It may be sacrilege here, but the beer league coach plays Z a lot, in tough situations, and against the other team's good players (just what it looks like to me, stat peeps feel free to correct me). It seems they don't think he sux, like many here do.
- mohel

He and Murphy together. Other team has to have their heads on a swivel. Not the fastest pair but don't get too close to the net.

If a player wants to opt-out of the season, they must provide written notice to the league.

They announced all that opted out for last year's playin (green, Harmonic, etc.) I know of one from Buffalo that opted out this year. Don't you think word of Toews would of gotten out if he opted out because of COVID?
- LAHawk

Yes. I don't think they'd lie about medical issues or illness to "cover up" something like this. Especially concerning a guy who is known around the league for his solid character.

Which means what?
- mohel

There's no issue with him lying and his credibility.

What I find interesting is whatever the issue with Toews is, it hasn’t leaked. A year ago the drummer of Rush, Neil Peart, passed away and the public had no idea he had been suffering with terminal brain cancer for three years. After his death dozens, up to 60, of his friends stepped forward and said he had held them to secrecy. That tells me he was so well loved and respected by his friends they respected his wishes in a time when people can’t seemingly help themselves but to run to the press with a story. I’d be surprised if Toews’ teammates don’t know what the problem is but respect him too much to leak the story. This also concerns me, and I’m speculating, that whatever Toews’ problem is it’s not good.

If a player wants to opt-out of the season, they must provide written notice to the league.

They announced all that opted out for last year's playin (green, Harmonic, etc.) I know of one from Buffalo that opted out this year. Don't you think word of Toews would of gotten out if he opted out because of COVID?
- LAHawk

And can a team treat a player who opts out as an LTIR? My understanding of an LTIR decision is that it has to be approved by an MD or equivalent.

What I find interesting is whatever the issue with Toews is, it hasn’t leaked. A year ago the drummer of Rush, Neil Peart, passed away and the public had no idea he had been suffering with terminal brain cancer for three years. After his death dozens, up to 60, of his friends stepped forward and said he had held them to secrecy. That tells me he was so well loved and respected by his friends they respected his wishes in a time when people can’t seemingly help themselves but to run to the press with a story. I’d be surprised if Toews’ teammates don’t know what the problem is but respect him too much to leak the story. This also concerns me, and I’m speculating, that whatever Toews’ problem is it’s not good.
- paulr

When they announced his LTIR, they said it was not life threatening, but the longer that there is silence, the more rumors are going to circulate.

It may be sacrilege here, but the beer league coach plays Z a lot, in tough situations, and against the other team's good players (just what it looks like to me, stat peeps feel free to correct me). It seems they don't think he sux, like many here do.
- mohel

I think Colliton has actually done a pretty good job overall. No, I don't agree with every move he makes (every breath he takes....), his line combinations and pairings, etc. and a lot of my disagreement comes from the time and situations that Zadorov is put in.

I'm not a huge dig into the advanced stats guy. I tend to rely more on what my eyes tell me. What they see so far is that Mitchell, Beaudin, Boqvist and Carlsson have all played better than big Z. This of course takes nothing in terms of zone starts, QOC, Corsi, etc. into account. My guess is the younger guys play much more protected minutes, and I get that. I still think Z sux, and frankly deHaan hasn't been too far behind him.

There's no issue with him lying and his credibility.
- rpeters01

I agree, because I don't think he opted out.

If he did opt out, and lied about it, big credibility problem. And the team, and current and former teammates perpetuating the deception to help cover it. No chance it happened, but big issue if it did.

What I find interesting is whatever the issue with Toews is, it hasn’t leaked. A year ago the drummer of Rush, Neil Peart, passed away and the public had no idea he had been suffering with terminal brain cancer for three years. After his death dozens, up to 60, of his friends stepped forward and said he had held them to secrecy. That tells me he was so well loved and respected by his friends they respected his wishes in a time when people can’t seemingly help themselves but to run to the press with a story. I’d be surprised if Toews’ teammates don’t know what the problem is but respect him too much to leak the story. This also concerns me, and I’m speculating, that whatever Toews’ problem is it’s not good.
- paulr

Again with the logic.....

I think the exact same thing.

Would you trade for Ekholm? What would you trade to get him?

If it were true that Toews opted out, but lied through his teeth about why he's not here, his credibility would be in the toilet.
- mohel

I doubt he opted out and is fibbing.

If so, then the Hawks organ-I-zation would be complicit also. And if you consider the penalties the league imposed on Arizona for their pre-draft violations I doubt they would agree to go along with it.

Besides, a non-team doctor has to sign off on any LTIR to satisfy the league and I assume whoever the insurance carrier is that is covering the contract.

When they announced his LTIR, they said it was not life threatening, but the longer that there is silence, the more rumors are going to circulate.
- LAHawk

The strange thing is there seems to be very few rumours, or at least I haven’t heard many?

Next 3 games against Tampa should tell us whether the Hawks can actually compete for a playoff spot or not. To me, it’s not the final scores that matter, it is how the young guys play.

I hope JC gives especially Bovquist and Mitchell big minutes, and doesn’t try and chase score and games, but continues the developement process.

Forwards are what they are. The Hawks are so thin after injury, you might see Kane playing 30 minutes. Walmart has been such a disappointment, I can’t wait for Strome to come back from concussion protocol.
- LAHawk

I agree LA. In fact it is not only "how the young guys play" in these 3 games. It is what do they learn? How do they adjust going forward? Do they stay disciplined and calm or do they go spastic? Do they grow or do they shrink? Do they play physical or avoid contact, avoid board battles, avoid the dirty areas?

One telltale sign I look for is are they willing to carry the puck and make plays or do they treat the puck like a hot potato and just try to get it off their stick as soon as they can.

