It's still early but it appears that Q has reduced the speed on his blender from "crush" to "stir gently".

Maybe this is on the recommendation of management, feed back from the players, self introspection or all of the above. But I am glad he did lower his speed and I think the results have been favorable.
- -Doh-

They are winning. He normally sticks pretty consistent when they are winning. Save for last year when we carried 8D which was just plain stupid.

He changed a bunch of things after the TB, AZ and Wild games.

So you think the leafs are going to take back an overpaid, slow defenseman with a bad back? The word here in Toronto is Nylander is looking for allot more than $6M a season. As for
Boqvist, Mitchell et all, the next step to the NHL is huge. It's a long shot one will make the jump and probably no chance all of them do at once. Schmaltz is close to ability to Nylander with more cost certainty plus he's homegrown which is good for team chemistry. If and when the leafs unload Nylander I think you'll find their asking price will be more than the Hawks can afford.
- paulr

The Leafs are staring down the possibility of Nylander holding out the entire season, and losing him as a UFA for nothing. They just can't afford Nylander since Matthews will get $12mil and Marner will get $8mil. I'm just not a fan of Murphy, and getting his $3.5mil off the books would be a big benefit, especially with some attractive UFA's next summer. Like you say, the new NHL is all about speed and skill, and Nylander with Cat-Toews or Nylander with Kane would be fun.

I guess you never liked Steve Larmer who always acted like he'd scored or assisted before.
- paulr

Larmer played in what I considered my “dead” era.....anything between when they let Bobby hull sign with the new league and when dollar bill wirtz died right at the cusp of the current team’s run. I know he was a good player; don’t think I ever saw him play more than a game or two.

I like the looks of that. D is/will be fine.
I'm pretty much happy with the top 6. If they can get a winger, fine, if they don't, also fine. The price would be too high. Bottom 6, mainly the 4th line, needs a little work.

You just posted this in better detail. I'm always slow to the draw.
- I Am The Breadman

We all converse and learn from each other so no worries!

They are winning. He normally sticks pretty consistent when they are winning. Save for last year when we carried 8D which was just plain stupid.

He changed a bunch of things after the TB, AZ and Wild games.
- Chunk

The constant change was finding a home for Saad, he started with Kane ... he finally ended with Kane. Too bad Shaw ain't between them. I liked that line a lot.

Q is good with consistency after wins, I agree. TB was a huge wake up call that change gonna come.

Blues game is going to be interesting, they’re in free fall mode. Not really sure what their problem is besides Allen, but something’s amiss.
- walleyeb1

Maybe a coach who has a losing pedigree

Manning is not that bad. I wouldn't say Davidson is better.

Hawks are playing well, ride on that poop. Too many positives to complain about petty stuff.

https://www.nhl.com/news/nhlcom-players-poll-favorite-to-watch/c-301270178?tid=277548856[url]


NHL.com players poll: Favorite to watch

McDavid, Kane, Crosby dominate in must-see category

The Leafs are staring down the possibility of Nylander holding out the entire season, and losing him as a UFA for nothing. They just can't afford Nylander since Matthews will get $12mil and Marner will get $8mil. I'm just not a fan of Murphy, and getting his $3.5mil off the books would be a big benefit, especially with some attractive UFA's next summer. Like you say, the new NHL is all about speed and skill, and Nylander with Cat-Toews or Nylander with Kane would be fun.
- EnzoD

Are you sure he'll be a UFA?

You are forever listing the height and weight of players, especially bigger ones. Who do you think will be one of the first posters who will be complaining about team size/toughness when Nylander is no where to be found in a tough game or series, like he was last spring against Boston. Oh and who would also be one of the first posters complaing that Bowman keeps acquiring 98 lb weakling smurfs?

Manning is not that bad. I wouldn't say Davidson is better.

Hawks are playing well, ride on that poop. Too many positives to complain about petty stuff.
- Felon454

That's what I'm saying, man. This board has a tendency to go to the extremes quickly based on a win or a loss.

LOL'ing at all the "Q won't make it to February and he should be out before then" talk on here after they lost a game.

I get the frustration after last season, but this is a different team--that's obvious. There's a completely different buzz on the ice. It's a long season, there's going to be some losses, off nights, etc., etc.

I love how they've started, so let's see how it goes.

One game at a time, fellas

Cam Ward - 4.23 GAA + 88.5% save

Corey Crawford - 1.52 GAA + 94.6% save

Agreed with the first two sentences and the last one, but even with an AHL dman in the lineup...I can't wish injury on the guy. Unfortunately, I fear we are stuck watching Manning this year and next, another brilliant Stan Bowman signing! Good for Stan as appears to have found a legit NHL winger in Kahun. But Kunitz, unless hes a HUGE voice in the locker room and on the bench....probably worse at hockey today than John Scott or Brandon Mashinter both were.



Murphy + 2nd for Nylander??
- EnzoD

That would never get Nylander. Murphy is poop so a 2nd isn't nearly enough.

That's what I'm saying, man. This board has a tendency to go to the extremes quickly based on a win or a loss.

LOL'ing at all the "Q won't make it to February and he should be out before then" talk on here after they lost a game.

I get the frustration after last season, but this is a different team--that's obvious. There's a completely different buzz on the ice. It's a long season, there's going to be some losses, off nights, etc., etc.

