Trashville looks like my prediction, hella center depth and 3 elite D-men, and a very good tender.
- kwolf68

When’d they get rid of Rinne, I missed that.

Good morning, Mo! See you're up and running with a caustic quip. Did you not appreciate Groundhog Day yesterday? Lol.
- gabriel

What's up, Gabe? Yeah, awesome results yesterday.

Aside from the coach and his system, a team that adds a lot of new players tends to need time for all the parts to work together. We'll see.

4th line is looking good. Need more forechecking like that from other lines.
- Tyler Cameron

Thought the Hawks 3rd and 4th lines played well last night despite the loss. Although far from being contenders yet, there is that adage that the teams that do well in the playoffs are the ones that have the better bottom 6.

If the top 6 performs like they are expected, then the bottom 6 dominating the other team exhibits a solid 4-line team. The Hawks have the potential but definitely not there yet. It's only one game so lots of time to grow and improve toward this end.

They got 5 days to get their collective act together, or I'm done watching for the season. 2 games is more than enough time to pass judgment on this "team" ... and I use that word lightly.

What’s the latest on how long it will take for Murphy and DeHann to be ready for play?

Boston is the best team in the league. Again. Should have won it all last year. My pick to win it all this year.
- SimpleJack

Already, didn't you say the samething last year, you and true grit should stay out of the prediction business.

They got 5 days to get their collective act together, or I'm done watching for the season. 2 games is more than enough time to pass judgment on this "team" ... and I use that word lightly.
- I Am The Breadman

Seems like a prudent time to draw a line in the sand...

Honestly, until we see the full contingent of defensemen, it’s hard to say where this team is at in terms of progress from last year. Then you also have to figure some time for all the new players to gel and get some chemistry, which includes combinations that JC thinks work best. Like Mohel said, it’s going to take 20-30 games to see what’s what.

I think we’re going to be watching a wildcard bubble team if things come together in a positive way, if not, we’ll be getting jazzed up for the lottery ping-pong ball night. I’m not being pessimistic, rather, just realistic.

Seems like a prudent time to draw a line in the sand.

Honestly, until we see the full contingent of defensemen, it’s hard to say where this team is at in terms of progress from last year. Then you also have to figure some time for all the new players to gel and get some chemistry, which includes combinations that JC thinks work best. Like Mohel said, it’s going to take 20-30 games to see what’s what.

I think we’re going to be watching a wildcard bubble team if things come together in a positive way, if not, we’ll be getting jazzed up for the lottery ping-pong ball night. I’m not being pessimistic, rather, just realistic.
- Chief4Feathers

Sarcasm, chieffy, but I think you got it. I agree with waiting, lines gel, & healthy players.

To answer your question, you might want to ask de Haan's shoulder & Murphy's groin what the timetable is.

What's up, Gabe? Yeah, awesome results yesterday.

Aside from the coach and his system, a team that adds a lot of new players tends to need time for all the parts to work together. We'll see.
- mohel

Think your icon says it all. More than willing to let things evolve as you imply. Colliton for better or worse, has been assigned a Herculean undertaking. More than just a little empathy is required at this point. Patience when everyone is impatient after last year, places him in a ridiculously tough spot.

Sarcasm, chieffy, but I think you got it. I agree with waiting, lines gel, & healthy players.

To answer your question, you might want to ask de Haan's shoulder & Murphy's groin what the timetable is.
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, I knew you were just echoing the ledge lookers.

I’m may ask DeHaan’s shoulder something, but no way I’m talking to Murphy’s groin.

They got 5 days to get their collective act together, or I'm done watching for the season. 2 games is more than enough time to pass judgment on this "team" ... and I use that word lightly.
- I Am The Breadman

And you, my friend, are so full of you know what, that your eyes are brown.

Think your icon says it all. More than willing to let things evolve as you imply. Colliton for better or worse, has been assigned a Herculean undertaking. More than just a little empathy is required at this point. Patience when everyone is impatient after last year, places him in a ridiculously tough spot.
- gabriel

The one point of concern I will direct toward JC at this point is giving Gustafsson the minutes and pairing with Keith.

