Cubs TV ratings for the World Series were lower than the White Sox in 2005...just sayin
- EnzoD

Will attribute that to it being 2 major market teams rather than just 1 (oh and the vast difference in number of Cubs bars around the city).

If they win, I hope it will finally be an end to the long-suffering organization narrative everyone loves.
- Hank3Henshaw

I hope so too, btw it's lived and endured, not loved.

Will attribute that to it being 2 major market teams rather than just 1 (oh and the vast difference in number of Cubs bars around the city).
- pdx2ord

Could be that the number of Cubs fans watching in 2005 far exceeds the number Sox fans watching in 2016.

Concerned with him getting waived so quickly that his NHL career is in jeopardy. Didn't see him play much but doesn't sound like he has what it takes to stick.
- TyCamScore

Pulkinnen can shoot the puck. Unfortunately, that's all he can do. He's a one-trick pony.

IMHO, if he played center, maybe the Hawks might take a shot at him.

Teemu Pulkkinen Waived...

Any reason to think maybe he could get claimed and then move Schmaltz to Rockford for seasoning? I think it would save the Hawks like 100K with schmaltz contract a little higher than Pulk's...
- gnosox1986

Waived by Detroit and now Minny??

Pulkinnen can shoot the puck. Unfortunately, that's all he can do. He's a one-trick pony.

IMHO, if he played center, maybe the Hawks might take a shot at him.
- EKB13

No doubt, he was a -3 against the Isle last week.

Teemu Pulkkinen Waived...

Any reason to think maybe he could get claimed and then move Schmaltz to Rockford for seasoning? I think it would save the Hawks like 100K with schmaltz contract a little higher than Pulk's...
- gnosox1986

Pulkkinen's skating ability is an issue with him in the NHL and why he's been waived twice in a short span. Great shot, but that doesn't help much if he can't skate well enough to get it off. If people were concerned about Pokka's skating, they might dislike Pulkkinen even more.

No doubt, he was a -3 against the Isle last week.
- Lido_Shuffle

+/- isn't good stat for individual evaluation.

I hope so too, btw it's lived and endured, not loved.
- BetweenTheDots

I'd say the larger percentage of fans embrace/love it to an extent. For years, people have stood behind the organization under the "well, they're our lovable losers" mentality.

Certainly one of the most romanticized teams in sports history. Nothing is ever their fault. It's always some outside force, like a curse, that is the reason they can't get it together.

They play the role of the downtrodden franchise/team. Why? Because that's the angle the front office has built and marketed for years and the fans accept it. I wouldn't mind them so much if they just put all the curse/Bartman/108 years talk behind them and moved on. They've been a 100 + winning team for two years and have a huge payroll. They're stacked with talent and will be a powerhouse for the next few years. They should win the WS--no reason they shouldn't.

What will people do once they win and the whole lore of the "underdog" (even though they aren't) is gone?

It'll be interesting to see.

Glad you are nowhere NEAR any decisions on this team and are comfortably confined to the interwebs where you can do no harm.

Motte, like just about everyone on this team, is still transitioning, but has proven he belongs in the NHL. A turnover? A couple penalties? That's your argument? And offensive zone play takes time to develop chemistry. The fact he was "in the way" is NOT indicative of his hockey talent. And bad in the D zone? You mean like the other 20 guys on the team? Q seems to think he's good enough to work some PK time...in fact, I've seen him play the PK before and I think in time he's going to be a staple on our PK...

Q has even come out and said he's very pleased with Motte...sure, there are some things he needs to work on, but it's clearly intelligent to help him develop as he will BE A KEY cog on this team this year...I think I'll trust Q on this one.
- kwolf68

He coughed up the puck to Johnny Hockey in the 1st period, then tripped him to get a penalty. PPG against. That's what you like? A professional puts his head down and back checks his ass off after turning it over. He took a lazy, rookie penalty.

Or how about the double minor high sticking penalty in the O zone in the second period, where he tried to lift the stick instead of taking the body on the fore-check.

Not writing him off, but he's played all of 5 games in the A after his college season ended. I don't think he's ready to make the jump directly from the NCAA to the NHL. Most aren't. And he's one of the never ending cycle of wings who have been an anchor on Toews left side.

Maybe he'll be better on the 3rd line, where not as much is expected. But I stand by my statement. He's not ready to play alongside Toews, at this early point of his career, and would benefit greatly by a year in Rockford. He's with the Hawks because they don't have many other options.

+/- isn't good stat for individual evaluation.
- L_B_R

I know, I was just trying to make a point that he doesn't play very good defense.

I know, I was just trying to make a point that he doesn't play very good defense.
- Lido_Shuffle

I have to respectfully disagree.

I've seen him hustle back and break up many plays/passes.

He coughed up the puck to Johnny Hockey in the 1st period, then tripped him to get a penalty. PPG against. That's what you like? A professional puts his head down and back checks his ass off after turning it over. He took a lazy, rookie penalty.

Or how about the double minor high sticking penalty in the O zone in the second period, where he tried to lift the stick instead of taking the body on the fore-check.

