I still can't believe we had to get rid of SO many players after the 2010 cup win.
Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Kris Versteeg, Brent Sopel, Adam Burish, Colin Fraser, and Niemi.
- Lido_Shuffle

Somebody overpaid Sopel as I remember? But he said he would have taken less to stay but wasn't wanted. Yeah great team that was just coming into its own had they stayed together.

I still can't believe we had to get rid of SO many players after the 2010 cup win.
Dustin Byfuglien, Andrew Ladd, Ben Eager, Kris Versteeg, Brent Sopel, Adam Burish, Colin Fraser, and Niemi.
- Lido_Shuffle

Unfortunately the draft choice we got for trading Buff (Kevin Hayes) never signed, that would of made the deal hurt less. We got Stahlberg for Versteeg, you can make the argument statsitcally it was a wash. Ladd trade ended up just plain ugly

Disclaimer: my memory isn't always accurate. I seem to remember the decision came down to being able to afford only two of Byfuglien, Sharp and Versteeg and Buf was the odd man out.
- EbonyRaptor

This is what i recall, you also had 3 big contracts begin, Toews, Kane and Keith. They had to keep Campbell because he was at the time being paid as a top 5 defenseman and no one else in the league wanted that contract. But ultimately bungling the RFA offer sheets we lost Ladd and Byfuglien sooner than later

This is what i recall, you also had 3 big contracts begin, Toews, Kane and Keith. They had to keep Campbell because he was at the time being paid as a top 5 defenseman and no one else in the league wanted that contract. But ultimately bungling the RFA offer sheets we lost Ladd and Byfuglien sooner than later
- BetweenTheDots

And - IIRC - they lost track of the bonuses paid, and had to make another deal after they thought the were compliant and done dealing.

Reports that several USNTDP players have tested positive for COVID.

Also a rumor on a TSN affiliate that the Canucks may be shopping Boeser.

Reports that several USNTDP players have tested positive for COVID.

Also a rumor on a TSN affiliate that the Canucks may be shopping Boeser.
- AEL_Fox

Dag gone kids not practicing social distancing.

As for Boesser, many teams up against the cap need to unload salary. Guess Vancouver is looking for a couple decent prospects on ELCs in place of Boesser's 5.9M to save about 4M. But few teams cannot take on the 5.9M. Bad time to be a UFA or RFA also. Few teams have the money to spend.

Deal's done. Hockey on the way.

AEL_FOX,

You and i may be the two fans more than others whom discuss the change of the guard among Blackhawk dmen.. Actually to be totally forthcoming, the changes we expect are just beginning as prospects improve to the point where they get a look and Bowman ponders even more whom might be moved to accommodate a newbie

Which brings me to the case of choosing Regula instead of Kyrs as a black ace

I believe neither is going to be in a playoff contest no matter injuries or other circumstances. Neither is prepared yet for NHL duty. This does not mean Bowman has soured on Kyrs though. A correct assumption has to be that he has seen Kyrs progress as a professional . Meanwhile, no rookies or Traverse City for tutelage purpose, so plucking Regula to be a black ace is merely to further his advancement as a professional and to get a first hand look to the extent possible regarding his talent.

And btw the article on Regula mentions how he scored pp goals in his unique position performing as a forward in a 1-3-1 pp set up. That is interesting because the 1-3-1 is usually heard more in defensive posture in basketball parlance.

However it all unfolds with players coming and going, it is all sort of dramatic because at least I cheer for all prospects to do well. Even Special K to come on later and after gaining some NHL experience. Not as high on him as I once was. But expansion the Covid19 effect on salary cap and just the desire to get younger each can lead to youngsters moving on up.

Hey my friend wiz,

Is it totally incongruant to see the Avalanche employ B Bynam, their #4 0verall 2019 draft, as only a powerplay specialist in the playoffs.

I understand his real progress in learning how to play defense comes when he starts his pro career in the AHL

I sure hope that even a band aid approach could salvage the upcoming AHL. season.

