I watched the Stanley Cup Championship video from iTunes, I think it was well done.

A couple things stood out in the video:

1. The really showed Kane as an on-ice leader, lots of positive stuff about him.

2. There was lots and lots of Saad, both in the highlights and interviews.

3. They showed lots if Frolik and Bolland, it was nice to see those guys weren't left out because they were traded. I'm sure if there were some Stalberg highlights they would have been included too.
- DarthKane

I'm really glad to see Kane mature into a leader. Especially with so many really young players starting to play key roles. Shaw really seems to be starting to be the new face of the team. Toews and Kane always will be the main ones, but Shaw has to be up there. Probably helps Kane out. Bolland will be harder to replace than most people think. He is a winner and comes up huge when it matters most. Frolik, too, shows up in big games

Hey folks... since I canceled my cable TV I'm looking to open up a hockeystreams acct... Anyone have any thoughts about those guys?

Also FYI they're raising their annual price from 100 to 110 on 9/1 so I'm going to order soon. John you posted some info on referrals and stuff if you can repost it I'll be happy to use yours...

For anyone that cares, Montador signs in the KHL...

Igor Eronko ‏@IgorEronko 35m

#KHL's Croatian #Medvescak announces signing of Steve Montador #Blackhawks #NHL

For anyone that cares, Montador signs in the KHL...

Igor Eronko ‏@IgorEronko 35m

#KHL's Croatian #Medvescak announces signing of Steve Montador #Blackhawks #NHL
- EKolb13

Good for him, but I hope he's past the concussion woes.

Good for him, but I hope he's past the concussion woes.
- mohel

I think he is. He was solid in Rockford late last season.

For anyone that cares, Montador signs in the KHL...

Igor Eronko ‏@IgorEronko 35m

#KHL's Croatian #Medvescak announces signing of Steve Montador #Blackhawks #NHL
- EKolb13

Chris Kuc just tweeted about this too. I thought he might have been able to sign a one year offer in the NHL and try to re-establish himself. Monty never worked about in Chicago and his head injuries really got in the way. Above all else I hope he stays healthy and avoids and addition concussions.

For anyone that cares, Montador signs in the KHL...

Igor Eronko ‏@IgorEronko 35m

#KHL's Croatian #Medvescak announces signing of Steve Montador #Blackhawks #NHL
- EKolb13

Bye Stevie.

About the same for Chanterelle season. Yum!!!!!!!
- Beaver-Warrior

I knew there was a reason I liked you. Are you a forager?

I knew there was a reason I liked you. Are you a forager?
- Ogilthorpe2

Oh yes. Here's a photo from last year.

Saw NHL.com ranked Chicago's top 10 prospects:
1. Pirri
2. Smith
3. Morin
4. Clendening
5. LeBlanc
6. Johns
7. Teravainen
8. Raanta
9. Danault
10. McNeill

Thoughts?
- BearsnHawks

who is going to come up with the big plays that we departed with in bolland and frolik.

A lot of those are good ones.

I actually DJ'd one of my son's game at the Verizon Center a couple years ago and I had a lot of the main ones

Kickstart My Heart-Motley Crue, Crazy Train-Ozzy, Welcome to the Jungle-GnR, but added stuff as far ranging as "I Wanna Drive the Zamboni" to Nuclear Assaults "Something Wicked"...that song Something Wicked has a killer intro that builds perfectly and would work great in a hockey arena. Trouble is, only about 10 people know what it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YPHVv-XdyA

I'll give Portnoy, and the whole lot of Dream Theater, the credit they deserve: They are fantastically talented musicians, and are really damn good at what they do. I saw them open for Iron Maiden once, and (despite the fact I couldn't tell when one song was ending and another beginning)I thought they were enjoyable.

That said, I think their music is rather boring, very indulgent, and a little pretentious. Different strokes, though.
- BulliesPhan87

The exact same arguments were made about Rush back in the day. I find lengthy, detailed musical compositions not pretentious, but rather in depth and entertaining.

The difference in something like the Ramones or Kiss and Dream Theater is...the Ramones and Kiss (both bands very suspect musically) are 30-minute sitcoms and Dream Theater is an entire movie. There is quality in both and I enjoy both.

It was works by Dream Theater, Rush, some forms of thrash metal that really inspired me to be a better musician. Had I only been into 4-chord 4/4 basic rock I'd have never progressed as a musician and ultimately playing more complicated stuff is WAY more fun for a musician.

I HATE playing Rolling Stones music on drums, it's terrible, but adore playing Rush, because well...I can't really play it. But I get better every day.

Yes, different strokes. Thank you to all the PROG bands out there from Yes and King Crimson to Dream Theater and Rush. Without you guys I wouldn't be a musician.

Disclaimer: I LOVE simple music...I see value in punk rock, mainstream rock and even country music.

The exact same arguments were made about Rush back in the day. I find lengthy, detailed musical compositions not pretentious, but rather in depth and entertaining.

The difference in something like the Ramones or Kiss and Dream Theater is...the Ramones and Kiss (both bands very suspect musically) are 30-minute sitcoms and Dream Theater is an entire movie. There is quality in both and I enjoy both.

It was works by Dream Theater, Rush, some forms of thrash metal that really inspired me to be a better musician. Had I only been into 4-chord 4/4 basic rock I'd have never progressed as a musician and ultimately playing more complicated stuff is WAY more fun for a musician.

I HATE playing Rolling Stones music on drums, it's terrible, but adore playing Rush, because well...I can't really play it. But I get better every day.

