then this board will need a universal discount at Binnys to watch that goof mess up simple defensive plays.
- SteveRain

Imagine if the extended him for like....let's say 3 years? I'd die.

Imagine if the extended him for like....let's say 3 years? I'd die.
- Fat_Tony_Amonte

Maybe he can be the veteran player Rockford needs for those 3 years.

Plus how many million did he get when Vegas came into the league? And when Seattle opens? Free money, wins/loses don't matter. Good marketing does the rest.
- powerenforcer

Sure, all the owners got a bundle.

And also, the game keeps getting faster all the time which makes it more and more difficult for the officials to get out of the way. Just sayin.

@BenPopeCST

Lehner on his performance: "They got four goals off of grade-A scoring chance rebounds. Obviously I'd like the puck to stick to me a little bit better, maybe on the third goal I thought I had it, but every single one of those goals were a high scoring chance rebound."


Kane also commented in his postgame on the prime rebounds lying in the crease that neither Robin nor anyone else cleared in a timely matter.

Sure, all the owners got a bundle.

And also, the game keeps getting faster all the time which makes it more and more difficult for the officials to get out of the way. Just sayin.
- 6628

Stop with that, it's their job. If they can't handle it, they should not be employed in that profession. Get people who can perform the job. Every other business runs under that principal.

Well, tonite it was Keith, Caggiula, and Lehner. The previous game it was Dcat. Its just basic hockey plays, not some Bobby Orr plays or Wayne Gretzky plays. Although the playoffs are still not 100% impossible, it is highly unlikely. Those were 4 important points to get, and we got ZERO. The good points were Kane and ummm, well I guess that's about it. Dcat being dropped down the ladder saw him play an improved game. It was good to see Kubalik on the power play. And now it is time to check the mock drafts for picks 3-7.

@BenPopeCST

Lehner on his performance: "They got four goals off of grade-A scoring chance rebounds. Obviously I'd like the puck to stick to me a little bit better, maybe on the third goal I thought I had it, but every single one of those goals were a high scoring chance rebound."


Kane also commented in his postgame on the prime rebounds lying in the crease that neither Robin nor anyone else cleared in a timely matter.
- pdx2ord

Ref lost sight of it, but decided to stand there a while.

Stop with that, it's their job. If they can't handle it, they should not be employed in that profession. Get people who can perform the job. Every other business runs under that principal.
- powerenforcer

I can tell you from experience that it's tougher than it looks. Impossible to not get in the way on occasion. On an Olympic sheet you might be more right, but in the show it's like having one eye closed on a crowded small bumper car floor. Nobody can be perfect. Ever.

They apparently were waiving to the Ducks trainers. Not sure why?
- paulr

As 6628 said, all hands on deck but they really wanted EMTs and the Ducks doctors. Video showed someone (EMT i believe based on attire) feverishly giving him manual CPR and then the pads of the AED could be seen in the hands of someone over him. Reports are the AED was used as well.

The combo very well may have saved his life.

Statement from Armstrong - "With 7:50 remaining in the first period of our game tonight, Jay Bouwmeester suffered a cardiac episode and collapsed on our bench after completing his shift. Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay. He was alert and moving all of his extremities as he was transported to UC Irvine Medical Center. Currently, Jay is conscious and alert as he undergoes further testing by Anaheim's physicians. We will update Jay's condition on Wednesday morning."

I can tell you from experience that it's tougher than it looks. Impossible to not get in the way on occasion. On an Olympic sheet you might be more right, but in the show it's like having one eye closed on a crowded small bumper car floor. Nobody can be perfect. Ever.
- 6628

Used to be easier, when the top of the glass was lower and they could grab it and lift their legs up off the ice.

Go get Taylor Hall and win the lottery!

Besides that, it isn't exactly readily available here
- AusHawk

You're in Melbourne, right? Try heading over to whatever they call that rink at the Docklands. You'll probably find it there for starters.

