Not to change subject but why does the final not start till the 27th . I'm not one to always be critical of the NHL but this is silly to have almost a week off before the finals.
- HamiltonHawk

Agreed.....it's ridiculous having 5 days off. The players hate it as well as the fans. As a fan, I was hoping for Friday / Sunday. I realize that TV has a lot to do with scheduling but come on already. Or is there something in the CBA that calls for such a delay to start the Final ??

You don't think it would be a good idea to see what they can do before evaluating/criticizing them?
- paulr

Are you new here?

Notable Swedish UFAs:
* Erik Karlsson
* Anton Stralman
* Alex Edler
* Gustav Nyquist
* Marcus Johansson
* Carl Hagelin
* Carl Gunnersson
* Niklas Kronwall


Notable RFA:

* William Karlsson
* Andreas Johnsson
* Oskar Sundqvist


--

I'm not saying that's the strategy but Hawks putting a lot of investment into guys who really believe in/play Swedish hockey.

It's something of note.
- Tyler Cameron

Adding one of these two would be a solid addition.

An EU influence on the bench may not be a bad thing. The Hawks could have 10+ players on their opening night roster that are not Americans or Canadians.

AA
Kahun
Kurashev
Kubalik
Kampf
Joki
Perlini
Gus
Forsling
Koekkoeck
Lankinen
Wedin
Soderlund

All of these guys will be on the opening night roster. There could be additions and subtractions through trades.
- -Doh-

Be nice regular season but playoffs if get there will be wait and see. Stralman nyquist sunquist out of the Swedish fa and rfa i be looking at. One thing having a European trend with players and coaches could be a good thing in trying to land high end euro free agents like panarin for example.

Both have 0pts in the playoffs

I'll gladly accept the draft picks if someone wants to offer either of those two 7+ mil per year out of their rookie contracts
- PatShart

Agreed, a 2nd for ADB and a 3rd for Strome would seem fair. Just think of all that glorious cap space the Hawks would have.

An EU influence on the bench may not be a bad thing. The Hawks could have 10+ players on their opening night roster that are not Americans or Canadians.

AA
Kahun
Kurashev
Kubalik
Kampf
Joki
Perlini
Gus
Forsling
Koekkoeck
Lankinen
Wedin
Soderlund

All of these guys will be on the opening night roster. There could be additions and subtractions through trades.
- -Doh-

K4 is Kanadian, K?

Agreed, a 2nd for ADB and a 3rd for Strome would seem fair. Just think of all that glorious cap space the Hawks would have.


- DarthKane

Actually, it would be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd pick for 6+ mil

Agreed.....it's ridiculous having 5 days off. The players hate it as well as the fans. As a fan, I was hoping for Friday / Sunday. I realize that TV has a lot to do with scheduling but come on already. Or is there something in the CBA that calls for such a delay to start the Final ??
- Hawkytalk

I think it has to do with "promoting" the game as well

TV/Radio...talk shows, the cities playing in it drum up more excitement, parties, etc

Same as other sports really

Next years 1st, maybe.
- RedRevenge

If the hawks miss by a hair they could 2in the lottery again!

So many Karlssons...
- Chunk

So many double-"s"s....

Agreed.....it's ridiculous having 5 days off. The players hate it as well as the fans. As a fan, I was hoping for Friday / Sunday. I realize that TV has a lot to do with scheduling but come on already. Or is there something in the CBA that calls for such a delay to start the Final ??
- Hawkytalk

If Boston-Carolina would have gone 7, the last game would have been last nite, I think; a game 7 for SJ and St. Louis would have been tonite. That would have given 4 days off for Boston, and 3 for St. Louis. Reasonable spreads between rounds 3 and 4.

Arenas and TV networks like to know as far in advance as possible what the schedule would be - have to assume a pair of long series leading to the Final.

Gus get's one late after Sweden blew a 2 goal lead in the 2nd .,off the post then Camera .Hey Guz will like the new coach ,maybe Captain next year .

