So....you guys still think Saad is better than Panarin?
- SimpleJack

Yes.
Where was Panarin in playoffs? Saad should be better playoff player if Hawks can somehow manage to sneak into wild card that is. Unless he is totally ruined by Q country club environment prior to that.

Re international tournaments:
-I tuned in late for the Spengler Cup game today -didn't know it was running this early. Did not notice Sikura -scratched now?
- That junior game yesterday in the blizzard reminded me of my outdoor hockey experiences some time ago. Except under those conditions we played with a tennis ball. What a stupid idea. Time to stop these outdoor games especially in important tournaments like this. It was a novelty once -nobody cares anymore.

Well...congrats to Glass - nice win for the 32 year old rook, but Keith crapped the bed in the last couple minutes. How do you cough up a two goal lead with that little time left. Pathetic.

And don't look now but 2pp goals in one game - less one month.
Have to think Glasser gets the nod tomorrow night in Calgary. Meanwhile that entire first line is on a milk carton right now. Have to wonder what's going on with Saad right now? Is he trying to do too much to cover for the other two? Or is he in his own slump...

Calgary, Rags and the conference leading Vegas G Knights coming up. Can they win 2 out of 3 here? We'll see.

A while ago JJ mentioned Toews might have a necrosis. I'm familiar with that as I have that condition in my hips. Not painful, just uncomfortable. New hips are on my horizon someday. But what A-vascular necrosis in the hips did to me was rob me of the strength I used to have. I can still skate, just not powerskate. And falling down is common, especially when bumped or turning.
I sure hope this is not the case with JT. But if it is he's well on his way to being done. Think Bo Jackson, that's what ended his athletic career.
- 6628

That would explain what we are seeing. He is just is not the same. If that is the case, retire. Take that money and go relax.

Well...congrats to Glass - nice win for the 32 year old rook, but Keith crapped the bed in the last couple minutes. How do you cough up a two goal lead with that little time left. Pathetic.

And don't look now but 2pp goals in one game - less one month.
Have to think Glasser gets the nod tomorrow night in Calgary. Meanwhile that entire first line is on a milk carton right now. Have to wonder what's going on with Saad right now? Is he trying to do too much to cover for the other two? Or is he in his own slump...

Calgary, Rags and the conference leading Vegas G Knights coming up. Can they win 2 out of 3 here? We'll see.
- DK002

Yes was great to see Glass with the win ,and well deserved .EDM needed a extra man for all three goals they scored . Keith not great but a lot going on when it is 6 against 5 . What shocked me was Schmaltz and Kane out there with a minute to go . Oh well Kane came up huge in OT so all is good for now ..And yes Toews well struggling is still doing a lot of little thing well ,he is playing with two ghost right now .He through a perfect pass to Panik last night the guy never even tried and it goes for icing .Good thing Toews won the insuring faceoff and muscled puck out for a change . Calgary will be tough ,keep the lines together 3rd line looked great 2nd PP was all shoot the puck we could get a bounce or two and keep scratching out points who knows . May make in spite of coach Q

Re international tournaments:
-I tuned in late for the Spengler Cup game today -didn't know it was running this early. Did not notice Sikura -scratched now?
- That junior game yesterday in the blizzard reminded me of my outdoor hockey experiences some time ago. Except under those conditions we played with a tennis ball. What a stupid idea. Time to stop these outdoor games especially in important tournaments like this. It was a novelty once -nobody cares anymore.
- 67hawks

Sikura has played in 3 games and has one assist. I haven't watched much of that tournament but I would guess he's not getting prime ice time since he's essentially a rookie.

Yes was great to see Glass with the win ,and well deserved .EDM needed a extra man for all three goals they scored . Keith not great but a lot going on when it is 6 against 5 . What shocked me was Schmaltz and Kane out there with a minute to go . Oh well Kane came up huge in OT so all is good for now ..And yes Toews well struggling is still doing a lot of little thing well ,he is playing with two ghost right now .He through a perfect pass to Panik last night the guy never even tried and it goes for icing .Good thing Toews won the insuring faceoff and muscled puck out for a change . Calgary will be tough ,keep the lines together 3rd line looked great 2nd PP was all shoot the puck we could get a bounce or two and keep scratching out points who knows . May make in spite of coach Q
- oldduffman

I totally agree! Schmaltz needs to take that puck into the corner to kill time. He turned it over and then Keith made his bone head play. It is like his brain shut down for a minute.

A while ago JJ mentioned Toews might have a necrosis. I'm familiar with that as I have that condition in my hips. Not painful, just uncomfortable. New hips are on my horizon someday. But what A-vascular necrosis in the hips did to me was rob me of the strength I used to have. I can still skate, just not powerskate. And falling down is common, especially when bumped or turning.
I sure hope this is not the case with JT. But if it is he's well on his way to being done. Think Bo Jackson, that's what ended his athletic career.
- 6628

Outstanding post 66.
Personally, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with this one.

