Kane has 5pts in 5gms

If only more could be as lackluster

Chicago doesn't deserve superstar players.
- PatShart

At half speed. The guy is incredible.

If Kane is still injured enough that it is the primary reason behind his lackluster effort and play so far this season, it might be a unexpected gift to the team if he were to take the time needed to get whatever surgery and/or rehab he needs.

Right now, the team still defers too much to him. If he's not in the lineup, they will have to generate offense on their own. They had to have some offensive success to make it to the NHL, so show us what you've got, boys. Let them break the habit of deferring and create an identity without Kane. I have no doubt, that when he comes back, he could slide right back into the lineup. Maybe, though, by then, they will have built new habits that don't involve always looking for or waiting for him.
- pdx2ord

Kane is my favorite player, but he is operating at what appears to be half his normal quickness and is pulling up at times. Yes, he still is producing, but like at the end of last year, having trouble getting goals himself. Maybe it is just a lull, but it seems like the injury we know about is causing ongoing issues. I don't want him playing on it and exacerbating it, risking shortcutting his career *IF* there is something that they can do medically to right the ship at low risk.

Kane has 5pts in 5gms

If only more could be as lackluster

Chicago doesn't deserve superstar players.
- PatShart

Wow, just wow

Is it possible to both recognize the otherworldly achievement of said superstar, but also note that he is not himself this year and hope that he will take care of the issue and himself, without me losing my superfan credentials?

Is it also possible to recognize that, while it might set the team back a bit, there may be a hidden silver lining if he does need to be out for a while while he takes care of said issue?

Kane has 5pts in 5gms

If only more could be as lackluster

Chicago doesn't deserve superstar players.
- PatShart

Only 1 point 5x5 - only 1 goal for a 35 goal scorer.

And he’s not jumping and controlling his shifts, especially 5x5.

In his last 38 harms going back to last season, he has 5 goals with a 3.76 shooting percentage (compared to a career 12%). In his last 33 games last season, corresponding to his drop off in play, the Hawks were 13-18-2.

It’s not unacceptable to critique (and criticize) his play.

And we treat our superstars well - and Chicago deserves them.

Wow, just wow

Is it possible to both recognize the otherworldly achievement of said superstar, but also note that he is not himself this year and hope that he will take care of the issue and himself, without me losing my superfan credentials?

Is it also possible to recognize that, while it might set the team back a bit, there may be a hidden silver lining if he does need to be out for a while while he takes care of said issue?
- pdx2ord

It is extremely safe to say the Blackhawks core all have excelled for a long time at an extremely physical game.
Kane and Toews are the youngest of the core.
But, in an extremely physical game, ALL will eventually reach their end.
In the case of Seabrook, three major corrective surgeries did not patch him up well enough to get back in the game.
Maybe the issue is being treated now the best way it can be?

Have not logged on in a long time. Shout out to Mohel. Lol. I said it 3 or 4 years ago and was crucified. Nothing will ever change until the fans start not showing up. It’s all about the money being generated.

It is extremely safe to say the Blackhawks core all have exceeded for a long time at an extremely physical game.
Kane and Toews are the youngest of the core.
But, in an extremely physical game, ALL will eventually reach their end.
In the case of Seabrook, three major corrective surgeries did not patch him up well enough to get back in the game.
Maybe the issue is being treated now the best way it can be?
- 35Tony0

Quite possibly (and I definitely hope) it is.

Will always wonder if Seabs didn't continue playing with his numerous injuries over years, he wouldn't have been able to bounce back and extend his career. Witness what Seguin recently did.

I am just not wanting to see the same happen to Kane or Toews and that IF there is a medical solution that could fix it, even if it means they are out for a good chunk of the season, I'd hope they'd take advantage of that and not sacrifice their future.

Of course, we just don't know.

All of us who have been hanging around this franchise for decades should have some love for Bowman who rebuilt the roster twice and won 3 Cups.
- stevefrmglencoe

Lmao.

Have not logged on in a long time. Shout out to Mohel. Lol. I said it 3 or 4 years ago and was crucified. Nothing will ever change until the fans start not showing up. It’s all about the money being generated.
- rtang415

Hello, Tanger, I hope you're well. If my addled brain is accurate, the health Gods weren't being too kind to you awhile back. If so, I hope that's all in the rearview mirror!

It is a guess on my part, but I suspect that fear of empty seats was the reason the rebuild/re-load/whatever the eff it is was delayed as long as possible.

