And Hellebuyck has been anything but outstanding. The goal he gave up in game 3 right after the Jets tied the game was a killer and then he did it again tonight. Even though the third goal by Riley Smith was a nice shot, Hellebuyck was way off his angle and gave him the short side. If he plays he's angle right, that shot hits him in the chest. Aside from the first game against Nashville, where he was fantastic, he has been nothing better than just ordinary in the rest of the games. I'd seriously consider playing Mason on Sunday, but don't see the Jets doing that. Like Eddie O always says about goaltending . . . if you don't have it, you got no shot. I know he won over 50 games and is in the running for the Vezina, but that was the regular season and he just hasn't come up big enough for the Jets in these playoffs. Won't say the series is over, but obviously the Jets need to play with the lead or be no worse than tied. When Vegas has the lead, they really clamp things down and patiently wait for you to make a mistake to jump on. Also, not exactly one of Big Buff's better nights.
- RetiredGoalie

Here is the perfect opportunity to reiterate a theme I have mentioned in blog posts for a while now. The following is totally speculative until the time at hand whence we can most likely see a gold lining for all involved.

I am suggesting that Crawford returns n good health and good form in net. The team performance in the eye test is better although the record is only 3-4 games over from a year ago

This is when Bowman broaches the subject of trading Crawford and handing the net minder chores to Dellia. There are teams this year which lacked the difference maker in net, whom with Crawford they win. Winnipeg last night. Nashville, Washington in some games earlier. Those team might be able to absorb Crawford's money at the trade deadline

My objective is to gain a first round choice. Include Gus (for pp duty) and call the trade in.

Imagine the saving eventually once not only Crawford, but also Seabrook, Hossa and Toews have moved along. A few prospects step into the spotlight in two years. The rebuild starts, however, with an aging Crawford gone.

JJ posted on his site

https://www.the-rink.com/...ors-hossa-the-draft-more/

I'm warming to Dobson. he is maybe not the shooter that bouchard is but he has speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2e0U3PkVP8

JJ posted on his site

https://www.the-rink.com/...ors-hossa-the-draft-more/

I'm warming to Dobson. he is maybe not the shooter that bouchard is but he has speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2e0U3PkVP8
- kmw4631

I am a big Bouchard fan ,but think he may be gone by 8th the secret is out . But Dobson still seems to have a lot of upside ,and could be what we are looking for ..

It's all a process, look at Vegas, play as one unit and wait for the opponent to make mistakes with the puck and take advantage of it. Everyone was saying the samething after the 2010 season. I wish/hope they go back to the defensive responsible system prior to Ulf
- BetweenTheDots

Vegas is a hard working team with no primadonnas and underrated coach. Hawks are the opposite, they cannot pull Vegas miracle till staff/player turnover happens and last several years have shown management does not have the balls to do that.

I am a big Bouchard fan ,but think he may be gone by 8th the secret is out . But Dobson still seems to have a lot of upside ,and could be what we are looking for ..
- oldduffman

Bill "wiz" told me that he is going to be on a podcast or one of those shows that he does with John Jaeckel. I assume discussing the draft. The other hot topic now -- is it fair to say (yes!) -- is how do the Blackhawks fall short and what must they do to become on the same page as the Win Jets & LV Knights. To be sure, obviously enough toughness throughout lineup. And to establish a good enough compete level on defence is the starting point. I whole heartedly agree either Bouchard or Dobson. Do not trade down. Will have to just sign whomever to augment Keith. Will have to hope any prospects on defense can seriously challenge for a job after one season, the exception being every opportunity for the #8 draft to slide in now.

Vegas is a hard working team with no primadonnas and underrated coach. Hawks are the opposite, they cannot pull Vegas miracle till staff/player turnover happens and last several years have shown management does not have the balls to do that.
- vshun

They should have blown it all up after 2010...probably would have had 4-5 more Cups instead of a measly 2.

Vegas is a hard working team with no primadonnas and underrated coach. Hawks are the opposite, they cannot pull Vegas miracle till staff/player turnover happens and last several years have shown management does not have the balls to do that.
- vshun

The Hawks are a young team now, so I'm going to be patient and see where this goes, but i do believe with Corey between the pipes the Blackhawks are a much much much better team.

The question i have is does this Vegas team really look that much different than the very hard working teams the Blackhawks had between 2013 and 15, imo not so much other than the Hawks had more star power.

I am a big Bouchard fan ,but think he may be gone by 8th the secret is out . But Dobson still seems to have a lot of upside ,and could be what we are looking for ..
- oldduffman

Just no on Bouchard. His skating needs a lot of work. And its not just from one profile. Most describe his skating as average at best. Pass.

They should have blown it all up after 2010...probably would have had 4-5 more Cups instead of a measly 2.
- HawkintheD

They did blow it up after 2010. Not by choice though. Tallon the builder was home nursing a hangover the day QO were supposed to be turned in.

TBF to Tallon, he did a good job of building Vegas' top line.

It's official...Marian Hossa has retired.

It's official...Marian Hossa has retired.
- Justin Lowe

Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks is ending his playing career after 19 seasons in the NHL.

"I'm done playing hockey," the 39-year-old forward told Slovak newspaper Novy cas. "I have a contract with Chicago for the next three years, but I have to watch my health, and my body says the comeback is not possible."

Hossa, who had 1,134 points (525 goals, 609 assists) in 1,309 NHL games and won the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015, did not play this season because of a progressive skin disorder and side effects of medication to treat it. He was placed on long-term injured reserve Oct. 4.