I watched 19 very closely last night and even texted my buddy (C on my line) and said to look at 19's stride while skating -- something is seriously wrong with the guy and I think that could be what we are seeing.

Maybe you can come back and explain the difference between "skating" and "power skating" -- I think I'd be at a loss to put it in words but I can sure identify the difference when I watch someone skate as there is very little push-off and leg extension on each stride (I don't know if you'd explain it the same way).

But clearly, if you know what you're looking for/at, when you watch 19 you can see there is something not right with his skating stride. Very short, abbreviated pushes with very little power transferred to the ice. No burst whatsoever. I think this is why we're also seeing when he's 1 on 1 he can no longer get around guys, has no burst and he's trying to do too much to stickhandle while not having enough power to move around the opposing player.

What say you?

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

Stan, is that really you?
That was a great post!
Now . . . WTF are YOU going to do about it?????
Inquiring minds (and Q) want to know.

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.


Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

the GREAT STANBOW has spoken!!

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

Several Hawks do that way too often - unless there’s a change going on, itseems to me to be a wasted shot - serves little purpose other than to lose possession.

But - maybe I’m missing something....

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

All U ever here on here is shoot the puck ,so Toews does and he still gets crap on. Never a bad idea to get the puck towards the net , like the great one said missed every shot I did not take .

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

Toews is painful to watch. It's quite sad how much his speed, strength, and offensive ability have fallen off a cliff. Something isnt right mentally, physically, or both. That $19 million dollar "1st Line" is pretty freakin worthless, eh Stan???

Toews is painful to watch. It's quite sad how much his speed, strength, and offensive ability have fallen off a cliff. Something isnt right mentally, physically, or both. That $19 million dollar "1st Line" is pretty freakin worthless, eh Stan???
- EnzoD

You had to start thinking he has some type of degenerative issue in his back. He just has zero strength. The guy was a stud in the corner and a bull on his skates. He needs to be smart and remember he is young with his whole life ahead of him. Lord knows the amount of cross checks and other stress his back has taken.

A while ago JJ mentioned Toews might have a necrosis. I'm familiar with that as I have that condition in my hips. Not painful, just uncomfortable. New hips are on my horizon someday. But what A-vascular necrosis in the hips did to me was rob me of the strength I used to have. I can still skate, just not powerskate. And falling down is common, especially when bumped or turning.
I sure hope this is not the case with JT. But if it is he's well on his way to being done. Think Bo Jackson, that's what ended his athletic career.
- 6628

If it is necrosis, I would bet $100 it started when he got checked into the open bench door against St Louis two playoffs ago. Hip and/or lower back, left side.

Please stop the nonsense of this degenerative hip condition he MIGHT have as the reason for his decline.

Regardless if he lost some power to his stride, his issues are the four inches in between his ears.

He blatantly forgot how to play a skill game anymore. He doesnt ever try to stick handle around anyone anymore, his shot almost never overpowers anyone, he doesnt have the pinpoint accuracy he used to have when he would snipe goalies top shelf or five hole, etc. He basically resorts to running cycles down low.

Anyone notice he had a rush last night coming down the right wing boards 1 on 1 with a defender? Anyone remember what he did? Took a snapshot from 25 feet out on a bad angle that was blocked.

Like what the hell is that? A 10.5 mil player doesnt have a better option from an awful angle low percentage shot and cant get it to be a shot on goal? Even if it got through to Talbot, he would have had a laughably easy save

He just doesnt remember how to create offense or separation anymore.

Regardless of losing some power, he is very poor at puck protection too. Again, dont give me this possible degenerative crap. Connor McDavid is 190lb and 20 years old and protects the puck as well as anyone in the league. His hockey sense, vision, and positioning are off the charts.

And here we are making excuses why our $10.5 mil, 29 year old, 200lb, three time cup winning center cant figure out how to get his body between a defender and the puck
- Stan_Bowman

Kinda grouchy today. Did Daddy take away your Nintendo?

