You may want to try a drink or three...that can help.
- Al

Lol I was drinking wine this whole night cause I'm on a staycation. I'm only sad I don't have what I would need to make old fashioneds.

You can pull a stat to support nearly any hypothesis, Al. The eye test the last two years shows me a player who has regressed in all areas of his play.
- EnzoD

I'm sticking with Onnit really screwed him up, there's much more to it than just diet. I really hope he bailed on them.

Things like this are what bother me most Johansen rag dolling Toews:

https://twitter.com/cms_7...status/854158883719454720


In a battle of the Hawks’ best vs. the Preds’ best, the results haven’t been close. It’s the biggest reason why Nashville swept the Hawks.
- walleyeb1

Let's give it a rest that Nashville has become so dominant when they rode a hot goalie. They looked pretty ordinary when Rinne was off his game. I predict Nashville falls back to earth in 2017-18. Oh wait what does that mean as they qualified 8th last season and found lightning in a bottle? Not going to happen again in the same way that San Jose found it impossible to repeat its run the year previous. Finally Johansen is fat and lazy not another Crosby.

Assuming that between now and oct 2 nothing happens with the hossa LTRI situation as far going on LTRI and or trading it before that date. What would be the trade for Evander Kane since him and Hossa have similar dollar amounts and make sense. Would a trade like 1st 2018 or 2019 forsling hino and hossa contract for kane be enough or would more have to be added. Opinions on this is welcome

Let's give it a rest that Nashville has become so dominant when they rode a hot goalie. They looked pretty ordinary when Rinne was off his game. I predict Nashville falls back to earth in 2017-18. Oh wait what does that mean as they qualified 8th last season and found lightning in a bottle? Not going to happen again in the same way that San Jose found it impossible to repeat its run the year previous. Finally Johansen is fat and lazy not another Crosby.
- Z3Hawk

Nobody in the league at this time is another Crosby, he's in a class by himself when it comes to winning regardless of who he has as wingers. But he also had a couple of bad playoff seasons when the Pens came up short against the Flyers and Bruins.

Interesting message that Rutherford and Lemieux are sending Bettman, Daley and the joke known as Player Safety with the acquisition of Ryan Reaves - since you are going to allow players like Crosby to be mugged, we are going to take matters into our own hands to protect him.

And I wouldn't knock Johansen too much yet - Laviolette did a great job with developing him and getting him to raise his game. Is he the type of guy that can sustain that new high level consistently for years - not sure but Nashville is going to have to pay big just to find out.

Assuming that between now and oct 2 nothing happens with the hossa LTRI situation as far going on LTRI and or trading it before that date. What would be the trade for Evander Kane since him and Hossa have similar dollar amounts and make sense. Would a trade like 1st 2018 or 2019 forsling hino and hossa contract for kane be enough or would more have to be added. Opinions on this is welcome
- Scott1977

Hawks have to use some of Hossa's LTIR money on having a full roster. Right now, places like Capgeek list them at 3 goalies, 5 defensemen, 13 forwards + Hossa, and right at the cap. Taking away the third goalie won't cover the cost of adding 2 more defensemen, so about 1m of Hossa's LTIR money is already needed elsewhere. For Hawks to add Kane, they'd need Sabres to retain salary.

If Buffalo is willing for a Kane trade to include Hossa's contract & retain salary, there is little reason for either team to wait until the season starts. Teams would rather have their roster actually in camp, not training in someone else's system. If Sabres are willing to trade Kane, either before camp, or closer to the deadline seems ideal for them. And Hawks would likely want it done before camp as well. Only reason to wait is if teams believe NHL won't allow cap relief of Hossa's full cap hit from LTIR, or if Sabres are unwilling to make Hossa's contract part of the deal.

Historically, a player like Kane as a rental is worth a first and high end prospect on his own. TVR cost Carolina a pick, and according to JJ the cost of Carolina taking on Hossa's contract would be a pick and a high end prospect. Which to me says the cost of moving Hossa's contract is a high end prospect. So a Kane trade involving Hossa's contract would need a first and two high end prospects. Who knows what Buffalo thinks of them, but I'm guessing you'd need better prospects going Sabres way than Forsling & Hino. Obviously, some people develop better than expected, some people worse; but think former first or second rounders, or guys who if their draft were redone today would have been in that 20-40 range.

