https://www.secondcityhoc...-crawford-new-goalie-mask

For those of you into goalie mask designs, Crawford is wearing a new design this year. Nothing radically different; seems like a mix of past designs he's had just with a matte finish.

When Darling was on the Hawks, he seemed to wear a different mask every few months. Interested to see what his new Hurricanes mask will look like. I remember reading somewhere that Darling is a goalie junkie, an equipment aficionado who likes to hang out in online goalie communities.

Sept 15th can't get here fast enough.....
I need some hockey

Speaking of goalie gear, I was watching some old highlights from the eighties and can't believe how skinny the goalies look. There's no reason the need such puffy equipment nowadays. Simple fix to more goals in the league. Strip 'em down.

Come on October.

http://icehogs.com/news/icehogs/?article_id=5729

Surely nothing but a minor league depth signing, but Ice Hogs sign undersized blueliner Brandon Anselmini. He played a few games for the Stars AHL team last year but has mainly been in the ECHL the past two seasons. Played college at Ferris State. I guess Rockford needs to replenish its supply of Brandons with Saad, Mashinter, Pirri, and Bollig graduated or gone.
- AEL_Fox

I know that he'll never get to the NHL, but as a Ferris State alum myself, I hope he stays in Rockford for a while.

I've heard his hockey IQ is a weakness. Can't say for sure if that's true, but if so that's an issue. If SB could grab the guy with Pokka and a mid pick then why not, but I think some other team will bite on him for his speed alone and take a shot.
- 6628

Yeah, the Greek Streak can go but many a times he goes to an over-handle that ends the possession. I like the Pokka time idea, but if the kid wants to make more money in the KHL, bye...the fact that Detroit and Holland are saying we need more than the points and one year of said production to justify us paying you, is something ALL the GMs to open the coffers to guys that are RFAs...and not the entitled draft in the top five RFA's (that all are going to ask for Draisaitl type deals, lol!)

The NHL started damaging itself with the long term deal, and now this new no-bridge era is the next nail.

I can't see the Greek Streak with the enthusiasm many here do; it is an insult to the Wings organization to think they are too dumb to not sign the kid without treading lightly.
The entire "negotiations" is going to settled within the week, with the Russian leagues starting and the Wings wanting things finalized.

Yeah, the Greek Streak can go but many a times he goes to an over-handle that ends the possession. I like the Pokka time idea, but if the kid wants to make more money in the KHL, bye...the fact that Detroit and Holland are saying we need more than the points and one year of said production to justify us paying you, is something ALL the GMs to open the coffers to guys that are RFAs...and not the entitled draft in the top five RFA's (that all are going to ask for Draisaitl type deals, lol!)

The NHL started damaging itself with the long term deal, and now this new no-bridge era is the next nail.

I can't see the Greek Streak with the enthusiasm many here do; it is an insult to the Wings organization to think they are too dumb to not sign the kid without treading lightly.
The entire "negotiations" is going to settled within the week, with the Russian leagues starting and the Wings wanting things finalized.
- wiz1901

If the kid is more about the money than blending with the team then the KHL it should be. Provided he actually gets paid. But he should be a good show with that speed and all that open ice.
And I think you're right, if Holland is cautious there's a reason.

If he scores 70 to 75 points I'm absolutely ok with that. I'm not concerned too much with the cap savings as per capfriendly we seem to be a little bit better off next year, but for example...say he does score sub 60 points and you could pull Jeff Carter from the Kings. With 3mil retained, you would still save like 1.8 mil (10.5 Toews vs, 5.2 Carter).
- Murph76

I would not move Toews for Carter and retain $3mil of Toews salary. Carter averaged 60 points over the last 4 years. He has scored more than 66 points one time in his 14 year career.

Trade for his rights and sign him post Hossa LTIR.

Not sure what his agent is asking but Holland needs every penny after the garbage signings of the last few seasons. If Stan could grab Athaniesu for a midround pick and/or a prospect like Pokka and sign him for less than half the Hossa cap hit on a 2 year bridge deal..... worth the risk.
- tredbrta

Detroit would be looking for more than a midround pick and Pokka. If he goes to the KHL they retain his rights and they gain cap space. It is unlikely you can sign him for 2 years for less than 1/2 Hossa's cap hit ($2.6375 mil). If he would sign for that amount Detroit would already have signed him.

That was sure one ugly performance by the Bears last night. Why in the hell was Trubinsky put into the game in the final minute? He was mauled by the Cleveland defenders on the last play while trying to pass . He was darn lucky he didn' t get hurt. Really stupid move by Fox.

