I have been told by a somewhat decent source that Toews was not dealing with any significant injury.

What he has been dealing with has been about 50 percent line mates, and 50 percent frustration with the NHL game - specifically with officiating.

I mentioned this to someone in the Hawk organization - and was told I was on the right track.....

There is a growing dissatisfaction among a LOT of NHL players with how the game is being policed. It goes along the line of a penalty being called is more and more being seen as a potential reward to the team getting the power play than a punishment for the team guilty of the infraction. With fewer and fewer penalties being called, and players getting bigger, more injuries are being incurred - and some are intentional. The passion for playing this game at the level players want to play it at is being drowned out by the constant looking over the shoulder for the cheap shot - which many time is being ignored - especially in the 20 foot box around the net.

I can tell you one thing - when they came out of the lockout in 2013, most skilled players were THRILLED with all the calls being made in regards to obstruction. They believed the higher ups in the league office were finally understanding how the game should be played, but now are very frustrated with the eight steps back that have been taken since then.

In Toews case, he knows how the game should be played, but over the past few years, it has become too much of a nightly fight with all the crap play becoming the norm - and it is wearing on him.
- dahawks8819

Somebody should introduce Toews to Colin Campbell and he will quickly understand why the league has gone where it has. As a player with extremely limited talent, most seasons he had 150+ minutes in penalty minutes because he couldn't keep up playing against high skill opponents. So he then takes his on ice garage league mentality to the Head Office in NY.

Campbell has been working daily in the NHL office for 15 years with severe post concussion syndrome and it really shows.

I have been told by a somewhat decent source that Toews was not dealing with any significant injury.

What he has been dealing with has been about 50 percent line mates, and 50 percent frustration with the NHL game - specifically with officiating.

I mentioned this to someone in the Hawk organization - and was told I was on the right track.....

There is a growing dissatisfaction among a LOT of NHL players with how the game is being policed. It goes along the line of a penalty being called is more and more being seen as a potential reward to the team getting the power play than a punishment for the team guilty of the infraction. With fewer and fewer penalties being called, and players getting bigger, more injuries are being incurred - and some are intentional. The passion for playing this game at the level players want to play it at is being drowned out by the constant looking over the shoulder for the cheap shot - which many time is being ignored - especially in the 20 foot box around the net.

I can tell you one thing - when they came out of the lockout in 2013, most skilled players were THRILLED with all the calls being made in regards to obstruction. They believed the higher ups in the league office were finally understanding how the game should be played, but now are very frustrated with the eight steps back that have been taken since then.

In Toews case, he knows how the game should be played, but over the past few years, it has become too much of a nightly fight with all the crap play becoming the norm - and it is wearing on him.
- dahawks8819

Don't know about Toews' case, but before the lost season of 2004-05, power play opportunities would average between 4.0-4.5 per team per game.

The two years after the lost season, they jumped to 5.85 and 4.85.

The PPOs have dropped steadily from then to this year's 3.11 per game.

Since these numbers are certainly known to the league powers, and I doubt that players have become more "law abiding" over the years, it would appear that the powers of the league agree with the increasingly permissive policy, and probably encourages it.

I have been told by a somewhat decent source that Toews was not dealing with any significant injury.

What he has been dealing with has been about 50 percent line mates, and 50 percent frustration with the NHL game - specifically with officiating.

I mentioned this to someone in the Hawk organization - and was told I was on the right track.....

There is a growing dissatisfaction among a LOT of NHL players with how the game is being policed. It goes along the line of a penalty being called is more and more being seen as a potential reward to the team getting the power play than a punishment for the team guilty of the infraction. With fewer and fewer penalties being called, and players getting bigger, more injuries are being incurred - and some are intentional. The passion for playing this game at the level players want to play it at is being drowned out by the constant looking over the shoulder for the cheap shot - which many time is being ignored - especially in the 20 foot box around the net.

I can tell you one thing - when they came out of the lockout in 2013, most skilled players were THRILLED with all the calls being made in regards to obstruction. They believed the higher ups in the league office were finally understanding how the game should be played, but now are very frustrated with the eight steps back that have been taken since then.

In Toews case, he knows how the game should be played, but over the past few years, it has become too much of a nightly fight with all the crap play becoming the norm - and it is wearing on him.
- dahawks8819

Only hitting the surface of the real problem......?

I'd be happy if Panik ended up being on Versteeg's level (but just a different style).
- DarthKane

That's where I am at also, good solid find for 3rd line, Man I hope you guys are right about Vesey, that would be like gettin our 1st round pick this summer.

