Skated !! Past tense....as in the first 15 minutes or so of the 1st period. After the 3-0 lead they have slowed down and let VGK back in the game. 4-2 now after 2....I wouldn't be surprised if OT is in store. This Vegas team is relentless.
- Hawkytalk

True but is it me or are the LVGK a bit timid, which i didn't see in the other 2 series

Skated !! Past tense....as in the first 15 minutes or so of the 1st period. After the 3-0 lead they have slowed down and let VGK back in the game. 4-2 now after 2....I wouldn't be surprised if OT is in store. This Vegas team is relentless.
- Hawkytalk

It has been a long long season with role changes and more miles than ever on many Vegas players. Can they keep it going and come out on top against a bigger, faster team in a seven game series? Maybe but just as likely they may come close but not punch the ticket to the next round..

Your OT prediction is totally seen to happen.The Jets get careless and let up. Vegas could pull it off. I tend to go with Winnipeg. But I would not bet on it; tough call. OMG if an expansion team goes to the finals

Does anyone have a link to USA’s game tomorrow?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...tes-shines-hockey-worlds/

I have to say since Holtby became the starter the defense has relaxed and played better, after Holtby bailed them out on some horrible turnovers

They might just might pull off the upset
- BetweenTheDots

Both teams have a crack in their armour - it is the defense. Both dmen and goaltenders staying good each period. Lot of youth on Tampa. If stars keep producing and playing like stars on both squads, then either team could win one more time.

Orlov and Orpik sigh. But Wilson ignites. One weapon is out, for Caps its Backstrom.i see no edge in coaching. Whomever gets better goaltending wins it. Unless one team just gets a lot of breaks.

So we have the 27th choice round one? No stealing Merkely that late. But wiz says there is good value 27-32 or so.

Winnipeg has such a nice mix of size and speed. Cycling the puck like they did in the 3rd reminds me so much of the 2013-15 Blackhawk teams

True but is it me or are the LVGK a bit timid, which i didn't see in the other 2 series
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree. I think Winnepeg's size on D with Buff and Meyers has them thinking twice about getting in tight.

Winnipeg has such a nice mix of size and speed. Cycling the puck like they did in the 3rd reminds me so much of the 2013-15 Blackhawk teams
- BetweenTheDots

Jets soaring over not quite Golden Knights.

Imagine opening night next season. Either team could play their own re-make of "Oh what a Night" by Four Seasons. But call it "Oh what a Season." There should be some sound bites as background announcer play-by -play highlights.

Jets soaring over not quite Golden Knights.

Imagine opening night next season. Either team could play their own re-make of "Oh what a Night" by Four Seasons. But call it "Oh what a Season." There should be some sound bites as background announcer play-by -play highlights.
- jhawk59

It's early for both series, interested to see what adjustments will be made. 3rd period, LVGK looked much more engaged.

Another article on the brain/CTE studies they are doing on athletes, including more and more hockey players.

She cannot divulge specific findings until the data is finalized and published, but she estimates that between 60% and 70% of hockey players whose brains have been donated to the BU bank, a relatively small group compared to their football brethren, were discovered to have CTE. That group includes ex-NHLers Derek Boogaard, Reggie Fleming, Bob Probert, Larry Zeidel and most recently Jeff Parker, as well as four former junior hockey players—all of whom committed suicide before their 30th birthday. It does not include defenseman Steve Montador, whose brain was autopsied at Toronto Western Hospital and diagnosed with CTE just the same.

Now, you will likely see more players donating who have known issues or are very worried about having issues, so those stats are probably skewed. However, that's still a very high percentage.

https://www.si.com/nhl/20...al&utm_source=twitter.com

Another article on the brain/CTE studies they are doing on athletes, including more and more hockey players.



Now, you will likely see more players donating who have known issues or are very worried about having issues, so those stats are probably skewed. However, that's still a very high percentage.

https://www.si.com/nhl/20...al&utm_source=twitter.com
- pdx2ord

Either the league - and other official hockey organizations - junior hockey, NCAA, IIHF - deals with this - or the courts will - and parents of young kids will.

Everyone knows that net front presence. It is only one problem on the powerplay. The success the GM and coach enjoyed is buying them another year. But there are serious issues. At some point a good coach has to stop bad or poor results by changing the way things are done. He did stop using Keith always on PP. I addressed some of the many problems that exist. You can close your eyes and hope finally they attempt to fix these issues after many years of suffering. You can even say it is not all on Queeneville. Which is true. But you cannot ignore reality.

