Another utterly specious comeback but I bet you felt it was clever when you typed it. Should the countdown to you calling everyone you disagree with a racist begin now?

You are the single largest violator here of inserting politics into the discussion. I really don't care that you're a treasonous, cowardly, socialist, left wing parasite. I bled multiple times for your right to be one. Just keep it off the board.

And before you accuse me of being a fake patriot or a racist take note that I am a minority and a veteran.
- tredbrta

Wow man. You need to calm it down here. I don't see anyone calling you names like this. Pretty (frank)ed up.

Despite my love of a great debate (and I'm trying hard to resist jumping in), here are the lines etc. at practice today:

Blackhawks practice lines:
Saad-Toews-Panik
Sharp-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Hartman
Hayden-Kero-Bouma
Hinostroza-Kampf-Jurco

Main Blackhawks group practicing today doesn't include Crawford, Delia, Dauphin, Tootoo, Wingels, Pokka & Gustafsson.
- pdx2ord

Weird that Gus only got one preseason game and is back out. Does that mean he's got no shot, or Q already knows what he likes about him?

Enjoying my popcorn.....this outta be good

Enjoying my popcorn.....this outta be good
- dpard

Hopefully the topic has fizzled out.

It's been so heavily ingrained in our society that the flag needs to be respected in a very specific way, but it's an odd disconnect when the flag is supposed to represent the ideal of our country, of which freedom of speech is one. As long as they're not like flipping the flag off or burning it on the field, I don't see how it's disrespectful.

It's especially odd that anyone who is a Hawks fan is saying kneeling is disrespectful - we're a fan base known for cheering through them anthem when the traditional behavior is being quiet and/or singing along. Yes, we know it's meant to a different way of celebrating the anthem, but it's still different from the norm, just like kneeling. It's a big hypocritical imo.
- L_B_R

And many, many of us (vets in particular) state that cheering the anthem at other venues is offensive and should stop.

Bottom line. These are employees insulting a large percentage of the consumers of the business they are supposed to be employed by.... it should have been stopped immediately.... and that would be the only justification for stopping it.

Actually though, the hypocrisy it is exposing in this PC culture and the fascist left promoting it is almost worth the insult.

JR, Pokka and Gus have played one preseason game each. For guys competing for spots, NOT practicing with the main group today or playing tomorrow likely means both did not make the team.

Wow. These players aren't your property, or even your employees. They provide entertainment, sure, but it's their lives to do with as they choose. You don't like it? Stop being a paying customer. These guys are in a position to draw attention to a plight that they think is worthy of attention. Agree or not, they can do what they want. You don't have to pay for it. You don't have to like it, but you sure as (frank) don't get to tell them what to do with their lives. To call athletes "entitled" then post this kind of entitled thinking is beyond hypocritical.
- JRoenick97

All I can do is just ignore their kneeling. No sense to react any other way. Just like when someone cuts you off or drives dangerously, I cannot chase after them. I might report them if I had their liscence plate. I might. But really I should maybe swear under my breath at it, then forget about it.

I call attention to your choice of usage of the word, " entitled." It appears more than one person feels entitled, and I am not referring to you. I Just feel it is more appropriate to get their point across after practice to the reporters. In that way, they are responding away from the camera and not when the game is about to begin. Also ...you are correct I have no good reason (not right) to tell them what to do with their lives. And I won't even think about that. I cannot tell them what to do, ok, but yes I do not have to like it.

In fact, upon further reflection it is their democratic right to respond even if it is in front of paying customers. So I will just shut up now.

Despite my love of a great debate (and I'm trying hard to resist jumping in), here are the lines etc. at practice today:

Blackhawks practice lines:
Saad-Toews-Panik
Sharp-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Hartman
Hayden-Kero-Bouma
Hinostroza-Kampf-Jurco

Main Blackhawks group practicing today doesn't include Crawford, Delia, Dauphin, Tootoo, Wingels, Pokka & Gustafsson.
- pdx2ord

It’s looking like more of a possibility that Debrincat makes this team, likely at the expense of Hinostroza. I’ve not been a big supporter of Hinostroza but I think he’s earned a shot at the bottom 6.

Weird that Gus only got one preseason game and is back out. Does that mean he's got no shot, or Q already knows what he likes about him?
- JRoenick97

Maybe those guys were just getting some specialized coaching?

@ByScottPowers 11m11 minutes ago

Most of the Blackhawks moved over to the other rink. Delia, Crawford, Dauphin, Wingels, Tootoo, Gustafsson & Pokka with the main group now.

Wow man. You need to calm it down here. I don't see anyone calling you names like this. Pretty (frank)ed up.
- JRoenick97

You haven't been around long enough.

Enjoying my popcorn.....this outta be good
- dpard

Out of US's ass, right?