Only hitting the surface of the real problem......?
- powerenforcer

My answer and probably the wrong one is two fold A) big turn over in on ice officiating the last couple of years and B) wellll then Stan Bowman has to go out and find the next Al Secord either by draft or trade to play with Toews. He already has a couple of concussion issues and they seem to target him ,instead of Bowman screaming from his suite " hey guys play nice", he should be looking for that type of fit. Other teams do it. I wouldn't be surprised if back room talking hasn't been going on and they are telling the refs, Let the boys settle it out there. With respect to the concussion issue ,I don't have the answers. Fans are probably throwing it out to the league, " come on its still hockey" let em play. you got me, all I can say is how do you go from almost 90 points to almost 60 ? Well Saad gone is one answer, being replaced with beer leaguers. On another note ,come on SJ, nice to see a new team win 1, especially at the hands of the little whiner!

This constant kicking out of guys who perform on the biggest level for a guy who has never set skate on NHL ice has got to end.................................

This board female doged about a 2C for 7 years, basically got one and that line was the most dangerous line in all of the NHL, now after that 1 successful year, get rid of him for a guy who's never played in the league.

Panarin's don't grow on trees, he was/is an anomaly, be careful what you wish for, and try to remember how many posts there were about a 2C
- vabeachbear

Is he better then shaw who might need a 3 ml contract instead of 4.55? He put up OK numbers but they are pretty much inline with his career Avg's and he was playing with 2 of the top 10 wings in the league. I think just about any center that can skate and is willing to go in front of the net would have put up 40 pts in his highest TOI. This team has cap issues so you need to move money and return something. If you are going to play Pan and Kane together then you need a guy that is solid , can skate and is willing to get in front of the net and win FO's. And you need him to make next to nothing when you factor in that line will be making 17mil on the wings next year. If this season you put danult on that line do you think he puts up 40 pts making 1 mil per season? Probably close. I like AA other then he is bad at the Dot but I like him more at 3.3 then 4.55. Is he over paid at 40pts and 4.55? he is for sure not underpaid considering who he got paired with. We also have lots of guys that have NMC so if we make a move that would probably need to be factored in. I'm not saying he is the one to get moved but if Ship who is the same age and would come in for 1 mil less and it allows you to move Hossa to the 3rd line and kane to the 1st you might want to take a look at it.

Just like people say that panic is not a 1LW and I agree he is not, but if you put him with Teows and Kane and can get him signed for 3-4 years at 1.25 how many goals do you think he is going to get avg per year? 20 5x5 goals for a 1LW is solid. And what do solid 1LW make on AVG at 26-27? not 1.25? more like 5.5.

Is he better then shaw who might need a 3 ml contract instead of 4.55? He put up OK numbers but they are pretty much inline with his career Avg's and he was playing with 2 of the top 10 wings in the league. I think just about any center that can skate and is willing to go in front of the net would have put up 40 pts in his highest TOI. This team has cap issues so you need to move money and return something. If you are going to play Pan and Kane together then you need a guy that is solid , can skate and is willing to get in front of the net and win FO's. And you need him to make next to nothing when you factor in that line will be making 17mil on the wings next year. If this season you put danult on that line do you think he puts up 40 pts making 1 mil per season? Probably close. I like AA other then he is bad at the Dot but I like him more at 3.3 then 4.55. Is he over paid at 40pts and 4.55? he is for sure not underpaid considering who he got paired with. We also have lots of guys that have NMC so if we make a move that would probably need to be factored in. I'm not saying he is the one to get moved but if Ship who is the same age and would come in for 1 mil less and it allows you to move Hossa to the 3rd line and kane to the 1st you might want to take a look at it.

Just like people say that panic is not a 1LW and I agree he is not, but if you put him with Teows and Kane and can get him signed for 3-4 years at 1.25 how many goals do you think he is going to get avg per year? 20 5x5 goals for a 1LW is solid. And what do solid 1LW make on AVG at 26-27? not 1.25? more like 5.5.
- kmw4631

We'll just agree to disagree. You could be right, I'll just say that I've never seen Ship play, so I'm probably at a disadvantage in this debate.

No one on the Hawks is looking for sympathy.

But there was a mental wear on the core of this team - and Toews was feeling the worst of it. And from what was said - he would have felt it if he was paid 11 million or 1 dollar.

Also, there was some difference of opinion on how little practice time they had last year. While there was a unified belief they needed rests to be ready for April and May, there was concern that so many new faces needed practice time to better integrate with the core here.

