I was kidding about Scuderi by the way....lol....
- TrueGrit

Count me as a guy who sees great value in Rozival types when they are slotted correctly. That broken down mess was part of a top 3-4 kill on a world class roster. I saw/see a Scuderi and even Timmonen type in the same light assuming they have any legs left.

IQ vets with 7-800 NHL games chipping in 10 minutes are tweaks that tie up loose ends on cup winners. Trick for a GM is do they fit their system and do they have any legs left.

Here is a little bit of insight, which is really quite basic at any level of hockey.

Forwards cover for d when they rush. It is a part of hockey.

More importantly, you had a 1 on 3. If you are in the NHL and can not cover a 1 on three and look over your shoulder to look for a trailer before attacking the 1, then there lies the problem. Actually that is a problem for bantam, high school, junior, college and anywhere.

I get it, you believe Gus is the source of everything bad in the world.
- TrueGrit

Any of us can pick the player(s) who they think is the problem with this team. On any given night there could be 18 of them to choose from, and throw the coaching staff in there too.

But the bottom line is this team gives up 4 goals + per game and a huge number of SOG. There is absolutely no way a team can win consistently in the NHL until that changes.

Count me as a guy who sees great value in Rozival types when they are slotted correctly. That broken down mess was part of a top 3-4 kill on a world class roster. I saw/see a Scuderi and even Timmonen type in the same light assuming they have any legs left.

IQ vets with 7-800 NHL games chipping in 10 minutes are tweaks that tie up loose ends on cup winners. Trick for a GM is do they fit their system and do they have any legs left.
- Mr Ricochet

100% agree Mr. R.

There are plenty of them around the league who fit that category. Hainsey, Polak, Kronwall, Orpik, Lovejoy.

And the guy who will be most in demand for a really good team at the TDL is Jay Bouwmeester. Not what he used to be but the type of player Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Winnipeg and a few other contenders will chase for the stretch run.

And remember when Sheldon Brookbank earned his salary filling in for Seabrook a few seasons back?

100% agree Mr. R.

There are plenty of them around the league who fit that category. Hainsey, Polak, Kronwall, Orpik, Lovejoy.

And the guy who will be most in demand for a really good team at the TDL is Jay Bouwmeester. Not what he used to be but the type of player Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Winnipeg and a few other contenders will chase for the stretch run.

And remember when Sheldon Brookbank earned his salary filling in for Seabrook a few seasons back?
- RickJ

And Q would skate him at forward from time to time IIRC.......... I'd pay simply to watch Boumeester skate. Wonderful on his skates and is a big fella as well.

Hadn't thought about it yet but indeed Boumeester will be a huge target for clubs an inch away from the cup and is worth what is given up to acquire him. Agree 100% with you on Boumeester at the TDL these kinds are gold Rick and would very much like to see him win a cup.

Any of us can pick the player(s) who they think is the problem with this team. On any given night there could be 18 of them to choose from, and throw the coaching staff in there too.

But the bottom line is this team gives up 4 goals + per game and a huge number of SOG. There is absolutely no way a team can win consistently in the NHL until that changes.
- RickJ

How ugly would it be without Crawford and Ward?

How ugly it would be without Crawford and Ward?
- Davewn

It would be very ugly - Philly Flyers kinda ugly like last night. Or St.Louis ugly with their goaltending.

Never would have guessed Buf would lead the league with 34 points and 9 game win streak. Great for them.

As far as the hawks go being a bubble team, they are 3 points out of the running. I know a tough schedule is coming. Maybe last night's road win gives the guys some confidence.

Not that I didn't love the fight from this fragile team and an otw last night, but yes please. I hope that game gives the guys momentum and turns into a positive swing for them.
- I Am The Breadman

Could be that, at least in terms of playing more than 20-30 minutes with desperation every game.

But - still have too many (especially forward) on ice positions that seemingly can’t score with any consistency - filled by Kunitz, Martinsen, Kahun, Kampf, Kruger, Fortin, Hayden....Still only four forwards with more than 3 goals.

Kampf had a nice move around Reiner, Fortin caught a lucky break that he was mauled from behind after being stymied again on a one-on-one with the goalie (I’d like to see him back in the Rockford oven to complete the baking process there)....

I don’t hold out much hope yet for the depth scoring.

