That is not true.

Bolland was a skinny little poop who played big. If you ever saw him sitting in his booth at the pony you'd be like wow that creepy little dude plays hockey?

Watching him drive Joe Thornton to the point of insanity in 2010 was a thing of magic. Too bad he had that back and ankle problem. Def a fun player to root for.
- fattybeef

The thing that makes guys like Bolland or Marchand so irritating isn’t so much their chippy play, the constant chirping, the after whistle stuff but the fact they’re damn good hockey players.

Impressed with this kid's overall game even before the goal last night.
- 6628

Ya, lot of people thought Broberg was a bust. Coaches decide to take big Deharnais out of the lineup and insert Broberg for some more quickness, speed and puckhandling/passing skill.

Dallas having trouble getting many SOG because they don't have the puck that much and are under pressure when they do. Same problem LA Kings run into when they play the Oilers.

I lived in Mimico after I left my parents house. Lived in an apartment right on the Lake. I could stagger home from the Blue Goose, Bolland’s watering hole, after a night of imbibing. Of course this was a few years before Bolland was a twinkle in his father’s eye. I did go to the Goose in the summer of ‘13 to see Bolland bring the cup there but the place was a complete zoo.
- paulr

Ya the Blue Goose has been home to some stuff that Gary Bettman would not want to see become public info.

Ya the Blue Goose has been home to some stuff that Gary Bettman would not want to see become public info.
- RickJ

The great thing about the Goose is it’s all forgotten come morning.

You know i saw it with the Bolts, Kucherov, and I'm seeing it with the Oilers, Draisaitl and McDavid, when your star players have finally had enough and develop a certain nastiness in the playoffs. It's a if the final layer of learning how to win in the playoffs happens. Another neat thing with the Oilers is as the playoff series goes on they seem to understand as a team what the opponents next move is, i have to admit the Stars looked slow last night and Tanev not being a hundred percent is going to hurt them.
- BetweenTheDots

How about this as a big part of the reason - Pavelski, Suter, Seguin, Duchene, Benn and Tanev are all well into their 30's. Kind of ancient for modern day hockey. The Oilers have really started to expose that.

And I thought the Stars would win this series because of goaltending. Still can, but some of their guys probably need a visit to the fountain of youth.

You can if you’re willing to pay the price and also play a structured defense. By the way, their defense is slightly above average, much better than the Leafs. Bouchard and Ekholm is a nice pair, and Skinner is developing very nicely in goal. Would love to have Bouchard with Vlasic as the Hawks first pair.
- Angotti

Their defense is slightly better in this series. Except for bouchards shot our pair of jones and vlasic are about the same.

Yes, but Bouchard is never, ever going to be a shutdown defenceman. Neither was Coffey.

So what Coffey has done is given him the green light to join the rush and be part of the offence. And why not when the Oilers have the kind of talent they have up front?

Absolutely pressure the other team's defence and just don't make too many bonehead mistakes. And he puts Ekholm with him as his defensive cover. Seems to be working, the older guys on the Stars are having some real difficulties.

And the Oilers don't look too worried about playing Broberg on D either.
- RickJ

Thats why demidov and bedard would be a trmendous offensive threat. We can improve the d in the draft or fa later.

Thats why demidov and bedard would be a trmendous offensive threat. We can improve the d in the draft or fa later.
- LFS

Best player available. If that’s Demidov, Lindstrom, Levshunov, Buium or whoever, that’s who Davidson must select. And BPA isn’t who you or I or all the online prognosticators think but who KD and his scouting staff think. And so far he hasn’t tipped his hand.

How about this as a big part of the reason - Pavelski, Suter, Seguin, Duchene, Benn and Tanev are all well into their 30's. Kind of ancient for modern day hockey. The Oilers have really started to expose that.

And I thought the Stars would win this series because of goaltending. Still can, but some of their guys probably need a visit to the fountain of youth.
- RickJ

If only. More likely ticketed for the glue factory.

If only. More likely ticketed for the glue factory.
- HawkintheD

Definitely where Joe Pavelski is headed.

How about this as a big part of the reason - Pavelski, Suter, Seguin, Duchene, Benn and Tanev are all well into their 30's. Kind of ancient for modern day hockey. The Oilers have really started to expose that.