All U ever here on here is shoot the puck ,so Toews does and he still gets crap on. Never a bad idea to get the puck towards the net , like the great one said missed every shot I did not take .
- oldduffman

It's a bad option when you are 1 on 1 outside the faceoff circles with no one at the net and no traffic. The smart play is to maintain possession if you can't create a scoring opportunity, which he clearly didnt. Also the problem was the puck never got near the net. Ovechkin is a marvel at hiding that puck and shooting through the defenders legs, but his shot also has elite velocity. Toews throwing a limp wrister at shin pads because the defender stepped up on him is an AHL play

Kinda grouchy today. Did Daddy take away your Nintendo?
- Dieselhead

Don't get me started, I was about to beat Zelda

It's a bad option when you are 1 on 1 outside the faceoff circles with no one at the net and no traffic. The smart play is to maintain possession if you can't create a scoring opportunity, which he clearly didnt. Also the problem was the puck never got near the net. Ovechkin is a marvel at hiding that puck and shooting through the defenders legs, but his shot also has elite velocity. Toews throwing a limp wrister at shin pads because the defender stepped up on him is an AHL play
- Stan_Bowman

OK Stan your the expert .On another note why don't we dump coach Q ,he has been destroying this team for the past two years with his inept line -up selections and stubborn reliance on certain players ,and stale game planning. It worked wonders in LA and Pitt . And they had top players who seemed to have stop playing well ..

It's a bad option when you are 1 on 1 outside the faceoff circles with no one at the net and no traffic. The smart play is to maintain possession if you can't create a scoring opportunity, which he clearly didnt. Also the problem was the puck never got near the net. Ovechkin is a marvel at hiding that puck and shooting through the defenders legs, but his shot also has elite velocity. Toews throwing a limp wrister at shin pads because the defender stepped up on him is an AHL play
- Stan_Bowman

Toews also had 5 shots on net last night 2nd only to Kane .Sometimes that puck just don't go were u want to ,but I know u already new that ..

If it is necrosis, I would bet $100 it started when he got checked into the open bench door against St Louis two playoffs ago. Hip and/or lower back, left side.
- 35Tony0

I was told by the orthapedic surgeon that the blood supply to the hips is "miniscule" right after I started poopting my pants about a vascular issue. He also said that impact is a common cause as it helps pinch off pinch the blood supply. The net result is that the hip bones die and then you need a new hip. An impact like the one you refer to could, even wth hockey pants on, cause a condition like this.

Nothing good ever happens when you hit an open bench door. Glen Wesley got checked into the penalty box door jamb years ago as a penalty was expiring and the door was opening and for a few seconds I was afraid the guy died.

Outstanding post 66.
Personally, I think you might have hit the nail on the head with this one.

I watched 19 very closely last night and even texted my buddy (C on my line) and said to look at 19's stride while skating -- something is seriously wrong with the guy and I think that could be what we are seeing.

Maybe you can come back and explain the difference between "skating" and "power skating" -- I think I'd be at a loss to put it in words but I can sure identify the difference when I watch someone skate as there is very little push-off and leg extension on each stride (I don't know if you'd explain it the same way).

But clearly, if you know what you're looking for/at, when you watch 19 you can see there is something not right with his skating stride. Very short, abbreviated pushes with very little power transferred to the ice. No burst whatsoever. I think this is why we're also seeing when he's 1 on 1 he can no longer get around guys, has no burst and he's trying to do too much to stickhandle while not having enough power to move around the opposing player.

What say you?
- savvyone-1

Without going into a whole thing, powerskating is maximizing a stride and crossovers while turning is a big part of it. I had to hang them up a couple of years ago. I couldn't crossover to the right and had trouble not falling when turning left. I ran into the boards and hurt my back because I couldn't turn right. I knew something was wrong so I went to the orthapedic sawbones and after one x-ray he called it. Confirmed by an MRI. So I wait until I can't take the pain and it's new hip time. Hell, I stumble when I'm sober just walking around and that's bullpoop. If JT has this condition I would expect to see him falling down on a regular basis without much help. I would also expect to see general weakness as the legs and hips are a foundation and affect the core. And as others here have pointed out, the million or so crosschecks are felt in the same zip code as the hips. Hope to hell I'm wrong, but the shoe does fit.

Without going into a whole thing, powerskating is maximizing a stride and crossovers while turning is a big part of it. I had to hang them up a couple of years ago. I couldn't crossover to the right and had trouble not falling when turning left. I ran into the boards and hurt my back because I couldn't turn right. I knew something was wrong so I went to the orthapedic sawbones and after one x-ray he called it. Confirmed by an MRI. So I wait until I can't take the pain and it's new hip time. Hell, I stumble when I'm sober just walking around and that's bullpoop. If JT has this condition I would expect to see him falling down on a regular basis without much help. I would also expect to see general weakness as the legs and hips are a foundation and affect the core. And as others here have pointed out, the million or so crosschecks are felt in the same zip code as the hips. Hope to hell I'm wrong, but the shoe does fit.
- 6628

So a hip replacement is the only solution? It wont heal?

So a hip replacement is the only solution? It wont heal?
- z1990z

Yep. Nope.