Since I hate the Bruins more than anything, anyone think the Blows (assuming they wrap this up Tuesday) can beat those jag bags from Beantown??
- BobP.

I think the Blues have a good chance - especially if they stick to an uptempo game and don’t try to match the Bruins in the goon/chasing-the-hit type of play.

I know I’m in the minority here as a Hawks fan - but my dislike for the Blues has been dialed way down since Backes, Jackman, and the rest of the usual suspects/douchecanoes aren’t around anymore. It’s not like Tony Twist is jumping over the boards in some steroid-induced rampage like days gone by.

I think the Blues will finish off the Sharks and I’ll predict them to beat the Bruins in 6. It will be their first Cup ever, might as well throw that fanbase a bone.

I think the Blues have a good chance - especially if they stick to an uptempo game and don’t try to match the Bruins in the goon/chasing-the-hit type of play.

I know I’m in the minority here as a Hawks fan - but my dislike for the Blues has been dialed way down since Backes, Jackman, and the rest of the usual suspects/douchecanoes aren’t around anymore. It’s not like Tony Twist is jumping over the boards in some steroid-induced rampage like days gone by.

I think the Blues will finish off the Sharks and I’ll predict them to beat the Bruins in 6. It will be their first Cup ever, might as well throw that fanbase a bone.
- Chief4Feathers[/quote

Can't agree more, and I hope you're right !!

From Lazerus in The Athletic, on drafting forwards vs. defensemen in the top 10.

I went back and looked at the top 10 picks in each of the last 15 drafts, and how long it took for them to become NHL regulars. The numbers are striking. Of the 102 forwards taken in the top 10, 36 percent made the jump immediately, 66 percent within one season, and 79 percent within two seasons. Only 5 percent were total busts, with seven recent draftees still to be determined.

Of the 46 defensemen taken in the top 10 over the last 15 years, only 17 percent (eight of them) made the jump immediately, only 54 percent within one season, and only 70 percent within two seasons. Nine percent were busts, with three still to be determined.

Narrow it down to just top-five picks, and the numbers are similar. Fifty-two percent of the forwards taken in the top five jumped straight to the NHL, while just 36 percent of the defensemen did. Eighty-one percent of the forwards taken in the top five were NHL regulars within one season, compared to 68 percent of defensemen.

So the lead time is longer and the flop potential is higher with defensemen. For every Seth Jones (No. 4 in 2013), Victor Hedman (No. 2 in 2009) and Drew Doughty (No. 2 in 2008) who become instant NHLers, there’s a Thomas Hickey (No. 4 in 2007, five years before he cracked the NHL), Cam Barker (No. 3 for the Blackhawks in 2004) or Olli Juolevi (No. 5 in 2016) who very much do not.

Since I hate the Bruins more than anything, anyone think the Blows (assuming they wrap this up Tuesday) can beat those jag bags from Beantown??
- BobP.

Count me in. I hate both The Blows and Bruins. But it would rather see the Blows win it.

Bobby DONT SAY THAT ! !


No way can we cheer for the Blues
- mrpaulish

I know brother but I hate Boston more. Its everything about them including the Brady and the Patriots, Red Sox. Great sports town that's been winning everything I just want someone other than Boston to celebrate.

Guelph vs Halifax on NHL channel. Gravel playing outstanding - making a bunch of good stops.

At the IIHF World Championships:

Lankinen now 4-0 with a shutout and .950+ save pct for the Finns.

Kubalik with 3 points today and 9 total in the tourney for the Czech team.

Frolik has 6 goals + 6 assists in his games also for the Czech Republic.

At the IIHF World Championships:

Lankinen now 4-0 with a shutout and .950+ save pct for the Finns.

Kubalik with 3 points today and 9 total in the tourney for the Czech team.

Frolik has 6 goals + 6 assists in his games also for the Czech Republic.
- AEL_Fox

Sweet! Stan needs to pull the trigger on the AA for Frolik swap.

From Lazerus in The Athletic, on drafting forwards vs. defensemen in the top 10.

