I watched both a lot during the past decade. What set them apart was their compete level (to go along with the talent) was higher than the rest. Doughty and Keith are still the same, both hate to lose, and express that fact even while playing for losing teams.
- LAHawk

Another great point. Compete level for Keith and Doughty are through the roof.

While I'm not sure of Doughty's fitness level, Keith is a gym rat and physical freak so that attention to his own fitness outside of Goodman is likely another elevating factor.

You mean you're not constantly pounded with Death and case numbers by every news outlet 24/7.

Next I'm looking for media people going door to door to tell everyone how many new cases and deaths there were in the last 30 seconds.
- vabeachbear

I would trust the media about as far as our Senators... little as possible.

Do you know we have approximately 1,000 car fatalities in the USA a day? We also Have approximately 1,000 deaths a day caused by suicides( 100+veterans )

I am excited for that Regula kid watch him in a game against our hometown team ,granted the opponent was not great and I was under the influence but thought he was the best player on the ice ..
- oldduffman

It will be interesting to see what type of defenseman the Hawks groom Regula into. He clearly has offensive skills but not sure if and how that will translate to the pro level.

At minimum, hope they groom him similarly to how they are developing Boqvist, Beaudin, and Krys. In addition to their offensive talents, they are learning how to prioritize defense first, flip the ice, and start the transition.

They are also learning how to manage gaps and use their bodies to defend, not rely just on stick checking. Crease coverage and battling down low are other things I see them working on to become more well rounded.

There's a report out that Northeastern U senior defenseman Ryan Shea will not sign with the Hawks and will test free agency.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/

There's a report out that Northeastern U senior defenseman Ryan Shea will not sign with the Hawks and will test free agency.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/
- boilermaker100

That sucks. It looked like he was developing well.

Curious, who has been (or have been) the most impactful player to come out of the college ranks in the last 5 years? Whether signed by the team that drafted them or not.

That sucks. It looked like he was developing well.

Curious, who has been (or have been) the most impactful player to come out of the college ranks in the last 5 years? Whether signed by the team that drafted them or not.
- Chunk

Yeah that really sucks about Shea. He wasn't a blue chip prospect or shoo-in to make the NHL but still one worth developing to see how far he gets.

To answer your question, Makar and McAvoy come to mind. Boeser to some degree, too. Soon to be Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk.

There's a report out that Northeastern U senior defenseman Ryan Shea will not sign with the Hawks and will test free agency.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/
- boilermaker100

Not surprised, Blowman screwed up yet another one.

Yeah that really sucks about Shea. He wasn't a blue chip prospect or shoo-in to make the NHL but still one worth developing to see how far he gets.

To answer your question, Makar and McAvoy come to mind. Boeser to some degree, too. Soon to be Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk.
- AEL_Fox

Thanks Theo. I never pay attention to where most of the draftees come from.

Thanks Theo. I never pay attention to where most of the draftees come from.
- Chunk

You bet, Chunk. There are other impact players from the NCAA like Eichel and Werenski but Eichel at least is in his 5th year already.

Next impact NCAA player: Caufield (notarized by Darth).

You bet, Chunk. There are other impact players from the NCAA like Eichel and Werenski but Eichel at least is in his 5th year already.

Next impact NCAA player: Caufield (notarized by Darth).
- AEL_Fox

Nope - Mitchell, but for the Rangers (again, notarized by Darth).

Living in Dallas, I can tell you that the Pavelski contract would be the no-brainer here. While Benn from a numbers standpoint is not performing to his contract, he brings a level of compete and leadership this team needs. Pavelski at 35 and 7 AAV for three more years will keep Nill's job.
- nickmo2699

Buy out Benn so Hawks can sign him and put him with Kane and let the magic happen
Benn with a minimum 50 goal season

There's a report out that Northeastern U senior defenseman Ryan Shea will not sign with the Hawks and will test free agency.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/
- boilermaker100

I will always root against players who do this. Too much power too soon for a player yet to play professional. What good is it to make effort to scout and assist development with conversation and camps + Traverse City Tournament, then the player bolts. Teams should only loose control if released or traded. His rights are owned and he must turn pro with them. I do not believe in wishing anyone bad but I will root against him for circumventing the process of entry draft and turning pro. You can argue, he had the right. I counter, ok then just blow up the while draft stew it all. Do it right or get lost.

It will be interesting to see what type of defenseman the Hawks groom Regula into. He clearly has offensive skills but not sure if and how that will translate to the pro level.

At minimum, hope they groom him similarly to how they are developing Boqvist, Beaudin, and Krys. In addition to their offensive talents, they are learning how to prioritize defense first, flip the ice, and start the transition.

They are also learning how to manage gaps and use their bodies to defend, not rely just on stick checking. Crease coverage and battling down low are other things I see them working on to become more well rounded.
- AEL_Fox

When I watched Regula here he had a couple PP goals ,big kid . Looked to me like a kid who was really finding his game and confidence .
It good like you say for the HAWKS to take their time with all these kids and teach them the finer points of the game . Like the looks of Lucas Carlsson ,small sample size of course .

