https://www.nhl.com/black...als---sept-16/c-309160310

This link will show the lineup, just scroll down to see it.

Totally agree on Seabs. Certainly a bunch of homerism from me here, but I think he's gonna have a better year.
- mohel

Because players get faster as they age? Realistically, he’s a 7th D on a Stanley Cup contender. And in another 1-2 years, he’s Kimmo Timonen, with a higher CAP hit.

Impressions: >Impressed with Nylander's speed, skill, and release.
>Maatta looked better than I was expecting.
>Toews looked quick again and was solid.
>Shaw even stirs it up with his teammates. (LOL!!)
>Boqvist is an incredible skater, skill level off the charts.
>Kane, not worried about him, but played a little disinterested.
>Keith and Seabrook thought they both were solid
>Dach is missing some real important time, not his fault, but if he
wants a shot at making the roster, he will need to be cleared very
soon.
>Wedin nice speed to his game, who does he bump from the 4th line?
Definitely think he could help the lower lines out.
- ChicagoHope

Each camp i have noticed the first game or two - or maybe it is the games where both Seabrook andandKeith Keith work harder - they have been really bad because you could see they were not in sync. The players know what they have to do to get in shape - hockey shape. No matter how dedicated an off - season of training, always there is the adjustment to the high level the game is played. So if Keith or Seabrook do not look too good during the preseason, chalk it up to the natural process of getting back in hockey shape. If both look out of sorts in their final preseason tilt, tben you might worry. But even then worry for naught. I just want to advise on this less someone catches a preseason game and wonders if age has csught uo with the long - tenured dmen. You can rest assured both will be in top condition for the opening games. They may even be in better shape than last year pre season since both are concerned that they can cover for themselves and have't slipped too much in their capabilities.

Love this time of the year. The air cools, the leaves change, and every hockey fan base over values their players and prospects. Except Ottawa.

- Ogilthorpe2

If I'm the players, I'm opting out. They have a great chance to get an agreement that's more favorable for them. The owners are not going to want a strike or lockout with Seattle coming into the league, and a new TV deal on the horizon.

Love this time of the year. The air cools, the leaves change, and every hockey fan base over values their players and prospects. Except Ottawa.
- scottak

You can add this: each team is riddled with some combination of hold outs, concussed players, out- of- shape players and often some prospects will surprise while others aren't the be all fans expected. Nothing usually is exactly as the pre season prognostication says.

If I'm the players, I'm opting out. They have a great chance to get an agreement that's more favorable for them. The owners are not going to want a strike or lockout with Seattle coming into the league, and a new TV deal on the horizon.
- tvetter

The players opting out will cause major future problems between them and the league. Negotiations have been relatively smooth between the two sides, disaster if they opt out IMO.

If I'm the players, I'm opting out. They have a great chance to get an agreement that's more favorable for them. The owners are not going to want a strike or lockout with Seattle coming into the league, and a new TV deal on the horizon.
- tvetter

Agreed, owners rammed last deal down their throats and it sucks for the players, they have all the risk.

The players he never had more leverage than they do now.

I think they opt out.

Love this time of the year. The air cools, the leaves change, and every hockey fan base over values their players and prospects. Except Ottawa.
- scottak

Prolly no need to even watch, eh? Some remnants of the Board of Doom remain.

Because players get faster as they age? Realistically, he’s a 7th D on a Stanley Cup contender. And in another 1-2 years, he’s Kimmo Timonen, with a higher CAP hit.
- scottak

Yep, Seabs is gonna play better than last year, just to ruin your mood. It happens - ask Johnny.

The players he never had more leverage than they do now.

I think they opt out.
- Return of the Roar

What is their leverage?

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...clines-option-reopen-cba/

Players decline to open the CBA. Labor peace until 2021-2022.

The players he never had more leverage than they do now.

I think they opt out.
- Return of the Roar

Nope - PA has decided NOT to opt out - CBA goes through the 2021-22 season.

Lineup?
- EnzoD

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhlpa-declines-option-reopen-cba/

Players decline to open the CBA. Labor peace until 2021-2022.
- ChicagoHope

Because players get faster as they age? Realistically, he’s a 7th D on a Stanley Cup contender. And in another 1-2 years, he’s Kimmo Timonen, with a higher CAP hit.
- scottak

Still better than brooks orpik and that dude played played big minutes on a cup team.

Contract sucks but he's not a completely useless player.

Prolly no need to even watch, eh? Some remnants of the Board of Doom remain.
- mohel

Cautiously optimistic. Or as RR said, ‘Trust, but verify’.

Blackhawks morning skate lineup
Sikura-Highmore-Wedin
Saarela-Kampf-Nylander
Perlini-Carpenter-Quenneville
McLaughlin-Nilsson-Versteeg

Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Gilbert-Boqvist
Beaudin-Dahlstrom-Tuulola

Delia
Tomkins

Blackhawks morning skate lineup
Sikura-Highmore-Wedin
Saarela-Kampf-Nylander
Perlini-Carpenter-Quenneville
McLaughlin-Nilsson-Versteeg

Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Gilbert-Boqvist
Beaudin-Dahlstrom-Tuulola

Delia
Tomkins
- walleyeb1

Thanks for sharing. These first games always seem to be super prospect heavy, but I could see that third line being a 4th line for the Hawks.

The #Flyers re-sign 22 y/o RFA RW Travic Konecny to 6 year $5.5M Cap Hit Deal. Covers 2 UFA Years.

-24G 49P in 82GP
-50.5% 5v5 GF
-46.4% Expected GF
-50.3% Corsi
-2.1 P/60

Rep'd by Mark Guy

Blackhawks morning skate lineup
Sikura-Highmore-Wedin
Saarela-Kampf-Nylander
Perlini-Carpenter-Quenneville
McLaughlin-Nilsson-Versteeg

Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Gilbert-Boqvist
Beaudin-Dahlstrom-Tuulola

Delia
Tomkins
- walleyeb1

Nylander still on RW. Sikura and Perlini on LW. They all may eventually be fighting for one roster spot.

Gus on RD may be Keith's eventual partner. From reports it could be Maatta and Seabs? Dehaan & Murphy? If that is the case I could see a fairly even split in TOI. Seabs picking up some minutes on the PK. (Maybe Seabs/Keith and Murphy/DeHaan as PK pairings). Gus picking up some minutes on the 1st team PP. Maatta as 2nd team PP. I could live with that.

Prolly no need to even watch, eh? Some remnants of the Board of Doom remain.
- mohel

Present and accounted for, sir!!!!

Blackhawks morning skate lineup
Sikura-Highmore-Wedin
Saarela-Kampf-Nylander
Perlini-Carpenter-Quenneville
McLaughlin-Nilsson-Versteeg

Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Gilbert-Boqvist
Beaudin-Dahlstrom-Tuulola

Delia
Tomkins
- walleyeb1

Should be interesting to see how Sikura, Nylander, and Perlini look playing on lines with more or less "AHL" level or "bottom 6" NHL level talent. Are they reliant on playing on lines with top 6 talent to be effective? Will they standout? Will Nylander amd Perlini play a 200' game? What are the odds on Sikura scoring a goal?

Present and accounted for, sir!!!!
- dpard

Atta boy!