Well, if you read McCann's blog - it's the Ducks who are getting away with everything. Guy even had the stones to call out how Rinne has been hit a few times. Which is ironic, because in my estimation the most egregious part of the series has been how much goalie interference Nashville has been able to get away with on Gibson. The whacks, slashes, cross checks, clutching, grabbing, etc. seem to be fairly even between both teams - but Nashville has a decided edge in goalie running.
- Chief4Feathers

I'm hoping Ottawa takes it all. Could care less about the Ducks or Preds.

Yep, they haven't adjusted enough. However, the NHL is making a mistake allowing this to continue to devolve. Each year since 13 the dropoff increases. Walkom style "situational officiating" is simply garbage. It results in blatant non calls like what we saw in the OT preds/ducks game the other night. 2 or 3 non calls on blatant penalties by the preds in the last few seconds and then the reverse in OT. The result - everyone thinks the officiating sucks - because it does.

When Friedman and Pierre are calling it a serious problem on twitter and on national broadcasts the NHL may want to address it. I won't hold my breath though.
- tredbrta

It used to be that officiating in international hockey was substandard and even biased. Great improvements have been made over the last 10 years or so. Absolutely great hockey game between Russia and Canada today. The refs called the game exactly by the rule book and the players played the game the way it is supposed to be - lots of skating and passing, hard clean hits by both sides, great goaltending.

After watching that kind of game you realize what the NHL playoff game has disintegrated into - tactics employed to impede the most skilled players, vicious stick work, head shots, running goaltenders etc. The refs stand there and call absolutely nothing so the players keep pushing the envelope to see what more they can get away with. Its the WWF on ice now.

The problem starts with that dinosaur Colin Campbell and works down thru Walkom to the officiating group.

It used to be that officiating in international hockey was substandard and even biased. Great improvements have been made over the last 10 years or so. Absolutely great hockey game between Russia and Canada today. The refs called the game exactly by the rule book and the players played the game the way it is supposed to be - lots of skating and passing, hard clean hits by both sides, great goaltending.

After watching that kind of game you realize what the NHL playoff game has disintegrated into - tactics employed to impede the most skilled players, vicious stick work, head shots, running goaltenders etc. The refs stand there and call absolutely nothing so the players keep pushing the envelope to see what more they can get away with. Its the WWF on ice now.

The problem starts with that dinosaur Colin Campbell and works down thru Walkom to the officiating group.
- RickJ

What has stood out to me has been the amount of goaltender interference allowed. It seemed to be that just grazing a goalie would cost you a penalty - the goalie in his crease was almost sacrosanct. Now?... well a defenseman can touch you and apparently it is ok to go tumbling down onto the goalie. This and the amount of "drive by" contacts into goalies during the playoffs has really been remarkable. The players and coaches have been steadily gauging what they can get away with - and keep pushing the envelope - and the refs don't seeem to be willing to hold them accountable?

It used to be that officiating in international hockey was substandard and even biased. Great improvements have been made over the last 10 years or so. Absolutely great hockey game between Russia and Canada today. The refs called the game exactly by the rule book and the players played the game the way it is supposed to be - lots of skating and passing, hard clean hits by both sides, great goaltending.

After watching that kind of game you realize what the NHL playoff game has disintegrated into - tactics employed to impede the most skilled players, vicious stick work, head shots, running goaltenders etc. The refs stand there and call absolutely nothing so the players keep pushing the envelope to see what more they can get away with. Its the WWF on ice now.

The problem starts with that dinosaur Colin Campbell and works down thru Walkom to the officiating group.
- RickJ

>Spot on, Rick
>Would also say that Bettman's dream of 30 different Cup winners in 30 years has a better chance with poor officiating, which helps lesser players and teams
>Al mentioned this a few years ago and it is still true: when the NHL went to 2-man ref system the league had to poach from the AHL and many unqualified refs were promoted
>2-ref system should have been rolled in when enough good refs were available
>Would like to see the media really roast Bettman on officiating -- no team is going to lead that charge
>No sport can compete with playoff hockey "played the right way", "called the right way" -- teams trading chances at top speed -- end-to-end action

>Spot on, Rick
>Would also say that Bettman's dream of 30 different Cup winners in 30 years has a better chance with poor officiating, which helps lesser players and teams
>Al mentioned this a few years ago and it is still true: when the NHL went to 2-man ref system the league had to poach from the AHL and many unqualified refs were promoted
>2-ref system should have been rolled in when enough good refs were available
>Would like to see the media really roast Bettman on officiating -- no team is going to lead that charge
>No sport can compete with playoff hockey "played the right way", "called the right way" -- teams trading chances at top speed -- end-to-end action
- SnapitUpstairs

Bettman!?!? Forever known for saying, "It's the hill we will die on!"

Bettman!?!? Forever known for saying, "It's the hill we will die on!"
- z1990z

>Was that his quote during CBA negotiations on the salary cap?

>Was that his quote during CBA negotiations on the salary cap?
- SnapitUpstairs

Think it was during the 2013 CBA. Yes... Then the magical 2013 Cup run. What a year that was.

