Was at the Columbus game last night. Panarin was by far the best player on the ice. Every time the puck was on his blade you got the feeling something amazing was going to happen and towards the end of the game he really clicked into another gear.

Very very special player. It is a shame he isn't in a Hawks sweater anymore.
- fattybeef

I'll say. He's even more exciting to watch now. Who knew he had another gear.

Go lil Arti

Watching the Flyers defense is like watching the Blackhawks, defense constantly caught up ice

There always seems to be a few posts each thread predicting the glorious return to playoffs or just a much better team. While i appreciate the candid enthusiasm and fervent emotionalism for our team to rise up, there is too much at stake that has to be at the same level it was in Cup years.....therefore .....no way is Toews, Keith, and Seabrook match past performance.

Next season is too soon to expect a prospect to arise and replace each of them. But that is what is going to happen eventually. Those three remain important components on the team next season, but for maybe the last season they will be used as key components. Prospects must come alkng and replace them after next season. Those three hopefully will not block a younger player whom becomes their replacement.

This may appear too radical an outcome, but look at the mileage and the big salaries those three command.

Toews too often does not compete physically. He cannot return to the same level, not even close to it because Toews is not able, physically, or mentally want to play that same way. See what changes in his game next season - very little.

Same applies to Seabrook. His skating is not getting better no matter how intense off season work out.

Keith has an attitude and it is a problem affecting his play. Sure, other mitigating factors apply with Keith. But we need and we hope someone else comes along and lessens Keith's TOI and that Keith becomes less of the all purposes dman. Take him off powerplay, please.

It is going to be a long arduous journey even returning to playpff hockey. Dare you even to think what the roster will look like yet sometimes you have to let go of your past to rise up again. It's going to happen rather sooner than you want. Bowman trading his top pick down is not how to secure top young talent. He is doing ok, he feels, by trading for veteran "d" help when in reality it is ridiculous that he feels he has to part ways with a precious early first round selection. Trade most any how else. Bowman is not fooling me; Bowman is not doing a good job if he trades down that pick. He is covering for bad managing.

Forgot about smaltz my bad as far picking late toffoli 2nd round hornqusit 7th round
sheary undrafted rust 3rd round Simmonds 2nd round reilly smith 3rd round pavelski 7th round just to name a few that playing in the playoffs good even great players can be found and drafted after the first round saad dcat kieth 2nd rounders it all comes down to scouting and developing.
- Scott1977

Agree with that and you just mentioned 2 players found in the 2nd round for the Hawks who could be considered top end talent (maybe not Saad this year but usually).

Other than Simmonds, Pavelski, and maybe Hornqvist I would consider the other guys nice complement players but not top end talent.

I think the scouting is ok for this team but until this past year it was questionable whether Dent was developing anyone in RFD. Hopefully that's been rectified with his replacement.

I was with you until the last sarcastic sentence...
- riozzo

That sentence wasn't directed at you. It was meant for anyone answering the troll posts. Unless I'm wrong, pretty sure that's not you.

LVGK are methodical, just get the puck in deep, try to set something up and play defense coming back the same way, play after play after play

Shift after shift after shift
- BetweenTheDots

nhl take note: a group no name salary dumps and castoffs with expiring contracts plus
a goalie given up for done 2 years ago figured out the word TEAM...

nhl take note: a group no name salary dumps and castoffs with expiring contracts plus
a goalie given up for done 2 years ago figured out the word TEAM...
- bogiedoc

But didn’t they really get several top-9 forwards because of the limits on who could be protected? And some 4-5 defensemen or better? Better than the usual salary dumps and castoffs that expansion teams usually get.

So did Kuchrov leave his feet? Looks like he sure did

So did Kuchrov leave his feet? Looks like he sure did
- BetweenTheDots

After the impact. Looked like a good hit to me, eh?

So did Kuchrov leave his feet? Looks like he sure did
- BetweenTheDots

It's gettin hairy now.

Bobby Orr could pay shutdown defense just as well and probably better than any other player of that era. I saw Bobby Orr play in a Hawk uniform in a preseason game at the Stadium against Montreal. His knees were pretty much gone by then but his defensive play was nothing short of dazzling.
- Savoy

Yeah, I wouldn't harp so much on Gustafsson and Oesterle so much if they just played even a fraction of solid defense Orr did.

I don't mind having offensively minded d-men. Every team has them and needs them. But it also helps immensely if they live up to their position title of DEFENSEmen and not only prioritize defense during games but also work hard to hone that craft.

Otherwise, as some other posters have said, just be a winger already.

It's like the Penguins have a bye week, yikes are the Flyers bad

I'd include Schmaltz as far as top end, also, you tend to have fewer of those guys in your system when you're picking later in the first (see Detroit Red Wings) and as far as top 4 D, they're not easy to replace.

Forsling could be one if he's able to play a full season like he did the first quarter of this past one.
- HawkintheD

IMHO, top 6 forward potential include Schmaltz, DeBrincat, Sikura, and possibly Soderlund if he lives up to the Arvidsson comparison.

Top 4 defensemen potential include Forsling, Jokiharju, Mitchell, and possibly Krys and Carlsson. Carlsson could be Hjalmarsson like.

As soon as the Penguins get into there 3man defensive rotation the Flyers stay on the perimeter, a lot like the Blackhawks

Anton Stralman, sausage king of Chicago.

Save Ferris

Penguins lookso good, hate to say it but, they might just 3pete

It's gettin hairy now.
- hocktock

Why are you talking about my back?

Penguins lookso good, hate to say it but, they might just 3pete
- BetweenTheDots

Anyone know what the status of Colorado's Varlamov is. Seem to recall him getting hurt in the last game the Hawks played against them. Is he out for the playoffs? Anyone?

Penguins lookso good, hate to say it but, they might just 3pete
- BetweenTheDots

Vegas......

Why are you talking about my back?
- DarthKane

Sorry, didn't mean to get personal.

And there is the problem with Hartman.

Go Avs

Too bad Varlamov is out. He's the kind of goalie that could steal a game or two.

Go, ...argh

Predators gang rape teams up and down the ice and target other team's stars, but when they get whacked (even if it's their own fault) the level of pain, consternation and indignation is mind blowing.

If it's Nashville v Pittsburgh again I am not watching a single solitary minute.

Is there SOMEONE, ANYONE who can stop either of these teams? Peg? Boston?TB? Vegas? A high court of idiots? Someone? Anyone? Please...Pretty please.

Rinne needs to be taken out, what a POS. He is learning from PK.