A dumb fight ESPECIALLY for a guy (Toews) who has had several (I think) concussion issues in the past - which means the present.
- StLBravesFan

He fought Kesler it's not like he's fighting a Bob Probert or Derek Boogard for crying out loud. Toews finally shows some leadership and fire and he gets criticized

Stop crying, this is the most pathetic response I've ever heard. It was by no means a staged fight (I hate that term) Any fight off the faceoff isn't staged kesler grabbed him and it pissed him off stop crying about it. The fact there are fewer fights then ever now is why hockey is struggling rating wise.
- vandymeer23

I would agree. And when your captain drops the glove like that he's trying to send a message to his teammates. They did not respond, unfortunately.

I would agree. And when your captain drops the glove like that he's trying to send a message to his teammates. They did not respond, unfortunately.
- Jere

thank you

Gretzky was sold by Peter Puck. Puck needed money. Gretzky played no part in the discussions with McNall. As history played out it was obviously a very major move for hockey in the South-West USA but there was no master plan. It was one creepy guy taking advantage of another creepy guy.

I wonder if we get to view our Edsel before the season ends. Apparently his league starts playoffs soon and if they get eliminated early enough?
I think he would be eligible for regular season games but probably not playoff ones (which we don't have to worry about). His first year on his contract is being burned off anyway.

He fought Kesler it's not like he's fighting a Bob Probert or Derek Boogard for crying out loud. Toews finally shows some leadership and fire and he gets criticized
- vandymeer23

Toews has been getting a bit more pissed off lately and I'm with you, I like to see some fire from him. More of the core need to get angry, but at this point we know it is kinda moot, based on the standings. The guys need to find the hunger to go the distance or else this rebuild will be a longer one I think.

I wonder if we get to view our Edsel before the season ends. Apparently his league starts playoffs soon and if they get eliminated early enough?
I think he would be eligible for regular season games but probably not playoff ones (which we don't have to worry about). His first year on his contract is being burned off anyway.
- 67hawks

I assume he'll get some games in Chicago or Rockford if the timing works out.

Gretzky was sold by Peter Puck. Puck needed money. Gretzky played no part in the discussions with McNall. As history played out it was obviously a very major move for hockey in the South-West USA but there was no master plan. It was one creepy guy taking advantage of another creepy guy.
- Z3Hawk

100% it was all about cash for PP!

Expect the Blackhawks to announce a 2-year extension for Erik Gustafsson some time this week. Total value in the neighbourhood of $2.2 - $2.5M. Gustafsson is RFA making $650K this season.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) March 5, 2018

Gretzky was sold by Peter Puck. Puck needed money. Gretzky played no part in the discussions with McNall. As history played out it was obviously a very major move for hockey in the South-West USA but there was no master plan. It was one creepy guy taking advantage of another creepy guy.
- Z3Hawk

Pocklington needed cold hard cash. The house of cards he built all on borrowed money was about to come crashing down on him.
He also managed to squeeze money out of the Alberta Government for his other failing ventures. Money which tax payers will never see again.

Expect the Blackhawks to announce a 2-year extension for Erik Gustafsson some time this week. Total value in the neighbourhood of $2.2 - $2.5M. Gustafsson is RFA making $650K this season.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) March 5, 2018

- DarthKane

That is a bit surprising based on his defensive play, but I do like his passing ability.

Expect the Blackhawks to announce a 2-year extension for Erik Gustafsson some time this week. Total value in the neighbourhood of $2.2 - $2.5M. Gustafsson is RFA making $650K this season.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) March 5, 2018

- DarthKane

I would have no problem with that. The money is right for 2 years on a depth defenceman.

He fought Kesler it's not like he's fighting a Bob Probert or Derek Boogard for crying out loud. Toews finally shows some leadership and fire and he gets criticized
- vandymeer23

A person with concussion issues - past history - anything having anything to do with a concussion - does not need to be fighting and getting someone else's fists to his head - whether it's Kessler of Probert or Sonny Liston or you or me.

Not a good idea.

Fighting Kessler may have been a display of frustration - it was NOT a display of leadership.

And if you think it was - then how do you categorize the Hawks' players reaction to it after the fight- 2 goals against and shoddy play for 30 of the remaining 40 minutes of the game.

Stop crying, this is the most pathetic response I've ever heard. It was by no means a staged fight (I hate that term) Any fight off the faceoff isn't staged kesler grabbed him and it pissed him off stop crying about it. The fact there are fewer fights then ever now is why hockey is struggling rating wise.
- vandymeer23

I would guess - but only guess - that the TV networks' ratings analysts would tend to disagree with you.

- walleyeb1

HaHa

Expect the Blackhawks to announce a 2-year extension for Erik Gustafsson some time this week. Total value in the neighbourhood of $2.2 - $2.5M. Gustafsson is RFA making $650K this season.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) March 5, 2018

- DarthKane

Hmmmm.... wasn't sure if he'd even be resigned. Guess the Hawks see something in him.

