So does this make Strome better than Dubois? You know i had to ask, hahaha

Do you understand what a collective bargaining agreement is?
- mohel

Wait let me answer it the way you would

Do you understand free will?

The players learned from the master at it - owners who blackmail cities and states to build them multi-billion-dollar workplaces, threatening to move to Timbuktu if they don’t get them.

Talk about spoiled entitlement....
- StLBravesFan

Aren't those called "negotiations"? I suspect those "blackmailed" cities signed those agreements because it was in their best interest. The Columbus kid did the negotiation, and got $5M per year (more than the CBA said he must be paid, I believe). Then he decided not to try hard and try to pout his way out of town. If the players want more freedom to leave a team early in their career, they can negotiate that at the next CBA negotiations.

To be clear - I don't begrudge him feeling mad or sad, but I do think he's acting like a five year old.

I can see why the vets are frustrated. They are extreme competitors who are driven to win. Hard to get that taste out of one's mouth, once you've tasted winning.

However, being frustrated AT THE HAWKS would be wrong. The Hawks are in this position largely because they traded the future for the present for years. This maximized the prime of those guys.
- mohel

Did I miss some big Keith revelation where he went off on the team, or is this just manufactured here? Keith has been around forever. He's an older defenseman. He's made some mistakes to start this year. I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that he's tanking.

All reports thus far to the contrary. He's worked with several different young players trying to get them up to speed, and has done nothing but say he believes this team can improve and possibly get the playoffs. Is that BS? Sure, but I've not seen anything that implies Keith has quit.

Did I miss some big Keith revelation where he went off on the team, or is this just manufactured here? Keith has been around forever. He's an older defenseman. He's made some mistakes to start this year. I think it's a bit of a stretch to say that he's tanking.

All reports thus far to the contrary. He's worked with several different young players trying to get them up to speed, and has done nothing but say he believes this team can improve and possibly get the playoffs. Is that BS? Sure, but I've not seen anything that implies Keith has quit.
- Chunk

I've not heard any of that about Keith. My thoughts were of a theoretical nature about the vets. I would understand if they weren't as happy playing now compared to earlier in their careers; but I wouldn't understand if they were mad at the Hawks for it.

Aren't those called "negotiations"? I suspect those "blackmailed" cities signed those agreements because it was in their best interest. The Columbus kid did the negotiation, and got $5M per year (more than the CBA said he must be paid, I believe). Then he decided not to try hard and try to pout his way out of town. If the players want more freedom to leave a team early in their career, they can negotiate that at the next CBA negotiations.

To be clear - I don't begrudge him feeling mad or sad, but I do think he's acting like a five year old.
- mohel

I’ll find some articles about how those stadium deals almost never provide benefits to the cities - I’ll post or get you the links.

I wasn’t defending duBois or any player who doesn’t support his teammates in any way.

Where is Drew Commesso playing now? He is probably, "the goalie of the future," (for now at least). I have a hard time imagining, based on a very limited sample size though, that anyone would be interested in Delia, Subban, or Lankinen. Of course, that could change...
- hpk90

Commesso is a freshman at Boston University. His college debut was not good, surrendering too many goals. Commesso had been with The US Developmental Team. Brian Eklund, a former NHL gialtender, is his goaltending coach.

I’ll find some articles about how those stadium deals almost never provide benefits to the cities - I’ll post or get you the links.

I wasn’t defending duBois or any player who doesn’t support his teammates in any way.
- StLBravesFan

I know you weren't defending him, and your points about the public funding are solid. I'm not for it, either, in general. But there's a reason they agree to it, whether they are right or wrong. I suspect it is re-election calculus. Anyway, I was differentiating playing hardball to get an agreement versus dogging it because you don't like yours.

Wasn’t that the owner before Reinsdorf - Allen?

I agree on Dubois - as I said, he owes it to his teammates and (if you will) the fans to play hard every shift. I’m just pointing out that the general sports team owners are the biggest cry babies in the world.
- StLBravesFan

Allen sold to Bill Veeck. Veeck sold to DeBartolo but the league blocked it and made Veeck sell to Reinsdorf and Einhorn.
.

I've not heard any of that about Keith. My thoughts were of a theoretical nature about the vets. I would understand if they weren't as happy playing now compared to earlier in their careers; but I wouldn't understand if they were mad at the Hawks for it.
- mohel

Shouldn't have been a reply to your post. I wasn't directing this towards you per se. I'm just surprised to see all the concern about Keith's play and extrapolating that to malcontent.

Shouldn't have been a reply to your post. I wasn't directing this towards you per se. I'm just surprised to see all the concern about Keith's play and extrapolating that to malcontent.
- Chunk

keith's play has been bad. Lets not sugar coat it. Lets hope he's not on an expedited regression here but it's time accept he isn't the shut down #1 guy he was in the past.


My whole point on Keith is similar to Chelios in the late 90s. You, me, Stan Bowman, JC, his teammates, nobody knows how long they can last in a losing situation especially when you have won so much previously. If he chooses he wants to go elsewhere to win 'one last time" that's his right and the Hawks should honor that request.

Shouldn't have been a reply to your post. I wasn't directing this towards you per se. I'm just surprised to see all the concern about Keith's play and extrapolating that to malcontent.
- Chunk

Understood. There have been little signs of frustration from him, as there should be, imo. The guy is a high end competitor, even among high end competitors. But I've seen nothing to indicate that he is frustrated with the Hawks. Also as it should be, imo.

On another front, the quiet surrounding Toews is disconcerting.

