My prediction for tonights game.

Hawks 5 Kings 1

1st goal by the hawks will be a 2 on 1 against Muzzin produced by a Doughty turn over at the offensive blue line.

2nd and 3rd goals will come on the power play: 1 from stoll hooking the other will be doughty for tripping.

4th goal will be caused by quick playing the puck out of the net.

The kings will then get their meaningless 1st goal of the game from Gaborik which will be a rebound from a low shot by dustin brown.

5th goal from the hawks will be another 2 on 1 produced by superior foot speed.


There you go. you guys don't even need to watch the game.
- MikeOxbyg

Those are very specific predictions. Why so negative? Have you met Rob yet?

Lots more Dmen will be available if a team wants to pay enough of a price (which Stanbo won't).

Colaiacovo
Leopold
Prosser
Bryan Allen
Sekera
- RickJ

Colaiacovo getting moved would shock me. He cant stick anywhere anymore. Id be surprised if he is given an NHL contract this summer

Those are very specific predictions. Why so negative? Have you met Rob yet?
- Ogilthorpe2

I have not met Rob. . . is he a borderline pessimist/realist like me?

The predictions are not rocket science.

Here's what we know to be true in life:

Death
Taxes
The sky is blue
The hawks have foot speed, mental speed and toughness
Stoll takes dumb penalties
Doughty turns the puck over making unnecessary spin moves at the blue line
and Quick coughs it up behind the net.

Lots more Dmen will be available if a team wants to pay enough of a price (which Stanbo won't).

Colaiacovo
Leopold
Prosser
Bryan Allen
Sekera
- RickJ

I've been talking about Sekera for awhile now. Low cap hit ($2.75 I think) and would be a rental as he is an UFA after this year. He works the PP and PK. Takes on the top line all the time. Adding him to the third line, or pair him with Hammer and have Oduya pair with Rozi, would solidify the defense. He's 6'0", 200 pounds. So while not HUGE, he's still bigger than Oduya who is in the high 180s in weight.

I have not met Rob. . . is he a borderline pessimist/realist like me?

The predictions are not rocket science.

Here's what we know to be true in life:

Death
Taxes
The sky is blue
The hawks have foot speed, mental speed and toughness
Stoll takes dumb penalties
Doughty turns the puck over making unnecessary spin moves at the blue line
and Quick coughs it up behind the net.
- MikeOxbyg

I wouldn't complain too much about Doughty, I think he's the best all round defenseman in the NHL.

I wouldn't complain too much about Doughty, I think he's the best all round defenseman in the NHL.
- paulr

so straight up trade for Kieth?

I've been talking about Sekera for awhile now. Low cap hit ($2.75 I think) and would be a rental as he is an UFA after this year. He works the PP and PK. Takes on the top line all the time. Adding him to the third line, or pair him with Hammer and have Oduya pair with Rozi, would solidify the defense. He's 6'0", 200 pounds. So while not HUGE, he's still bigger than Oduya who is in the high 180s in weight.
- MNHawk

Hoss is probably working hard on it right now with Stanbo. Sekera can live at his place for free in the playoffs as long as he makes the Slovakian Garlic Soup and Fried Cheese.

so straight up trade for Kieth?
- MikeOxbyg

If I were the Hawk GM I'd do it in a heartbeat and I like Keith allot. One thing you don't see is Keith has his share of giveaways. It's bound to happen when guys are playing the minutes these guys do.

Your team is fine. Their Stanley cup hangover combined with the Voynov and Richards problems are the likely cause of their current problems.

so straight up trade for Kieth?
- MikeOxbyg

Where Can I sign? As much as everyone here likes keith, Doughty is on the better side of thirty, is a phenomenal defensemen, and can still get better; only problem is cap hit.

so straight up trade for Kieth?
- MikeOxbyg

If Keith is a slightly lesser d man his cap hit and term make up for it.

so straight up trade for Kieth?
- MikeOxbyg

Why? So Keith can tomahawk slash Toews or Kane in the face in the playoffs?

As long as he says sorry it'll be ok though

Where Can I sign? As much as everyone here likes keith, Doughty is on the better side of thirty, is a phenomenal defensemen, and can still get better; only problem is cap hit.
- the_dough_boy

I really want Colin Miller and Ebert to come up. I think I am more excited about what we have in the pipline

I really want Colin Miller and Ebert to come up. I think I am more excited about what we have in the pipline
- MikeOxbyg

So you want your Stanley Cup Champions and still contending team to rebuild??? I'm sure you'll find some company here.

I really want Colin Miller and Ebert to come up. I think I am more excited about what we have in the pipline
- MikeOxbyg

Excited because they MIGHT one day end up as good as Doughty? Haha.

I know its fair to get excited about young guys' futures with teams and everything, but seriously, theres no guarantee with prospects ever. Doughty is a damn good defenseman, and the hope is that one day the prospects are as good as him, if not better, but likely will end up worse. Doughty is a special talent

So you want your Stanley Cup Champions and still contending team to rebuild??? I'm sure you'll find some company here.
- paulr

You know he fits in here with some
#tradethehawksbestguysforpucks

You know he fits in here with some
#tradethehawksbestguysforpucks
- Cup-Bearer

Used pucks!

Is it January or February when the Kings start their annual ascent in solid team play, start winning enough games to give them confidence going into the playoffs, then go on a run??

