Does anyone even know what happened with Crawford?
- Hank3Henshaw

He got drunk and drove his snowmobile into a Rise Against concert while dropping F-bombs

you (frank)er, i totally fell for it.

I was reading your post genuinely interested in who your example would be. Cant believe i didn't see it coming.

Enough internet for me today
- BlazinMike

C'mon Mike, you gave me a good chuckle there.
Sure, there's several others -- in spite of me not liking him much, Crosby has a fine power stride as well. Also happen to think Matt Barzal as a rookie is very underrated in terms of his skating, people talk about his hands and scoring (which have been pretty good all season) but watch him skate and you'll see the same kind of very powerful stride and acceleration.

The whole key is within a very few strides the player is at top speed (or seems like it because he is accelerating away from just about everyone else).

C'mon Mike, you gave me a good chuckle there.
Sure, there's several others -- in spite of me not liking him much, Crosby has a fine power stride as well. Also happen to think Matt Barzal as a rookie is very underrated in terms of his skating, people talk about his hands and scoring (which have been pretty good all season) but watch him skate and you'll see the same kind of very powerful stride and acceleration.

The whole key is within a very few strides the player is at top speed (or seems like it because he is accelerating away from just about everyone else).
- savvyone-1

McKinnon seems to have that kind of speed and quickness. McDavid too.

He got drunk and drove his snowmobile into a Rise Against concert while dropping F-bombs
- BlazinMike

Hahaha.

Dude. The F-Bomb stuff was embarrassing. Legit cringe worthy. Like, you're a grown man...couldn't you just celebrate and keep it together? Gotta try and be the "cool" guy at the celebration event where there's kids and family in the crowd and watching on TV--such a dork.

Just my opinion.

Before they make trades or additions they need to decide on a direction and stick to it. It makes no sense to acquire players and then not play them or play them on their opposite side. This team needs scoring but with young players and different lines combinations nightly, how can they build consistency? They are clearly writing this season off but really need to have a plan before next year.

That's what I think anyway.
- rickboardman

Have not heard anything specifically on this, and judging by the Glass/Forsberg dance and other headscratchers, I suspect there is no universally agreed upon plan plan at present.

Not gonna buy, unless someone decides to give away a problem child with talent (a la Duclair). Probably not gonna sell too much beyond some fringe guys for draft picks.

Bowman says the team next year will look much the same as this year. The marketing guys are bricking it at the thought.

I suspect the dollars and rapidly plummeting brand equity alone will drive the plan, and the plan will likely encompass more than the on-ice personnel.

But you nailed it. They need a plan, a vision, to turn the arc of the franchise around, and they need a good one, and they need to stick to it.

McKinnon seems to have that kind of speed and quickness. McDavid too.
- BlazinMike

JERSEY. FLAPPING. SPEED.

I think Nick Schmaltz & Alex Debrincat are Chicago's future, I wouldn't trade my future for the present. Instead of Stan Bowman trying to patch holes in a sinking ship, I think Stan should rebuild throught the draft, clear cap space, & get younger.

I would trade Brent Seabrook as he's aging, & taking up a lot of cap space.

I'm not saying trade Johnathan Toews, but I think for the 10.5 he's making, he should be playing a lot better than he's been the last few seasons.

Have not heard anything specifically on this, and judging by the Glass/Forsberg dance and other headscratchers, I suspect there is no universally agreed upon plan plan at present.

Not gonna buy, unless someone decides to give away a problem child with talent (a la Duclair). Probably not gonna sell too much beyond some fringe guys for draft picks.

Bowman says the team next year will look much the same as this year. The marketing guys are bricking it at the thought.

I suspect the dollars and rapidly plummeting brand equity alone will drive the plan, and the plan will likely encompass more than the on-ice personnel.

But you nailed it. They need a plan, a vision, to turn the arc of the franchise around, and they need a good one, and they need to stick to it.
- John Jaeckel

Bruins of the last three years. One year of harsh reality, one year of embracing the sucking, one year of 'holy crap who is this team?'



Caveat: you need a bon-a-fide stallion like Charlie McAvoy to make this work.

McKinnon seems to have that kind of speed and quickness. McDavid too.
- BlazinMike

Good calls w/both of those guys --
Unlike Stalberg, who was fast (or Kreider, who's fast as well), the difference is the actual skating mechanics. Some guys look like they're running, others I liken to the boats w/hydrofoils -- they get going quickly and fly.