Not writing him off, but he's played all of 5 games in the A after his college season ended. I don't think he's ready to make the jump directly from the NCAA to the NHL. Most aren't. And he's one of the never ending cycle of wings who have been an anchor on Toews left side.

Maybe he'll be better on the 3rd line, where not as much is expected. But I stand by my statement. He's not ready to play alongside Toews, at this early point of his career, and would benefit greatly by a year in Rockford. He's with the Hawks because they don't have many other options.
- scottak

Well...he IS a rookie. And he's learning on the job. Give him a break. they don't have anyone else to take his place. So what's your solution?

Well...he IS a rookie. And he's learning on the job. Give him a break. they don't have anyone else to take his place. So what's your solution?
- CanOCorn

I have to respectfully disagree.

I've seen him hustle back and break up many plays/passes.
- Hank3Henshaw

Pulkkinen?

- EnzoD

Bite your dang tongue!

Pulkkinen?
- L_B_R

The original comment was about Motte, I thought. I'm pro-Motte.

I'd say the larger percentage of fans embrace/love it to an extent. For years, people have stood behind the organization under the "well, they're our lovable losers" mentality.

Certainly one of the most romanticized teams in sports history. Nothing is ever their fault. It's always some outside force, like a curse, that is the reason they can't get it together.

They play the role of the downtrodden franchise/team. Why? Because that's the angle the front office has built and marketed for years and the fans accept it. I wouldn't mind them so much if they just put all the curse/Bartman/108 years talk behind them and moved on. They've been a 100 + winning team for two years and have a huge payroll. They're stacked with talent and will be a powerhouse for the next few years. They should win the WS--no reason they shouldn't.

What will people do once they win and the whole lore of the "underdog" (even though they aren't) is gone?

It'll be interesting to see.
- Hank3Henshaw

Sour Grapes:
https://youtu.be/oQ9IF5AFiYQ

I am looking forward to seeing those top 2 lines tonight.

The original comment was about Motte, I thought. I'm pro-Motte.
- Hank3Henshaw

Ah, the original comment was about Pulkkinen - someone asked if he was worth a waiver claim, someone else mentioned he was a -3 in his last game, and I said +/- isn't a good stat. It was easy to mix in with the Motte conversation, though most think he's pretty good defensively.

I'd say the larger percentage of fans embrace/love it to an extent. For years, people have stood behind the organization under the "well, they're our lovable losers" mentality.

Certainly one of the most romanticized teams in sports history. Nothing is ever their fault. It's always some outside force, like a curse, that is the reason they can't get it together.

They play the role of the downtrodden franchise/team. Why? Because that's the angle the front office has built and marketed for years and the fans accept it. I wouldn't mind them so much if they just put all the curse/Bartman/108 years talk behind them and moved on. They've been a 100 + winning team for two years and have a huge payroll. They're stacked with talent and will be a powerhouse for the next few years. They should win the WS--no reason they shouldn't.

What will people do once they win and the whole lore of the "underdog" (even though they aren't) is gone?

You do realize that's all market media driven.

You know that's all market media. I don't know a Cubs fan who's been happy with them losing. Cubs

It'll be interesting to see.
- Hank3Henshaw

I don't disagree, the whole lovable losers media campaign was horrible. Last game I went to years ago real

And there are many many casual Cub fans. It's been frustrating over the years to see an inept franchise not held accountable for it.

True that.

The one guy I've been impressed with (so far) in Rockford is Lundberg. The kid can skate, hit, and isn't afraid of much.

However, I haven't seen him line-up at center yet.
- EKB13

Got a feeling we will see him soon. Either mid-late season or a possible call up for the playoffs.

Could be that the number of Cubs fans watching in 2005 far exceeds the number Sox fans watching in 2016.
- JPBurke27

Nah, I think it has much more to do with putting it on cable tv. What every game was on FSN. Now they're wondering why more people aren't watch ing it. Went to visit my son at college and he had to stream it for us to watch, back when the Sox were in the series it was on network stations.

Their own greed is hurting their brand.

Sour Grapes:
https://youtu.be/oQ9IF5AFiYQ

I am looking forward to seeing those top 2 lines tonight.
- Sausage_King

Not sour grapes at all, my friend. Just tired of all the silliness over the years.

Perfect example of it: Schwarber.

How many times do you have to hear his story of injury and coming back? It's crazy. Even my friends (who are diehard Cubs fans) find it over-the-top. But that's a classic Cubs thing: gotta' have the feel-good Hollywood angle of the guy battling to get back to play. Or encasing the home run ball he hit last year. What?

I blame the front office more than anything.

Nah, I think it has much more to do with putting it on cable tv. What every game was on FSN. Now they're wondering why more people aren't watch ing it. Went to visit my son at college and he had to stream it for us to watch, back when the Sox were in the series it was on network stations.

Their own greed is hurting their brand.
- BetweenTheDots

Isn't it on Fox? The NLCS wasn't, but the World Series is.