Could be that, at least in terms of playing more than 20-30 minutes with desperation every game.

But - still have too many (especially forward) on ice positions that seemingly can’t score with any consistency - filled by Kunitz, Martinsen, Kahun, Kampf, Kruger, Fortin, Hayden....Still only four forwards with more than 3 goals.

Kampf had a nice move around Reiner, Fortin caught a lucky break that he was mauled from behind after being stymied again on a one-on-one with the goalie (I’d like to see him back in the Rockford oven to complete the baking process there)....

I don’t hold out much hope yet for the depth scoring.
- StLBravesFan

It's been the first period killing them these past few games, sometimes the first minute. I never had a problem with Kampf, I always liked him and loved him in training camp. But consistency in the bottom 6 is a huge problem when it comes to point production.

Never would have guessed Buf would lead the league with 34 points and 9 game win streak. Great for them.

As far as the hawks go being a bubble team, they are 3 points out of the running. I know a tough schedule is coming. Maybe last night's road win gives the guys some confidence.
- I Am The Breadman

Three points out because of a bunch of points from five consecutive OT games on the backs of a goal per game each from 12/19/88 - unsustainable. The goals from the trio fell off dramatically after game 10 (somewhat replaced by the resurgence of #20) - not at all replaced by the rest of the team.

They aren’t as bad as 11 losses in 14 games (no team ever is), but they certainly aren’t close to being as good as 6-2-2=14 in 10 games.

If 95 points makes the tournament (as it did last season) the Hawks need 72 points in 58 games - a 62% rate.

Three points out because of a bunch of points from five consecutive OT games on the backs of a goal per game each from 12/19/88 - unsustainable. The goals from the trio fell off dramatically after game 10 (somewhat replaced by the resurgence of #20) - not at all replaced by the rest of the team.

They aren’t as bad as 11 losses in 14 games (no team ever is), but they certainly aren’t close to being as good as 6-2-2=14 in 10 games.

If 95 points makes the tournament (as it did last season) the Hawks need 72 points in 58 games - a 62% rate.
- StLBravesFan

"So you're saying there's a chance?"-Lloyd Christmas

It's been the first period killing them these past few games, sometimes the first minute. I never had a problem with Kampf, I always liked him and loved him in training camp. But consistency in the bottom 6 is a huge problem when it comes to point production.
- I Am The Breadman

Let’s not be TOO fooled by them playing well after the first (or, like last nite, after two).

A team with a multi goal lead naturally (if not logically) tends to to move into a protect/prevent style of play, enhancing the visuals and possession and shot generating stats of the team trying to catch up.

It’s why stats geeks tend to look at “score adjusted” numbers.

Let’s not be TOO fooled by them playing well after the first (or, like last nite, after two).

A team with a multi goal lead naturally (if not logically) tends to to move into a protect/prevent style of play, enhancing the visuals and possession and shot generating stats of the team trying to catch up.

It’s why stats geeks tend to look at “score adjusted” numbers.
- StLBravesFan

No, not fooled, just like any average fan, I'm just hoping. That third period I know the panthers took their foot off the gas trying to protect a 2 goal lead. Reimer had an off night.

"So you're saying there's a chance?"-Lloyd Christmas
- I Am The Breadman

Always a chance for them to play at a 102 point pace for 70% of a season.

whooaaaa...laine with a 5 spot tonight vs the blows...3 hatricks in november...
- bogiedoc

And he's on my fantasy hockey team

I'm here for you, Z. That YOU personally never ever ever dreamed Bovquist would fall to 8th despite studying up on him, his brother and his family is just not logical or more importantly reasonable.

Took just one Google search on mocks or rankings BEFORE the 2018 draft to see Bob McKenzie, you know Bob right Z, has Boqvuist at 10 and the four scouts he works with had him anywhere from 5th to 14th but never in a million yrs did you see him available at 8???? https://www.tsn.ca/kc-1.1115400

Just a smell test thing for me, Z. Not here to bust your chops or troll you but you are on top the highest of mountain tops screaming your convictions and honestly this one, and your post, doesn't pass the smell test.

I'll be here as well in 10 yrs for you too when hopefully Bovquist hits 70 points, and is a -11, and you claim you wanted him all along.