EDIT: Schmaltz fits into this category as well -- vg mechanics and excellent speed. Difference is, he doesn't have the meat-on-the-bones yet as some of the others. But vg skater IMO.

With Chicago he was:

30+47=77
31+43=74

With CBJ he's on pace for:

22+44=66

Are you sure he wouldn't want back with Kane?
- StLBravesFan

Not to mention has something like an over 50% shootout conversion percentage (that doesn't get counted in that) -and amazingly Torts seems to love the guy -which from what I understand can be tough to pull off.

I wouldn't be shocked if he re-signed in Columbus, although I have no idea what their cap situation is or will be.

Good calls w/both of those guys --
Unlike Stalberg, who was fast (or Kreider, who's fast as well), the difference is the actual skating mechanics. Some guys look like they're running, others I liken to the boats w/hydrofoils -- they get going quickly and fly.
- savvyone-1

I was a ho hum McDavid guy until I say him pants Downey and Quick the other night - WOW. They guy has wheels...

Ice Time* Top 6 F on Team $212,500 Yes Yes
Goals 20 goals $212,500 No Yes
Assists 35 assists $212,500 No Yes
Points 60 points $212,500 No Yes
Points per Game* .73 Pts/Game $212,500 Yes Yes
Plus/Minus* Top 3 F on Team $212,500 Yes Yes
NHL All-Rookie Team Selected $212,500 Yes No


I'm sure Sikura's agent is telling him to not talk much about signing so he can get a better bonus structure. If he gets 1 or 2 of the above he would get a extra $212K Plus I'm sure he wants a commitment he will be on the NHL roster all year.
SAAD-TT-DUKE
HART-NICK-KANE
SIKURA-AA-CAT
HAYDEN-KAMPF-JURCO
WINGELS.

Have not heard anything specifically on this, and judging by the Glass/Forsberg dance and other headscratchers, I suspect there is no universally agreed upon plan plan at present.

Not gonna buy, unless someone decides to give away a problem child with talent (a la Duclair). Probably not gonna sell too much beyond some fringe guys for draft picks.

Bowman says the team next year will look much the same as this year. The marketing guys are bricking it at the thought.

I suspect the dollars and rapidly plummeting brand equity alone will drive the plan, and the plan will likely encompass more than the on-ice personnel.

But you nailed it. They need a plan, a vision, to turn the arc of the franchise around, and they need a good one, and they need to stick to it.
- John Jaeckel

Good to see you stopping by JJ! Continue playing Glass and trade Anisimov and the Hawks should lock up a Top 10 pick without issue. I still maintain that Bowman should be shown the door before the Draft, but I'm guessing he gets one more year to try and fix this awful mess.

Good to see you stopping by JJ! Continue playing Glass and trade Anisimov and the Hawks should lock up a Top 10 pick without issue. I still maintain that Bowman should be shown the door before the Draft, but I'm guessing he gets one more year to try and fix this awful mess.
- EnzoD

Glass is a great story, however your right he will get us a top 10. they way he looses his net - jeez.....

Bruins of the last three years. One year of harsh reality, one year of embracing the sucking, one year of 'holy crap who is this team?'



Caveat: you need a bon-a-fide stallion like Charlie McAvoy to make this work.
- ObeseOprah

Also agreed. The last ten years were built on 4-5 super blue chip-franchise level players. Gotta go get at least a couple of those guys. Somehow.

Schmaltz and Debrincat are going to be nice players of some fashion but they are not and will not be that good.

Good to see you stopping by JJ! Continue playing Glass and trade Anisimov and the Hawks should lock up a Top 10 pick without issue. I still maintain that Bowman should be shown the door before the Draft, but I'm guessing he gets one more year to try and fix this awful mess.
- EnzoD

Thx Enzo

I agree, you cant have Toews and Seabrook chewing up almost 18 mil and getting no results, or poor results at best. I luv coach Q, but for him to say the veterans are doing there job is complete B.S.!!!!

Bowman in less than a month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=280yPTyei0U

Also agreed. The last ten years were built on 4-5 super blue chip-franchise level players. Gotta go get at least a couple of those guys. Somehow.

Schmaltz and Debrincat are going to be nice players of some fashion but they are not and will not be that good.
- John Jaeckel

JJ!

Great to see you stop by!

