Not here to portect True Grit, but what he si saying is true :

In their games the Lightning consistently control the puck in the same way the hawks do.

Now in the last blog, I spent time talking about the Lightning players and their strengths.

Grit and I see them up close a lot.

So you guys can try and light up anything we say as untruths but we are just saying it isn't a series you can downplay as the weak East vs the strong West or try and ignore the balance the Lightning have shown.

Sure this series might go four games, or six, or seven, but don't think this is a lucky group of upstarts...it is a group of upstarts that may have been playing without feeling pressure until now.

So I am gonna repeat my post:

I am no Mike Milbury or Keith Jones, nor am I Dan Rosen or an analytics machine spitting out facts. Just what my eyeballs have seen.

Over the core of the last seasons under Yzerman’s supervision they have done things the right way.
They used their Syracuse Crunch AHL farm to develop their youngsters.

They were more than willing to select and wait for Russian prospects that were left on draft boards well pass where they ranked, due to the Russian factor. (“I don’t like it here or can’t wait to play so bye bye back to USSR”, or “Can make more in KHL.”) That let them take arguably the best goalie of the 2012 draft at 19 overall, and Niki Kucherov three picks before the end of the second round in 2011.

Like the hawks they were lucky enough to draft first overall when there was a true star quality player available and second over all when there was a giant fluid defenseman to develop.

Size wasn’t an issue, when they drafted since traded Radko Gudas, a well under six foot tough defender, under six foot Nikita Kucherov, Jonathan Droiun, or the signing of underrated Tyler Johnson who is at best 5 foot 7 and half, no matter what the NHL Guide says.

I could write a couple paragraphs on Tyler Johnson alone. He’s an American from the town where he played Junior with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.
He wasn’t drafted, told his size was the issue, and instead of putting his chin on his sweater and giving up all he did was persevere, get stronger, faster, and on ice smarter.

Let me admit, like most of us on the hawk board, I come from past generations and phases of how the game was played, and although even some of the toughest NHL original six defenders stood 5 foot 9 inches (Bobby Baun), none played in the high paced, big hit, world of giants of today where forwards and defenseman could come as big as ‘bolts Brian Boyle at 6’ 7”, and will make contact with the smaller skilled players with reckless abandon.

So while sitting six rows from the ice and saw Tyler Johnson’s size, I admittedly scoffed that sure, thinking, “Sure, he was really quick and handles the puck well, but he is gonna get caught where he gets hit, and besides, he’ll wear down in a 84 games season.” He got like 50 points last season, his first.
So this year, I had him already “judged” and tried to focus on other guys and what happened is he simply stood out. He really seems to have that gift they say the great players have where they slow the ice down and see the options. And this pistons he has for legs, well, remind me of Louie Angotti (who never could play full speed, but on that occasionally short shift seemed to be faster than the entire ice…man… if the short shift was part of the 60’s game, that might have changed things…ah, but that’s another post…)

Johnson is patient but deadly and get the jump on opponents with the strong low center of gravity
And the rookie linemates, well just remember they saw some ice together in Syracuse (and with Namestnikov and Killorn…) and Palat maybe six foot and thick is also pretty smart and at times strong on the puck. He is more of a lunchpail player who understands “layering” and gets in position and not only works his bags off, places the puck to the right place.
Niki Kucherov is a freaking wild card. His draft year I really liked his hands and release, but figured he would have to wait until early second because of his birthplace.
You better beware because he can get moving and pick a top corner like nobody’s business. He is downright scary and (I know over-used term) can change a game with one shot.
Stamkos has had moments of re-igniting but he has “struggled” in his 43 goal season I think due to nagging injuries. He still has that greta one-timer and quick hands from anywhere inside the attack zone.

It is easy to undervalue the contribution of former Red Wing Vallteri Filppula, a thick six footer who has nicely been a sort of glue at the pivot position. He was well schooled in the system they play and is a pretty good leader who plays to the strengths of his linemates and the situations. When Stamkos was made a wing on his line, he was the grease and oil for the line’s engine.

And Ryan Callaghan? I think all here know what he brings (and some of wish there would have been room for him to bring it to Chicago) and there simply is no need to spend more than a line to say he will do what he has to to win and provide solid leadership to his team.
Brian Boyle was part of the down low game that scored on darling in the game in Tampa I believe. (If not he sure provided enough muck and grease to make me think this Lightning team has such terrific balance and ways to bring in the attack.

