I just had both my hips replaced due to no cartilage left between the joints. I was still playing competitively but about a year earlier i started to notice that my speed was going and i could not put my leg over the other leg to put my socks on.
Since having the surgery about a year ago I have tried to skate but have no balance.
My suggestion to anyone thinking about replacement is wait as long as possible because even with successful replacement you will never have the same stability
- molly2522

Did you have them both done at the same time? If so Wow. I get the just get it done/over with but still, i can't imagine the rehab

I'm tired of hearing about the Toews contract. Its on Management not him. Do I wish he was playing better-Yes.
Do I wish Hossa was still playing - Yes

If Toews was making 8 Million would we be happy about his play? No.


I'm thankful for the Cup contributions in 10-13 & 15 and yes it appears the Toews and Seabrook contracts are not of any value moving forward.

Lots of ugly contracts in the NHL- It goes with the Territory.

https://www.sbnation.com/...salary-cap-2017-18-season

Did you have them both done at the same time? If so Wow. I get the just get it done/over with but still, i can't imagine the rehab
- BetweenTheDots

a month apart and i walked out of the surgery center 4 hours after each replacement

both successful surgeries but when I'm on the ice my balance reminds me of trying on another manufacturers hockey skate where the center of gravity is different from the current skate you wear and your balance missing

(Posted at the end of the last blog)

Foley mentioned Murphy staying OT after practice ends and working with the coaches on skating, positioning, etc. It's noticeable and I give the guy props for doing all he can to improve his game. Skating, while still not great, looks better -- in particular I notice the F-R and R-F transitions (eagles) to be much smoother allowing him to not lose much ground.

And -- #5 is literally the only D man who consistently defends at or above our blue line. You see most, if not all of our D have this really bad habit of backing in on our G. Defending like that at the blue line has also allowed Murphy the latitude to lay some nice/big hits on opposing F's.

Al mentioned this a few blogs ago -- Ruuta for his 6'3" 200+ lb frame plays like a guy that is 5'9", much smaller and less physical, gets pushed around quite a bit.

I've noticed that Forsling must be banged up because he's been beaten like a rented mule on a number of plays at the boards, just does not look as good as earlier in the season.

Going to be a long, painful slog the rest of the way (til the season mercifully ends in April), then we can hear all about them getting extra rest and healing up. I just wish that Toews would fess up and they'd LTIR him because he's pretty much useless. There is no fire there anymore. It's like Blowman abducted the real #19 and replaced him with this droid who is lifeless and monotone in his standard replies to the reporters. Oh wait . . .
- savvyone-1

I actually think Murphy is a pretty good skater. Especially if you take his size into account. He seems to cover a lot of ice with out making a lot of effort and brings some thunder.

Between Kempny Rutta and Forsling - I'd rather see Kempny get minutes since he brings a skill set in the ozone.

Forsling and Rutta are kind of a trainwreck in their own end but I think a lot of it is adjusting to the small ice for one and the NHL for the other. Going to have to live with these guys biffing plays. I think some of the up and down with Forsling is first NHL season and playing a lot of minutes. And, also getting a lot of draws in his own end which really is a trial by fire.

The game itself was pretty entertaining. A lot of action and McDavid is a joy to watch.

A stats-supported look at Saad's disappointing season so far (in short, he's stopped driving to the net)

https://theathletic.com/1...ons-in-blackhawks-return/

and a companion piece about why the Saad/Toews reunion is not having desired effect. It actually concludes that, of available options, DeBrincat seems to ignite the offense of that line the most.

https://theathletic.com/1...for-the-blackhawks-again/

Whispers growing louder Joel has lost the room.

Have heard from one source family member of a younger player, another close to a "core" guy (about as core as you can get—although I trust this source a bit less).

The first one is legit and confirmed, but sometimes that's because the player is just pissed at how he's being handled, which would not surprise me in this instance.

Either way, it bears watching. The lack of effort some nights is concerning.
- John Jaeckel

Looks about right. The best coaches in the world (except Greg Popovich - seem to lose the room eventually).

I'd liken Q to a guy more like Phil Jackson who can manage egos, keep the big shooters in the room happy, get the most out of veterans (Like Bill Cartwright and Zeus or Ron Harper and Marian Hossa), push the right buttons on certain younger players (obviously they all don't buy in) and get the most out of an open window.

