Promises. Can't believe I fell asleep and missed another Edzo meltdown. This one didn't take much.

Could be wrong, but the way I remember it was when you started coming here some of the hockey posters would razz or troll you if you prefer for some of your your bi-polar hockey observations. Personally, I remember giving you poop for your constant whining about how the 2015 team was getting bounced in the first round. Still seems kind of deserved, but whatever.

Then I seem to recall Barney Fife was deputized and you being one of a handful of guys who'd troll the people you're likely calling trolls because you knew you could get away with it.

Seems we have a pot/kettle scenario here.

Oh well I digress...

Not disappointed with the series at all. Would have been great to win another game, but the better team won and and our young guys got a taste of playoff hockey.

Thought Murphy played a great game last night and Dach to me looks like a player you build around. Matta, like some have said could either be kept or has played himself into a situation where I think someone would want him vs being bought out.

I'd trade one of him or DeHaan.

Will be interesting to see decisions made in the offseason. I think Crow is back and as far as RFA's:

Kubalik likely gets between $3.5 - $4M. Strome isn't signing for under $2M like some have suggested but I could see somewhere between $2-$3M. He came to life when he and DeBrincat were paired up again, but if that's the only guy he can play with, I'm not sure he sticks around long term.

Wouldn't mind keeping Caggiula. I think a guy or two from RFD make the team along with Suter and could see some trades in the offseason.

Has it been determined where the Hawks pick?
- HawkintheD

As I understand it, currently 17. That can go to 16 if the Habs get to the 2nd round.

Ha! You are a very angry and sad little man.every post from you is a personal attack on another poster. I’d bet you are a very lonely guy. Trolls on a hockey board. Pathetic. Boqvist is a poor skating finesse player and single handedly responsible for at least 5 goals against this week.

(frank) this website . A bunch of trolls are all that is left. When I joined this site there were dozens and dozens of people here to talk Hockey. Now there are 20 people who post and 16 of them are insufferable internet trolls. (frank) you all I’m out. (frank)ing losers get their kicks from juvenile trolling. Go (frank) yourselves trolls, you know who you are.
- EnzoD

Hi, JJ. This is a beautiful example of projection!

I hope your Avs keep rolling.

LOL. And since the trade the Hawks could have had #4 all those seasons, granted as worn down as #2 and #7. Disagree on the great job by Stan - if the Hawks had also received a 2nd player who panned out, it would make up for the fact that we've had to wait for Murphy for three years to turn into a decent defenseman. Bad deal then, bad deal now.
- jrsamu

Disagree. The Hammer who was traded wasn't the same guy he was in 2015. Bowman traded an aging vet for a younger player. Good deal then and good deal now.

How were the Hawks getting "a second player who panned out" in that deal? Thought it was a fair trade for both teams.

Like you said "worn down". Add Hammer back into the Core for these past two years and exactly what are they winning?

great to see hockey again...no quit with this guys...

but not enough to play with these guys...
- bogiedoc

Great post. Loved the fight in them. But they've not good enough right now. Can't be mad at them, unless you're Edzo.

Disagree. The Hammer who was traded wasn't the same guy he was in 2015. Bowman traded an aging vet for a younger player. Good deal then and good deal now.

How were the Hawks getting "a second player who panned out" in that deal? Thought it was a fair trade for both teams.

Like you said "worn down". Add Hammer back into the Core for these past two years and exactly what are they winning?
- HawkintheD

Murphy was playing 3rd pairing for a crappy Phoenix team, and he was grossly overpaid for what he was producing. Bring him in for $2 million a year for a couple of years and then I agree, great deal. The Hawks received little cap relief and traded their best defensive defenseman for an overpaid prospect who was also hurt quite a bit his first two years...without the playoff wear and tear.

