Blackhawks signed Krys to ELC. He will play in Rockford the rest of the season. ELC seems to be kicking in next season as he also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford to round out this year.

For those keeping track, Shaw was essentially traded for DeBrincat and Krys.

I agree, but that's only because you and I and your dog could play for the Leafs, have a losing record for 50 years and Leaf fans would not only trip all over themselves for season's tickets, they'd buy our sweaters.
- paulr

I have a buddy who drives Uber in Burlington. He says his most enjoyable nights driving are Leaf game nights when they lose at home. He heads for the GO Station an hour after the game ends and dozens of people in their $300 blue Leaf jerseys pile out of the train. And they get in his car and start cursing Babcock, Dubas, Zaitsev, washed up Patrick Marlowe and the price of the beers. And then he asks them if they are going to the next game and of course the answer is Yes. The Leafs are like a heroin addiction to their fans.

Blackhawks signed Krys to ELC. He will play in Rockford the rest of the season. ELC seems to be kicking in next season as he also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford to round out this year.

For those keeping track, Shaw was essentially traded for DeBrincat and Krys.
- AEL_Fox

Not bad at all.

Hate to make excuses for poor performance, but it sure as heck looks like Kane has some kind of tweak/grade 1 strain/sprain. Kane looks diminished/reduced in all areas of his game...skating, stick-handling, shooting...just nowhere near the MVP level he played at for most of the year.



Toews, on the other hand, was an absolute monster. God damn is it a treat to watch Jonathan Toews play hockey at the top of his game. Just the prototypical Center. Everything you want in a hockey player, and he made Mackinnon his female dog in the faceoff circle last night. Looked like Colliton isn't the only one playing his Superstar too much, as Mackinnon was completely gassed by OT to let Keith skate right by him for the GWG.

Blackhawks signed Krys to ELC. He will play in Rockford the rest of the season. ELC seems to be kicking in next season as he also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford to round out this year.

For those keeping track, Shaw was essentially traded for DeBrincat and Krys.
- AEL_Fox

Anyone have a recent scouting report on Krys? Only can find one from 2016.

You're right.....He just rubs me the wrong way. I saw him interact with fans once during a season-ticket holder skating event and he was just an arrogant SOB.

I'll get over it.....
- SteveRain

McD has a serious case of jerk face. I did see him on an elevator at the one convention I attended. He struck up a conversation with a family about what they could do better for them. Probably all baloney, but he did it well in that small sample size.

Blackhawks signed Krys to ELC. He will play in Rockford the rest of the season. ELC seems to be kicking in next season as he also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford to round out this year.

For those keeping track, Shaw was essentially traded for DeBrincat and Krys.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks for the info. Really good to hear. How's the defensive side of his game progressing?

There was a replay during a power play yesterday where they showed Kane make on of his beautiful little cross-ice saucer passes going about three high all the way across the ice. He can usually make those passes sleeping with a blindfold in a wooden box in a cargo container. Would agree that something is not right with him.
- Spec41971

and he whiffed on a one timer...Patrick Kane whiffing...No way.

Hate to make excuses for poor performance, but it sure as heck looks like Kane has some kind of tweak/grade 1 strain/sprain. Kane looks diminished/reduced in all areas of his game...skating, stick-handling, shooting...just nowhere near the MVP level he played at for most of the year.



Toews, on the other hand, was an absolute monster. God damn is it a treat to watch Jonathan Toews play hockey at the top of his game. Just the prototypical Center. Everything you want in a hockey player, and he made Mackinnon his female dog in the faceoff circle last night. Looked like Colliton isn't the only one playing his Superstar too much, as Mackinnon was completely gassed by OT to let Keith skate right by him for the GWG.
- EnzoD

And Johnny draws the head to head assignment every night against MacKinnon, McDavid, Matthews, Tavares, Scheiffle, Bergeron, Crosby, Malkin and anybody else you want to name. Those guys know how good he is. And to boot he is expected to provide offence as well and win all of the facelifts on the PK.

