I don't think the WWE comment was about using a gimmick to get folks in the door. I think it was more about finding ways to better market the players and the game. The WWE does well because people get invested in the storylines of the actors, and because it is exciting to watch. I think the NHL would do very well to better promote the stars of the game. You can tell they understand this (why else would CHI be getting another Winter Classic?), but they fall short because they don't really do enough to highlight and promote the stars in the league. My wife likes to watch hockey with me, but I have to tell her who the best players are on the opponents most nights. Meanwhile, she knows Gronk, Mahomes, the Kelce brothers, etc and we haven't watched much of any football in the last 12 years.
- Chunk

This was a much better way of making the point I was trying to make.

The NFL is huge, players get more endorsement opportunities, players are all over TV, the internet and the news, hockey not so much. How do NHL players get endorsements? They have to have a sport more visible and viable to sports fans for corporations to offer those endorsements. Hockey is relatively new to anywhere but the northern US so it’s never had a Network TV deal. Do you think marketing a handful of great players and a few characters is going to make people watch them? You have to understand and like or love the game and not enough people in the US do at the moment.

As far as your wife knowing the NFL players you mentioned, all of them have one thing hockey players seem to lack, a big personality. Across the board hockey players are pretty boring. Look at Bedard, nice respectful kid, great player, he looks like the kid next door but he has zero on screen personality. There are a few hockey players with big personalities Trevor Zegras being one, but they are few and far between.
- paulr

Big personalities are actively discouraged in the hockey culture. “I’m just here to help the team, and god willing, win a few games”

Modern day record breakers

Blackhawks three Cups in six years

Now comes KC Chiefs three Super Bowl in five years. They have most glorious accomplishment

* plead ignorance any NBA record. Golden state Warriors maybe?

ADD OMG-osh The basketball record titles in 2015, ‘17, ‘18 and ‘22. They were golden
- jhawk59

I consider Jordan’s Bulls modern. 6 in 8 years, would have been 8 in 8 if not for the baseball interlude. And 10+ in a row if Krause hadn’t started to tear it down. I thought they had at least 2 more in them.

Heck, if I remember correctly, they got screwed out of going to the Finals by a bad call against the Knicks, after Pippen was the top dog the year after Michael left.

I consider Jordan’s Bulls modern. 6 in 8 years, would have been 8 in 8 if not for the baseball interlude. And 10+ in a row if Krause hadn’t started to tear it down. I thought they had at least 2 more in them.

Heck, if I remember correctly, they got screwed out of going to the Finals by a bad call against the Knicks, after Pippen was the top dog the year after Michael left.
- scottak

Seems we say the same thing about the Hawks all the time. 😁

Seems we say the same thing about the Hawks all the time. 😁
- Chunk

And the 2016 Cubs. And the 1985 Bears.

Reilly suspended for five games. Any appeal goes straight to Betman.

And the 2016 Cubs. And the 1985 Bears.
- scottak

What is a Cubs?

What a great period by the Hawks, they were all over the Nucks.
Edit - by the way, that was a weak effort by Vlasic on the Garland goal.

What a great period by the Hawks, they were all over the Nucks.
Edit - by the way, that was a weak effort by Vlasic on the Garland goal.
- Angotti

Crap turnover/pass to start it as well. They simply don’t have any talent. Kinda sad.

Crap turnover/pass to start it as well. They simply don’t have any talent. Kinda sad.
- Chunk

Until Bedard comes back, some of the young dmen are about all there is to watch...maybe Nazar later in the year.

Until Bedard comes back, some of the young dmen are about all there is to watch...maybe Nazar later in the year.
- HawkintheD

Indeed. This is why I keep saying they need some better forward talent. Otherwise, these kids just learn how to take an L.

Indeed. This is why I keep saying they need some better forward talent. Otherwise, these kids just learn how to take an L.
- Chunk

Agree and think they will. I still see Davidson signing or acquiring a player or two that are likely middle 6 talent.

Agree and think they will. I still see Davidson signing or acquiring a player or two that are likely middle 6 talent.
- HawkintheD

Maybe they can dangle Korbustsky for a middle six veteran forward?

Maybe they can dangle Korbustsky for a middle six veteran forward?
- paulr

Plenty of free agents that will fit that description. Save Korbustsky for that “Kimmo Timonen” acquisition for a playoff run.

Maybe they can dangle Korbustsky for a middle six veteran forward?
- paulr

Trade him now! His value will never be higher!

Footnote - Darth Kane

That was the worst fight I have seen in 60 years of watching hockey. It was like neither guy really had his heart in it.