Hell if I can source sticks in Perth (and I have -even if I only buy the cheap ones because I am old, and don't care to buy an A$450.00 stick with a big hole in the blade), you can get them in the 2nd largest city in the country ... unless of course, by Melbourne you mean like Portland, Echuca, or Warrnambool ... then I mean - fair enough ...

Exactly. But then the TDL makes GMs do crazy things. I like Carpenter but I would really tempted to move him for a 2nd.
- Elbows15

I'm sure Stan would take a 2nd but will never be offered...

Morning all.

Didn't get to watch the last couple games.

Woke up in a good mood and happy this morning, so I figured I'd come on here and read the last 5 pages to see if I could tamper my positive vibes this morning.

I can tell you from experience that it's tougher than it looks. Impossible to not get in the way on occasion. On an Olympic sheet you might be more right, but in the show it's like having one eye closed on a crowded small bumper car floor. Nobody can be perfect. Ever.
- 6628

That is not the point. Don't you (and anyone else) get it? Too bad if it is hard, if that is your job, do it right, or don't do it. Brain surgery is hard, but if a surgeon kept making errors, how long would they continue to keep making those errors? Why do they get a pass just because it is harder than it looks? They aren't children (well, maybe they are).

Another thing to look at, when comparing NFL officials to NHL officials, don't NFL officials have "real" careers, and just officiate during the season? NHL officials, that is their career. Is that correct?

They probably need 37 points in the next 26 games to get to 95 points and eek into the playoffs. Last year the last spot was at 90 points but over the past several years it has required 95 to get in.

Do they have a 18-7-1 run in them? Probably not.

To me the bright spots of the season are they have their future #1 Center and #1 D gaining valuable NHL expeience, learning from Cup winners and not looking too much out of place in Dach and Boqvist. Bowman continues to show that his European free agent scouts are spot on in signing Kulalik as well.

The most important thing now is signing Mitchell. I did not watch any of the Spengler Cup but the reports from there were he played great and is ready. If he does not sign with the Hawks and goes free agent it is going to be a huge setback.

With each regulation loss it's getting bleaker. I think we are going to see an unusual trade deadline here where the Hawks make several moves where they move expiring guys for picks and players with bad contracts on contenders. That will up the return and they are going to need bodies next year for the expansion draft and to place hold as they rebuild continues.

They probably need 37 points in the next 26 games to get to 95 points and eek into the playoffs. Last year the last spot was at 90 points but over the past several years it has required 95 to get in.

Do they have a 18-7-1 run in them? Probably not.

To me the bright spots of the season are they have their future #1 Center and #1 D gaining valuable NHL expeience, learning from Cup winners and not looking too much out of place in Dach and Boqvist. Bowman continues to show that his European free agent scouts are spot on in signing Kulalik as well.

The most important thing now is signing Mitchell. I did not watch any of the Spengler Cup but the reports from there were he played great and is ready. If he does not sign with the Hawks and goes free agent it is going to be a huge setback.

With each regulation loss it's getting bleaker. I think we are going to see an unusual trade deadline here where the Hawks make several moves where they move expiring guys for picks and players with bad contracts on contenders. That will up the return and they are going to need bodies next year for the expansion draft and to place hold as they rebuild continues.
- stevefrmglencoe

No, but they have an 8-17-1 run in them for sure.

Apparently, according to Pierre McGuire and WSJ, the caronavirus quarantine in China is creating a shortage of hockey sticks - almost all used by pros are made in China.

Too political?

They probably need 37 points in the next 26 games to get to 95 points and eek into the playoffs. Last year the last spot was at 90 points but over the past several years it has required 95 to get in.

Do they have a 18-7-1 run in them? Probably not.

To me the bright spots of the season are they have their future #1 Center and #1 D gaining valuable NHL expeience, learning from Cup winners and not looking too much out of place in Dach and Boqvist. Bowman continues to show that his European free agent scouts are spot on in signing Kulalik as well.

The most important thing now is signing Mitchell. I did not watch any of the Spengler Cup but the reports from there were he played great and is ready. If he does not sign with the Hawks and goes free agent it is going to be a huge setback.

