I'll take that bet...what's the wager?
- EnzoD

Enzo - if you are right that the Hawks will be absolutely horrible and will finish at or near dead last in the West, and seem to be gleefully hoping for that result, I am prepared to say “All Hail Enzo!” Of course I will expect an “All Hail Z3Hawk” if I am right which I will be.

He got 20 games for it this time!
- GPHawksfan

they finally got one right!

Luke Johnson should be playing in addition to Hayden. Johnson is centering the line and Hayden should take Martinsen's spot on the wing.
- DarthKane

There is the mixed message from the front office and coaching staff or where this is some disconnect? IDK. If we are trying to develop young players for another run in a few years Hayden is exactly the type of player we need to develop into a middle 6 power forward type.

What is Martinsen going to do for this team long term or short term? Nothing. I love Kruger for what he brought to the Hawks but he isn't in this teams long term plans and doesn't bring enough value to change how this team finishes this year.

Hayden and Johnson should both be playing regularly. Rotate Kruger and Kunitz. Send Martinsen to the AHL.

Not hard to take the pulse of this Board. There is a lot of negativity, much of it very negative. Not me - the Hawks are going to be just fine this season. People forget how easily a record improves. The Hawks were 33-39-10 last season. Win just 3 more games the record is at .500 at 36-36-10. Win 5 more and the record is at 38-34-10 which is 86 points. Win 10 more and the record is at 43-29-10 which is 96 points.

Not surprisingly the Hawks lost lots of games at the very end of last season, when the games were totally meaningless, and the team just wanted the season to end. This negatively skews last season’s record.

Also the Hawks lost lots of games last year where they uncustomarily blew leads. Will be corrected this year. Also in many games last year the Hawks dominated play but ended up losing. Will also be corrected this year.

There were two major sources of chaos last year that would have destroyed any team. 1. The Hawks had awful, soul destroying goaltending. No team in the NHL, no matter how talented can overcome awful goaltending. Already saw it this pre-season when Ward was a sieve. Doesn’t matter what else the team does if the goaltending fails. Goaltending will be better this season, whether it be from an improved Ward and improved Forsberg or a returning Crawford or a promoted Delia.

2. Ulf’s Defensive “System” last year was ludicrous. It was not a Defence First System but actually was an Offensive “System” demanding obscene amounts of penetration in the O-Zone. The problem was the penetration was often non-sensical and not supported by game context. The penetration was often totally unsupportable from a defensive standpoint. The result - the Hawks gave up more odd-man breaks in a few games than other teams were giving up over months.

There seemed to be a change later in the season. It does not seem to be a confusing issue to penetrate when it makes sense to do so, given game context and when it is safe to do so from a defensive standpoint. During training camp there has been an acknowledgement that there were problems last season and steps have been taken to address those problems.

What we will see is that our D-Men are actually better than they seemed last year. Same for the goaltenders.

So what does Z3Hawk predict? Hawks will make the play-offs and will do so easily!
- Z3Hawk

Glad you are optimistic but the Hawks bottom 6 is horrible. There is no depth on this team and the back-end looks like a train wreck right now. Depth wins. The Hawks have none. 5 4th liners in the Bottom 6.

He got 20 games for it this time!
- GPHawksfan

That is what I was hoping for but honestly thought he would get 8.

Just wait for the NHLPA to file a grievance and it will be cut down to 10

Not hard to take the pulse of this Board. There is a lot of negativity, much of it very negative. Not me - the Hawks are going to be just fine this season. People forget how easily a record improves. The Hawks were 33-39-10 last season. Win just 3 more games the record is at .500 at 36-36-10. Win 5 more and the record is at 38-34-10 which is 86 points. Win 10 more and the record is at 43-29-10 which is 96 points.

Not surprisingly the Hawks lost lots of games at the very end of last season, when the games were totally meaningless, and the team just wanted the season to end. This negatively skews last season’s record.

Also the Hawks lost lots of games last year where they uncustomarily blew leads. Will be corrected this year. Also in many games last year the Hawks dominated play but ended up losing. Will also be corrected this year.