Just laughable how some posters on here categorized him as no better than a 3C. Offer him up in trade and he'd be snapped up in a minute.

Since really the next games are really a try out for next season, I would like to see ADB back with Strome, and try Perlini on the top line. I was very impressed gain with his play yesterday, at both ends of the rink, and his drive to the net (although he didn't score) was Saad-like, showing his speed and power,

Perlini-Toews-Kane
ADB-Strome-Kahun
Saad-AA-Sikura
whatever else.

Hat tip to assistant coach Elbows for putting AA and Seabs out on the PP for the goal
- LAHawk

Thanks for the info. Really good to hear. How's the defensive side of his game progressing?
- I Am The Breadman

Made a lot of stride the last two seasons according to reports.

And Johnny draws the head to head assignment every night against MacKinnon, McDavid, Matthews, Tavares, Scheiffle, Bergeron, Crosby, Malkin and anybody else you want to name. Those guys know how good he is. And to boot he is expected to provide offence as well and win all of the facelifts on the PK.

Just laughable how some posters on here categorized him as no better than a 3C. Offer him up in trade and he'd be snapped up in a minute.
- RickJ

Its why Kampf's progress this season is encouraging. Toews is always going to get some of those tough match-up, but if they could take some of that off his shoulder going forward, I suspect his offensive production be stay consistent with his career norms.

Kampf is the start of a shutdown line. Need to get him a couple of wingers somehow.

McD has a serious case of jerk face. I did see him on an elevator at the one convention I attended. He struck up a conversation with a family about what they could do better for them. Probably all baloney, but he did it well in that small sample size.
- mohel

Who gives a poop about McD? People thinking Rocky is gonna get rid of him are delusional. I guess they forget there was talk of the Hawks re-locating during the Dark Dy because the fans were so alienated by Dollar Bill.

Since his timely death, the value of the Hawks have risen to close to a billion dollars. Of course, the success on the ice is a huge part of that, but McD and Rocky getting the Hawks involved in everything with the NHL isn't hurting.

Made a lot of stride the last two seasons according to reports.
- Elbows15

That's what I have read as well. Krys made strides with his play away from the puck as a sophomore and continued to work on it this year as a junior.

Also, at least observationally and anecdotally, Krys tightened up his play in prospect camp last summer. Day 1 he was loosey goosey but stepped it up the rest of the week performing well in defense drills.

He's a great skater with good edges which allows him to make sharp turns. So if he can couple this excellent skating with smart reads, gap control, and timely physicality through bodying players off the puck, then he has potential to be a solid 4/5/6 defender.

And Johnny draws the head to head assignment every night against MacKinnon, McDavid, Matthews, Tavares, Scheiffle, Bergeron, Crosby, Malkin and anybody else you want to name. Those guys know how good he is. And to boot he is expected to provide offence as well and win all of the facelifts on the PK.

Just laughable how some posters on here categorized him as no better than a 3C. Offer him up in trade and he'd be snapped up in a minute.
- RickJ

Last year in the Playoffs Bergeron was asigned to cover Austen Matthews. Matthews had no idea what to do and wound up doing nothing. In 2013 Bergeron was assigned to Toews and while Toews found it difficult to score he took it upon himself to make the life of any Bruin on the ice, miserable. Who can forget Toews not only battling Chara for every inch of ice but telling everyone beforehand that was his game plan.

While many dismissed Toews' contribution to the team and as second fiddle to Kane. I argue the opposite, Toews was every bit as important to those cup wins as Kane.

Last year in the Playoffs Bergeron was asigned to cover Austen Matthews. Matthews had no idea what to do and wound up doing nothing. In 2013 Bergeron was assigned to Toews and while Toews found it difficult to score he took it upon himself to make the life of any Bruin on the ice, miserable. Who can forget Toews not only battling Chara for every inch of ice but telling everyone beforehand that was his game plan.