And, I apologize I came across too harsh and antagonistic. I know that you have been on the board at least a few years and I do not recall any outlandish commentary from you - although we generally only recall our favorite or most despised bloggers. Let's just say that there are problems and I say there are coaches with different approach, good with kids, who should do better Like Colliton. The team will be bad again, even if Stan adds better support. So Q one more year is just an opportunity to see if he finally corrects or attempts to correct SOME things. McDonough is going to want to see positive direction toward improvement. He will note what ails the team.

Both Bowman and Q are actually on the clock whether McDonough says so or not. And he is not able to say that, publicly, not not upon another season. McDonough knows the team goes through a recovery period. Let's see what old problems are addressed. I am not surprised Q is still here but that may change by next summer or sooner.
- jhawk59

McD blew this - he's basically kicked the can down the road another year. Bowman's track record of lack thereof speaks for itself starting with the Leddy idiocy in 14. His bad trades overpays etc. have put this roster where it is. Take a look at the Jets and the Preds - two big physical teams with plenty of depth and speed. The Hawks don't have that - more smurf forwards. Can anyone go to the net on this team? And what about the goaltending? Your best back up was a 40 year old accountant this year...the defense wowsa...look at that stable of players and Stan's bringing everyone back.

Some feel the Bowmans should be given a chance to rebuild...they came in when the cupboard was stocked with talent - and yes Bowman added Two Cups no question - but with better business sense (how bout that Seabrook deal) and smarter trade moves (Panarin) this team would still be in much better shape.

You can also argue had Bowman been smarter he would have acquired more center depth in 14 and without question the #4 dman in 16 he so badly needed. (Instead of adding two retread old forwards and giving up a promising young center in Danault).

Q's not without blame either - Kempny hasn't looked bad at all in the playoffs for starters and looked to be what the Hawks needed - heavy shot and OMG a defenseman that's actually physical in his own end. Yet Q wouldn't have it and we've see this movie before with other players. The powerplay has continued to be a black hole despite the scoring talent the Hawks have been known for. At some point you have to change things up instead of running the same old same old out there. How hard is it to call Adam Oates and get this thing fixed...but he's not one of Q's guys. Well Q should make him one. Look at how the Jets for example have moved the puck on the powerplay in these playoffs.

A new Pres. of Hockey Ops is sorely needed who will take over - from outside the or-gan-I-zation with a fresh eye. The coaching decision should be his call. But yet another concern here is something JJ mentioned a few weeks back - that McD had reached out to a search firm. This is so Bears its not even funny. You recall the Bears used a search firm to find Jerry Angelo (who was with the Buccaneers in then the Bears division). Yikes.

JL Eakin stinks!

2C is laughable!

Kinda like Cat for Kelfbust trade you offered

Or the Seabrook & Burns comparison

Dear Lord HB needs to get a clue
- Goalie-33

And the resident moron is back.

Hey moron, how did you enjoy your lengthy time out??

Ready for another one???

@chrismpeters

USA meets Norway at 10:15 a.m. ET at Men's Worlds. Nick Bonino will make his tournament debut between Cam Atkinson and Patrick Kane. Sonny Milano, Jordan Oesterle and Charlie Lindgren the scratches.

Q's not without blame either - Kempny hasn't looked bad at all in the playoffs for starters and looked to be what the Hawks needed - heavy shot and OMG a defenseman that's actually physical in his own end. Yet Q wouldn't have it and we've see this movie before with other players. The powerplay has continued to be a black hole despite the scoring talent the Hawks have been known for. At some point you have to change things up instead of running the same old same old out there. How hard is it to call Adam Oates and get this thing fixed...but he's not one of Q's guys. Well Q should make him one. Look at how the Jets for example have moved the puck on the powerplay in these playoffs.
- DK002

Saw the headline on this and groaned. https://www.nbcsports.com...s/trade-saved-caps-season

Saw the headline on this and groaned. https://www.nbcsports.com...s/trade-saved-caps-season
- pdx2ord

“It's been huge,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “He's come in seamlessly for us for the most part, adjusting. But you saw it the last series: He played big minutes against top players, be it the [Evgeni] Malkins and the [Sidney] Crosbys, and he's done a really good job. He's just one of those players that is efficient, effective, gets it done."

a guy gets traded where he doesn't fit to a team where he does and you have a big transformation...

it didn't work with the hawks, he wasn't resigning with them as UFA...they got a pick...move on

hawks have been other side of these types of trades...

Saw the headline on this and groaned. https://www.nbcsports.com...s/trade-saved-caps-season
- pdx2ord

At what point does everyone get sick of this poop. One guy who had a lot to do with building the 2010 team was Rick Dudley, who bailed shortly after getting a dose of McD and SB becoming GM. He's now in charge in Carolina. It's going to be interesting to watch as he is the definition of a hockey guy's hockey guy.