I still have high hopes for the Hawks. Don't let the turkeys get you down

He's not. He has improved but doesn't have much speed (guessing he might barely beat Seabrook in a race).

If you want to watch a classic power skater with proper stride, dial up your TV or browser to re-watch Nick Leddy. Might be one of the finest examples in the NHL, accelerates within about a stride and a half.

We had a guy like that once, can't quite remember him . . .
- savvyone-1

Leddy is a beautiful skater, he is also remains a pretty poor defender. Sorry, 9G, 25 A - 34pts and still a -30. I know that +/- is not a great indicator of play all the time, but in Leddy's case it confirms the eye test......he is not very good in his own end.

Good calls w/both of those guys --
Unlike Stalberg, who was fast (or Kreider, who's fast as well), the difference is the actual skating mechanics. Some guys look like they're running, others I liken to the boats w/hydrofoils -- they get going quickly and fly.

EDIT: Schmaltz fits into this category as well -- vg mechanics and excellent speed. Difference is, he doesn't have the meat-on-the-bones yet as some of the others. But vg skater IMO.
- savvyone-1

Anathasiou fits somewhere in between. Super fast like Stalberg/Kreider, Good but not great form.

Leddy is a beautiful skater, he is also remains a pretty poor defender. Sorry, 9G, 25 A - 34pts and still a -30. I know that +/- is not a great indicator of play all the time, but in Leddy's case it confirms the eye test......he is not very good in his own end.
- TheTrob

Trob, how much have you watched the Isles?

I have seen almost every game this season.

No, he is NOT a shut-down guy but I can say that his +/- does not reflect 3/4 of this season's defensive efforts. NYI goaltending has been horrific (to put it lightly) and the D zone coverage by forwards/centers has been nearly as abysmal. Got tagged for 2 last night and if the other 5 guys were doing their respective jobs (including Halak), no goals would have been scored.

For all the trashing he got and still gets on this board, I would say he'd be the 2nd best defender on this Hawks club and by far the best D man to push the pace. Boychuk has been out a good portion and he's been paired with multiple defenders with very little experience.

Trob, how much have you watched the Isles?

I have seen almost every game this season.

No, he is NOT a shut-down guy but I can say that his +/- does not reflect 3/4 of this season's defensive efforts. NYI goaltending has been horrific (to put it lightly) and the D zone coverage by forwards/centers has been nearly as abysmal. Got tagged for 2 last night and if the other 5 guys were doing their respective jobs (including Halak), no goals would have been scored.

For all the trashing he got and still gets on this board, I would say he'd be the 2nd best defender on this Hawks club and by far the best D man to push the pace. Boychuk has been out a good portion and he's been paired with multiple defenders with very little experience.
- savvyone-1

Danault, Leddy, and Johns all suck. And Panarin is the reason the Hawks lost in the playoffs. Oh and Toews and Seabs will bounce back with a long summer of rest. Get with it Savvy

On another note, Nick Schmaltz is a pretty effortless skater with 95th percentile speed.

McKinnon seems to have that kind of speed and quickness. McDavid too.
- BlazinMike

And the closest "Mc" we will get is Seab's "McDouble-double" in between periods

Danault, Leddy, and Johns all suck. And Panarin is the reason the Hawks lost in the playoffs. Oh and Toews and Seabs will bounce back with a long summer of rest. Get with it Savvy

On another note, Nick Schmaltz is a pretty effortless skater with 95th percentile speed.
- EnzoD

Thanks Enzo for setting me straight. I forgot. I guess I lost my head there.

You know, watching S Johns the other night, couldn't help but think someone in this org (Q?) put the kabash on Johns before he even got a sniff here. Or maybe someone figured he'd get the same treatment Q's given others (like, let's say Kempny, who while I think might not be a top 2, certainly has the tools to be top 4). And they better sell to get something for him while they can.

So Blowman goes out and gets Daley and Q proceeds to give him the same treatment. Blowman realizes his mistake and ships him off to Mike Sullivan while the Pens unload a washed-up-perfect-for-Q vet in Scuderi (or his corpse). Daley meanwhile gets his name on the CUP and we're still stuck in neutral.

Honestly, both Q and Blowman need to go.
Blowman gets guys that have some talent and instead, Q sits 'em. Then makes a mockery with players like John Scott, Bollig, Mashinter. The list could go on.

I really believe it's time for some big changes.