But once the team starts to age and faces change then the magic is pretty much gone.

You can't say that Q isn't one of the best coaches ever, however, he may not be right for this situation or just ran its course.

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

Pretty sure Ray Emery had that and they did some crazy bone graft thing to fix it. Which is apparently one of the most painful things you can possibly go through.

http://nhl.nbcsports.com/...rom-grueling-hip-surgery/

I'm not a doctor but I play one on TV.
If you're not easily grossed-out, here's good link and some interesting reading. There are other things apparently that can be done but none sound too delightful and moreover, if you're a pro athlete of any variety, this would pretty much spell the end of whatever career you've had.


http://www.houstonmethodi...rt/hip/avascular-necrosis

EDIT: for those that want to learn more about power skating, Google "Laura Stamm" as she is pretty well known for training a number of NHL'ers. Some good videos explaining a bunch of the techniques.

You'll notice if you watch the video about stride and then watch Toews tomorrow night, his is WAY OFF and it is no wonder why he doesn't seem nearly as fast or powerful (and seems to fall a lot). Hossa (before LTIR) and Leddy (when he was here) were the only 2 guys that really had that powerskating stride. I'd say you see Saad, Panik, Hino and Kane (to a lesser extent but still good) as the powerskating guys. Note they are also the fastest on the team, no surprise either.
- savvyone-1

Could just as easily be a herniated disk or the dreaded "sports hernia."

A stats-supported look at Saad's disappointing season so far (in short, he's stopped driving to the net)

https://theathletic.com/1...ons-in-blackhawks-return/

and a companion piece about why the Saad/Toews reunion is not having desired effect. It actually concludes that, of available options, DeBrincat seems to ignite the offense of that line the most.

https://theathletic.com/1...for-the-blackhawks-again/
- pdx2ord

The eye test has been telling this story since this season began.

NO one goes to net except for AA and Wingels. Not going to score many goals from the hinterland of the perimeter. This team far overvalues its ability to “skill” its way to victory.

The eye test has been telling this story since this season began.

NO one goes to net except for AA and Wingels. Not going to score many goals from the hinterland of the perimeter. This team far overvalues its ability to “skill” its way to victory.
- Return of the Roar

Hopefully Hartman can continue to go to the net as he has done the last couple games.

Hopefully Hartman can continue to go to the net as he has done the last couple games.
- 6628

I actually wonder if he was banged up and is just now getting back to feeling 100%
Same with Panik, although he's still not banging like we know he can.

NEW blog: http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=89980

i'm tired of hearing about the Toews contract. Its on Management not him. Do I wish he was playing better-Yes.
Do I wish Hossa was still playing - Yes

If Toews was making 8 Million would we be happy about his play? No.


I'm thankful for the Cup contributions in 10-13 &15 and yes it appears the Toews and Seabrook contracts are not going to be good ones moving forward.

Lots of ugly contracts in the NHL- It goes with the Territory.
https://www.sbnation.com/...salary-cap-2017-18-season
- Colbyboy

You are so correct. Just try to develop young talent because that is the single most thing possible. No trades are going to transform the team. Nobody rips off anyone, hardly ever. Big concentration on drafting and developing.

As far as management goes, someone wrote in a blog here how Bowman is a company man and a yes man. The blogger explained farther that Bowman is not going anywhere. I tend to agree. He has done enough good moves and McDonough knows a retool or rebuild has to be done. There may be a question if Q should continue as coach. I bet that after the season it is more whether he is best coach suited to develop kids, not so much his coaching or if loss of the room is even somewhat true.

Also it needs to be said....that McDonugh can see how hockey teams are built. He knows it is just bad luck that a Toews and Seabrook slow down after all the mileage and abuse - and we still do not know if Toews is finished with that necrosis or whatever it is called.

Other:
I was at the Rockford game last night. One game is not going to be enough to make any solid evaluations. But at least I got to see Fortin and Highmore. Dahlstrom and Norell again. My take away from the game was to reinforce that Dahlstrom and Gus have ability though both are just susceptible to physical play. Actually the other Sikura is not a bad player. Louis plays point on powerplay and looks like a future skill guy who could play NHL. Of all skaters, Knott showed he can be an effective boards player and I can see where he could develop into a good value complementary player.