I think he starts game 1 with the big club.
- DarthKane

Yep, think he brings enough to fill some needs. Seems to be getting more comfortable. Other spots are still wide open in my view.

Nice that they put a quartet ove the goal-line - nice the the Kane-Panarin connection scored - nice that #s 2 and 3 were with two of the kids at the net - nice that Motte finished on the breakaway - nice that the kids - Kempny, Forsling, Motte and Rasmussen got points.

Dominant performance, helped by lots of power play time - wish they could have converted in 3 minutes of 2-man advantage.

Darling - two excellent performances in a row - good defense holding the Blues to only 30 SAT (vs. 68 for Chicago) and 18 SOG (vs. 38).

Nice that they put a quartet ove the goal-line - nice the the Kane-Panarin connection scored - nice that #s 2 and 3 were with two of the kids at the net - nice that Motte finished on the breakaway - nice that the kids - Kempny, Forsling, Motte and Rasmussen got points.

Dominant performance, helped by lots of power play time - wish they could have converted in 3 minutes of 2-man advantage.

Darling - two excellent performances in a row - good defense holding the Blues to only 30 SAT (vs. 68 for Chicago) and 18 SOG (vs. 38).
- StLBravesFan

Those 4 continue to look pretty solid

Have to see it again, but didn't see anything terribly egregious...maybe shoulder, but StL player's head did appear down.

There were a lot of late hits, elbows, slashes & cross-checks....the usual Hitchcock stuff.
- grinder10

Yeah - I have little problem with the major - both of Hjalmarsson's skates were off the ice - but the late hits, especially, should have been called - Schmaltz got hit big seconds after a whistle.

Nice that they put a quartet ove the goal-line - nice the the Kane-Panarin connection scored - nice that #s 2 and 3 were with two of the kids at the net - nice that Motte finished on the breakaway - nice that the kids - Kempny, Forsling, Motte and Rasmussen got points.

Dominant performance, helped by lots of power play time - wish they could have converted in 3 minutes of 2-man advantage.

Darling - two excellent performances in a row - good defense holding the Blues to only 30 SAT (vs. 68 for Chicago) and 18 SOG (vs. 38).
- StLBravesFan

While watching the 5 on 3s, I was thinking the key guy they were missing there was Toews. He is great at the back door assist or goal.

Looks like Motte wants a job
- grinder10

I'd say kid's got grit!

Those 4 continue to look pretty solid
- grinder10

It will be interesting to see how the Forsling situation unfolds.

Yeah - I have little problem with the major - both of Hjalmarsson's skates were off the ice - but the late hits, especially, should have been called - Schmaltz got hit big seconds after a whistle.
- StLBravesFan

He did, and punched twice in a row, and elbowed (high) along the boards. Officiating is probably going to have me throwing things at the TV again.

Not sure exactly what Hartman's major was for either. Hammer's didn't look like a penalty from what I saw

Hjalmarsson didn't launch and Rattie's head was down.

BS major penalty...and marginal call.
- ArlingtonRob

Not sure how Foley and Eddie were even debating the launching thing.

Technically it wasn't a major i don't think at least based on what i thought i heard.

I thought they said it was a match penalty which would make sense in a way as there is no major option for checking to the head according to the rule books but you can assess a match penalty for it if there is intent to injure in the ref's mind. Of course, the match is like a major only it also carries an automatic suspension until commissioner review.

It will be interesting to see how the Forsling situation unfolds.
- DarthKane

Forsling's skating (though smoother) reminds me of Hammer's. Posture looks eerily similar. The kid can play and actually looks a bit bigger than the reported 5'11

Forsling's skating (though smoother) reminds me of Hammer's. Posture looks eerily similar. The kid can play and actually looks a bit bigger than the reported 5'11
- grinder10

The guy that should be worried is TvR. If Forsling is good enough to play on the 3rd pairing next season TvR could be a trade chip to acquire a forward.

oh why not let start the never ending argument of illegal hits...

what was wrong with the hammy hit...the guy had the puck and lost it..hammy did not not run at him; he was with in about 15 feet when rattie had the puck...he loses it and lunges to regain control...kapow...

that's a 5 min major now...look like good open ice hit to me with the victim lunging with his head down..
- bogiedoc

I'm surmising the ref felt he had the option to take the line through his shoulder and side and instead chose to take the line to his head. Always has struck me as odd that illegal hits to the head only have a 2 minute option or a 5 minute match option. If i was the concussion plaintiff lawyer, you can bet that would be brought up.