So going back in time, I guess the trade for Frolik was a huge win for SB, since Pirri and Hayes are both on the verge of getting everyday jobs in the business world depending on how their PTO's go this fall.

So going back in time, I guess the trade for Frolik was a huge win for SB, since Pirri and Hayes are both on the verge of getting everyday jobs in the business world depending on how their PTO's go this fall.
- wonthecup10

Which is partly why I think another trade is coming down the pipeline once Bowman gets the final numbers on Hossa's deal.he's got plenty of these kids in their pipeline that the Hawks PR. Dept. is making them out to be more than they really are . Bowman's poker face at work again!

On another note, if that kid from the Wings is that good I am sure Ken Holland will find a way to keep him. What kind of player is this kid?

Kane's (and Parise's) long time offseason coach has started a hockey camp. Some impressive names there. And, looks like Kane brought along the youngsters he is mentoring this summer.

https://amp.naplesnews.com/amp/617065001

And this graphic in this story (http://train2point0.com/2...arryl-belfry-his-methods/) about his methods reminded me of someone...

That was sure one ugly performance by the Bears last night. Why in the hell was Trubinsky put into the game in the final minute? He was mauled by the Cleveland defenders on the last play while trying to pass . He was darn lucky he didn' t get hurt. Really stupid move by Fox.
- spanky

Ridiculous move by Fox. WTF was that guy thinking?

So going back in time, I guess the trade for Frolik was a huge win for SB, since Pirri and Hayes are both on the verge of getting everyday jobs in the business world depending on how their PTO's go this fall.
- wonthecup10

Purring finally got picked up by the Panthers yesterday. But your right .. No big loss with those two.

That was sure one ugly performance by the Bears last night. Why in the hell was Trubinsky put into the game in the final minute? He was mauled by the Cleveland defenders on the last play while trying to pass . He was darn lucky he didn' t get hurt. Really stupid move by Fox.
- spanky

There is no "n" in Trubisky. Article in the Athletic this morning says Tru asked to be allowed to throw. He only came in because Shaw got pulled by a concussion spotter, then hurt his leg.

It could be an interesting 45 days for the Hawks (today through day 2 of the season)

- Sept 8th - prospect tournament
- maybe 1 or 2 PTO's (Franson? Winnik? Chiasson? Vanek? Tyutin?)
- Sept 16th - training camp (12 guys battling for 2 or 3 spots)
- October 5th - opening night at Pittsburgh
- October 5th or 6th Hossa's goes on LTIR (creating cap space) thereby allowing for a signing or trade.

Question - The first night of the NHL season is October 4th (4 games - not the Hawks though). So technically October 5th is day 2 of the season. Could Hossa be LTIR'd on the morning of the 5th before the Hawks game with Pittsburgh? Meaning .... could the Hawks use his cap space to add players before their first game.

It could be an interesting 45 days for the Hawks (today through day 2 of the season)

- Sept 8th - prospect tournament
- maybe 1 or 2 PTO's (Franson? Winnik? Chiasson? Vanek? Tyutin?)
- Sept 16th - training camp (12 guys battling for 2 or 3 spots)
- October 5th - opening night at Pittsburgh
- October 5th or 6th Hossa's goes on LTIR (creating cap space) thereby allowing for a signing or trade.

Question - The first night of the NHL season is October 4th (4 games - not the Hawks though). So technically October 5th is day 2 of the season. Could Hossa be LTIR'd on the morning of the 5th before the Hawks game with Pittsburgh? Meaning .... could the Hawks use his cap space to add players before their first game.
- -Doh-

Yes. The NHL season starts for all teams this year on the 4th.

I'd also like to see the same metric for quality of linemates for Toews entire career prior to his $10.5mil extension. Hossa, Sharp and Saad were all ELITE level wingers when Toews was productive. Whent Hossa/Sharp declined and Saad was traded....look at the results. Anyone who says that Toews needs Elite level wingers to produce over 60 points has made the argument for why he does not deserve the $10.5mil Cap Hit.


- EnzoD

IMO - The definition might be a bit subjective, but sorry but Sharp/Saad have never really been considered ELITE in the hockey world. It wasn't until the 14/15 season that Saad actually scored 20 goals. He is a good top 6 winger but not ELITE (maybe in the future)

Sharp has some elite qualities and has been probably on the cusp, but ELITE is a stretch. It isn't like he is some HoF level player. Sorry, but you are wearing some rose colored glasses to call them ELITE level wingers. They are bonafide legit top 6 wingers and that is my point.

You give your 1C legitimate top 6 wingers and he performs like a better than average 1C. You give him spare parts and projects and he is gonna look rather average. Look at some of the facts recently.

