Hi Mohel,

My apologies, yes...I have watched Olympic hockey before and do enjoy it but I haven't in some time. I'm definitely not saying you're a lavender sniffer and it would be uncalled for to name names. They know who they are.
- Murph76

How about not using personal attacks at all?

How about making your point using facts, logic, even personal preference - without making a comment on those who disagree with you - unnamed or not?

I do not think the Hawks will make the playoffs. But I would be pretty happy to see them beat the Preds tonight and lessen their chances.

Apropos of the discussion today:

Ben Pope‏ @BenPopeCST · 2h2 hours ago

Forgot to mention Koekkoek is in and Gilbert is out, also.

Colliton acknowledged yesterday that Gilbert has had a downturn lately but said that's normal for young players.
- Chunk

Did he mention that he's been paired w/Matta and playing
on his offside, could be that's alot to ask of a kid w/20 games
under his belt

How about not using personal attacks at all?

How about making your point using facts, logic, even personal preference - without making a comment on those who disagree with you - unnamed or not?
- StLBravesFan

Agree. And look up the "facts" to make sure they are accurate. My "go to" websites are hockeyreference.com and capfriendly.com. If we cannot post contract, cap hit, simple stats, or historical data accurately it takes away our credibility. Maybe others would like to add their "go to" websites.

I love Olympic hockey.....since being a USA citizen I don't get to see the juniors or rarely can I find a college hockey game on TV.....so when it's non pros...I'll still watch.

if The NHL were smart, they'd have no issue sending their players over...it promotes the sport and you can google the Oshie shootout vs Russia and all the bars and casual fans who were going bonkers that morning......yet in the short sidedness of the owners they instead fear injuries, lost revenue for tickets, the bs excuse of stopping the season and they lose a HUGE chance to market their game and their players.

call me crazy.....but Id have a tough time justifying winning a cup vs an Olympic gold medal if I were a Patrick kane….when the Hawks won in 2010 I saw a TON of kids playing street hockey in the streets that summer.....that was 1 market....now imagine the impact of the entire country if the USA were to win with NHL stars.....it would help eliminate the niche sport mantra and that's where the Owners continue to NOT GET IT
- SteveRain

Especially since the next games are in Beijing - a fairly large market that the league should certainly want to exploit (and has said many times that they do).

I remember 1980 and the impact that the "Miracle on Ice" and the gold medal had on hockey in the States - even tho the game against the Soviet Union wasn't on live TV (same with the Magic - Bird finals game and the Loyola NCAA championship game - but I digress).

Did he mention that he's been paired w/Matta and playing
on his offside, could be that's alot to ask of a kid w/20 games
under his belt
- gazza53

Not in the tweet that I read...

I do not think the Hawks will make the playoffs. But I would be pretty happy to see them beat the Preds tonight and lessen their chances.
- -Doh-

I fully support this sentiment!

I didn't watch the last time when the pros weren't there. When I have watched, it's been some of the best, most intense hockey I've seen. Still very physical, just without the fighting. I don't want that removed from hockey, but I don't need a John Scott taking a spot on the roster just to fight the other team's John Scott. I understand other don't see it that way.

Have a good one, Murph.
- mohel

I'll definitely take your advice to heart and take another look when it comes back around. Right on! Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not longing for pure enforcers to be back on the team...that is absolutely a waste of a roster spot in this day and age. But if Gilbert, for example, can polish up his game I like what he brings to the table.

Hope you have a good one as well

Agree. And look up the "facts" to make sure they are accurate. My "go to" websites are hockeyreference.com and capfriendly.com. If we cannot post contract, cap hit, simple stats, or historical data accurately it takes away our credibility. Maybe others would like to add their "go to" websites.
- -Doh-

I use the same.....there is also a good website which shows every GMs trade over his tenure. I have to find that one again.

Agree. And look up the "facts" to make sure they are accurate. My "go to" websites are hockeyreference.com and capfriendly.com. If we cannot post contract, cap hit, simple stats, or historical data accurately it takes away our credibility. Maybe others would like to add their "go to" websites.
- -Doh-

Eklund's daily updates on https://www.hockeybuzz.com/

Eklund's daily updates on https://www.hockeybuzz.com/
- Rota's Rooter

no no no no......and that's an E5

How about not using personal attacks at all?

How about making your point using facts, logic, even personal preference - without making a comment on those who disagree with you - unnamed or not?
- StLBravesFan

Sure! Your saying Gilbert is a waste of a roster spot. Aside from Murphy, he is literally the only physical player we have on the roster right now. Shaw=out, The Jake=out. If this team has 0 push back they will get walked all over. Did you see the Icehogs game where a player absolutely leveled Dach causing his preseason concussion, literally stood there waiting for a Hog to do something about it while taunting the bench, and no one even skated up to the guy? Are you really saying you're ok with that? Cause I sure as hell am not. Again, I am not advocating for a pure enforcer but Gilbert will (hopefully) get better with experience and I like that he has an edge and would have had something to say about that hit. Better?

Especially since the next games are in Beijing - a fairly large market that the league should certainly want to exploit (and has said many times that they do).

I remember 1980 and the impact that the "Miracle on Ice" and the gold medal had on hockey in the States - even tho the game against the Soviet Union wasn't on live TV (same with the Magic - Bird finals game and the Loyola NCAA championship game - but I digress).
- StLBravesFan

agreed and the difference between hockey and say basketball or baseball in the Olympics is there is a LOT more balance.....usa, Canada, Russia, finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Czech, etc....all are competitive.....

no no no no......and that's an E5
- SteveRain

You mean I shouldn't believe EK when he says the Habs are buyers even though they've lost 7 in a row, and are below .500 half-way through the season?

