Nashville = worse
Phoenix = annoying but not much better
Detroit = worse
Minnesota = better but still not a top team
St Louis = a fluke IMO last year and they will not respond the same way this fall
LA = should be good still but Cup hangover will be a factor
Sharks = older, and beatable just like last year especially with their goaltending situation and propensity to choke
AVS = still rebuilding, could be dangerous but very young and not a deep D core
Stars = probably same as last year
Calgary = would be lucky to get an 8 seed
Vancouver = same and possibly worse of Kesler doesn't recover from his shoulder reconstruction
Columbus = still sucks
Ducks = same team as last year



Every other team in the West is about where they were last year or worse. The only team that got better at all was Minnesota and it is still debatable that they are a playoff team.

Hawks as they are presently made up predicated on Hossa's health are a 1st place central division team and a home ice team in the Western Conference. Really not a horrible position. A few more complimentary depth pieces and a surprise in terms of scoring (Bickell, Bolland, Saad, Kane exlpoding --- whoever) and they could be the top team in the West.
- fattybeef

Forward this to Stan..

This is an excellent post , but this is exactly why I wish the Hawks would add. The COnference is here for the taking , The Kings may have the hang over effect but they're still awesome, yet it is inceredibly hard to repeat. The "As-is" roster's should have the Hawks and Blues going toe to toe for the Central.
- mrpaulish

Add Doan add center who wins a poop load of faceoffs and they are instantly better even with the holes on D and in goal.

I'm hoping he just says what he has to say so SB can then go on to Plan-Q...
- blackhawk24

What old phucks are left...maybe pull Eric Lindros out of retirement

Nashville = worse
Phoenix = annoying but not much better
Detroit = worse
Minnesota = better but still not a top team
St Louis = a fluke IMO last year and they will not respond the same way this fall
LA = should be good still but Cup hangover will be a factor
Sharks = older, and beatable just like last year especially with their goaltending situation and propensity to choke
AVS = still rebuilding, could be dangerous but very young and not a deep D core
Stars = probably same as last year
Calgary = would be lucky to get an 8 seed
Vancouver = same and possibly worse of Kesler doesn't recover from his shoulder reconstruction
Columbus = still sucks
Ducks = same team as last year


- fattybeef

There is NO grantee LA will experience a 'hangover factor'
Vancouver will be better "IF" Kesler doesn't recover. Wonder why no mention "IF" Hossa doesn't recover?
St. Louis a fluke? Why is that? They have always had talent, last year their young team stayed fairly healthy. St.Louis is surely no fluke, that team is loaded.

I know JJ and a lot of people on here are not a fan and neither am I, but I saw a tweet from @NHLsourcessay that said:

""Unexpected player that we could see traded?" Patrick Kane."

There is NO grantee LA will experience a 'hangover factor'
Vancouver will be better "IF" Kesler doesn't recover. Wonder why no mention "IF" Hossa doesn't recover?
St. Louis a fluke? Why is that? They have always had talent, last year their young team stayed fairly healthy. St.Louis is surely no fluke, that team is loaded.
- kwolf68

Not to mention they are one of the toughest teams to play in the nhl with their grit, physicality and shut down style.

I know JJ and a lot of people on here are not a fan and neither am I, but I saw a tweet from @NHLsourcessay that said:

""Unexpected player that we could see traded?" Patrick Kane."
- nickmo2699

Id rather keep kane but if he does get traded it better be for a monster in return , Rick Nash or Bobby Ryan , something like that.

There is NO grantee LA will experience a 'hangover factor'
Vancouver will be better "IF" Kesler doesn't recover. Wonder why no mention "IF" Hossa doesn't recover?
St. Louis a fluke? Why is that? They have always had talent, last year their young team stayed fairly healthy. St.Louis is surely no fluke, that team is loaded.
- kwolf68

Loaded and like us a young team. One could argue if there players take the next step in development they will be better. I see the Central being a 4 way race again next year and unless Detroit signs/trades for some guys they will be bringing up the rear.

Loaded and like us a young team. One could argue if there players take the next step in development they will be better. I see the Central being a 4 way race again next year and unless Detroit signs/trades for some guys they will be bringing up the rear.
- HawkintheD

Also, while I do believe the Hawks have better top end offensive talent, the Blues make up for it with their insane defense and stud goal tending.

Actually, I see the Central as Blues v Hawks. Detroit would need to add a lot of pieces to get back into the mix, though they have bucketloads of cap room. Nashville I think will take a step back, though they should still be a very good team.

Today is the day Doan says he needs more time
- moylander

Yep....Or he finally Doan throws in the towel.

From what I read it is just as likely the Coyotes/sales tax etc issue could stretch out until November elections...If so there will be no new ownership there for awhile.

