I think those are two types of posters. One is the pure troll who gets off on getting a rise out of people. The other is the person who is so angry at the outcome of the game that they need to get others riled up to feel better.
- mohel

And a third type. The ones who are rational and thoughtful when discussing the team before, after or on non game days but lose their (frank)ing minds during games especially games the Hawks aren’t playing well. Enzo was a perfect example as is another poster who still posts here and knows who he is.

I think those are two types of posters. One is the pure troll who gets off on getting a rise out of people. The other is the person who is so angry at the outcome of the game that they need to get others riled up to feel better.
- mohel

And the ones that can't accept in a flat cap world, that you cannot stay on top forever. Isn't that the idea of a flat cap?

True dat. I do think, though, that Trotz would demand the forwards play defense in order to get playing time. I'm a fan of No-neck, but I don't think they would have a much better record with him right now.
- mohel

Trotz is one of the best communicators, also. He did the impossible, getting Ovechkin to buy in.

I don't really have issue with Colliton, either, but it would be interesting to see what Trotz could do. Could he have gotten that fourth spot in the division? I wouldn't ask this question about any other coach.

Do you notice that those that all they do is bash only show up when the Hawks are losing? You hardly ever see them on here at other times.
- LAHawk

Trolls with Indian heads.

And a third type. The ones who are rational and thoughtful when discussing the team before, after or on non game days but lose their (frank)ing minds during games especially games the Hawks aren’t playing well. Enzo was a perfect example as is another poster who still posts here and knows who he is.
- paulr

Give me a break. Sometimes I drink during games..

Is anyone else pleasantly surprised with the play of Gaudette and Hardman?

I know it's a very small sample and everyone needs to show consistency, but they bring a much heavier element to the team.

Gaudette isn't even that big (6'1" 170). Apparently he just figured out he had some sort of digestive issue that didn't allow him to gain/keep weight on. He thinks he's figured that out and can put on a good amount of bulk.

I'd be happy with a 2 year flyer on him. I don't know what to make of Hardman just yet, but he's around the puck a lot and doesn't go out of his way to make a hit.

Give me a break. Sometimes I drink during games..
- Chunk

Sometimes?

Is anyone else pleasantly surprised with the play of Gaudette and Hardman?

I know it's a very small sample and everyone needs to show consistency, but they bring a much heavier element to the team.

Gaudette isn't even that big (6'1" 170). Apparently he just figured out he had some sort of digestive issue that didn't allow him to gain/keep weight on. He thinks he's figured that out and can put on a good amount of bulk.

I'd be happy with a 2 year flyer on him. I don't know what to make of Hardman just yet, but he's around the puck a lot and doesn't go out of his way to make a hit.
- Chunk

Yes. I knew Gaudette played the Hawks well but that could be said about many.

Read the thing about his digestive issue. Still can't believe the Hawks got anyone that is potentially useful for Highmore.

Agree on Hardman.

Sometimes?
- HawkintheD

not just during games either.

And a third type. The ones who are rational and thoughtful when discussing the team before, after or on non game days but lose their (frank)ing minds during games especially games the Hawks aren’t playing well. Enzo was a perfect example as is another poster who still posts here and knows who he is.
- paulr

I don't need to be insulted like that - I have a wife for that....

As much as winning is progress in talent and culture, jeez does this team need a couple more high end players. Losing earlier in the season we would likely be better off in the draft which yes is still a crapshoot. But our best bet.

Depending on toews and retired contracts, we’ll see how either next year’s lottery or playoffs prospects look. Lots of major question marks, little to point to.

And a third type. The ones who are rational and thoughtful when discussing the team before, after or on non game days but lose their (frank)ing minds during games especially games the Hawks aren’t playing well. Enzo was a perfect example as is another poster who still posts here and knows who he is.
- paulr

Let me see if I can connect the dots.

I don't need to be insulted like that - I have a wife for that....
- StLBravesFan

Haha! Guilty conscience? I wasn’t even thinking of you.

Haha! Guilty conscience? I wasn’t even thinking of you.
- paulr

Just arrogantly assumed too much.

Just arrogantly assumed too much.
- StLBravesFan

You know what they say about assume.

Let me see if I can connect the dots.
- mohel

You sneaky unicorn.

You know what they say about assume.
- paulr

Yeah, but I don’t need to “assume” to be that….

Yeah, but I don’t need to “assume” to be that….
- StLBravesFan

Join the club.

Anyone know whatever happened to snapitupstairs and savvyone?

