Dare I say touche after reading your post. .Perhaps laying the groundwork and or a coming together on some issues so that there is a pathway forward not only for an agreement for the season to resume, but to.avoid two bulls locking horns when the next Collective Bargaining Agreement officially comes to the floor. Which is just around the corner - one full season left on the current CBA - I think the timeline is correct

Anyway we all like when a coming together happens. Done peacefully with unity works best; using force like Trump wants to do is not the way to get results. That approach just ignites those whom are protesting already.

I do not know exact ways that the NHL and the Players Union can come together in good faith negotiatiions to hold hands (not figuratively) but the current sit down is a portent of the positive approach to settling their differences.

If you can even look for a comparison, ray's of hope shining in the muddied water of the civil unrest/racial tension accross the country, then you look for a positive development and a corollary which follows

In Chicago unity stood out and stood proud yesterday when people of different color stood together stretching a human band throughout neighborhoods. They said enough is enough to this crazy looting and destruction. They will stand out in public in numbers trying peacefully to thwart and or convince rioters that looting and destruction is the wrong approach to the venting of what upsets.

More leaders and more people sticking together was reported in various areas of the country too. Unity and let us be fair. Let us not experience more tearing down the econmic fences, which is part of our econmic fabric - because all ALL will suffer now and later

I realize there is going to be changes in all the sports due to Corona type threats in the years ahead. I realize wealthy owners need to make money. I do not know how pay per view and other revenue sources can be divided; I do know there needs to be unity, good faith in contractual relations just like was shown in Chicago yesterday. No hard ball hard throttle pushing 8n an unfair manner is going to work.

Sure my immediate response was, the national guard can push back harder to corral the civil lawlessness. But yesterday we saw a better effective approach. Just want to reiterate this. We can have hope.

We see the right approach to settling the hockey issues......it can happen. .....we all should be in this together....let us see the fruition of our sound effort end the racial division and the proper approach in hockey negotiations end this impasse as well
- jhawk59

I applaud your idealistic view, however racism will never go away, just like anti-semitism has never gone away. They both may be in and out of the news cycle, but the undercurrent will always be there.

I applaud your idealistic view, however racism will never go away, just like anti-semitism has never gone away. They both may be in and out of the news cycle, but the undercurrent will always be there.
- LAHawk

Probably - people are people - good and bad - there will always be both (altho there weren't "good people on both sides" in Charleston - anyone who marches with neo-Nazis and KKK members is, by definition, a bad person).

But - societies can make sure that the effects of racism - in all forms - are minimized. What is needed is investments in the communities affected by racism - in housing, jobs, health care, education - so that the people in the communities can succeed in spite of the racism.

That's the next step for us - to understand that the investments need to be made, and that the laws minimizing the affects of discrimination are strictly enforced.

We are in a major competition for global leadership - in research, in economics, in intellectual and moral leadership - with China, India, Brazil....

We cannot afford to under-utilize any sizable portion of our human resources.

I applaud your idealistic view, however racism will never go away, just like anti-semitism has never gone away. They both may be in and out of the news cycle, but the undercurrent will always be there.
- LAHawk

Bingo. There definitely needs to be more police reform but this narrative that cops are targeting and systematically killing black men is simply not true. 10 unarmed African american men were killed in 2019 (one was killed by an African american cop so it didn't make any major news networks) vs. 19 unarmed white men (there are varying statistics but these are the ones I thought were confirmed and most supported).

There are racist cops. There are racist people. We need to spend a lot more time weeding out and firing racist cops. Part of the problem is the police unions. If Chauvin worked in the private sector he would've been fired years ago. Look up his complaint and incident history. How he was still employed as a cop is beyond my comprehension. As for racist people. We all hope they go away but the sad truth is they never will.


The problem starts in the poor communities. It is time for our government leaders to actually invest in those neighborhoods and change the way of life. Not just talk about it then dump money into Daley Park or some development project on the north side. Some of the poor neighborhoods in Chicago don't even have access to a grocery store.
Arican american males commit more than 50% of violent crimes in America. Naturally, they will have more encounters with the police than other races and will be killed by police at a higher rate then the % of the population that they make up. It all starts with where these men are growing up. Imagine growing up in a world with no grocery store near you and continuous gun violence. That is beyond f**** up and third world stuff.


I think Chauvin should be charge with 1st degree murder. The intent is there when he continues to kneel on his neck after the other cop tells him Floyd has no pulse.
The other cops should get man slaughter. I don't see how an aiding and abbetting 2nd degree murder will stick since the other officers wanted to move Floyd and were concerned about his health. The intent is not their. Those cops were negligent in their duties which gets you manslaughter (based on my memory of criminal law in law school).