I know JJ and a lot of people on here are not a fan and neither am I, but I saw a tweet from @NHLsourcessay that said:

""Unexpected player that we could see traded?" Patrick Kane."
- nickmo2699

is it just me or does it seem like this guy, Hockeyy Insiderr and Eklund all have the same rumors and "inider info". I mean I was on vacay last week but it seemed like there was a lot of common misses from those three.

Add Doan add center who wins a poop load of faceoffs and they are instantly better even with the holes on D and in goal.
- fattybeef

I just don't see Doan leaving PHX

I just don't see Doan leaving PHX
- Boisy12

If he wants to sign a 4 yr deal now he almost has to leave.

There is NO grantee LA will experience a 'hangover factor'
Vancouver will be better "IF" Kesler doesn't recover. Wonder why no mention "IF" Hossa doesn't recover?
St. Louis a fluke? Why is that? They have always had talent, last year their young team stayed fairly healthy. St.Louis is surely no fluke, that team is loaded.
- kwolf68

Did you not see where I said predicated on Hossa's health.

Hitchcock is going to burn them out and they will stop buying in. Happens everywhere he goes.

Im all good, at work now , hoping the Hawks do something before I go on Vacation this week.

whats up with you ?
- mrpaulish

Back to work after 9 days off for a wedding, Branson vacation, Fireworks, water skiing, Lake in the Hills RibFest and Rush tailgating. Vacations can be exhausting!

From HockeyyInsiderr this morning:

"Working on Habs update right now. Hearing talks with Blackhawks intensifying. More to come."

Did you not see where I said predicated on Hossa's health.

Hitchcock is going to burn them out and they will stop buying in. Happens everywhere he goes.
- fattybeef

I still think the Hawks are 'too easy' to play against we have at least 3 players (2 huge key players) who have had some concussion issues in the past, one star who everyone says is a drunk, a former Norris winner many Hawks fans want to get rid of, our 'physicality' will mostly be coming from a player who stays suspended half the time, a smurf at defense who plays about 10 minutes more than he should, and a goalie who has AHLer written all over him.

I see how this conjecture game is played now.

From HockeyyInsiderr this morning:

"Working on Habs update right now. Hearing talks with Blackhawks intensifying. More to come."
- BDT36

When is the press conference in Pittsburgh for the Parise signing from last week?

If posible could you ask the "Insiderr"???

When is the press conference in Pittsburgh for the Parise signing from last week?

If posible could you ask the "Insiderr"???
- Al

2025, July 2

When is the press conference in Pittsburgh for the Parise signing from last week?

If posible could you ask the "Insiderr"???
- Al

Nashville = worse
Phoenix = annoying but not much better
Detroit = worse
Minnesota = better but still not a top team
St Louis = a fluke IMO last year and they will not respond the same way this fall
LA = should be good still but Cup hangover will be a factor
Sharks = older, and beatable just like last year especially with their goaltending situation and propensity to choke
AVS = still rebuilding, could be dangerous but very young and not a deep D core
Stars = probably same as last year
Calgary = would be lucky to get an 8 seed
Vancouver = same and possibly worse of Kesler doesn't recover from his shoulder reconstruction
Columbus = still sucks
Ducks = same team as last year



Every other team in the West is about where they were last year or worse. The only team that got better at all was Minnesota and it is still debatable that they are a playoff team.

Hawks as they are presently made up predicated on Hossa's health are a 1st place central division team and a home ice team in the Western Conference. Really not a horrible position. A few more complimentary depth pieces and a surprise in terms of scoring (Bickell, Bolland, Saad, Kane exlpoding --- whoever) and they could be the top team in the West.
- fattybeef

All of which means that with any kind of action this off-season, Hawks could move into favorite position for the conference (or definite contender).

- mrpaulish

What wll be really funny is if the Hawks do make any kind of deal with Montreal in the next 2 weeks ....All you will be seeing on every pg of JJ's comment section will be a copied Insiderr tweet......

Then again maybe that won't be so funny....

All of which means that with any kind of action this off-season, Hawks could move into favorite position for the conference (or definite contender).
- StLBravesFan

It's wide open but to stand pat would not be good.

The Sharks, Ducks, Wings and probably Canucks aren't done....

What wll be really funny is if the Hawks do make any kind of deal with Montreal in the next 2 weeks ....All you will be seeing on every pg of JJ's comment section will be a copied Insiderr tweet......

Then again maybe that won't be so funny....
- Al

Hockeyy Insiderr‏@HockeyyInsiderr

Another source just confirmed to me Parise and #Pens have verbal agreement in place, still tweeking some details .Announcement within 24hrs.

from July 3rd.

Hockeyy Insiderr‏@HockeyyInsiderr

Another source just confirmed to me Parise and #Pens have verbal agreement in place, still tweeking some details .Announcement within 24hrs.

from July 3rd.
- mrpaulish

If you throw enough stuff at the wall something will eventually stick...usually.