Just 365 short days from now, this team will be ready AND willing to try and compete for a playoff spot.
- PrinceChill

And with it being leap year, Evander Kane is going to score 100 goals between here and now.

Also, this time next year, we will be talking about "next year" book it.

No but it’s inexcusable to turn a blind eye to all the regression charts that exist that show regression when players hit 29. And then steepens every year after.
- ImThatGuy

I get the decline at 29, and actually for F's it starts earlier, but slower early on.
It isn't new news.
That does NOT say that every year for every player will be a decline, right? Right.
In this case, they obviously think they can hold the line with a new coach and a new system, while giving some younger players, Tage and Asplund specifically additional development in playing better minutes in the A...and both can use it.

All I'm saying is
- it isn't 100% certain as portrayed in the self-proclaimed statistical genius.
- the longer view is a bet on a stronger development path in a year that has a low probability of being a playoff team.

Statistically speaking, those points trump playing Tage on the 4th line.

Just 365 short days from now, this team will be ready AND willing to try and compete for a playoff spot.
- PrinceChill

Are they reducing the number of hours in a day.
Interesting

Steve Young just on espn right now talking about how standing on the sideline & observing can HELP Mitch Trubisky

But hey, what would a Hall of Fame QB know?
Just saying
- jdfitz77

And?..why do we care about mitch?

Soooo who got cut

And with it being leap year, Evander Kane is going to score 100 goals between here and now.

Also, this time next year, we will be talking about "next year" book it.
- BeadyEyedDouche

Um, it is only December to December we are concerned with as it relates to EK9er

Soooo who got cut
- gerbe75pts

Cole was released.
Boston going hard after Cozens

Ted Nol- errr.. I mean Ralph Kruger loves him some Girgensons and Sobotka! Sorry Tagey! Need more grit out of ya!
- bluengold12

Girgs, Sobotka & even Larsson...
ALL had more points than Tage last year

Tage clearly didn’t belong last year,
and management has decided he needs a bit more development
Good for them
It’s the right decision

And?..why do we care about mitch?
- IonSabres

I brought it up bc of how much crap i got saying that Allen “wasn’t ready” and it would be better for him not to start early on last year

But it even equates (not directly) to everyone b!tching about the kids not playing here yet
It’s ok- even smart- to develop the kids slowly & before putting them in roles they aren’t ready for

Even if that means playing Sobatka (who i also hate)

Long term success >>>>>>>> fans’ impatience

And with it being leap year, Evander Kane is going to score 100 goals between here and now.

Also, this time next year, we will be talking about "next year" book it.
- BeadyEyedDouche

If you’re looking for an excuse for next year, this is a possibility:
“With so many new players, you have to give them the year to gel together and become a team. Next year should REALLY be the year to compete...”

I get the decline at 29, and actually for F's it starts earlier, but slower early on.
It isn't new news.
That does NOT say that every year for every player will be a decline, right? Right.
In this case, they obviously think they can hold the line with a new coach and a new system, while giving some younger players, Tage and Asplund specifically additional development in playing better minutes in the A...and both can use it.

All I'm saying is
- it isn't 100% certain as portrayed in the self-proclaimed statistical genius.
- the longer view is a bet on a stronger development path in a year that has a low probability of being a playoff team.

Statistically speaking, those points trump playing Tage on the 4th line.
- IonSabres

Thompson will benefit from the minors, and he had a better preseason than Okposo. Both of those things are true.

Cozens had a better camp than Mittelstadt and he will benefit from juniors. Both of those things are true.

It just wasn't an actual competition, because they want both of those guys to work on their game. Fair enough. I think Botterill could have brought in more competition that he actually would have let earn a spot though

Cole was released.
Boston going hard after Cozens
- IonSabres

What would JB take in exchange for Coz?

18p even strength to TT's 12p even strength. Is Okposo still on the PP?

One is trending up, one is... not doing that

Thompson was baaaad for a lot of last year, but the frustration stems from Thompson outplaying him this preseason.

They're sending him down, conceivably, in the name of development, which is fine, but he 100% outplayed Okposo this year
- jcragcrumple

You put WAY too much stock in a very small sample size of split squad preseason games

Also...
even if preseason games really mattered,
if it’s best for Tage to continue to develop in the AHL, then that’s where he should be

You put WAY too much stock in a toy sample size of split squad preseason games

Also...
even if preseason games really mattered,
if it’s best for Tage to continue to develop in the AHL, then that’s where he should be
- jdfitz77

Tage needs to work on his 2-way game. Rochester will help him. It's best for him, and I get it.

What bothers me is that I think he outplayed some guys, but he wasn't going to be given a spot no matter what imo. That's where I think JB should have brought in some more guys

Tage needs to work on his 2-way game. Rochester will help him. It's best for him, and I get it.