With each regulation loss it's getting bleaker. I think we are going to see an unusual trade deadline here where the Hawks make several moves where they move expiring guys for picks and players with bad contracts on contenders. That will up the return and they are going to need bodies next year for the expansion draft and to place hold as they rebuild continues.
- stevefrmglencoe

Looking at the records of teams fighting for Western Conference wild card spots, and their overall and recent records, I’m thinking 90 points gets a team in postseason - none of these guys is going to get to +13 over NHL-.500.

Hawks won’t get to 90, but that’s another story.

Apparently, according to Pierre McGuire and WSJ, the caronavirus quarantine in China is creating a shortage of hockey sticks - almost all used by pros are made in China.

Too political?
- StLBravesFan

Only if you brought up the fact left handed blades are in short supply.

Only if you brought up the fact left handed blades are in short supply.
- paulr

Hockey is political - Left wing/Right wing.

That is not the point. Don't you (and anyone else) get it? Too bad if it is hard, if that is your job, do it right, or don't do it. Brain surgery is hard, but if a surgeon kept making errors, how long would they continue to keep making those errors? Why do they get a pass just because it is harder than it looks? They aren't children (well, maybe they are).

Another thing to look at, when comparing NFL officials to NHL officials, don't NFL officials have "real" careers, and just officiate during the season? NHL officials, that is their career. Is that correct?
- powerenforcer

NFL refs are on the field once a week for 16 regular season games and playoffs and earn an average of $200K. NHL refs ref up to 3 times a week for an 82 game schedule plus playoffs and earn up to $360K. I'm sure NFL refs don't NEED to work an additional job.

That is not the point. Don't you (and anyone else) get it? Too bad if it is hard, if that is your job, do it right, or don't do it. Brain surgery is hard, but if a surgeon kept making errors, how long would they continue to keep making those errors? Why do they get a pass just because it is harder than it looks? They aren't children (well, maybe they are).

Another thing to look at, when comparing NFL officials to NHL officials, don't NFL officials have "real" careers, and just officiate during the season? NHL officials, that is their career. Is that correct?
- powerenforcer

On ice officials are full time. Off ice officials are not. And STL makes a great point, the glass used to be shorter and the zebras could grab the top and hop up on the dasher. But with ten foot glass that's not possible anymore. Literally, at times it's 10 pounds of guys in a 5 pound bag all different sizes all darting around in different directions after a black rubber disc. Some guys following it, some guys going where they think it's going to be. If the expressways didn't have lanes and all the vehicles were going wherever in a huge hurry there are going to be some accidents.

That ten foot glass is for the safety of the crowd, but it complicates things off the ice as well as on. The on ice officials whistles have a lot to do with the game and they need to be heard. But guys in a 10' high glass box with all the sound cascading down through the top are supposed to hear the whistles through a 4" hole in the glass. That is also literally impossible at times and it (frank)s things up in a big way. There are microphones at the ends of each blue line and behind both nets. Eventually, after much prodding, the guys got a speaker in the box and that helped. The clock jockey has to watch for the ref to blow his whistle as well as listen. The ref's are supposed to throw their hands up when the blow the play dead and most of the time they do. But the low ref hangs out in the corner most of the time and if he's on the near side of the ice he can't be seen. No microphone there, so when the building is revved up his whistle can't be heard and he can't be seen. Throw in the fact that there is no whistle when a goal is scored or when a fight breaks out and discrepancies are inevitable. That's why they always check the clock. There is no perfect game on or off the ice, and it has nothing to do with competancy.

Apparently, according to Pierre McGuire and WSJ, the caronavirus quarantine in China is creating a shortage of hockey sticks - almost all used by pros are made in China.

Too political?
- StLBravesFan

That was discussed here yesterday afternoon for a bit. I think a different article was referenced. I was surprised to read that 75% of NHL hockey sticks were made in China, but you learn something every day.

*NEW* blog up: http://bit.ly/39pdDAM

No McDavid, no problem for the Oilers.

Blackhawks are blowing this who "playoff thing".