I also don't understand how everyone just assumes the cops are racist. One is white, one is latino, one is asian, and one appears to be mixed race. Is there a presumption of racism unless otherwise proven in America? Chauvin is scum but how do we just assume he is racist?

I was being sarcastic, but I agree about Carlsson. He may start in Rockford because of the numbers game, not because of his talent. If all of Keith, Seabrook, de Haan, Maatta, Murphy and Boqvist are all healthy there won’t be much room for Carlsson.
- DarthKane

Darth, this is spot on as far as Carlsson's chances for making the team next year. He deserves a shot, IMO, but there may be no space without moving veterans or putting the injury-riddled ones back on the shelf.

Carlsson would need take Maatta or de Haan's spot.

No room at the inn could be the same fate for Mitchell who would need to take Seabrook or Murphy's spot.

Although Carlsson can play both sides, if he takes a RHD spot then that blocks a path for Mitchell.

Trading Maatta would likely be the easiest for say a 3rd rounder.

Moving de Haan is doable but tougher due to his injury history, plus, he's rather effective as a shutdown defender if he can stay healthy.

Shipping out Seabrook is the toughest given his NTC and contract terms. But nothing is impossible.

Bartering Murphy would theoretically bring in the greatest return but he is arguably the team's best defender outside of Keith, relatively young at 27 and hitting his prime.

Prediction!!! Kurashev and Carlsson both earn roster spots next season!
- breadbag

Just replied to Darth's response to you on Carlsson. Agree, he earns a spot maybe not out of the gate unless a veteran or two is moved.

Same for Kurashev although it wouldn't hurt for him to get some extra marination in Rockford. Possibly a mid-season call up.

Or if the Hawks decide to not re-sign Caggiula and Shaw remains on LTIR, then a path emerges for Kurashev to compete for a bottom 6 spot.

IMO, Kurashev as well as Sikura, Hagel, Entwistle, and Quenneville are in the mix for making the team next season. Chalupa and Barratt are dark horses.

Darth, this is spot on as far as Carlsson's chances for making the team next year. He deserves a shot, IMO, but there may be no space without moving veterans or putting the injury-riddled ones back on the shelf.

Carlsson would need take Maatta or de Haan's spot.

No room at the inn could be the same fate for Mitchell who would need to take Seabrook or Murphy's spot.

Although Carlsson can play both sides, if he takes a RHD spot then that blocks a path for Mitchell.

Trading Maatta would likely be the easiest for say a 3rd rounder.

Moving de Haan is doable but tougher due to his injury history, plus, he's rather effective as a shutdown defender if he can stay healthy.

Shipping out Seabrook is the toughest given his NTC and contract terms. But nothing is impossible.

Bartering Murphy would theoretically bring in the greatest return but he is arguably the team's best defender outside of Keith, relatively young at 27 and hitting his prime.
- AEL_Fox

If the season gets back going again, and de Haan plays the same way he was (and does not get injured again) my guess is that he would be the one moved if a move is made at all. 3 years left at $4.5/yr. He is good with a reasonable cap hit and I think other teams would view him as more desirable than Maatta.

If the season gets back going again, and de Haan plays the same way he was (and does not get injured again) my guess is that he would be the one moved if a move is made at all. 3 years left at $4.5/yr. He is good with a reasonable cap hit and I think other teams would view him as more desirable than Maatta.
- Chunk

All things being equal as far as health for Maatta, de Haan, Seabrook, and Murphy, I would ask for de Haan or Murphy if I were another team depending on the need for either a LHD or RHD.

I do think de Haan is tradeable but the return will be not favorable. We gave up very little for him in Forling and Forsberg so I would think we would need to take prospects of that caliber or draft picks in the later rounds.

The Hawks did get Saarela in the de Haan trade but later traded him to the Panthers as he was a malcontent in Rockford claiming he deserved an NHL spot. Saarela didn't earn anything so good riddance.

Even if he was more humble, I see him as just another Skille and Morin: a shooting winger with decent speed but rather ineffective most of the game.

so I heard that traning camp may move back to AUG 1st now.

All things being equal as far as health for Maatta, de Haan, Seabrook, and Murphy, I would ask for de Haan or Murphy if I were another team depending on the need for either a LHD or RHD.

I do think de Haan is tradeable but the return will be not favorable. We gave up very little for him in Forling and Forsberg so I would think we would need to take prospects of that caliber or draft picks in the later rounds.

The Hawks did get Saarela in the de Haan trade but later traded him to the Panthers as he was a malcontent in Rockford claiming he deserved an NHL spot. Saarela didn't earn anything so good riddance.

