tie. I loathe the NHL OT and shootout rules.

I may be the only one left, but just bring back the tie. I loathe the NHL OT and shootout rules.
- ArlingtonRob

I hate the shootout as well. I'd go with a 10 minute 4-on-4 OT then call it a tie if notbody score. I'd even be fine with 5-on-5 in OT.

Sorry buddy,but if you give me a choice of either Backes or stiff Bickell on my roster,I 'm taking David Backes hands down. No koolaid aid here! Well this will upset the apple cart.
- wonthecup10

I agree...Backes over Bickell by a wide margin.

I hate the shootout as well. I'd go with a 10 minute 4-on-4 OT then call it a tie if notbody score. I'd even be fine with 5-on-5 in OT.
- DarthKane

I realize it's an situation I'll never be happy with...

A 4th period with the same rules would be ideal...a minimum of 10 minutes.

I just loathe the idea that there must be a "winner" for all regular season games, so incorporate as many gimmicks as it takes to increase the chances for a goal.

I realize it's an situation I'll never be happy with...

A 4th period with the same rules would be ideal...a minimum of 10 minutes.

I just loathe the idea that there must be a "winner" for all regular season games, so incorporate as many gimmicks as it takes to increase the chances for a goal.
- ArlingtonRob

The shootout was implement for the fans, but I fear it was implemented for the casual fans and not the die-hards. I wouldn't be surprised if the shootout was dropped eventually.

Show me several per year then for Backes.
- carcus

Backes is not a head hunter, he's more of a "death by a thousand cuts" type of cheap shot artist. Virtually every shift of every game he gives someone an extra little poke/jab/slash. He's a real sonofafemale dog.

The shootout was implement for the fans, but I fear it was implemented for the casual fans and not the die-hards. I wouldn't be surprised if the shootout was dropped eventually.
- DarthKane

I think the SO was implemented for TV - provides a winner for each game with a time-certain slot so the networks can keep to their schedules.

Next TV contract negotiations - I expect some talk of a shoot-south for the play-offs, for the same reason: networks don't like triple over times, especially in a league in which so many games go to OT.

That is your answer, look up on YouTube? You said you could show me several per year.

The hit on Stajan was not even close to as bad as Seabrooks. Backes was going for an open ice hit. Stajan tried to side step him at the last second. Backed did not sick out his leg/knee. That was not even close to being intentional.

Seabrook tried to send Backes into the Mezz. Direct head contact. How you don't think that is worse completely baffles me. Even if you hate Backes.
- carcus

The only reason it was direct head contact is because Backes stumbled at the last moment and had his head down. The intent appeared to be a huge shoulder hit. Not that it matters much, because regardless of intent, the onus is on the hitter to make sure his hits are legal. He deserved the suspension, but I don't think you'll see Seabs make that mistake again any time soon...it's not the way he plays.

I'm fully confident that Backes will continue his douchebag ways this year.

I think the SO was implemented for TV - provides a winner for each game with a time-certain slot so the networks can keep to their schedules.

Next TV contract negotiations - I expect some talk of a shoot-south for the play-offs, for the same reason: networks don't like triple over times, especially in a league in which so many games go to OT.
- StLBravesFan

They go to shootouts in the playoffs...I'm done.

They go to shootouts in the playoffs...I'm done.
- Ogilthorpe2

Bet you're not.

Pissed - but not done.

Bet you're not.

Pissed - but not done.
- StLBravesFan

I'll be done at that point.

I already refuse to watch regular season shootouts. Haven't seen a single one since about November of last year. I gave up Basketball cold turkey, and I'm only about 50% invested in the Bears these days. The NFL is killing that game, and I'm losing interest rapidly. If the NHL gives me a reason like playoff shootouts...I'm gone.

They go to shootouts in the playoffs...I'm done.
- Ogilthorpe2

Along with most of Canada,who by the way sends a lot of $ the leagues way.

Along with most of Canada,who by the way sends a lot of $ the leagues way.
- eagle50

Ogi aside, people female dog and complain and swear off the game - and they come back and hold their noses and after a few years, they don't even have to hold their noses anymore.