I’ll put aside his defense for now.

Where are they going to get talent in the next three years? In three years it’s unlikely Kane will be a top contributor. ADB will be a top line winger. They have Dach who hopefully can put it together in the next three years and be a top six forward, preferably center. Hopefully Reichel is a top six player. Maybe Strome figures it out? Maybe Nylander shows up as a top six winger after a good AHL season? Other than Jones I don’t see a top pairing defenseman, although one or two could be developed? They probably don’t get a first round pick this season, although perhaps a trade for one can be worked out? There are three or four really good prospects in next years draft headed by Connor Bedard but the hawks probably won’t be that bad, because of Jones being in the lineup. There are an awful lot of question marks. Not sure I’m as confident in there being a solid group of players around Jones in three years as you are.
- paulr

And a goalie - three goals against were Lankinen’s fault, IMO.

It won’t be easy, losing last summer’s #1 and this summer’s #1, and they certainly gave up a lot to get Jones, but my take is still that they saw very little in the system on the blue line in particular, so they went out and got a true #1 (and Jones is, again, IMO) plus McCabe (who has played very well recently, too, a good 2nd pairing skater).

The offense should have been better - they’ve gotten nothing to very little of guys that should have produced more - Toews (until now), Kubalik, Kurashev, Dach - I’m putting Kane in that “disappointing” group too (now hearing from pdx that he has hip issues). If the last 3 including Kane come back around to where they were thought to be.

A lot of maybes out there, but if things break right….

And a goalie - three goals against were Lankinen’s fault, IMO.

It won’t be easy, losing last summer’s #1 and this summer’s #1, and they certainly gave up a lot to get Jones, but my take is still that they saw very little in the system on the blue line in particular, so they went out and got a true #1 (and Jones is, again, IMO) plus McCabe (who has played very well recently, too, a good 2nd pairing skater).

The offense should have been better - they’ve gotten nothing to very little of guys that should have produced more - Toews (until now), Kubalik, Kurashev, Dach - I’m putting Kane in that “disappointing” group too (now hearing from pdx that he has hip issues). If the last 3 including Kane come back around to where they were thought to be.

A lot of maybes out there, but if things break right….
- StLBravesFan

I hope you’re right.

I hope you’re right.
- paulr

AND - perhaps most important - get some quality in the front office to make some good decisions for a change. Bowman did a good job getting to the 2013-2015 run, but he made too many bad decisions since.

This GM hire is critical. I have no idea who would be a good choice - but the choice needs to be better than good.

AND - perhaps most important - get some quality in the front office to make some good decisions for a change. Bowman did a good job getting to the 2013-2015 run, but he made too many bad decisions since.

This GM hire is critical. I have no idea who would be a good choice - but the choice needs to be better than good.
- StLBravesFan

I wholeheartedly agree with the importance of getting the right GM and Hockey Ops guy in place. There are allot of know it alls on this board, maybe there’s a couple of candidates amongst us? 🤷🏻‍♂️

If he needs the surgery, he should get the surgery: he hasn’t been “Kane-like” since half-way through last season.

I understand wanting the Olympics - but if this team is going to be anything, it needs Kane to be jumping, scoring goals, controlling the play - and he hasn’t been doing that for 60 games.

That is, assuming the SN report is correct….
- StLBravesFan

Assuming the report is correct, maybe Kane saw that hip surgery didn’t mend Seabrook enough to come back, and figured he will play thru it.

Assuming the report is correct, maybe Kane saw that hip surgery didn’t mend Seabrook enough to come back, and figured he will play thru it.
- LAHawk

Didn't Seabrook have something like 5 surgeries, one of which was the hip? He was also several years older than Kane and played a much harder game. We'll see...

It’s unfortunate Strome needs to be motivated by being relegated to the press box for a game or two.
- paulr

I might be off but I never saw Strome win so many puck battles, puck races, keep his feet moving, play hungry, fight for position in the dirty areas, head on a swivel in the Dzone (marked Matthews nicely and went down on a knee to block his shot, tipped it with his stick).

If you gotta sit a guy to motivate him I don't think the ends justify the means especially if he's only useful in a top 6 role.

Didn't Seabrook have something like 5 surgeries, one of which was the hip? He was also several years older than Kane and played a much harder game. We'll see...
- pdx2ord

I couldn’t tell you, not an orthopedic doctor. Kessler never came back. Kucherov was out a year came back for the playoffs, now is out again. Pssternack. Am back with no apparent ill effects. Sequin is back but so far not the same player.