There were two major sources of chaos last year that would have destroyed any team. 1. The Hawks had awful, soul destroying goaltending. No team in the NHL, no matter how talented can overcome awful goaltending. Already saw it this pre-season when Ward was a sieve. Doesn’t matter what else the team does if the goaltending fails. Goaltending will be better this season, whether it be from an improved Ward and improved Forsberg or a returning Crawford or a promoted Delia.

2. Ulf’s Defensive “System” last year was ludicrous. It was not a Defence First System but actually was an Offensive “System” demanding obscene amounts of penetration in the O-Zone. The problem was the penetration was often non-sensical and not supported by game context. The penetration was often totally unsupportable from a defensive standpoint. The result - the Hawks gave up more odd-man breaks in a few games than other teams were giving up over months.

There seemed to be a change later in the season. It does not seem to be a confusing issue to penetrate when it makes sense to do so, given game context and when it is safe to do so from a defensive standpoint. During training camp there has been an acknowledgement that there were problems last season and steps have been taken to address those problems.

What we will see is that our D-Men are actually better than they seemed last year. Same for the goaltenders.

So what does Z3Hawk predict? Hawks will make the play-offs and will do so easily!
- Z3Hawk

If you dont have Vezina level Crawford in for forty games minmum the goaltending will earn the lottery pick all by itself. Nothing on the rest of this team will overcome the gaping hole that is the Hawks’ net this season without Crawford at his best.

That is what I was hoping for but honestly thought he would get 8.

Just wait for the NHLPA to file a grievance and it will be cut down to 10
- waitforawhistle

Thank God. I wanted more plus a fine, but I will take it.

Enzo - if you are right that the Hawks will be absolutely horrible and will finish at or near dead last in the West, and seem to be gleefully hoping for that result, I am prepared to say “All Hail Enzo!” Of course I will expect an “All Hail Z3Hawk” if I am right which I will be.
- Z3Hawk

Z3, my man, I love your optimism. I love the cockiness even more. Either way we win. Say we suck, enter the "don't do jack for Jack race" a total help to any team. Say we make it to the playoffs, we prove a lot wrong, have good young guys and good rejuvenated guys, and can make it to the playoffs again. I'm on your side, a playoff spot is not out of the cards. With Crow, anything is possible.

He got 20 games for it this time!
- GPHawksfan

I thought 20 was the right call and said so...way to go NHL...1/4 of the season with out that asshat makes my day....screw him and the caps....

i am sure his mates and coach are falling all over themselves to defend him...

next time it will be 30...because psychopaths like him are never deterred...

I thought 20 was the right call and said so...way to go NHL...1/4 of the season with out that asshat makes my day....screw him and the caps....

i am sure his mates and coach are falling all over themselves to defend him...

next time it will be 30...because psychopaths like him are never deterred...
- bogiedoc

Just in time to play the hawks, that's just great.

Watching ESPN's 30 for 30 on the 85 Bears. One of the best things I've ever seen. Probably the fifth time I watched it.
- I Am The Breadman

Even though that group only won one Super Bowl, it was a historic season nobody will ever forget. To this day, I still watch those old games.

Even though that group only won one Super Bowl, it was a historic season nobody will ever forget. To this day, I still watch those old games.
- z1990z

Just another great period in time I missed due to age. McMahon was a nut always in the news, Da Coach was a nut always in the news, the 46 defense that would probably owe the nfl money if they played today, and the great Sweetness, gretest player in the sport. Rip. McMahon, to me, is the smartest QB of all time. I recommend the 30 for 30 if you haven't seen it, you have to. Disclaimer, it will bring tears to your eyes several times. I will always hate the dolphins and packers, but the packers for a late hit the following year. Damn Charles Martin.

Eichel named Sabres captain. I personally would have chosen someone with more maturity. Pominville makes the most sense especially as a Sabres veteran.