Wow, just wow

Is it possible to both recognize the otherworldly achievement of said superstar, but also note that he is not himself this year and hope that he will take care of the issue and himself, without me losing my superfan credentials?

Is it also possible to recognize that, while it might set the team back a bit, there may be a hidden silver lining if he does need to be out for a while while he takes care of said issue?
- pdx2ord

Yes, absolutely!

Extra points for "superfan credentials".

Hello, Tanger, I hope you're well. If my addled brain is accurate, the health Gods weren't being too kind to you awhile back. If so, I hope that's all in the rearview mirror!

It is a guess on my part, but I suspect that fear of empty seats was the reason the rebuild/re-load/whatever the eff it is was delayed as long as possible.
- mohel

All good now. Living in the home of the Kraken. It’s just sad.

Hello, Tanger, I hope you're well. If my addled brain is accurate, the health Gods weren't being too kind to you awhile back. If so, I hope that's all in the rearview mirror!

It is a guess on my part, but I suspect that fear of empty seats was the reason the rebuild/re-load/whatever the eff it is was delayed as long as possible.
- mohel

Whether there is a Rebuild or not JC is not an NHL Coach. He has lost the team. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.

Whether there is a Rebuild or not JC is not an NHL Coach. He has lost the team. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.
- rtang415

Yes I agree. No need to push it when the Stadium is filled.

Reese Johnson recalled from Rockford.

If Gustafsson isn't cleared to play by tomorrow, the Hawks are down to 5 D-men. Would then expect another recall. Mitchell played pretty well in last night's Hogs game despite getting crushed 6-3.

Mitchell made smart reads, pinched judiciously on offense, and played tight defense. Best defender for the Hogs last night.
- Theo Fox

Got this from NHL Rumors....

"With more and more positive tests continuing to pop up, there is growing frustration from players and team officials alike, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. With over 99% of the league vaccinated and the players testing positive being asymptomatic, these missed games feel meaningless to the players and teams involved. Seravalli’s report mentions Carter, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mark Scheifele, but now fellow stars Letang and Kane have entered the fray as well. The NHL is reportedly already reconsidering testing asymptomatic players and now more fuel has been added to the fire. Changes could be coming soon."

Woot woot!

Got this from NHL Rumors....

"With more and more positive tests continuing to pop up, there is growing frustration from players and team officials alike, per Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli. With over 99% of the league vaccinated and the players testing positive being asymptomatic, these missed games feel meaningless to the players and teams involved. Seravalli’s report mentions Carter, Nathan MacKinnon, and Mark Scheifele, but now fellow stars Letang and Kane have entered the fray as well. The NHL is reportedly already reconsidering testing asymptomatic players and now more fuel has been added to the fire. Changes could be coming soon."

Woot woot!
- mohel

If only the asymptomatic players couldn't pass it along to anyone else...doubly problematic is the findings that this confounding virus is most contagious within 0-2 day of symptoms presenting.

(yes, much lower chance, but far from zero)

If only the asymptomatic players couldn't pass it along to anyone else...

(yes, much lower chance, but far from zero)
- pdx2ord

There's more than zero risk of lots of things in the world. We're told that the vaccine will make us quite safe from hospitalization and death - if this is not true, why are crowds at the games? The players continue to be at extremely low risk. Let them play if they are not sick.

There's more than zero risk of lots of things in the world. We're told that the vaccine will make us quite safe from hospitalization and death - if this is not true, why are crowds at the games? The players continue to be at extremely low risk. Let them play if they are not sick.
- mohel

Not sure what this is costing them other than having stars sitting during some games and testing hassle. Cost of deciding to open up while the pandemic is still raging. I'd do it to prevent another Toews (who, by the way, if his supposed history of autoimmune is correct, may not be as protected from the virus by the vaccine).

IMO, NHL has a choice - if they want infected players to play (given they are most contagious within 0-2 days prior to symptoms presenting), then they need to let high-risk players decide if they'll opt out for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, some people are unaware they are high risk until it's too late, but that's a chance I guess they are willing to take.

To prevent another Toews (who, by the way, if his supposed history of autoimmune is correct, may not be as protected from the virus by the vaccine).

IMO, NHL has a choice - if they want infected players to play (given they are most contagious within 0-2 days prior to symptoms presenting), then they need to let high-risk players decide if they'll opt out for the remainder of the year. Unfortunately, some people are unaware they are high risk until it's too late, but that's a chance I guess they are willing to take.
- pdx2ord

As I said earlier, there's lots of risk associated with playing NHL hockey. Does a fully vaccinated player have more to fear from Covid, or from a head injury playing the game?