I love how they've started, so let's see how it goes.

One game at a time, fellas
- Hank3Henshaw

The biggest difference between this year and the past two or three is The Captain! He is the leader of this team and sets the tone with the way he plays on the ice and the way he prepares off of it. We don't have the official word on what has been ailing him the past few years - my guess is still concussions - but whatever it was, he's over it and he is now back! (hmm, or maybe it was his back...)

If he stays healthy, there is hope for this season. He works well with Q and that helps get all of the guys on the same page. I think they need more talent on the roster - Forsling and Murphy may help, but that's TBD. Some of the guys in Rockford might help down the road too. But I'd really like to see NHL level guys added from other teams if at all possible (without mortgaging the future.)

ADB has a scary fast release and he can pick corners from the tops of the circles.

The kid is incredibly talented and knows how to get into the soft areas and make himself available for a pass.
- fattybeef

The way he scores reminds me of Phil Kessel (minus the fat and the speed) more than the way Panarin played here

Murphy is a waste of nearly $4mil in cap space for a 3rd pair dman with terrible foot speed(who now has a bad back). I'm impressed by Nylander when I watch him play. Murphy at $3.5mil or Nylander at $6mil? easy choice for me. Boquist will make the team next year, and I wouldn't bet against Mitchell making the team either. Dahlstrom looks like a legit 3rd pair guy. Keith, Seabs, Jokiharju and those guys (plus Forsling) and the D is pretty full already. Nylander is a legit talent and can be acquired for a discount given the Leafs predicament. hell, I'd trade and sign Nylander then flip him for Dman, if possible.
- EnzoD

Why can he be had for a discount? It's not like they can't score and sent winning without him. They can leave him like tampa did with Drouin and deal him on their terms. Depth and winning right now gives them lots of options.

Are you sure he'll be a UFA?

You are forever listing the height and weight of players, especially bigger ones. Who do you think will be one of the first posters who will be complaining about team size/toughness when Nylander is no where to be found in a tough game or series, like he was last spring against Boston. Oh and who would also be one of the first posters complaing that Bowman keeps acquiring 98 lb weakling smurfs?
- paulr

6' 191lbs per Hockey Reference. Adequate size given his skill and speed. You bet your sarcastic ass that the Hawks need more power wingers in the top 9, but the ability to shed Murphy's cap hit and acquire a young Top line winger at a discount....it was a suggestion. Kahun is smaller and less skilled, and has been a great fit with Toews and Cat. Imagine what they could do with Nylander on the line??

Also, Nylander has 8 points in 13 career playoff games, so maybe check your facts before your next snide remark. I know it's hard to control yourself and check facts before jumping at the opportunity to mock someone on the internet.

The Leafs are staring down the possibility of Nylander holding out the entire season, and losing him as a UFA for nothing. They just can't afford Nylander since Matthews will get $12mil and Marner will get $8mil. I'm just not a fan of Murphy, and getting his $3.5mil off the books would be a big benefit, especially with some attractive UFA's next summer. Like you say, the new NHL is all about speed and skill, and Nylander with Cat-Toews or Nylander with Kane would be fun.
- EnzoD

Nylander is 5 years away from UFA status. That's a pretty long hold out.

The way he scores reminds me of Phil Kessel (minus the fat and the speed) more than the way Panarin played here
- GPHawksfan

Your comparison made me chuckle. Just checking, but do you think Kessel or DeBrincat is faster?

Your comparison made me chuckle. Just checking, but do you think Kessel or DeBrincat is faster?
- AEL_Fox

Kessel. Debrincat's speed has improved but ole Phil is close to Nick schmaltz fast. He just doesn't look like he trying.

Kessel. Debrincat's speed has improved but ole Phil is close to Nick schmaltz fast. He just doesn't look like he trying.
- GPHawksfan

Yeah, Kessel is deceptively fast. DeBrincat is quick but not a speed merchant. Schmaltz and Fortin are faster.

Yeah, Kessel is deceptively fast. DeBrincat is quick but not a speed merchant. Schmaltz and Fortin are faster.
- AEL_Fox

Why did Tor let him go?
Agree on the speed.

Manning is not that bad. I wouldn't say Davidson is better.

Hawks are playing well, ride on that poop. Too many positives to complain about petty stuff.
- Felon454

He’s god awful.

Why did Tor let him go?
Agree on the speed.
- I Am The Breadman

They were purging their roster and starting over. Got Kapanen and a first and a nothing dman prospect and kick started their tank. Worked out alright for them so far.

They were purging their roster and starting over. Got Kapanen and a first and a nothing dman prospect and kick started their tank. Worked out alright for them so far.
- GPHawksfan

Thanks. Haha, it's working alright, besides Kap. They keep paying a multiple Stanley Cup champ while the maple sleeps keep trying to put it all together.

GOHAWKSFAN - read about your TV issues. Even with Centre Ice can get blackouts. We run things off Apple TV and buy Sportsnet and TSN as stand alones too. When you do this the blackout games become available - at least where we are. Hope this helps.
- Z3Hawk

Also, try caststream.com.

It may be 30 seconds or so behind real time, but I find the quality exceptional. And it gives you home and away feeds from ALL games on a given night.