I do wonder how dominant, Kane, Toews and Byfuglien line would of been the last 9 years

I do wonder how dominant, Kane, Toews and Byfuglien line would of been the last 9 years
- BetweenTheDots

I’ve also thought about what would have happened had Buff become a full time forward, same with Burns. Not that those guys were awful defenseman at their peak, but they seemed to have all the tools needed to be dominant power forwards.

I’ve also thought about what would have happened had Buff become a full time forward, same with Burns. Not that those guys were awful defenseman at their peak, but they seemed to have all the tools needed to be dominant power forwards.
- SimpleJack

Watching the 1st game again of Sharks Blackhawks, loved that this team could go physical, Byfuglien, Ladd, Brouwer, Eager, then you have your hard to play against, Rat, Madden, Hossa, Toews, Sharp and im reminded of just how simple but rock solid Sopel was, like Rozy, god was that team stacked

Watching the 1st game again of Sharks Blackhawks, loved that this team could go physical, Byfuglien, Ladd, Brouwer, Eager, then you have your hard to play against, Rat, Madden, Hossa, Toews, Sharp and im reminded of just how simple but rock solid Sopel was, like Rozy, god was that team stacked
- BetweenTheDots

That group of forwards(2009-2010 Blackhawks) was, and yes this seems like hyperbole, in my opinion the most perfectly assembled group of forwards in the history of hockey.

Elite top end firepower

Strong down the middle

Everyone could skate

Incredibly physical and tough despite all the speed and skill

3 legit scoring lines followed by a textbook 4th line

Wingers that could snipe with deadly accuracy

Shorthanded specialists

Blend of youth AND experience

I mean they were perfect, just absolutely PERFECT. Unfair to the rest of the league that year.

I would agree: Keith and Doughty are on a much higher plane than the rest.

Earlier in the week in their re-draft series, the Hockey News had this order for re-drafting in 2008:

1. Stamkos
2. Karlsson
3. Doughty

I would have selected Doughty first overall, hands down. He's the better all around player and a proven winner.
- AEL_Fox

Agreed, I would have picked him first as well. Him and Keith best two Dmen last ten years and it’s not even close. Points aren’t everything, there’s much more to the game...

"I'm not sure what to do here because the Leafs are in such a mess. "

What a "Mess" a team with a signed core of Matthews/Marner/Tavares/Nylander/Rielly/Muzzin is.
- RogerRoeper

Since 2004, the Maple Levz's have only made the playoffs 4 times, losing in the 1st round every time. They haven't beaten the Bruins in a playoff series since 1959 (and 3 of the 4 1st round loses since 2004 have been to the Bruins). They might even end up having to face the Bruins again if the playoffs get resurrected.

Based on these facts as well as having less than $100k in cap space right now, I would say your team is more than in a mess, but rather in a heap of trouble. If your vaunted players can't even win a series, let alone get past 'Big Brother Bruin', what's the point of having this great 'signed core'?

#Levz2020PaperChampions

Since 2004, the Maple Levz's have only made the playoffs 4 times, losing in the 1st round every time. They haven't beaten the Bruins in a playoff series since 1959 (and 3 of the 4 1st round loses since 2004 have been to the Bruins). They might even end up having to face the Bruins again if the playoffs get resurrected.

Based on these facts as well as having less than $100k in cap space right now, I would say your team is more than in a mess, but rather in a heap of trouble. If your vaunted players can't even win a series, let alone get past 'Big Brother Bruin', what's the point of having this great 'signed core'?

#Levz2020PaperChampions
- DontKnowNutin

Vast majority of these "Facts' are from before any of the crrent team played for them so who cares? Terrible argument. You actually brought up 1959 to dispute what I said?

Remind me why it's a big deal Leafs haven't won a series? Are we judging players by playoff wins by ages 21 and 22 now?
Majority of teams have no cap. Leafs look like they have a great core and all locked-up and still a young team.
Oh my god no series wins for Matthews trade the bum!

Yeah that really sucks about Shea. He wasn't a blue chip prospect or shoo-in to make the NHL but still one worth developing to see how far he gets.

To answer your question, Makar and McAvoy come to mind. Boeser to some degree, too. Soon to be Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk.
- AEL_Fox

What about players like Hayes And Vesey? Who is the biggest impact player who graduated? This could be either players who signed with the team that drafted them, or players who became FAs.

Another great point. Compete level for Keith and Doughty are through the roof.

While I'm not sure of Doughty's fitness level, Keith is a gym rat and physical freak so that attention to his own fitness outside of Goodman is likely another elevating factor.
- AEL_Fox

Doughty was fit enough to log huge minutes night after night. And played every game.
And that has gone on for 12 NHL seasons. He's in shape.

Did I read yesterday someone on here say Barrie was better than Keith? Or some comparison of the two was made? Or am I becoming delusional from lock down?

The same Keith that played top pairing on Canada's Olympic team, has a few Norris trophies in his closet, and I think 3 cups and a Conn Smythe.
- bhawks2241

I stated Morgan Rielly was better than Keith at the same age.

At least Uncle Lou's team won a playoff series, in less time
- BetweenTheDots

And that matters why?

Good luck winning another core capped out with that team.

Kovalchuk has signed a 17-year, $102 million deal, ending a three-week courtship that included offers from the Los Angeles Kings. He was also pursued by the New York Islanders and SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL.
- BetweenTheDots

?