We need to remember that Alex is a rookie, this season will likely be filled with ups and downs as his learns the ropes. AN has shown lots of positive signs and if he finished with 35-40 points I think that will be a decent season.

William may be overpaid but he’s been one of the better Leafs as of late. Maybe that’s part of the Leafs’s trouble (along with the Marner injury).
- DarthKane

The Leafs are bad because their defense is bad. Needed to address it over the summer so what do they do? They bring on Tyson Barrie...another offensive defenseman. And Cody Ceci who isn’t that good. Dumb move after dumb move. They’ve needed to address the blue line for years now and just keep on adding offense instead. They were already high scoring and explosive on offense BEFORE committing all that $ to Tavares. Very poor roster management. That $ should have went to a stud #1D.

No way, not even close. My hope is that ADB is a Blackhawk for a long time.
- DarthKane

Too small, he’ll never be an NHL regular

Too small, he’ll never be an NHL regular
- paulr

He’s no Cole Cauflield.

Versteeg and the IceHogs have mutually agreed to part ways and he's been released from his AHL contract. Interesting... I wonder what this is all about.
- DarthKane

Penguins need someone to replace Crosby for 6 weeks. red font.

For all the talk of Lehner being a prime trade chip (which he could be) it’s become clear that the Hawks are much better with him in the lineup. I wouldn’t risk dealing him then attempting to sign Lehner as a UFA.

January 1st - $6 million per for 6 years.

No way, not even close. My hope is that ADB is a Blackhawk for a long time.
- DarthKane

And that he's eventually joined on the Hawks by Cole Caufield?

Crow in net, lineup the same.

Bears vs Rams in a few hours. Talk about underperforming teams! I'm glad the Hawks are on. I'll watch them, and flip on the Bears to check on the score.

And that he's eventually joined on the Hawks by Cole Caufield?
- HawkintheD

There is a master plan.....

For all the talk of Lehner being a prime trade chip (which he could be) it’s become clear that the Hawks are much better with him in the lineup. I wouldn’t risk dealing him then attempting to sign Lehner as a UFA.

January 1st - $6 million per for 6 years.
- DarthKane

DarthKane great point. Lehner would be a solid resigning and in Chicago's future and best interest.

Delia and lank IMO are not ready for a starting role come next year, and Crawford I believe after watching his play Lehner play Crawford isn't as rock solid as he once was.
Plus if you factor in his concussions and how much he would be getting in pay .

So they are definitely better with Murphy on ice, not denying that. They have a winning record with Murphy on ice, and losing record without Murphy since start of last year. BTD, that being said they are not two goals better defensively with Murphy on the ice, there is some coincidence there. Looking forward to the rest of the season, as we are seeing some exiting hockey, and would like the young guys to get a taste of playoffs.
- Angotti

So how many games before it's not a coincidence?

His passing isn't the best but his anticipation defensively is getting better, it seems to me.

DarthKane great point. Lehner would be a solid resigning and in Chicago's future and best interest.

Delia and lank IMO are not ready for a starting role come next year, and Crawford I believe after watching his play Lehner play Crawford isn't as rock solid as he once was.
Plus if you factor in his concussions and how much he would be getting in pay .
- Taylorst1

In your opinion is Lehner a good human being?

More from Versteeg from Dietz at Daily Herald:

The turning point came after Versteeg reinjured his abductor against the Chicago Wolves on October 18. He sat out for three weeks, came back and played two more games on November 8 and 10, then decided enough was enough.

"I felt like it was a disservice to the kids if I couldn't bring everything I had every night, especially if kids are sitting out and they've worked their whole lives to make the NHL," Versteeg said in a phone interview Saturday morning. "If I'm in their spot and I'm not bringing everything I can, then I didn't feel it was right."

Another reason Vetsteeg made this decision was his realization that the way the game is played in the minors is a whole lot different from it is in the NHL. The father of three kids -- who are all 4 or younger -- felt his long-term health was at risk playing in a league where big, nasty hits are doled out on a nightly basis.

"It's not even close, the physicality compared to the NHL," Versteeg said. "It is much, much more physical down here. Kids are fighting for their lives to get called to the NHL.


- pdx2ord[...]

"I look at what the Blackhawks have done for me for over a decade -- winning Stanley Cups, making me financially comfortable and always being there for me when I needed them -- I'm really at a loss for words about what they've really meant to me."

As for the future, Versteeg hopes to go into broadcasting.

=====
Raises question again if it's the right development environment for the highly-skilled players.

Thanks for sharing this extensive excerpt from Versteeg's interview with the Daily Herald. What he says makes sense with how his season went with the Hogs.

When he was playing, he was a turnover machine and his constant dangling of the puck no longer works. So many times his dangling led to the Hogs going offsides when trying to enter the zone.

Also, he was playing a very chippy style often mixing it up physically with the other team after whistles. He seemed to be getting under the other team's skin as there were many instances where someone would try to go after him to rip his head off.

Versteeg really was blocking a youngster from playing time so it is very respectable that he clearly stated that in his interview and wants to do the right thing as a professional who has had his time.

Additionally to Versteeg, albeit they are much younger, Fortin and Quenneville need to sit, be demoted to Indy, or cut altogether. Neither bring much to the ice and are quite forgettable when they are skating.

go ahead...fire me...make my day

For all the talk of Lehner being a prime trade chip (which he could be) it’s become clear that the Hawks are much better with him in the lineup. I wouldn’t risk dealing him then attempting to sign Lehner as a UFA.

January 1st - $6 million per for 6 years.
- DarthKane

interesting goalie dynamics...

a kick in the craw to crow???

Eichel is a talent, hopefully he stays quiet tonight. Especially not what he did last night in Ott. Anybody else notice how he looks like Daniel Stern?

Oh, it just hit me, Joki & Nylander get to see their old teams. Ought to be a good game.

Thanks for sharing this extensive excerpt from Versteeg's interview with the Daily Herald. What he says makes sense with how his season went with the Hogs.

When he was playing, he was a turnover machine and his constant dangling of the puck no longer works. So many times his dangling led to the Hogs going offsides when trying to enter the zone
A

Also, he was playing a very chippy style often mixing it up physically with the other team after whistles. He seemed to be getting under the other team's skin as there were many instances where someone would try to go after him to rip his head off.

Versteeg really was blocking a youngster from playing time so it is very respectable that he clearly stated that in his interview and wants to do the right thing as a professional who has had his time.

Additionally to Versteeg, albeit they are much younger, Fortin and Quenneville need to sit, be demoted to Indy, or cut altogether. Neither bring much to the ice and are quite forgettable when they are skating.
- AEL_Fox

Any word on Boqvist not playing Saturday for Rockford?

Looks like the bad passing team showed up tonight. Hopefully just early jitters.

Anyone see the old veteran they had on the red carpet during the national anthem? That was my grandpa! He's 101 years old! He served in WWII.

Anyone see the old veteran they had on the red carpet during the national anthem? That was my grandpa! He's 101 years old! He served in WWII.
- conwell

Good STuff. God Bless.

Looks like the bad passing team showed up tonight. Hopefully just early jitters.
- EbonyRaptor

Yeah, not much going on, trying to force something. Dull start, but that's not a bad thing.

Anyone see the old veteran they had on the red carpet during the national anthem? That was my grandpa! He's 101 years old! He served in WWII.
- conwell

That's awesome, what an honor! Sadly, I missed it. Thank you for his service.

Crawford is a great puck handler, right Konroyd?

Crawford is a great puck handler, right Konroyd?
- tvetter

The best at flubbing it.

Kane with a miss.

Dach! Dirty roof shot.