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

I think they are going to focus on getting the puck out and up ice as fast as possible this year. A bit of the Pens model the last couple of years. Although I love #4, not something he was particularly adapt at. Especially on his offside.

Maybe a 200ft game still but a little more emphasis on getting the puck up ice. Hawks have had some trouble getting pinned down in their own end the last few years. Hopefully that does not happen as much this year.

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

Here's Kaepernick's own words.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder", referencing a series of events that led to the Black Lives Matter movement and adding that he would continue to protest until he feels like "[the American flag] represents what it's supposed to represent".

And I'm out of here for a bit. I'm not here for political BS I'm here for hockey.

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
- tredbrta

the fascist left

promoting it is almost worth the insult.

You really need to STFU with this right/left nonsense! I'm absolutely positive there are plenty of liberal democrats in the armed forces who, like you, have bled for this country. Keep your opinions to yourself and let's just discuss hockey as it should be eh'?

Shocking - Pitino out amid FBI scandal.

Here's Kaepernick's own words.

"I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder", referencing a series of events that led to the Black Lives Matter movement and adding that he would continue to protest until he feels like "
- walleyeb1[the American flag] represents what it's supposed to represent".

And I'm out of here for a bit. I'm not here for political BS I'm here for hockey.

Yes, he was protesting racial inequalities and didn't want to stand for the a flag that didn't represent what it was supposed to represent. That's not saying the "flag is racist" - he's saying that it's supposed to be this great symbol of equality but it's not right now. He wants the flag to be that great symbol again to all of America because that's what it is inherently. He then specifically chose kneeling instead of sitting or fist raised because it was an act that is considered still respectful for those that still care about flag/fight for it/etc. The trigger is still not the flag or anthem, though - it's racial inequality and injustices.

Dale Hansen, a vet himself, said it really well about how it's about respecting what the flag is supposed to stand for - the best of America: "[They] are not disrespecting America or the military by taking a knee during the anthem. They are respecting the best thing about America." https://youtu.be/BNJUsE7pEs4


And no offense, this isn't directed at just you - I always find it weird when people say they're not here for politics before or after interjecting politics.

Waivers around the league

Waivers around the league


- pdx2ord

Beau Bennett didn't stick, eh?

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.
- bhawks2241

It is protected by the 1st amendment as the fact that they cannot be arrested or otherwise punished by the government, but yes, they are not be free of consequence from their private sector employer. If the employers wanted to and/or had rules/regulations against such acts of protest, then they could fire the employees. So as long as the NFL allows the protests, the employees can carry out their right of freedom of speech. The NFL actually does have a rule about "personal messages", but they get to decide when/how their own rules apply and what happens to their employees, not the customers and not the government.

Now, this definitely could lead to some other rule/regulation changes. The NFL is allowing it now, but they've changed how they handle anthem ceremonies in the past. I mean, players used to not stand on the sidelines during primetime games (due to network timing issues), and this was changed that in 2009. As a private sector business, the NFL can change how they do things like this and/or require their players to act a certain way during such ceremonies. They just haven't done it yet.

Yes - ok - keep politics out - start by eliminating the fake-patriotism of the anthem before every inconsequential athletic event.
- StLBravesFan

Been saying this for years.

What was the genesis for this anyways? I've never understood why it's done.

You really need to STFU with this right/left nonsense! I'm absolutely positive there are plenty of liberal democrats in the armed forces who, like you, have bled for this country. Keep your opinions to yourself and let's just discuss hockey as it should be eh'?
- Murph76

I don't know. It's getting pretty fun reading his immediate hypocrisy in all of his statements. Saying behaviors he didn't like in a free country should have been stopped immediately, then in the next sentence calling the other side of his argument fascists. I mean, I couldn't make it up to be more ironic.

Waivers around the league


- pdx2ord

I wonder when the best time is to waive players that have a slightly higher risk of bein snagged on a whim by another team. Like Gustafsson and even Pokka, either could be an okay free grab by a team that needs a 6/7 to start the year.

This is all that needs to be said about the Bigot in Chief and anyone who is so blatantly prejudice and/or ignorant to still support him.

"Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It's an open and closed case, NFL players are fully in their rights to kneel during the anthem. As much as POTUS would like an Authoritarian regime, this is still America, where freedom of speech and peaceful protest is still allowed. See 1st Amendment to the Constitution above for those "offended veterans".

