This MAY all be true. It MAY also be untrue. What we THINK Kane might be feeling is likely based on what we think he should feel or what we would feel, since we don't actually know his opinions.
- mohel

You need a source to know these things, I can hook you up with one!

You need a source to know these things, I can hook you up with one!
- paulr

Is he unnamed?

I seem to disagree.

If Colliton is the communicator people seem to think he is, I would guess that he and Kane have discussed how the coach uses the player - with buy in from Kane - a rink-rat who understands a lot of things about hockey and winning.

14 games left with small chances of playing past April 6. Why not put Kane with various skaters to see who can play with him - who can produce with the best set-up man in the league feeding them perfect passes in perfect positions for them to finish?

Why not try various line combinations now, in real games that mean something?

Kane finishing second or third or fourth in the scoring race isn’t going to do anything to enhance or denigrate his reputation - and the way he’s being used recently may help him win a fourth Cup in the future.
- StLBravesFan

A good perspective.

I'm not one of the guys who has a problem with the elevated minutes Kane has been regularly getting lately because he doesn't play a physically high intensity game. Therefore, I have no problem with Kane getting double shifted up and down the lineup and appreciate the strategy of sneaking Kane into the play when the opposing team don't have their best defenders out there against him. My preference would be for Kane to get the bulk of his minutes with top level line mates and then sneak him onto the ice with Anisimov and Kahun rather than visa versa.

My point was and is the Leafs match up better against Tampa than they do against the Bruins. The Bruins forecheck drives the Leafs crazy, Tampa' s game plan allows the Leafs to play their game and that's the only chance the Leafs have of advancing. In October I predicted the Lightening would win it all, I still think they are the team to beat.
- paulr

I agree I think Tor matches better against TB then say Bos NYI .And a series between TB and TOR would come down to goaltending ,and that's a close call .My biggest hope is the NYI beat out TOR ,that would be a ironic

I agree I think Tor matches better against TB then say Bos NYI .And a series between TB and TOR would come down to goaltending ,and that's a close call .My biggest hope is the NYI beat out TOR ,that would be a ironic
- oldduffman

Anyone beating out the Leafs would be fun to see but yeah seeing old Lou get his revenge would be the most fun.

Anyone beating out the Leafs would be fun to see but yeah seeing old Lou get his revenge would be the most fun.
- paulr

I know Tavarez is a really really really good player but i still don't understand why of all teams they signed him, especially with the lack of top 4 defenseman, and young players getting paid. Imho the gm really hurt the future of that team with that contract.

I know Tavarez is a really really really good player but i still don't understand why of all teams they signed him, especially with the lack of top 4 defenseman, and young players getting paid. Imho the gm really hurt the future of that team with that contract.
- BetweenTheDots

Seemed like a PR stunt unless they plan on trading Marner in the Summer for something that will address their needs.

I blew off the Hawk v Stars last night to see the Chicago Steel take on the USA Development U17 team. Fun game, the USA boys won 5-4 in OT. If you enjoy hockey, the Steel are worth a look. Tickets as low as $10, and not a bad seat in the house.

I had a chance to watch Hawk 2018 7th round pick Josiah Slavin, and came away impressed. Listed at 6’ 3” 187, he skates well, and not just for a big guy. Quick, and strong on the puck. He had 4 solid hits that I counted, took the puck to the net, and placed himself in front of the net when he didn’t have the puck. Lots of time on the PP, and even had a shift on the PK (3rd rotation).

In the 3rd, with the score tied, he made a strong 1 on 1 rush from the right side, partially got by the defender, shielded the puck with his body, and got off a backhander. Later in the 3rd he engaged physically with a defender, and they both ran over the USA goalie.

The program stated he’s headed to Colorado College next season.

Seemed like a PR stunt unless they plan on trading Marner in the Summer for something that will address their needs.
- Dieselhead

I would rather give 11 mil a year to guys who haven't hit their best years yet, Marner 21, Matthews 21, and not to Tavares 28 and everything i read stats say forwards tend to decline at 32 years old? But i guess that's just me.

