I think all of these awards are stupid tbqh

/expects to win today's HB Hot Take award
- johndewar

No no no, you did it all wrong.

You have to start off with something like, "I know everyone's gonna gang up on me because they won't agree with me, but..."

I think all of these awards are stupid tbqh

/expects to win today's HB Hot Take award
- johndewar

all of them except the Lady Byng, of course...how else are we to know which popular player got the least amount of PIMs?

I always have laughed at the Selke and Norris trophies. The best defensive forward and the best defenseman. Oh only IF your score also.
- dragonoffrost

Pretty much, it's become who the best offensive defensive forward is, and who the best offensive defenseman is. Also it's just about name recognition as well. If Coots keeps this up or even ends up close to 70's this season there's no way Bergeron should win. But he's got the pedigree and he is who the voters are familiar with.

Also not to be a Homer, but William Karlsson not even being in the conversation is insane to me. This kid was known as the 3rd line C who played PK minutes for Columbus and was very sound defensively, has 22 goals this season for the Knights but probably won't get many votes or is even being talked about? What?... But since he's come out of nowhere he needs to do this for a couple of more years to maybe be considered.

At the very least Coots was a high draft pick with some hype coming in. He's had the "defensive forward" mantle for a while which was kinda of used disparagingly by the media from time to time because he couldn't score, so now that his offense is coming through he's being noticed. I think he's got a good shot at winning the trophy. Although it wouldn't surprise me, if they just gave it to Bergeron and make Coots wait till next year to win it.

This trophy especially i feel is so easy for voters just to give to the guy who they're comfortable with and has won it before.

I always have laughed at the Selke and Norris trophies. The best defensive forward and the best defenseman. Oh only IF your score also.
- dragonoffrost

Well, to be fair, the award started before the #fancy movement. Back in the day there was no way to verify that you were actually on the ice doing good stuff if you didn't score.

Well, to be fair, the award started before the #fancy movement. Back in the day there was no way to verify that you were actually on the ice doing good stuff if you didn't score.
- Scoob

+/- bro

Well, to be fair, the award started before the #fancy movement. Back in the day there was no way to verify that you were actually on the ice doing good stuff if you didn't score.
- Scoob

Well, to be fair, the award started before the #fancy movement. Back in the day there was no way to verify that you were actually on the ice doing good stuff if you didn't score.
- Scoob

Speaking of which, how can we actually tell if guys like Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky were actually any good if we can't look at their shot attempt for/against numbers and other associated stats?

What are we supposed to base this on, silly things like goals, assists, and points?

I am curious what some of you all think about Patrick's play recently. I have been trying to make it a point to specifically watch him when he is on the ice. A few observations that I have made: He seems to get pinned along the boards fairly easily resulting in him losing the puck battle, doesnt seem to join or lead the rush much, not as explosive of a skater as I hoped he would be, he tries to make power moves past defenders and just gets out muscled, and he relies on his no look drop pass a lot.

I hope all of these things are just a result of his age and recent surgery, but it kind of has me worried about his offensive upside.

+/- bro
- YuenglingJagr

- dragonoffrost

oh holy smokes lol!!!!!

Pretty much, it's become who the best offensive defensive forward is, and who the best offensive defenseman is. Also it's just about name recognition as well. If Coots keeps this up or even ends up close to 70's this season there's no way Bergeron should win. But he's got the pedigree and he is who the voters are familiar with.

Also not to be a Homer, but William Karlsson not even being in the conversation is insane to me. This kid was known as the 3rd line C who played PK minutes for Columbus and was very sound defensively, has 22 goals this season for the Knights but probably won't get many votes or is even being talked about? What?... But since he's come out of nowhere he needs to do this for a couple of more years to maybe be considered.

At the very least Coots was a high draft pick with some hype coming in. He's had the "defensive forward" mantle for a while which was kinda of used disparagingly by the media from time to time because he couldn't score, so now that his offense is coming through he's being noticed. I think he's got a good shot at winning the trophy. Although it wouldn't surprise me, if they just gave it to Bergeron and make Coots wait till next year to win it.

This trophy especially i feel is so easy for voters just to give to the guy who they're comfortable with and has won it before.
- Yosimar89

Only one trophy I give a (frank) about and that's the big one that the last team standing gets to skate around with.

No no no, you did it all wrong.