The strange thing is there seems to be very few rumours, or at least I haven’t heard many?
- paulr

There were some "you got this" type Tweets from former teammates. Doesn't mean they know anything, though. The silence is disconcerting.

Agreed. I think Mitchell had a great game last night. I wonder if they may put Beaudin with Keith for a few games when he comes back from Rockford. I really like his game too, but his primary partner was Zadorov, so he had little room for error.
- tvetter

Theo - which side is Beaudin playing at the Rock. If he is playing the LD, maybe they keep him in Rockford unless they move deHaan or Zadorov or there is an injury?

Would you trade Strome for Gagner? Too much? Too little?

I am just suggesting for the rest of the year if they want to try to make a run at a playoff spot. He is 31 and has an $850,000 cap hit. UFA after the year. We really do not have anyone on the Taxi Squad or the Rock that screams I should be in the NHL. So he would not be blocking anyone.

Strome will be 24 in a week. $3mil cap hit for another year. On concussion protocol. Does not really project as a top 2 center. Really not a great fit with the Hawks as currently constructed, other than insurance at the center position.

The strange thing is there seems to be very few rumours, or at least I haven’t heard many?
- paulr

Just prior to training camp #19 announced he wouldn't be there and gave the reason. The Hawks have said nothing other than when Bowman mentioned he/they check in with him with some regularity (not daily).

I believe there is a legitimate medical reason. And the insurer responsible for covering the $ on his contract surely have all of the medical details and know there is no hoax going on.

Just prior to training camp #19 announced he wouldn't be there and gave the reason. The Hawks have said nothing other than when Bowman mentioned he/they check in with him with some regularity (not daily).

I believe there is a legitimate medical reason. And the insurer responsible for covering the $ on his contract surely have all of the medical details and know there is no hoax going on.
- RickJ

I never for a second thought it was a hoax. For the reasons you state I’m sure it’s all above board and Toews has a legitimate health issue. Hopefully whatever it is, is not something that will impact his life in the future and will allow him to resume his career.

Would you trade Strome for Gagner? Too much? Too little?

I am just suggesting for the rest of the year if they want to try to make a run at a playoff spot. He is 31 and has an $850,000 cap hit. UFA after the year. We really do not have anyone on the Taxi Squad or the Rock that screams I should be in the NHL. So he would not be blocking anyone.

Strome will be 24 in a week. $3mil cap hit for another year. On concussion protocol. Does not really project as a top 2 center. Really not a great fit with the Hawks as currently constructed, other than insurance at the center position.
- -Doh-

No, Sam Gagner hasn't drifted between 7-8 teams in his career because he is any good. He definitely is not a JC type of player anyway. Maybe a pick-up if he was put on waivers, but i would not trade him for anything that breathes.

Would you trade Strome for Gagner? Too much? Too little?

I am just suggesting for the rest of the year if they want to try to make a run at a playoff spot. He is 31 and has an $850,000 cap hit. UFA after the year. We really do not have anyone on the Taxi Squad or the Rock that screams I should be in the NHL. So he would not be blocking anyone.

Strome will be 24 in a week. $3mil cap hit for another year. On concussion protocol. Does not really project as a top 2 center. Really not a great fit with the Hawks as currently constructed, other than insurance at the center position.
- -Doh-

If they're going to trade Strome, they need to do it when he produces as he does when healthy. They aren't going to get much now.

As for Gagner, we all remember the 8 point night, and it's easy to overvalue him because of it.

I think Colliton has actually done a pretty good job overall. No, I don't agree with every move he makes (every breath he takes....), his line combinations and pairings, etc. and a lot of my disagreement comes from the time and situations that Zadorov is put in.

I'm not a huge dig into the advanced stats guy. I tend to rely more on what my eyes tell me. What they see so far is that Mitchell, Beaudin, Boqvist and Carlsson have all played better than big Z. This of course takes nothing in terms of zone starts, QOC, Corsi, etc. into account. My guess is the younger guys play much more protected minutes, and I get that. I still think Z sux, and frankly deHaan hasn't been too far behind him.
- TheTrob

I don't see that at all Mitchell is ok to good Beaudin in the minors for a reason he over handles the puck Boqvist has major ups and downs and in MHO should be in the A Carlsson is ok nothing special and never will be but ok . Zadorov is far from pretty but uses his big body well protects the puck jumps into the rush and can deliver a game changing body check at any moment .He is also only 25 plenty of time to develop even more .

No, Sam Gagner hasn't drifted between 7-8 teams in his career because he is any good. He definitely is not a JC type of player anyway. Maybe a pick-up if he was put on waivers, but i would not trade him for anything that breathes.
- LAHawk

Do you think the Bowman haters would be impressed if he were to trade away a deceased person?

The Atlanta Baseball Club is owned by a publicly traded company, so we get a rare peek into the financials. In 2020, the team had an operating loss of $49M, and pure revenue of $178M. 2019 showed revenues of $476 million and had a $54 million dollar profit. Of course, baseball had a full season with no fans, while hockey hasn't (yet). Hockey very likely is more dependent on the gate than is baseball. The finances of the teams can't be pretty, especially small market teams.

Do you think the Bowman haters would be impressed if he were to trade away a deceased person?
- paulr

According to some on this blog, that would be Nylander.

Theo - which side is Beaudin playing at the Rock. If he is playing the LD, maybe they keep him in Rockford unless they move deHaan or Zadorov or there is an injury?
- -Doh-

On Saturday, Beaudin played LD with Regula as his partner on the right.

Prior to Beaudin's arrival in Rockford, Regula was exclusively playing LD usually with Osipov (both are righties).

Kalynuk (LD) has been paired with Franson.