Don't feel too bad pdx; it's also one of the reasons I don't post much any more. The old gang is back at it and it is tiring if one doesn't fall in line with the "everything is great" narrative. Also don't appreciate the JJ bashing that continues.
- savvyone-1

Hi, Savvy. You don't want to post because people don't agree with your positions on the team, and the previous blogger? Your choice.

I don't think anyone ever thought "everything was or is great". You and others spent all your time poking holes in a lineup that was the best in hockey over a decade. You made up all kinds of nosense with no proof, from the president meddling, to the GM owing it all to the previous GM, to the coach who didn't play guys the way YOU expected him to, to the stupid goal song and you and your ridiculous theory that the team didn't know how to sharpen the player's skates. Of course other posters, many of whom are the most knowledgable, challenged you.
- paulr

When I first started reading here it really did boggle my mind how many posters were so negative. Like you said we had the best roster in the league and yet there was so much whining.

Where are all those people now? Cuz NOW is the time to have complaints.

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

Two rookies. And someone has a retread.

Maybe my understanding of what a "grinder" is is wrong. I define grinder as a 4th line type guy who gets only 8 or 9 minutes TOI, gets 4 hits and doesn't get scored on. A grinder who can consistently get 4 hits in 8-9 minutes and didn't get scored on would be considered to have had a pretty good game - for a "grinder". Did anyone think Doug Gilmore would have a good game by playing 8-9 minutes TOI with 4 hits and no points?

It seems making a comparison to TG's comment about a grinder is not comparable to Doug Gilmore who was much more than a grinder even before he got better defensively. All players should he held accountable defensively and try to improve - it's not just a grinder thing.
- EbonyRaptor

At no point did anyone suggest Perlini should be a "grinder". When I read that, my first thought was 'there's True Contrarian living up to his name, intentionally conflating an issue by creating a strawman argument to confuse the point'. I can't even remember the last time the term grinder was ever used? Because of Perlini's inconsistencies what myself and some others have suggested is to take advantage of Perlini's skating skills by having him learn the defensive side of the game. Pretty reasonable point until the grinder term enters the discussion. So instead of falling into the strawman argument I continued the point about Perlini learning how to play defense using Gilmour as an example.

Ahead of the new blog

Looking ahead to how tough is Arizona.
How well does Hammer perform against his old team? In light of some on the board who say he is not playing as good as he used to, the resurgent Coyotes should field a line up with many players performing quite well.

I am guessing that previous to this season, hammer was dealing with injuries and a somewhat bad team.
.
Does Vinnie or Panic score?.Galyenchuk or their latest rookie? Chychrun is good right? Oesterle has been playing

Their #1 rookie from 2017 made the team last year and Keller looks to be one of their top fast skill guys

Ahead of the new blog

Looking ahead to how tough is Arizona.
How well does Hammer perform against his old team? In light of some on the board who say he is not playing as good as he used to, the resurgent Coyotes should field a line up with many players performing quite well.

I am guessing that previous to this season, hammer was dealing with injuries and a somewhat bad team.
.
Does Vinnie or Panic score?.Galyenchuk or their latest rookie? Chychrun is good right? Oesterle has been playing

Their #1 rookie from 2017 made the team last year and Keller looks to be one of their top fast skill guys
- jhawk59

Hammer, Vinnie, Panic, Oesterle are all enemies now. Who cares if they score or play well. I hope they get stuck in traffic and miss the game! F them!

Hi, Savvy. You don't want to post because people don't agree with your positions on the team, and the previous blogger? Your choice.
- mohel

No, actually mohel, if you read paulr's reply, it was exactly that kind of post that has kept me away. JJ has moved on. And just like TC now, giving Blackhawk fans a place to "converse" about all aspects of the team is a good thing.

I didn't agree with everything JJ said. Nor did I believe every rumor but then again, rumors are just that, right?

