And by the way JJ you will be missed,best of luck in your new gig.

What are the chances of some sort of rift between 19 and 88?Kane has been regularly improving and as a reward he has linemates that work for him moved to help out his gawky straight and narrow rightous 10.5 mill twin.My brother inlaw was at the Knights game and he said the Hawk fans behind him were talking about how the Hawks arrived late and left Vegas early as to keep Kane in check......I realize that there are Leage rules that say you must arrive in the city of your next game the day before but is there something to this?Perhaps the two faces of the franchise are tired of each other.Pure speculation on my part but this whole salary cap forced caste system may be causing some divides.
- eagle50

I don’t think they moved Panarin for Saad to get (OT at least just to get) help for Toews.

They got a better 200 foot player without giving up much (if anything) in the o-zone, and the got 2 additional years of cost control.

I don’t think they moved Panarin for Saad to get (OT at least just to get) help for Toews.

They got a better 200 foot player without giving up much (if anything) in the o-zone, and the got 2 additional years of cost control.
- StLBravesFan

Oh I agreeas I like Saad over Panarin but was just throwing out the Toews vs Kane dynamic as it has not been done .

I don’t think they moved Panarin for Saad to get (OT at least just to get) help for Toews.

They got a better 200 foot player without giving up much (if anything) in the o-zone, and the got 2 additional years of cost control.
- StLBravesFan

I think you are right. It was more about getting the type of player they needed who can fill some of the void on the team. They got a guy who Q trusts to play at both ends (and can kill penalties), while providing comparable offense.

Another change in the environment around the team - the beat reporters are not holding back this year on their pointed questions, nor on calling out the obvious flaws in the play. Maybe it is competition from outlets like The Athletic that is pushing them to up their game?

Although this was even a bit over-the-top for an NBC affiliate/team homer network IMO

https://twitter.com/NBCSC...status/925512670345867264

As for the Kane/Toews rift theory, the trade could be causing some resentment, but they still seem very complimentary of each other and still seem to be conferring about play strategy on the bench frequently. Something else to watch over the season I guess.

Does anyone have the projected Lineup for tomorrow's game? Thanks!
- EnzoD

i thinks its bouma's or wingles turn to move into the top six...

Good quotes in here re: Q's blowup at practice today and the room in general:

http://wgnradio.com/2017/...ty-in-practice-and-games/

JJ,

I haven't missed your blog for a single day in I don't know how many years! You will be sorely missed and I will definitely continue to follow you on the-rink.com. Thanks for all the wonderful insight on the Hawks and all of your knowledgeable posts. Au Revior mon Ami!

Murph
- Murph76

This. I stumbled upon this site after the 2015 Cup, and haven't missed a blog since. I'll definitely follow you to the-rink. Good luck!

Really the most insightful and interesting thoughts on the Blackhawks these last few years were found right here on these pages. Thank you John for providing a fresh perspective on this team on such a consistent basis. Well done.

From the media at the practice today:
12-19-14
20-8-88
10-15-40
17-57-38

Toews has lost Saad, at least for now. Kane/Saad usually good, so should be good to see.
- pdx2ord

I'm glad Q listens to me...I suggested these lines Sunday (I hope they work).

As a kings fan I loved your blogs. We’ve had our back and fourths but you really are a great writer.

Best of luck to you.

Huge loss for the site. Enjoyed your writing and looked forward to the Blogs. It is too bad you are leaving now- was looking forward to your coverage as the Hocks make their way back to the draft lottery. We always have the Playoffs from last Spring.
- VopatsRash

Once a classless slimeball - always a classless slimeball!!!!

You are one of the main douche bags here I will NOT miss!!!!

Good luck trying to keep the pick up truck - and not finding your wife/sister screwing your brother and father - that is - if you can keep them off your mother long enough!!!!!

Once a classless slimeball - always a classless slimeball!!!!

You are one of the main douche bags here I will NOT miss!!!!

Good luck trying to keep the pick up truck - and not finding your wife/sister screwing your brother and father - that is - if you can keep them off your mother long enough!!!!!


- dahawks8819

Who is going to be the new writer on the Blackhawks blog?

