But but but Bettman hates the Hawks ….
- paulr

Buddy everyone hates the Hawks right now. We had a drive by blasting by THE Axel Rose yesterday re Bobby Hull's character.

Apparently said rocket scientist has never done his homework on the 30+ arrests, charges Axel has had....rape, beating his wife, beating a guy almost to death with a wine bottle.

God bless Hockeybuzz. I cant' wait until Dahmer, OJ, and Ray Rice stop by to give us their takes.

Most of the defensemen that will be matriculating this year or next are LD, so that is yet another reason that McCabe will go for sure. At this time the only young RD on the Hawks and Hogs are Crevier, Mitchell, and Regula, that doesn’t scream Norris Trophy to me. I’m a little disappointed in Mitchell’s play this year, although being paired with Caleb Jones doesn’t help him any.

Buddy everyone hates the Hawks right now. We had a drive by blasting by THE Axel Rose yesterday re Bobby Hull's character.

Apparently said rocket scientist has never done his homework on the 30+ arrests, charges Axel has had....rape, beating his wife, beating a guy almost to death with a wine bottle.

God bless Hockeybuzz. I cant' wait until Dahmer, OJ, and Ray Rice stop by to give us their takes.
- SteveRain

As I posted two seconds before this blog was posted, both the good and bad about Hull was discussed, that doesn’t explain why some goof would idolize Axl Rose.

Most of the defensemen that will be matriculating this year or next are LD, so that is yet another reason that McCabe will go for sure. At this time the only young RD on the Hawks and Hogs are Crevier, Mitchell, and Regula, that doesn’t scream Norris Trophy to me. I’m a little disappointed in Mitchell’s play this year, although being paired with Caleb Jones doesn’t help him any.
- Angotti

Looks like Angotti ate a dictionary for breakfast.

Most of the defensemen that will be matriculating this year or next are LD, so that is yet another reason that McCabe will go for sure. At this time the only young RD on the Hawks and Hogs are Crevier, Mitchell, and Regula, that doesn’t scream Norris Trophy to me. I’m a little disappointed in Mitchell’s play this year, although being paired with Caleb Jones doesn’t help him any.
- Angotti

Saw a note Mitchell could be traded. Hope not. Would like to see him paired with an actual NHL defenseman and not whatever Caleb Jones pretends to be.

As I posted two seconds before this blog was posted, both the good and bad about Hull was discussed, that doesn’t explain why some goof would idolize Axl Rose.
- paulr

One day we will need to compile a list. I do miss Jeff Shantz breaking down 1995 games to me with his insight. Or the preacher who couldn't say New Jersey "Devils"

Sadly...I do miss a lot the older guys who were around.

Looks like Angotti ate a dictionary for breakfast.

- paulr

Ha, maybe it’s all the beer and brown liquor that I’ve consumed since I retired, and nothing to do with breakfast.

A medical would confirm/deny any leak. All New York has to do is request Kane see their doctor.
- paulr

Maybe Kane is making the rounds this week seeing various team doctors. LOL.

https://twitter.com/markjburns88/status/1620596541739372544?t=0bXzEmwUoftG3cuuxH76HA&s=01

This why the Blackhawks will win the Bedard sweepstakes
- BetweenTheDots

If you read through that Twitter thread, you'll see blackouts and digital advertising on the boards mentioned as deterrents to fan growth.

How many single men in their 20's and 30's spend $100 a month on a cable package to watch sports and movies? You can accumulate various streaming services for under $50. The viewership ratings in that statistic don't include steaming services.

I went to the Sharks/Oilers game a couple of weeks ago with a few friends and the arena experience was as bad as what I've read some of you guys complain about; music is too loud, and constant distractions that keep you from focusing in on the game. I counted just one face off the entire game where there wasn't music at an ear bleeding level being ramped up until the puck hit the ice. I always tell friends who don't have much interest in hockey, that they should see a game live to really appreciate it, but I might need to walk that back if every other arena is putting on the same production as San Jose and Chicago are.

Saw a note Mitchell could be traded. Hope not. Would like to see him paired with an actual NHL defenseman and not whatever Caleb Jones pretends to be.
- SteveRain

I don't know what will happen to Mitchell. His ELC is up at the end of the year and I can see him signing for 2 x 1.2M or so, and becoming a serviceable RD most likely on the 3rd pairing.

Or, if he doesn't fit the mold KD and LR envision maybe he is traded away. In a recent comment, I mentioned the possibility of him being added to an upcoming trade to increase the overall return.