Yes, different strokes. Thank you to all the PROG bands out there from Yes and King Crimson to Dream Theater and Rush. Without you guys I wouldn't be a musician.

Disclaimer: I LOVE simple music...I see value in punk rock, mainstream rock and even country music.
- kwolf68

But have you made it over to Winchester to lay a wreath of flowers at the birth place of Patsy Cline?

But have you made it over to Winchester to lay a wreath of flowers at the birth place of Patsy Cline?
- Beaver-Warrior

Crazy, Sweet Dreams, I Fall to Pieces, She's Got You - music doesn't get any better than that.

Except for Hank, of course.

Crazy, Sweet Dreams, I Fall to Pieces, She's Got You - music doesn't get any tester than that.

Except for Hank, of course.
- StLBravesFan

Have to love Hank Sr. Had to explain to the kids about the value of a $2 bill when Hank sung about the place where the dancing is free.

Have to love Hank Sr. Had to explain to the kids about the value of a $2 bill when Hank sung about the place where the dancing is free.
- Beaver-Warrior

Just tell them "if you want to have fun come along with me...."

who is going to come up with the big plays that we departed with in bolland and frolik.
- jsabey

While they're not the same players; Smith will take Frolik's spot on the 4th line, Morin will take Stalberg's on the 3rd. Bolland will be replaced by Handzus as the 4C while Pirri takes the 2C role.

While they're not the same players; Smith will take Frolik's spot on the 4th line, Morin will take Stalberg's on the 3rd. Bolland will be replaced by Handzus as the 4C while Pirri takes the 2C role.
- DarthKane

As long as we don't go the whole season saying "they shouldn't have gotten rid of Bolland and Frolik".

They're gone - choice between resigning them and resigning Bickell and Leddy - I think they made the right decisions, considering you had two fourth-liners making $6MM.

Smith, Morin, Pirri - maybe they will, maybe not - but that's our team going forward. Next guy up.

As long as we don't go the whole season saying "they shouldn't have gotten rid of Bolland and Frolik".

They're gone - choice between resigning them and resigning Bickell and Leddy - I think they made the right decisions, considering you had two fourth-liners making $6MM.

Smith, Morin, Pirri - maybe they will, maybe not - but that's our team going forward. Next guy up.
- StLBravesFan

Smith, Pirri, Morin and Hayes aren't just battling for a roster spot next season, they're also battling for contract. All 4 guys are RFAs at the end of this season and will have to show they want to stay here. This in combination with LeBlanc being on a cheap one way deal in 14/15 should hopefully maximize their effort while keeping salary demands low.

Shaw is an RFA next summer too, hopefully the abundance of RFAs keeps his salary down a bit too. I expect Shaw will sign a similar deal to Kruger's. I'd like to see 3 years between $1.25 and $1.5 million per season. I know Shaw is better than all 4 of the other RFA, but at least the provide Stan with a little negotiating leverage.

As long as we don't go the whole season saying "they shouldn't have gotten rid of Bolland and Frolik".

They're gone - choice between resigning them and resigning Bickell and Leddy - I think they made the right decisions, considering you had two fourth-liners making $6MM.

Smith, Morin, Pirri - maybe they will, maybe not - but that's our team going forward. Next guy up.
- StLBravesFan

we will never go the whole seasone saying that.

While they're not the same players; Smith will take Frolik's spot on the 4th line, Morin will take Stalberg's on the 3rd. Bolland will be replaced by Handzus as the 4C while Pirri takes the 2C role.
- DarthKane

u are right, i forgot about smitty. but nobody will take bollands place. i hope someone will. but he is champion player. smith i know who is a champ. handszus u said, come on. hopefully.

Smith, Pirri, Morin and Hayes aren't just battling for a roster spot next season, they're also battling for contract. All 4 guys are RFAs at the end of this season and will have to show they want to stay here. This in combination with LeBlanc being on a cheap one way deal in 14/15 should hopefully maximize their effort while keeping salary demands low.

Shaw is an RFA next summer too, hopefully the abundance of RFAs keeps his salary down a bit too. I expect Shaw will sign a similar deal to Kruger's. I'd like to see 3 years between $1.25 and $1.5 million per season. I know Shaw is better than all 4 of the other RFA, but at least the provide Stan with a little negotiating leverage.
- DarthKane

I really don't think Smith is essentially battling for a roster spot. I think at this point he has one, and it's his to loose. That leaves one, maybe two forward spots left for grabs in camp for the likes of Pirri, Morin, LeBlanc and Hayes.

Things could change depending on if Bowman brings in another vet on a two way deal between now and the end of camp, or if Smith completely craps the bed in camp.

I really don't think Smith is essentially battling for a roster spot. I think at this point he has one, and it's his to loose. That leaves one, maybe two forward spots left for grabs in camp for the likes of Pirri, Morin, LeBlanc and Hayes.

Things could change depending on if Bowman brings in another vet on a two way deal between now and the end of camp, or if Smith completely craps the bed in camp.
- EKolb13

so u are another expert from the minors!!!!!!perfect!

I really don't think Smith is essentially battling for a roster spot. I think at this point he has one, and it's his to loose. That leaves one, maybe two forward spots left for grabs in camp for the likes of Pirri, Morin, LeBlanc and Hayes.

Things could change depending on if Bowman brings in another vet on a two way deal between now and the end of camp, or if Smith completely craps the bed in camp.
- EKolb13

Or if Smith is injured at the end of camp for the third year in a row.

Or if Smith is injured at the end of camp for the third year in a row.
- NewToHockey

That too.