All of this talk about Keith being a Norris candidate - and I know he has a ton of assists- but:

Aren't the Hawks somewhere in the middle of the league in goals allowed?

Shouldn't a defenseman who plays 35%+ of his teams minutes be downgraded for that performance?

Shouldn't the Norris winner come from a team with a better simplistic defensive record (and I realize that GA is a simplistic and perhaps unfair way of measuring a team's defensive results)?
- StLBravesFan

The Hawks are 13th in GA and frankly with how good they've been defensively since November I'd be shocked if they don't finish in the top 10.

From what Ive heard that cover is only in Canada..supposedly the US version has Dale Earnhardt Jr on it..haven't seen it myself yet..
- Glenman12

Dat's cuz us 'merkins can reed sumpin' wiles we choo r tabacky!

Dat's cuz us 'merkins can reed sumpin' wiles we choo r tabacky!
- Q...argh

(frank)ing NASCAR.

I recently had someone try to convince me that one of the reasons NASCAR was great is because they have their "Super Bowl" (The Daytona 500) at the beginning of the season.

After reiterating that I'll never be a big fan of infinite left turns, I told him that only a moron would think it's a good idea to have your "Super Bowl" at the beginning of the season.

Big tough wing or centers don't grow on trees. I would prefer to move Versteeg or just let him go if it means saving money for Ladd is the end result. Bickel has issues but is worth retaining because when right he is too valuable a piece to move. He is another large forward, yet he is someone you move only if you have already determined that you will find room to keep a Ladd around.

It is kind of silly to spend a lot of time trying to guess what moves may occur. But I vote for Ladd if he is going to be returning for a long term engagement at his old address.

The Jets have a smallish center prospect who looked good in WJC plus Scheiffle is further along now. So I do not see Pirri relocating to the frozen tundra where some do not want to go. In that Morin has a shot that can win a game, I would sort of favor having him available in playoffs over Pirri. Morin might be able to find time but Q just doesn't figure to use Pirri. He will ride his veterans to the end. Morin could find time due to injuries. But even with injuries Q might be reluctant to throw Pirri out there.

(frank)ing NASCAR.

I recently had someone try to convince me that one of the reasons NASCAR was great is because they have their "Super Bowl" (The Daytona 500) at the beginning of the season.

After reiterating that I'll never be a big fan of infinite left turns, I told him that only a moron would think it's a good idea to have your "Super Bowl" at the beginning of the season.
- Ogilthorpe2

The big Nascar moment each year for some might be when the race circuit stops in Joliet. Wow it is too dizzying just watching those cars zip around continuously in circles.....but if not a race fan that is a typical response.

Dustin Buff used to speed around town in a race capable car. Might have been a Lamboigini? He was told once to stop driving 85 in residential areas, so he slowed down to 55. I heard Tallon asked him once if he could take his car for a drive. Was it a purple color car?

REGIN BAD! GRUEL GOOOOOOOOOOOD!
- Q...argh

Candy gram for Mongo....

Big tough wing or centers don't grow on trees. I would prefer to move Versteeg or just let him go if it means saving money for Ladd is the end result. Bickel has issues but is worth retaining because when right he is too valuable a piece to move. He is another large forward, yet he is someone you move only if you have already determined that you will find room to keep a Ladd around.

It is kind of silly to spend a lot of time trying to guess what moves may occur. But I vote for Ladd if he is going to be returning for a long term engagement at his old address.

The Jets have a smallish center prospect who looked good in WJC plus Scheiffle is further along now. So I do not see Pirri relocating to the frozen tundra where some do not want to go. In that Morin has a shot that can win a game, I would sort of favor having him available in playoffs over Pirri. Morin might be able to find time but Q just doesn't figure to use Pirri. He will ride his veterans to the end. Morin could find time due to injuries. But even with injuries Q might be reluctant to throw Pirri out there.
- jhawk59

I highly doubt the Jets are willing to trade Ladd for anything near a reasonable price. To support this belief I point to the post by the Jets' HB blogger who says they are not willing to trade any of their good players. His reasoning is sound - they are two points out of a playoff spot. It would be very important for that franchise to make the playoffs, given their recent move to Winnipeg. Making a trade that is focused on getting better in future years would likely elicit a similar reaction as the famed "White Flag" trade of White Sox lore.

Candy gram for Mongo....
- StLBravesFan

Mongo like candy...