Debrincat on making the big club:

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/887041136505892864

Some good video from prospects camp on Powers' Twitter feed ....
- Hank_Greenberg

My eyes and ears at camp (Gatekeeper) said he was impressed with: Soderlund, From (fast), Sikura (also a good skater).

Not impressed by . . . DeBrincat: "looked disinterested and . . . slow. Foot speed is an issue."

My eyes and ears at camp (Gatekeeper) said he was impressed with: Soderlund, From (fast), Sikura (also a good skater).

Not impressed by . . . DeBrincat: "looked disinterested and . . . slow. Foot speed is an issue."
- John Jaeckel

5'7 and slow is not a good combination

Another poster asked who people think big surprises might be this season. Setting aside players who weren't regulars last season like Schmaltz, although I think he will have a solid second season, I would agree that Highmore is a dark horse candidate along with Dauphin, Hayden, Raddysh, and Fortin.
- AEL_Fox

I was on the Schmaltz train until another poster provided a link to his Instagram and the first shot was Nicky Boy in swim trunks this past May. Yikes.

That kid needs to get really serious about training. He has NHL talent but a house league Midget body at this point. He literally looks like he's never picked up a weight.

I think Raddysh as an NHL piece this year is probably a pipe dream.

The guy I am anxious to see, if/when he's fully healthy is Fortin, because he looked every bit ready last year, then got hurt after he was sent down, had a "minor" surgery recently that is holding him out of prospect camp.

Dauphin, yes. Hoping he can be a revelation on the PK, certainly has the tools and the mentlity to be that.

Hayden? Not sure where he slots in this year, NHL or AHL. But yeah, over time, anxious to see what he can become. The concussion in the playoffs HAS to be at least a minor concern because you need him to be a physical factor or he will just be another Hugh Jessiman.

Sikura is intriguing to me because I continue to hear good things about him.

I dunno, to me, like I said, the guy I am most excited about right now is Fortin, assuming he is healthy when pro camp starts.

Well, to be fair, it was one day. Was he nursing something, a little under the weather, underslept? Dunno.

Gotta give him more time before coming to a conclusion. But looking slow compared to prospects is a little disconcerting when the big boys are typically a tick faster overall.

What Gate said was interesting to me: he wasn't really noticeable. I guess he flashed the hands and shot but his skating was so average that he seemed to pale in comparison to guys like From and Sikura.

Now expectations are IMO crazy high for him again. But I will also say that was my take on him last year in what little I saw of him during pro camp.

we need Nick S to start hanging with Connor, LOL

https://www.google.com/se...FldOVM:&spf=1500382415678

5'7 and slow is not a good combination
- jhawk159

we need Nick S to start hanging with Connor, LOL

https://www.google.com/se...FldOVM:&spf=1500382415678
- kmw4631

Jesus.

Well, we know who's gonna win the Hawks' Mr. Olympia anyway, LOL

Damn, that dude is jacked.

Two old timers with unbelievable physiques, the Golden Jet and Mr. Hockey (who had trapezius' like mountains)

Assuming that between now and oct 2 nothing happens with the hossa LTRI situation as far going on LTRI and or trading it before that date. What would be the trade for Evander Kane since him and Hossa have similar dollar amounts and make sense. Would a trade like 1st 2018 or 2019 forsling hino and hossa contract for kane be enough or would more have to be added. Opinions on this is welcome
- Scott1977

I don't think Buffalo (and maybe every other team) will take on Hossa's contract . To use up that much cap space for years isn't sending a good signal to the teamor the fans. Buffalo will need that cap space soon.

JJ that Schmaltz instagram feeder was me. I thought the same thing as you when I saw it, guy that looks that soft usually is that soft.

JJ you hear anything on Tatar? Wings having issues locking him up, maybe with LTIR Hossa we could make a play? I think he'd be a great fit opposite Kane.

we need Nick S to start hanging with Connor, LOL

https://www.google.com/se...FldOVM:&spf=1500382415678
- kmw4631

He looks weird..........don't tell him I said that

Jesus.