You have to start off with something like, "I know everyone's gonna gang up on me because they won't agree with me, but..."
- jmatchett383

Only one trophy I give a (frank) about and that's the big one that the last team standing gets to skate around with.
- BiggE

Yep

I am curious what some of you all think about Patrick's play recently. I have been trying to make it a point to specifically watch him when he is on the ice. A few observations that I have made: He seems to get pinned along the boards fairly easily resulting in him losing the puck battle, doesnt seem to join or lead the rush much, not as explosive of a skater as I hoped he would be, he tries to make power moves past defenders and just gets out muscled, and he relies on his no look drop pass a lot.

I hope all of these things are just a result of his age and recent surgery, but it kind of has me worried about his offensive upside.
- johm12

Just picture Giroux's skating from last year, and add to it: an early season concussion, being 19 and still filling out and being a rookie that was playing against kids last season. I have no worries about Patrick, the hockey sense, skills and frame are there. The rest will come with health, age and experience.

Just picture Giroux's skating from last year, and add to it: an early season concussion, being 19 and still filling out and being a rookie that was playing against kids last season. I have no worries about Patrick, the hockey sense, skills and frame are there. The rest will come with health, age and experience.
- BiggE

Agreed. The part I want to hopefully see improve is the speed. Seems very slow to me which is understandable.

I am curious what some of you all think about Patrick's play recently. I have been trying to make it a point to specifically watch him when he is on the ice. A few observations that I have made: He seems to get pinned along the boards fairly easily resulting in him losing the puck battle, doesnt seem to join or lead the rush much, not as explosive of a skater as I hoped he would be, he tries to make power moves past defenders and just gets out muscled, and he relies on his no look drop pass a lot.

I hope all of these things are just a result of his age and recent surgery, but it kind of has me worried about his offensive upside.
- johm12

I think those are some fair knocks on him so far. Especially regarding puck battles. He was definitely used to being the big kid on the playground and hes finding out the hard way that it's a man's game.

I've seen progress the last couple weeks. Much better decisions with the puck. Still waiting for him to become much more assertive and start to have a bigger impact on games.

Only one trophy I give a (frank) about and that's the big one that the last team standing gets to skate around with.
- BiggE

The President's Trophy?

The President's Trophy?
- jmatchett383

- Streit2ThePoint

I think those are some fair knocks on him so far. Especially regarding puck battles. He was definitely used to being the big kid on the playground and hes finding out the hard way that it's a man's game.

I've seen progress the last couple weeks. Much better decisions with the puck. Still waiting for him to become much more assertive and start to have a bigger impact on games.
- Baxter27

I would love to see him be more assertive and take a few more shots. Hoping that he has a bit of a stronger 2nd half and can get to 25-30 pts for the season

I think those are some fair knocks on him so far. Especially regarding puck battles. He was definitely used to being the big kid on the playground and hes finding out the hard way that it's a man's game.

I've seen progress the last couple weeks. Much better decisions with the puck. Still waiting for him to become much more assertive and start to have a bigger impact on games.
- Baxter27

They are some fair knocks. But I also see a kid coming off of dual hernia surgery who is lacking some core strength as a result. And that area of the body is where ALL of your power to skate and exert power on opponents comes from.

People need to realize this and temper some of their criticism. That he is still holding his own despite the surgeries, and the concussion is pretty impressive IMO.

Next season he will be fine.

They are some fair knocks. But I also see a kid coming off of dual hernia surgery who is lacking some core strength as a result. And that area of the body is where ALL of your power to skate and exert power on opponents comes from.

People need to realize this and temper some of their criticism. That he is still holding his own despite the surgeries, and the concussion is pretty impressive IMO.

Next season he will be fine.
- MBFlyerfan

MAYBE NOT THO!!!!!

I would love to see him be more assertive and take a few more shots. Hoping that he has a bit of a stronger 2nd half and can get to 25-30 pts for the season
- johm12

That would be a helluva second half.

I don't think he will be right until next season. He needs a summer off like Giroux and Gostisbehere. Same surgeries, and their seasons have been night and day compared to last year.

Does anyone know how to view the blog where MJL broke James Tanner the other day? It's been taken down, but I know there are ways to view pages from days ago. If anyone could post a link, that would be awesome.

That would be a helluva second half.

I don't think he will be right until next season. He needs a summer off like Giroux and Gostisbehere. Same surgeries, and their seasons have been night and day compared to last year.
- MBFlyerfan

taking shots will certainly help...he averages just over 1 shot per game...I could see 25-30 if he stays healthy and gets PP2 time. Will especially help if Lindblom comes up and he keeps Weise away from him