You guys are the real deal this post season -- enjoy it.
- 17SEC

Hope so, but we wouldn't be as good if we didn't have Chicago to go after

Next year are you kidding? Next yr we won't even make it to the play off Ms next year. I have to say this, at least you guys are not blaming the refs. I was responding to a post around pg 34, nothing recent nor was I trying to cause any issues. Haha
- pred_26

Hey I believe the preds are a legit and will go to the WCF and maybe further .And are well rounded franchise .And like that they made some big "hockey trades" Subban and Johansen were great moves .

But your team did catch some major breaks on the missed dog penalty in game 1 ,would have given the HAWKS a 5 0n 3 in a 1 goal game . And the goalie interference miss in game 3 . Those are critical moments ,not saying would have turned the series at all ,but who knows .Also not saying we did not catch some breaks against you guys over the years ,on the way to the Cup . So hope you can take advantage of the situation now .. Nobody really ever remembers who came in 2nd SJ

Just one comment on Stamkos - TB has never won the Cup. They very well could win a few over the next upcoming years - we just don't know. ...
- 17SEC

I must has missed it -was it 2004?

Brad Richards won the Conn Smythe, didn't he?

-which got me thinking more in general about narratives lately ...

And he played on ... ok, he played on a line with Kane and Saad - at least in the SCF in 2015 (good thing that Saad made Toews better, while playing on a different line.). Or rather like most Q teams he bounced all over the place and nothing was set in stone for more than maybe 90 seconds...

The several log-ins that troll the Russians on the team despite the fact that the entire team had a problem this season's playoffs. One dude scores a ppg in 2016 -and somehow that still = 'soft' .... hilarious ... it is a team game ... and face it, the entire team was 'soft' or heavily into hubris .... bad things happen when teams think that they have something in the bag before it even starts...

The Dale Tallon is a genius narrative, despite the team that he somehow hasn't bothered being so genius like for Florida... guess he's just pining to return to his rightful place? Who knows... I like Dale -he seemed like he was a pretty personable guy when he did colour commentary as Foley's sidekick ... but, of course -that is not what you do as a GM. The fact is he hasn't worked the same level of 'miracles' in Florida with the same level of success - not even close (seems to suggest that there is more to what happened in Chicago than Tallon).

The Keith stinks because he can't shoot on net line of narrative (news flash ... most defensemen don't ... as you are out there to put the puck into a position for where your forwards can get a higher quality scoring chance .... of course that is when playing in the O-zone.

That Toews' leadership skills are absolutely worth the 10.5 mil cap hit. His stats are not really bearing that out; begging the question, what exactly is an intangible worth? I don't think that missing Saad made Toews that worse of a player ... there is no silver bullet.

Sometimes I just wonder if there is a parallel universe.

Next year are you kidding? Next yr we won't even make it to the play off Ms next year. I have to say this, at least you guys are not blaming the refs. I was responding to a post around pg 34, nothing recent nor was I trying to cause any issues. Haha
- pred_26

My bad. Confused you with VapoRash and the other troll. I think the preds are certainly playoff locks for awhile with that D... even if guys like RJ leave. Poile may get the money he needs to keep them but will probably have to tighten elsewhere. Same thing happened to Murray and Armstron in Ana and SL and they are still in it.

I have a question. Doesn't the coach hire his own staff? So, isn't kitchen an extension of Q? Therefore, anyone who is hired to take kitchens place will have to learn what Q wants, no? So, if you blame the coaching staff, don't you fire Q?

ANYONE?
- hocktock

Did Hitch pick Yeo? Did Carlyle pick Yawney? Plenty of coaches who have assistants they didn't chose. Will that be Q? Doubtful. More likely they ask him to pick someone and then approve or veto. If they pick the assistant it is probably a good bet Q will be leaving.

Since approximately forever, intimidation has been a huge part of the NHL game. 80 years ago Conn Smythe said 'if you can't lick 'em in the alley you can't beat them on the ice'.