That was the worst fight I have seen in 60 years of watching hockey. It was like neither guy really had his heart in it.

- bjphawkfan

They used to call those offsetting minors - 2 mins each for delay of game.

I consider Jordan’s Bulls modern. 6 in 8 years, would have been 8 in 8 if not for the baseball interlude. And 10+ in a row if Krause hadn’t started to tear it down. I thought they had at least 2 more in them.

Heck, if I remember correctly, they got screwed out of going to the Finals by a bad call against the Knicks, after Pippen was the top dog the year after Michael left.
- scottak

I consider Jordan’s Bulls modern. 6 in 8 years, would have been 8 in 8 if not for the baseball interlude. And 10+ in a row if Krause hadn’t started to tear it down. I thought they had at least 2 more in them.

Heck, if I remember correctly, they got screwed out of going to the Finals by a bad call against the Knicks, after Pippen was the top dog the year after Michael left.
- scottak

Bulls were done

Agree and think they will. I still see Davidson signing or acquiring a player or two that are likely middle 6 talent.
- HawkintheD

Agree, and add Hall and Nazar as well, and they will be more entertaining next year. Also, KK and Vlasic will have a year of experience on the backend. Let’s also not forget that they will draft either Celebrini, Lindstrom, Eiserman, or the RD from Michigan State, good times are coming in the next few years.

Agree, and add Hall and Nazar as well, and they will be more entertaining next year. Also, KK and Vlasic will have a year of experience on the backend. Let’s also not forget that they will draft either Celebrini, Lindstrom, Eiserman, or the RD from Michigan State, good times are coming in the next few years.
- Angotti

The team will have a very different look next season, once everyone gets healthy:

Hall - Bedard - Kurashev
AA - D!ckinson - ???
Foligno - ??? - Reichel
??? - ??? - Donato

Vlasic - Jones
Korchinski - Murphy
??? - ???

Mrazek
Soderblom

Assuming Vlasic and Reichel are re-signed as RFAs is a safe bet, however non of the other RFAs are locks and could easily be gone.

I could see Dach taking one of the forward positions, maybe Nazar but if he turns pro I'd expect to see him in Rockford next season.

If the Hawks draft #1 Celebrini will make the team out of camp, but nobody else is a sure thing.

Maybe Del Mastro or Allan take the 3LD spot, but there will be some stiff competition.

The team will have a very different look next season, once everyone gets healthy:

Hall - Bedard - Kurashev
AA - D!ckinson - ???
Foligno - ??? - Reichel
??? - ??? - Donato

Vlasic - Jones
Korchinski - Murphy
??? - ???

Mrazek
Soderblom

Assuming Vlasic and Reichel are re-signed as RFAs is a safe bet, however non of the other RFAs are locks and could easily be gone.

I could see Dach taking one of the forward positions, maybe Nazar but if he turns pro I'd expect to see him in Rockford next season.

If the Hawks draft #1 Celebrini will make the team out of camp, but nobody else is a sure thing.

Maybe Del Mastro or Allan take the 3LD spot, but there will be some stiff competition.
- DarthKane

Hopefully next season Hall can stay healthy. If he can, there should be enough talent to get the Hawks out of the basement and into a position to challenge for a playoff spot. With the type of game Richardson is coaching we could see some fun hockey next year with promise of better hockey in subsequent seasons.

Plenty of free agents that will fit that description. Save Korbustsky for that “Kimmo Timonen” acquisition for a playoff run.
- Chunk

I checked the Cap Friendly site for this off-season UFA list. If you take into account the names that will surely be retained by their present teams, there does not seem to be much available.

Unpopular opinion maybe, but I think last night's game was one of Vlasic's worst this season.

I get that the team isn't playing well, but I think they need to reel him in a little bit. First goal against, he tried to force the stretch pass, there were probably 3 or 4 other times I counted where it was an odd man chance against or like the mini 2 on 1 because he wasn't in position.

I like Vlasic, but his ice time/workload has jumped in the last 25 games or so. Last night he seemed to lack urgency on getting back into the play.

I don't think the experiment of him on the PP unit has really paid off either, just not a great fit. I hope they retool the top unit, let him focus on what he does best and take some load off him. Hopefully if Murphy gets back into games here it will help.

I checked the Cap Friendly site for this off-season UFA list. If you take into account the names that will surely be retained by their present teams, there does not seem to be much available.
- 67hawks

I could see maybe an Eberle or a Teravanien being signed and playing on Bedard’s line with Hall. That doesn’t mean playoffs, however they will not pick top five next year, this should be the last year of a top five pick for a bit.