It has taken awhile but Victor Hedman at times looked like he finally was playing with the kind of results a top two pick should. (We are quick to castrate a year old Rundblad, but the NHL is a tough league to be on the job trained in.) It became exceedingly clear that on many an occasion, Hedman was comfortable on the rush whether he was part of a two man, three man, or as the fourth man, and you see see him even lead it ala Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, Jones and Josi.
Over the last years he has scored more than one goal on the Hawks from in close, or was part of the numbers leading to them.

The rest of the Lightning defense?
Yeah, i saw the praises heaped on Stralman here, but I probably can say with confidence he and Matt care and Jason Garrison, and Braydon Coburn and Andrj Sustr are big bodies who can lean in, they are a bit slower afoot than a team might like have back there. They are for the most part,smart and have good sticks but they get into to trouble.

The Blackhawks have in regular season games had some problems with the speed of Montreal, Minnesota, even Tampa.
That just means they cut the chances of odd man breaks and work their way through and set up the attack.

I don’t think that this will be a short series, though I think it could go South for the younger team.


I am done praising the opponent.

- Colbyboy[quote=stanleyhawk]Interesting that Hawks brass confide their future trade plans to Brad Richards. Must be planning to promote him to the front office.[/quo


My comments were meant to emphasize the respect the team has for Crawford 'inside the room and around the team"



From the outside players are a Cap Hit but on the inside so much more

Front offices NEVER inform players of trade conversations unless they need to approach them about their NTC or the player requested it

How often do you hear about players finding out they were traded on Twitter or TV and had no clue they are even on the block?

A veteran here on a one year deal has zero knowledge of the front office plans. Ryan Callahan was a highly respected player throughout the rangers organization yet they had to move him because the cap world is unforgiving

- Colbyboy[quote=stanleyhawk]Interesting that Hawks brass confide their future trade plans to Brad Richards. Must be planning to promote him to the front office.[/quo


My comments were meant to emphasize the respect the team has for Crawford 'inside the room and around the team"



From the outside players are a Cap Hit but on the inside so much more

If its any comfort I got the point you were trying to make.

Not here to portect True Grit, but what he si saying is true :

In their games the Lightning consistently control the puck in the same way the hawks do.

Now in the last blog, I spent time talking about the Lightning players and their strengths.

Grit and I see them up close a lot.

So you guys can try and light up anything we say as untruths but we are just saying it isn't a series you can downplay as the weak East vs the strong West or try and ignore the balance the Lightning have shown.

Sure this series might go four games, or six, or seven, but don't think this is a lucky group of upstarts...it is a group of upstarts that may have been playing without feeling pressure until now.

So I am gonna repeat my post:

I am no Mike Milbury or Keith Jones, nor am I Dan Rosen or an analytics machine spitting out facts. Just what my eyeballs have seen.

Over the core of the last seasons under Yzerman’s supervision they have done things the right way.
They used their Syracuse Crunch AHL farm to develop their youngsters.

They were more than willing to select and wait for Russian prospects that were left on draft boards well pass where they ranked, due to the Russian factor. (“I don’t like it here or can’t wait to play so bye bye back to USSR”, or “Can make more in KHL.”) That let them take arguably the best goalie of the 2012 draft at 19 overall, and Niki Kucherov three picks before the end of the second round in 2011.

Like the hawks they were lucky enough to draft first overall when there was a true star quality player available and second over all when there was a giant fluid defenseman to develop.

Size wasn’t an issue, when they drafted since traded Radko Gudas, a well under six foot tough defender, under six foot Nikita Kucherov, Jonathan Droiun, or the signing of underrated Tyler Johnson who is at best 5 foot 7 and half, no matter what the NHL Guide says.

I could write a couple paragraphs on Tyler Johnson alone. He’s an American from the town where he played Junior with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.
He wasn’t drafted, told his size was the issue, and instead of putting his chin on his sweater and giving up all he did was persevere, get stronger, faster, and on ice smarter.

Let me admit, like most of us on the hawk board, I come from past generations and phases of how the game was played, and although even some of the toughest NHL original six defenders stood 5 foot 9 inches (Bobby Baun), none played in the high paced, big hit, world of giants of today where forwards and defenseman could come as big as ‘bolts Brian Boyle at 6’ 7”, and will make contact with the smaller skilled players with reckless abandon.

