I agree, I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would Call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches , I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches like Torts
and Berube, loved the Chief as a player, and he does not change his style, and torts already won a cop and has been knocking on the door a couple of other times. His GM provided him with the resources for this year. If the boy wonder is provided with the proper resources and he succeeds then good on him. But if not I wouldn’t mind giving Trent Yawney a second chance
- wonthecup10

How is it “taking the game out of the players hands” to enforce the rules of the game? If anything they should call it tighter in the playoffs to ensure that teams win legitimately and not by cheating.

Dallas can beat St. Lois...Defense is king.
- Ogilthorpe2

Was very impressed by their amount of blocked shots and overall gut level. Anybody can win at this time of year, I agree. But, I think St. Louis has discovered the key to their riddle, namely, goaltending. But, winning as opposed to having to win, are two different stories. Binnington as good as he appears, hasn't proven anything yet. Should be a fascinating series.

How is it “taking the game out of the players hands” to enforce the rules of the game? If anything they should call it tighter in the playoffs to ensure that teams win legitimately and not by cheating.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think it's past time to get rid of the saying "the refs don't want to take the game out of the hands of the players".

Whatever the stripes do, they control the game - either by calling the penalties, or by not calling them - they are determining how the game is played - and (perhaps) who actually wins or loses.

Not calling penalties in a game between a heavy team and a speed team - or calling them - will favor one team over the other.

They should call the penalties that happen, and eliminate (or dramatically reduce) the judgment calls as to whether something is a penalty or not.

So what have we learned? Well, in the playoffs it takes forwards committing to a defensive system; jamming up the neutral zone is highly effective; and the Central Division is one bad mother trucker.

Klingberg at $4.25mil through 21/22 or Subban at $9mil through 21/22. Discuss.

How is it “taking the game out of the players hands” to enforce the rules of the game? If anything they should call it tighter in the playoffs to ensure that teams win legitimately and not by cheating.
- Ogilthorpe2

I get what you’re trying to say, but hockey was neverMeant to be a “play nice little Joey game “
Personally I love the way playoff hockey Is played.
During the regular season, too many stoppages of play for nickel dime crap. Let them play.
I think if you privately ask most NHL players they love good old fashion anything Goes hockey.

I agree, I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would Call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches , I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches like Torts
and Berube, loved the Chief as a player, and he does not change his style, and torts already won a cop and has been knocking on the door a couple of other times. His GM provided him with the resources for this year. If the boy wonder is provided with the proper resources and he succeeds then good on him. But if not I wouldn’t mind giving Trent Yawney a second chance
- wonthecup10

Actually they had hardass coaches in Hitchkock and Yeo, although Berube was an enforcer on the ice, he is considered a "players" coach.

Klingberg at $4.25mil through 21/22 or Subban at $9mil through 21/22. Discuss.
- -Doh-

Alex, I’ll take “Defensemen who are better value than PK Subban” for $200.

Subban and big Buff have a lot in common. They can make some great plays, big hits, have great games, and they have great size, speed, power etc.... But they do not bring it every shift, every night, they take poor risks, get out of position.

Buff played on a cup winner and had a good playoffs that year. But his high point total for the Hawks was 36 points. I would not mind a 2009 vintage Buff (25 years old making $3mil per year) or a player like him on the Hawks now. But I would hate a 35 year old Buff making $7.6mil for 2 more years. I imagine Winnipeg feels the same.

I agree, I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would Call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches , I am one that said let’s give the kid a chance, but the more I am watching this stuff unfold this year, playoff hockey is awesome, I love the fact the refs put their whistles away, I wish they would call it that way during the season. Too many stoppages employee and they take the game out of the players hands. That is why I like those hard ass coaches like Torts
and Berube, loved the Chief as a player, and he does not change his style, and torts already won a cop and has been knocking on the door a couple of other times. His GM provided him with the resources for this year. If the boy wonder is provided with the proper resources and he succeeds then good on him. But if not I wouldn’t mind giving Trent Yawney a second chance
- wonthecup10

You must know the story of how Chief finally caught up with Jeremy Roenick and paid him back for JR's sucker punch on him during a game when Roenick played for the Hawks. Chief is one tough dude who came off the reservation in Manitoba where they take down bears and seals for food. And he used some big Saskatchewan farm boys and Ryan O'Reilly to take down the Jets which p$sses people in Winnipeg off big time. But he still doesn't win that series without the kid in net Binnington.

Chief doesn't believe in friends on a hockey rink.

Klingberg at $4.25mil through 21/22 or Subban at $9mil through 21/22. Discuss.
- -Doh-

That should be a marker for Gus. Klinberg is great offensively but not so good defensively.

But, honestly, the St. Louis Blues are more than ready for Dallas. And, that, is never a good thing. Don't see Dallas knocking them off. No way.
- gabriel

If the Blues have as much trouble as the Preds did with Dallas size and speed, Dallas will go on to the next round.

Heiskanen is only getting better in the playoffs. Of all the teams I've watched in the playoffs he has been by far the best defenseman, he even makes Klingberg look like a 3rd pairing defenseman.