Most of the defensemen that will be matriculating this year or next are LD, so that is yet another reason that McCabe will go for sure. At this time the only young RD on the Hawks and Hogs are Crevier, Mitchell, and Regula, that doesn’t scream Norris Trophy to me. I’m a little disappointed in Mitchell’s play this year, although being paired with Caleb Jones doesn’t help him any.
- Angotti

I agree that RD prospects are thin. Maybe a RD prospect could be sent back from another team in any trade, even though the Chicago forward prospect pool could use some additions too.

Could be but ESPN getting the rights and trying to pimp them to ESPN+ like a typical Disney owned company ($$$$$$$) has also grossly hurt them.

Same issues that has always been. They have ZERO clue how to market their game, their stars, etc. Just an archaic league led by inept commissioner and dinosaur board of governors.

You get somebody to a game they live.....most, if not all, love it. However, ask anyone who steph curry is and they'll tell you in a 2nd. Ask same person who McDavid is and they have ZERO clue.
- SteveRain

Lots of reasons, including that ESPN sucks and it's a Canadian sport. Plus, Steph Curry plays in San Francisco and has been to the playoffs many times. McDavid has few playoff runs, and plays in Edmonton. 98% of the USA couldn't find Edmonton on a map. Gretzky was a huge boon to hockey in the US, after his move to LA.

And on the other side of the Kane coin is this which was published on Tuesday.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....eam-at-the-trade-deadline

Last paragraph in this article...

Patrick Kane is still elite, one of the very best players in the world, who has a skillset and ability that could keep him a productive player until age 40. There is plenty left in the tank. And he’d be an assassin for any acquiring club hoping to add a fourth Stanley Cup to his trophy closet. The rub is whether he’ll be willing to leave Chicago behind.
- boilermaker100

Given that he hasn't signed an extension, he will be leaving Chicago behind. The question is whether he opts to go a little early, play for a Cup, and increase his UFA value.

Sorry if this was discussed already, but there was an interesting article in the Sun Times this weekend about Seth Jones, his recent offensive uptick, and his ongoing problem defending zone entries.

Basically, he's among the worst defensemen in the league on zone entries, he knows it, the team knows it, and he's trying, but struggling, to correct the problem.

https://chicago.suntimes....-defense-powering-offense

Murphy submitted his list of 10 teams and McCabe has 7...rumor for McCabe is, it's all of Canada outside of Toronto.

After Kane and Toews, will be nice to have assets who don't have the leverage and a GM who gave out NMC/NTC like candy on Halloween.
- SteveRain

They can submit lists, but I still gotta see it happen. Maybe that's why McCabe has been paired with Seth lately, so scouts can get a better sense of what they'd be getting.

Even without the clauses, those contracts were marriage pacts, given the annual cap hit. It's pretty hard to move one in a hockey trade. Isn't Eichel the only $10 million man who was traded?

Some of these defensemen in the AHL, have been there for awhile and its time to find out what they have, and if its enough. Another good pick in the draft next year is not going to kill them .

I just don't think those lottery picks are going be bantered about like a bag of potato chips.

DOES Patrick kaner have a HIP INJURY?

Arthur Staple NYC scribe says the "whole league knows he needs surgery."

I am gonna contact Staple so he can tell me what exactly Frank Nazar's surgery was, since the entire league knows what we don't...
- wiz1901

They've been saying that he has been trying to avoid an operation the past two years. Maybe that is case. Maybe people have nothing better to talk about.

Based on last year, if KD believes he is not getting fair value back, he won’t make the deal. He didn’t trade Strome, Kubalik, and who knows who else, and just let them walk at the end of the year. Just because Kane,Toews might waive the NMC, I don’t think KD will move them unless he is satisfied that he gets a fair return.

That's really dumb though if you are trying to sell your product. I guess that's why the salary cap only goes up less than 3% per year.

When will they learn you aren't selling the sport to adults.
- BetweenTheDots

Those are fairly lucrative deals for the owners and they are exclusive.

Even though it is fun to beat up Gary B for being a moron - he's really just the stooge for the owners, especially the Wirtzes and that group in north east.

The problem with the league on a very broad and general level is that the players do not have personality. Patrick Kane, for example, is a lot of fun to watch but he has the charisma of a brick wall. Same for Toews.

While players like PK Subban or Trevor Zegras and Matthews (who is a fantastic heel) are vilified for having personality or an opinion outside of whatever dumb hockey platitude you want to throw out there.

The game needs those personalities and for people to identify with them or hate them to gain more traction and interest.

The NBA had Jordan who outside of being the greatest player ever - was a larger than life superstar (on a global level) and embracing and allowing those types of players to do their thing has helped the NBA sustain popularity.

The diva quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rogers drive a lot of attention for the NFL regardless of if you like them or not.