So while sitting six rows from the ice and saw Tyler Johnson’s size, I admittedly scoffed that sure, thinking, “Sure, he was really quick and handles the puck well, but he is gonna get caught where he gets hit, and besides, he’ll wear down in a 84 games season.” He got like 50 points last season, his first.
So this year, I had him already “judged” and tried to focus on other guys and what happened is he simply stood out. He really seems to have that gift they say the great players have where they slow the ice down and see the options. And this pistons he has for legs, well, remind me of Louie Angotti (who never could play full speed, but on that occasionally short shift seemed to be faster than the entire ice…man… if the short shift was part of the 60’s game, that might have changed things…ah, but that’s another post…)

Johnson is patient but deadly and get the jump on opponents with the strong low center of gravity
And the rookie linemates, well just remember they saw some ice together in Syracuse (and with Namestnikov and Killorn…) and Palat maybe six foot and thick is also pretty smart and at times strong on the puck. He is more of a lunchpail player who understands “layering” and gets in position and not only works his bags off, places the puck to the right place.
Niki Kucherov is a freaking wild card. His draft year I really liked his hands and release, but figured he would have to wait until early second because of his birthplace.
You better beware because he can get moving and pick a top corner like nobody’s business. He is downright scary and (I know over-used term) can change a game with one shot.
Stamkos has had moments of re-igniting but he has “struggled” in his 43 goal season I think due to nagging injuries. He still has that greta one-timer and quick hands from anywhere inside the attack zone.

It is easy to undervalue the contribution of former Red Wing Vallteri Filppula, a thick six footer who has nicely been a sort of glue at the pivot position. He was well schooled in the system they play and is a pretty good leader who plays to the strengths of his linemates and the situations. When Stamkos was made a wing on his line, he was the grease and oil for the line’s engine.

And Ryan Callaghan? I think all here know what he brings (and some of wish there would have been room for him to bring it to Chicago) and there simply is no need to spend more than a line to say he will do what he has to to win and provide solid leadership to his team.
Brian Boyle was part of the down low game that scored on darling in the game in Tampa I believe. (If not he sure provided enough muck and grease to make me think this Lightning team has such terrific balance and ways to bring in the attack.

It has taken awhile but Victor Hedman at times looked like he finally was playing with the kind of results a top two pick should. (We are quick to castrate a year old Rundblad, but the NHL is a tough league to be on the job trained in.) It became exceedingly clear that on many an occasion, Hedman was comfortable on the rush whether he was part of a two man, three man, or as the fourth man, and you see see him even lead it ala Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, Jones and Josi.
Over the last years he has scored more than one goal on the Hawks from in close, or was part of the numbers leading to them.

The rest of the Lightning defense?
Yeah, i saw the praises heaped on Stralman here, but I probably can say with confidence he and Matt care and Jason Garrison, and Braydon Coburn and Andrj Sustr are big bodies who can lean in, they are a bit slower afoot than a team might like have back there. They are for the most part,smart and have good sticks but they get into to trouble.

The Blackhawks have in regular season games had some problems with the speed of Montreal, Minnesota, even Tampa.
That just means they cut the chances of odd man breaks and work their way through and set up the attack.

I don’t think that this will be a short series, though I think it could go South for the younger team.


I am done praising the opponent.
- wiz1901

I just think people are riding the wave of the Hawks being in the Final again. Pretty sure most realize that TB is a very good team with some top notch players up and down the lineup.

Personally, I think ANA D group as a whole is better. Hedman is the real deal and will be a force in the league for a long time.

That picture is funnier than poop
- 6628

Gotta admit the timing was pretty spot on.

You do realize he's NOT the only one doing this...right?
- ArlingtonRob

I have no idea of which you speak, Rob.

Bruce Boudreau said it best after game 7 when he said the Hawks got better as the series progressed. I really believe that is a key reason why the Hawks can beat such good teams. We have all witnessed, this during a deep run to the finals, Taser leads by example and it filters down. It is not how you start a series it is how you finish. Hawks in 6, GO HAWKS!!!

You do realize he's NOT the only one doing this...right?
- ArlingtonRob

I know - but it seems like he is the most annoying - and really enjoys it.

Ogi...

...you have a knack for posting the most perfect images.

