The kid seems to have grown into a man. Good for him. And those who cheer for him.
- mohel

And, perhaps, a lesson in not giving up on other not-yet-mature young skaters who still need time to grow into themselves -whether it’s off-ice issues or on-ice lapses.

And, perhaps, a lesson in not giving up on other not-yet-mature young skaters who still need time to grow into themselves -whether it’s off-ice issues or on-ice lapses.
- StLBravesFan

There was never a question about his mental or emotional ability to play the game. Guys with on-ice issues in those areas are a whole different animal, imo.

There was never a question about his mental or emotional ability to play the game. Guys with on-ice issues in those areas are a whole different animal, imo.
- mohel

Immaturity is immaturity - manifesting itself in different ways.

Players need to grow up - on and off the playing field - possibly harder for elite athletes because of the adulation, the focus required, perhaps the lack of normal relationships, the requirement to have adult responsibilities at an earlier age....

More blog notes about defense drills from Day 2 of camp:

After about 30 minutes of drills, Colliton beginning to work on defensive systems. Lining up 5-on-5 from the center faceoff dot and attacking team goes through one rush before resetting to start over again. Lots of communication with the defensive group about positioning and pressure between each rush.

Good to see about communication and pressure between each rush. The latter part is at least showing they're going to be aggressive playing defense. Hope that pressure starts from the far blueline through the neutral zone and not just playing back allowing the opponent to breach their O zone freely.

Also from Day 2 blog:

Robin Lehner is very vocal. Blackhawks doing 2-on-1 rushes and his directions towards defenseman are distinguishable from the stands on other end of the arena. As team was changing rinks for a scrimmage, he told Joni Tuulola, “I’m loud.”

Thanks Breadman, my iPad autocorrected to the tool company.
- Chief4Feathers

Save of the day ..... and some auto correct empathy ... had a word autocorrected to Duck this week.

It wasn't Duck :D so I hear ya.

Kane and Toews (and Bowman) on their playing until or after the big 4-0. Kane actually publicly addresses the summer of 2015 for the first time I can remember (other than the forced UND press conference).

https://chicago.suntimes....oews-40-year-old-versions

I personally cannot see Toews' pride allowing him to be happy in a 3rd or 4th line center role. Just don't feel he lives for the game like Kane does (and that's not a criticism of 19).
- pdx2ord

Maybe not Toews at 30, or when he was younger, but time also adds its own perspective.

The question, for physically maturing athletes, and especially those of a leadership group end up being -- am I still effective at helping my team winning?

It probably isn't relevant how a guy may or may not think right now - as sometimes high level performers are only going to be considering the 'now' of things ... it's a bit like asking how the Hawks will go in the playoffs this season. (Without having played a game or knowing if there will be a post-season for a fact)....

Also from Day 2 blog:

Robin Lehner is very vocal. Blackhawks doing 2-on-1 rushes and his directions towards defenseman are distinguishable from the stands on other end of the arena. As team was changing rinks for a scrimmage, he told Joni Tuulola, “I’m loud.”
- AEL_Fox

This is encouraging - I’m glad to hear Lehner is taking charge on the ice.

Maybe not Toews at 30, or when he was younger, but time also adds its own perspective.

The question, for physically maturing athletes, and especially those of a leadership group end up being -- am I still effective at helping my team winning?

It probably isn't relevant how a guy may or may not think right now - as sometimes high level performers are only going to be considering the 'now' of things ... it's a bit like asking how the Hawks will go in the playoffs this season. (Without having played a game or knowing if there will be a post-season for a fact)....
- SC116

I think Toews - much like Joe Thornton has done over the last few seasons - will realize the overall arc of a career necessitates adjustments. If you still have a love for the game, you’ll realize it’s better to be a leader as a 3C than walk away, because once it’s over... it’s over.

I believe the more important determinant on how long he plays and what role that may take (aside from his health) will be whether the Hawks are enjoying success as a team and making the playoffs. If the Hawks are missing the playoffs year-after-year - I don’t see him sticking around for that just to extend his career.

I can’t do it anymore. Over the course of about 6 years I went from die-hard to ambivalence to complete indifference. And it has everything to do with the game itself, and nothing to do with social/political issues.
- Ogilthorpe2

interesting that is my path with the NFL and football over all...no interest.

interesting that is my path with the NFL and football over all...no interest.
- bogiedoc

I’m still a fan Bears fan and enjoy (or get incredibly frustrated) watching them play. However, I don’t make it a point to watch much of the other games throughout Sunday, or the Monday or Thursday night games, unless it’s a particularly intriguing match-up later in the season with playoff implications.

