Not that I'm that much of a baseball fan but I seem to recall Ryne Sandberg started his MLB career going hitless with something like 0-30 ... before he went on to have a HOF career. Good thing the posters on this site weren't deciding Sandberg was worthless before he got that first hit.
- EbonyRaptor

Excellent point. Similar deal for that bum, Willie Mays.

[quote=pdx2ord]


So if Tampa wins the cup that's three years in a row a hawks castoff defenseman wins the cup?

Obviously you have no idea what Toews himself said helped turn his career back on track and it wasn't these idiotic claims about diet or training.
- GPHawksfan

Except for the fact that Toews himself has stated several times that he changed his training this past year in response to the speed and skill he was seeing come into the league.

So if Tampa wins the cup that's three years in a row a hawks castoff defenseman wins the cup?
- 6628

So if the Hawks trade one of their defenseman who has fallen out of favor, then go out and reacquire said player again, then does that mean the Cup returns to Chicago next June?

Guess we'll have to see if Rutta and the Lightning win it this year first.

Toews won't say it publicly, but the way he was used was also a big part of his offensive drop-off.

Said differently, the inability of the GM to bring in a center that can actually win faceoffs AND play on the penalty kill facilitated the overuse of #19 in situations that did not capitalize on his offensive talents.

Playing a lot with Kane doesn't hurt either...
- jrsamu

He was on the score a while back and talked about he changed up his training and focused more on skills and skating. I don't think it was just mental. He more or less said he was focusing on the wrong things in the off-season. His skating looks miles better than it did and he is more explosive. That isn't a confidence thing.

Except for the fact that Toews himself has stated several times that he changed his training this past year in response to the speed and skill he was seeing come into the league.
- Chunk

Beat me to it!

I agree with that but there is a narrative on this board that Seabrook isn't dedicated and isn't training properly. I have no idea where people get their information?
- paulr

Instead of inferring anything about Seabrook, one can simply say,

"It does not appear Seabrook is aging well."

"It appears that Father time is not being kind to Seabrook."

"It does not appear that Seabrooks off season regiment has improved his speed or mobility from the past season."

Instead of inferring anything about Seabrook, one can simply say,

"It does not appear Seabrook is aging well."

"It appears that Father time is not being kind to Seabrook."

"It does not appear that Seabrooks off season regiment has improved his speed or mobility from the past season."
- TrueGrit

Well he was training in Canada by himself all summer. Goodman would video chat him through wrkouts.

Obviously a pro athlete is different from your avg joe but typically working out alone is not the most ideal way to maximize your off-season.

I'd like to know if Seabs uses a skating couch.

Well he was training in Canada by himself all summer. Goodman would video chat him through wrkouts.

Obviously a pro athlete is different from your avg joe but typically working out alone is not the most ideal way to maximize your off-season.

I'd like to know if Seabs uses a skating couch.
- bhawks2241

You may have inadvertently hit on the big issue with Seabrook. A couch was involved with his on ice and off ice training.

Just for fun - This was the goals/60 minutes of ice-time individually for the Hawks (Top 10 players) this season at 5v5.

Perlini 1.39
DeBrincat 1.29
Kane 1.1
Strome 0.94
Toews 0.93
Caggiula 0.84
Saad 0.76
Anisimov 0.75
Kahun 0.63
Kunitz 0.62


Chemistry and sample size play a part, but interesting to see some of the outliers who are probably higher on the list than anticipated. Perlini maybe scored enough to stick around and try to earn more opportunity. Some guys need to play better away from the puck, but maybe with the right mix, some guys could contribute more.

So, you're confirming the post you quoted?
- mohel

No, the post was stating that everyone will gas this kid like they are for Sikura. He is saying Sikura should get more time before gassing him but my opinion is you should sell high and let other teams find out he is a bust.

Instead of inferring anything about Seabrook, one can simply say,

"It does not appear Seabrook is aging well."

"It appears that Father time is not being kind to Seabrook."

"It does not appear that Seabrooks off season regiment has improved his speed or mobility from the past season."
- TrueGrit

Why make factual statements when one can make it it appear they have some inside information no one else is privvy to?