Miss those guys.....Few others I can't recall exact screen names who usually engaged quite a bit as the conversations while not always 100% in agreement were usually mostly civil.
- SteveRain

Ha, it's good to be missed!
SR, hope you are well. Been quite a year+ for everyone, holding out hope that by year's end, things will be close to back to normal.

I read through most of Theo's blogs and the comments are still a hoot.
Yes, I'm still Nick's uncle or Dad or cousin or best friend (or whatever you imagine).
Way too early in this rebuild to really make much out of it, some of the new guys are definitely keepers (Kalynuk, Hagel, Suter, Kurashev, Lankinen) but others I don't think they have what it takes.

Hawks oversold on Mitchell, Bovquist (way oversold IMO - here's a guy that is essentially not league average in terms of speed and definitely not a world class skater by any measure which is why he has continued to get rung up).

And only Blowman could lose the Saad trade multiple times, this time for a big, dumb Russian that so reminds me of a guy I was forced to skate on a D pair with far too often that I quit that team. I can easily see Blowman giving him more $ and term when he should try to trade for a pick or warm body -- or at the very least, not QO him and simply let him go.

Similarly, another guy I hope goes is Murphy. Might be a good team guy but in way over his head and his skating is certainly no better than when he arrived.

Kalynuk has impressed me thus far - better than average speed and a VG skater. Seems relatively smart with the puck, I think he might have the best chance of becoming a top pair guy. Like always, time will tell.

Like you SR, I am not at all surprised no playoffs this year. Tough to play those same teams ONLY within your division over and over and over. And really wondering if the Toews absence was more due to how the league dealt w/Covid versus any real or imagined illness. We may never know, just hope the guy is OK, regardless of whether he is back. If he doesn't return, Blowman has way more to fix. After reading some of the rumors/speculation here and then reading about Mongo, sure hope that rumor is patently untrue. Would not wish that sentence on anyone.

Stay well, I might try to hang out a little more often although the company I work for was just sold to a venture cap group so the thought of retirement is looking more attractive with each meeting I have to attend.

Ha, it's good to be missed!
SR, hope you are well. Been quite a year+ for everyone, holding out hope that by year's end, things will be close to back to normal.

I read through most of Theo's blogs and the comments are still a hoot.
Yes, I'm still Nick's uncle or Dad or cousin or best friend (or whatever you imagine).
Way too early in this rebuild to really make much out of it, some of the new guys are definitely keepers (Kalynuk, Hagel, Suter, Kurashev, Lankinen) but others I don't think they have what it takes.

Hawks oversold on Mitchell, Bovquist (way oversold IMO - here's a guy that is essentially not league average in terms of speed and definitely not a world class skater by any measure which is why he has continued to get rung up).

And only Blowman could lose the Saad trade multiple times, this time for a big, dumb Russian that so reminds me of a guy I was forced to skate on a D pair with far too often that I quit that team. I can easily see Blowman giving him more $ and term when he should try to trade for a pick or warm body -- or at the very least, not QO him and simply let him go.

Similarly, another guy I hope goes is Murphy. Might be a good team guy but in way over his head and his skating is certainly no better than when he arrived.

Kalynuk has impressed me thus far - better than average speed and a VG skater. Seems relatively smart with the puck, I think he might have the best chance of becoming a top pair guy. Like always, time will tell.

Like you SR, I am not at all surprised no playoffs this year. Tough to play those same teams ONLY within your division over and over and over. And really wondering if the Toews absence was more due to how the league dealt w/Covid versus any real or imagined illness. We may never know, just hope the guy is OK, regardless of whether he is back. If he doesn't return, Blowman has way more to fix. After reading some of the rumors/speculation here and then reading about Mongo, sure hope that rumor is patently untrue. Would not wish that sentence on anyone.

Stay well, I might try to hang out a little more often although the company I work for was just sold to a venture cap group so the thought of retirement is looking more attractive with each meeting I have to attend.
- savvyone-1

That's one thing I don't miss either from the pre-Covid world. Hey Savvy!

I'd have to think the majority would have been surprised had this team made the playoffs. I know I would have. They outperformed what I figured was going to be an unwatchable mess this season and at least provided some entertainment.

Idk where all of these guys will eventually slot or who gets dealt as time goes on, but if Kalynuk turns into a decent second pairing guy that's a huge win. Boqvist started playing pretty well before he was hurt the first time and is still what 20?

Was an odd year (Capt Obvious) but to a point Rick made earlier, maybe Mitchell would have been better served playing heavy mins in the AHL most of the year.

Is anyone else pleasantly surprised with the play of Gaudette and Hardman?