Murphy was playing 3rd pairing for a crappy Phoenix team, and he was grossly overpaid for what he was producing. Bring him in for $2 million a year for a couple of years and then I agree, great deal. The Hawks received little cap relief and traded their best defensive defenseman for an overpaid prospect who was also hurt quite a bit his first two years...without the playoff wear and tear.
- jrsamu

The guy who was playing in the playoffs in 2017 for the Hawks turned the puck over quite a bit and wasn't the same guy as 2015, so I'm not sure again how you're getting a top prospect in addition to Murphy in that trade...though you said "a guy that pans out" so maybe a throw in? How many of those guys pan out?

Like it or not but I think the Hawks went into rebuild/retool mode after those playoffs.

They traded an aging dman to get younger. I think it's worked out more than ok.

So agree to disagree.

Hillrod?

What the (frank) is a Hillrod?
- StLBravesFan

https://www.urbandictiona...m/define.php?term=hillrod

https://www.urbandictiona...m/define.php?term=hillrod
- Beaver-Warrior

Ok - thanks - it fits a Tennessee guy.

https://www.urbandictiona...m/define.php?term=hillrod
- Beaver-Warrior

I'm guessing Sage hadn't bookmarked urban dictionary.

#hottakes by Edzo.
- mohel

Hi, Mo. How you doing? Hope all is well. Your a poster that I enjoy reading for hockey discussion, so would have enjoyed the in-game talks. How do you feel after Oilers & Knights series?

I actually think what they do with Seabrook depends on what they think their future is with Saad. To me, you can't keep both players.

I'm guessing Sage hadn't bookmarked urban dictionary.
- mohel

I’m old - my brain is full f words I’ve picked up over my years - if I bring in a new word, I have to kick out an old one.

If I keep “hillrod”, I’m going to have to lose “cooties”.

Reflecting on this series, 1 thing i miss is the 3rd and 4th lines ability to cycle the puck and just keep offensive zone pressure just like the Knights did to us last night. We used to be that team that would just wear teams out. All this talk about size is a bit overstated, what we don't have is a combination of 3 forwards who can just keep possession and cycle. It's a young team, with the blue line blooming and young forwards and with Bowman's ability to see and understand this, i believe is just a matter of time and experience

Murphy was playing 3rd pairing for a crappy Phoenix team, and he was grossly overpaid for what he was producing. Bring him in for $2 million a year for a couple of years and then I agree, great deal. The Hawks received little cap relief and traded their best defensive defenseman for an overpaid prospect who was also hurt quite a bit his first two years...without the playoff wear and tear.
- jrsamu

Hammer played 48 games in 17-18 and only 27 this season. I’d call that injury prone.

That was a good trade. Murphy is getting better and Hammer continues to decline. Murphy also brings a physical edge. Hammer lost what edge he had quite some time ago.

Hammer’s cap hit is 5 mil. Murphy is 3.8 mil.

I actually think what they do with Seabrook depends on what they think their future is with Saad. To me, you can't keep both players.
- Bjm84

I'd also add that Saad is very much overpaid. He was paid to be a consistent 60 pt player with a strong two way game. He has fulfilled the two way game piece, but his shot and hands are average at best, and he's really a 40-50 point player. Look no further than Shaw, who provides similar value but at a cap hit of 3.9mil signed BEFORE the concussions.

I like Saad, but not at that money. If he and his agent aren't willing to re-up for 4-5 years at 4-5 million per, you move him for a late first.

You then take one of your first(s), package it up with a guy like Beaudin(give to get), and try to move Seabrook.

Reflecting on this series, 1 thing i miss is the 3rd and 4th lines ability to cycle the puck and just keep offensive zone pressure just like the Knights did to us last night. We used to be that team that would just wear teams out. All this talk about size is a bit overstated, what we don't have is a combination of 3 forwards who can just keep possession and cycle. It's a young team, with the blue line blooming and young forwards and with Bowman's ability to see and understand this, i believe is just a matter of time and experience
- BetweenTheDots

I’d add that our top 6 really couldn’t cycle the puck and keep possession. Kubalik is a nice secondary goal scorer but he didn’t show he’s capable of playing a heavy cycle game down low.

A lot of one and done in the ozone.

