And now this... I'm done trying to figure this out until anything ACTUALLY happens.


Stan Bowman said he and Ian Mitchell's camp are nearing a decision point on whether to sign him now and burn a year or sign him starting next season. Emphasizes that Mitchell WILL sign, regardless.
- Chunk

Could it be that the Hawks want him to play, but he is hesitant because of The Vid?

Could it be that the Hawks want him to play, but he is hesitant because of The Vid?
- mohel

I’m wondering if he tested positive for The Vid. Can they get results the same day? I assume they were all tested.

Assuming the teams stay relatively healthy enough to play normal rosters throughout, then IMO, any NHL team that wins 4 consecutive 7 game series against other NHL team is a worthy Stanley Cup Champion. If one of the teams from the qualifying round wins it all, it could be argued that it is even more impressive than any other year .
- Ogilthorpe2

If the winner is a 5-12 seed, wouldn't they have to win a best of 5, then 4 best of 7's? That would extra special.

Could it be that the Hawks want him to play, but he is hesitant because of The Vid?
- mohel

I don't think he is allowed to play regardless. The discussions are around whether or not to "put him on the roster" to burn a year.

From Dietz twitter - Carey Crawford "unfit" to play. Bad news for #Blackhawks.
- scottak

Wait -- I thought all concerts were canceled across the US?

From the NHL statement on COVID-19 testing:

- in excess of 600 players reported to camp during Phase 2
- 4,934 COVID-19 tests given
- 30 positive tests
- 13 additional players tested positive outside of the NHL tests

Guessing CC positive for the virus.

I’m wondering if he tested positive for The Vid. Can they get results the same day? I assume they were all tested.
- BDT36

Mitchell has not signed yet.

Wait -- I thought all concerts were canceled across the US?
- savvyone-1

Well played, Savvy.

Good point. Didn't think about that. Both teams in the same cap situation. Thanks for pointing that out.
- boilermaker100

And, we are in that predicament because we won 3 recent Cups. The Leafs are there because they HOPE to someday win one, and almost got out of the FIRST round once.

I will take our Cap issues over theirs any day!

From the NHL statement on COVID-19 testing:

- in excess of 600 players reported to camp during Phase 2
- 4,934 COVID-19 tests given
- 30 positive tests
- 13 additional players tested positive outside of the NHL tests

Guessing CC positive for the virus.
- scottak

Maybe unfit to play means just that? Maybe he didn't work out once during the downtime? I don't think anyone has seen him working out at all, either voluntary, or him posting something on Instagram, etc.

Some info from the Blackhawk website:

Safety Protocols
The 'bubble' of the hub cities might not officially be enacted until the teams leave on July 26, but there is already a bubble taking shape in each team's home city. Any member of the planned traveling party (players, hockey operations staff, coaches, trainers and equipment staff, etc.) is not permitted to have in-person interactions around the rink with the limited number of people allowed on site that are not in the traveling party (essential building staff, media, etc.). Physical barriers and significant social distancing are also in place between the two groups use to prevent any possible transmission to the players and members of the traveling party.

Players and traveling personnel are all to be tested 48 hours before the start of training camp and every 48 hours once camp begins. This group is also instructed to self-administer a temperature check no more than two hours before they arrive at the arena and will again be checked upon arrival. Other working personnel who have the potential to be in the vicinity of players (ice and building maintenance, security, etc.) will also follow the same protocols and testing out of an abundance of caution.


Symptoms and Positive Tests
Should a player or staff member report any symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive during any part of Phase 3, the individual will immediately go into self-isolation until medically cleared. In order for a person to return to team activities, he must test negative twice at least 24 hours apart or after a minimum of 10 days in self-isolation following the onset of symptoms and at least 72 hours without a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Maybe unfit to play means just that? Maybe he didn't work out once during the downtime? I don't think anyone has seen him working out at all, either voluntary, or him posting something on Instagram, etc.
- LAHawk

I think it’s safe to assume it is either this or he tested positive. I have wondered both things today.

It is a 5 game series for the play in. I don't think that is the appropriate time to experiment.