It's not the fact that some may agree and some may not, more the issue of having old topics brought up again and again. Like the recent topic of JJ saying Debrincat wouldn't be successful, needed time in the A, had a bad attitude. OK, fine. He made a bad call on it. So be it, but then it gets hammered over and over and brought up again and again. Not enjoyable. At least not for me.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=98252

Harry Howell was like Pierre Pilote, both wore #3, both were captains, both were left handed playing the right slide, and both were considered offensive defenseman (which had a totally different meaning until Orr arrived on the scene)
- LAHawk

Orr sure did redefine the position. Not too many players in any sport that were are transformational as he was. Sure was a shame that he had knee problems through most of his career. As much as I disliked anyone not wearing the Indian, he was something to watch in his prime and someone who would have been a joy to watch if he had an extended and healthy career.

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

Easy to say. But the buyers for Nylander at 7 million will be FAR, FAR less than the maket for marner at even 10 or 11 million.

Well they sat Perlini for a few games

“It’s the same speech I’ve had with him a few times,” coach Jeremy Colliton said. “I’m not so concerned about whether the puck’s going in the net, I feel that will take care of itself. It’s the play away from the puck, it’s the pressure on the puck. It’s the work ethic, it’s the 50-50s around the lines. That’s what allows you to have positive shifts. So if he does that, then he’ll get his chances.”

You say grinder i say solid hockey player, if he becomes a top 6 player wow, that's a bonus, infact if he becomes a bottom 6 player to me that's a bonus. One has to crawl before he can walk....
- BetweenTheDots

Sounds to me like the message a coach should be sending to his players. It is clear what he is looking for.

I guess it could just be a difference in the definition of "grinder" but to me "grinder" is a pretty specific job description for a hockey player totally separate from "solid hockey player". A good grinder should be a solid hockey player but a solid hockey player isn't necessarily a grinder. To me, a grinder has two primary objectives - (1) play physical, and (2) don't get scored on. Any scoring done by a grinder is a bonus not a requirement.
- EbonyRaptor

I think the messaging is wrong: not trying to get he player to be a grinder or not a grinder.

The messaging should be how much more productive — and this marketable — the player would be if he can round out his game and do the things the team needs. I think focusing on individual growth and career advancement by focusing on improving he player — irrespective of what “role” you want to put them in — should be easier for the kid to grasp. Ask whether he wants a career bouncing from team to team making a million or two per year or would prefer 5 to 8 million on a long term contract if he can get his ass in gear. Think the answer is pretty obvious.

Sounds to me like the message a coach should be sending to his players. It is clear what he is looking for.
- Spec41971

The hard working player who works the boards, takes and administers a check BUT also has top six talent is available in the top eight draft slots this 2019 draft. Wiz had said the top six is the first tier and the difference makers.

That being said, Bowman historionics is to find a later round draft who develops into that physical player. He has not found one however whom became top six. Not Shaw; not even Bickel whom there was hope for after the second Cup. Then too i have a strong suspicion that Bowman wants Gus here and is not open to trading him until a dynamic draft is here to stay - probably means Boqvist whom is minimum two years away. Last thing Bowman wants to do is rush a prospect.

This particularly comes into strong review because the blueline crew going forward is going to become younger and you must have enough veterans. Confidance born out of experience means so much.

So just to move up in the draft is to trade something of value which another team wants. If not Gus then maybe we do not have the preresiquite coveted player(s). Maybe 2020 draft after these prospects on defense show more.

The ideas swirling around in our mind as well as NHL GM's have to take the expansion draft into consideration as part of the overall plan

Then too who knows if Bowman likes a prospect top eight or top six and offers .....um.....cough....Perlini up?
I like the notion of trying to extract a player from a team up against the cap. Mindful of salary cap and the liklihood we will be paying Seabrook lots long term plus paying Crawford too whom has concussion history

It is a lot to figure out. You could get a headache over it. And Justin could devote a blog to it.