No, the post was stating that everyone will gas this kid like they are for Sikura. He is saying Sikura should get more time before gassing him but my opinion is you should sell high and let other teams find out he is a bust.
- nickmo2699

I think his point was that gassing either was way premature, and that this is a bad habit of the board. And he's saying his verdict is that Sikura is a keeper.

No, the post was stating that everyone will gas this kid like they are for Sikura. He is saying Sikura should get more time before gassing him but my opinion is you should sell high and let other teams find out he is a bust.
- nickmo2699

How do you know Sikura is a bust but the Hawks don't?

Sikura looked pretty good to me. True he didn't score but he had plenty of chances and even though he hadn't scored he had the presense of mind to not force shots and was pretty patient with the puck. He passes and stick handles well . He is very good defensively and is always on the defensive side of the puck when he doesn't have it. Also he's willing to battle for the puck in the tougher areas on the ice.

So if Tampa wins the cup that's three years in a row a hawks castoff defenseman wins the cup?
- 6628

Cool ... if that happens there should be a line of teams looking to acquire our #7 d-man. We should be able to corner the market on selling bad d-man good luck charms.

- Ogilthorpe2

So who knows more about Toews' problems, Toews or posters on this site?
- paulr

Come on you know it is the posters

How do you know Sikura is a bust but the Hawks don't?

Sikura looked pretty good to me. True he didn't score but he had plenty of chances and even though he hadn't scored he had the presense of mind to not force shots and was pretty patient with the puck. He passes and stick handles well . He is very good defensively and is always on the defensive side of the puck when he doesn't have it. Also he's willing to battle for the puck in the tougher areas on the ice.
- paulr

You are correct .
Sikura was a 6th round pick ,he is far from a bust ,if anything he has been a pleasant surprise .
A little puck luck and some regular line mates and he will be just fine

You are correct .
Sikura was a 6th round pick ,he is far from a bust ,if anything he has been a pleasant surprise .
A little puck luck and some regular line mates and he will be just fine
- oldduffman

At forward, 4 of the pleasant surprises this season were from a 6th rounder (Sikura) and 3 undrafted players (Caggiula, Kampf, Kahun). Couple that with some young 1st and 2nd rounders (DeBrincat, Strome, Perlini, Saad who is still relatively young), then that's a decent mix of relying on a variety of ways to restock the talent pool.

Not denying that more high-end talent is needed in the pipeline but the general argument is that the 1st round is not the only place to find them.

2.5% chance for #1 overall...so you're saying there IS a chance?

We need to get Stan to pay the commish for the pick.

No, the post was stating that everyone will gas this kid like they are for Sikura. He is saying Sikura should get more time before gassing him but my opinion is you should sell high and let other teams find out he is a bust.
- nickmo2699

I am nonplussed by Sikura myself, but trading a young player 20 games into his career when he has scored zero goals is the definition of selling low.

Why would anyone give anything up for him when it doesn't seem like a sure thing he can even cut it in the NHL? Every team has dozens of guys like that.

Come on you know it is the posters
- riozzo

we have a bingo!

At forward, 4 of the pleasant surprises this season were from a 6th rounder (Sikura) and 3 undrafted players (Caggiula, Kampf, Kahun). Couple that with some young 1st and 2nd rounders (DeBrincat, Strome, Perlini, Saad who is still relatively young), then that's a decent mix of relying on a variety of ways to restock the talent pool.

Not denying that more high-end talent is needed in the pipeline but the general argument is that the 1st round is not the only place to find them.
- AEL_Fox

Kahun kind of goes under the radar, don't you think? He seemed to play well with any linemate and on all the lines he was on. He's pretty creative, skates well, he's a really good passer. His defense could use improvement but he seemed to work hard when he didn't have the puck.

2.5% chance for #1 overall...so you're saying there IS a chance?

We need to get Stan to pay the commish for the pick.
- BlackhawkMike

Edmonton has already pre-paid for the next 10 drafts.

Edmonton has already pre-paid for the next 10 drafts.
- powerenforcer

Wouldn't it be sad if Edmonton somehow managed to luck into the top 3?