Yep. He's talking about his game.
- mohel

So now you know what it going on in a player's head.

I took the comment as to where his game is at, not his physical status.

"I don't think I'm there yet," Crawford said when asked if he's seeing the puck as well as he used to. "But I'm trying to feel better every day and compete. I mean there's real no answer. I am where I am right now, and I've just got to work to (get) to where my game was."
- walleyeb1

If it were his physical status - he wouldn’t be playing - he wouldn’t have been cleared to play.

One certainly hopes....

I also was glad to see him call out the forwards:

"Forwards have to come back and help out too. They've got to backcheck and take late guys. They've got to be in the right positions and block shots. You're not going to get low goals against with just goalies."
- walleyeb1

I am glad that Crawford said that because too many are pointing the finger directly at the defencemen. Forwards have a role in team defence also.
If a defenceman pinches and the forward on his side does not cover, for many the spotlight is on the defenceman. Forwards need to recognize their role on defence and be able to implement that role.

So now you know what it going on in a player's head.
- Elbows15

We all live - rent free - in various players’ heads.

I also was glad to see him call out the forwards:

"Forwards have to come back and help out too. They've got to backcheck and take late guys. They've got to be in the right positions and block shots. You're not going to get low goals against with just goalies."
- walleyeb1

I like his comment about picking up late guys - seems they’re the ones often wide open in the slot.

So now you know what it going on in a player's head.
- Elbows15

No. Just reading some English.

We all live - rent free - in various players’ heads.
- StLBravesFan

I thought we lived in the head of True Contrarian (Grit)?

Kapanen and Marleau and a 5th to the Blackhawks for a 2nd round draft pick, im sure this will happen over the summer but probably not the Hawks but they have the cap space to do it.
- BetweenTheDots

I would do that deal Toronto i think might want more but those are type of deals bowman needs to look at as far as teams in cap hell. I try get hyman and kapanen 2nd 3rd from 2020 a 4th and sikrua for those players and 3rd this year something along those lines. Washington pitt san jose anahiem Winnipeg tampa are teams in cap hell next offseason.

I thought we lived in the head of True Contrarian (Grit)?
- mohel

Too many bats

2019/20 Toronto:
Forwards: $45.4M (8 - Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, Marleau, Kadri, Hyman, Brown, Gauthier)
D-men: $14.4M (4 - Reilly, Zaitsev, Muzzin, Dermott)
Goalies: $5.7M (Andersen, Sparks)
Horton: $5.3M (LTIR)
Kessel: $1.2M (Buyout)

Subtotal#1 = $72M

Need to sign (5) forwards and (3) d-men:
F1. Marner ($9M - could be $10M+)
F2. Kapanen ($5M - could be $6M+)
F3. Johnsson ($3M - could be $4M+)
F4/F5. Low cost ($1.75M)
D1/D2/D3. Low cost ($2.75M)

Subtotal#2 = $21.5M

Total 2019/20 cap hit = $93.5M

Even with favorable deals on Marner, Kapanen, and Johnsson for Toronto - they would still be at least $10M over the projected cap.

Toronto could offload Kadri ($4.5M), Hyman ($2.25M) and Brown ($2.1M) and replace them with low cost players for a net cap space reduction of about $6M which still leaves them at least $4M over and they've just gutted the depth of their team.
- EbonyRaptor

They might end up with a bonus overage from this year also

I thought we lived in the head of True Contrarian (Grit)?
- mohel

A barren neighborhood - no trees, no water, very cold....

I’m looking for a new home myself.

Voracek suspended 2 games for an out-of control player (Boychek) skating into him. Meanwhile, Drake is still out due to a hit from behind and Rackell is still playing.

A good perspective.

I'm not one of the guys who has a problem with the elevated minutes Kane has been regularly getting lately because he doesn't play a physically high intensity game. Therefore, I have no problem with Kane getting double shifted up and down the lineup and appreciate the strategy of sneaking Kane into the play when the opposing team don't have their best defenders out there against him. My preference would be for Kane to get the bulk of his minutes with top level line mates and then sneak him onto the ice with Anisimov and Kahun rather than visa versa.
- EbonyRaptor

All the negativity over Colliton ability to coach and yet we are told that he is an especially bright man and a good communicator.

You see the poor defensive effort but all the offensive capability.capability. A lot like the NBA Bulls actually.

So what gives with this dichotomy of opinion so vehemently spoken on this board.

First of all i terribly dislike when someone tres to beat you over the head and say that you are wrong or don't get it. As if he could not be wrong and we all are limited to understand. There is a lawyer who does that. What a surprise he speaks eloquently. Speaks a lot of truth, bright guy but he falls short of the full understanding on sime things imho.

I am offering the views below and you may not agree. You may chew on it. I will admit if it can be shown i am wrong. But if Colliton is whom he is portrayed to be, then i see some common sense evolving.

On Kane: so a team doesn't rally around their star. Or seemingly hang in there and win because of his difference in their success when he is on the ice. Well yes this team is better when he is on the ice. I was thinking more along the line of Karlsson led Ottawa whom made a deep playoff run before getting bounced a couple or so years ago.

Using Kane this way Colliton has, is a no loose proposition at least for this season. He would be too worn down for effective playoff usage. But they aren't a good bet to qualify for playoffs next year either.

