Regardless of that international ice tournament, what I've seen from Murphy this year is a 5/6D on a good NHL team.
- EnzoD

What you have seen this year is a player (Murphy) get totally messed with. Murphy has been treated like garbage with D-Men who have no idea how to play defence slotted ahead of him often. His treatment was ridiculous. Couldn’t disagree more with you about Murphy - Murphy clearly should have slotted top 3 all year. Murphy arrived in Chicago in Q’s doghouse being part of the Hammer trade which Q hated. Ulf was also abominable. Also I repeat you don’t get named Team USA’s Captain, over lots of other quality players, unless you are a good player. Forget about being named Captain you don’t even get invited.

Just think how good DeBrincat could have been with 2-3 years of seasoning in the AHL.
- DarthKane

Can’t tell if your red font should be on, but I would t have minded it - his total hockey game could have been improved with a year in Rockfish.

Almost all players would benefit from time in the “A”.

What you have seen this year is a player (Murphy) get totally messed with. Murphy has been treated like garbage with D-Men who have no idea how to play defence slotted ahead of him often. His treatment was ridiculous. Couldn’t disagree more with you about Murphy - Murphy clearly should have slotted top 3 all year. Murphy arrived in Chicago in Q’s doghouse being part of the Hammer trade which Q hated. Ulf was also abominable. Also I repeat you don’t get named Team USA’s Captain, over lots other quality players, unless you are a good player. Forget about being named Captain you don’t even get invited.
- Z3Hawk

That was then, this is now. He was highly regarded before turning pro. But his skating now should land him as a third pair. Coach Q has his reasons for whom and how he plays his "D." I trust Murphy to be the muscle on third pair..i believe he could be acceptable. I do not think Q is the right or best coach with this young squad.

What you have seen this year is a player (Murphy) get totally messed with. Murphy has been treated like garbage with D-Men who have no idea how to play defence slotted ahead of him often. His treatment was ridiculous. Couldn’t disagree more with you about Murphy - Murphy clearly should have slotted top 3 all year. Murphy arrived in Chicago in Q’s doghouse being part of the Hammer trade which Q hated. Ulf was also abominable. Also I repeat you don’t get named Team USA’s Captain, over lots other quality players, unless you are a good player. Forget about being named Captain you don’t even get invited.
- Z3Hawk

I agree with this-
I would play Seabs with Keith if 7 gets in shape this off season- I think he’s played himself into shape lately and therefore the last 3 weeks has been better.

I would keep Osterle for the third pairing and play 5 on the second pairing with a free agent signing like Da Haan or Mike Green-

What you have seen this year is a player (Murphy) get totally messed with. Murphy has been treated like garbage with D-Men who have no idea how to play defence slotted ahead of him often. His treatment was ridiculous. Couldn’t disagree more with you about Murphy - Murphy clearly should have slotted top 3 all year. Murphy arrived in Chicago in Q’s doghouse being part of the Hammer trade which Q hated. Ulf was also abominable. Also I repeat you don’t get named Team USA’s Captain, over lots other quality players, unless you are a good player. Forget about being named Captain you don’t even get invited.
- Z3Hawk

I don't think I disagree completely, but Team USA is not exactly a powerhouse at the World Championship. Nevermind though, when he arrived in Chicago, it soon seemed clear that he doesn't fit in Q's system either before or after Ulf's adjustments. Being traded and going to a new city required some patience, but he didn't show much to deserve it. Especially when Rutta and Forsling played well early on. The blame is all around, Murphy wasn't really put in a position to succeed, but he is not much more than an okay player. With that being said, he is one of the very few who engages in any kind of physicality and that is solely missing in this weak version of the Blackhawks.

I don't think I disagree completely, but Team USA is not exactly a powerhouse at the World Championship. Nevermind though, when he arrived in Chicago, it soon seemed clear that he doesn't fit in Q's system either before or after Ulf's adjustments. Being traded and going to a new city required some patience, but he didn't show Rutta and Forsling played well early on. The blame is all around, Murphy wasn't really put in a position to succeed, but he is not much more than an okay player. With that being said, he is one of the very few who engages in any kind of physicality and that is solely missing in this weak version of
- stonefire

Too bad more people do not see this....this way

V Dunn had a good game. St Louis had to win..They are trying to get into playoffs leaning more on Dunn with Boumeister out

Anyone else care to predict which bottom four teams battle their way into the post season among the five most likely to duke it out. I can agree SJ and Minny are no sure thing but would be surprised if either stumbled badly. I keep believing that Minny will do better. Parise has been felled by some serious injuries. Dubnyck needs to be fresh for playoffs.