Well, we know who's gonna win the Hawks' Mr. Olympia anyway, LOL

Damn, that dude is jacked.

Two old timers with unbelievable physiques, the Golden Jet and Mr. Hockey (who had trapezius' like mountains)
- John Jaeckel

Two different dudes. THAT Connor Murphy is a professional body builder.

JJ that Schmaltz instagram feeder was me. I thought the same thing as you when I saw it, guy that looks that soft usually is that soft.

JJ you hear anything on Tatar? Wings having issues locking him up, maybe with LTIR Hossa we could make a play? I think he'd be a great fit opposite Kane.
- Bjm84

Nothing lately, he was sort of Target 1B (after Duchene) this spring though. The Jurco deal was a "default" when they could pry Tatar away, in actuality.

Two different dudes. THAT Connor Murphy is a professional body builder.
- teh_HAWKZ

Oh, poop, haha, funny


I was gonna say, he doesn't look much like Gord Murphy (his dad)

I don't think Buffalo (and maybe every other team) will take on Hossa's contract . To use up that much cap space for years isn't sending a good signal to the teamor the fans. Buffalo will need that cap space soon.
- HamiltonHawk

If the Hawks trade Hossa's deal (and I think they will), it will be to a perennial floor team, where the contract (with a $1 million salary and $5.25m cap hit) makes TONS of sense.

Nobody in the league at this time is another Crosby, he's in a class by himself when it comes to winning regardless of who he has as wingers. But he also had a couple of bad playoff seasons when the Pens came up short against the Flyers and Bruins.

Interesting message that Rutherford and Lemieux are sending Bettman, Daley and the joke known as Player Safety with the acquisition of Ryan Reaves - since you are going to allow players like Crosby to be mugged, we are going to take matters into our own hands to protect him.

And I wouldn't knock Johansen too much yet - Laviolette did a great job with developing him and getting him to raise his game. Is he the type of guy that can sustain that new high level consistently for years - not sure but Nashville is going to have to pay big just to find out.
- RickJ

See: Kane, E, presence requested by Kane, P.

I'm not making this stuff up. And the Hawks ALWAYS have that guy (or some facsimile thereof) on the roster. Ideally, they want that guy to be someone who can contribute 5-on-5. Hence why they would "bite the bullet" on a player of E. Kane's rep for one season.

If the Hawks trade Hossa's deal (and I think they will), it will be to a perennial floor team, where the contract (with a $1 million salary and $5.25m cap hit) makes TONS of sense.
- John Jaeckel

True but I think to do that 4 years is really going to narrow the teams , Ottawa maybe. Carolina won't do it , too many young players that will need to be signed. What teams do you think would be willing to eat that much cap space for four years.

True but I think to do that 4 years is really going to narrow the teams , Ottawa maybe. Carolina won't do it , too many young players that will need to be signed. What teams do you think would be willing to eat that much cap space for four years.
- HamiltonHawk

Yeah, but a floor team that "projects" as a non-floor team can always acquire the deal now to help them get over, then flip it someone else who needs itl ater. Kinda silly and cynical, but it's the CBA.

If the Hawks trade Hossa's deal (and I think they will), it will be to a perennial floor team, where the contract (with a $1 million salary and $5.25m cap hit) makes TONS of sense.
- John Jaeckel

With the cap nearly flat the least few years, teams struggling to hit the floor isn't a thing anymore. Last year, Carolina was the only team who didn't end the year at least 10 million above the cap floor. This year, every team is already clear of the cap floor, or will be even if they sign their remaining RFA's for league minimum.

With the cap nearly flat the least few years, teams struggling to hit the floor isn't a thing anymore. Last year, Carolina was the only team who didn't end the year at least 10 million above the cap floor. This year, every team is already clear of the cap floor, or will be even if they sign their remaining RFA's for league minimum.
- Antilles

Indeed, but if they have the cap space available, it then comes down to what else the Hawks would be willing to add to the deal to make it attractive.