Consider:Bowman appears to have the upper management/owner approval to rebuild through draft and european/ swedish etc al free agent sign type transactions

I intertwine the Bowman points because it is in coordination with the notion employing the talent on hand to win however possible. Not to say that Colliton has not coached a team differently and had success: look at the type players and the result last season with Rockford

Gus: anyone suspect that Bowman desires quick skill if possible extraordinary skill players. Example: Kane. Boqvist to debut later on....is of that mold. Gus has some special skill and Bowman wants to learn if Gus becomes better defensively.

Moreover just as Bowman wanted to give all those defensemen an opportunity to play last season, this is another reason why Gus plays despite his bad defensive moments. You see eventually either Gus or prospects begin to filter in and then someone gets moved. Recoup something for some of them

Forsling, Koekkoek, Dahlstrom. Each has played well in stretches in their Blackhawk career. Each represents a failure if they cannot be cultivated. How do you get that to happen.

Koekkoek just needs better suoport and playing time. He was it 12th overall first round. Dmen take time. Time will tell .....i say he is not a first pair but one day has potential to be solid #2 or #3 pair. Can be mean , commits body checks, mobile and an offensive puck mover. Nice combination

Well Forsling had a good game albeit about merely 12 TOI vs Dallas and why how did this occur. Partially due to the Dallas being tired and their system falure with forward support was one reason. But without noticing exactly whom Seabrook Forsling pair went against nor whom was the remainder of our five man unit, i did notice that Forsling was in a position to succeed wherin Keith often resides on that pair.

Points about the other marginal dmen: Dahlstrom has been the man used in all situations including as much as possibke in OT situations earlier this season for Rockford under Colliton. Isn't that interesting? Here in NHL when paired with Murphy they had success. Dahlstrom accused of too slow and doesn't use his big frame often enough in a physical way in defensive situations. So that is how he can succeed

Forsling is someone wiz hypothesized might get opportunity to improve up until xmas next season. Up to a point where they cut bait or he has to show his game jump starts in AHL. All because he fits the new breed of dmen not so much as a great all around offensive player. Can join the attack, very good shot. Nope it is more due to his ability last season he was the best on the team in ability to quick think and make plays at speed at least in offensive mode....and that is straight from wiz

Obviously there is the defensive side to his game which has been weak. He does commit some hits.....Ruutu didn't btw especially after his concussion injury....so wiz says let's see how long they are patient with Forsling

Now did you think Colliton got the job just due to his success in Rockford and someone needed to replace the static to fail mode which Q was becoming entrenched?

Colliton had conversation with the GM who said how he wanted Colliton "to try" using certain players and here is why. The quotation is my imagination this occured. Including the dmen i mentioned. The Kane idea is probably all Colliton.

Now given this long narrative you have simething to chew on. I personally believe Colliton wants to coach the way he did in Rockford. He will institute a system with fix or tweeks but he must get the players to buy in. I bet he will have more and more young guys mixed with veteran or two on bottom lines. The dmen will play themselves into a job on third pair, as depth, or an eventual ticket out of town

They might end up with a bonus overage from this year also
- LAHawk

Let's hope

I took the comment as to where his game is at, not his physical status.

"I don't think I'm there yet," Crawford said when asked if he's seeing the puck as well as he used to. "But I'm trying to feel better every day and compete. I mean there's real no answer. I am where I am right now, and I've just got to work to (get) to where my game was."
- walleyeb1

Yes, he's talking about his game, but with a professional athlete, not sure how their physical selves and performance are completely separate? Especially true when you're talking about reflex speed, seeing things, etc.

I don't assume he's talking about only his emotions or mental state when he says "trying to feel better every day."

But, as others have correctly pointed out with varying levels of snark, none of us know unless we're in their heads.

Several of the Hawks d-men have a (bad) habit of bracing for the hit along the boards instead of quickly moving the puck. I get that is sometimes the smart play when there is no outlet option apparent but it seems it is becoming the norm even when there is a split second or two to make a play. Too many times the d-man is too concerned about bracing for the hit and it results with the forechecker pinning the Hawks d-man to the board and ending up with the puck. Dahlstrom is especially prone to do that and he needs to man up and make better plays.

Quinton Hughes leaving Michigan. Signed a three year ELC with Vancouver today. Wonder if he's going to burn a year by playing some games down the stretch.

Quinton Hughes leaving Michigan. Signed a three year ELC with Vancouver today. Wonder if he's going to burn a year by playing some games down the stretch.
- boilermaker100

Should be in the line-up by the weekend from some scuttlebutt I have seen

A name that will have some meaning to us old hats.

Harry Howell has passed away. All time leader in games played for the Rangers.

Should be in the line-up by the weekend from some scuttlebutt I have seen
- Elbows15

I also read that if he plays in 11 games this year, he'll be eligible for the Seattle expansion draft in a couple of summers, so Vancouver will probably keep him under that limit.

Does anybody know if hawks are going to sign any college players besides maybe Barrett?

Does anybody know if hawks are going to sign any college players besides maybe Barrett?
- Scott1977

Maybe Mitchell?

Eric Gustafson for a 1st and forward prospect at the 2020 trade deadline

A name that will have some meaning to us old hats.

Harry Howell has passed away. All time leader in games played for the Rangers.
- Elbows15

I vaguely remember seeing Howell play, how I remember his name was collecting hockey cards or getting these hockey medallions with the players faces and stats on from Boxes of jello and from BP gas stations.

I also read that if he plays in 11 games this year, he'll be eligible for the Seattle expansion draft in a couple of summers, so Vancouver will probably keep him under that limit.
- boilermaker100

i don't think they are going to be too concerned with that. I mean, look at the Canucks d-men. I think they can find a way to protect him.