I was at the Hawks/Yotes game last night in Arizona. Just a few quick observations:

1. The revamped fourth line of Wingels, Bouma and Hayden was fast and strong and they played with an edge, which what was missing last year. I hope Q keeps this line rolling, and hope Kero remains the odd man out.
2. The top line of Toews, Saad and Panik was also fast and strong. Toews looks like a new man now that he has Saad on his wing again.
3. The third line was only okay. Sharp and DeBrincat were good, but AA is a step slower than both of them.
4. The second line of Schmaltz, Kane and Hartman was also excellent. Kane is a premier player, but he is so much better with a fast Centerman like Schmaltz. Hartman plays well with that line, but it seems like he's more suited to the third line and DeBrincat is more suited to a top six role.
5. I'd like to see Q move DeBrincat up to the second line to play with Schmaltz and Kane. I just think that line would be dynamic.
6. I'd like to see Q move Hartman down to the third line. Hartman has proved that he can play any forward position on any line. I think he'd elevate AA's game, and Sharp can continue to play well on that line.

On the overturned goal...If the goalie touches the the player's stick on a penalty shot, is the play dead? If not, I don't know how they overturn the call on the ice. Wingel's stick was in between Domingue's and the puck. The goalie stick may have brushed the puck on the follow through, but was it conclusive enough to overturn the call on the ice?
- tvetter

Here is a conversation overheard after the game:

Bettman to Arizona organization: You know, I am really pissed at you guys. I can't continue to stick up for you, trying to fix games for you guys to win, and you keep screwing the plans. The Knights are going to be my new pet team!

Here is a conversation overheard after the game:

Bettman to Arizona organization: You know, I am really pissed at you guys. I can't continue to stick up for you, trying to fix games for you guys to win, and you keep screwing the plans. The Knights are going to be my new pet team!
- powerenforcer

PE's book of evidence continues to fill. One of these days his truth will be reality.

Btw, agree on McDavid

On the overturned goal...If the goalie touches the the player's stick on a penalty shot, is the play dead? If not, I don't know how they overturn the call on the ice. Wingel's stick was in between Domingue's and the puck. The goalie stick may have brushed the puck on the follow through, but was it conclusive enough to overturn the call on the ice?
- tvetter

Actually I think that’s what they ruled, but they did a terrible job explaining it with the “made contact with the puck” comment. He didn’t have to have contact with the puck. Knocking it off Wingels stick by hitting his stick ended the play, the shot was considered a rebound.

“The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind (an exception being the puck off the goal post or crossbar, then the goalkeeper and then directly into the goal), and any time the puck crosses the goal line or comes to a complete stop, the shot shall be considered complete.”

Actually I think that’s what they ruled, but they did a terrible job explaining it with the “made contact with the puck” comment. He didn’t have to have contact with the puck. Knocking it off Wingels stick by hitting his stick ended the play, the shot was considered a rebound.

“The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind (an exception being the puck off the goal post or crossbar, then the goalkeeper and then directly into the goal), and any time the puck crosses the goal line or comes to a complete stop, the shot shall be considered complete.”
- walleyeb1

Everyone knows that 95% of the plays should be ruled over then. When a player goes post to post, the puck stops moving toward the goal line. So, they should just explain the truth (they are fixing the game, because that is really what they are doing).

Actually I think that’s what they ruled, but they did a terrible job explaining it with the “made contact with the puck” comment. He didn’t have to have contact with the puck. Knocking it off Wingels stick by hitting his stick ended the play, the shot was considered a rebound.

“The puck must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot, the play shall be considered complete. No goal can be scored on a rebound of any kind (an exception being the puck off the goal post or crossbar, then the goalkeeper and then directly into the goal), and any time the puck crosses the goal line or comes to a complete stop, the shot shall be considered complete.”
- walleyeb1

It's interesting that the goalie touching the puck is considered to be a shot by the player. That would mean, during regular play, if a goalie poke checks the puck away from an opponent as he skates by, that is considered a shot on goal; is that how it is scored? If not, absence any other language about it for shoot outs, that should be incidental contact. But, if a poke-check is considered a shot on goal during regular play, they made the correct call.