I know Tavarez is a really really really good player but i still don't understand why of all teams they signed him, especially with the lack of top 4 defenseman, and young players getting paid. Imho the gm really hurt the future of that team with that contract.
- BetweenTheDots

Dubas acted like a fan on July 1 last summer, instead of using free agency to address a hole in his lineup he signs the best player despite Tavares not being a need. My guess is at the end of the Leaf's season their need will be the same as last season. As you say the Leaf GM may have hurt the team's future because he acted like an uninformed fan. Hopefully all those Hawk fans praying Bowman signs Panarin, instead of addressing a Blackhawk requirement, see how it will hurt the Hawks future.

Dubas acted like a fan on July 1 last summer, instead of using free agency to address a hole in his lineup he signs the best player despite Tavares not being a need. My guess is at the end of the Leaf's season their need will be the same as last season. As you say the Leaf GM may have hurt the team's future because he acted like an uninformed fan. Hopefully all those Hawk fans praying Bowman signs Panarin, instead of addressing a Blackhawk requirement, see how it will hurt the Hawks future.
- paulr

THIS!

Seemed like a PR stunt unless they plan on trading Marner in the Summer for something that will address their needs.
- Dieselhead

Nylander would be the one they trade. If anyone of that group. They would be crazy to trade Marner.

Nylander would be the one they trade. If anyone of that group. They would be crazy to trade Marner.
- Elbows15

Before trading Nylander they will blow off Jake Gardner first, then Zaitsev and possibly buyout Patty Marleau.

Dubas acted like a fan on July 1 last summer, instead of using free agency to address a hole in his lineup he signs the best player despite Tavares not being a need. My guess is at the end of the Leaf's season their need will be the same as last season. As you say the Leaf GM may have hurt the team's future because he acted like an uninformed fan. Hopefully all those Hawk fans praying Bowman signs Panarin, instead of addressing a Blackhawk requirement, see how it will hurt the Hawks future.
- paulr

So far so good. Since last year they have been in no further/ future damage mode.

Watching him pick up the pieces after the 2010 sell off and get rid of Campbell's contract and rebuild the bottom 6 and add Oduya and Rozy was quite impressive.

I have faith in Bowman especially since the trade deadline. Panarin signing would be sooooo bad for this team.

Before trading Nylander they will blow off Jake Gardner first, then Zaitsev and possibly buyout Patty Marleau.
- RickJ

Aren't going to get much for Zaitsev and they are going to have to take salary back would be my guess. That will save them some space. About half of Zaitsev cap hit would be my guess.

Gardiner isn't counted toward next season anyway. So, that doesn't lower their hits for next season.

Buying out Marleau doesn't save anything. Its an over 35 contract . Buyouts for those contracts don't reduce the cap hit at all.

They are probably going to move Kadri, Brown and Hyman. They will get some relief from the Horton contract but that complicates matters a bit.

Before trading Nylander they will blow off Jake Gardner first, then Zaitsev and possibly buyout Patty Marleau.
- RickJ

Then there defense will be worse than the Hawks, Reilly, Muzzun, then?...

Aren't going to get much for Zaitsev and they are going to have to take salary back would be my guess. That will save them some space. About half of Zaitsev cap hit would be my guess.

Gardiner isn't counted toward next season anyway. So, that doesn't lower their hits for next season.

Buying out Marleau doesn't save anything. Its an over 35 contract . Buyouts for those contracts don't reduce the cap hit at all.

They are probably going to move Kadri, Brown and Hyman. They will get some relief from the Horton contract but that complicates matters a bit.
- Elbows15

The Leafs may have painted themselves into a corner. Be interesting to see how or if they can find a way out of it.

Crawford discusses how he is feeling (hint: not yet 100%).

https://www.dailyherald.c...ot-about-to-doubt-himself

Perlini has definitely been more noticeable, goals or no goals. His skating looks better, and he looks so much more engaged on every shift. Whether the light went on in his head, or whether there was an injury that healed, no idea.
- 333inthe3rd

I wonder if the Hawks sat Perlini down and showed him videos of Michael Frolik a top draft pick but not a top 6 player?