Been saying this for years.

What was the genesis for this anyways? I've never understood why it's done.
- Ogilthorpe2

This article has the history. http://www.cnn.com/2017/0...k-history-trnd/index.html

Basically, it was world war 1.

Beau Bennett didn't stick, eh?
- JRoenick97

Nor did Ty Rattie

This is all that needs to be said about the Bigot in Chief and anyone who is so blatantly prejudice and/or ignorant to still support him.

"Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It's an open and closed case, NFL players are fully in their rights to kneel during the anthem. As much as POTUS would like an Authoritarian regime, this is still America, where freedom of speech and peaceful protest is still allowed. See 1st Amendment to the Constitution above for those "offended veterans".
- EnzoD

I served in the military for over 22 years. I fought against all enemies foreign and domestic. I feel this is extremely disrespectful to not honor the flag of the United States. However, I fought for the right of others to protest however they see fit. While I disagree with their method of protesting, I do agree with their right to do it. I would give another 22 years to preserve their right to do so, despite my feelings on there preferred way of protesting.

I served in the military for over 22 years. I thought against all enemies foreign and domestic. I feel this is extremely disrespectful to not honor the flag of the United States. However I fought for the right of others to protest and however they see fit. Well I disagree with their method of protesting, I do agree with their right to do it and I would give another 22 years to preserve their right to do so, despite my feelings on there preferred way of protesting.
- ikeane

I have such respect for you and this stance.

as for me and my house, we will miss The Hoss.

And when I want political, politically correct chatter, I'll turn the dial to ESPN.

I served in the military for over 22 years. I fought against all enemies foreign and domestic. I feel this is extremely disrespectful to not honor the flag of the United States. However, I fought for the right of others to protest however they see fit. While I disagree with their method of protesting, I do agree with their right to do it. I would give another 22 years to preserve their right to do so, despite my feelings on there preferred way of protesting.
- ikeane

This is the best stance I've seen. You can hate it to your core, but you still acknowledge and protect the right to do it. Not everyone is going to agree with everyone else's interpretation of law, discrimination, biases, etc, but we can still respect the rights of people we disagree with.

This is all that needs to be said about the Bigot in Chief and anyone who is so blatantly prejudice and/or ignorant to still support him.

"Constitution of United States of America 1789 (rev. 1992)

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

It's an open and closed case, NFL players are fully in their rights to kneel during the anthem. As much as POTUS would like an Authoritarian regime, this is still America, where freedom of speech and peaceful protest is still allowed. See 1st Amendment to the Constitution above for those "offended veterans".
- EnzoD

See, it's one thing to insult trumps. It's quite another to insult everyone who may have voted for him and call them bigots.

Anyone that wakes up a legal citizen of this country has nothing to female dog about.

Happy Gilmore for president.

See, it's one thing to insult trumps. It's quite another to insult everyone who may have voted for him and call them bigots.

Anyone that wakes up a legal citizen of this country has nothing to female dog about.

Happy Gilmore for president.
- hocktock

Well that's not true. I can female dog about NHL hockey as much as I'd like!

I served in the military for over 22 years. I fought against all enemies foreign and domestic. I feel this is extremely disrespectful to not honor the flag of the United States. However, I fought for the right of others to protest however they see fit. While I disagree with their method of protesting, I do agree with their right to do it. I would give another 22 years to preserve their right to do so, despite my feelings on there preferred way of protesting.
- ikeane

Well that's not true. I can female dog about NHL hockey as much as I'd like!
- JRoenick97

Like the length of Seabrook's contract!!!

I took a crap on the dining room table to protest my irritable bowel syndrome. Don't let it effect your meal.

GO HOCKS. Entertain me female doges.
- hocktock

- L_B_R

"The 'preview' tab is your friend."

I served in the military for over 22 years. I fought against all enemies foreign and domestic. I feel this is extremely disrespectful to not honor the flag of the United States. However, I fought for the right of others to protest however they see fit. While I disagree with their method of protesting, I do agree with their right to do it. I would give another 22 years to preserve their right to do so, despite my feelings on there preferred way of protesting.
- ikeane

Well Said!!

Thank-you for your service.