JJ...a name you've omitted on the blue line who I bet winds up with the club - Oesterle
- PatShart

And I was literally thinking his name as I wrote and forgot to include it, yes. I think he will get a long look.

It's gonna be a battle between him, Forsling, and Ruuta.
- JRoenick97

And ya never know, Pokka could be the guy who up and surprises. I just feel like the coaching staff (at least the last couple of years) really had issues with him. If you're slow afoot, or even just average, you better think the game at a very high level (for them anyway).

And ya never know, Pokka could be the guy who up and surprises. I just feel like the coaching staff (at least the last couple of years) really had issues with him. If you're slow afoot, or even just average, you better think the game at a very high level (for them anyway).
- John Jaeckel

I keep forgetting about him and Gustafsson because they aren't "new."

And ya never know, Pokka could be the guy who up and surprises. I just feel like the coaching staff (at least the last couple of years) really had issues with him. If you're slow afoot, or even just average, you better think the game at a very high level (for them anyway).
- John Jaeckel

JJ, I'm probably reading way too much into this, but in several of the Ulf videos and interviews I've seen, he talks about quick passes and forward support to get the puck out of the zone. This seems to run counter to the style we've seen the past few years of the D holding/controlling the puck and either waiting for the stretch to open up or skating it out of the zone.

Do you expect there to be any sort of shift in concept considering the new players and coaches we now have? Or, are we going to just see "outside influence" applied to the current structure.

Thanks for the blogs!

He's not saying to only bank - he's saying bank cap space until the TDL and then put Hossa on LTIR, which could net the Hawks even more space over $5m to work with at the TDL.

The theory is good, but it's just not practical with how the team cap space is structured. The Hawks are slightly over the cap with an extra goalie but without 2 d-men. The only way to be under the cap with Hossa buried would be to go to a 21 man roster, which is not ideal as it leaves little to no wiggle room for injury replacements or call-up rotations.
- L_B_R

I don't believe you can demote injured players.

JJ, I'm probably reading way too much into this, but in several of the Ulf videos and interviews I've seen, he talks about quick passes and forward support to get the puck out of the zone. This seems to run counter to the style we've seen the past few years of the D holding/controlling the puck and either waiting for the stretch to open up or skating it out of the zone.

Do you expect there to be any sort of shift in concept considering the new players and coaches we now have? Or, are we going to just see "outside influence" applied to the current structure.

Thanks for the blogs!
- Chunk

Good, because the puck support has been a serious issue the last couple of seasons. That is one facet all the inexperience has cause.

Bickell's story in the Players Tribune

https://www.theplayerstri...om/bryan-bickell-grinder/

Haven't read it yet, but I'm sure this will be me:

JJ - Great Blog article. Glad to read some new/solidified thoughts. Going crazy with wife sending me texts about BB19 from http://www.jokersupdates.com/ Paul this Cody that... Unless they are on skates, who cares!

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

That's right, you don't think, just spout nonsense...

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

Except Forsberg comes with better credentials and resume' (and a better overall scouting report) than Darling did two years ago. So there's that.

Except Forsberg comes with better credentials and resume' (and a better overall scouting report) than Darling did two years ago. So there's that.
- John Jaeckel

Only argument I would make is that Forsberg's NHL numbers (such as they are) are not very good.

Granted, he's only played 10 games. His AHL numbers look real good though.

If you're ever feeling down about your team just visit the DET capfriendly page.
- Feds91Stammer

Eh. You have to re-sign AA, get rid of a d-man or 2, put Franzen on LTIR and promote a couple Griffin forwards. That will get you a cap compliant roster ... probably not good enough to compete in the tough Eastern Conference though.

Eh. You have to re-sign AA, get rid of a d-man or 2, put Franzen on LTIR and promote a couple Griffin forwards. That will get you a cap compliant roster ... probably not good enough to compete in the tough Eastern Conference though.
- EbonyRaptor

They're an absolute mess.

They're an absolute mess.
- BINGO!

Just like their pizza. Absolute mess!

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

Go away Troll you're sister is calling ya

I don't believe you can demote injured players.
- TTtime

He wouldn't officially be listed as injured if he wasn't on LTIR.

It doesn't matter because it wouldn't work with the roster currently constructed anyway.

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

Being that you are from Tennessee - you are half right....

You don't think

Told ya Sox fans Matt Davidson is someone we need to hang onto. Needs to miss a few less pitches, but dude can hit the poop out a baseball. Scary game tonight, Moncada looked to have been seriously injured, thankfully all good.

I don't think how much you are going to miss a shut down second goalie like Darling.
- VopatsRash

Congrats to the 2017 NHL Western Conference Champions!

Told ya Sox fans Matt Davidson is someone we need to hang onto. Needs to miss a few less pitches, but dude can hit the poop out a baseball. Scary game tonight, Moncada looked to have been seriously injured, thankfully all good.
- kwolf68

A good reminder of how fragile the rebuild attempt is, and how much luck is involved in keeping your best prospects healthy ....

JJ - just for you - the hipsters have discovered pickle juice:

https://www.tastingtable....acebook&utm_medium=social

Just like their pizza. Absolute mess!
- powerenforcer

What, Dominoes and Little Caesar's don't hold up to Chicago pizza?

So if these good things happen as described in this blog, how far can this team go? Are they legitimate Stanley Cup contenders? Because even in the optimistic blog, JJ raised a lot of concerns.