Well played sir...
- ArlingtonRob

Technically, that's mostly grass, not weeds, but I do see a couple dandelions which I guess could qualify as weeds, although some eat it in lettuce

I know - but it seems like he is the most annoying - and really enjoys it.
- dahawks8819

It only seems that way because he is.

From Rozner in the Herald this morning...

http://www.dailyherald.co...0150601/sports/150609839/

From Rozner in the Herald this morning...

http://www.dailyherald.co...0150601/sports/150609839/
- HawkintheD

Mornin' D nice column by Roz...

another day of waiting Wednesday night can't get here fast enough...

Nice interview with Soupy here on Sportstalklive yesterday in Chicago.

Very heartfelt and off the cuff comments - have to wonder if Brian ends up back here after the huge contract is up at the end of next season.

http://www.csnchicago.com...rmer-blackhawks-teammates

Not here to portect True Grit, but what he si saying is true :

In their games the Lightning consistently control the puck in the same way the hawks do.

Now in the last blog, I spent time talking about the Lightning players and their strengths.

Grit and I see them up close a lot.

So you guys can try and light up anything we say as untruths but we are just saying it isn't a series you can downplay as the weak East vs the strong West or try and ignore the balance the Lightning have shown.

Sure this series might go four games, or six, or seven, but don't think this is a lucky group of upstarts...it is a group of upstarts that may have been playing without feeling pressure until now.

So I am gonna repeat my post:

I am no Mike Milbury or Keith Jones, nor am I Dan Rosen or an analytics machine spitting out facts. Just what my eyeballs have seen.

Over the core of the last seasons under Yzerman’s supervision they have done things the right way.
They used their Syracuse Crunch AHL farm to develop their youngsters.

They were more than willing to select and wait for Russian prospects that were left on draft boards well pass where they ranked, due to the Russian factor. (“I don’t like it here or can’t wait to play so bye bye back to USSR”, or “Can make more in KHL.”) That let them take arguably the best goalie of the 2012 draft at 19 overall, and Niki Kucherov three picks before the end of the second round in 2011.

Like the hawks they were lucky enough to draft first overall when there was a true star quality player available and second over all when there was a giant fluid defenseman to develop.

Size wasn’t an issue, when they drafted since traded Radko Gudas, a well under six foot tough defender, under six foot Nikita Kucherov, Jonathan Droiun, or the signing of underrated Tyler Johnson who is at best 5 foot 7 and half, no matter what the NHL Guide says.

I could write a couple paragraphs on Tyler Johnson alone. He’s an American from the town where he played Junior with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.
He wasn’t drafted, told his size was the issue, and instead of putting his chin on his sweater and giving up all he did was persevere, get stronger, faster, and on ice smarter.

Let me admit, like most of us on the hawk board, I come from past generations and phases of how the game was played, and although even some of the toughest NHL original six defenders stood 5 foot 9 inches (Bobby Baun), none played in the high paced, big hit, world of giants of today where forwards and defenseman could come as big as ‘bolts Brian Boyle at 6’ 7”, and will make contact with the smaller skilled players with reckless abandon.

So while sitting six rows from the ice and saw Tyler Johnson’s size, I admittedly scoffed that sure, thinking, “Sure, he was really quick and handles the puck well, but he is gonna get caught where he gets hit, and besides, he’ll wear down in a 84 games season.” He got like 50 points last season, his first.
So this year, I had him already “judged” and tried to focus on other guys and what happened is he simply stood out. He really seems to have that gift they say the great players have where they slow the ice down and see the options. And this pistons he has for legs, well, remind me of Louie Angotti (who never could play full speed, but on that occasionally short shift seemed to be faster than the entire ice…man… if the short shift was part of the 60’s game, that might have changed things…ah, but that’s another post…)

Johnson is patient but deadly and get the jump on opponents with the strong low center of gravity
And the rookie linemates, well just remember they saw some ice together in Syracuse (and with Namestnikov and Killorn…) and Palat maybe six foot and thick is also pretty smart and at times strong on the puck. He is more of a lunchpail player who understands “layering” and gets in position and not only works his bags off, places the puck to the right place.
Niki Kucherov is a freaking wild card. His draft year I really liked his hands and release, but figured he would have to wait until early second because of his birthplace.
You better beware because he can get moving and pick a top corner like nobody’s business. He is downright scary and (I know over-used term) can change a game with one shot.
Stamkos has had moments of re-igniting but he has “struggled” in his 43 goal season I think due to nagging injuries. He still has that greta one-timer and quick hands from anywhere inside the attack zone.