Hossa said last June he had been undergoing treatment for the disorder under the supervision of the Blackhawks medical staff for the past few years, but that the side effects and his reaction to them made it impossible for him to play.

He said Saturday that's still the case.

"Before the season, the NHL sent me to a clinic in Minneapolis to see a specialist who confirmed that it's impossible to play hockey when using those [anti-allergic] medicaments," Hossa told the paper. "I have to be aware of what might happen and I don't want to get back to the state I had been in during the previous seasons."

His last game was April 20, 2017, when the Blackhawks lost 4-1 to the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of the Western Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"Since then, I haven't [put the hockey equipment on]. Not even a single one time," he said. "I've been on the ice couple of times just to skate with my daughters but I haven't had my hockey gear on."

Hossa said he and his family will return home to Slovakia.

"The daughter goes to school for another school year so we had to make a decision," he said.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said in April that Hossa's condition hadn't changed and that there was "no indication he's going to play next year, either."

And Hellebuyck has been anything but outstanding. The goal he gave up in game 3 right after the Jets tied the game was a killer and then he did it again tonight. Even though the third goal by Riley Smith was a nice shot, Hellebuyck was way off his angle and gave him the short side. If he plays he's angle right, that shot hits him in the chest. Aside from the first game against Nashville, where he was fantastic, he has been nothing better than just ordinary in the rest of the games. I'd seriously consider playing Mason on Sunday, but don't see the Jets doing that. Like Eddie O always says about goaltending . . . if you don't have it, you got no shot. I know he won over 50 games and is in the running for the Vezina, but that was the regular season and he just hasn't come up big enough for the Jets in these playoffs. Won't say the series is over, but obviously the Jets need to play with the lead or be no worse than tied. When Vegas has the lead, they really clamp things down and patiently wait for you to make a mistake to jump on. Also, not exactly one of Big Buff's better nights.
- RetiredGoalie

no way on mason....you live or die with Hell...i think he has played pretty well..the miff on a weak wrister leading to a goal last night was tough....but the jets have coughed up the puck frequently vs the knight forecheck and that has cost them aslo...


this think this is going 7...jets 3 in a row...

Also explains why his house is on the market.

It's official...Marian Hossa has retired.
- Justin Lowe

now what about his contract....can you trade a retired player's contract...

now what about his contract....can you trade a retired player's contract...

- bogiedoc

With Hoss retiring does that affect the Hawks putting him on LTIR?

It's official...Marian Hossa has retired.
- Justin Lowe

Does that mean his contract is null and void. What about recapture penalties?

now what about his contract....can you trade a retired player's contract...

- bogiedoc

I don't think he is retiring per se. I think he is just confirming that he is not going to play again. Not sure how that works without it being a retirement. If he is officially retiring, then I believe the Hawks can not LTIR him and the recapture penalty is now in effect?

I don't think he is retiring per se. I think he is just confirming that he is not going to play again. Not sure how that works without it being a retirement. If he is officially retiring, then I believe the Hawks can not LTIR him and the recapture penalty is now in effect?
- Lido_Shuffle

thats what I thought....

is he formally signing retirement documents or as say just announcing he won't play again...

It's official...Marian Hossa has retired.
- Justin Lowe

He'll be missed, glad he mentioned its due to his health, good soldier

thats what I thought....

is he formally signing retirement documents or as say just announcing he won't play again...
- bogiedoc

It is definitely a grey area as his official retirement was supposed to incur cap penalties, but given that it is medical reasons keeping him out, the league might not force them to do the song and dance.

thats what I thought....

is he formally signing retirement documents or as say just announcing he won't play again...
- bogiedoc

After doing a little digging to refresh the memory, if he officially retires after this season, the Hawks would have a $4.275 cap hit for the next 3 years.

Ouch.

By saying this he gives the Hawks permission to move forward

After doing a little digging to refresh the memory, if he officially retires after this season, the Hawks would have a $4.275 cap hit for the next 3 years.

Ouch.
- Lido_Shuffle

From this article
https://chicago.suntimes....laying-career-is-over/amp

"Hossa recently put his Chicago home up for sale, and told the Slovakian paper he and his family will return to Slovakia. He suggested he would take a job with the Hawks organization once his contract expired. Hossa can’t simply retire without the Hawks being hit with significant recapture penalties that would count against the salary cap, so he’ll have to wait out the contract."

Sounds like he will ride out his contract on the shelf and the Hawks will just juggle his LTIR or trade him.

From this article
https://chicago.suntimes....laying-career-is-over/amp

"Hossa recently put his Chicago home up for sale, and told the Slovakian paper he and his family will return to Slovakia. He suggested he would take a job with the Hawks organization once his contract expired. Hossa can’t simply retire without the Hawks being hit with significant recapture penalties that would count against the salary cap, so he’ll have to wait out the contract."

Sounds like he will ride out his contract on the shelf and the Hawks will just juggle his LTIR or trade him.
- breadbag

Thanks for finding this. That is good news. Hopefully the Hawks will find a team looking to take on his cap hit in order to get the floor.

From this article
https://chicago.suntimes....laying-career-is-over/amp

"Hossa recently put his Chicago home up for sale, and told the Slovakian paper he and his family will return to Slovakia. He suggested he would take a job with the Hawks organization once his contract expired. Hossa can’t simply retire without the Hawks being hit with significant recapture penalties that would count against the salary cap, so he’ll have to wait out the contract."

Sounds like he will ride out his contract on the shelf and the Hawks will just juggle his LTIR or trade him.
- breadbag

Why couldn’t he take a position with the Hawks before his contract expired?

Didn’t Pronger take a League position while still under contract?