Mongo like candy...
- Ogilthorpe2

He's mean to horses...

From what Ive heard that cover is only in Canada..supposedly the US version has Dale Earnhardt Jr on it..haven't seen it myself yet..
- Glenman12

The three covers are a Toews, Earnhardt, and Mikaela Schiffrin.

That's in my on-line edition - don't know who's where in the print editions.

I highly doubt the Jets are willing to trade Ladd for anything near a reasonable price. To support this belief I point to the post by the Jets' HB blogger who says they are not willing to trade any of their good players. His reasoning is sound - they are two points out of a playoff spot. It would be very important for that franchise to make the playoffs, given their recent move to Winnipeg. Making a trade that is focused on getting better in future years would likely elicit a similar reaction as the famed "White Flag" trade of White Sox lore.
- mohel

It's kind of a balancing act...what's good for the team now vs. what's good for the team long term. Ladd is good for the team now, so if he's traded it will have to be a deal that they perceive to be extrordinarily good for the team long term. So I guess what I'm saying is....I agree.

Blackhawks get Brian Connelly from the Wild for Winchester.

I highly doubt the Jets are willing to trade Ladd for anything near a reasonable price. To support this belief I point to the post by the Jets' HB blogger who says they are not willing to trade any of their good players. His reasoning is sound - they are two points out of a playoff spot. It would be very important for that franchise to make the playoffs, given their recent move to Winnipeg. Making a trade that is focused on getting better in future years would likely elicit a similar reaction as the famed "White Flag" trade of White Sox lore.
- mohel

I agree 100%. I was not focusing on an actual deal. I merely considered that Ladd is what we need......but we could use a #2 center as well. Then, when I actually thought for a brief second about the centers in Winnipeg, I knew instantly that they would not be interested in a player along the line of Pirri. Since some have continued to mention Ladd, I just wanted to point out that if you move a big physical forward like Bickel, then if Ladd or whomever the new physical forward better be long term. Henceforth why I led off by stating that big forwards do not grow on trees.

I have no idea and refuse to speculate if Bowman makes any deals. Minor transactions appear most likely as we have been saying - most of us- for a while now. Reworking the salary cap is tricky and not foreseen.

The three covers are a Toews, Earnhardt, and Mikaela Schiffrin.

That's in my on-line edition - don't know who's where in the print editions.
- StLBravesFan

Who the (frank) is Mikaela Schiffrin?

Blackhawks get Brian Connelly from the Wild for Winchester.
- mohel

Who the (frank) is Brian Connelly?

Blackhawks get Brian Connelly from the Wild for Winchester.
- mohel

Better quote would be: Rockford gets Connelly from Iowa for Winchester.

Who the (frank) is Mikaela Schiffrin?
- Ogilthorpe2

18 yr old US skier who I believe won a gold medal...

Better quote would be: Rockford gets Connelly from Iowa for Winchester.
- StLBravesFan

This seems correct. He's AHL filler, it appears.

Blackhawks get Brian Connelly from the Wild for Winchester.
- mohel

Rockford needs better dmen. Big time. Connelly is a black ace? Maybe? Replaces Kostka? Not really. But Connelly now is a minor league veteran and is a smooth offensive minded - dman. Perhaps too small to ever stick in the NHL.

18 yr old US skier who I believe won a gold medal...
- Glenman12

And now we won't hear of her again until 2018.

Who the (frank) is Brian Connelly?
- Ogilthorpe2

Connelly, former Icehog for a couple of seasons, right? Won a Hobey Baker or was nominated. Standout for Colorado College who thus played major collegiate against U Wisconsin, U Minn etc al. I am certain Eli knows well about him.

Connelly, former Icehog for a couple of seasons, right? Won a Hobey Baker or was nominated. Standout for Colorado College who thus played major collegiate against U Wisconsin, U Minn etc al. I am certain Eli knows well about him.
- jhawk59

I know he is a former Ice Hogger, and I trust you on the rest!

And now we won't hear of her again until 2018.
- StLBravesFan

As it should be....unless she's hot, then she'll be coming soon to a Wheaties, Chapstick, McDonald's commercial near you.

I know he is a former Ice Hogger, and I trust you on the rest!
- mohel

Sounds like a Kostka replacement. Our new 8th D-man?

New blog up....a long time ago apparently.