As per my blog, it's obvious that my opinion was that the Blackhawks need to overhaul their defence by signing a couple new faces.

Currently signed in 2018-19: Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle (& now) Gustafsson.

In the wings: Dahlstrom, Forsling, Snuggerud, Jokiharju


I know a lot can change, but expect Forsling to join the other 5 which essentially gives you the exact same defence as this year, which has turned into a disaster.

Unless they swing for the fences and grab John Carlson, I don't know how they are expecting to improve drastically on the backend.

the biggest problem with the roster (not the organization), assuming crawford is back and healthy next year, is the defense. that being the case, the obvious biggest problem of the organization is the pathetic stan bowman. this is the man who in 8+ years as the general manager has added ONE top four defenseman, oduya, to the roster through draft choices, trades, international free agent signings, and north american free agent signings. ONE TOP FOUR DMAN IN 8+ YEARS. it is almost impossible to be that futile, but he has pulled it off in spades.
- hawks29

But when you have almost 8+ years Keith, Seabrook and Hjalmarsson as top 3 and there was Campbell and Oduya who completed those guys and there wasn´t that much need of top 4 D´man. He did bring Nick Leddy who never was top 4 for Hawks but would be now. Top 4 D´men won´t grow on trees.

Stan went and got Forsling for Clendening, he did sign Gustafsson, Kempny and Rutta. He has drafted Jokiharju, Snuggerud, Krys, Mitchell and so on. Sure no one has pan out (yet) of them but at least Stan has tried. Don´t know who´s to blame; the players, coach or Stan? Maybe all of them..Stan has made mistakes for sure but I think you are a little too harsh on him.

Hmmmm.... wasn't sure if he'd even be resigned. Guess the Hawks see something in him.

As per my blog, it's obvious that my opinion was that the Blackhawks need to overhaul their defence by signing a couple new faces.

Currently signed in 2018-19: Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle (& now) Gustafsson.

In the wings: Dahlstrom, Forsling, Snuggerud, Jokiharju


I know a lot can change, but expect Forsling to join the other 5 which essentially gives you the exact same defence as this year, which has turned into a disaster.

Unless they swing for the fences and grab John Carlson, I don't know how they are expecting to improve drastically on the backend.
- Justin Lowe

B-b-but Justin, it’s the veterans that are going to step up next season! Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Kane, and a healthy Crawford, and this team is right back in the swing of things! We like our team!

Speaking of Jokiharju; last two games with Portland he had 0+3 points in both of them. He´s got 8+57=65 points in 56 games. That ain´t too bad..

Hmmmm.... wasn't sure if he'd even be resigned. Guess the Hawks see something in him.

As per my blog, it's obvious that my opinion was that the Blackhawks need to overhaul their defence by signing a couple new faces.

Currently signed in 2018-19: Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Oesterle (& now) Gustafsson.

In the wings: Dahlstrom, Forsling, Snuggerud, Jokiharju


I know a lot can change, but expect Forsling to join the other 5 which essentially gives you the exact same defence as this year, which has turned into a disaster.

Unless they swing for the fences and grab John Carlson, I don't know how they are expecting to improve drastically on the backend.
- Justin Lowe

It will likely be a one way guaranteed contract. Good for him and the team. He has earned it from this organization. I would be happy for him.

It will likely be a one way guaranteed contract. Good for him and the team. He has earned it from this organization. I would be happy for him.
- 67hawks

I don't see how Gus is worth north of $1mil, let alone $2.2 or whatever he might be signing for. This is a weird one.

I don't see how Gus is worth north of $1mil, let alone $2.2 or whatever he might be signing for. This is a weird one.
- BlazinMike

2 years 2.2-2.5 total value. Not that it matters much. Maybe just signing him to have an extra trade piece.

Expect the Blackhawks to announce a 2-year extension for Erik Gustafsson some time this week. Total value in the neighbourhood of $2.2 - $2.5M. Gustafsson is RFA making $650K this season.

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) March 5, 2018

- DarthKane

Stan Bowman needs to be fired. Gustafson is absolutely brutal defensively, and not an offensive juggernaut to offset his defensive shortcomings. 1 year at league minimum would be too much, but committing 2 years to this guy is Rundblad 2.0

Stan Bowman needs to be fired. Gustafson is absolutely brutal defensively, and not an offensive juggernaut to offset his defensive shortcomings. 1 year at league minimum would be too much, but committing 2 years to this guy is Rundblad 2.0
- EnzoD

Oh! You must mean like this

via GIPHY

Stan Bowman needs to be fired. Gustafson is absolutely brutal defensively, and not an offensive juggernaut to offset his defensive shortcomings. 1 year at league minimum would be too much, but committing 2 years to this guy is Rundblad 2.0
- EnzoD

Wow. Just wow. The writing is on the wall folks. Same crap next year with the same people and most likely with Q behind the bench.