And no man who's mortgage payment and kids' college fund depends on his accuracy is going to take a kid, Merkley, who was sent home by his jr team multiple times for disciplinary reasons anywhere near the middle or top of the 1st rd. Many wouldn't take that same kid in the 5th even though he has top 5 talent.

You and I can though cuz it matters as much what we do as what I just flushed down the toilet this morning but that ain't true for a guy who draws a check, makes a living, from an NHL club.
- Mr Ricochet

So now you are telling me what I thought? You are out there. Please stop acting ridiculous. How many players were even discussed at 2? At 4? Drafts shake out. If a person is smart you can recognize the scout outliers. Scouts aren’t geniuses nor are they infallible. I like Bob M but there are lots of people who talk about players.

My analysis of Boqvist was very, very similar to my analysis of Merkley. For some scouts Boqvist had fallen at bit over concussion concerns. I didn’t buy this and thought on Draft Day he’d be taken high - higher than 8th. On Draft Day skill usually wins out and Boqvist had and has World Class skill.

With Merkley it was attitude concerns. Merkley was talked about as having top of the Draft skills, including Bob M. However, for some scouts his attitude concerns dropped him down - for some scouts out of the First Round, and for some scouts way out of the First Round. Some scouts were saying many teams wouldn’t go anywhere near him. I thought all this talk was ludicrous. His billet family thought he was great. He had been a star on a very, very bad OHL team. He had been OHL Rookie of the Year. He had never had issues playing for Canada internationally. Well spoken and obviously bright in interviews. All the talk would push him down a bit but I knew he’d be taken in the First Round and I was certain that he’d be taken way before the Hawks drafted at 27. I said the Hawks should do whatever it takes to draft him. I knew he’d be taken by some smart team and he was. Doug Wilson couldn’t run to the podium fast enough to take him at 21, twenty-one, TWENTY-ONE just like I had predicted.

Now Boqvist. I watch videos and reports about many players and I read about many players too because I love hockey and knowledge. Doesn’t mean I think they are available to the Hawks. I watched and read lots about Dahlin for instance when there was no chance the Hawks were drafting him at 8th. This “argument” of your’s is just ludicrous.

Now in the First Round there was an idiotic run on Centres with Montreal with Kotkaniemi and Arizona with Hayton making questionable choices. Also Ottawa with Tkachuk and Detroit with Zadina. For me none of these players have the skill level or upside of Boqvist - or Merkley for that matter. Then Vancouver at 7 took Hughes although he is crazy small. He looked like a smurf on Draft Day. These are just 5 choices that I do not believe should have been made before Boqvist. Remember we are talking about what I thought - and what I thought was Boqvist would not be available at 8.

My entire family was ecstatic when Boqvist was chosen at 8 but MrR why don’t you tell us we weren’t because apparently you think you know more about us than we do. You know that sounds insane. We loved this pick - we follow Boqvist in London. Has 5 goals in 3 games. We will follow him at the Worlds too. Also we check in on Merkley too - had 29 points in his first 20 games.

Anything is possible, but I’m not expecting any immediate moves. Like you said, the roster is at 22 players so a move isn’t necessary. This gives the team flexibility whenever Murphy returns. If Davidson returns any time soon Stan will need to make a move, but Davidson can easily be waived and sent to Rockford.
- DarthKane

Rockford plays this afternoon as well. Maybe Johnson is there to play a game and then come right back up.

Rockford plays this afternoon as well. Maybe Johnson is there to play a game and then come right back up.
- Justin Lowe

We already have an extra forward. Johnson does not need to come back up -let him get ice time in Rockford.

We already have an extra forward. Johnson does not need to come back up -let him get ice time in Rockford.
- 67hawks

Fair but most teams carry 23 on their roster. Typically it's 2 extra forwards and a D.

So now you are telling me what I thought? You are out there. Please stop acting ridiculous. How many players were even discussed at 2? At 4? Drafts shake out. If a person is smart you can recognize the scout outliers. Scouts aren’t geniuses nor are they infallible. I like Bob M but there are lots of people who talk about players.

My analysis of Boqvist was very, very similar to my analysis of Merkley. For some scouts Boqvist had fallen at bit over concussion concerns. I didn’t buy this and thought on Draft Day he’d be taken high - higher than 8th. On Draft Day skill usually wins out and Boqvist had and has World Class skill.