Bettman!?!? Forever known for saying, "It's the hill we will die on!"
- z1990z

Bill Daley was the author of that quote. Probably after Jeremy Jacobs told him to say it.

If they can sign this Rutta kid, and deal say, 2-3 forwards, and prospects to upgrade the forward unit, then they should just play.
- 93Joe

All we need to do is find trade partners who want to downgrade their forward units, I guess.

All we need to do is find trade partners who want to downgrade their forward units, I guess.


- RollingPuck

Everyone wants D. Hammer would be an easy trade. If 4 being moved brought back a top 6 LW for the Toews line?? Not saying move him, but options will be limited.

no question this has to be the hawks MO...scouting and landing foreign talent...

my goodness they invested 4 years developing a #1 in danault and then traded him away for flotsam and jetsam...
- bogiedoc

You rang?

Well, if you read McCann's blog - it's the Ducks who are getting away with everything. Guy even had the stones to call out how Rinne has been hit a few times. Which is ironic, because in my estimation the most egregious part of the series has been how much goalie interference Nashville has been able to get away with on Gibson. The whacks, slashes, cross checks, clutching, grabbing, etc. seem to be fairly even between both teams - but Nashville has a decided edge in goalie running.
- Chief4Feathers

It's happening on both sides.... and what is getting called apparently depends on the score and time of the game... And that is what makes NHL officiating a joke... and much worse since Walkom took over.

All we need to do is find trade partners who want to downgrade their forward units, I guess.


- RollingPuck

A good deal of team would also like to upgrade their defense

Everyone wants D. Hammer would be an easy trade. If 4 being moved brought back a top 6 LW for the Toews line?? Not saying move him, but options will be limited.
- z1990z

Seems like there's more chatter around AA now.

JJ if you were gm knowing the hawks need skill and speed would take flier out on nail yakpov for 1year 900k if doesn't work out waive and send him to Rockford and free up cap space low risk high reward

JJ if you were gm knowing the hawks need skill and speed would take flier out on nail yakpov for 1year 900k if doesn't work out waive and send him to Rockford and free up cap space low risk high reward
- Scott1977

He did zilch with the Blues. Pass. Money will be so tight as is.

Jj or anyone on this message board if yakupov would become available seeing that the hawks need more speed and skill would the hawks take a flier out on him say for 900k 1 year if it does not work out send to rockford and save 900k could help on the power play low risk high reward

Just turned on the Memorial Cup ,and bang Debrincat snipes a goal scorers goal .Puck bouncing deep in the corner and he snipes it ,if nothing else I think the kid could help the PP .
On Ref's people have been complaining about them since the stone age ,only time they don't is when they win ..

Jj or anyone on this message board if yakupov would become available seeing that the hawks need more speed and skill would the hawks take a flier out on him say for 900k 1 year if it does not work out send to rockford and save 900k could help on the power play low risk high reward
- Scott1977

I would ,he still young .And try and pick up Galnchyuk from HABS .They were together in the O .Galnchyuk & Beaulieu for Panarin ,free up some cap space .And get younger I know JJ loves that youth movement

I would ,he still young .And try and pick up Galnchyuk from HABS .They were together in the O .Galnchyuk & Beaulieu for Panarin ,free up some cap space .And get younger I know JJ loves that youth movement
- oldduffman

Panarin is the better goal scorer, but it does bring back 2 needed pieces. A guy who can play LW and another D. Some cap space too... maybe.

He did zilch with the Blues. Pass. Money will be so tight as is.
- z1990z

Money isn't tight - cap space is.

If they can bury his cap hit in Rockford if it doesn't work out, maybe they should take a chance - he was an overall number one not that long ago, someone saw something.

Money isn't tight - cap space is.

If they can bury his cap hit in Rockford if it doesn't work out, maybe they should take a chance - he was an overall number one not that long ago, someone saw something.
- StLBravesFan

No, I get it. I was on the lets get him bandwagon crew last year. For reasons unknown (and the guy has skill) he did nothing with the Blues. If he is willing to take a two way deal that allows us to bury his cap hit?? Sure.

The guy has great wheels and could be a nice add on the bottom 6. Dont know how he is in his own zone.

Money isn't tight - cap space is.

If they can bury his cap hit in Rockford if it doesn't work out, maybe they should take a chance - he was an overall number one not that long ago, someone saw something.
- StLBravesFan

At most I'd bring him to camp on a PTO.

Fisher, Johansen out for Preds and Rakell out for Ducks. Say what you will about Kesler, but Neal is a much bigger hack. Choppin wood on Kesler's hands. McLeod interference not called but obvious slew foot trip by another hack in Sissons actually draws a penalty...shocking!! Let's go Ducks (but ultimately Senators)!

At most I'd bring him to camp on a PTO.
- DarthKane

Ok - it would be helpful if the Hawks could catch lightening in a bottle - they did with Panarin (faults and all) - maybe, at 24, Yakupov figures it out.