Standard moves and a lot of those guys went right from OTT to Rockford last night after the game.

That lineup the Hawks iced in last night's win was scary young and inexperienced. Even though they won, I wasn't a fan as there are so many question marks still it would have been nice to see more vets.

Based on today's cuts it was more about getting guys some gametime before they went back to the AHL.

I understand it's a process and they were on the road but hope the next 3 games they start to ramp up with lineups closer to opening night.
- Justin Lowe

Looking into a crystal ball based on the *expected* roster numbers, I guess 3 more cuts to go up front.
We know who 100% won't be cut Kane, Toews, Schmaltz, Saad, DeBrincat, Anisimov, Kunitz

Very unlikely they cut Kruger, Sikura, Hayden.

Probably down to these guys for 4 spots. Ejdsell, Highmore, Johnson, Kahun, Kampf, Fortin, Martinsen

If it were me, I'd cut Ejdsell, Fortin and Highmore to start. I think Martinsen will stick, even if he isn't the most talented, they are better off giving him the limited role and let someone else get more minutes in the AHL.

On D we know Keith, Seabrook, Rutta, Gustafsson are probably locks. Murphy and Forsling are hurt.

So 3 spots open for Boqvist, Dahlstrom, Jokiharju, Manning, Davidson, Tuulola.

My gut tells me they will keep Jokiharju/Manning and it is probably down to if Dahlstrom out performs Davidson.

In goal, there is still the question of CC's return timeline. Ward we know is in. Delia and Forsberg are still up, but Delia probably played well enough to earn another game. Delia probably gets cut in the end (he is waiver exempt) and Forsberg's status will depend on CC's health.

Who is there to deter people from taking out Kane’s knee with a cheap shot? Who is there to make life miserable for opposing teams defenseman?
- EnzoD

I hope no one says the pp which is s horrible excuse or the refs of they do there jobs yuk. I'd love Ross Johnston from NYI but I doubt he will be available. Or if emerson clark doesnt make the leafs. He's small but a good hockey player great fighter.

Hey Enzo. The Hawks has Bickel, Shaw and Carcillo on the team when Kane broke his collarbone, and it is not like he got run over or egregiously cheap shotted. He was lightly cross-checked and they clipped skates.

I don’t see see the corellation.
- Chunk

Bickell was never a fighter. Shaw shouldn't be forced into being a enforcer at his size he should fight middle weights. Carcillo also a smaller guy by this time was washed up. It's not like we had one of the gallant brothers or luke gazdic. No one fears coming to the madhouse. Because were not gonna beat them on the scoreboard or the streets

Marc Savard of the Bruins was knocked out after given a vicious cheap headshot by Matt Cooke of the Penguins. That hit basically ended his career. The Bruins had four of toughest guys in the league in the Zedano Chara, Milan Lucic, Shawn Thornton and Johnny Boychuck on their roster and Lucic was on the ice at the time of the hit. Care to explain how it was all that toughness wasn't able to PREVENT Cooke from hitting Savard?
- paulr

They ended up fighting Cooke Thorton one and at least showed he had his back. The hawks did absolutely nothing when duclair was injured by marchand

I think you answered your own question. The "need" for fighting has absolutely nothing to do with 'policing' the ice, it's cultural in that some people just love it as part of the game and will do anything to justify its acceptance.

I admit I enjoy it, but its time has passed. Fighting makes hockey look like a joke sport. You want to police dirty hits? Actually punish guys for doing those dirty hits. Time away from the game, lost money will clean up the sport much faster than any goon will.

It was a "great time" in hockey when fighting ruled the world, but some traditions have and should be encouraged to die.
- kwolf68

No they shouldn't the nhl ahl ohl and qjhl ushl hockey leagues all are a worse product now then before because of reduced fighting. Rivalries all but dead. Looking at the rosters some games aren't worth watching peewee games are more physical

No they shouldn't the nhl ahl ohl and qjhl ushl hockey leagues all are a worse product now then before because of reduced fighting. Rivalries all but dead. Looking at the rosters some games aren't worth watching peewee games are more physical
- vandymeer23

Yeah.

Next Winter Classic should be in the Collisseum.

The one in Rome.

Yeah.

Next Winter Classic should be in the Collisseum.

The one in Rome.
- StLBravesFan

Hopefully, Crawford isn't drunk and doesn't fall off of his chariot.
I can picture Bettman lying on his back above everyone else getting fed grapes from the vine with a golden laurel around his head. Something a little like this

https://www.bing.com/imag...electedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
[img]

I am stupid and I need help. Not that it is the most important thing in the world but I can't post gifs and pictures, all I am getting are the links. Who can offer a quick tutorial for me? It would be much appreciated.

We look bad enough through 3 preseason games(and especially this 1st period so far against the woeful Karlsson-less Senators of all teams) to where I’m already starting to believe we have a realistic chance at drafting top 3 overall, maybe even #1. Keep it up boys! Lose, lose, and lose some more!!
- SimpleJack

Missed it by thaaaaat much.