We all know its coming right? Or is it just me thinking this?
- BlazinMike

past performance is not indicative of future results...that goes for sports to

just because they does not mean they will....

Used pucks!
- paulr

Speaking of hot properties, I would not be suprised if Stan is getting calls on Leighton at Rockford. You would think there are a few teams cough cough Columbus that could use him.

Excited because they MIGHT one day end up as good as Doughty? Haha.

I know its fair to get excited about young guys' futures with teams and everything, but seriously, theres no guarantee with prospects ever. Doughty is a damn good defenseman, and the hope is that one day the prospects are as good as him, if not better, but likely will end up worse. Doughty is a special talent
- BlazinMike

Miller posted a 105.5 mph slapper at the skills comp. and then turned a 13.808 in the skating comp.

so do I think that could replace Voynov better than Mcnab (who I love his hitting) or even close the trun-style of Mcbain and Schultz? yeah, not rebuilding just a better solution.

next year we have to decide on stoll or williams. with all the signings coming up I think Shore and Weal should get a crack at the line up and not cost us a bunch of money

Darryl had a habit of burning teams out in the worst way. Maybe that finally happened.


Really....What team? The Flames who overachieved when they did well?

The exact opposite has been true in LA....Great coach like Babcock in not putting too much emphases on the regular season.

You might want to check their injuries and other issues that have depleted the Kings this year....To blame a coach for burnout after winning 2 Cups in 3 years doesn't make much sense.
- Al

Hawks, Sharks - and I listed other stuff like injuries and indefinite suspensions and goaltending or players just having an off year at the same time.

I'm not saying he isn't a good coach but he doesn't play an easy system either, he doesn't strike me as one to tolerate mistakes (even more so than Q) and I don't buy that he doesn't demand 100% night in and night out even during the regular season. It isn't unfathomable to think that maybe the message isn't ringing in as clear. Maybe is the opposite of a definitive statement.

He has won two Cups and done well where he has coached and not dissimilar to Q, was finally able to win with a very very deep team after coming close but not getting over the hump. And my understanding is that he is hard on his players as he played the game very hard himself. Which isn't a bad thing but when not winning that can compound things especially with this generation of athletes.

Kiprusoff is in the top ten (tied for 5th) for the save % (single season) he put up the year the flames went to the Cup. Which was probably helpful.

Babcock has finished 1st in 5 of his 9 seasons and 2nd in another and has dropped in the standings as his core has aged \ retired. Was really taking his foot off the gas when he had a full compliment of NHL players...

Hawks, Sharks - and I listed other stuff like injuries and indefinite suspensions and goaltending or players just having an off year at the same time.

I'm not saying he isn't a good coach but he doesn't play an easy system either, he doesn't strike me as one to tolerate mistakes (even more so than Q) and I don't buy that he doesn't demand 100% night in and night out even during the regular season. It isn't unfathomable to think that maybe the message isn't ringing in as clear. Maybe is the opposite of a definitive statement.

He has won two Cups and done well where he has coached and not dissimilar to Q, was finally able to win with a very very deep team after coming close but not getting over the hump. And my understanding is that he is hard on his players as he played the game very hard himself. Which isn't a bad thing but when not winning that can compound things especially with this generation of athletes.

Kiprusoff is in the top ten (tied for 5th) for the save % (single season) he put up the year the flames went to the Cup. Which was probably helpful.

Babcock has finished 1st in 5 of his 9 seasons and 2nd in another and has dropped in the standings as his core has aged \ retired. Was really taking his foot off the gas when he had a full compliment of NHL players...
- fattybeef

As for Babcock you coach the hand that is dealt....As for the Sharks...No wins there in the playoffs.

As far Sutter the stuff about message growing old is a stale theme as most coaches don't last more than 5 years as they are easier to change than players on huge long term contracts.

2 Cups in 3 years should cause anyone thinking like u to pause....And if you think he drives his core hard don't even think to look at a comparison of ice time to the big guys here....


As far as systems no need to over analyze...Simply put the team that forechecks the best and who has the best bottom 6 forwards wins the Cup more times than not.

Of all the teams in any sport the Kings were set to have an off year considering their past performance of the past 3 seasons.

If I were the Hawk GM I'd do it in a heartbeat and I like Keith allot. One thing you don't see is Keith has his share of giveaways. It's bound to happen when guys are playing the minutes these guys do.

Your team is fine. Their Stanley cup hangover combined with the Voynov and Richards problems are the likely cause of their current problems.
- paulr

It's bound to happen when guys are playing the minutes these guys do.

That point is almost always missed....

Hoss is probably working hard on it right now with Stanbo. Sekera can live at his place for free in the playoffs as long as he makes the Slovakian Garlic Soup and Fried Cheese.
- RickJ

Get it done Hoss!

What would you guys think of targeting Andrej Meszaros from BUF for the third pair?

cap hit currently at 4.125 mil and Im sure its not a huge deal for BUF to retain salary if they could move him for another pick/prospect

He definitely wouldnt be that expensive to obtain IMO
- FourFeathers773

YES,

If they took salary back, but that's a lot of salary, and raises some questions over who you send and why. Also no argument on the other Slovak d-man Sekera.

I wouldn't complain too much about Doughty, I think he's the best all round defenseman in the NHL.
- paulr

No argument here, wait, maybe after Suter, but . . .