Is it me, or do some notable posters seem to be missing from these boards lately? Banned or just awol ??
- BobP.

I too miss Eli!

Looks like Sikura's ex-Northeastern teammate Gaudette did not show much in camp either. The Canucks have assigned him to the AHL.

With 13 fighting majors last season, the Hawks finished tied for 22nd with Vancouver. Neither made the play-offs.

Florida led the league with 49. No post-season.

VGK and Winnipeg had the fewest with 8 each. A Final and a Final Four.

Do your own spin.

- DarthKane

Yeah, but I see no sunshine

Agree with both you and Darth. In addition to the many hit posts which don't even count as shots on goal, Saad's shooting percentage was way down from his career average. He's still young enough to bounce back to that average again.

Even if he dips below his career averages again, I don't think it will be to the tune of less than 20 goals/40 points again. I predict at least 25 goals/50 points.
- AEL_Fox

I don't get how posts don't count as shots on goal. The puck got there somehow. It really skews the picture. I want to agree with you three guys, I know Saad is talented and brings a lot of skill, measurable or not, to the team, and the third line is not where he will shine. Its early and I expect a bounce back, in a big way. He's just not starting off well. Duchene wasn't good at first after he got married. He's good now, year one into marriage. Newlywed effect, you heard it here first.

- HawkintheD

While ours is the Titanic. Or the ship you see it cartoons that gets sent off on its maiden voyage, and the wine bottle cracks off a big chunk of the ship. Screwed and at the bottom of the water before they set sail.

Yeah, but I see no sunshine
- I Am The Breadman

Stan traded the sunshine for a 7th round pick.

Stan traded the sunshine for a 7th round pick.
- DarthKane

That fiend, he doomed us all!

I don't get how posts don't count as shots on goal. The puck got there somehow. It really skews the picture. I want to agree with you three guys, I know Saad is talented and brings a lot of skill, measurable or not, to the team, and the third line is not where he will shine. Its early and I expect a bounce back, in a big way. He's just not starting off well. Duchene wasn't good at first after he got married. He's good now, year one into marriage. Newlywed effect, you heard it here first.
- I Am The Breadman

Goalie didn’t have to make a save (unless he deflected it to the post). It’s a missed shot - missed by 1/4 inch or 4 feet - still a missed shot.

Goalie didn’t have to make a save (unless he deflected it to the post). It’s a missed shot - missed by 1/4 inch or 4 feet - still a missed shot.
- StLBravesFan

I guess I get it, but the goalie was trying to stop it, and the post is part of the net. This isn't directed at you. It's a stupid way to keep track of shots, and emilinate crucial game changers

Please, Tkachuk did not look special - he is big, slow, no hands. He will only start in the NHL because he is a Senator. He will be lucky to hit double digits in goals. Over-hyped. Remember what I have said - if I am wrong I’ll admit it. Boqvist is very special - he will be a star in the NHL. There will be no comparison between the two - Boqvist by a country mile. Also remember that Tkachuk is much older than Boqvist is as Draftees go.
- Z3Hawk

I don't think that's a fair comparison as they are completely different players with different skill sets and intangible, much like apples and oranges. Yes they were in the same draft class and went top 10 but that's about it as too many other variables come into to play such as team, team's coaching and playing style, etc.

That said, I will agree with you that Boqvist ceiling is higher but Brady T will be very good

I agree with you on Saad.

What people are missing from last year - try to remember how many times Saad missed an open corner by an inch or two - or hit a post. The team as a whole led the league in post/crossbar hits.

Those "bad luck" misses should correct themselves going forward. It happened to him 30-40 times last year - just a slight correction in his aim - and he will hit 30 goals and most likely 60-65 points. And then maybe the bashing here will stop.
- dahawks8819

I am neutral on Saad. When he came into the league, the Hawks and Toews were the toast of the town and he took rightfully took advantage of it. When the dust settled, we find out the true Saad... a big body that is a tweener for power forward. His game is N/S with very little E/W due to his edges (not speed) but tight turns and in-tight hands. As I mentioned earlier, he looks completely lost out there which confidence is an issue. Is it living up to the hype of the Saad with the winning Hawks back then or Panarin vs Saad, probably a combo of both.

That said, Saad is still a very good player that needs to play it more simple and do the dirty work for the skill play-maker guys and get rewarded by the greasy goals. He is not a snipe like Debrincat. All told, Saad should be a 25 goal scorer and close to 50 points but only on top 2 lines.

I too miss Eli!
- Beaver-Warrior

Yea, whatever happened to him? Seemingly just vanished. Mr. Richocet is another one who's posts I always looked forward to. I even miss Arlington Rob......lol

I don't think that's a fair comparison as they are completely different players with different skill sets and intangible, much like apples and oranges. Yes they were in the same draft class and went top 10 but that's about it as too many other variables come into to play such as team, team's coaching and playing style, etc.

That said, I will agree with you that Boqvist ceiling is higher but Brady T will be very good
- D2D

The only time Tkachuk was noticeable was when he was participating in the rough stuff near our net and when he was getting penalties. I remember in our pre-draft discussions about him being a boom or a bust. I am not suggesting that he is a bust because he would be a nice player to have, but will he warrant a high first round draft pick?

I don't get how posts don't count as shots on goal. The puck got there somehow. It really skews the picture. I want to agree with you three guys, I know Saad is talented and brings a lot of skill, measurable or not, to the team, and the third line is not where he will shine. Its early and I expect a bounce back, in a big way. He's just not starting off well. Duchene wasn't good at first after he got married. He's good now, year one into marriage. Newlywed effect, you heard it here first.
- I Am The Breadman

I believe the hawks lead the league with denting the red iron...

over under on hawk points this year:

with a healthy craw who plays 50 games = 85
no craw or minimal craw = 75

Luke Johnson "flu" the coop and Sikura isn't suppose to be in the line-up. Saad-Schmaltz-Kane are the second line. Get it together, Saad. Be a good centre, Schmaltz. Score 500 goals, Kane.

over under on hawk points this year:

with a healthy craw who plays 50 games = 85
no craw or minimal craw = 75
- bogiedoc

I will take the UNDER on both

I will take the UNDER on both
- hawk35

I say 59 points

I say 59 points
- DarthKane

0-82-0

0-82-0
- breadbag

Not even an otl or shootout loss. What a depressing bunch you guys are. Are your rainbows monochrome? Your sunshine always cloudy obscured? Is your unicorn a goat with an ice cream cone on its head?

0-82-0
- breadbag

Glass half full

0-82-0
- breadbag

Don’t forget that they’ll also lose the draft lottery too.

Don’t forget that they’ll also lose the draft lottery too.
- DarthKane

I think they will win the lotto pick, but probably trade it for Gaborik.

I think they will win the lotto pick, but probably trade it for Gaborik.
- breadbag

First overall + Boq + Dcat. Gaborik brings a lot of intangibles.