A bunch of Ice Hogs, rookies and fringe NHLers go on the road, spot the home team a 2-0 lead, take 15 minutes to figure out what they are doing, then storm back with 5 consecutive goals to win 5-2. They looked pretty good to me.

Missed it by thaaaaat much.

A bunch of Ice Hogs, rookies and fringe NHLers go on the road, spot the home team a 2-0 lead, take 15 minutes to figure out what they are doing, then storm back with 5 consecutive goals to win 5-2. They looked pretty good to me.
- scottak

Last nite’s game showed nuttin’ about nuttin’.

Same as if the Chicagoans had lost 5-0.

Yeah - our our not-yet-ready-for-prime-time skaters can beat Ottawa’s NYRFPT skaters.

Next week we see much more of what the final (or really, beginning) team will look like. We can begin to see where the squad is.

Cat Toews Saad
Schmaltz AA Kane
Kunitz Kahun Sikura

This would theoretically be the best top 9 they could have on the ice then right?
- SoftServe

Hard to jump to line 3 ( or line 4 ) as so many players in play. Regarding the top 2 lines those could be common-sense lines. Cat and Schmaltz could flip-flop. Cat would seem like a natural replacement for Panarin with Kane but they are never given a true chance to create chemistry. The problem with Anisimov in the top 6 is he, like Schmaltz, is weak at face-offs - in some games painfully weak, which again does not help Kane in the offensive zone. Anisimov is also slow. With Schmaltz it would be great for him to play Center but holy please get better at face-offs. My key point is Kane should always be a Right Wing who shoots Left, which he is. Also DeBrincat, like Panarin, should always be a Left Wing who shoots Right. Also Saad a Right Wing if with Toews and of course must be a Left Wing if he plays with Kane. Of course Toews a Center on one line. Fill in the rest.

Kane’s collarbone was broken by a cheap shot crosscheck from behind in the most dangerous 2’ from the boards. Did Alex Petrovic ever pay for that? That’s fine if Hayden is that guy. He’s got a mean right, just ask Foligno. IMO, there needs to be a guy who will make you eat a fist if you intent to injure a teammate.

Also, aggressive and physical forechecking is still a key to being a great playoff team. Name 3 forwards who Opposing DMEN are made uncomfortable by!?

If I’m an NHL Dman I’m circling the Hawks bc it’s the easiest night of work in the NHL with the lack of a physical forecheck
- EnzoD

Eh, that wasn't really a "cheap" crosscheck - Kane lost his footing and feel awkwardly. It was a penalty but it wasn't like malicious intent to really injure Kane.

The problem with your example is that the Hawks had guys willing to stand up for teammates then like Bickell, Shaw, and Carcillo. If you list most major injuries to players through something bad, the team had a guy who was willing to be an enforcer type on the team. And they do not deter anything. Matt Cooke was on the Pens when Crosby got hit in the head in back-to-back games that created his year-long concussion, for example. If deterrents worked, Marchand and Tom Wilson would have stopped being a knee and head targeting bumholes years ago.

A player willing to stand-up for a teammate is great but their being on a team does not prevent injury. And if they're standing up post-injury to make the other guy pay, then they've already failed at their job because their teammate is injured. But like I said, I don't mind such a player existing - I just want them to be good at playing hockey too.

Martinsen is not a good enough skater or skilled enough to give d-men trouble with an aggressive forecheck. It's why he's a 28 year old that couldn't stick on a bad Colorado team. A Bickell or Shaw type is more than welcome and someone like Hayden has potential for the former. I just don't think a 4th line of two guys who cannot skate the puck out of the zone nor be fast enough to retrieve the puck after a dump/chase can be a useful checking / shutdown line, so one of them has to go and I vote Martinsen over Hayden.

I am stupid and I need help. Not that it is the most important thing in the world but I can't post gifs and pictures, all I am getting are the links. Who can offer a quick tutorial for me? It would be much appreciated.
- I Am The Breadman

Link should auto hyperlink if you just copy them into the message field.

Images require the image tags on either side of the link. Easy steps:
Click Img buttom
Paste image link
Click Img button again

This should create an open tag and a close tag like [img*]link[/img*] minute the stars

Eh, that wasn't really a "cheap" crosscheck - Kane lost his footing and feel awkwardly. It was a penalty but it wasn't like malicious intent to really injure Kane.

The problem with your example is that the Hawks had guys willing to stand up for teammates then like Bickell, Shaw, and Carcillo. If you list most major injuries to players through something bad, the team had a guy who was willing to be an enforcer type on the team. And they do not deter anything. Matt Cooke was on the Pens when Crosby got hit in the head in back-to-back games that created his year-long concussion, for example. If deterrents worked, Marchand and Tom Wilson would have stopped being a knee and head targeting bumholes years ago.