Even if he was more humble, I see him as just another Skille and Morin: a shooting winger with decent speed but rather ineffective most of the game.
- AEL_Fox

I don't disagree. I think Murphy is a guy you try to keep. My comment was based on a big IF. If the Hawks find that one or more of the young guys are at least ready to contribute, if not strongly contribute, then I think they actively try to trade one or two of the current vets. Under that condition, I would be willing to take best offer available simply to save the money and open the space.

so I heard that traning camp may move back to AUG 1st now.
- kmw4631

Where did you hear that? I can't find anything other than speculation.

The NHL has yet to announce a timeline to start play, put on pause on March 12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it’s expected the Phase 2 reopening of team facilities for small-group workouts – a maximum of six players without coaches – is close to being announced. The Phase 3 start of formal training camps, which could last three weeks, will not happen before July 10.
Phase 4 would be the resumption of play.

Where did you hear that? I can't find anything other than speculation.

The NHL has yet to announce a timeline to start play, put on pause on March 12 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, it’s expected the Phase 2 reopening of team facilities for small-group workouts – a maximum of six players without coaches – is close to being announced. The Phase 3 start of formal training camps, which could last three weeks, will not happen before July 10.
Phase 4 would be the resumption of play.
- Chunk

That would be awfully late. They would have to start next season late as well. Has there been an update regarding the draft yet? Haven't seen anything in the last couple of days.

I don't disagree. I think Murphy is a guy you try to keep. My comment was based on a big IF. If the Hawks find that one or more of the young guys are at least ready to contribute, if not strongly contribute, then I think they actively try to trade one or two of the current vets. Under that condition, I would be willing to take best offer available simply to save the money and open the space.
- Chunk

Yes, you're on point. I would do exactly as you described.

I'd be open to 3 veterans and 3 youngsters as the blueline plus an experienced player as the 7th defender (doesn't make sense to sit a youngster when they could play big minutes in Rockford instead).

Youngsters: Boqvist, Carlsson, and either Mitchell or Beaudin

Veterans: Keith, Seabrook, and 2 of de Haan, Murphy, Maatta, and Koekkoek

so I heard that traning camp may move back to AUG 1st now.
- kmw4631

If this is true stick a fork in the season please .

That would be awfully late. They would have to start next season late as well. Has there been an update regarding the draft yet? Haven't seen anything in the last couple of days.
- bhawks2241

They already have stated they are willing to start the following season as late as Jan 2021.

I haven't seen anything specific on the draft yet.

One thing everyone should remember is that these are still ongoing negotiations. Just because they've got a plan doesn't mean anything is actually going to happen.

If this is true stick a fork in the season please .
- oldduffman

It's still 50/50 at best that this postseason actually happens. Don't get too worked up about all this boss.

It's still 50/50 at best that this postseason actually happens. Don't get too worked up about all this boss.
- Chunk

I will try not to .I don't even consider it a POST season when it comes 3 or 4 months after the regular season .

I will try not to .I don't even consider it a POST season when it comes 3 or 4 months after the regular season .
- oldduffman

Maybe a new marketing campaign:

Purgatory season?
2019-2020 1/2 champs?

Maybe a new marketing campaign:

Purgatory season?
2019-2020 1/2 champs?
- Chunk

Maybe they could borrow the Avco Cup to present to the winner of this tournament . It s not been doing anything since 1979 .Perfect cup for a long delayed tournament

play the games!! Wooooooo!!

I have come to the realization that everything is a hoax.

I will try not to .I don't even consider it a POST season when it comes 3 or 4 months after the regular season .
- oldduffman

It's gonna be the best hockey since the old Canada Cup. Guys will be rested. Pretty much full rosters. Hockey players, for the most part, are decent dudes and they are gonna want to put on a show. Everyone has something to play for.

Bring it on!!!

Maybe they could borrow the Avco Cup to present to the winner of this tournament . It s not been doing anything since 1979 .Perfect cup for a long delayed tournament
- oldduffman

Red Solo Cup.

It's gonna be the best hockey since the old Canada Cup. Guys will be rested. Pretty much full rosters. Hockey players, for the most part, are decent dudes and they are gonna want to put on a show. Everyone has something to play for.

Bring it on!!!
- Elbows15

Until Colliton starts Koekkoek.

It's gonna be the best hockey since the old Canada Cup. Guys will be rested. Pretty much full rosters. Hockey players, for the most part, are decent dudes and they are gonna want to put on a show. Everyone has something to play for.

Bring it on!!!
- Elbows15

Great dig up that Canada Cup ,give it to the winner of this tournament

*NEW* blog up: https://bit.ly/2XZM7pK

Change is needed. Be better humans.

Until Colliton starts Koekkoek.
- Chunk

Don't harsh my buzz, Chunk

let me have this