If Boston-Carolina would have gone 7, the last game would have been last nite, I think; a game 7 for SJ and St. Louis would have been tonite. That would have given 4 days off for Boston, and 3 for St. Louis.
- StLBravesFan

Being a Holiday weekend and Sunday is a full plate of motorsports (3 big races) it makes sense to avoid the weekend.

Report: Penguins, Wild discussing Kessel deal https://t.co/UInIjF4r4T pic.twitter.com/1UTwcZL6v7

— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) May 23, 2019

Report: Penguins, Wild discussing Kessel deal https://t.co/UInIjF4r4T pic.twitter.com/1UTwcZL6v7

— theScore NHL (@theScoreNHL) May 23, 2019

- DarthKane

Wonder what would go to pitt defense or forward?

Wonder what would go to pitt defense or forward?
- Scott1977

My guess is defense, but they probably just want to lose White Kessel's cap hit, because they are pressed against the ceiling. Picks? If the rumor is true, of course.

My guess is defense, but they probably just want to lose White Kessel's cap hit, because they are pressed against the ceiling. Picks? If the rumor is true, of course.
- I Am The Breadman

Picks because minn does not have much as far as prospects

An EU influence on the bench may not be a bad thing. The Hawks could have 10+ players on their opening night roster that are not Americans or Canadians.

AA
Kahun
Kurashev
Kubalik
Kampf
Joki
Perlini
Gus
Forsling
Koekkoeck
Lankinen
Wedin
Soderlund

All of these guys will be on the opening night roster. There could be additions and subtractions through trades.
- -Doh-

Koekkoek is Canadian isn't he?

So many double-"s"s....
- StLBravesFan

Story I heard was that's how Craig Anderson got noticed. He added another S to his last name and scouts thought he was Swedish. The NHL made him change it back.

Agreed.....it's ridiculous having 5 days off. The players hate it as well as the fans. As a fan, I was hoping for Friday / Sunday. I realize that TV has a lot to do with scheduling but come on already. Or is there something in the CBA that calls for such a delay to start the Final ??
- Hawkytalk

The buildings are probably multi use facilities and maybe they were booked?

I think it has to do with "promoting" the game as well

TV/Radio...talk shows, the cities playing in it drum up more excitement, parties, etc

Same as other sports really
- PatShart

That for sure.

And the NHL & NBA want to avoid playing same days for their finals.

Well, I guess my vote for bringing in a veteran NHLer with some NHL coaching experience like Kirk Muller or John Madden went into the black abyss.

Here is Tomas Mitell's playing and coaching history:

https://www.eliteprospect.../player/5170/tomas-mitell
- Tyler Cameron

I wonder if the idea is to continue to draw late blooming Swedish talent and having a competent guy to work with the kids.

Notable Swedish UFAs:
* Erik Karlsson
* Anton Stralman
* Alex Edler
* Gustav Nyquist
* Marcus Johansson
* Carl Hagelin
* Carl Gunnersson
* Niklas Kronwall


Notable RFA:

* William Karlsson
* Andreas Johnsson
* Oskar Sundqvist
I'm not saying that's the strategy but Hawks putting a lot of investment into guys who really believe in/play Swedish hockey.
It's something of note.
- Tyler Cameron

Never thought of the NHL aspect but you may very well be on got something.

Agreed.....it's ridiculous having 5 days off. The players hate it as well as the fans. As a fan, I was hoping for Friday / Sunday. I realize that TV has a lot to do with scheduling but come on already. Or is there something in the CBA that calls for such a delay to start the Final ??
- Hawkytalk

I also miss it ended before Memorial Day, and know itv will NEVER happen:

shorter season earlier playoff start.

Nice take by Ray Ferraro:


Ray Ferraro‏Verified account @rayferrarotsn


Ray Ferraro Retweeted The Athletic NHL

Copycat means a step behind. 3 years ago you would be building like the Penguins, last year like the Caps, now like the Blues. How would anyone keep up? My opinion is build around what your strengths are, not somebody else’s roster