This is the view from section 28...and apparently the usher had to stand there the ENTIRE game

Can we really match up with teams like the Caps again in the playoffs? Grit is still very important and this team lacks it big time. The Isles dynasty teams took off when they learned to not take shat and could play the rough and tumble game with anyone.
- ses111

No, you can't. You can't win games playing shinny, using Strait like he's Bobby Orr, and you can't win in the playoffs without talent, strength, toughness and ba11s. We have talent...we just need more of the other three. Talking about wanting to win a Stanley Cup is cheap- you have to earn it.

I think it depends on who you're playing. If you're playing a speedy finesse team, then smaller, quicker puck-movers could be more valuable than a plodding physical player. If you're playing against a punishing team that chips it in and bangs, I think you need to have big bodies back there that can take the punishment, dish it back, and take care of the front of the net.

Probably not a popular opinion, but I'd honestly rather go with Mayfield as an extra D this season for that reason. I wouldn't think of playing him against a team like Tampa Bay, where they would completely expose his less-than-stellar skating, but he looked right at home against Washington in the playoffs, and again seemed to have a really good game last night against them. Against those big, physical teams, I think he's more of an asset than Hickey or Strait, even with his limitations..
- UIF

I guess I'll buy that to an extent, but on those nights, you'd really need an in prime Visnovsky type- someone who can play the position and also contribute at the offensive end. Hickey, despite having decent sense, is not any of that- he's slow AND not a power play QB. Again, a lot of our problem here is the way these guys are used. Your five and six should be players that can be hidden at the end of a tight game, not the guys you have on the ice for a D zone faceoff with 14 seconds left.

No, you can't. You can't win games playing shinny, using Strait like he's Bobby Orr, and you can't win in the playoffs without talent, strength, toughness and ba11s. We have talent...we just need more of the other three. Talking about wanting to win a Stanley Cup is cheap- you have to earn it.
- dcb1

You can't compare eras..the blackhawks are one of the least physical teams in the league.. they are tough as hell but not overtly physical. when strait was use correctly he was ok... up to the staff to do that though

Wow, just watched Poulin give up a goal on a shot from behind the goal line that bounced off his chest and in. Short-handed, too!

He's all yours, Tampa!

You can't compare eras..the blackhawks are one of the least physical teams in the league.. they are tough as hell but not overtly physical. when strait was use correctly he was ok... up to the staff to do that though
- Dan Petriw

Being tough is still more than what Frans, Bailey, and Hickey bring. I'm sure the Hawks do not have guys avoiding contact at all costs like the Isles.

Wow, just watched Poulin give up a goal on a shot from behind the goal line that bounced off his chest and in. Short-handed, too!

He's all yours, Tampa!
- JohnScammo

No backsies either!!

Noel Fogelman: Isles Buzz Podcast Episode 14 - Over/Under Edition
- Noel Fogelman

Nogelgleman/Dan-

Your comments on the PP. No, I am sure Doug Weight doesn't draw up a play that has them pass 22 times before they attempt a shot but if you're gonna put 4 forwards out there then what can you expect? It's not like Brett Hull is one of the forwards. The basic design of the PP is a pass-first concept to try and undress the other team and tap -in an easy goal/one-timer. This years' version doesn't look any better than last years.

Nogelgleman/Dan-

Your comments on the PP. No, I am sure Doug Weight doesn't draw up a play that has them pass 22 times before they attempt a shot but if you're gonna put 4 forwards out there then what can you expect? It's not like Brett Hull is one of the forwards. The basic design of the PP is a pass-first concept to try and undress the other team and tap -in an easy goal/one-timer. This years' version doesn't look any better than last years.
- jmo16

Get traffic in front of the net and shoot the puck.. Do that consistently and those pretty seam passes open up. Thanks for the listen

Get traffic in front of the net and shoot the puck.. Do that consistently and those pretty seam passes open up. Thanks for the listen
- Dan Petriw

Amen. From your fingers to the dark empty recessess of our coaches brain.

You can't compare eras..the blackhawks are one of the least physical teams in the league.. they are tough as hell but not overtly physical. when strait was use correctly he was ok... up to the staff to do that though
- Dan Petriw

The Blackhawks have four of the very best players in the league- they can win Stanley Cups with mediocre goaltending, assuming some team (like LA) doesn't show up and outwork them. That is an aberration- the rest of the teams have to work their butts off to be that good. It's not necessarily all about size (unless you're just plain too small), but it is about effort and hard, grinding work. I didn't notice that from a lot of these guys in last year's playoffs.

Amen. From your fingers to the dark empty recessess of our coaches brain.
- jmo16

The Blackhawks have four of the very best players in the league- they can win Stanley Cups with mediocre goaltending, assuming some team (like LA) doesn't show up and outwork them. That is an aberration- the rest of the teams have to work their butts off to be that good. It's not necessarily all about size (unless you're just plain too small), but it is about effort and hard, grinding work. I didn't notice that from a lot of these guys in last year's playoffs.
- dcb1

When you have certain guys going into a fetal position when things get a little rough that is a problem. Isles do not need a bunch of fighters. They need guys willing to take a hit and go to the dirty areas and to give a hit as well.

The Blackhawks have four of the very best players in the league- they can win Stanley Cups with mediocre goaltending, assuming some team (like LA) doesn't show up and outwork them. That is an aberration- the rest of the teams have to work their butts off to be that good. It's not necessarily all about size (unless you're just plain too small), but it is about effort and hard, grinding work. I didn't notice that from a lot of these guys in last year's playoffs.
- dcb1

Have 1 of the best coaches in league.........

Get traffic in front of the net and shoot the puck.. Do that consistently and those pretty seam passes open up. Thanks for the listen
- Dan Petriw

That logic doesn't seem to work.....

That logic doesn't seem to work.....
- Ur Not Me

Josh Bailey knows all the back roads to get around the traffic in front of the net. He's practically Google Maps.

Josh Bailey knows all the back roads to get around the traffic in front of the net. He's practically Google Maps.
- eichiefs9

Josh Baileys route is what I would be googling when looking for winding roads with little traffic when going out on the bike.

Josh Baileys route is what I would be googling when looking for winding roads with little traffic when going out on the bike.
- Isles_since_6

Josh Bailey knows all the back roads to get around the traffic in front of the net. He's practically Google Maps.
- eichiefs9

- eichiefs9

I'd totally take that road. That's awesome

16 more days until you (frank)ers get a break from me... stinking camera body picked yesterday to start flipping out, shipping it air to the manufacturer for warranty repair but will see if it makes it back in time... if not, another 1200 out of pocket before the trip.

not a major deal at all, but annoying given the timing

I'd totally take that road. That's awesome

16 more days until you (frank)ers get a break from me... stinking camera body picked yesterday to start flipping out, shipping it air to the manufacturer for warranty repair but will see if it makes it back in time... if not, another 1200 out of pocket before the trip.

not a major deal at all, but annoying given the timing
- Isles_since_6

These are what we call "first world problems"

These are what we call "first world problems"


- eichiefs9

ROFL, e5

Arthur Staple Retweeted
Mark Weiner ‏@MarkWeiner_ 8m8 minutes ago
Halak on the ice this morning for practice at iceworks #isles

ROFL, e5
- Isles_since_6

Where are you traveling to again? Somewhere East Asian, right?

Where are you traveling to again? Somewhere East Asian, right?
- eichiefs9

vietnam for two weeks (north to south) then a week in cambodia.

Haven't decided if I'm going to try the hot air balloon ride over angkor wat....Would be a great perspective for some photos. Unsure if it's a wise choice.