The Hawks thought they could get away with playing the no body check, no fighting, no nasty game. Just like the Habs tried in the '60s until they decided they needed Policeman John Ferguson to look after all of their tiny French Canadian ballerinas who wanted to play the no hit, skill game.

So were they ever shocked when they found out that not only could the Preds outskate and outplay them but also use Austin Watson and Harry Z and a few others to pound and intimidate them. No push back because there was nobody on the roster to push back. No push back, no winning - plain and simple.

Learn by your mistakes Stanbo - find some guys that can play the game physically when the game calls for it.
- RickJ

No one in a position of leadership at least. A Sharp spearing Lidstrom. Shaw running someone. Buff at all times. It certainly looked like Panik might have that but apparently not. You're right - no way that should have slipped by Stan, Scotty or the coaches.

If Crosby unfortunately retires maybe Pitts will need a good leader?

...hmmmm 19?
- Hawkster

Toews for Malkin.......... heard it here first

Toews for Malkin.......... heard it here first
- AusHawk

It will be Toews for Sid...

Hey, you're the trollette. Go back to the Preds board and meditate in silence or troll your actual opponent. The playoffs will end in the next round for your half rate franchise so use your time wisely. I will return the favor this off season when you lose one of those RFAs.
- tredbrta

That's the beauty of playing the Hocks- We get extra games, extra money at the gate because we swept you. Our GM knows how to negotiate, not pay for the past so we can easily sign our players. Historic beat down. Crazy dominant performance. Worse series loss in your 100 year history. Wow. This marks the end of your run, most of you are too obtuse to see it. Looking forward to seeing most of your fans fade away and go follow the Cubs only awhile. They might comeback when you are good again, around 2030..

That's the beauty of playing the Hocks- We get extra games, extra money at the gate because we swept you. Our GM knows how to negotiate, not pay for the past so we can easily sign our players. Historic beat down. Crazy dominant performance. Worse series loss in your 100 year history. Wow. This marks the end of your run, most of you are too obtuse to see it. Looking forward to seeing most of your fans fade away and go follow the Cubs only awhile. They might comeback when you are good again, around 2030..


- predsfan97

That's the beauty of playing the Hocks- We get extra games, extra money at the gate because we swept you. Our GM knows how to negotiate, not pay for the past so we can easily sign our players. Historic beat down. Crazy dominant performance. Worse series loss in your 100 year history. Wow. This marks the end of your run, most of you are too obtuse to see it. Looking forward to seeing most of your fans fade away and go follow the Cubs only awhile. They might comeback when you are good again, around 2030..


- predsfan97

Wow I like the Preds .But your ignorance makes it difficult ,as they say one rotten apple will not spoil the bunch . Throw all the stones you like , I have seem my Club win 3 CUPS in 8 years when I thought I may never see One , I am very content Your GM should not be paying for your past , you have none . As I said earlier I hope you take advantage of the breaks you have gotten , cause at this time of the year that usually makes the difference . But your ignorant attitude after ONE series win is well SAD

That's the beauty of playing the Hocks- We get extra games, extra money at the gate because we swept you. Our GM knows how to negotiate, not pay for the past so we can easily sign our players. Historic beat down. Crazy dominant performance. Worse series loss in your 100 year history. Wow. This marks the end of your run, most of you are too obtuse to see it. Looking forward to seeing most of your fans fade away and go follow the Cubs only awhile. They might comeback when you are good again, around 2030..


- predsfan97

We will re-visit this discussion in about two years - when the Predators fire their coach - and your team is at the cap limit - with no cups to show for it.

I mean seriously - get a grip

As a general rule of thumb.

kudos to the pens: depleted already and then crosbyless they go out and beat the caps on the road...with MAF = 36 saves

i look forward to a G5 post game of ovie looking stunned and dazed again as he heads to mother russian with a "fatigued" panerin to lead the ruskies to victory...

you want to talk about breaking up a team: how about the ovie caps who year after year have very good to great regular season only to give it up by R2..

The Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz scored a goal in the United States’ 5-2 win over Italy in the Americans’ lone pre-tournament game for the World Championship. Team USA opens tournament play against Germany on Friday.

Let's see if he can keep it up and overcome his supposed reputation for turtling in the biggest games.

kudos to the pens: depleted already and then crosbyless they go out and beat the caps on the road...with MAF = 36 saves

i look forward to a G5 post game of ovie looking stunned and dazed again as he heads to mother russian with a "fatigued" panerin to lead the ruskies to victory...

you want to talk about breaking up a team: how about the ovie caps who year after year have very good to great regular season only to give it up by R2..
- bogiedoc

The game was in Pitt tonight.

The Chicago Blackhawks forward Nick Schmaltz scored a goal in the United States’ 5-2 win over Italy in the Americans’ lone pre-tournament game for the World Championship. Team USA opens tournament play against Germany on Friday.

Let's see if he can keep it up and overcome his supposed reputation for turtling in the biggest games.
- pdx2ord

I call total BS on that.

Not sure it matters what the Hawks do this offseason. The Oilers are scary and there young guns are gaining more confidence each game. Watching Ducks try to clutch and grab Mcdavid. Kid just blows by them. Lucic and Maroon were great pick ups for them.

And speed and size something the Hawks really really lack.

The game was in Pitt tonight.
- BDT36

oops...meh apologia...still a gutsy win...and (frank) the caps


oh and BTW (frank) the blows...who reverted to back to their well known idiocy on skates the other night...if you can't beat'em...try to beat'em up...the blows just don't get it and never will

That's the beauty of playing the Hocks- We get extra games, extra money at the gate because we swept you. Our GM knows how to negotiate, not pay for the past so we can easily sign our players. Historic beat down. Crazy dominant performance. Worse series loss in your 100 year history. Wow. This marks the end of your run, most of you are too obtuse to see it. Looking forward to seeing most of your fans fade away and go follow the Cubs only awhile. They might comeback when you are good again, around 2030..


- predsfan97

The amount of anger you have for the Hawks brings a smile to my face. Only a true loser revels in winning a 1st round series. Talk about a low bar to clear. Considering that your sad franchise has still never been out of the 2nd Round, never won a Stanley Cup, and has the worst jersey in the league, I think your poop talking is pure sour grapes and a large amount of envy. I guess wearing a mustard yellow jersey and watching the Hawks dominate your team for a decade en route to THREE STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS makes you a envious little troll. I'll expect to see your pathetic internet presence here in about 2.5 weeks when Subban is on the golf course.

Ryan Getzlaf is playing like a man possessed. Beast Mode.

Ryan Getzlaf is playing like a man possessed. Beast Mode.
- EnzoD

Questionable good goal on the first one. Perry buzzed the tower. Definitely seen that called interference numerous times. But Getzlaf has smelled blood in the water since it. Too bad he doesn't play like that all the time.

kudos to the pens: depleted already and then crosbyless they go out and beat the caps on the road...with MAF = 36 saves

i look forward to a G5 post game of ovie looking stunned and dazed again as he heads to mother russian with a "fatigued" panerin to lead the ruskies to victory...

- bogiedoc

The game was in Pittsburgh, but yeah, great win for the Pens - a smart, fast, confident hockey team. The Caps are stacked talent-wise, but play dumb hockey. Penalty after penalty, stupid pass after stupid pass, bad stick handle after bad stick handle.

They've won 2 presidents trophies in a row and probably need to be broken up.

It will be Toews for Sid...
- riozzo

in that case we will retain half of #19's salary surely

Just one comment on Stamkos - TB has never won the Cup. They very well could win a few over the next upcoming years - we just don't know. Whether we like it or not contracts to a degree are partially paid by past performances. As God is my witness #7 deserves that contract. I don't care if we ever win again - that guy is a LEADER and has been CLUTCH in the playoffs.
- 17SEC

Who won in 2004 then?