It was left up to the coaches, but near the end of the regular season, there were internal rumblings that this team would not gel without more practice - and the ones saying it were proven right.
- dahawks8819

I was told that at last year's convention several veterans (Toews specifically, Hossa, a couple of others) were just worn out, first from lots of hockey, then all the post-season and team summer crap (like the convention). They wanted to go home and rest.

Somebody should introduce Toews to Colin Campbell and he will quickly understand why the league has gone where it has. As a player with extremely limited talent, most seasons he had 150+ minutes in penalty minutes because he couldn't keep up playing against high skill opponents. So he then takes his on ice garage league mentality to the Head Office in NY.

Campbell has been working daily in the NHL office for 15 years with severe post concussion syndrome and it really shows.
- RickJ

^^^^^^

Maybe the poster boy for the Crony-ism that cripples the NHL front office.

Aragon and Riv are great venues....just different flavors of music!!!!!
- phantasmo

The Aragon blows. Worst venue in the city. By far.

^^^^^^

Maybe the poster boy for the Crony-ism that cripples the NHL front office.
- John Jaeckel

1000% true.

https://www.reddit.com/r/..._nhl_offers_receiving_a/?

No idea if this is correct but it says SKA has agreed to pay him $3mil us. A raise from 1.8 mil US.

http://www.iihfworlds2016.../news/russias-best-no-87/

another ship article with a lot of Panarin quotes.



BSNAvalanche
‏@BSNAvalanche
With Roman Lyubimov officially leaving for the NHL, don't be surprised to see a package deal with Radulov #Avs

While there was a unified belief they needed rests to be ready for April and May, there was concern that so many new faces needed practice time to better integrate with the core here.

It was left up to the coaches, but near the end of the regular season, there were internal rumblings that this team would not gel without more practice - and the ones saying it were proven right.
- dahawks8819

Like I said, if true....I dont see 19 being much of an excuse or whiner type of guy.

The above is in alignment with where a common sense appraisal of the root cause of the issues surrounding last year's outcome would point any observer.

The FO brought in good personnel to fill holes on the offensive side of the puck, and it was apparent to me anyway that many of these guys just seemed lost and without chemistry. Add to that the comments from Toews in the season wrap up interviews (which were edited out of the clips that remain on the team website) pointing to a lack of chemistry and the room not being welcoming to the new additions, and I think you have the homework identified for the leadership and the coaching staff to do for next season.

https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/4m06mu/vadim_shipachyov_refused_nhl_offers_receiving_a/?

No idea if this is correct but it says SKA has agreed to pay him $3mil us. A raise from 1.8 mil US.

http://www.iihfworlds2016.../news/russias-best-no-87/

another ship article with a lot of Panarin quotes.



BSNAvalanche
‏@BSNAvalanche
With Roman Lyubimov officially leaving for the NHL, don't be surprised to see a package deal with Radulov #Avs
- kmw4631

If $3MM and up is the benchmark for Ship now, and Ship is money driven, the Hawks are probably now priced out of the market for his services.

Ladd comments are interesting....does that mean there are talks going on to keep him?

Interesting summer for sure.

This constant kicking out of guys who perform on the biggest level for a guy who has never set skate on NHL ice has got to end.................................

This board female doged about a 2C for 7 years, basically got one and that line was the most dangerous line in all of the NHL, now after that 1 successful year, get rid of him for a guy who's never played in the league.

Panarin's don't grow on trees, he was/is an anomaly, be careful what you wish for, and try to remember how many posts there were about a 2C
- vabeachbear

Behind on the blog.. We want to move AA for who? Yes we lost Saad, but AA was a much needed commodity. A big C who could help take some of the load off of 19. I like AA. The guy just works hard. Who prolly wont put up big numbers, but all of the little things he does pay off. Kane had a career year playing with AA. 72 helped with that too, AA does all the dirty work to open the ice up for 88/72.

Keep hearing about some Shypanov (sp?) kid.

Cindy Crosbaby and Patrick Kane have been playing with bottom 6 NHLers on their lines for the last 5 years. If 19 didnt want to have 3rd liners on his LW, then he shouldnt have asked for 15% of the salary cap on his contract. Toews needs to elevate his game and make his linemates better like Crosby+Kane have done for years. Don't count on a legitimate Top 6 LW coming via trade. Don't get me wrong, I think it SHOULD be done and I have my fingers crossed....I'm just not expecting it.
- EnzoD

Would you trade Toews for Crosby straight up? That is basically what you are asking. Higher point totals, with maybe a slight drop off on defensive ability. Toews has more game winners, a better shooting percentage, and a much better face off percentage than Crosby for their careers.