The Hawks better be right about Bowen Byram, because if he becomes as good as Heiskanen they have to take him 3rd

How is it “taking the game out of the players hands” to enforce the rules of the game? If anything they should call it tighter in the playoffs to ensure that teams win legitimately and not by cheating.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree the rules are there for a reason so less skilled teams are exactly that

You must know the story of how Chief finally caught up with Jeremy Roenick and paid him back for JR's sucker punch on him during a game when Roenick played for the Hawks. Chief is one tough dude who came off the reservation in Manitoba where they take down bears and seals for food. And he used some big Saskatchewan farm boys and Ryan O'Reilly to take down the Jets which p$sses people in Winnipeg off big time. But he still doesn't win that series without the kid in net Binnington.

Chief doesn't believe in friends on a hockey rink.
- RickJ

Rick, heard that story because we heard it out of JR’s mouth personally a few years ago at an event. I’m sure he tells it quite often. Like I had said in earlier post I hope I see aColumbus /St. Louis final. Because I really like both of those coaches. Torts already won , I am hoping that Chief wins one!

Was wondering whatever happened to Stephen Johns. Apparently he's been on injured reserve retroactive to early October due to "post traumatic headaches." For his long term health, hope he is doing better.

Murphy is a year younger and instead of unfairly having to fill the skates left by Hjalmarsson, another angle is seeing him replace what the Hawks could have had in Johns if they hadn't included him in the Sharp trade.
- AEL_Fox

My biggest issue is for whatever reason Stan felt like he had to make the trade. It's not like Nik was making much more than Murphy is. My other issue is like Hamilton, sometimes he goes forward instead of playing his position, he doesn't think the game well way to many times for me.

IMHO this was just a terrible trade by Stan, trade a top 4 dman for a 3rd pairing dman. Maybe ther light comes on maybe not, but i know Niks light is always on.

100% disagree on NBA model. You don't want players recruiting other players and chasing rings...the NBA is ruined and the declining TV ratings prove it.

Trader David Poile is running out of racetrack in his efforts to win a Cup. Brian Boyle and Wayne Simmonds aren't going to put him over the top, he's got a 37 yr old #1 goaltender, Kyle Turris isn't what he thought he would be and he is going to have to pay Roman Josi a zillion dollars.

Avs are the coming superpower in the Central. The Preds and Jets have had their chances and failed.
- RickJ

100% agreed. The avs are the new bench mark and are about to get stronger....and they also dumped Stasny and Duchene and are still a powerhouse.

If the Blues have as much trouble as the Preds did with Dallas size and speed, Dallas will go on to the next round.

Heiskanen is only getting better in the playoffs. Of all the teams I've watched in the playoffs he has been by far the best defenseman, he even makes Klingberg look like a 3rd pairing defenseman.

The Hawks better be right about Bowen Byram, because if he becomes as good as Heiskanen they have to take him 3rd
- BetweenTheDots

Hope your assessment is spot on. The only caveat I'd make mention of, is that this year's version of the Preds wasn't nearly as good as before. My only concern is Dallas scoring goals enough to match STL. The trade deadline acquisition of Zuke really jump started the Stars. A little guy who plays big. Will be fun to watch.

I happen to be a huge MacKinnon fan so I'm biased. But tell me who is better than him right now in the West and going forward. It certainly isn't Monahan or Kopitar or Johannson or Couture. Maybe Scheiffle. McDavid is his equal with nobody to play with other than Draisatl.

Wayne Gretzky says he is a hybrid of Gordie Howe and Mark Messier.

We"'ll see what happens with the Avs but I like Joe Sakic as the manager of that group. He knows hockey players when he sees them.
- RickJ

kane is the best player in the west.

Darren dreger reporting we are tyring to sign Llya Mikheye 6-2 195 RW that was top 10 in KHL goals Bottom 6 type of player

100% agreed. The avs are the new bench mark and are about to get stronger....and they also dumped Stasny and Duchene and are still a powerhouse.
- SteveRain

Honestly the Avs top line is very good, but let's pull the reigns back a little. Did anyone even entertain the notion that Calgary was going to be playing for the SC? Whoever they face will be a good test for them, that top line won't produce like they did vs Vegas, they may do a little better vs Sharks.

Don't forget they got Grubauer in net, he's not very good

Question is will this team spend towards the cap max or minimum. How much is Rantanen going to command? Very interesting off season looming,

Thanks Rocky for spending money, even sending Huet to minors and eating $4 mil

Am I the only person in the U.S. hoping the Leafs jam it into Boston's ear? Apologies in advance to those fans suffering from close geographical proximity to Leafs Nation. I understand your position. I really do.

If the Blues have as much trouble as the Preds did with Dallas size and speed, Dallas will go on to the next round.

Heiskanen is only getting better in the playoffs. Of all the teams I've watched in the playoffs he has been by far the best defenseman, he even makes Klingberg look like a 3rd pairing defenseman.

The Hawks better be right about Bowen Byram, because if he becomes as good as Heiskanen they have to take him 3rd
- BetweenTheDots

Agreed. Cozens speed up the middle would also be really nice. Size and speed have been giving teams fits all playoffs. The Preds couldn’t keep up with the endless waive of fast Dallas forwards. Side note Polak was really good for Dallas last night. He’s slow as can be but made some great plays with his stick and positioning.

Whatever the Hawks decide they have to hit big on the pick.

Am I the only person in the U.S. hoping the Leafs jam it into Boston's ear? Apologies in advance to those fans suffering from close geographical proximity to Leafs Nation. I understand your position. I really do.
- gabriel

Yes.

Klingberg at $4.25mil through 21/22 or Subban at $9mil through 21/22. Discuss.
- -Doh-

Is there anything to even discuss? Klinberg.