Hey Paul. I recall a time when pro umps weren't tyrants, like they are now. I never would condone physical contact with officials. But now, you can't even bark a little at an umpire without getting the heave-ho. Officials have become heavy handed sometimes. 20 games to me, at least, seems ridiculously severe.
- gabriel

Remember Wideman on CGY a few years ago laid a beautiful check on a linesman, and then played it up like it was an accident. Rule 40 in the rule book state that any hit with intent to injure carries a 20 game minimum, any hit without intent to injure is minimum 10, and any action meant to demean an official like spitting, shooting a puck at, throwing a stick at carries a minimum 3 game suspension.

Wideman got 20 games, appealed a few times, and it was reduced to 10 games (after he had already served 19). They refunded the 9 games of salary withheld beyond the 10 it was reduced to.

Biggest issue fir the Blackhawks has been touched upon by various people, including Theo I believe

I wandered over to TheRink app first time in a few months and saw a lengthy story by JJ from mid February....it addressed this biggest problem

It is 5 on 5 play. We are negative past to years.

I attribute the young guys and injuries as one cause

I attribute uncomfortable with JC system to some extent as another cause

The forwards effort and location on break outs is fixable but is yet another cause

The biggest problem I have and duly noted by JJ, is lack of top six Line forwards willing or any good at cing and battling in board scrums. This is not a plus area for Suter. Due to lack of top six forwards in the system we probably have to draft a top six fiesty but skilled forward. Someone who accumulates points although it necessarily a big points producer.

Bowman drated a couple players to combat duty in Dach and on defense Vlasic eventually (hopefully). I do like Theo's prognosis for "Alty" and Barret t they might be more third line guys. Entwhistle too - he has a knack to win board battles. A couple of collegiate kids line up to meet this need but alas they appear future third liners.

Stan your team can only get so much better if you do not concentrate on trading or drafting the type players the team success will greatly hinge upon. Seems so obvious. Glad Stan may be transitioning from the smaller skill guys at the draft. As far as I am concerned Stan better draft right or he is going to become on the clock for a pink slip
- jhawk59

Your under water 5v5 because you are missing your top 3 centers. Not matter how good they have been or how much progress Suter and Kurashev may have made, they are not Toews or Dach. So every matchup for all 4 lines is effected. Suter has hit a bit of a wall also. So lets see how he comes out of it. The experience both are getting playing top 6 minutes should help immensely with their development and growth once they are moved down into better matchups. It also may prove to be the push of Strome out the door if they can get value for him.

Your under water 5v5 because you are missing your top 3 centers. Not matter how good they have been or how much progress Suter and Kurashev may have made, they are not Toews or Dach. So every matchup for all 4 lines is effected. Suter has hit a bit of a wall also. So lets see how he comes out of it. The experience both are getting playing top 6 minutes should help immensely with their development and growth once they are moved down into better matchups. It also may prove to be the push of Strome out the door if they can get value for him.
- TheTrob

Plus if the next Mitch Marner sized player is available you pass on him because he is not 6'2 200lbs? I thought that thinking went out in the 90's but expecially since the elimination of center ice offsides, and all the stick penalties now called.

While not thinking they are a piece or 2 away, what about 5? Toews, Dach, Nylander and Reichel next year, plus their 2021 #1 the following year, and they could be pretty formidable up front. Now the dmen would have to keep progressing, but I could see us being Cup contenders in 2 to 3 years.
- tvetter

If all of those come to fruition, then yes, they would be in much better position. I'm pretty confident that Dach will ultimately turn into the goods befitting a #3 overall. I have no idea on whether or not Toews will comeback, and apparently neither does he. Nylander is going to have to be MUCH better than he has shown thus far to move the needle. Potential is great until you have to use it. I love what I've seen and read thus far about Reichel, but NO ONE knows a thing about how he will handle the NHL until he gets here. He could be Kyle Connor, he could be Trevor Lewis, He could be Marek Schwarz (all former #17 OA picks).

... and then we have to see how the D progresses, and the goaltending. I don't say any of this to crap on optimism. I'm very optimistic. I just don't like to get ahead of myself when there are so many ??? still unanswered.

Wyatt Kaiser and UMD are on CBS Sports network right now, end of 2nd. Has one assist so far, 4 blocks, playing #1PK and #2PP. Has done OK so far.

Denver next game, will see if Demin is playing.

If all of those come to fruition, then yes, they would be in much better position. I'm pretty confident that Dach will ultimately turn into the goods befitting a #3 overall. I have no idea on whether or not Toews will comeback, and apparently neither does he. Nylander is going to have to be MUCH better than he has shown thus far to move the needle. Potential is great until you have to use it. I love what I've seen and read thus far about Reichel, but NO ONE knows a thing about how he will handle the NHL until he gets here. He could be Kyle Connor, he could be Trevor Lewis, He could be Marek Schwarz (all former #17 OA picks).

... and then we have to see how the D progresses, and the goaltending. I don't say any of this to crap on optimism. I'm very optimistic. I just don't like to get ahead of myself when there are so many ??? still unanswered.
- Chunk

I edited my post before you posted this, and said something similar.

Remember Wideman on CGY a few years ago laid a beautiful check on a linesman, and then played it up like it was an accident. Rule 40 in the rule book state that any hit with intent to injure carries a 20 game minimum, any hit without intent to injure is minimum 10, and any action meant to demean an official like spitting, shooting a puck at, throwing a stick at carries a minimum 3 game suspension.

