https://www.secondcityhoc...muskegon-lumberjacks-ushl

Nice article about Hakkarainen and how he has developed this past season after returning to Muskegon after just one NCAA game with Providence College. A few notes from that article:

- Played 1C for Muskegon but also plays against the other team's top lines due to his commitment to defense and 200-foot game.
- Greatly improved on faceoffs from below 50% to over 60% (last year compared to this year).
- Part of his improvement is beefing up on the fundamentals; last year, his coach said he cheated some to gain an advantage but doesn't need to now since he knows how to win the right way.
- He wants to work on his initial strides to help him keep up with faster and stronger players as he moves up the ranks.
- Plans to be in Chicago this summer to work out with the Blackhawks.

That 2nd to last point about his initial strides is similar to what Kurashev stated in his exit interview after the Hogs season ended, i.e. he wants to work on his explosiveness in addition to strength so he can better compete at the pro level. Great to hear that from both Hakkarainen and Kurashev, 2018 draftees already on ELCs.

Good point.....but the defensive system must change regardless of personnel.

1. Dmen have to stand up at the blue line and stop backing in to the goaltenders
2. Wingers and Dmen must change from stick-checking along the boards to rubbing-out on-rushing players carrying the puck. Body, Body, Body !!
3. PK MUST change to the aggressive style played by most teams and STOP sitting in that 4 man box allowing shot after shot from all over the ice. Tips and rebounds galore. It's no wonder they were the worst in the NHL on the PK
4. Somebody, Anybody on D has to aggressively clear the crease in front of our net. This will be a huge challenge for #2 who has always allowed forwards to just park in front of our goalies, only to do his stick slap after the puck's in the net.
5. Seabrook and Keith MUST have better years next year if they're considered to be our vereran leaders.
6. One trade for a left handed stud/nasty defenseman would be great.
- Hawkytalk

But #'s 1-3 are carryovers from the 3X Stanley cup winning coach.

Columbus more worried about hitting than scoring. Perhaps that goal will change their mindset otherwise this series ends tonight.

Blackhawks miss out on Ilya Mikheyev, signs with Maple Leafs.

Mark Kelley interview below.

https://www.nbcsports.com...rJbcHir5qbr2uB77YsXLcKUEk
- SoftServe

Thought it was very interesting. Tried, of course, to read into every inflection of his voice and also the fact that he brought up two draft prospects who were bypassed by the hosts.

Thought it was very interesting. Tried, of course, to read into every inflection of his voice and also the fact that he brought up two draft prospects who were bypassed by the hosts.
- pdx2ord

Offer sheet Marner for $10.147 mil AAV. They can have Ilya 😂

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!
- walleyeb1

Absolutely a disgrace that the NHL continually gets these situations wrong. That may be the most flagrant head intent check I've ever seen.
The purpose of replay in sports is to get the call right. Once again. .....the system not utilized correctly. DISGRACEFUL.

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!
- walleyeb1

Someday the league may get it.

May take a disaster first....

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!
- walleyeb1

And left his skates.

And those 3 extra shots a game CHI gives up more than say TB...must really over work the goalies

Calgary had the best in the regular season. Then couldn't handle the 50 shots a game COL was throwing at them

Games officiated for speed and offense. The coach behind the bench coaches all offense.
Q wanted defensive responsible players and was bashed for it - but the right thing to do is play to a coaches strength

JC can let the guys play and go all offense (shown last year)...so add to his strengths and let him coach up to offense
- PatShart

What makes you say the bolded? Pretty much every player to a "T" said that it took a long time to get used to the system that JC wanted to play. Literally every single player, coach, and exec stated that playing stronger D was the number one point of emphasis going into next year.

We don't know who will be brought in (players or coaches), we don't know who the goalies will be next year (OK we know one of them), and they actually have the time to implement the system fundamentals.


I'm not trying to be all sunshine and rainbows, but there is a lot we don't know about next year.

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!
- walleyeb1

This great sport is being ruined by the ineptness of its officiating. Becoming a complete joke imho. The total BS that doesn't get called and should at some point will become criminal, because somebody is going to literally get killed or at the very least have their career ended by a cheat/dirty player. Of which there seems to be way too many of lately.

Absolutely a disgrace that the NHL continually gets these situations wrong. That may be the most flagrant head intent check I've ever seen.
The purpose of replay in sports is to get the call right. Once again. .....the system not utilized correctly. DISGRACEFUL.
- Hawkytalk

Seriously, head was principle point of contact, he didn't even try to play the puck and he left his feet (by a lot). The whole repeat offender thing is crap too. There should be much stiffer penalties for both first and repeat offenders. Maybe then you start to see a decrease in this crap.

2:00 minor illegal check to the head. Just wow!
- walleyeb1

Huge power play to start the period. I hope Columbus makes Boston pay.

Huge power play to start the period. I hope Columbus makes Boston pay.
- BGKarras

I hope Anderson is alright and comes out for the 3rd period. He is the exact player I wish Stan could land this summer.

I hope Anderson is alright and comes out for the 3rd period. He is the exact player I wish Stan could land this summer.
- scott.jackson

He would be a great addition I believe.

Well there goes that power play. Rask is solid in goal tonight. Jackets are gonna need a greasy goal to get back in this game.

Absolutely a disgrace that the NHL continually gets these situations wrong. That may be the most flagrant head intent check I've ever seen.
The purpose of replay in sports is to get the call right. Once again. .....the system not utilized correctly. DISGRACEFUL.
- Hawkytalk

Need a major market to advanced for ratings and revenue i know conspiracy

Another chance for Columbus...

He would be a great addition I believe.

Well there goes that power play. Rask is solid in goal tonight. Jackets are gonna need a greasy goal to get back in this game.
- BGKarras

Ok.......so now the Jackets are owed a 5 on 3 with that pizz - poor lack of a major not called.

Well there is another official crew that should not officiate the next round.

Can t wait for Tort,s presser after this one.

Ok.......so now the Jackets are owed a 5 on 3 with that pizz - poor lack of a major not called.
- Hawkytalk

Huh????.... I don't know where you going with this. All I was referring to was that Columbus had a chance to tie up the game. That was a blatant hit to the head, I'm glad Anderson is alright. It sucks that the on ice officials missed the hit which now has impacted the outcome of the game. The non call is going to be the story of this game which is pathetic. It should be the game not the non call. This game is pretty much out of reach. This just adds drama to the story line and game 7 which that bum should not be able to play in. He deserves at least 3 games if Boston does advance.

Well there is another official crew that should not officiate the next round.
- LAHawk

Yes i agree. At least the league can right a wrong.

And screw the handshake at the enf of the series, McAvoy does not deserve the respect of any Columbus player.

Huh????.... I don't know where you going with this. All I was referring to was that Columbus had a chance to tie up the game. That was a blatant hit to the head, I'm glad Anderson is alright. It sucks that the on ice officials missed the hit which now has impacted the outcome of the game. The non call is going to be the story of this game which is pathetic. It should be the game not the non call.
- BGKarras

All I meant was that NHL refs find a way to make up for their mistakes. I really was anticipating another call on that PP but it never happened.
Now 3-0 and Torts is going to lose his mind in the presser.

One observation.....as much as we've complained about Seabrook all year.....Chara is even worse. He looks like he's playing on roller skates. Brutal.

GO CANES !!!

Major difference was Rask was a much better goalie in the series than Bob. Bob is a fraud. tired of hearing about how he's the most elite goalie ever, while Crawford never gets mentioned. DO SOMETHING in the playoffs just once then we can talk.

LOVE. LIVE. THE. CROW.