I went back and looked at the top 10 picks in each of the last 15 drafts, and how long it took for them to become NHL regulars. The numbers are striking. Of the 102 forwards taken in the top 10, 36 percent made the jump immediately, 66 percent within one season, and 79 percent within two seasons. Only 5 percent were total busts, with seven recent draftees still to be determined.

Of the 46 defensemen taken in the top 10 over the last 15 years, only 17 percent (eight of them) made the jump immediately, only 54 percent within one season, and only 70 percent within two seasons. Nine percent were busts, with three still to be determined.

Narrow it down to just top-five picks, and the numbers are similar. Fifty-two percent of the forwards taken in the top five jumped straight to the NHL, while just 36 percent of the defensemen did. Eighty-one percent of the forwards taken in the top five were NHL regulars within one season, compared to 68 percent of defensemen.

So the lead time is longer and the flop potential is higher with defensemen. For every Seth Jones (No. 4 in 2013), Victor Hedman (No. 2 in 2009) and Drew Doughty (No. 2 in 2008) who become instant NHLers, there’s a Thomas Hickey (No. 4 in 2007, five years before he cracked the NHL), Cam Barker (No. 3 for the Blackhawks in 2004) or Olli Juolevi (No. 5 in 2016) who very much do not.
- scottak

To sum up... draft Cole Caufield.

I think the Blues have a good chance - especially if they stick to an uptempo game and don’t try to match the Bruins in the goon/chasing-the-hit type of play.

I know I’m in the minority here as a Hawks fan - but my dislike for the Blues has been dialed way down since Backes, Jackman, and the rest of the usual suspects/douchecanoes aren’t around anymore. It’s not like Tony Twist is jumping over the boards in some steroid-induced rampage like days gone by.

I think the Blues will finish off the Sharks and I’ll predict them to beat the Bruins in 6. It will be their first Cup ever, might as well throw that fanbase a bone.
- Chief4Feathers

That's exactly why I wouldn't root for them. I love the fact that 2 of our biggest rivals have never won a cup (Nashville).

Sweet! Stan needs to pull the trigger on the AA for Frolik swap.
- DarthKane

Don't know why Calgary wants AA. They would rather check internaly or find someone else. Don't know if Jankowski given more TOI

Don't know why Calgary wants AA. They would rather check internaly or find someone else. Don't know if Jankowski given more TOI
- jhawk59

Because getting Frolik makes me happy, that’s why.

From Lazerus in The Athletic, on drafting forwards vs. defensemen in the top 10.

I went back and looked at the top 10 picks in each of the last 15 drafts, and how long it took for them to become NHL regulars. The numbers are striking. Of the 102 forwards taken in the top 10, 36 percent made the jump immediately, 66 percent within one season, and 79 percent within two seasons. Only 5 percent were total busts, with seven recent draftees still to be determined.

Of the 46 defensemen taken in the top 10 over the last 15 years, only 17 percent (eight of them) made the jump immediately, only 54 percent within one season, and only 70 percent within two seasons. Nine percent were busts, with three still to be determined.

Narrow it down to just top-five picks, and the numbers are similar. Fifty-two percent of the forwards taken in the top five jumped straight to the NHL, while just 36 percent of the defensemen did. Eighty-one percent of the forwards taken in the top five were NHL regulars within one season, compared to 68 percent of defensemen.

So the lead time is longer and the flop potential is higher with defensemen. For every Seth Jones (No. 4 in 2013), Victor Hedman (No. 2 in 2009) and Drew Doughty (No. 2 in 2008) who become instant NHLers, there’s a Thomas Hickey (No. 4 in 2007, five years before he cracked the NHL), Cam Barker (No. 3 for the Blackhawks in 2004) or Olli Juolevi (No. 5 in 2016) who very much do not.
- scottak

So maybe you need to load up on defensemen if you can get a true potential top-pairing / #1 blue liner even if you have several prospects in the system.

Gravel has a shot at becoming an NHLer, but that’s likely a few years away. I’m not holding out much hope for Nalimov. Hopefully I’m wrong, but something doesn’t seem right with that situation.