While many dismissed Toews' contribution to the team and as second fiddle to Kane. I argue the opposite, Toews was every bit as important to those cup wins as Kane.
- paulr

No one on here has dismissed Toews' contribution to the cups. He was the 2nd best center in the league during the cup runs.

Who gives a poop about McD? People thinking Rocky is gonna get rid of him are delusional. I guess they forget there was talk of the Hawks re-locating during the Dark Dy because the fans were so alienated by Dollar Bill.

Since his timely death, the value of the Hawks have risen to close to a billion dollars. Of course, the success on the ice is a huge part of that, but McD and Rocky getting the Hawks involved in everything with the NHL isn't hurting.
- Elbows15

Are you talking to me?

Its why Kampf's progress this season is encouraging. Toews is always going to get some of those tough match-up, but if they could take some of that off his shoulder going forward, I suspect his offensive production be stay consistent with his career norms.

Kampf is the start of a shutdown line. Need to get him a couple of wingers somehow.
- Elbows15

I like Darth's idea of signing Tanev this summer and having him play 4th line with Kampf and Caggiula. Or at least someone like Tanev.

And Johnny draws the head to head assignment every night against MacKinnon, McDavid, Matthews, Tavares, Scheiffle, Bergeron, Crosby, Malkin and anybody else you want to name. Those guys know how good he is. And to boot he is expected to provide offence as well and win all of the facelifts on the PK.

Just laughable how some posters on here categorized him as no better than a 3C. Offer him up in trade and he'd be snapped up in a minute.
- RickJ

He production and overall game was on the decline the last 2.5 years or so. He was playing like a lower end #1 center.

This year has been a huge bounce back year. Reason #1 is his skating looks a lot better. Not only does he have more jump but he also seems quicker in tight areas. He made a great little stop and start move last night at center ice and then just exploded forward with the puck.

We are also seeing him shoot the puck more. Slapshots and wristers.

Whether it was a nagging injury that finally healed or a different approach to offseason training. This years Toews looks a lot different then the past 2 years.

Are you talking to me?
- mohel

I quoted you, ya dingus.

Do I really have to explain I was using your comment as a launching point? I know you dgaf about McD

I like Darth's idea of signing Tanev this summer and having him play 4th line with Kampf and Caggiula. Or at least someone like Tanev.
- AEL_Fox

In the ideal world Caggiula Kampf Kahun is quiet a nice shutdown 4th line. I am fine with Anisimov at 3C. Just need two 3rd line wingers now (assuming Saad is back in the top 6).

That's what I have read as well. Krys made strides with his play away from the puck as a sophomore and continued to work on it this year as a junior.

Also, at least observationally and anecdotally, Krys tightened up his play in prospect camp last summer. Day 1 he was loosey goosey but stepped it up the rest of the week performing well in defense drills.

He's a great skater with good edges which allows him to make sharp turns. So if he can couple this excellent skating with smart reads, gap control, and timely physicality through bodying players off the puck, then he has potential to be a solid 4/5/6 defender.
- AEL_Fox

There is a video out there where the Hawks scouting and player development staff are talking about players, etc. In it, Kelley is presumed to be talking about Krys in which he stated there is nothing more for him to gain from playing college. So I wasn't too surprised he was signed. The little I have seen of him, I have liked.

Made a lot of stride the last two seasons according to reports.
- Elbows15

Good stuff.

Your Pokémon gif ... woof! Leave predicting to professionals.

I quoted you, ya dingus.

Do I really have to explain I was using your comment as a launching point? I know you dgaf about McD
- Elbows15

Taxi Driver, chief.

This years Toews looks a lot different then the past 2 years.
- bhawks2241

I watched the Avs feed on Saturday and they were talking about Toews' resurgence this season. Some of you probably knew this already but Toews spent the summer in Chicago last summer working out with Goodman, particularly with leg exercises including squats. Toews also built a home rink and skated every day during the off season. He truly did re-dedicate himself.