Since 2009 when the Hawks started making their run Boston and Pittsburgh have both had missed playoff years. Only Toews has been through the finals three times, maybe Crosby has, the third time being the year Hossa was there 2009? I'm not sure?
- rpeters01

Since 2008, Crosby has been to the final 4 times, winning 3.

Crow is such a competitor ,that Lehner will only inspire Crow to one of his best season baring injury . I think this years team is betting on making some noise come playoff time .And next year win it all or lose will see some big changes ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of the old NHL owners still think people only watch hockey for fighting and hitting. It will change only when like football they are staring at the wrong side of CTE evidence in court.
- rpeters01

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.

Since 2009 when the Hawks started making their run Boston and Pittsburgh have both had missed playoff years. Only Toews has been through the finals three times, maybe Crosby has, the third time being the year Hossa was there 2009? I'm not sure?
- rpeters01

Nope

Penguins haven’t missed the playoffs in that time span.

But nice try...

It's not Seabs it's the contract. Keith has had a bad knee for three years nobody talks about, still logs huge minutes. I'm more worried about which Saad shows up and why he seems to have regressed in his prime than Toews. Captain serious has been through more wars the last 10 years than any other center in the league he deserves some slack. Kane doesn't matter he's going to the Yotes...
- rpeters01

What wars? Since 2015 I would consider any series during the regular season or post season a war. It's not like Detroit vs Col in the late 90s or hockey in general until the last couple of years when they decided to make it European hockey.

So, fun summer thing that is a hockey related item (but not Blackhawks related). I've mentioned a few times on here (the few times I post) that my wife is a Penguins fan (she wasn't didn't want to loose Matta, but was happy about getting Kahun). Well, the penguins are having a fan art contest, and her submission has been selected as a finalist. I'm trying to help her win (it's her birthday at the end of the month, so it would be a really awesome birthday present.)

I hope it's not too much to ask my fellow blackhawk fans to vote in a penguins thing. But if you could help out, this link takes you directly to her item (her submission is called "Black and Gold"): https://tradablebits.com/...e/445589?option_id=630663


If it helps persuade you, she also has other family members who are Blackhawks fans.

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.
- vandymeer23

I don’t think they have to get rid of fighting, as you said, I don’t think it accounts for too much of the head trauma in the NHL. Also, fighting seems to be phasing itself out without the league taking action.

Also, no one is saying that the league should get rid of hitting. The game can be played hard and heavy without head shots. I just think the league has to start taking serious disciplinary action against headshots, not these one game suspensions and fines they give out now. The players can play hard while being accoutnablze for giving each other brain damage.

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.
- vandymeer23

Can we say that fighting in hockey doesn’t contribute dramatically to CTE? I don’t think so.

And conflating fighting with good hard hits in the normal course of play? I don’t think so.

And sitting in the stand with our thumbs up or down watching fights while players develop brain-deteriorating conditions? I don’t think so.

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.
- vandymeer23

So in your first two sentences one is to surmise, hockey isn't your sport, fighting is! Then in your next sentence you try and justify why fighting isn't an issue with a stat pulled from the movie The Last Gladiators, the title of which is mocking people like yourself who get off on other people beating the poop out of each other for your entertainment. Then in the fourth sentence you try to equate the banning of fighting with the removal of hitting, which is not and has never been a discussion point.

In your next paragraph your first sentence states no one outside of two specific States cares about college hockey. Does that mean Michigan, North Dakota, Pennsylvania and New York amongst other States that have College hockey teams ,don't support their teams?

If fighting is that important to you why do you bother to watch hockey? Why don't you watch MMA, boxing and WWF? I don't mind a fight here and there but I also don't really care if it were banned from the game. Fighting had it's place when over half of each team couldn't play the game. When there weren't enough skilled Americans and Canadians to fill 12 teams but that changed with the influx of European players and New countries producing better players while the US and Canada produce better player who can play the game better than they can fight it wont take rules to eliminate fighting, players will eventually fight less and less.

Get ready to stop watching the game you hate saved only by fights because the number of hockey fights will be less and less each season. But you always have MMA and boxing where you can not only see fights but blood, injuries and potentially, if you're lucky, you'll see a man die in the arena, maybe you'll be really lucky and see this live!

Since 2009 when the Hawks started making their run Boston and Pittsburgh have both had missed playoff years. Only Toews has been through the finals three times, maybe Crosby has, the third time being the year Hossa was there 2009? I'm not sure?
- rpeters01

Pens haven't missed the playoffs in 13 years. Crosby has been to the finals 4 times, Malkin 3, Bergeron 3 all in that time frame.

