I feel for the Flyers fans. One bad break and the franchise majorly shifted South. Were Pronger healthy and still playing, you would be a serious threat in the East.
- NewToHockey

That was a bad break for sure but there's more to the story. Holmgren did not properly develop defense prospects for the long haul. They finally began paying more attention to drafting defense with top picks. Before that, they rarely used 1st rounders on D and when they did, they missed badly. Instead, they relied on free agency to build the defense, which results in an expensive unit. The Hawks did an outstanding job developing Keith, Seabs, and Hjalmarsson, particularly Keith! One example: the Flyers passed on Maata in favor of Laughton in the 11 draft when they already had 5 or 6 centers. Laughton looks like a good prospect but Maata would have really helped.

It's not all bad news though as the Flyers have done an good job finding good forwards at the end of the first round (Giroux, Justin Williams, Gagne, Sharp & some others).

BTW: Kane would have looked good here had the Hawks not swooped in and won the 07 draft lottery 😰

I feel for the Flyers fans. One bad break and the franchise majorly shifted South. Were Pronger healthy and still playing, you would be a serious threat in the East.
- NewToHockey

Even though I can't stand Pronger there is no denying he is a game-changer. Too bad that big gamble on Bryz was such a failure, too

Sounded so damn dismissive!
- mohel

Good old Beeks from Trading Places...before he became a live gorilla's beeeyotch

Fair enough...so 1 out of 3 years we had flexibility ?
- philco28

I'll see your cap flexibility and raise you two Stanley Cups.

That being said, the real head scratcher from the start for me was the Khabibulin signing. There were other, cheaper options, even without Raanta (Khudobin, for example).

That was a bad break for sure but there's more to the story. Holmgren did not properly develop defense prospects for the long haul. They finally began paying more attention to drafting defense with top picks. Before that, they rarely used 1st rounders on D and when they did, they missed badly. Instead, they relied on free agency to build the defense, which results in an expensive unit. The Hawks did an outstanding job developing Keith, Seabs, and Hjalmarsson, particularly Keith! One example: the Flyers passed on Maata in favor of Laughton in the 11 draft when they already had 5 or 6 centers. Laughton looks like a good prospect but Maata would have really helped.

It's not all bad news though as the Flyers have done an good job finding good forwards at the end of the first round (Giroux, Justin Williams, Gagne, Sharp & some others).

BTW: Kane would have looked good here had the Hawks not swooped in and won the 07 draft lottery 😰
- BOSS_TWEED

Don't say that to loud Christopher......

That was a bad break for sure but there's more to the story. Holmgren did not properly develop defense prospects for the long haul. They finally began paying more attention to drafting defense with top picks. Before that, they rarely used 1st rounders on D and when they did, they missed badly. Instead, they relied on free agency to build the defense, which results in an expensive unit. The Hawks did an outstanding job developing Keith, Seabs, and Hjalmarsson, particularly Keith! One example: the Flyers passed on Maata in favor of Laughton in the 11 draft when they already had 5 or 6 centers. Laughton looks like a good prospect but Maata would have really helped.

It's not all bad news though as the Flyers have done an good job finding good forwards at the end of the first round (Giroux, Justin Williams, Gagne, Sharp & some others).

BTW: Kane would have looked good here had the Hawks not swooped in and won the 07 draft lottery 😰
- BOSS_TWEED

We sure got lucky with Kane. That is to makeup for a few years earlier when we lost out on Malkin for Cam Barker

I'll see your cap flexibility and raise you two Stanley Cups.

That being said, the real head scratcher from the start for me was the Khabibulin signing. There were other, cheaper options, even without Raanta (Khudobin, for example).
- MartiniMan

They prolly brough Khabby back based on his familiarity with the org and the org's comfort level with him.

Can't believe it...but just found out that Khabby is out with a torn rotator cuff ???
I'm only 70 phucking days behind the news cycle

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=699473

I am starting to think I need to find a new hockey discussion board.

Waive a rostered player who presently shows he has the ability to play defense in the NHL, and in the playoffs - furthermore weaken the defense position prior to the playoff ...so that a draft pick can play a few games in March or April ?


Moreover choose the player to waive, not by his ability to play in the 300 NHL games but because the player with 50 NHL games cost you a second rounder in a terribe draft year....
- wiz1901

I think you should save the keystrokes....Maybe have another Manhattan.

If TT plays in the regular season and there isn't an injury...The warning flag I put up last week will be replaced by a large, flashing neon sign.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi

I like the new avatar - now that's a joint! Think the Hawks are finished, or did they need some negative crap to piss them off?
- mohel

I still feel they have as good as chance as anyone MO. For the most part this season its what I have believed all along. Encourage by when they had big games, the usually played very well. EVEN in the ones they lost, they played their game.

I'll see your cap flexibility and raise you two Stanley Cups.