Canucks not naming a captain but will have 4 A's: Edler, Horvat, Tanev, and Sutter.
- AEL_Fox

Can they stop with this nonsense 4 A
Each team should have a captain and 1 A
4 A, what each A has his own platoon.

the great tom wilson: 35 career goals and 29 games of suspension...and he should have gotten more time away over the years...he has gotten away with alot of violent cheap stuff...

no player in the NHL has been penalized more since Wilson entered the league in 2013: 255 penalties (regular-season only) during that span, roughly 20 percent have been majors (58). They add up to 806 minutes, including 11 misconducts and a match penalty. Only two other players (Antoine Roussel and Cody McLeod at 707) have more than 600 penalty minutes. Again, these figures don't even include his postseason misbehavior; suspended four times in his career (all within a 105-game span, including preseason) and fined once.

the caps and trotz made this guy who he is by looking the other way and giving him a huge 5 mil per contract...

Seattle Salmon.

I'll take that bet...what's the wager?
- EnzoD

Z3Hawk love your optimism but I'm with Enzo
On this . Hope I'm very wrong but I think I'll be thinking of the Hawks landing Hughes

Z3Hawk love your optimism but I'm with Enzo
On this . Hope I'm very wrong but I think I'll be thinking of the Hawks landing Hughes
- HamiltonHawk

18%

18%
- StLBravesFan

0% - Because mid season Stan will trade our #1 for Ron Hainsey and a 6th round pick.

Luke Johnson should be playing in addition to Hayden. Johnson is centering the line and Hayden should take Martinsen's spot on the wing.
- DarthKane

I want Hayden in and Kunitz out.

Just another great period in time I missed due to age. McMahon was a nut always in the news, Da Coach was a nut always in the news, the 46 defense that would probably owe the nfl money if they played today, and the great Sweetness, gretest player in the sport. Rip. McMahon, to me, is the smartest QB of all time. I recommend the 30 for 30 if you haven't seen it, you have to. Disclaimer, it will bring tears to your eyes several times. I will always hate the dolphins and packers, but the packers for a late hit the following year. Damn Charles Martin.
- I Am The Breadman

McMahon was a good QB...but could not stay healthy. Obviously the Martin hit was not McMahon's fault. But he had many other injuries too. With a healthy McMahon we would have likely won another Super Bowl. That all said, McMahon has the greatest RB in the history of the game in Payton, and one of the best, if not THE BEST, defenses of all time. He single handedly pulled out the Viking game, but other than that I don't remember many times when we had to rely on him to win us many games.

Seattle Salmon.
- WJDiedrich

Seattle Sockeye is more like it. Steelheads would be good except there's already at least two hockey teams call that.

McMahon was a good QB...but could not stay healthy. Obviously the Martin hit was not McMahon's fault. But he had many other injuries too. With a healthy McMahon we would have likely won another Super Bowl. That all said, McMahon has the greatest RB in the history of the game in Payton, and one of the best, if not THE BEST, defenses of all time. He single handedly pulled out the Viking game, but other than that I don't remember many times when we had to rely on him to win us many games.
- onehundredlevel

He would help against the Ninners in '84 championship game.

If you limit the "Core" to meaning Keith, Seabrook, Toews & Kane....then, YA...the Core has won it THREE times....

The "Core" beyond those 4 has certainly varied....but those main 4 have been there the whole way!!! And been the major parts....(along with goaltending for the 2nd and 3rd Cups)
- hawk35

The Core - the SC hat trick group - also included Sharp, Hossa, and Hammer. Credit where credit is due.

McMahon was a good QB...but could not stay healthy. Obviously the Martin hit was not McMahon's fault. But he had many other injuries too. With a healthy McMahon we would have likely won another Super Bowl. That all said, McMahon has the greatest RB in the history of the game in Payton, and one of the best, if not THE BEST, defenses of all time. He single handedly pulled out the Viking game, but other than that I don't remember many times when we had to rely on him to win us many games.
- onehundredlevel

They wouldn't have won the Vikings game if McMahon wasn't chirping and pissing off Coach. I agree his health was a huge issue. He never took care of himself because he didn't care. He was his own worst enemy.

TOM
WILSON
GIVES
HEAD


shots




- waitforawhistle

Yea unfortunately he doesn't get it, too bad, he's a decent hockey player