Wideman got 20 games, appealed a few times, and it was reduced to 10 games (after he had already served 19). They refunded the 9 games of salary withheld beyond the 10 it was reduced to.
- TheTrob

Then, according to the Rule, it looks as though he should have received 10 games max. (Lysiak). They should also take into account the history of the perpetrator. I don't think a guy should lose his salary for a quarter of a season for it. Sounds as though they were just waiting for a situation to arise, and scapegoated Lysiak.

Biggest issue fir the Blackhawks has been touched upon by various people, including Theo I believe

I wandered over to TheRink app first time in a few months and saw a lengthy story by JJ from mid February....it addressed this biggest problem

It is 5 on 5 play. We are negative past to years.

I attribute the young guys and injuries as one cause

I attribute uncomfortable with JC system to some extent as another cause

The forwards effort and location on break outs is fixable but is yet another cause

The biggest problem I have and duly noted by JJ, is lack of top six Line forwards willing or any good at cing and battling in board scrums. This is not a plus area for Suter. Due to lack of top six forwards in the system we probably have to draft a top six fiesty but skilled forward. Someone who accumulates points although it necessarily a big points producer.

Bowman drated a couple players to combat duty in Dach and on defense Vlasic eventually (hopefully). I do like Theo's prognosis for "Alty" and Barret t they might be more third line guys. Entwhistle too - he has a knack to win board battles. A couple of collegiate kids line up to meet this need but alas they appear future third liners.

Stan your team can only get so much better if you do not concentrate on trading or drafting the type players the team success will greatly hinge upon. Seems so obvious. Glad Stan may be transitioning from the smaller skill guys at the draft. As far as I am concerned Stan better draft right or he is going to become on the clock for a pink slip
- jhawk59

You know if you eliminate the let down against the 3 top teams in our division of 2 goals within 2 minutes of each other, all of those games are much tighter. This same team 5 on 5 plays very well against the 4 other teams in our division, at times can keep the puck in the opponents zone for a long time. More and more I'm hearing coaches saying not so worried about shots on goal as much as scoring chances. There's no fixing this, time and patience is required, growth must happen. Did you ever buy a tomato plant and get upset because there's no tomatoes on it? Go outside everyday and yell at it, Why don't you have any tomatoes yet?

If all of those come to fruition, then yes, they would be in much better position. I'm pretty confident that Dach will ultimately turn into the goods befitting a #3 overall. I have no idea on whether or not Toews will comeback, and apparently neither does he. Nylander is going to have to be MUCH better than he has shown thus far to move the needle. Potential is great until you have to use it. I love what I've seen and read thus far about Reichel, but NO ONE knows a thing about how he will handle the NHL until he gets here. He could be Kyle Connor, he could be Trevor Lewis, He could be Marek Schwarz (all former #17 OA picks).

... and then we have to see how the D progresses, and the goaltending. I don't say any of this to crap on optimism. I'm very optimistic. I just don't like to get ahead of myself when there are so many ??? still unanswered.
- Chunk

Chunk

You are right of course with your statements. Also LA Hawk is essentially saying, draft the best player even if Mitch Marner size and not a larger size forward who has a board game. Sure that is the better move but ultimately we need players who willingly are good cycling puck and fighting for puck in scrums

And of course as pointed out there are reasons why we are underwater in 5 x 5 action.

Some of the issues now will become much less severe and not even be such a big deal should reasonable expectations come to fruition. Experience gained for younger players, improve the break out structure and the attitude about not getting too ahead when you haven't even successfully moved out of your own end. ......often as in life you have to go through valleys to get to the peaks, then this may repeat as injuries, salary cap issues etc al knock the team back down

I don't know the ideal forward we need is available when we draft. Maybe that player is in the 2022 draft. We see our needs, we identify our needs but it is a process and you cannot get easily what you need. And yes then players may be playing in a different slot than desired....there is that too. I'm agreeing with the things you and others are saying.

Optimistic Dach returns and we draft well. But you do agree ultimately we need more top six forwards who will fight for pucks along the boards. Just reiterating this

I wish Kubs would of checked Forsling when he had the chance can't let him off the hook like that

What the hell is with everyone being so nonchalant with the puck in their own end on the PP? move your damn feet.

I wish Kubs would of checked Forsling when he had the chance can't let him off the hook like that
- BetweenTheDots

After the game I am curious if we can say whether Forsling looked better, same, worse than his time in Chicago. Interesting Q might have some influence his hooking up again. Or is U Samuelson on Q staff again - that would explain Forsling turming up here in Florida.

de Haan is not necessarily bad, but he's not smart. He moves really slow with the puck and then seems surprised when the opponent comes up on him. Either move your feet or move the puck.

Elbows must be happy for his guy Kampf. Excellent play for the offensively challenged clod .

He just tripped Z, WTF

He just tripped Z, WTF
- BetweenTheDots

Even up. Q is God, remember.

Officiating in NHL is real hard job

He just tripped Z, WTF
- BetweenTheDots

Lysiak, my friend.

After the game I am curious if we can say whether Forsling looked better, same, worsrcthan his time in Chicago. Interesting Q might have some influence his hooking up again. Is U Samuelson on Q staff again - that would explain Forsling turming up here in Florida.
- jhawk59

I WOULD EXPECT HIM TO BE BETTER, ITS 3 years since he has been with the Hawks

Officiating in NHL is real hard job
- BetweenTheDots

Obviously..........

Man Boqvist is getting a real good feel how to play 2 on 1s

Hahaha hahaha haha, sigh

Goddamit how lucky

Goddamit how lucky
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, Keith is a moron for that one.

Goddamit how lucky
- BetweenTheDots

A hole move by Keith, they deserved that goal.

Can't have your mature vets doing stupid poop like that.