Baby Hawks are going for a 3rd win in 3 days(!) this afternoon.

By the looks of it, the new faces, along with the fresh coaching staff has revitalized the IceHogs; they are 4-1 on the season so far.

I haven't been able to catch any games (speaking of that, anyone have a good stream for RFD games?), but have been following along best I can.

I find it interesting who they have selected as their Assistant Captains this year (no captain at this time):

* Luke Johnson
* Lauren Dauphin
* Ville Pokka


Check out IceHogs.com for a Luke Johnson interview... the guy carries himself like a young Toews in interviews. Must be something in the water at the University of ND.

Everyone knows that 95% of the plays should be ruled over then. When a player goes post to post, the puck stops moving toward the goal line. So, they should just explain the truth (they are fixing the game, because that is really what they are doing).
- powerenforcer

This only applies to a penalty shot.

It's interesting that the goalie touching the puck is considered to be a shot by the player. That would mean, during regular play, if a goalie poke checks the puck away from an opponent as he skates by, that is considered a shot on goal; is that how it is scored? If not, absence any other language about it for shoot outs, that should be incidental contact. But, if a poke-check is considered a shot on goal during regular play, they made the correct call.
- matt_ahrens

I don’t know that it’s considered a shot, it’s just that hitting his stick so that it causes the puck to come off his stick ends the play on a penalty shot.

Saw the first period only. Wondered if the league is still freezing the pucks and that he hocks might should practice with tennis balls. Also, too, did the fourth line have mucho ice time? Q knows hockey.

Go Lancelot!!!!
- hocktock

The entire ice staff at the rink in Phx was fired very recently. Lots of politics going on out there.

#6 must be in this lineup.

Alex Debrincat is showing skill and doing the right things mostly but I think the issue with him being on the third line is the puck battles. He doesn't have the reach with his stick, physical size, or strength to win those 50/50 pucks against most NHL players. He is working hard but I think he still needs more physical training to be a real NHL asset that brings it shift after shift. He tries and you can see him try to assert himself but he is facing tough competition.

Alex Debrincat is showing skill and doing the right things mostly but I think the issue with him being on the third line is the puck battles. He doesn't have the reach with his stick, physical size, or strength to win those 50/50 pucks against most NHL players. He is working hard but I think he still needs more physical training to be a real NHL asset that brings it shift after shift. He tries and you can see him try to assert himself but he is facing tough competition.
- breadbag

And, as JJ has mentioned (aka the DeBrincat hat trick) he's getting flattened on a regular basis. At 5'7", a shoulder is going to hit him in his head. His current style of play is not sustainable.

He needs to be put on a line with a couple other guys who can win puck battles, and that's not the 2nd line. Someone yesterday mentioned the Toews line, flipping him with Panik. I'd hate to do it since the first line is playing so well but it might be worth an experiment and Sharp - AA - Panik would be a solid 3rd line.

Something needs to shift with him sooner rather than later.

anybody notice hammy last night...i didn't...

he can't be happy for going from the penthouse to the outhouse...

who know maybe yotes move him to a contender at some point

anybody notice hammy last night...i didn't...

he can't be happy for going from the penthouse to the outhouse...

who know maybe yotes move him to a contender at some point
- bogiedoc

I don't know Toronto's cap situation, but he'd be a perfect fit over there.

So, anyone else like me think the TB Lightning are the best team in the league this year/favorites to win the Cup?

They look INCREDIBLE. So much elite young talent, and I'm not even talking about the core that was already in place(Stamkos, Triplets, Hedman/Stralman, Killorn, etc). They've added some outstanding young defenseman, Sergachev in particular stands out. Gourde and Point are some of their new young talents at forward. Point is already an elite 2-way center. Also guys like Pauquette, Brown, and Callahan are all still there to provide the 4th line depth. Kunitz was a solid depth acquisition. Tyler Johnson might be the best 3C in the NHL. Namestnikov is an underrated talent. Vasilevskiy is a Cup worthy starting goalie.

I REALLY like that team, top to bottom its the most talented group in the league IMO. Unless the Penguins can make a really nice move at 3C and further upgrade their blueline(literally JUST NOW saw that they traded for Sheahan, meh....we'll see how that works out).