Why hockey will never come close to the other sports in broad appeal and hence revenue growth.

1. Watching guys chase and bang for a 3 inch piece of black rubber that is hard to track.
2. Rules to complicated and nuanced. Confusion on what actually is a penalty and why.
3. Tactically a difficult game to understand in real time. Can't see the whole ice.
4. Still has a the "goon" perception: no sport suspends its players as much as the NHL.
5. Best players only play 25-30% of a game.
6. Season way to long!! 2 plus months of playoffs ending in June after 82 games is absurd.
7. Team recognition is poor: TB Lightening, Columbus Bluejackets, San Jose Sharks...people just don't care.
8. Identified as a canadian winter sport and one you can't just go out and play in your backyard or the park.

These are a few of the criticisms I have heard from non fans and casual fans over the years.
- bogiedoc

Plus $$ to play. Wonder if people can't begin to identify the skill nor appreciate the game if they can't afford to play it and experience it themselves.

The Aragon blows. Worst venue in the city. By far.
- Jocelyn26

My first concert, Stevie Ray Vaughan with Eddie Clearwater as the opener was there, so I have fond memories. Me and my 16 year old bud were probably the only ones not smoking weed, but after three hours of second hand smoke, we probably had our fill.

Really liked the shows I saw at the Metro, although it's been awhile.

Adrian Dater ‏@adater 35m35 minutes ago
Couple NHL sources telling me Vegas is done deal for '17-18, with formal approval by BOG this month

Adrian Dater ‏@adater 35m35 minutes ago
Couple NHL sources telling me Vegas is done deal for '17-18, with formal approval by BOG this month
- DarthKane

There goes the neighborhood. Officials pants better not have pockets!

I was just checking the stats of the previous season. We all know how great of season Kane had, and I am not trying to take anything away from him - but he took 287 shots!!! That is a 100 more shots then the next most on the team - Panarin's 187. I see people complaining about Toews and how his points were down, but he took "only" 179 shots. Kane scored at a 16% shot percentage, and Toews as at 15.60%. So if Tazer matched the shot output of Kane at the same percentage he was at, he would have scored 44 goals.

Maybe Toews just needs to shot more - than people won't complain how over paid he is. An actual 1LW would be nice too.

Aivis Kalniņš
‏@A_Kalnins
#BREAKING Vadim Shipachov will not play the #NHL this season. Has agreed to stay with SKA due to a a pay raise from 1.73 to 2.53mil

Adrian Dater ‏@adater 35m35 minutes ago
Couple NHL sources telling me Vegas is done deal for '17-18, with formal approval by BOG this month
- DarthKane

Hmmm.... no mention of Quebec.

Only one team added for 2017-18? Other teams lose only one player max.

If a second team comes later, then two expansion drafts?

I have been told by a somewhat decent source that Toews was not dealing with any significant injury.

What he has been dealing with has been about 50 percent line mates, and 50 percent frustration with the NHL game - specifically with officiating.

I mentioned this to someone in the Hawk organization - and was told I was on the right track.....

There is a growing dissatisfaction among a LOT of NHL players with how the game is being policed. It goes along the line of a penalty being called is more and more being seen as a potential reward to the team getting the power play than a punishment for the team guilty of the infraction. With fewer and fewer penalties being called, and players getting bigger, more injuries are being incurred - and some are intentional. The passion for playing this game at the level players want to play it at is being drowned out by the constant looking over the shoulder for the cheap shot - which many time is being ignored - especially in the 20 foot box around the net.

I can tell you one thing - when they came out of the lockout in 2013, most skilled players were THRILLED with all the calls being made in regards to obstruction. They believed the higher ups in the league office were finally understanding how the game should be played, but now are very frustrated with the eight steps back that have been taken since then.

In Toews case, he knows how the game should be played, but over the past few years, it has become too much of a nightly fight with all the crap play becoming the norm - and it is wearing on him.
- dahawks8819

This to me makes a lot more sense than injury. Toews looked frustrated all year and it boiled over at times. Maybe not an injury but repeated cross checks, hits from behind, and constant clutching and grabbing will wear you out and make your legs feel twices as heavy in a hurry.

Hmmm.... no mention of Quebec.

Only one team added for 2017-18? Other teams lose only one player max.

If a second team comes later, then two expansion drafts?
- Return of the Roar

Wouldn't be the first time there was an expansion draft in consecutive years:

91 - Expansion draft for San Jose Sharks
92 - Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning
93 - Florida Panthers and Mighty Ducks of Anaheim

98 - Nashville Predators
99 - Atlanta Thrashers
00 - Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild