Scotty's model which was the Detroit model didn't pay up for the goalies but they changed with Jimmy Howard's new deal....And that hasn't worked out well at all.
- Al

That was before a salary cap, Al. Today's model is much different.

Tarasenko had zip, until 8 minutes left in the 3rd period of an elimination game where they trailed 4-0.

Fabbri, who was tied for the scoring lead on the team in the playoffs was 9th among the forwards in TOI.
- TheTrob

Taresanko was exposed to a point and we now see why he didn't get big boy minutes. Guy is a fine talent but it's gonna take a lot more for him to become elite, starting with playing 3 zones and skating all 30-40 seconds of a shift.

Fabbri, my guy. Taken the very next pick AFTER StanBowPops&Mcd grabbed Schwartz.

Thanks for the response. Always thoughtful and spot on.

I think I am doing a poor job articulating my frustration. Very convenient of me to say in hindsight, but in a "would you rather" universe, I would've rather rolled the dice with Saad locked up long term and foregone AA and parted with another starter of value, be it Crawford or Shaw. This is just one hockey fan's opinion, and definitely one that doesn't have a lifetime of viewing experience. I am very late to the party and admit I could be way off base.

Maybe a different way of saying it is I LOVE Panarin, love his motor, love his upside. Love that he doesn't take fecal matter from people roughing up Kaner or his boys. He has some bigtime Ivan Drago nads downstairs. I am just thinking, "What stopped the Hawks from freeing up $2M/yr over six years to get Saad?" All signs point to them paying Panarin roughly the same coin for certain trades to aspects in their all around game.

All right, back to lurker mode, appreciate all the thoughts!
- phantasmo

Mo, they couldn't free up 400k to keep Oduya!! It's a depth of cap hell no man (franchise) has gone before.

And you know the Hawks have coveted a 2C forever and a day and they had a chance to get one in Anisimov and rid themselves of an even more uncharted depth of cap hell "momentarily".

Honestly, I don't know, Devil. My mind may still be stuck in 2012, but my first reaction is yes, they would need to. Someone? Anyone? Bueller?
- John Jaeckel

They aren't carrying 3 goalies period. The new guy goes to Rockford and they pay him well or Darling will get dealt.

You hit on the reason why the 1-way awhile ago and I agreed....They like him and that was the reason they signed the Euro, they needed to pay him....He wasn't going to play in Rockford for less than $100K .

That was before a salary cap, Al. Today's model is much different.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes it's different that's why I said even Detroit changed when they signed Howard long term for big money.

Who's out?

Playing a guy in a game 7 who hasn't played in two months....
- StLBravesFan

Probably Matt Carle, he played 7 shifts all of game 6

Taresanko was exposed to a point and we now see why he didn't get big boy minutes. Guy is a fine talent but it's gonna take a lot more for him to become elite, starting with playing 3 zones and skating all 30-40 seconds of a shift.

Fabbri, my guy. Taken the very next pick AFTER StanBowPops&Mcd grabbed Schwartz.
- Mr Ricochet

Fabbri would have looked pretty good with 19/81, eh??

They aren't carrying 3 goalies period. The new guy goes to Rockford and they pay him well or Darling will get dealt.

You hit on the reason why the 1-way awhile ago and I agreed....They like him and that was the reason they signed the Euro, they needed to pay him....He wasn't going to play in Rockford for less than $100K .
- Al

That is likely it.

Who said that Elliott was the problem?

He was tired/had something wrong. We had a backup who they could count on starting in the playoffs. He had a good game, and a not so good game. Then they went back to Elliott as the 4 days off was what he needed.

Backes had a very good postseason. He was dealing with something the last few games, there was a reason that he sat out 2/3rds of game 4. Was the first time he really stepped up in the playoffs, nothing bad to say about him this year.
- carcus

I have plenty to say about Wakey Wakey:

He is a classless d-bag. And I hope one day he takes another hit like the one Seabrook gave him, and that's the last we see of him in the NHL.

And for all the whining Blues fans that would not like this statement - just remember - in this life you get what you give.

I have plenty to say about Wakey Wakey:

He is a classless d-bag. And I hope one day he takes another hit like the one Seabrook gave him, and that's the last we see of him in the NHL.

And for all the whining Blues fans that would not like this statement - just remember - in this life you get what you give.
- dahawks8819

His primary contribution on the ice is taking runs at the opposing players with an intent to injure. For that reason, I have no sympathy for the Blues, Hitchcock, or Backes. Let us all hope that Backes signs in the Eastern Conference so he is not running around trying to injure Toews+Co. 5 times a season.