It is easy to undervalue the contribution of former Red Wing Vallteri Filppula, a thick six footer who has nicely been a sort of glue at the pivot position. He was well schooled in the system they play and is a pretty good leader who plays to the strengths of his linemates and the situations. When Stamkos was made a wing on his line, he was the grease and oil for the line’s engine.

And Ryan Callaghan? I think all here know what he brings (and some of wish there would have been room for him to bring it to Chicago) and there simply is no need to spend more than a line to say he will do what he has to to win and provide solid leadership to his team.
Brian Boyle was part of the down low game that scored on darling in the game in Tampa I believe. (If not he sure provided enough muck and grease to make me think this Lightning team has such terrific balance and ways to bring in the attack.

It has taken awhile but Victor Hedman at times looked like he finally was playing with the kind of results a top two pick should. (We are quick to castrate a year old Rundblad, but the NHL is a tough league to be on the job trained in.) It became exceedingly clear that on many an occasion, Hedman was comfortable on the rush whether he was part of a two man, three man, or as the fourth man, and you see see him even lead it ala Nashville’s Mattias Ekholm, Jones and Josi.
Over the last years he has scored more than one goal on the Hawks from in close, or was part of the numbers leading to them.

The rest of the Lightning defense?
Yeah, i saw the praises heaped on Stralman here, but I probably can say with confidence he and Matt care and Jason Garrison, and Braydon Coburn and Andrj Sustr are big bodies who can lean in, they are a bit slower afoot than a team might like have back there. They are for the most part,smart and have good sticks but they get into to trouble.

The Blackhawks have in regular season games had some problems with the speed of Montreal, Minnesota, even Tampa.
That just means they cut the chances of odd man breaks and work their way through and set up the attack.

I don’t think that this will be a short series, though I think it could go South for the younger team.


I am done praising the opponent.
- wiz1901

The only one saying anyone is underestimating the Lightening is TG. Few, if anyone, who posts with any frequency has dismissed them. I expect to see fast paced games with both teams looking to make quick transitions out of their zones. A wide open track meet probably favours Tampa but I can't see the Hawks opening it up but instead will try to close the middle of the ice and push the play out to the boards. If the Hawks stars come to play in game one instead of waiting, like they did against Anaheim, I expect the series to end quickly with 4 or 5 low scoring close games. If it takes a game or 3 for the Hawks's best players to become engaged then it goes 6 or 7 and this may favour Tampa. It's imperative Toews, Kane, Hossa, Saad, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Oduya and Crawford to come to play in game one.

Mornin' D nice column by Roz...

another day of waiting Wednesday night can't get here fast enough...
- DK002

Morning DK, was thinking the same about no game til Wednesday.

I liked Barry's column also. Should be a great series. After the Hawks games, I probably watched TBL games the most this postseason.

I knew a little about Tyler Johnson before the playoffs began but he's really made a name for himself so far on the big stage and is a fun player to watch.

I liked one of the things Rozner commented on in terms of age and the Hawks. Many here have commented this season about this Hawk team being old and slow, while BR makes the point that there are only 2 players past their prime (91 and 81 assuming 44 doesn't lace 'em up) and I wouldn't call either of those guys slow.

The only one saying anyone is underestimating the Lightening is TG. Few, if anyone, who posts with any frequency has dismissed them. I expect to see fast paced games with both teams looking to make quick transitions out of their zones. A wide open track meet probably favours Tampa but I can't see the Hawks opening it up but instead will try to close the middle of the ice and push the play out to the boards. If the Hawks stars come to play in game one instead of waiting, like they did against Anaheim, I expect the series to end quickly with 4 or 5 low scoring close games. If it takes a game or 3 for the Hawks's best players to become engaged then it goes 6 or 7 and this may favour Tampa. It's imperative Toews, Kane, Hossa, Saad, Sharp, Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Oduya and Crawford to come to play in game one.
- paulr

Nice assessment Paul. I know it's kind of cliche but I think the Hawks best game beats anyone else's best game.