I think Forsberg will sign in Europe, I don’t see him wanted to share the net in Rockford. The Hawks need to sign a veteran goalie for the #2 or #3 slot. I’m not sold that Delia is ready yet.
- DarthKane

Gravel has had a decent playoff, and does have a shot...the4y were lucky he didn't have a good draft year or look good in many competitions...

Count me in. I hate both The Blows and Bruins. But it would rather see the Blows win it.
- BGKarras

In my ideal world Marchand suffers a career ending injury in game one, but then the Bruins win over St Lois.

Because getting Frolik makes me happy, that’s why.
- DarthKane

Frolik and his outspoken agent Allan Walsh have not been pleased about the way Calgary has handled his ice time... sounds like CAL tried to move Frolik at the TDL as well.

Him moving would not be a shock, but yeah, not sure why CAL would want AA.

Maybe Forsling, Hayden, etc. would be more appealing.

Guelph vs Halifax on NHL channel. Gravel playing outstanding - making a bunch of good stops.
- EbonyRaptor

Gravel was great. RH goalies weird me out... but I won't hold that against him.

I just love how the kid battles. That Halifax team is fun.

On the other side, I love how Entwistle has such a bite to his game. It'll be great to see in RFD next year.

At the IIHF World Championships:

Lankinen now 4-0 with a shutout and .950+ save pct for the Finns.

Kubalik with 3 points today and 9 total in the tourney for the Czech team.

Frolik has 6 goals + 6 assists in his games also for the Czech Republic.
- AEL_Fox

Lankinen has been great. Could be be Rockford's starter next year? It's possible but there does need to be another veteran add IMO to the Crawford, Delia, Lankinen camp.

I just bought my first smoker today. Does anyone have any advice for a novice smoker?

We’re planning on smoking ribs tomorrow, I can’t wait.

Frolik and his outspoken agent Allan Walsh have not been pleased about the way Calgary has handled his ice time... sounds like CAL tried to move Frolik at the TDL as well.

Him moving would not be a shock, but yeah, not sure why CAL would want AA.

Maybe Forsling, Hayden, etc. would be more appealing.
- Tyler Cameron

That works too, I’m good with that.

The Bruins are not goons. Any of these three teams win the cup it will be fine by me, this is just hard play off hockey. And 3/4 of this BLACKHAWKS team as this roster is currently constructed is not built for this type of hockey. And David Bakes IS The exact type of that I would like to see this team acquire for a bottom six forward this summer.
But if I had to pick one single reason why I would like to see the blues win their first Stanley Cup it is because of the man behind the bench. I like what Craig Berube has done with this team. And I’ll say it again I loved “ The Chief” during his playing days. A good hard, never took a shift off, Tough, in your face type hockey player.
I know you guys will shred me on this but I just can’t seem to believe that Colliton Will get the same type of respect behind the bench from his players as a guy like Craig Berube.
Watch next fall, if this stuff starts going south how fast some of those vets will turn their ass up to Jeremy Colliton.

I just bought my first smoker today. Does anyone have any advice for a novice smoker?

We’re planning on smoking ribs tomorrow, I can’t wait.
- DarthKane

Grab a case of beer, a lounge chair and cook 'em slow?

I just bought my first smoker today. Does anyone have any advice for a novice smoker?

We’re planning on smoking ribs tomorrow, I can’t wait.
- DarthKane

Nobody smokes ribs better than me.

That said...more information needed. What kind of ribs? Assuming pork: Baby Back, Spare, St. Lois? What kind of smoker? Charcoal, Electric, Pellet? Do you prefer a dry rub, sauced, both?

That works too, I’m good with that.
- DarthKane

Draft Caufield, trade for Frolik and sign Tanev...off season done!

Nobody smokes ribs better than me.

That said...more information needed. What kind of ribs? Assuming pork: Baby Back, Spare, St. Lois? What kind of smoker? Charcoal, Electric, Pellet? Do you prefer a dry rub, sauced, both?
- Ogilthorpe2

Pork, of course. St. Louis this time. Pellet. Both.