Best of Luck JJ. Your writings and insight have been a great part of my whole Blackhawk experience the last many years. Thank you very much.

Gary B.


P.S. - Last ?? ( probably not.....lol )

Hey JJ,

Salute to Mr. P for alerting me on this development and your departure from HB.

It was an ABSOLUTE PLEASURE to read your prose and debate the issues of the day as they related to the mighty ship TOMAHAWK.

Your dedication to EXCELLENCE in your writing and in keeping the discussion moving in a thoughtful and civil way were/are most appreciated

The Chicago Blackhawks could not have had a finer representative in this space.
SALUTE !!!

Slainte' on all your great work here John and SUPER HAPPY TRAILS in the new post.

Mucho respect to you Sir !!!! And we'll see you up the line !

-philco

Hey JJ,

Salute to Mr. P for alerting me on this development and your departure from HB.

It was an ABSOLUTE PLEASURE to read your prose and debate the issues of the day as they related to the mighty ship TOMAHAWK.

Your dedication to EXCELLENCE in your writing and in keeping the discussion moving in a thoughtful and civil way were/are most appreciated

The Chicago Blackhawks could not have had a finer representative in this space.
SALUTE !!!

Slainte' on all your great work here John and SUPER HAPPY TRAILS in the new post.

Mucho respect to you Sir !!!! And we'll see you up the line !

-philco
- philco28

I vote for Philco to take JJ's spot

I vote for Philco to take JJ's spot
- BlazinMike

Thanks Mike ! Won't be me, but i do appreciate the kind words.

BEST OF LUCK to the incoming person as well !!!

Thanks Mike ! Won't be me, but i do appreciate the kind words.

BEST OF LUCK to the incoming person as well !!!
- philco28

I second Mike's notion. It would be one helluva roller coaster ride.

Cheers Phil!

So i just visited John's new site. Am i just blind? i didn't see a message board scenario such as this one. i'm old and senile, can anyone point me in the right direction ? Thanks.

I vote for Philco to take JJ's spot
- BlazinMike

I vote for Philco to spend more time here, in any capacity.

So i just visited John's new site. Am i just blind? i didn't see a message board scenario such as this one. i'm old and senile, can anyone point me in the right direction ? Thanks.
- BobP.

I'm not a young'n either and I am real used to this format as well. But JJ said he's still going to show up here as a poster occasionally so I'm thinking you could PM him and use that as a suggestion box.

Plus I think you could do worse than Philco an a new host.

You Jackass....
- BGKarras

Funny, I feel the same about you.

So now we are all wondering when the announcement is coming out on who is going to try to fill the shoes here... I vote for Wiz.
- Jason Millen

Is this you volunteering for editing duties? LBH. The content is solid, but holy hell, it can be a struggle to decipher.

Holy crap...agree 100% here. Love what Wiz has to say, very hockey smart. But sometimes exceptionally hard to get through the grammar errors and such. JJ's writings were always well done with few, if any, errors.

alright, guys, i get it. i'll blog for chicago.

when do i start?

I'm not a young'n either and I am real used to this format as well. But JJ said he's still going to show up here as a poster occasionally so I'm thinking you could PM him and use that as a suggestion box.

Plus I think you could do worse than Philco an a new host.
- 6628

Well, it sucks that JJ is not here any more (BTW, congrats and good luck, thanks for the fun reading and interaction!).

I'm old too -- and not a fan of Facebook but if I had to guess, there is no message board per se there, it looked to me like it's all Facebook crap. I call it crap because I'm old and cranky and believe Facebook is really a bad thing for so many people. I really don't care to see someone posting about their "great life" and "great things" and all.

In my world, there is always someone that is much better off than you are . . . and even more folks that really, really, really have had some bad stuff happen to them or their close circle. I just don't want to know about either because that's not real life. Too many stories of young people (especially, but some old ones as well) that have taken someone's "life better than mine" to heart and done something bad to themselves.

I believe in real people, real voices and real interaction. Somehow, some way, Facebook is more about what's bad in this world. I need real people to keep believing there is more good in this world than not.