Crow is such a competitor ,that Lehner will only inspire Crow to one of his best season baring injury . I think this years team is betting on making some noise come playoff time .And next year win it all or lose will see some big changes ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

oldduff...this is one of the few times we agree... with the long offseason, a full camp and lehners presence we shall see

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.
- vandymeer23

Would you watch Olympic hockey with NHL players.

Would Johnny Hockey work well on a line with P Kane?

Rendevous 1987 had Gretzky and M Lemieux as linemates. Old enough to fondly recall?

oldduff...this is one of the few times we agree... with the long offseason, a full camp and lehners presence we shall see



- bogiedoc

Strange hey I hope we are both right .Cheers !!

I don’t think they have to get rid of fighting, as you said, I don’t think it accounts for too much of the head trauma in the NHL. Also, fighting seems to be phasing itself out without the league taking action.

Also, no one is saying that the league should get rid of hitting. The game can be played hard and heavy without head shots. I just think the league has to start taking serious disciplinary action against headshots, not these one game suspensions and fines they give out now. The players can play hard while being accoutnablze for giving each other brain damage.
- LaheysBRandy

Raffi Torres' suspension for the Hossa hit should have been for the entire time Hossa was out of action + 40 games. Period.

Raffi Torres' suspension for the Hossa hit should have been for the entire time Hossa was out of action + 40 games. Period.
- 35Tony0

Longer...the entire season!

A lot of people including me are like this. If they outlawed fighting completely I wouldn't watch. It accounts for less then 5 percent of concussions in the game. And watching guys just skate back and fourth with no hitting is boring as well.
Nobody cares about college hockey outside the states of Minnesota and Mass. I don't attend ushl games now that they neutered the game I instead go to echl or sphl games.
If the NHL wanted to just get rid of the super heavy weights like Boogard and others then fine even though i'm against it. But having a instigator and breaking up fights when guys are willing is complete bs.
- vandymeer23

You've watched quite a few NHL fighters from the not so recent past die young. These are guys you admire. Allegedly. Who cares if they get dementia or die young, you're entertained.

Longer...the entire season!
- tvetter

Actually, since he was already a repeat offender suspended multiple times, they should have banned him from the NHL for life.

Edit: yes, I entirely believe discipline should be more stern when superstars are injured. Case in point: Malkin should have gotten 25+ games for ending Crow's season a couple years ago.
2nd Edit: The Blackhawks should have all piled on both Torres and Malkin immediately also. Every person on the ice for both occasions knew those were deliberate cheap shots with intent to injure.

https://thehockeynews.com...ons-call-and-wjss-reports

Vlasic was reportedly heavily pursued by the London Knights but he is resolute in his commitment to Boston U. In what seems to be decreasing likelihood that Boqvist returns to London, you have to think Hawks management would love them developing together and possibly paired up.

Can we say that fighting in hockey doesn’t contribute dramatically to CTE? I don’t think so.

And conflating fighting with good hard hits in the normal course of play? I don’t think so.

And sitting in the stand with our thumbs up or down watching fights while players develop brain-deteriorating conditions? I don’t think so.
- StLBravesFan

Steve Montador's family would disagree with you.

Steve Montador's family would disagree with you.
- rpeters01

They would?

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/prospect-need-to-know-thomsons-call-and-wjss-reports

Vlasic was reportedly heavily pursued by the London Knights but he is resolute in his commitment to Boston U. In what seems to be decreasing likelihood that Boqvist returns to London, you have to think Hawks management would love them developing together and possibly paired up.
- AEL_Fox

Boqvist is going to Rockford next season, he won’t return to London.

Boqvist is going to Rockford next season, he won’t return to London.
- DarthKane

That's my gut feeling, too. All signs are pointing to Boqvist being at least in the AHL and possibly time in the NHL.

Either way, Vlasic playing NCAA is a good step in his development. He will be joining Wise at Boston U. Hope Wise gets a clean bill of health going in to his sophomore year and starts fulfilling potential.

They would?
- mohel

I mis read the post. My bad.

Powers reporting Hawks and Perlini 500K apart. Hawks offering 1M while Perlini asking for 1.5M.

Powers reporting Hawks and Perlini 500K apart. Hawks offering 1M while Perlini asking for 1.5M.
- boilermaker100

What a greedy little (frank).