Hi, Mo. How you doing? Hope all is well. Your a poster that I enjoy reading for hockey discussion, so would have enjoyed the in-game talks. How do you feel after Oilers & Knights series?
- I Am The Breadman

Hi, Bread. I enjoyed the games. It was bonus hockey, so what's not to like? The rebuild continues, and these games gave the FO extra info on a bunch of guys. More changes are coming. Will Stan and JC be back? I suspect they will, but we'll know for sure soon.

Hope you're well, and continuing to fend off the single moms.

I’m old - my brain is full f words I’ve picked up over my years - if I bring in a new word, I have to kick out an old one.

If I keep “hillrod”, I’m going to have to lose “cooties”.
- StLBravesFan

That seems like a good trade. Especially if you obtain some cap space in the deal.

Craw was fine but he was only really good 1 game vs vegas. AVG for 2 and bad for 2.

for next year lankinen and delia are signed. I would resign subban as long as its close to 1.1 mil. I would resolve the rest of the roster $$$ before I make a decision on a Crow or others. if its a vet its 1 year deal and it has to work under the cap. maybe $2 mil for a craw type guy. the reality is at this point is Craw that much better then lankinen, Delia, Subban? with a whole season to work with them I would say no. Craw is never going to be a .930 guy again like 3 years ago before injuries and age. so if its league avg .910 save the money. if we believe Bowman we are going to get younger and trading away young guys to bring back Crow makes no sense. There may be a few options due to the expansion draft and , also with the 17 pick we could take the russian goalie. until you know if there is a market for #5 d at $4mil and what RFA players are getting paid I let the goalie situation coast. look how lehner fell in our lap.

As frustrating as this series was - it’s been good to have these 2 + weeks of Blackhawk hockey - and good to have lots of hockey left even without the Blackhawks.
- StLBravesFan

Again, yup.

Craw was fine but he was only really good 1 game vs vegas. AVG for 2 and bad for 2.

for next year lankinen and delia are signed. I would resign subban as long as its close to 1.1 mil. I would resolve the rest of the roster $$$ before I make a decision on a Crow or others. if its a vet its 1 year deal and it has to work under the cap. maybe $2 mil for a craw type guy. the reality is at this point is Craw that much better then lankinen, Delia, Subban? with a whole season to work with them I would say no. Craw is never going to be a .930 guy again like 3 years ago before injuries and age. so if its league avg .910 save the money. if we believe Bowman we are going to get younger and trading away young guys to bring back Crow makes no sense. There may be a few options due to the expansion draft and , also with the 17 pick we could take the russian goalie. until you know if there is a market for #5 d at $4mil and what RFA players are getting paid I let the goalie situation coast. look how lehner fell in our lap.
- kmw4631

Depends on what the FO goal is. Do they need to make the playoffs? If so, they're not going with never beens. If Stan has the okay to do a rebuild that takes time, maybe your scenario plays out.

I’d keep maata over DeHaan. DeHaan can’t stay healthy and looked like horse $hit way too
Much. Disappointed how bad he was. Bigger guy and he played scared a ton. Only thing he could do was ring a dump in around from the red line.

Murphy IMO stepped up. He was great.
- SteveRain

He just keeps coming no matter what.

I’d add that our top 6 really couldn’t cycle the puck and keep possession. Kubalik is a nice secondary goal scorer but he didn’t show he’s capable of playing a heavy cycle game down low.

A lot of one and done in the ozone.
- bhawks2241

Agree with this, Kubalik is really a north-south player. His speed and skating were better than I expected.

This Blackhawks team needs some lines that can cycle and wear a team out. I think if they could pry one of Copp or Lowry out of Winnepeg, thats a big start.

I think with the Rags having the first pick, they're going to need to open up a winger spot. I'd approach them about a guy like Brendan Leimuex.

Ok - thanks - it fits a Tennessee guy.
- StLBravesFan

Anytime.

That seems like a good trade. Especially if you obtain some glorious cap space in the deal.
- mohel

Fixed.