Gustafsson is a PP specialist who should be assigned sheltered minutes at 5v5. You can try to keep putting the square peg into the round hole, but I don’t think you’ll find a suitable fit. Also, at Keith’s age and level of play - it’s a big ask to have him backstop a partner like Gustafsson.

Yeah, I knew you were just echoing the ledge lookers.

I’m may ask DeHaan’s shoulder something, but no way I’m talking to Murphy’s groin.
- Chief4Feathers

You were the guy who said he'd ask the parents about their child at the moment of conception about the "prospect's" skills. I didn't think anything was out of your comfort zone.

And you, my friend, are so full of you know what, that your eyes are brown.
- gabriel

You caught me, Gabe. I'll make it to 3 games.

They got 5 days to get their collective act together, or I'm done watching for the season. 2 games is more than enough time to pass judgment on this "team" ... and I use that word lightly.
- I Am The Breadman

Lemming.

You were the guy who said he'd ask the parents about their child at the moment of conception about the "prospect's" skills. I didn't think anything was out of your comfort zone.
- I Am The Breadman

I said “before” they conceive, not exactly at the moment of conception. Good God man, I’m not a savage...

I’m talking well before the nipple makes an appearance.

The one point of concern I will direct toward JC at this point is giving Gustafsson the minutes and pairing with Keith.

Gustafsson is a PP specialist who should be assigned sheltered minutes at 5v5. You can try to keep putting the square peg into the round hole, but I don’t think you’ll find a suitable fit. Also, at Keith’s age and level of play - it’s a big ask to have him backstop a partner like Gustafsson.
- Chief4Feathers

Chief, could not agree with you more on both of your points. You are the consummate diplomat, as well.

Lemming.
- mohel

"Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes."

Yeah, I knew you were just echoing the ledge lookers.

I’m may ask DeHaan’s shoulder something, but no way I’m talking to Murphy’s groin.
- Chief4Feathers

I thought deHaan’s shoulder was ok - and that he was out with a groin injury, too.

"Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes."
- I Am The Breadman

Another suburban family morning...

Another suburban family morning...
- Chief4Feathers

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
Here in status symbol land....

You caught me, Gabe. I'll make it to 3 games.
- I Am The Breadman

You'll be here for all 82, like a glutton for punishment. As for the other, it was easier than shooting fish in a barrel. Not that I personally have engaged in the gruesome practice, or anything. Ain't no Jethro Bodine, son.

The one point of concern I will direct toward JC at this point is giving Gustafsson the minutes and pairing with Keith.

Gustafsson is a PP specialist who should be assigned sheltered minutes at 5v5. You can try to keep putting the square peg into the round hole, but I don’t think you’ll find a suitable fit. Also, at Keith’s age and level of play - it’s a big ask to have him backstop a partner like Gustafsson.
- Chief4Feathers

Agree 100% Gus is a human turn style in his own end, and Keith's age is showing. No reason in the world to have them paired together. There is no way I would pay Gus after this season. Let someone else give him that money. Hopefully Murphy and De haan are able to play next Thursday. They were a total dumpster fire in their own end again. Maata and Seabs were good. Everyone else, yuck

The one point of concern I will direct toward JC at this point is giving Gustafsson the minutes and pairing with Keith.

Gustafsson is a PP specialist who should be assigned sheltered minutes at 5v5. You can try to keep putting the square peg into the round hole, but I don’t think you’ll find a suitable fit. Also, at Keith’s age and level of play - it’s a big ask to have him backstop a partner like Gustafsson.
- Chief4Feathers

Gus on a top pairing is a problem, imo.

I thought deHaan’s shoulder was ok - and that he was out with a groin injury, too.
- StLBravesFan

Correct, if the reports were accurate. Which is a whole other topic, in and of itself.