What bothers me is that I think he outplayed some guys, but he wasn't going to be given a spot no matter what imo. That's where I think JB should have brought in some more guys
- jcragcrumple

Tage is going to light up the AHL and leant nothing. The guy is too good for that league

Thompson will benefit from the minors, and he had a better preseason than Okposo. Both of those things are true.

Cozens had a better camp than Mittelstadt and he will benefit from juniors. Both of those things are true.

It just wasn't an actual competition, because they want both of those guys to work on their game. Fair enough. I think Botterill could have brought in more competition that he actually would have let earn a spot though
- jcragcrumple

OR...
they were given a chance to see if they were ready, and it was determined that it be better off for them to continue developing in the AHL
If more “NHL talent” had been brought in,
then the kids wouldn’t have had a chance to show they were ready
U act like it was predetermined that Tage & other kids would for sure be in the AHL

Tage needs to work on his 2-way game. Rochester will help him. It's best for him, and I get it.

What bothers me is that I think he outplayed some guys, but he wasn't going to be given a spot no matter what imo. That's where I think JB should have brought in some more guys
- jcragcrumple

Like who though?

Let’s say he brought in more NHL talent that was for sure better than Okposo, Girgs, Larsson & Sobotka

Were those guys available?
At what cost?
And HOW could we fit them under the Cap?
We are really close up against it

The kids had a chance to show they were ready
Besides Olofsson, no one was a lock to make the team bc no one played so well that Botts had to keep them

I get what you’re saying
But Botts isn’t done forming the team he ultimately wants
It’s just gonna take longer than you (and all of us really) would like

OR...
they were given a chance to see if they were ready, and it was determined that it be better off for them to continue developing in the AHL
If more “NHL talent” had been brought in,
then the kids wouldn’t have had a chance to show they were ready
U act like it was predetermined that Tage & other kids would for sure be in the AHL
- jdfitz77

Like I said, I think Thompson was better than Okposo this preseason, and I think they want Thompson to work on his 2-way game in the minors. Both are true imo

I think Tompson earned it over Okposo, but they dont think Thompson is ready. All of that is fine.

But that's where I think they already knew TT wouldn't get a spot. I think they could have brought in some guys to actually compete for that spot if they weren't going to reward the better player

Um, it is only December to December we are concerned with as it relates to EK9er
- IonSabres

Forgive me for I have sinned

If you’re looking for an excuse for next year, this is a possibility:
“With so many new players, you have to give them the year to gel together and become a team. Next year should REALLY be the year to compete...”
- PrinceChill

Sounds about right.

Dahlström playing on a bad Blackhawks team last year did pretty well. He was +9 on a team that had 18 guys that were - players. He also averaged over 18 minutes a night with 62% Dzone starts. He's a lefty, is 3 years younger, 45 pounds heavier and was a former 2nd round pick (51st overall). I would say he would be a better option than Nelson, and not only because he LD and Nelson is a RD.
- adambuffalo

Good argument,
but we do have a bunch of defensemen

Btw...
Who did the Hawks get on defense that they were comfortable trading away Jokiharju & sending down another guy who played well for them??
I didn’t watch them a lot last year
But i was under the impression that they needed help on defense

Like I said, I think Thompson was better than Okposo this preseason, and I think they want Thompson to work on his 2-way game in the minors. Both are true imo

I think Tompson earned it over Okposo, but they dont think Thompson is ready. All of that is fine.

But that's where I think they already knew TT wouldn't get a spot. I think they could have brought in some guys to actually compete for that spot if they weren't going to reward the better player
- jcragcrumple

Again...

1) you’re putting too much stock in preseason games
2) no cap room to bring in more NHLers
3) you’re making a HUGE ASSUMPTION without anything to back up that they predetermined the outcome of Tage or any other player

Again...

1) you’re putting too much stock in preseason games
2) no cap room to bring in more NHLers
3) you’re making a HUGE ASSUMPTION without anything to back up that they predetermined the outcome of Tage or any other player
- jdfitz77

But I think most would agree he outplayed Okposo. Probably an overwhelming majority of the people who watched the games would say that. That's why I believe they decided beforehand. I dont think it was possible for Tage to make it over Okposo

Tage is going to light up the AHL and leant nothing. The guy is too good for that league
- Sabretooth9

Tage needs to learn to change his game, period.
At 6'7" playing like Bambi is a good strategy to land and stay in the A.
He took a step in the right direction for sure, now he needs to completely commit to it.
Could you imagine if 5'4" Cole or Gerbe decided he wanted to play enforcer, good luck.
I don't care if he knows how to throw a punch...be a beast on the wall. an unstoppable force going to the net, and have a quick release, soft hands down low. Play 192 foot game.
That is his learning opportunity.