That being said, the real head scratcher from the start for me was the Khabibulin signing. There were other, cheaper options, even without Raanta (Khudobin, for example).
- MartiniMan

I didn't like it because Khabby is always hurt... but Bowman justified the signing because he wanted a back up who was always a starter and Khabby won a Cup. There wasn't a long list with the same qualifications.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi

We sure got lucky with Kane. That is to makeup for a few years earlier when we lost out on Malkin for Cam Barker
- tomcat24

Yeah, good point! Barker never seemed to develop.

That was a bad break for sure but there's more to the story. Holmgren did not properly develop defense prospects for the long haul. They finally began paying more attention to drafting defense with top picks. Before that, they rarely used 1st rounders on D and when they did, they missed badly. Instead, they relied on free agency to build the defense, which results in an expensive unit. The Hawks did an outstanding job developing Keith, Seabs, and Hjalmarsson, particularly Keith! One example: the Flyers passed on Maata in favor of Laughton in the 11 draft when they already had 5 or 6 centers. Laughton looks like a good prospect but Maata would have really helped.

It's not all bad news though as the Flyers have done an good job finding good forwards at the end of the first round (Giroux, Justin Williams, Gagne, Sharp & some others).

BTW: Kane would have looked good here had the Hawks not swooped in and won the 07 draft lottery 😰
- BOSS_TWEED

Speaking of which. I am pretty sure Jeremy Morin is better than Matt Ellison, so one of your extra centers would be nice.

I didn't like it because Khabby is always hurt... but Bowman justified the signing because he wanted a back up who was always a starter and Khabby won a Cup. There wasn't a long list with the same qualifications.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi
- Al

Really, with what Bowman was willing to spend on a back up, was there any better choice on paper than Khabby at the time?

Really, with what Bowman was willing to spend on a back up, was there any better choice on paper than Khabby at the time?
- EKolb13

Not that had been a number 1.

Not that had been a number 1.
- Elbows15

Pretty much...

In hindsight, Bowman would have been better off going with someone like Dan Ellis and saving a million dollars.

Yeah, good point! Barker never seemed to develop.
- BOSS_TWEED

Well he did get us Leddy so it isn't all bad. Still would rather have Malkin, though Sort of like when we traded Hasek to Buffalo. We got a 4th rounder that became Eric Daze who had some good years for us. So it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Still really bad, though

I didn't like it because Khabby is always hurt... but Bowman justified the signing because he wanted a back up who was always a starter and Khabby won a Cup. There wasn't a long list with the same qualifications.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi
- Al

Problem with Khabby was...he hadn't played in a meaningful game since the spring of '09 and was on the north side of 40 when he was brought back. Not a good combo.

Well he did get us Leddy so it isn't all bad. Still would rather have Malkin, though Sort of like when we traded Hasek to Buffalo. We got a 4th rounder that became Eric Daze who had some good years for us. So it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Still really bad, though
- tomcat24

If this team had Malkin, could you imagine the cap problems Bowman would have?

If this team had Malkin, could you imagine the cap problems Bowman would have?
- EKolb13

Speaking of which. I am pretty sure Jeremy Morin is better than Matt Ellison, so one of your extra centers would be nice.
- Elbows15

I just threw up in my mouth...

Nice effort by Jets against Blues, but Blues just score on the pp to go ahead by 1. Blues just come up big in right times this regular season

I still feel they have as good as chance as anyone MO. For the most part this season its what I have believed all along. Encourage by when they had big games, the usually played very well. EVEN in the ones they lost, they played their game.
- Elbows15

I think I'll agree with all that. Winning the Cup seems to take a little edge; a certain extra intensity. For me, I saw that edge all last season and not a ton of it this season. I don't mean that they're not good - I think they've done fine. The only question for me is whether that extra edge shows up when it counts. I hope (and think) that some adversity and doubt could be a good thing in that regard.

Problem with Khabby was...he hadn't played in a meaningful game since the spring of '09 and was on the north side of 40 when he was brought back. Not a good combo.
- philco28

Bulin was clearly a miss by Stan. That's gonna happen to all GM's (for proof, see what happened to Shero after he won the TDL last season). I think Raanta's been fine in the back-up role, though. Thank goodness he had the decency to get injured or Crow would be near death by now. And Bulin's cap hit doesn't hurt because of LTIR - and Stan has used it to the max. But that was a bewildering signing, and many here said it at the time.

I think I'll agree with all that. Winning the Cup seems to take a little edge; a certain extra intensity. For me, I saw that edge all last season and not a ton of it this season. I don't mean that they're not good - I think they've done fine. The only question for me is whether that extra edge shows up when it counts. I hope (and think) that some adversity and doubt could be a good thing in that regard.
- mohel

Lot easier to not have a lapse in a 48 game season compared to an 82 game season. As of now this team is on track to have an almost identical season to the 10 team

Nice effort by Jets against Blues, but Blues just score on the pp to go ahead by 1. Blues just come up big in right times this regular season
- tomcat24

That bounce was SO lucky. God I hate that team