You haven't been around long enough.
- tredbrta

Been here since 2012, bud. There's no place for that on this board, so if you're gonna tell people to keep their personal politics off the board, keep your personal insults off too.

It’s looking like more of a possibility that Debrincat makes this team, likely at the expense of Hinostroza. I’ve not been a big supporter of Hinostroza but I think he’s earned a shot at the bottom 6.
- DarthKane

Maybe, but I'm not sure. He's definitely getting a long look but it's curious to me that he got bumped to the third line in favor of Sharp; not Hayden or Hartman who have more size, but Sharp who is a more seasoned offensive player. What does DeBrincat add to the third line? Scoring and scrappiness, which is fine, but a downgrade defensively even over Sharp and certainly over other guys on the team. It still seems like an experiment more than anything. Maybe he makes the team and gets a few games to show what he can do in the regular season. There aren't many other LWs on the team. I'd like to see if Hayden could develop into one but maybe he needs time in Rockford to do that.

I suppose the good news is that a couple of years ago the hole was 2LC, then the Saad-AA trade happened and the hole became 1L LW. Now with the reacquisitions of Saad & Sharp and the emergence of Schmaltz, the "hole" is 3rd line left wing. Maybe DeBrincat fills that hole or maybe it's someone else on the team but the forwards look to be in better shape right now compared to recent years.

The defense on the other hand...

Maybe, but I'm not sure. He's definitely getting a long look but it's curious to me that he got bumped to the third line in favor of Sharp; not Hayden or Hartman who have more size, but Sharp who is a more seasoned offensive player. What does DeBrincat add to the third line? Scoring and scrappiness, which is fine, but a downgrade defensively even over Sharp and certainly over other guys on the team. It still seems like an experiment more than anything. Maybe he makes the team and gets a few games to show what he can do in the regular season. There aren't many other LWs on the team. I'd like to see if Hayden could develop into one but maybe he needs time in Rockford to do that.

I suppose the good news is that a couple of years ago the hole was 2LC, then the Saad-AA trade happened and the hole became 1L LW. Now with the reacquisitions of Saad & Sharp and the emergence of Schmaltz, the "hole" is 3rd line left wing. Maybe DeBrincat fills that hole or maybe it's someone else on the team but the forwards look to be in better shape right now compared to recent years.

The defense on the other hand...
- matt_ahrens

It would be somewhat unfair if DeBrincat makes the team primarily as a powerplay specialist. He needs to play on a top line. But some players on our third line are not terrible to play with. Nonetheless, Rockford is probably best for his development,

I have to question also just how capable is Toews. Is his health 100%. He can and will be the old JT not the playoff JT? While several factors were at the heart of the playoff collapse and while I do not feel both Q and Bowman are particularly worried about their jobs, DeBrincat is the better choice than Hino for the PP.

On defense Ruuta can be sent down without worry and this may prevent a defenseman being put on waivers and lost. Ruuta can be recalled right away.

Maybe, but I'm not sure. He's definitely getting a long look but it's curious to me that he got bumped to the third line in favor of Sharp; not Hayden or Hartman who have more size, but Sharp who is a more seasoned offensive player. What does DeBrincat add to the third line? Scoring and scrappiness, which is fine, but a downgrade defensively even over Sharp and certainly over other guys on the team. It still seems like an experiment more than anything. Maybe he makes the team and gets a few games to show what he can do in the regular season. There aren't many other LWs on the team. I'd like to see if Hayden could develop into one but maybe he needs time in Rockford to do that.

I suppose the good news is that a couple of years ago the hole was 2LC, then the Saad-AA trade happened and the hole became 1L LW. Now with the reacquisitions of Saad & Sharp and the emergence of Schmaltz, the "hole" is 3rd line left wing. Maybe DeBrincat fills that hole or maybe it's someone else on the team but the forwards look to be in better shape right now compared to recent years.

The defense on the other hand...
- matt_ahrens

It would be somewhat unfair if DeBrincat makes the team primarily as a powerplay specialist. He needs to play on a top line. But some players on our third line are not terrible to play with. Nonetheless, Rockford is probably best for his development,

I have to question also just how capable is Toews. Is his health 100%. He can and will be the old JT not the playoff JT? While several factors were at the heart of the playoff collapse and while I do not feel both Q and Bowman are particularly worried about their jobs, DeBrincat is the better choice than Hino for the PP.

On defense Ruuta can be sent down without worry and this may prevent a defenseman being put on waivers and lost. Ruuta can be recalled right away.

JJ responded to the question Predicting W.C dissapointment teams:

John Jaeckel

Right now, I have to say Chicago.

Their preseason performance (though that is not the best metric) has been spotty at best. The Hawks are incorporating a lot of new faces, Jonathan Toews has been under the weather for much of the preseason, but the early results don't look terribly encouraging. Much can (and likely will) change, but right now the prognostication for the Hawks this year can't be too confident.