Anyway, new infections are dropping (not sure about the most vaccinated state in the country, VT, which has been seeing a lot of cases recently) despite all these superspreader college football games we've seen over the past few months.

Lmao.
- kwolf68

For sure. He only nibbled around the edges and doesn't really deserve much if any credit for any of the Cups which has traditionally been your position, and also laughable.

I've said before, I thought Stan's moves overall this summer were decent but also wouldn't mind a fresh set of eyes calling the shots from the GM chair

For sure. He only nibbled around the edges and doesn't really deserve much if any credit for any of the Cups which has traditionally been your position, and also laughable.

I've said before, I thought Stan's moves overall this summer were decent but also wouldn't mind a fresh set of eyes calling the shots from the GM chair
- HawkintheD

Fresh Eyes won’t happen until the fans don’t show up and Season Tickets are not renewed.

As I said earlier, there's lots of risk associated with playing NHL hockey. Does a fully vaccinated player have more to fear from Covid, or from a head injury playing the game?

Anyway, new infections are dropping (not sure about the most vaccinated state in the country, VT, which has been seeing a lot of cases recently) despite all these superspreader college football games we've seen over the past few months.
- mohel

Yep, there is, and I'm glad infections are dropping in most places, though 1500+ deaths per day (half of 9/11) is still pretty high, IMO. I think we've just become numb to it.

To answer your question about why, then, are fans in the stands? $$$$$

And, those fans can gauge and agree on the level of risk they are willing to accept. Despite 3 vax for me, I'm still very likely to be hospitalized and probably would die if I contracted the virus, so I'm going to be opting out.

The players, on the other hand, are contracted to play and have to be there unless and until they can opt out again. So, to me, within their little community where they all share the locker room air, it makes some sense to take extra precautions.

As you can imagine, my risk tolerance is quite a bit less than most in this area, so my opinions on this are admittedly skewed.

Yep, there is, and I'm glad infections are dropping in most places, though 1500+ deaths per day (half of 9/11) is still pretty high, IMO. I think we've just become numb to it.

To answer your question about why, then, are fans in the stands? $$$$$

And, those fans can gauge and agree on the level of risk they are willing to accept. Despite 3 vax for me, I'm still very likely to be hospitalized and probably would die if I contracted the virus, so I'm going to be opting out.

The players, on the other hand, are contracted to play and have to be there unless and until they can opt out again. So, to me, within their little community where they all share the locker room air, it makes some sense to take extra precautions.

As you can imagine, my risk tolerance is quite a bit less than most in this area, so my opinions on this are admittedly skewed.
- pdx2ord

And, it's not just the players - 99% of whom who will likely be just fine - taking the risk, so are the coaches, the team staff, all the family members. Does the NHL get to decide for all of them what an acceptable level of risk is?

Whether there is a Rebuild or not JC is not an NHL Coach. He has lost the team. You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig.
- rtang415

Nobody knows this and it's an excuse for lousy players and/or lousy playing.

Yep, there is, and I'm glad infections are dropping in most places, though 1500+ deaths per day (half of 9/11) is still pretty high, IMO. I think we've just become numb to it.

To answer your question about why, then, are fans in the stands? $$$$$

And, those fans can gauge and agree on the level of risk they are willing to accept. Despite 3 vax for me, I'm still very likely to be hospitalized and probably would die if I contracted the virus, so I'm going to be opting out.

The players, on the other hand, are contracted to play and have to be there unless and until they can opt out again. So, to me, within their little community where they all share the locker room air, it makes some sense to take extra precautions.

As you can imagine, my risk tolerance is quite a bit less than most in this area, so my opinions on this are admittedly skewed.
- pdx2ord

Perfectly understandable and respected.

It is a tough spot for players to choose whether to honor their contracts and take the risk; or not honor their contract and lose the money. That choice is present for lots of people in this who have honestly held beliefs that may be different than yours. The football coach in Washington is an example.

Anyway, I hope the league figures out a way to sort out this issue. The benefit of sitting asymptomatic players seems minuscule to me.

Reese Johnson recalled from Rockford.

If Gustafsson isn't cleared to play by tomorrow, the Hawks are down to 5 D-men. Would then expect another recall. Mitchell played pretty well in last night's Hogs game despite getting crushed 6-3.

Mitchell made smart reads, pinched judiciously on offense, and played tight defense. Best defender for the Hogs last night.
- Theo Fox

Rockford winning or losing is irrelevant to me, this is what I want to hear. Mitchell is sent down, is told what the weak points of his game are and works on them.