“It's been huge,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “He's come in seamlessly for us for the most part, adjusting. But you saw it the last series: He played big minutes against top players, be it the
- bogiedoc[Evgeni] Malkins and the [Sidney] Crosbys, and he's done a really good job. He's just one of those players that is efficient, effective, gets it done."

a guy gets traded where he doesn't fit to a team where he does and you have a big transformation...

it didn't work with the hawks, he wasn't resigning with them as UFA...they got a pick...move on

hawks have been other side of these types of trades...

Agreed - you can really only be happy for Kempny that he found a good fit. Let's just hope our 3rd round pick turns out to be a diamond in the rough

Great rundown on the impression Kane is making on the USA staff and team:

https://theathletic.com/3...t-the-world-championship/

As some have said, looks like you could interpret his quotes (in this and his Dreger interview) as him enjoying having the "C" for a tournament, but not necessarily wanting it long term.

ETA: and he now has 2 goals in the first period against NOR

“It's been huge,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “He's come in seamlessly for us for the most part, adjusting. But you saw it the last series: He played big minutes against top players, be it the
- bogiedoc[Evgeni] Malkins and the [Sidney] Crosbys, and he's done a really good job. He's just one of those players that is efficient, effective, gets it done."

a guy gets traded where he doesn't fit to a team where he does and you have a big transformation...

it didn't work with the hawks, he wasn't resigning with them as UFA...they got a pick...move on

hawks have been other side of these types of trades...

Except - how long do you keep trying to put square pegs in round holes? At some point, change at least some of the holes to fit the pegs.

Not every basketball team should play the triangle.

Figure out how to use the players you have instead of trying to change them into your version of what a hockey player should be.

Players like Daley, Weiss, Fleischman, Kempny - each had more success before, and some after, their stint with Q and his staff.

Q won three Cups with a core that showed it could play his system successfully. Over time - and certainly since 2015 - that core was diminished by cap-induced trades, age, injury (?)....

Coaches need to adjust to what’s there- and what is likely to be there.

Montreal big blockbusters trade rumor mention by ek a center from central division:
Would trade towes for galchuak patch and 3rd overall pick. Then sign taveras 8 years 9 mill per year also have 8th and 27th picks to play with as much as I love towes and is my favorite player on the team i would do it . thoughts
- Scott1977

If I was Stan, I'd do that trade in a minute. But, why in the hell would Montreal?

And, I don't see Taveras signing here. And, I HOPE TO GOD Stan wouldn't do it for EIGHT YEARS.
Has he learned nothing about loooong contracts?

I don't post too often but, the constant Q and Bowman bashing really gets to me. I have been a Blackhawk fan since the late 50's. I have seen some really good Hawk teams not win the Cup. I was 8 years old when they won it in 61 and 58 when they won it in 10. I never thought I would see them win one again and they went ahead and won 3 in 6 years. Nobody is more disappointed in them not making the playoffs than me but, it is what it is. Everybody is a genius when they are winning but, all of a sudden when they are not they are world class idiots.

If their jobs are so easy then everybody could do it, correct. It is so easy to criticize but, not so easy to do the job. It wasn't that long ago that this franchise was voted the worst franchise in all of sport. We have come along way in a short time don't you think? Maybe some of you want the likes of Bob Pulford and Alpo Suhonen back. I know I sure don't and I am grateful for Rocky and all involved for making this franchise great again.

What is it going to take to get them back on top? I don't have the answers for that because I am just a fan not some pretend expert. All I can do is hope for the best because that is all I can do.

I am far from a bandwagon fan, my family and I have had Blackhawk season tickets on 3 different occasions. I grew up loving the Blackhawks and have passed that on to my kids and now to my grandkids.

So, like I have said many times in the "Old Barn and at the UC:

"LET'S GO HAWKS"
- McCOVEY

Q was not a genius when the team was having Cup winning seasons. The Hawks were loaded - one poster called them “Olympic Teams”. Often in those seasons I would ask for Q to just get out of the players way. Q has been very opportunistic his entire career in the same manner that Scotty Bowman was. Not so much HOW you coach as WHERE you coach. With the Hawks there has also been lots of First Round exits and now the play-offs have been missed altogether. In the last 3 seasons there has been 2 First Round exits and a missed play-offs. Q has had a good run based on those 3 Cups - they have saved him from being fired long ago. However, is he allowed to be coach forever because he once won 3 Cups with stacked teams? Think Sullivan has gained this kind of position - no. Bylsma certainly didn’t. At some point there has to be accountability in the PRESENT. We have seen Hossa retire. We have seen Toews change. Arguably Keith and Seabrook too. These elite cornerstone players age. Without bringing Q into it we all know there have been 3 consecutive seasons during which our core got 3 years older and the team did not win a single play-off series.