August 10 is when the lucky team that gets the 1st overall draft pick is selected.

Draft will be October 9-10, all online.

Deal's done. Hockey on the way.
- mohel

We'll know by Monday 4pm if any players opt out.

Clarification on team limits on roster size:

30 skaters + unlimited goalies for training camp.

28 skaters + 3 goalies may travel to the hub city.

Clarification on team limits on roster size:

30 skaters + unlimited goalies for training camp.

28 skaters + 3 goalies may travel to the hub city.
- AEL_Fox

Still dress 18 + 2 for games?

So 10 + 1 on the “taxi squad” at the hubs for games?

Article from NBC.com on NBA players reaction to entering 'the bubble' in Orlando. Complaints about the food, wi-fi, isolation from family and comparisons to prison.

https://www.nbcnews.com/n...alt-disney-world-n1233396

I'm sure the NHL's Western Conference is going to love EDM.

Still dress 18 + 2 for games?

So 10 + 1 on the “taxi squad” at the hubs for games?
- StLBravesFan

I assume that's the case.

For the 3 goalies that travel for the Hawks, I assume it will be Crawford, Subban, and one of Delia or Lankinen with the other one staying behind (in Chicago?) with Tomkins and the 2 skaters who don't make the hub team.

I also read somewhere that each team cam have up to 52 people traveling to the hub city, i.e. coaches, trainers, admin, etc.

AEL_FOX,

You and i may be the two fans more than others whom discuss the change of the guard among Blackhawk dmen.. Actually to be totally forthcoming, the changes we expect are just beginning as prospects improve to the point where they get a look and Bowman ponders even more whom might be moved to accommodate a newbie

Which brings me to the case of choosing Regula instead of Kyrs as a black ace

I believe neither is going to be in a playoff contest no matter injuries or other circumstances. Neither is prepared yet for NHL duty. This does not mean Bowman has soured on Kyrs though. A correct assumption has to be that he has seen Kyrs progress as a professional . Meanwhile, no rookies or Traverse City for tutelage purpose, so plucking Regula to be a black ace is merely to further his advancement as a professional and to get a first hand look to the extent possible regarding his talent.

And btw the article on Regula mentions how he scored pp goals in his unique position performing as a forward in a 1-3-1 pp set up. That is interesting because the 1-3-1 is usually heard more in defensive posture in basketball parlance.

However it all unfolds with players coming and going, it is all sort of dramatic because at least I cheer for all prospects to do well. Even Special K to come on later and after gaining some NHL experience. Not as high on him as I once was. But expansion the Covid19 effect on salary cap and just the desire to get younger each can lead to youngsters moving on up.
- jhawk59

The bolded part could very well be the case why Regula is a Black Ace over Krys. There seem to be 2 more spots to fill to reach 30 skaters at training camp so perhaps Krys takes one of them.

In the previous blog, I believe you or someone else asked who would take point shots on the PP if Regula played the bumper role. My vote would be Boqvist on PP1 with 4 forwards then Carlsson and Mitchell on PP2.

That is, until Keith retires. For better or worse, he will be on the PP no matter what.

Hamonic (Flames) opts out to play.

Notable opt outs in MLB today: Kopech (White Sox) and Posey (Giants). Quite a few other MLBers have opted out already.

Hey my friend wiz,

Is it totally incongruant to see the Avalanche employ B Bynam, their #4 0verall 2019 draft, as only a powerplay specialist in the playoffs.

I understand his real progress in learning how to play defense comes when he starts his pro career in the AHL

I sure hope that even a band aid approach could salvage the upcoming AHL. season.
- jhawk59

Doesn’t the Av’s already have a PP specialist in Makar? , and Gerard and Johnson can man the points also.

The bolded part could very well be the case why Regula is a Black Ace over Krys. There seem to be 2 more spots to fill to reach 30 skaters at training camp so perhaps Krys takes one of them.