With Merkley it was attitude concerns. Merkley was talked about as having top of the Draft skills, including Bob M. However, for some scouts his attitude concerns dropped him down - for some scouts out of the First Round, and for some scouts way out of the First Round. Some scouts were saying many teams wouldn’t go anywhere near him. I thought all this talk was ludicrous. His billet family thought he was great. He had been a star on a very, very bad OHL team. He had been OHL Rookie of the Year. He had never had issues playing for Canada internationally. Well spoken and obviously bright in interviews. All the talk would push him down a bit but I knew he’d be taken in the First Round and I was certain that he’d be taken way before the Hawks drafted at 27. I said the Hawks should do whatever it takes to draft him. I knew he’d be taken by some smart team and he was. Doug Wilson couldn’t run to the podium fast enough to take him at 21, twenty-one, TWENTY-ONE just like I had predicted.

Now Boqvist. I watch videos and reports about many players and I read about many players too because I love hockey and knowledge. Doesn’t mean I think they are available to the Hawks. I watched and read lots about Dahlin for instance when there was no chance the Hawks were drafting him at 8th. This “argument” of your’s is just ludicrous.

Now in the First Round there was an idiotic run on Centres with Montreal with Kotkaniemi and Arizona with Hayton making questionable choices. Also Ottawa with Tkachuk and Detroit with Zadina. For me none of these players have the skill level or upside of Boqvist - or Merkley for that matter. Then Vancouver at 7 took Hughes although he is crazy small. He looked like a smurf on Draft Day. These are just 5 choices that I do not believe should have been made before Boqvist. Remember we are talking about what I thought - and what I thought was Boqvist would not be available at 8.

My entire family was ecstatic when Boqvist was chosen at 8 but MrR why don’t you tell us we weren’t because apparently you think you know more about us than we do. You know that sounds insane. We loved this pick - we follow Boqvist in London. Has 5 goals in 3 games. We will follow him at the Worlds too. Also we check in on Merkley too - had 29 points in his first 20 games.
- Z3Hawk

Z, done with you dude. Didn't and won't read your posts unless you parade around you were a Bovqist guy all along which if true you never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever uttered a one syllable of his name predraft despite having closed ended not open for discussion proclamations on any and every subject.

Z, done with you dude. Didn't and won't read your posts unless you parade around you were a Bovqist guy all along which if true you never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever uttered a one syllable of his name predraft despite having closed ended not open for discussion proclamations on any and every other subject.
- Mr Ricochet

Well maybe not just your fraudulent assertions on Bovqist. When you insist on showing a lack of knowledge post on how Joki was wrong to take time and space away from Sceviour with 2 forwards as coverage I'll chime in there as well.

100% agree Mr. R.

There are plenty of them around the league who fit that category. Hainsey, Polak, Kronwall, Orpik, Lovejoy.

And the guy who will be most in demand for a really good team at the TDL is Jay Bouwmeester. Not what he used to be but the type of player Tampa, Toronto, Washington, Winnipeg and a few other contenders will chase for the stretch run.

And remember when Sheldon Brookbank earned his salary filling in for Seabrook a few seasons back?
- RickJ

Have you seen Boumeester play this year? Blues fans would be ecstatic to see him go. Combination of the worst features of Seabs and Gus on defense (without Gus's offense). Horrible!

Fair but most teams carry 23 on their roster. Typically it's 2 extra forwards and a D.
- Justin Lowe

23 is fine - whether 14 and 7 (preferably) or 13 and 8 - AS LONG AS a potential future contributor isn’t consistently sitting who should be skating in a Chicago or in Rockford.

Have you seen Boumeester play this year? Blues fans would be ecstatic to see him go. Combination of the worst features of Seabs and Gus on defense. Horrible!
- BMWChiFan

The post was in relation to a vet Dman who could do 10 mins per game on a contender and contribute at playoff time. I wasn't nominating him for the Norris. He is a much bigger asset at the TDL than the 25 defenceman that Stanbo has accumulated, most of whom won't ever play in the NHL.

And to be frank about it all the the Blues Dmen have been crap all year including Pietrangelo and Dunn. And there is no goaltender there to bail out their poor play.

And he's on my fantasy hockey team
- Hossa1881

lucky you