Q was giving the prime chances offensively to Panarin/AA/Kane. (FACT)
The PP was primarily keying on one timers to Panarin (FACT)
Toews line has often been a revolving door with very few established top 6 players (not just not ELITE, but some guys tried there are not even top 9 guys on any NHL team) (FACT)

All these things affect his offensive production by which some people get so hung up. (as if it is all that matters) Don't get my wrong, I'm not saying he has earned 10.5 million. Neither he nor Kane should be paid that much IMO. A big reason they got that money was leading the team to cups and scoring HUGE playoff goals in the process.

This whole Toews decline narrative is more about his situation than his talent. Some people may have had a distorted view of the world and expected he'd put up 75 to 100 points while playing with mediocre line mates, but that isn't realistic. Maybe there are a handful of offensive players that could pull that off, but Toews isn't that type of player.

@DarrenDreger

Sounds like Zaripov has two firm NHL offers and expects at least two more before making his decision

IMO - The definition might be a bit subjective, but sorry but Sharp/Saad have never really been considered ELITE in the hockey world. It wasn't until the 14/15 season that Saad actually scored 20 goals. He is a good top 6 winger but not ELITE (maybe in the future)

Sharp has some elite qualities and has been probably on the cusp, but ELITE is a stretch. It isn't like he is some HoF level player. Sorry, but you are wearing some rose colored glasses to call them ELITE level wingers. They are bonafide legit top 6 wingers and that is my point.

You give your 1C legitimate top 6 wingers and he performs like a better than average 1C. You give him spare parts and projects and he is gonna look rather average. Look at some of the facts recently.

Q was giving the prime chances offensively to Panarin/AA/Kane. (FACT)
The PP was primarily keying on one timers to Panarin (FACT)
Toews line has often been a revolving door with very few established top 6 players (not just not ELITE, but some guys tried there are not even top 9 guys on any NHL team) (FACT)

All these things affect his offensive production by which some people get so hung up. (as if it is all that matters) Don't get my wrong, I'm not saying he has earned 10.5 million. Neither he nor Kane should be paid that much IMO. A big reason they got that money was leading the team to cups and scoring HUGE playoff goals in the process.

This whole Toews decline narrative is more about his situation than his talent. Some people may have had a distorted view of the world and expected he'd put up 75 to 100 points while playing with mediocre line mates, but that isn't realistic. Maybe there are a handful of offensive players that could pull that off, but Toews isn't that type of player.
- breadbag

And boy were those one-timers entertaining, something along the lines of Sega Genesis NHL Hockey in the 1990's. Really going to miss the Breadman.

The upcoming season will reveal a lot about Toews. My personal feeling is that he hasn't been 100% for awhile and the extended offseason will be extremely beneficial to him.

@ByScottPowers

As of this morning, the Blackhawks hadn't offered Danis Zaripov a contract. They had previously made contact and expressed some interest.

I've never played fantasy hockey before, but my brother is starting a league. Any tips or websites I should go to before drafting my team?

I'd also like to see the same metric for quality of linemates for Toews entire career prior to his $10.5mil extension. Hossa, Sharp and Saad were all ELITE level wingers when Toews was productive. Whent Hossa/Sharp declined and Saad was traded....look at the results. Anyone who says that Toews needs Elite level wingers to produce over 60 points has made the argument for why he does not deserve the $10.5mil Cap Hit.


- EnzoD

Most people probably would hope that Toews stays healthy, plays with Saad and Panik most of the time, scores 75 points, plays 200' hockey, wins draws in Dzone, etc.... Some people will still female dog about his salary, complain that he does not score more, and say he is not among the top 10 centers in the game.

@ByScottPowers

As of this morning, the Blackhawks hadn't offered Danis Zaripov a contract. They had previously made contact and expressed some interest.
- JRoenick97

Maybe someone is in on the " on the know" as far as potential interest in the Wings kid, these younger GM's don't get into all the rivalry crap created by fans and will make a logical trade to fit both teams needs if there is even a deal to be discussed. Case and point, the recent Sox Cubs trade by the 2 GM's with idiots like Hawk and Ozzie staying out of it. So I think the Hawks and Wings could hook up in a deal if it presents itself as evidenced by The Jurco move.

So going back in time, I guess the trade for Frolik was a huge win for SB, since Pirri and Hayes are both on the verge of getting everyday jobs in the business world depending on how their PTO's go this fall.
- wonthecup10

Michael Frolik was acquired from Florida for Jack Skille in Feb. 2011.

Pirri and Hayes were traded to Florida in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Your post makes no sense.