In the previous blog, I believe you or someone else asked who would take point shots on the PP if Regula played the bumper role. My vote would be Boqvist on PP1 with 4 forwards then Carlsson and Mitchell on PP2.

That is, until Keith retires. For better or worse, he will be on the PP no matter what.
- AEL_Fox

No one is mentioning Slavs Demin, another failed trade by Stan.

No one is mentioning Slavs Demin, another failed trade by Stan.
- LAHawk

Demin should get a long look as he could give Kalynuk a run for his money for best skating D prospect. Both are lauded for their smooth and technically sound skating. Demin is also physical with size.

If developed at the right pace, Demin could be in the mix for a spot on the blueline in 2-3 years (at least one more year of college, then at least another year in the AHL).

Doesn’t the Av’s already have a PP specialist in Makar? , and Gerard and Johnson can man the points also.
- LAHawk[/quote

You've got a point; there is no need for him presently. Once he has improved enough to gain an analysis of competent if used in a third pair and pp specialist, then he gets an opportunity. There is no sense to rush him to a top league [NHL] when other parts of his game need to improve. You don't want a liability on defense just to gain his service for offensive situations. Not at the defense position, anyway, if you can avoid it.

Good coaching would surely help with his rise.

I can see a first step toward that is to teach him how to disrupt, use his body to do that by being smart - like Beaudin embraced in the AHL.

Bynam , however, has deeper issues than just to master this aspect; wiz scouting report questioned his head thinking and decision making.

That is something which perhaps can improve only though playing and reinforcing how to think and react over probably at least two AHL seasons. Bynam has to accept that he cannot find success purely based upon skill alone. It takes success and failure each game to dawn upon him what he must do.. A one or two game brief promotion to NHL would provide an eye opening experience as far as he learns where he is at and what he has to do for a real crack in NHL employment.

There is always room for a superb talent but when the position is defence, you cannot be unaware and unable to even know how to play defense. Brutal is not acceptable just because you want his offense. You can be bad or weak defensively, but not playing with no clue or interest the defensive side of playing defense.

UODATE: use R Ellis, dman, Nashville, as an example. Trotz spotted him but ultimately he had to go to AHL plus receive good coaching from Trotz at NHL. He had no clue how to play defense; I think wiz even mentioned to me that Ellis had to be taught how to turn and retrieve puck against an on rushing forward. Ellis was a stand out, a big time offensive talent in junior whom did not know or played any kind of defense in junior.

I assume that's the case.

For the 3 goalies that travel for the Hawks, I assume it will be Crawford, Subban, and one of Delia or Lankinen with the other one staying behind (in Chicago?) with Tomkins and the 2 skaters who don't make the hub team.

I also read somewhere that each team cam have up to 52 people traveling to the hub city, i.e. coaches, trainers, admin, etc.
- AEL_Fox

From what I've read, Crawford was the only vet not to attend voluntary practices. I know he and his partner recently had a baby. I wouldn't be surprised if he elects to opt out playing at this time.

From what I've read, Crawford was the only vet not to attend voluntary practices. I know he and his partner recently had a baby. I wouldn't be surprised if he elects to opt out playing at this time.
- Rota's Rooter

Keep in mind this does not mean necessarily that he opts out of playing for the 2020 - '21 season

Keep in mind this does not mean necessarily that he opts out of playing for the 2020 - '21 season
- jhawk59

Yes. I know that.

What's your point? He's a FA after this extended season ends. If he plays it will be on a new contract with the Hawks or someone else

Demin should get a long look as he could give Kalynuk a run for his money for best skating D prospect. Both are lauded for their smooth and technically sound skating. Demin is also physical with size.

If developed at the right pace, Demin could be in the mix for a spot on the blueline in 2-3 years (at least one more year of college, then at least another year in the AHL).
- AEL_Fox

Amazing, I know I am looking through rose colored glasses, but it appears the Hawks have more legit NHL prospects on D ( some maybe only as third pair, but still) than they have had in the past 10 years combined.