I couldn’t tell you, not an orthopedic doctor. Kessler never came back. Kucherov was out a year came back for the playoffs, now is out again. Pssternack. Am back with no apparent ill effects. Sequin is back but so far not the same player.
- LAHawk

All good examples, and I could understand Kane's trepidation given those. Thanks

I might be off but I never saw Strome win so many puck battles, puck races, keep his feet moving, play hungry, fight for position in the dirty areas, head on a swivel in the Dzone (marked Matthews nicely and went down on a knee to block his shot, tipped it with his stick).

If you gotta sit a guy to motivate him I don't think the ends justify the means especially if he's only useful in a top 6 role.
- Mr Ricochet

I am going to use on you what the Board tells me about Dach. He is only 24. Took his brother until his 7th season before he got it.

All good examples, and I could understand Kane's trepidation given those. Thanks
- pdx2ord

I just went through ATR, others on the board who play sports can attest, even if you have successful surgery, you never are the same. And obviously that difference is magnified for an elite athlete.

I am going to use on you what the Board tells me about Dach. He is only 24. Took his brother until his 7th season before he got it.
- LAHawk

Been traveling most of the day and I must've gone through some sort of wormhole or something. What was one day for me has apparently seen Kirby Dach age 4 years.

I just went through ATR, others on the board who play sports can attest, even if you have successful surgery, you never are the same. And obviously that difference is magnified for an elite athlete.
- LAHawk

He hasn't been the same for a long time, as Sage mentioned. As a selfish fan, I want him to have surgery. Doubt if he gets one, though.

Been traveling most of the day and I must've gone through some sort of wormhole or something. What was one day for me has apparently seen Kirby Dach age 4 years.
- HawkintheD

Strome is 24.

I just went through ATR, others on the board who play sports can attest, even if you have successful surgery, you never are the same. And obviously that difference is magnified for an elite athlete.
- LAHawk

I hear what you all are saying about the surgery - not having anything like that in my many years, I understand what you all are saying.

Then maybe they should just shut him down now - talk him out of going to Beijing (if any of them wind up going - I don’t think they will) - rehab the hip and come back strong next season.

See if Fleury wants to go to a contender, maybe get a first back for him. See who on this team can take Kane’s place as a leader, if not an on-ice factor.

One plus to that would be players no longer deferring to him instead of taking the play themselves. Se who (if anyone) steps up.

Heartbreaking loss tonight , team played hard deserved a better result .Little confused on the goalie rotations Lankinen like in the EDM game looked a little overwhelmed at the start but over came that shaky start and did play well till the end gotta stay in the net .
A point would have been nice keep working hard the breaks will come

Heartbreaking loss tonight , team played hard deserved a better result .Little confused on the goalie rotations Lankinen like in the EDM game looked a little overwhelmed at the start but over came that shaky start and did play well till the end gotta stay in the net .
A point would have been nice keep working hard the breaks will come
- oldduffman

Strome and Toews strongest games of the year. Hagel is just plain good at hockey. Kurashev and Kubilik contributing and Slavin shows promise. Kane's worst game in a long time so if he's injured, give him some time off. Debrincat can carry the team anyway. He's clearly our best player now.

THIS was a coaching loss in my eyes. Fleury shuts out Montreal Thursday night and tonight he sits against the best offense in hockey ???? WTF King ??
Play the hot goaltender !!
I don't think MAF was injured or was he ??

New blog! Summaries of the Blackhawks vs Maple Leafs and IceHogs vs Silver Knights games.

Down 3, the Hawks stormed back to a 4-4 tie before David Kampf scored the GWG dagger.

After a 5-0 loss Friday, the Hogs win in another scrappy affair on Teddy Bear Toss Night.

https://bit.ly/3GG65dP

I hear what you all are saying about the surgery - not having anything like that in my many years, I understand what you all are saying.

Then maybe they should just shut him down now - talk him out of going to Beijing (if any of them wind up going - I don’t think they will) - rehab the hip and come back strong next season.

See if Fleury wants to go to a contender, maybe get a first back for him. See who on this team can take Kane’s place as a leader, if not an on-ice factor.

One plus to that would be players no longer deferring to him instead of taking the play themselves. Se who (if anyone) steps up.
- StLBravesFan

I'm with you there.