Yeah....one thing about Brad Richards is he always has been able to pass the puck.

Comforting he is passing it here at 2 mil a year, no matter what everyone thinks before a league game sees him with Kane.
- wiz1901

Still say Richards was one of the best value signings of the off-season. May not have been the perfect center for Kane but concerning what was available and the cost and the cap situation, it was the best fit that existed imho. The signing just made so much sense on many fronts.

No doubt. However, I believe that the point Saint was trying to make was why dump Bollig in the first place if the enforcer's role is that important?
- EKolb13

I wonder if the enforcer role is important . They only play a few minutes a game and wind up in the press for the playoffs. In today's game it's probably better to have more team toughness. If they could get Bicks to play with more of a mean streak that would help. Shaw and Seabs can play with an edge and if McNeill can make the team that would give the Hawks another tough player who could contribute. They might not have an enforcer.

I wonder if the enforcer role is important . They only play a few minutes a game and wind up in the press for the playoffs. In today's game it's probably better to have more team toughness. If they could get Bicks to play with more of a mean streak that would help. Shaw and Seabs can play with an edge and if McNeill can make the team that would give the Hawks another tough player who could contribute. They might not have an enforcer.
- jhawk159

I agree with your post, except for the point on McNeill. I'm thinking he'll start the season in and will spend the majority of it in Rockford.

Still say Richards was one of the best value signings of the off-season. May not have been the perfect center for Kane but concerning what was available and the cost and the cap situation, it was the best fit that existed imho. The signing just made so much sense on many fronts.
- stljam

I agree the Hawks didn't have to break the bank here so it's very low risk and could be a high reward for the Hawks.

No doubt. However, I believe that the point Saint was trying to make was why dump Bollig in the first place if the enforcer's role is that important?
- EKolb13

I know, and I understand what he's saying but the answer is cap hit. As important as an enforcer may be why pay one $1,250,000 when you can pay one $562,500? Especially when you're already tight against the cap.

I know, and I understand what he's saying but the answer is cap hit. As important as an enforcer may be why pay one $1,250,000 when you can pay one $562,500? Especially when you're already tight against the cap.
- DarthKane

Yep I don't know what the going rate for enforcers are but $1.25 mil is a bit much especially for a team that's close to cap.

Yep I don't know what the going rate for enforcers are but $1.25 mil is a bit much especially for a team that's close to cap.
- jhawk159

Ignoring his cap hit I had no issue with Bollig on the team, I think he played his role very well. But if sacrifices need to be made because of the salary cap the first place I'd look to change is the 4th line enforcer role.

I agree the Hawks didn't have to break the bank here so it's very low risk and could be a high reward for the Hawks.
- jhawk159

The team need vs fit vs available player was very similar for the Blues and Stastny, they just missed the whole value portion, lol. Still was the right player, right situation, etc.

I've always liked Richards. It isn't his fault the Rangers offered him an insane contact. What was he supposed to do? Say no, just pay me $29 million, not $58.5 million or whatever it was.

Is anyone concerned that after one practice, and one hit, Teravainen has now missed 4 days of practice / games?

Not about this specific injury, but how injury-prone he might be in a hard-hitting major league.

If one hit in the first practice can do that....

The team need vs fit vs available player was very similar for the Blues and Stastny, they just missed the whole value portion, lol. Still was the right player, right situation, etc.

I've always liked Richards. It isn't his fault the Rangers offered him an insane contact. What was he supposed to do? Say no, just pay me $29 million, not $58.5 million or whatever it was.
- stljam

I would bet to venture that if you got rid of agents the salaries would not be as high as they are now.

Then the Keith pass to Richards was platinum.
- StLBravesFan

Could have been disastrous....semi-blind, behind the back into your own slot ?

It worked, but not something i want to see become a habit.

If they're going to skate Mashinter, why not keep Bollig for only a few hundred thousand more?
- StLBravesFan

Every dollar counts, especially now, and Bollig's effectiveness had waned badly.

The staff hasn't had much time to zero in on anything. Perhaps it's a bit unfair to comment on the PP so soon. But the main reason I anticipate seeing how it develops so much is the combination of Richards and Dineen and the impact some new blood and ideas might bring to what I think has become a stale approach. Richards doesn't have to be the most mobile guy on the ice. Just a guy who can play give and go. I believe he is capable, but I think his conditioning still is a work in progress.
- 6628

Keith deflected a post game question from a reporter re: special teams, saying they hadn't had a chance to work on them much yet.

Richards' vision and distribution ability, i feel, is really going to help create some better shooting angles for our pp. In addition, he's got a pretty good clapper himself. I'm very optimistic that Dineen and Richards will upgrade the pp unit big time.

Could have been disastrous....semi-blind, behind the back into your own slot ?
It worked, but not something i want to see become a habit.
- philco28

Thought that when I saw it live - on the replay, it didn't look so blind: Keith looked right at Richards before the pass, knew he was there, and even if he wasn't looking at him at the time of the pass, I think he knew the "coast was clear" for the pass.

Is anyone concerned that after one practice, and one hit, Teravainen has now missed 4 days of practice / games?

Not about this specific injury, but how injury-prone he might be in a hard-hitting major league.

If one hit in the first practice can do that....
- StLBravesFan

TT is going to have to become more Kanesque in his ability to avoid tough hits. That will be a process which could mean a few injuries before he masters the smaller ice surface.

Thought that when I saw it live - on the replay, it didn't look so blind: Keith looked right at Richards before the pass, knew he was there, and even if he wasn't looking at him at the time of the pass, I think he knew the "coast was clear" for the pass.
- StLBravesFan

If Keith saw him, he must have super hero vision. I've watched the replay a half dozen times and still can't see how Duncs had a sight line to Richards.

Is anyone concerned that after one practice, and one hit, Teravainen has now missed 4 days of practice / games?

Not about this specific injury, but how injury-prone he might be in a hard-hitting major league.

If one hit in the first practice can do that....
- StLBravesFan

I'm sure the team is just being super careful with TT, just look at all the injuries that are happening this pre-season across the league.

If Keith saw him, he must have super hero vision. I've watched the replay a half dozen times and still can't see how Duncs had a sight line to Richards.
- philco28

I don't know if Keith saw him or not but Richards just seems to know where to go on the ice. God what a difference from Zus.

Is anyone concerned that after one practice, and one hit, Teravainen has now missed 4 days of practice / games?

Not about this specific injury, but how injury-prone he might be in a hard-hitting major league.

If one hit in the first practice can do that....
- StLBravesFan

Yes, I'm concerned. Let's offer TT and Leddy to Tallon for Barkov.

Is anyone concerned that after one practice, and one hit, Teravainen has now missed 4 days of practice / games?

Not about this specific injury, but how injury-prone he might be in a hard-hitting major league.

If one hit in the first practice can do that....
- StLBravesFan

If Keith saw him, he must have super hero vision. I've watched the replay a half dozen times and still can't see how Duncs had a sight line to Richards.
- philco28

Set play and he saw Richards moving into that position before he got the puck while making sure no opponent was in the vicinity is my guess. A high risk play regardless.

New blog is up

Mashinter has a good right. That's for sure. However, he's a little chaotic and swings wildly when he's throwing down with someone. He's not the typical pugilist type. He isn't out there looking for a dance partner most of the time. He's usually in a fight because he's sticking up for someone.
- EKolb13

I can live with that. In contrast, the staged stuff is horrible.