It’s looking like more of a possibility that Debrincat makes this team, likely at the expense of Hinostroza. I’ve not been a big supporter of Hinostroza but I think he’s earned a shot at the bottom 6.
- DarthKane

I am in the minority on this board but I like Cat on the team. I just like him better at 2LW rather than 3LW. No clue why Bouma is being given this chance today. He has been outplayed by Kampf and Dauphin. Starting to think Kero, Hayden, Kampf and Dauphin should be our 10th-13th forwards. They have impressed me this preseason.

Kaepernick and others protesting are not saying the anthem is racist - they're protesting injustice related to race inequality, most specifically to do with police. I mean, saying Kaepernick is protesting the anthem/flag is like saying that Rosa Parks was protesting the public transit system. He also chose kneeling because it's considered a respectful move almost anywhere else - kneel before God, for example.

Also, you're not supposed to have sympathy with the athletes, you're supposed to have sympathy for the issues and people being impacted by those issues that the athletes are trying to bring attention too. They're trying to bring awareness to those outside of themselves - use their platform for what they see as good.
- L_B_R

As a Vet, I believe in the 1st amendment and rest of the bill of rights and have zero issue with the players taking a knee.

I am in the minority on this board but I like Cat on the team. I just like him better at 2LW rather than 3LW. No clue why Bouma is being given this chance today. He has been outplayed by Kampf and Dauphin. Starting to think Kero, Hayden, Kampf and Dauphin should be our 10th-13th forwards. They have impressed me this preseason.
- onehundredlevel

I see nothing Bouma has brought to the team. Wingels can do what he's done and is cheaper, and I'm not even sure Wingels has outplayed anyone else.

It would be somewhat unfair if DeBrincat makes the team primarily as a powerplay specialist. He needs to play on a top line. But some players on our third line are not terrible to play with. Nonetheless, Rockford is probably best for his development,

I have to question also just how capable is Toews. Is his health 100%. He can and will be the old JT not the playoff JT? While several factors were at the heart of the playoff collapse and while I do not feel both Q and Bowman are particularly worried about their jobs, DeBrincat is the better choice than Hino for the PP.

On defense Ruuta can be sent down without worry and this may prevent a defenseman being put on waivers and lost. Ruuta can be recalled right away.
- jhawk59

I don't think there is a category called 'somewhat unfair' in the NHL. A player makes it based on whether he can deliver something other guys can't or sometimes based on contractual status and salary if he fits the cap. There will be plenty of players heading to the minors who could make their NHL team or another one but the rules say 23 player maximum.

Debrincat may make the team on Oct 1 on scoring expectations alone but he could be in Rockford by Oct 15 depending on roster needs and how the team is playing or if another Ice Hog is playing so well they can't ignore it to keep the guy down there.

Scott Powers‏
Quenneville said they're planing to keep 23 players. He wasn't sure the breakdown yet.

I don't think there is a category called 'somewhat unfair' in the NHL. A player makes it based on whether he can deliver something other guys can't or sometimes based on contractual status and salary if he fits the cap. There will be plenty of players heading to the minors who could make their NHL team or another one but the rules say 23 player maximum.

Debrincat may make the team on Oct 1 on scoring expectations alone but he could be in Rockford by Oct 15 depending on roster needs and how the team is playing or if another Ice Hog is playing so well they can't ignore it to keep the guy down there.
- RickJ

With the Q at the helm, commit to and play a 200ft game, he'll stick around.

Scott Powers‏
Quenneville said they're planing to keep 23 players. He wasn't sure the breakdown yet.
- pdx2ord

They have to manipulate the roster to get the best LTIR bang for buck for both Hossa and Rosy. So there should be quite a few roster moves the day before opening day of season, opening day of season, and the day the Hawks play their first game. I am sure Bowman has it all figured out....but we just have to wait and see how it plays out.

If they keep 23 on roster after the LTIR...my guess is they will have about 2.5-3.0 million to still play with on cap. Purely a guess though.

As a Vet, I believe in the 1st amendment and rest of the bill of rights and have zero issue with the players taking a knee.
- Beaver-Warrior

Actually, unless I am mistaken and my law degree is failing me, NFL players right to kneel during the anthem is not protected by the 1st amendment as they are employees in their place of employment in the private sector.

Easy solution for the NFL. Require all teams to stay in the locker room during the National Anthem.

I frankly could careless what NFL players think. Most are so far removed from reality that at their opinions are about worthless.

Has anyone been carefully watching Wingels? I always like his game and thought he'd be a great lower line addition.

From what I have been reading looks like he is a fringe 4th line guy this year? I can't imagine keeping Bouma over him