A player willing to stand-up for a teammate is great but their being on a team does not prevent injury. And if they're standing up post-injury to make the other guy pay, then they've already failed at their job because their teammate is injured. But like I said, I don't mind such a player existing - I just want them to be good at playing hockey too.

Martinsen is not a good enough skater or skilled enough to give d-men trouble with an aggressive forecheck. It's why he's a 28 year old that couldn't stick on a bad Colorado team. A Bickell or Shaw type is more than welcome and someone like Hayden has potential for the former. I just don't think a 4th line of two guys who cannot skate the puck out of the zone nor be fast enough to retrieve the puck after a dump/chase can be a useful checking / shutdown line, so one of them has to go and I vote Martinsen over Hayden.
- L_B_R

You said most of what I said more artirculately. Intent to injure or malicious action, I said Keith whacking Dumba in the face with his stick.Another point I made was the league with minor suspensions, or just letting things slide. That lets dirty players continue.If you have one billionth of p.e.d. in your system like good old what's his name in Vegas, you better watch out.

Toews be worn out by x mass by doing all the heavy lifting . maybe try hayden with toews and dcat.

Toews hayden sikrua/dcat
Saad smatlz kane
AA Kampf sikrua
Kauhn kruger /johnson /martinsin
- Scott1977

Hayden has to prove he can skate consistently as a b6 player before being tried in the top 6 imo. In the playoffs, he might be able to slide up because they game gets a bit slower.

Hayden has to prove he can skate consistently as a b6 player before being tried in the top 6 imo. In the playoffs, he might be able to slide up because they game gets a bit slower.
- L_B_R

Good point only thing i was saying is toews needs another big body to help with the heavy lifting the board work in the trenchs etc...

Test Run, thanks, LBR!

Good point only thing i was saying is toews needs another big body to help with the heavy lifting the board work in the trenchs etc...
- Scott1977

They don't need to be big bodied, they just need to be willing to put in the work in the corner, along the board, and in front of the net. There are plenty of a example of smaller than average players who do that stuff well. I don't know if Kahun or Sikura will be good in that regard, but being fast and skilled enough to be in the top 6 should be the first requirement, not size.

That’s correct, however some don’t realize there’s a difference between shooting left and being left handed.
- walleyeb1

I guess I'm one of them, that comment makes no sense to me? I know there are plenty of hockey players who are right handed but shoot left?

They don't need to be big bodied, they just need to be willing to put in the work in the corner, along the board, and in front of the net. There are plenty of a example of smaller than average players who do that stuff well. I don't know if Kahun or Sikura will be good in that regard, but being fast and skilled enough to be in the top 6 should be the first requirement, not size.
- L_B_R

Ok still think a big body or a player like a shaw type player IMO is what toews 's line needs to be successful.

Ok still think a big body or a player like a shaw type player IMO is what toews 's line needs to be successful.
- Scott1977

I got to go with LBR on this, she's got a compelling argument going. The past couple of years Toews has found success with Schmaltz, small top 6, skilled, Kane, small top 6, offensively skilled, Panik, small top 6 (only in Chicago), Saad, small top 6, skilled, and Hossa, not necessarily small but top 6, and definitely skilled. He could play with anyone. Toews as a top line Centre requires a top line around him in skill. Not just any meathhead can fill that. If they are big and skilled it's an added bonus. Then there is the argument that Kane can play with anyone. Just because he can, doesn't mean that is the way they should go. Kane makes players better, but that doesn't always mean they are the compliment player for Kane.

Miles Wood 2.75 mil aav for 4 years.

I got to go with LBR on this, she's got a compelling argument going. The past couple of years Toews has found success with Schmaltz, small top 6, skilled, Kane, small top 6, offensively skilled, Panik, small top 6 (only in Chicago), Saad, small top 6, skilled, and Hossa, not necessarily small but top 6, and definitely skilled. He could play with anyone. Toews as a top line Centre requires a top line around him in skill. Not just any meathhead can fill that. If they are big and skilled it's an added bonus. Then there is the argument that Kane can play with anyone. Just because he can, doesn't mean that is the way they should go. Kane makes players better, but that doesn't always mean they are the compliment player for Kane.
- I Am The Breadman

Not sure I'd classify Saad or Panik as small...both at least 6'1" and over 200.

Not sure I'd classify Saad or Panik as small...both at least 6'1" and over 200.
- HawkintheD

Is that with skates on, if not I concede to you.
I wasn't thinking of weight though in all honesty.

Not sure I'd classify Saad or Panik as small...both at least 6'1" and over 200.
- HawkintheD

Compare them to a guy with a body size like Bickell - I think that is what LBR is talking about not just height and weight.

I mean technically Eric Daze was big too -- but not in the same sense.

---

I'd go a bit further too with Kane preferring at least 1 righty on his line - I would think it would be accurate to say that he prefers playing with an off wing shooting Left Winger (and if the Centre is a righty too - then that is a bonus) - but he looks for one timers from cross ice passes -which are a bit easier to shoot by someone playing their off wing. It's about where they receive the puck off of the pass.