Aside: there were some colorful WHA team names. Was just a young kid, so i never heard why Chicago got the Cougars name. Ok, how about these names: Michigan Stagg, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Phoenix Roadrunners, Cherry Hill Bombers, Birmingham Barons, even New England Whalers kind of cool. Three former team names may still be around with new team new league and are kind of lame: Cincinnati Stingers, Baltimore Blades, Indianaopis Racers (now Fuel). Some names didn't stick and sound weird nowadays since other cities adopted their moniker. For example: Denver Spurs, Portland Blazers, Calgary Cowboys. And Cleveland Crusaders should not be a sports name.

And why did Charlie Finley call his NHL team the California Golden Seals? The Oilers originally were the Alberta Oilers.

Some coolest junior team names among the many: Windsor Spitfires, Peterborough Petes, Moose Jaw Breakers, Flin Flon Bombers, Regina Pats. Portland WinterHawks, New WestMinster Bruins

Will Quebec ever get an NHL team again?

Omitted them as a cool name for a team

Ironicly a fiercly independent province of Canada wore American colors, though the beautiful off blue was predominant and the red was "minorish."

And it took Kane 9 seasons to get his first regular season hat trick. Still shocks me.

But DBC is a keeper and next year, when it matters again, we need to get some stable and skilled line mates in place for him.
- pdx2ord

Looking at his body of work, he is not afraid to pass to the open guy instead of forcing a shot. That says a lot for him and explains his goals scored. A selfish PK would be a 40+ guy every season - but at what cost overall?

After reading hockeybuzz about the dicotomy on the Buffalo Sabres as it relates to team unity and the team captaincy, i can imagine a bit of a monkey wrench thrown into the drafting in the Entry Draft.

The ideas below are mine alone, and if it has been mentioned in media i am unaware

Should Buffalo and Edmonton wish to straighten out some issues, i suggest two deals. O'Reilly to Edmonton for say the #2 overall, then Draisatil for a young dman who plays the correct side which Edmonton is lacking. There cpild be other assets going both ways to balance a trade
This might solve some issues for all teams involved.

Will Quebec ever get an NHL team again?

Omitted them as a cool name for a team

Ironicly a fiercly independent province of Canada wore American colors, though the beautiful off blue was predominant and the red was "minorish."
- jhawk59

Frankly, who cares...

Frankly, who cares...
- riozzo

A major junior hockey league in Quebec sends players to the nhl. But if Quebec cannot support a team, two other cities look like they would. Las Vegas and Seattle

Just give Sikula a lot of money and don't have to worry about loosing him. That German player sign could not make a transition without a training camp. I figure he brings a legitimate offensive center for Rockford. As far as getting to the NHL, believe it when it happens.

Call up another smurf. Nice touch Stan (if Louis)
Actually both Luis and Samuelson have been making AHL scoresheet. I would like to consider Samuelson, but if Phoenix let him go.....you wonder if the former first round pick is any good. Just to complicate matters, Icehogs signed an undrafted small offensive guy who played with DeBrincat did I read?
- jhawk59

Sikura is subject to the ELC maximums, plus he’s still playing until at least Saturday so the earliest he could play is next week.

We still haven’t received confirmation that the Hawks have signed Kahun, I doubt he’d see any NHL time this season.

Edjsell’s season is done (I think), maybe he can backfill a spot in Rockford if somebody is recalled.

Samuelson and Maksimovich are on AHL deals so they won’t be recalled.

You’re probably right, it would be another one of Stan’s prized smurfs (Louis) that would get recalled.

Just think how good DeBrincat could have been with 2-3 years of seasoning in the AHL.
- DarthKane

Along with 10 lbs of added muscle.

It would have been nice if Debrincat had gotten that 4th goal last night into the empty net, but I was just as happy that the Blues scored that tying goal.
Do you think that he would have been on that ice in a defensive role if we really needed to win that game? Nice tank strategy Q.

A few days ago we were discussing the oft injured Carey Price. I suggested guys like Price who is hurt every other year and Ben I cant stay Healthy around Playoff time Bishop are not favorable to the roster. Saw this, my crystal ball is working!!!

https://www.tsn.ca/stars-...least-two-weeks-1.1031030

Frankly, who cares...
- riozzo

Canadians care thats who.

NHL keeps adding American teams to cities which dont give a shiit about hockey.

How bout giving it to a city who will actually support the team, wow what a concept.

If the ownership is solid no reason Quebec should not have a team.

And BTW the last 6 teams with lowest attendance this year are all USA teams...just saying, so how about relocating those lame duck teams?

*NEW* Blog up: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=91763