I know it's a very small sample and everyone needs to show consistency, but they bring a much heavier element to the team.

Gaudette isn't even that big (6'1" 170). Apparently he just figured out he had some sort of digestive issue that didn't allow him to gain/keep weight on. He thinks he's figured that out and can put on a good amount of bulk.

I'd be happy with a 2 year flyer on him. I don't know what to make of Hardman just yet, but he's around the puck a lot and doesn't go out of his way to make a hit.
- Chunk

I'm thankfully surprised by Gaudette and Hardman. They were in the "need to prove things first" camp then, of course, perform consistently.

But in the brief time span, I like what I see so far and think they have potential to be more than "just a guy" as I was originally thinking upon acquisition.

A future 4th line of Entwistle centering Hardman and Slavin would be killer. Great size, physicality, board work, skating, defensive conscience, and offensive jam.

Can Entwistle replicate Kampf's defensive wizardry, though? I think he can, at least eventually.

Gaudette, if on a positive trajectory, could be an effective 3rd liner with secondary scoring punch and gritty style.

Still early to tell with them but so far so good.

I'm thankfully surprised by Gaudette and Hardman. They were in the "need to prove things first" camp then, of course, perform consistently.

But in the brief time span, I like what I see so far and think they have potential to be more than "just a guy" as I was originally thinking upon acquisition.

A future 4th line of Entwistle centering Hardman and Slavin would be killer. Great size, physicality, board work, skating, defensive conscience, and offensive jam.

Can Entwistle replicate Kampf's defensive wizardry, though? I think he can, at least eventually.

Gaudette, if on a positive trajectory, could be an effective 3rd liner with secondary scoring punch and gritty style.

Still early to tell with them but so far so good.
- Theo Fox

The fact that Entwhistle showed in that one move going wide on Skej, and setting up that scoring chance would make up for any deficiency of Kampf's supposed defensive wizadry. If Entwhistle can play more in the offensive zone, we don't need a one trick (overrated at that one trick IMO because to his offense, his defense is wizadry.) pony.

I was just looking at CapFriendly, and saw that, through some detail, Hagel is not eligible for an offer sheet. Not that I think anyone would (as they are so rare), but an interesting quirk of the CBA.

Ha, it's good to be missed!
SR, hope you are well. Been quite a year+ for everyone, holding out hope that by year's end, things will be close to back to normal.

I read through most of Theo's blogs and the comments are still a hoot.
Yes, I'm still Nick's uncle or Dad or cousin or best friend (or whatever you imagine).
Way too early in this rebuild to really make much out of it, some of the new guys are definitely keepers (Kalynuk, Hagel, Suter, Kurashev, Lankinen) but others I don't think they have what it takes.

Hawks oversold on Mitchell, Bovquist (way oversold IMO - here's a guy that is essentially not league average in terms of speed and definitely not a world class skater by any measure which is why he has continued to get rung up).

And only Blowman could lose the Saad trade multiple times, this time for a big, dumb Russian that so reminds me of a guy I was forced to skate on a D pair with far too often that I quit that team. I can easily see Blowman giving him more $ and term when he should try to trade for a pick or warm body -- or at the very least, not QO him and simply let him go.

Similarly, another guy I hope goes is Murphy. Might be a good team guy but in way over his head and his skating is certainly no better than when he arrived.

Kalynuk has impressed me thus far - better than average speed and a VG skater. Seems relatively smart with the puck, I think he might have the best chance of becoming a top pair guy. Like always, time will tell.

Like you SR, I am not at all surprised no playoffs this year. Tough to play those same teams ONLY within your division over and over and over. And really wondering if the Toews absence was more due to how the league dealt w/Covid versus any real or imagined illness. We may never know, just hope the guy is OK, regardless of whether he is back. If he doesn't return, Blowman has way more to fix. After reading some of the rumors/speculation here and then reading about Mongo, sure hope that rumor is patently untrue. Would not wish that sentence on anyone.

Stay well, I might try to hang out a little more often although the company I work for was just sold to a venture cap group so the thought of retirement is looking more attractive with each meeting I have to attend.
- savvyone-1

Hello, Savvy! Good to see you again.

Thought we were getting a cracked cup for him too.

I don't know if it's his size, last season, the play-in games vs. EDM that's leading to greater expectations?

The kid just turned 20 in January and to Steve's point I don't think it's really a stretch to see how he hasn't come back gangbusters after sitting 3/4's of season from a significant injury.
- HawkintheD

EVerytime I see cracked cup....I flinch a little. Been blasted there one time, and for the minutes on the bench I wish I was dead.....