Also, I give zero franks about college football, or college sports in general.

I’m still a fan Bears fan and enjoy (or get incredibly frustrated) watching them play. However, I don’t make it a point to watch much of the other games throughout Sunday, or the Monday or Thursday night games, unless it’s a particularly intriguing match-up later in the season with playoff implications.

Also, I give zero franks about college football, or college sports in general.
- Chief4Feathers

This is where I am on the NFL - just like Ogi I found myself becoming less interested several years ago. Not because of the political stuff - before then. But like you, I still get cranked up for the Bears.

This is where I am on the NFL - just like Ogi I found myself becoming less interested several years ago. Not because of the political stuff - before then. But like you, I still get cranked up for the Bears.
- mohel

Me too. 7 years ago I made the change from NFL Sunday Ticket to NHL Center Ice, and never looked back. I still watch college football (Michigan only), but I went from watching 2 games on Sunday plus MNF, to watching the Bears sometimes.

Saad maybe - not Shaw - he has been passable there in the past, but better on the third line or moving temporarily up to 1 or 2.

Besides - both seem to be targeted to this year’s third line.
- StLBravesFan

Shaw isn't the same player anymore. He definitely is a top 6 wing these days.

Mikita, or Elbows will bite your head off.
- I Am The Breadman

Ty. I mean, he is only the All-Time points leader for the Hawks. Top 20 in points in the history of the league. Fans of the Hawks should be able to spell the guy's name correctly.

Me too. 7 years ago I made the change from NFL Sunday Ticket to NHL Center Ice, and never looked back. I still watch college football (Michigan only), but I went from watching 2 games on Sunday plus MNF, to watching the Bears sometimes.
- tvetter

If my alma mater had a football team worth watching - I’d probably check them out once in a while.

However, I went to Illinois... so... yeah.

Ty. I mean, he is only the All-Time points leader for the Hawks. Top 20 in points in the history of the league. Fans of the Hawks should be able to spell the guy's name correctly.
- Elbows15

For anyone who has seen the practices... can you tell us what wing certain players are playing on. Like Shaw, Kubailk, Nylander, Wedin, Smith, Sikura, Perlini, Caggiula? Are they playing Carpenter, Highmore, Kamp at center? Who besides Seabs, Murphy,and Boqvist are playing RD? Gus? who else? KK? Dahlstrom?

Wow that's a nice contract for Jared Spurgeon 7yrs $7,575,000 per year. Contract won't start till next year he'll be 30 in November.

I realize it's only been 2 days of training camp but reports and video clips have been sparse. There's been only a handful of 7-second video clips showing a couple tic-tac-toe passing plays and other scrimmage type action and that's like finally getting to the oasis after a long trek through the desert and they hand you a thimble full of water.

Powers and Lazerus - if you're reading this - put a little more effort into quenching our thirst for videos.

There will be a lot of this this year, I'm sure, but a trip down memory lane from the mouths of those who were there:

https://theathletic.com/1...anley-cup-clinching-goal/

Sad they didn't get a quote from Q

Wow that's a nice contract for Jared Spurgeon 7yrs $7,575,000 per year. Contract won't start till next year he'll be 30 in November.
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed. You’d think at that AAV Bill Guerin could have offered less term (5yrs) and still got a deal done with Spurgeon.

Another RFA domino falls... McAvoy 3 years at 4.9M AAV.

Ty. I mean, he is only the All-Time points leader for the Hawks. Top 20 in points in the history of the league. Fans of the Hawks should be able to spell the guy's name correctly.
- Elbows15

Get the (frank) off my lawn, kid......

Big Bears game today - you doing up a lamb roast? (I hear nobody does lamb like Ogi).

This is what I like to see

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers

Lehner and Crawford with highlight saves at each end of the ice on consecutive possessions. Scoreless in the first period of the scrimmage.

Live stream - Saad just got a greasy goal

https://www.nhl.com/black...festival-2019/c-309142422

Team Red:
DeBrincat-Strome-Saarela
Wedin-Toews-Nylander
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Soderlund-Nilsson-Fortin

Maatta-Boqvist
Dahlstrom-Seabrook
Gilbert-Murphy

Crawford
Gravel

Team White:
Caggiula-Shaw-Kane
Smith-Carpenter-Versteeg
Perlini-Highmore-D. Sikura
Quenneville-Entwistle-Hagel

Keith-Krys
Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Holm-Carlsson

Lehner
Tomkins