I personally don't like how the NHL or NHLPA handles all of these types of hits, supplemental discipline, referee training, etc. but I don't have any hope for it getting any better either.

Yeah - I have little problem with the major - both of Hjalmarsson's skates were off the ice - but the late hits, especially, should have been called - Schmaltz got hit big seconds after a whistle.
- StLBravesFan

Did Edmundson even get a penalty for that? I didn't think they called it, kind of like they let Kane whack the young d-man a number of times with no call. Refs didn't do anything to try and stop any of the shenanigans really.

I agree. Hartman looks really disappointing don't see anything there at all. I think Frosling has looked better on defense. It's nice seeing Campbell and Kempny in the backend. Both can skate with the puck. Think that's a dynamic we missed last year.
- bhawks2241

Hartman has never really impressed me every time I've watched him live. He sure does fall a lot and I don't think he has much for finish, definitely not in the NHL.

Forsling looks great but the D is pretty much set I think. Another year in the SEL and then he'll be a staple 2017-18 onward.

The guy that should be worried is TvR. If Forsling is good enough to play on the 3rd pairing next season TvR could be a trade chip to acquire a forward.
- DarthKane

I like TVR, but could see that...especially if it brings a guy on entry contract.

Despite what has been said, I don't see Pokka's skating (or balance) as any worse than TVR's. Still don't know if he thinks the game as well as TVR though. Pokka's development or readiness could also factor in to TVR's availability

The guy that should be worried is TvR. If Forsling is good enough to play on the 3rd pairing next season TvR could be a trade chip to acquire a forward.
- DarthKane

Yeah - but what could they get for him - a permanent 5-6 defenseman - I doubt by himself he brings back a top-9 forward.

Looks like Motte wants a job
- grinder10

He was unimpressive to me in Game #1, I missed Game #2 (apparently he played well) and looked awesome tonight.

Motte just played himself onto the team. I'm not sure where he slots in - Line 1, 2 or 3... but for a team starving for a LW, he stepped up and took it. Good on the kid.

I'm surmising the ref felt he had the option to take the line through his shoulder and side and instead chose to take the line to his head. Always has struck me as odd that illegal hits to the head only have a 2 minute option or a 5 minute match option. If i was the concussion plaintiff lawyer, you can bet that would be brought up.

I personally don't like how the NHL or NHLPA handles all of these types of hits, supplemental discipline, referee training, etc. but I don't have any hope for it getting any better either.
- Jason Millen

I don't either. NHL officiating and discipline is still a joke. I'd like to see a lot of the charging, elbows, cross-checks called consistently. These guys are tough, and I do like some physical play but that has to be balanced (and within the rules) to keep these guys from serious injury.

Yeah - but what could they get for him - a permanent 5-6 defenseman - I doubt by himself he brings back a top-9 forward.
- StLBravesFan

A young forward who they would have to take a chance on (to some degree). I agree that TvR wouldn't bring back a tried and true top 6 forward.

He was unimpressive to me in Game #1, I missed Game #2 (apparently he played well) and looked awesome tonight.

Motte just played himself onto the team. I'm not sure where he slots in - Line 1, 2 or 3... but for a team starving for a LW, he stepped up and took it. Good on the kid.
- TyCamScore

First game he had a couple of penalties of the non-cementhead variety. Players, if they have half a brain, figure that stuff out. Motte appears capable in his short audition in the NHL/AHL and college history of filling some needs for the Hawks. Seems to be seizing the opportunity.

My guess is he has a shot at #2 (if Panarin moves up) or #3 line.

He was unimpressive to me in Game #1, I missed Game #2 (apparently he played well) and looked awesome tonight.

Motte just played himself onto the team. I'm not sure where he slots in - Line 1, 2 or 3... but for a team starving for a LW, he stepped up and took it. Good on the kid.
- TyCamScore

Motte was good in game 2....he should make the team...better than ANY non-known forward.

I'm surmising the ref felt he had the option to take the line through his shoulder and side and instead chose to take the line to his head. Always has struck me as odd that illegal hits to the head only have a 2 minute option or a 5 minute match option. If i was the concussion plaintiff lawyer, you can bet that would be brought up.

I personally don't like how the NHL or NHLPA handles all of these types of hits, supplemental discipline, referee training, etc. but I don't have any hope for it getting any better either.
- Jason Millen

I'm guessing the NHL is going to crack down on blows to the head from now on.