Sure! Your saying Gilbert is a waste of a roster spot. Aside from Murphy, he is literally the only physical player we have on the roster right now. Shaw=out, The Jake=out. If this team has 0 push back they will get walked all over. Did you see the Icehogs game where a player absolutely leveled Dach causing his preseason concussion, literally stood there waiting for a Hog to do something about it while taunting the bench, and no one even skated up to the guy? Are you really saying you're ok with that? Cause I sure as hell am not. Again, I am not advocating for a pure enforcer but Gilbert will (hopefully) get better with experience and I like that he has an edge and would have had something to say about that hit. Better?
- Murph76

TRUE facts, I meant - not Kelly Ann Conway "alternate facts".

I never said Gilbert was a waste of a roster spot - I certainly said that his defense - at his age and experience - left a lot to be desired, and that he often seemed more interested in making the hit and (on a couple of occasions) starting a fight instead of making plays that actually would help the Hawks win a game.

I fully support this sentiment!
- mohel

anyone hear from class a troll...vopatsrush?

Wonder how he is doing.....

Agree. And look up the "facts" to make sure they are accurate. My "go to" websites are hockeyreference.com and capfriendly.com. If we cannot post contract, cap hit, simple stats, or historical data accurately it takes away our credibility. Maybe others would like to add their "go to" websites.
- -Doh-

Those are also my go too's( to's) along with puckpedia.com, and eliteprospects.com

agreed and the difference between hockey and say basketball or baseball in the Olympics is there is a LOT more balance.....usa, Canada, Russia, finland, Sweden, Slovakia, Czech, etc....all are competitive.....
- SteveRain

Yes - but unfortunately, the Olympic hockey tournament (unlike basketball) is "in-season" - I understand the league's difficulty with interrupting the regular season for up to three weeks to take part (tho I wish they could figure out a way to do it).

Agree. And look up the "facts" to make sure they are accurate. My "go to" websites are hockeyreference.com and capfriendly.com. If we cannot post contract, cap hit, simple stats, or historical data accurately it takes away our credibility. Maybe others would like to add their "go to" websites.
- -Doh-

Those are mine, too.

I use the same.....there is also a good website which shows every GMs trade over his tenure. I have to find that one again.
- SteveRain

Capfriendly has historical GM trades. Go to Tools then General Managers, then click on the GM name.

TRUE facts, I meant - not Kelly Ann Conway "alternate facts".

I never said Gilbert was a waste of a roster spot - I certainly said that his defense - at his age and experience - left a lot to be desired, and that he often seemed more interested in making the hit and (on a couple of occasions) starting a fight instead of making plays that actually would help the Hawks win a game.
- StLBravesFan

That first line seems like you're doing what you asked him not to do, in addition to bringing politics into the the hockey board (for the 435rd time).

All of this, but be prepared to have to defend your point of view to the lavendar sniffers on this board...there are more and more of them all the time
- Murph76

Hello 33. I've got no issue with Gilbert standing up for his mates. I wish he'd learn to pick his spots better on when to fight and make the big hit. Mostly, I'd be fine with him if he was an adequate NHL defender; at preventing goals. He's not, so far.
- mohel

That's a very fair point to make and can be learned with time and experience.

I look for a contract like Dinky, lower AAV, kicker in 3rd year to ratchet up min. qualifying offer.
- rpeters01

That's what I think too. Fits the timeline of contracts as well

anyone hear from class a troll...vopatsrush?

Wonder how he is doing.....
- SteveRain

I have a call in to his sister. I'll update you as events warrant.

Big guys with size and skill are unicorns.

Playoff time is a different animal but I'll say this.....some series you can see teams get absolutely run down vs the draw and the opponent. Hawks did a very good job staying healthy vs heavier teams in their cup runs.....Vancouver, STL come to mind.

They had some guys who could force panic etc on the d man in fear of being hit which lead to goals....but then you think back to 2015 vs Anaheim and the Ducks hell bent on physically beating on the Hawks and look what happened.....the Ducks lost.

I love physical hockey as much as the next guy. My favorite non Hawk is Ovechkin. However running around and hitting guys and getting out of position in today's game is exploited because of the fact that everyone who dresses is faster and more skilled on the 3rd and 4th lines then were 5-10 years ago.

No....you can't have a team of "smurfs" but you can win with smaller guys playing larger like a Kruger, or Bolland for starters. Especially come playoff time when it's a "heavier" game and officials would rather teams settle it then calling the tick tack penalties they call in the regular season.

If Gilbert can play and be an effective TRUE defenseman....then by all means, but if he's a liability like Gus then you have to move on.
- SteveRain

I agree with what you're saying 100%. You don't need a bunch big goons. Having guys who play bigger than they are is BIG key in today's skill game.

I bolded the last part because that's the key. We have to wait and see if he can become that. Though it seems like most people have pinned him down already have what maybe 30 games in the NHL? 30 games, might I add in which he was called up for depth with injuries and has stuck since which says a lot about how he's grown since being called up.

I agree with what you're saying 100%. You don't need a bunch big goons. Having guys who play bigger than they are is BIG key in today's skill game.

I bolded the last part because that's the key. We have to wait and see if he can become that. Though it seems like most people have pinned him down already have what maybe 30 games in the NHL? 30 games, might I add in which he was called up for depth with injuries and has stuck since which says a lot about how he's grown since being called up.
- Savetheembers33

Could it be that the lavender sniffers and the knuckle daggers are finding common ground? Impressive.