Manchester United didn't become a global sensation until Eric Cantona (certainly not their most prolific striker) joined the squad and added a larger than life persona.

Other than the dudes on your team who gives a (frank) about individual players in the NHL regardless of how good they are?

I don't know what will happen to Mitchell. His ELC is up at the end of the year and I can see him signing for 2 x 1.2M or so, and becoming a serviceable RD most likely on the 3rd pairing.

Or, if he doesn't fit the mold KD and LR envision maybe he is traded away. In a recent comment, I mentioned the possibility of him being added to an upcoming trade to increase the overall return.



I agree that RD prospects are thin. Maybe a RD prospect could be sent back from another team in any trade, even though the Chicago forward prospect pool could use some additions too.
- boilermaker100

McCabe to LA who needs a LD, and have an over abundance of RD. Jordan Spence would be my choice as a return. He is getting squeezed out due to all the RD the Kings have. And no Sean Durzi please.

Agreed on Murphy. Guy sucks. Hard to be a leader when your play is consistently awful. Young players won’t respect a vet forever if they constantly make bonehead plays.

Lots of reasons, including that ESPN sucks and it's a Canadian sport. Plus, Steph Curry plays in San Francisco and has been to the playoffs many times. McDavid has few playoff runs, and plays in Edmonton. 98% of the USA couldn't find Edmonton on a map. Gretzky was a huge boon to hockey in the US, after his move to LA.
- scottak

Agreed....the sad truth is hockey is really a niche sport. I love it but the fact is you can't just go outside and go "play" hockey. Sure you can play stick ball....but you have to have the patience to learn how to skate or even rollerblade...then learn a sport. Major disadvantage and that's before you get into the high costs and massive time commitments.

And with other sports like baseball and basketball and even soccer pushing kids to choose just THAT sport it really thins the available pool.

Not sure how it's corrected but I never expect the NHL to ever sniff the other big 3 in ratings.

If you read through that Twitter thread, you'll see blackouts and digital advertising on the boards mentioned as deterrents to fan growth.

How many single men in their 20's and 30's spend $100 a month on a cable package to watch sports and movies? You can accumulate various streaming services for under $50. The viewership ratings in that statistic don't include steaming services.

I went to the Sharks/Oilers game a couple of weeks ago with a few friends and the arena experience was as bad as what I've read some of you guys complain about; music is too loud, and constant distractions that keep you from focusing in on the game. I counted just one face off the entire game where there wasn't music at an ear bleeding level being ramped up until the puck hit the ice. I always tell friends who don't have much interest in hockey, that they should see a game live to really appreciate it, but I might need to walk that back if every other arena is putting on the same production as San Jose and Chicago are.
- Dieselhead

I’m not even old, and the music at hockey games is way too loud. Can’t even have a conversation before the game. The pregame is absolutely deafening.

McCabe to LA who needs a LD, and have an over abundance of RD. Jordan Spence would be my choice as a return. He is getting squeezed out due to all the RD the Kings have. And no Sean Durzi please.
- LAHawk

Instead Spence what forward would be ideal in a trade for McCabe?

They've been saying that he has been trying to avoid an operation the past two years. Maybe that is case. Maybe people have nothing better to talk about.
- fattybeef

Hips and Backs.....I can't speak for backs but I can say having massive impingements on both balls of my hips is a bear at times. I am in no way a professional athlete but it nags at you waking up in the am, weather changes, etc......You literally have 2 options...you deal with it and manage it as best as possible OR you shave the balls the down and realize within 5-10 years you'll need a full hip replacement.

Think how many minutes these guys are on skates in their lives.....exactly why the back and hips end up barking and these guys have to deal with it.

Agreed on Murphy. Guy sucks. Hard to be a leader when your play is consistently awful. Young players won’t respect a vet forever if they constantly make bonehead plays.
- ObeseOprah

100%

I mean I just keep looking at this way.

Your say....Ian Mitchell. You get called up. You have a coach on your ass (rightfully so) and preaching this and that.....you sit there and then watch a vet like Murphy or Caleb Jones do the EXACT same thing and is the coach all over them? If anything they should more so because said vet should "know better"

I saw it firsthand when I sat behind their bench vs Pittsburgh and watched said coach...clench his fist and slam it against the glass in front of me out of anger for a moronic play Caleb Jones made.

They need veterans to help deliver the message as well, but what skins does Murphy have to be preaching anything to anyone on that bench or the room? Great you've been in the league...but what have you accomplished besides being on constant losing teams outside of pandemic gift playoff berth?

Ship him out and let him slot in as a bottom paired guy and let some coach sweat it when he costs said a team a game with his dumb play. Happy trails.