Ah yes. Hits dont matter, faceoffs dont matter...and as you said earlier, points don't matter

So what exactly does matter?
- PatShart

From a 4th line C?

Possession, puck retrieval, defensive responsibility.

If you’re getting a lot of hits, it likely means you’re chasing the puck around a lot. You can’t record a hit when you have the puck.

Fun Fact: Of the top ten teams in hits last season, 5 missed the playoffs, and 3 were first round exits.

Last season roughly 10% separated the best faceoff team in the league from the worst. 10%. Winning or losing 10 more faceoffs out of every 100 taken is not going to make, or break any team. It’s just not that important. What’s more important is the ability of a team to regain possession after a lost faceoff/turnover/dump in etc. That is Kampf’s biggest strength, and is exactly what you want out of a 4th liner.

Re: Tonight's Boston vs Chicago

Two points influencing the outcome of the game tonight:

* Boston lineup and organizational depth features a heavier dose of physical young forwards than most teams around the league.

* This preseason contest features many of the regular starter's you would see in the Blackhawks opening night line up sheet (have not seen Bruins' line up tonight). But how hard and interested are the the veterans going to go?

Watch Wedin because he might force his way onto the roster if not opening night then at some point during tge season. And for the record I prefer Sikura over Kampf as 3rd/4th center.

I have to guess that Carlsson remains not quite ready yet the spot(s) available for non veterans in remaining exhibition games will go first to Boqvist who intrigues and next to the threesome Dahlstrom/Koekkoek/Holm. As for Gilbert, Bowman/Colliton know what they get. Further, he is both not ready and his playing in remaining exhibition tilts is merely to get muscle on a pairing and Gilbert gains developmental experience.
- jhawk59

Line rushes at #NHLBruins practice:

Marchand - Bergeron - Pastrnak
DeBrusk - Krejci - Coyle
Wagner - Kuraly - Backes
Heinen - Studnicka - Lantosi
Senyshyn (non-contact jersey)

Chara - Vaakanainen
Krug - Petrovic
Lauzon - Clifton
Breen - Didier

Rask
Halak
Vladar

“Anton has been one of the best forwards in the league,” a SHL league source said. “He played for one of the worst teams. He is a speedy forward. His biggest strength is using his speed, mostly on the entry. He is not extremely skilled. His shot is not spectacular, but he is strong on the puck and is using his skating to create time and space. Besides that he is a pretty all-around player. I have seen him play both center and winger, but I think he is way more effective as a winger. He’s a late bloomer, played his first season in the top league this season. He may have to start in the AHL.”
- walleyeb1

So he’s not skilled, can’t shoot but can skate and is pretty? Sign me up lol

Or how about the part where he was on the first pairing of the worst penalty killing unit in the last 30 years. He should be your extra forward at best.
- SaadBeast

Disagree. He made plays, he battled and he probably could score some goals. He has someone ahead of him in Chicago. He could be a descent NHL player. I do not care to argue the point. I just disagree. I am sure you and others make good points, have sound views on other topics but it is ok to disagree. I would value wiz' s point -of -view on Sikura. Not that he is a know all but i respect his point if view. I think SOME people ( not implying you or anyone in particular) get obstinate and stubborn on their views regarding Sikura. Wiz i feel would look at it fairly and without pre determined attitude.

Ah yes. Hits dont matter, faceoffs dont matter...and as you said earlier, points don't matter

So what exactly does matter?
- PatShart

Well this is pretty amazing and true too...

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
· 3m
Boqvist isn't out for warmups, so it seems like he's the D scratch.

I'm sure y'all will take that well.

===========

Dahlstrom and KK in...maybe trying to protect Boqvist from Marchand and the "bruising" Bruins young core?

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
· 3m
Boqvist isn't out for warmups, so it seems like he's the D scratch.

I'm sure y'all will take that well.

===========

Dahlstrom and KK in...maybe trying to protect Boqvist from Marchand and the "bruising" Bruins young core?
- pdx2ord

Boston 15th in the league in hits last year...SCF

Stanley Cup Champion Blues 24th

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
· 3m
Boqvist isn't out for warmups, so it seems like he's the D scratch.

I'm sure y'all will take that well.

===========

Dahlstrom and KK in...maybe trying to protect Boqvist from Marchand and the "bruising" Bruins young core?
- pdx2ord

Blackhawks lines in warmups:

Nylander-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Wedin-Kubalik
Smith-Carpenter-Caggiula

Keith-Gustafsson
Maatta-Seabrook
Murphy-Koekkoek

Lehner
Lankinen

Lehner is slated to get the full game.

Hoping some teams want to take a look at Koekkoek.

Boston 15th in the league in hits last year...SCF

Stanley Cup Champion Blues 24th
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah, just saw some headline in past couple of days about how Boston's team this year is really rough.

I hear Jim is in Mid-season form! Please get someone else.

What's the over under on how many times Konroyd calls Connor Murphy Gord Murphy?

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
· 3m
Boqvist isn't out for warmups, so it seems like he's the D scratch.

I'm sure y'all will take that well.

===========

Dahlstrom and KK in...maybe trying to protect Boqvist from Marchand and the "bruising" Bruins young core?
- pdx2ord

It's so nice to see Shaw back in Chicago he's really going to help with the 50 50 pucks

Wedin has some wheels!

Maata and Seabrook look good

Consistent net front presence from Hawks so far. . .good to see

Wedin has some wheels!
- walleyeb1

And motor

500 goals is a generational player, he's backed his mouth up and earned the right to speak his mind.
- rpeters01

Generational my ass. He isn't even in the top 10 of US born players.

Consistent net front presence from Hawks so far. . .good to see
- pdx2ord

Uh-oh. Sage is gonna have to find a new mantra is that keeps up.

Uh-oh. Sage is gonna have to find a new mantra is that keeps up.
- Elbows15

He still has the “Let them spend more time developing in the AHL” mantra.

I know it's preseason but this game and last that puck seems to end up on Carpenter's stick a lot.

Uh-oh. Sage is gonna have to find a new mantra is that keeps up.
- Elbows15

Does this look different than usual?

What does he mean by "loses?"

Is this another alternative for guys we think are overpaid / shouldn't be playing?



Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie

WPG has suspended Dustin Byfuglien for failing to report to camp. If he doesn’t report by opening day, WPG loses his cap hit until he does report.

Does this look different than usual?


- pdx2ord

very much so. Trust me. I want them going to the net too.

What does he mean by "loses?"

Is this another alternative for guys we think are overpaid / shouldn't be playing?



Bob McKenzie
@TSNBobMcKenzie

WPG has suspended Dustin Byfuglien for failing to report to camp. If he doesn’t report by opening day, WPG loses his cap hit until he does report.
- pdx2ord

Sounds like it’s procedural maneuvering. If he refuses to report, I’m guessing the team can’t be held responsible for his cap hit...but they had to suspend him to make it work? Who knows.

Generational my ass. He isn't even in the top 10 of US born players.
- Elbows15

He’s 4th in points for US players. You could certainly argue he’s a top 10 US born player.