Nashville isn't far behind either.

I don’t know that it’s considered a shot, it’s just that hitting his stick so that it causes the puck to come off his stick ends the play on a penalty shot.
- walleyeb1

That's the gist of it. Hard to argue that Domingue didnt get that one. We all heard the crack of the stick and we all saw Wingels chase the puck as it slid away from him. Successful poke, end of story.

He's designed for behind/in front of the net. Big frame, over decent hands.
Him getting stripped of the puck exiting our zone and in the neutral zone expose his lack of foot speed.
If ADB n sharp rush it through & gain Ozone, let AA catch up & handle the corners/net front, hawks 3rd line could almost be AK72 line from '15-'17.

That's the gist of it. Hard to argue that Domingue didnt get that one. We all heard the crack of the stick and we all saw Wingels chase the puck as it slid away from him. Successful poke, end of story.
- kinigitt

Fair enough. I was just unaware that knocking the puck off the shooter's stick ended the play.

So, anyone else like me think the TB Lightning are the best team in the league this year/favorites to win the Cup?

They look INCREDIBLE. So much elite young talent, and I'm not even talking about the core that was already in place(Stamkos, Triplets, Hedman/Stralman, Killorn, etc). They've added some outstanding young defenseman, Sergachev in particular stands out. Gourde and Point are some of their new young talents at forward. Point is already an elite 2-way center. Also guys like Pauquette, Brown, and Callahan are all still there to provide the 4th line depth. Kunitz was a solid depth acquisition. Tyler Johnson might be the best 3C in the NHL. Namestnikov is an underrated talent. Vasilevskiy is a Cup worthy starting goalie.

I REALLY like that team, top to bottom its the most talented group in the league IMO. Unless the Penguins can make a really nice move at 3C and further upgrade their blueline. Nashville isn't far behind either.
- SimpleJack

Nashville would go down in 5 games to Tampa. Great defence group when Ellis and Josi are healthy; nothing much up front after Forsberg and Johansen.

Nashville would go down in 5 games to Tampa. Great defence group when Ellis and Josi are healthy; nothing much up front after Forsberg and Johansen.
- RickJ

I disagree i think they have a very fast and dangerous group of forwards. Arvidsson, Fiala, Aberg, etc. provide a spark of youth and speed. Hartnell and Bonino were solid veteran additions. Jarnkrok and Sissons are solid. Craig Smith had a down year last season but has potential to be a 20 goal scorer.

I disagree i think they have a very fast and dangerous group of forwards. Arvidsson, Fiala, Aberg, etc. provide a spark of youth and speed. Hartnell and Bonino were solid veteran additions. Jarnkrok and Sissons are solid. Craig Smith had a down year last season but has potential to be a 20 goal scorer.
- SimpleJack

You just proved his point. Rag tag group of forwards

Baby Hawks are going for a 3rd win in 3 days(!) this afternoon.

By the looks of it, the new faces, along with the fresh coaching staff has revitalized the IceHogs; they are 4-1 on the season so far.

I haven't been able to catch any games (speaking of that, anyone have a good stream for RFD games?), but have been following along best I can.

I find it interesting who they have selected as their Assistant Captains this year (no captain at this time):

* Luke Johnson
* Lauren Dauphin
* Ville Pokka


Check out IceHogs.com for a Luke Johnson interview... the guy carries himself like a young Toews in interviews. Must be something in the water at the University of ND.
- TyCamScore

... and there you go, Rockford wins again, 5-0!

Goals from Iacopelli, Knott, Hino, Gustafsson & Svedberg.

Once thing can be said for advancing a players on the farm personally, but I think it is so key to create a winning atmosphere from top to bottom of an organization.

If these guys learn to win in the AHL, it's only going to help them when they get to the NHL.

You just proved his point. Rag tag group of forwards
- kinigitt

You're severely underrating the Predators forwards, i get it that everyone has their own opinion but to say the Preds have a "rag tag" group of forwards is just wrong.

You're severely underrating the Predators forwards, i get it that everyone has their own opinion but to say the Preds have a "rag tag" group of forwards is just wrong.
- SimpleJack

Alrighty