Debrincat should go with Kane and Strome since it is a proven combination and it seems silly to not put your best finisher with you best play maker in a series that will be determined by goals scored not goals prevented. It also keeps guys honest on Kane since they probably wont leave el gato alone in the circle.
- fattybeef

This is actually what the lines were before the stoppage. They were scoring pretty well. Also Kane and Strome with Debrincat was a (frank)ing nightmare together. They only worked on the powerplay

Well not trilled with this early return to hockey ,still believe it would have been wiser to wait a couple more months and try to start the new season on time .
That being said I am a red blooded HAWKS fan and will be interested to see the guy's on the ice . I will also be cheering for the boy's to win every game they can draft position be dammed .
I don't believe this tournament is worthy of a Stanley Cup presentation . If the HAWKS were to pull off the magical tournament run and win the ( Canada )Cup . I would be proud of the guy's . But in my heart it would not be a true Stanley Cup victory .
- oldduffman

Shut the (frank) up and quit whining you sniveling female dog

And, we are in that predicament because we won 3 recent Cups. The Leafs are there because they HOPE to someday win one, and almost got out of the FIRST round once.

I will take our Cap issues over theirs any day!

The way LTIR works, the Leafs cap situation is way worse. The only reason why they were able to use Horton and Clarkson was to put them on LTIR Before the year so they had enough cap room to sign Marner which meant they got no relief for them during the season, so at the trade deadline, the only LTIR they were able to use were those that were injured during the season (Johnsson, Hyman).


- hawk35

From Dietz twitter - Carey Crawford "unfit" to play. Bad news for #Blackhawks.
- scottak

Ruh roh!

If this is the case, I still think Colliton may lean more towards Delia than Subban.

Guess we'll see how this plays out.

Ruh roh!

If this is the case, I still think Colliton may lean more towards Delia than Subban.

Guess we'll see how this plays out.
- Tyler Cameron

Might as well go with Elbows.....

From Dietz twitter - Carey Crawford "unfit" to play. Bad news for #Blackhawks.
- scottak

Or, as good a news as Montreal not having Domi's and the rest and are setting up for the one in eight drawing....


yeah it sounds like Crow is coronad...


and when he recovers that isn't gonna be a simple strap it on lace em up return. He will be relatively weak and not having the luxury of the camp top ease back in...

Or, as good a news as Montreal not having Domi's and the rest and are setting up for the one in eight drawing....


yeah it sounds like Crow is coronad
- wiz1901

Corona virus or the other Corona?

"Unfit to play" could be the approved language for any health issues, including The Vid.
- mohel

True. League mandated that teams cannot disclose information regarding player injuries or illnesses, so Stan and JC had to come up with some explanation. They obviously discussed it together since they're using the identical talking point.

Dennis Gilbert is oddly left off the roster in favour of guys like Krys and surprise invite Regula.

This is strange considering Gilbert played some NHL games and is under contract for next year.

Maybe we find out that he's opted out and/or is injured.
- Tyler Cameron

I don't think Regula will ever do more than practice...

I don't think Regula will ever do more than practice...
- rpeters01

yup.

This is just a nice welcome to the organization...

Strome, Dinky and Kane should work but doesn't. When Kane is the best defensive player on a line, you got problems. Tippett won't be able to get McDavid or DrySaddle onto the ice fast enough against that trio.
- Elbows15

You're saying Nylander is better defensively than Dinky?

Ruh roh!

If this is the case, I still think Colliton may lean more towards Delia than Subban.

Guess we'll see how this plays out.
- Tyler Cameron

Just guessing here , but is it possible Crawford has a underlying condition that was not known to the public and he has opted to not play for his safety ?

Interesting. For me, I know it's not a huge position, but I wish we had someone other than Highmore on the roster up front.

While he will probably end up a good d-man at some point, I worry about Boqvist being asked to play against the Oilers top guys too much. I can't see him being able to contain Draisaitl or McDavid effectively in this high pressure situation. I'm hoping to be wrong, but it's a tall order for Boqvist IMO. I think the pairs might change as the series goes on, but I think De Haan could end up as an option on the right side (since he can play both) if they opt to bring in Carlsson to possibly get some defending in. I also choose to be optimistic about Seabrook actually gaining some jam back after surgery. He has had a decent amount of recovery time and I could see him bumping the lackluster Koekkoek.

This is just my take anyway. Something like

Keith - De Haan
Carlsson - Murphy
Maatta - Seabrook

Give the second pair the Dzone starts, shelter the third pair a bit. I can't wait to see what actually plays out though.
- breadbag

I would rather have Marchand than Highmore?