That is likely it.
- John Jaeckel

Euro's that are well thought of are in the catbird seat these days.

Teams up against the cap that are drafting near the bottom of the pile in the 1st round will do what the Hawks have done.

Wirtz has signed off on this strategy of paying up for Euro's or College kids to get them in in the fold. Sometimes it works and other times you pay about $400k more per season for a guy like LeBlanc who will likely never play in the NHL.

Right now it looks like the Penguins want it more....WAKE UP TAMPA

OMG JONATHAN DROUIN IS FRANKING NASTY...UNREAL GOAL

EDIT: VASILEVSKI CHOKE!

OMG JONATHAN DROUIN IS FRANKING NASTY...UNREAL GOAL

EDIT: VASILEVSKI CHOKE!
- EnzoD

the dreaded next shift bad goal....ugh...

cmon bolts...beat these jagbags

the dreaded next shift bad goal....ugh...

cmon bolts...beat these jagbags
- bogiedoc

Hedman saves a goal....Bolts just dont look as desperate as the Pens. I do NOT want to see Crosby get another Cup. Though, I still think Sharks are the team to beat, regardless of who takes Game 7 tonight.

Hedman saves a goal....Bolts just dont look as desperate as the Pens. I do NOT want to see Crosby get another Cup. Though, I still think Sharks are the team to beat, regardless of who takes Game 7 tonight.
- EnzoD

sharks will have their hands full with the speed up tempo play of both these teams...i like the sharks...

sharks will have their hands full with the speed up tempo play of both these teams...i like the sharks...
- bogiedoc

Agreed, but while both Tampa and Pitt have a lot of team speed, Sharks have speed AND size. Also, I think the Sharks have the best group of 6 defensemen in the tournament. If Tampa wins tonight, I have no preference. If the Flying Crosbabys win tonight, I'm buying a Pavelski jersey

Hedman saves a goal....Bolts just dont look as desperate as the Pens. I do NOT want to see Crosby get another Cup. Though, I still think Sharks are the team to beat, regardless of who takes Game 7 tonight.
- EnzoD

If by desperate you mean taking dumb penalties, then yes, they look desperate.

If by desperate you mean taking dumb penalties, then yes, they look desperate.
- dahawks8819

Zebra's are bad again tonight. How does Hedman get a slashing penalty when his stick breaks but not Malkin's?

the dreaded next shift bad goal....ugh...

cmon bolts...beat these jagbags
- bogiedoc

Hey, Bogie - a good enough game 7 for ya?

Zebra's are bad again tonight. How does Hedman get a slashing penalty when his stick breaks but not Malkin's?
- EnzoD

Because Hedman was the one who chopped down on Malkin's stick.

That will be called every time - unless a player does it to a Blackhawk player's stick.

Wow. I see Matt Carle, of the $5.5M AAV contract through 2017-18, is a healthy scratch. That won't help Tampa's pending cap hell.

Wow. I see Matt Carle, of the $5.5M AAV contract through 2017-18, is a healthy scratch. That won't help Tampa's pending cap hell.
- DMChi2010

They will be fine because unless Stamkos signs a friendly deal on Tampa's terms he will be gone.....And they have two really good young goalies and at some point one will be dealt.

Because Hedman was the one who chopped down on Malkin's stick.

That will be called every time - unless a player does it to a Blackhawk player's stick.
- dahawks8819

I just dont like what the slashing standard has become in the NHL. When a guy has 1 hand on his stick and a stick check/chop on the shaft knocks it out of his hands, it shouldn't be a penalty. It was definitely a hack by Hedman, but these twigs snap like nothing. That type of stick check happens every shift and as long as the stick holds up, no call...

Hedman saves a goal....Bolts just dont look as desperate as the Pens. I do NOT want to see Crosby get another Cup. Though, I still think Sharks are the team to beat, regardless of who takes Game 7 tonight.
- EnzoD

I think the Pens are just better... Their puck possession with the speed is phenomenal. They are making Hedman look average...

If the Bolts lose, this is two seasons in a row that the Eastern Conference Stanley Cup Finalist has lost the following year in the conference finals. Could it be that the Bolts are gassed, too? Maybe if they had to play some real teams on the way to the final, then they would have been been exposed more earlier in the playoffs.