I know. I agree with you. I've never liked Q, I'm the guy who said he's a right place right time kind of guy. Blending lines constantly is all he's got. I get it. But I can't stand reading the same stuff OVER AND OVER.... even if I agree. If posting the same thing is all you've got then give it a rest, at least for a while.
- 6628

One of the reasons I repeatedly say what I say about Q and Ulf is there are scores of fans and posters who believe that Q should be allowed to coach forever because he once won 3 Cups with incredible stacked teams. They REPEATEDLY say so and for them - end of argument, drop the mike. Completely irrelevant that the Hawks have not won a single play-off series in 3 seasons as the core aged 3 years and Hossa retired.

Except - how long do you keep trying to put square pegs in round holes? At some point, change at least some of the holes to fit the pegs.

Not every basketball team should play the triangle.

Figure out how to use the players you have instead of trying to change them into your version of what a hockey player should be.

Players like Daley, Weiss, Fleischman, Kempny - each had more success before, and some after, their stint with Q and his staff.

Q won three Cups with a core that showed it could play his system successfully. Over time - and certainly since 2015 - that core was diminished by cap-induced trades, age, injury (?)....

Coaches need to adjust to what’s there- and what is likely to be there.
- StLBravesFan

Well said.

Coach Q well done
Not exactly well managed, but the results speak for itself.

That was then, this is now. A bumbling McDonough who thinks he knows all. He knows marketing. Period. A businessman hired a search firm - maybe. A hockey executive doesn"t need a search firm unless he is a bozo clown and no hockey guy. Sort of like real life beings g book smart but street dumb.

So Bowman has some prospects. More coming. Probably will not be the best prospects possible because Bowman two pronged rebuild includes recovery from previous poor judgment and trades. He is rebuilding off a 50/50 success ratio with transaction histrionics. Let's please not get anal over the exact percentage, ok

Queeneville analogous to Bowman has some mistakes and credit on his Cup winning resume.

They are here again and kids are going to get a look, an opportunity whether they go back to Rockford to practice more or not. That is happening because there is no other choice. They are not set up to do it any other way..Wiz points out how the Jets build through the draft. Often no matter the sport this holds true over the decades.

Next season we will see veteran reinforcements. We will see kids, most probably not quite ready. I foresee a continual strengthening of bottom lines in quality and quantity. Unfortunately despite Bowman recanting his love for all the quick euro's type by saying and trading to make us tougher to play against, despite how it turned out last season.....I need to see concrete proof he is headed in the correct direction STILL ....this can only mean adding tough grit and at least some size to TOP forward lines and at least some meanness in the defense pairs

Wince hard, Stan. Be a man and owe up to it

Your and Q willingness and ability to change for the better may keep you employed longer. I just don't know if Rocky can see that McDonough is not the answer man for everything. Rocky can see the business side, the marketing. Don't know if he can see McDonough hiring a search firm is ridiculous. Hockey people laugh at this. It is sort of like all these business people who are hard driving, successful who in their condezsending proud self esteem (aggrandizrment) will knock junior partners who go the route of mistakes. Like hiring a search firm. McDonough is in unchartered waters for his expanded hockey role. Just wondering if his college boy new boy cheap pay recruits read hockeybuzz and tell him about select commentary. McDonough is such a ruthless cunning thorough type personality......wouldn't surprise me

Q was not a genius when the team was having Cup winning seasons. The Hawks were loaded - one poster called them “Olympic Teams”. Often in those seasons I would ask for Q to just get out of the players way. Q has been very opportunistic his entire career in the same manner that Scotty Bowman was. Not so much HOW you coach as WHERE you coach. With the Hawks there has also been lots of First Round exits and now the play-offs have been missed altogether. In the last 3 seasons there has been 2 First Round exits and a missed play-offs. Q has had a good run based on those 3 Cups - they have saved him from being fired long ago. However, is he allowed to be coach forever because he once won 3 Cups with stacked teams? Think Sullivan has gained this kind of position - no. Bylsma certainly didn’t. At some point there has to be accountability in the PRESENT. We have seen Hossa retire. We have seen Toews change. Arguably Keith and Seabrook too. These elite cornerstone players age. Without bringing Q into it we all know there have been 3 consecutive seasons during which our core got 3 years older and the team did not win a single play-off series.
- Z3Hawk

Agree