He really has all the tools Frolik has but a bit more size. Told him if you learn and follow our instructions you can have a nice career like Michael has. Btw great trade by Stan

Shaw was told what he needed to work on by the Hawks if he wanted any chance of being drafted by the them, if i remember correctly the scout begged them to draft Shaw in his 3rd eligible draft.

Time will tell

Crawford discusses how he is feeling (hint: not yet 100%).

https://www.dailyherald.c...ot-about-to-doubt-himself
- pdx2ord

I took the comment as to where his game is at, not his physical status.

"I don't think I'm there yet," Crawford said when asked if he's seeing the puck as well as he used to. "But I'm trying to feel better every day and compete. I mean there's real no answer. I am where I am right now, and I've just got to work to (get) to where my game was."

I took the comment as to where his game is at, not his physical status.

"I don't think I'm there yet," Crawford said when asked if he's seeing the puck as well as he used to. "But I'm trying to feel better every day and compete. I mean there's real no answer. I am where I am right now, and I've just got to work to (get) to where my game was."
- walleyeb1

I also was glad to see him call out the forwards:

"Forwards have to come back and help out too. They've got to backcheck and take late guys. They've got to be in the right positions and block shots. You're not going to get low goals against with just goalies."

Before trading Nylander they will blow off Jake Gardner first, then Zaitsev and possibly buyout Patty Marleau.
- RickJ

Kapanen and Marleau and a 5th to the Blackhawks for a 2nd round draft pick, im sure this will happen over the summer but probably not the Hawks but they have the cap space to do it.

2019/20 Toronto:
Forwards: $45.4M (8 - Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, Marleau, Kadri, Hyman, Brown, Gauthier)
D-men: $14.4M (4 - Reilly, Zaitsev, Muzzin, Dermott)
Goalies: $5.7M (Andersen, Sparks)
Horton: $5.3M (LTIR)
Kessel: $1.2M (Buyout)

Subtotal#1 = $72M

Need to sign (5) forwards and (3) d-men:
F1. Marner ($9M - could be $10M+)
F2. Kapanen ($5M - could be $6M+)
F3. Johnsson ($3M - could be $4M+)
F4/F5. Low cost ($1.75M)
D1/D2/D3. Low cost ($2.75M)

Subtotal#2 = $21.5M

Total 2019/20 cap hit = $93.5M

Even with favorable deals on Marner, Kapanen, and Johnsson for Toronto - they would still be at least $10M over the projected cap.

Toronto could offload Kadri ($4.5M), Hyman ($2.25M) and Brown ($2.1M) and replace them with low cost players for a net cap space reduction of about $6M which still leaves them at least $4M over and they've just gutted the depth of their team.

2019/20 Toronto:
Forwards: $45.4M (8 - Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, Marleau, Kadri, Hyman, Brown, Gauthier)
D-men: $14.4M (4 - Reilly, Zaitsev, Muzzin, Dermott)
Goalies: $5.7M (Andersen, Sparks)
Horton: $5.3M (LTIR)
Kessel: $1.2M (Buyout)

Subtotal#1 = $72M

Need to sign (5) forwards and (3) d-men:
F1. Marner ($9M - could be $10M+)
F2. Kapanen ($5M - could be $6M+)
F3. Johnsson ($3M - could be $4M+)
F4/F5. Low cost ($1.75M)
D1/D2/D3. Low cost ($2.75M)

Subtotal#2 = $21.5M

Total 2019/20 cap hit = $93.5M

Even with favorable deals on Marner, Kapanen, and Johnsson for Toronto - they would still be at least $10M over the projected cap.

Toronto could offload Kadri ($4.5M), Hyman ($2.25M) and Brown ($2.1M) and replace them with low cost players for a net cap space reduction of about $6M which still leaves them at least $4M over and they've just gutted the depth of their team.
- EbonyRaptor

Isn't that a shame!

For all the crap Bowman and the Hawks get for their cap problems it's fun to see other teams in cap hell and no cup(s) to show for it.

I took the comment as to where his game is at, not his physical status.

"I don't think I'm there yet," Crawford said when asked if he's seeing the puck as well as he used to. "But I'm trying to feel better every day and compete. I mean there's real no answer. I am where I am right now, and I've just got to work to (get) to where my game was."
- walleyeb1

Yep. He's talking about his game.