Understood. There have been little signs of frustration from him, as there should be, imo. The guy is a high end competitor, even among high end competitors. But I've seen nothing to indicate that he is frustrated with the Hawks. Also as it should be, imo.

On another front, the quiet surrounding Toews is disconcerting.
- mohel

Yeah, I was hoping to hear some sort of an update on JT, but I 100% agree.

Also think Hawks get the W tonight.....4-1.

keith's play has been bad. Lets not sugar coat it. Lets hope he's not on an expedited regression here but it's time accept he isn't the shut down #1 guy he was in the past.


My whole point on Keith is similar to Chelios in the late 90s. You, me, Stan Bowman, JC, his teammates, nobody knows how long they can last in a losing situation especially when you have won so much previously. If he chooses he wants to go elsewhere to win 'one last time" that's his right and the Hawks should honor that request.
- SteveRain

Yep, they should. The four studs have earned that. And I strongly suspect the Hawks would quietly honor such a request, although it may be impossible for Seabs. None of them would dog it like the Columbus kid, and the team would treat them right. As it should be, on both ends.

So - he’s back in a week? Maybe two?
- StLBravesFan

Nah. Dach is hanging around the locker room to get a few free beers since he's still not old enough to legally buy it himself.

I think Subban and Delia have to clear waivers if they are sent to the taxi squad? Stan probably figures either one of them will get picked up.
- boilermaker100

And...........that's an issue why?

I have a hard time believing they'd be picked up. Maybe my eyes are bad, but I just don't see it.

Edit; After this saw the post about exposing on to expansion draft, and that makes sense.

keith's play has been bad. Lets not sugar coat it. Lets hope he's not on an expedited regression here but it's time accept he isn't the shut down #1 guy he was in the past.


My whole point on Keith is similar to Chelios in the late 90s. You, me, Stan Bowman, JC, his teammates, nobody knows how long they can last in a losing situation especially when you have won so much previously. If he chooses he wants to go elsewhere to win 'one last time" that's his right and the Hawks should honor that request.
- SteveRain

Keith was never the shutdown #1 guy, that was Hjammer and Oduya. Keith until recently was not the first penalty kill unit either. I think he should be taken off that, he is not a good PK'er anymore.

Hagel back up on the roster. Pirri to taxi squad.
- boilermaker100

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal:

NBC has told distributors and some sports leagues that it plans to shut down its NBCSN sports channel by the end of the year. Story coming in SBD.

This is not good for the NHL.

Richard Deutschland reporting: The big question is how a league like the NHL reacts to the shutting down of a network that has carried its games for the past 15 years. ... NBC has told the NHL that it would carve out regular windows on its broadcast channel and USA Network."

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal:

NBC has told distributors and some sports leagues that it plans to shut down its NBCSN sports channel by the end of the year. Story coming in SBD.

This is not good for the NHL.

Richard Deutschland reporting: The big question is how a league like the NHL reacts to the shutting down of a network that has carried its games for the past 15 years. ... NBC has told the NHL that it would carve out regular windows on its broadcast channel and USA Network."
- StLBravesFan

NBC's TV contract expires at the end of this season. Wonder if this means they will not be in the running for the next contract. If not, not good for the league if one less network bidding on the package. Say goodbye to that big cap increase some were expecting upon the signing of the new TV contract.

John Ourand, Sports Business Journal:

NBC has told distributors and some sports leagues that it plans to shut down its NBCSN sports channel by the end of the year. Story coming in SBD.

This is not good for the NHL.

Richard Deutschland reporting: The big question is how a league like the NHL reacts to the shutting down of a network that has carried its games for the past 15 years. ... NBC has told the NHL that it would carve out regular windows on its broadcast channel and USA Network."
- StLBravesFan

That's real bad news. GB is going to have to get on his knees for ESPN. Ed Snider passed away and that was Bettman's clout. This should get interesting.

That's real bad news. GB is going to have to get on his knees for ESPN. Ed Snider passed away and that was Bettman's clout. This should get interesting.
- 6628

Already his position....now you know why the Crosby lottery was fixed!

keith's play has been bad. Lets not sugar coat it. Lets hope he's not on an expedited regression here but it's time accept he isn't the shut down #1 guy he was in the past.


My whole point on Keith is similar to Chelios in the late 90s. You, me, Stan Bowman, JC, his teammates, nobody knows how long they can last in a losing situation especially when you have won so much previously. If he chooses he wants to go elsewhere to win 'one last time" that's his right and the Hawks should honor that request.
- SteveRain

Good call on Cheli, he couldn't do it.

Shouldn't have been a reply to your post. I wasn't directing this towards you per se. I'm just surprised to see all the concern about Keith's play and extrapolating that to malcontent.
- Chunk

I mentioned Keith yesterday because someone stated that he was overrated (he’s not), and I did not imply that he was dogging it, just that ultra competitive guys have issues focusing at times when on bad teams. So just to clarify, I have not seen Keith dogging it and he’s definitely HOF bound, but I would not be surprised if he’s the one that asks out from the core.

I would like to see Lankinen play tonight. If he plays above average (above average for Hawk's goaltenders so far this year) he keeps the net. If he is average or below average it goes to Subban.
- -Doh-

Yes, Lankinen is getting the nod again tonight with Subban backing him up like he did in the last game.

May be nothing but that could be a telling sign that Subban has been the backup for Lankinen and not Delia. Something to monitor.

Also, the lineup tonight will be the same as the last game. Soderberg debuts on Sunday or later.