Top offer sheet targets -- number one with a bullet is Saad:
http://thehockeywriters.c...ry-gm-should-offer-sheet/

I figured that eventually the Anaheim Chicago series would see Quenneville and Boudreau have to lock horns in a chess match. I thought Boudreau was way out of his league to match wits in a tactical war with Q. After the first game Q made huge adjustment bringing the forwards back in his zone to provide support and outlets for the defense to make quick passes to avoid getting hammered each time they had possession in the Hawks zone. Q slowly but surely began picking Boudreau apart and in games 5 and 7 Boudreau with the last change, was unable to get the matchups he wanted except on icing calls. I don't expect Quenneville to embarrass Cooper in the same manner but I do expect there to be a coach's dual getting the matchups they want. I'm curious to see how Copper will fare, at hom and away, against the master of the match up.

Technically, that's mostly grass, not weeds, but I do see a couple dandelions which I guess could qualify as weeds, although some eat it in lettuce
- vabeachbear

Now that's what I call pick'n a nit.

Technically, that's mostly grass, not weeds, but I do see a couple dandelions which I guess could qualify as weeds, although some eat it in lettuce
- vabeachbear

Dandelion greens are delicious, but I prefer them cooked.

Top offer sheet targets -- number one with a bullet is Saad:
http://thehockeywriters.c...ry-gm-should-offer-sheet/
- Marlowe

It's nice knowing he ain't going anywhere.

Front offices NEVER inform players of trade conversations unless they need to approach them about their NTC or the player requested it

How often do you hear about players finding out they were traded on Twitter or TV and had no clue they are even on the block?

A veteran here on a one year deal has zero knowledge of the front office plans. Ryan Callahan was a highly respected player throughout the rangers organization yet they had to move him because the cap world is unforgiving
- FourFeathers773

Appreciate the insight. Zero knowledge is an over statement. We may all be surprised to know how much goes on behind the scenes. Players receive all kinds of perks and opportunities outside the Cap. Enjoy the finals. Next year will be next year. Time as someone else stated to "Smell the Roses"

No offense but relax. I've seen some vindictive stuff about Crow as recently as the 1st round but all of this speculation is really about managing the cap. I personally would like to see him stay but the hard cap is here. It is valid to discuss how this core will be kept together.

And thanks, we do remember the Wirtz/Pulford reign of incompetence. Just because it happened doesn't mean we have to avoid this conversation about the off season. I'd like to see the FO not repeat the mistakes of the Pulford era. This team is worth preserving.
- tredbrta

Yes and moving any of our players is going to hurt. We have to weigh which option hurts least.

I figured that eventually the Anaheim Chicago series would see Quenneville and Boudreau have to lock horns in a chess match. I thought Boudreau was way out of his league to match wits in a tactical war with Q. After the first game Q made huge adjustment bringing the forwards back in his zone to provide support and outlets for the defense to make quick passes to avoid getting hammered each time they had possession in the Hawks zone. Q slowly but surely began picking Boudreau apart and in games 5 and 7 Boudreau with the last change, was unable to get the matchups he wanted except on icing calls. I don't expect Quenneville to embarrass Cooper in the same manner but I do expect there to be a coach's dual getting the matchups they want. I'm curious to see how Copper will fare, at hom and away, against the master of the match up.
- paulr

Have watched all of the Tampa playoff games and they are a very nice team but can be quite inconsistent from game to game. The Red Wings blew a great opportunity to knock them out in the 1st round, going all the way with their #2 goalie. Q will have had the tapes of those games sliced and diced every which way.

IMO the Achilles heel of the Lightning is the general lack of speed on their back end. Hedman is a tremendous defenceman who will be out there every time Toews is - just like the Bruins did with Chara. Stralman has fit in exceptionally well and can really move the puck. Hopefully Bickell is healthy enough to lay the body on Stralman regularly so that halfway thru the series he is playing with pain and uncertainty.

Colbourn and Carle date back to the 2010 Flyers series and neither have gotten faster or better. Garrison has a big shot but is otherwise an average defenceman. There is a reason why Cooper is dressing 7 defenceman now.

Should be a very good series and fun to watch. The Lightning are a little bit like Nashville in reverse - excellent speed and talent up front, slower on the backend. They should have taken Seth Jones in the draft instead of Drouin.

Nice interview with Soupy here on Sportstalklive yesterday in Chicago.

Very heartfelt and off the cuff comments - have to wonder if Brian ends up back here after the huge contract is up at the end of next season.

http://www.csnchicago.com...rmer-blackhawks-teammates
- DK002

Totally possible.