And I thought the Stars would win this series because of goaltending. Still can, but some of their guys probably need a visit to the fountain of youth.
- RickJ

He's such a hack now. He's so slow and bad i think he commits a penalty on every shift. I don't know why he's able to get away with it and others can't. How many crosschecks did he put on McDavid last night? Nugent comes in and gets the penalty. I liked how the other game he was holding someones stick and the player got leverage and ripped it out of his hands and he went and spun around and crashed into Otto and the Oilers scored. Oops i have that backwards Suter was called for roughing last night

He's such a hack now. He's so slow and bad i think he commits a penalty on every shift. I don't know why he's able to get away with it and others can't. How many crosschecks did he put on McDavid last night? Nugent comes in and gets the penalty. I liked how the other game he was holding someones stick and the player got leverage and ripped it out of his hands and he went and spun around and crashed into Otto and the Oilers scored.
- BetweenTheDots

Ryan Suter has been on my most hated NHL players list for many years for the exact reasons you mention. He has been crosschecking from behind forever and getting away with it. He used to do it to Toews every single game.

Fitting ending for Suter would be to take a Bouchard slap shot in the kisser in his last shift of NHL hockey.

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?
- paulr

I will admit it'd be nice to have someone with his ability to put the puck in the back of the net, watching some video of his lack of compete in his own end is concerning. All that being said if the Blackhawks draft him number 2 OA I won't be upset.

So now its an “inseam” issue with his skating? Really? Lol.
- LFS

It was a nice way to say that when the DEMIDOV opens up his crotch the way HE does, like no NHL offensive star I have ever seen, he is open to an NHL player closing and that checker having a very good ability to stir Demidov splits positioning and neutralizing any attempt Demidov makes to stand tall and continue to attack b/c he ridden harmless, where a NHL attacking wing is rarely ever compromising his abilitie to stay in the play because they are positioned in a non-compromising postion where they still can pass, pivot and continue to be part of the play.

It was a nice way to say that when the DEMIDOV opens up his crotch the way HE does, like no NHL offensive star I have ever seen, he is open to an NHL player closing and that checker having a very good ability to stir Demidov splits positioning and neutralizing any attempt Demidov makes to stand tall and continue to attack b/c he ridden harmless, where a NHL attacking wing is rarely ever compromising his abilitie to stay in the play because they are positioned in a non-compromising postion where they still can pass, pivot and continue to be part of the play.
- wiz1901

He skates exactly like Bobby Orr, the best player to ever play the game did. Legs wide apart, bow legged as (frank), but the best skater of his generation, he was quick, fast, had exceptional edges and had incredible lateral mobility.

https://youtu.be/QTk4fO1yDLg?si=8riitJAmWo-2TPZq

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?
- paulr

I know that's VABeachbear's guy. Can't recall who else was wanting him at 2.

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?
- paulr

I am sure that no one team of the early selectors have amnesia; Wheeler, McKenzie, Ryan Kennedy THN, ISS, or the two draft jokers on NHL.com, opinions mean little to the team boards and where / when the have Eiserman.

My favorite is stepping away and into the past and re-reading the Athletic fan boards and how the fan experts are locked in on Shane Wright in slot one, not lsot four...their fan boy exuberance if THEIR team could only get him at one, or two...

and how they are /were sioenced when he lingered to slot 4....

My point is simply that draft starts as fan speculation and eventually the results simply reflect the results of professionals actually doing their homework past me having a mock first round for public consumption.

He skates exactly like Bobby Orr, the best player to ever play the game did. Legs wide apart, bow legged as (frank), but the best skater of his generation, he was quick, fast, had exceptional edges and had incredible lateral mobility.

Surely you jest, Paul.

No where on that 5 minute clip is Bobby Orr slowed to glide with his legs open CLOSE to the bow Demidov's forays degenerate to.
Bobby was slightly bow-legged but his edges corrected him over extending.



https://youtu.be/QTk4fO1yDLg?si=8riitJAmWo-2TPZq
- paulr

If I honestly thought that Demidov had some Bobby Orr inisde his game I wouln't hesitate to select him.


I still cannot get over how much Oshawa RD Danford has to look down at the puck when he has possession, thus his rank in my mock.

Draft combine begins Sunday in Buffalo. I don't think there's any on ice sessions, just various physical and agility tests and opportunities for KD and staff to interview the prospects.

Demidov won't be in Buffalo, but his agent is hosting a showcase in Florida in June for his Russian stable.

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?
- paulr

The Hawks can still take Eiserman…at #18.

The Hawks can still take Eiserman…at #18.
- DarthKane

Maybe Demidov will still be there

The great thing about the Goose is it’s all forgotten come morning.
- paulr

So reading your posts, I said to myself "Self, no plans for a summer vacation this year, maybe head up North across the border and check this place out".

To my disappointment, when i looked it up, its listed as Temporarily Closed.

Then i wondered to myself, after some of the implications you all were making, what thing that no one can speak of in the morning temporarily closed it

Whatever happen to the talk of selecting Eiserman? There were allot of posters here certain he was the guy. But I haven’t heard anything about Eiserman in weeks. In fact if a number of names are bandied about he’s not even in the mix. What made his stock drop right off the table?
- paulr

Propaganda, still my guy, and hoping the trade up a couple spots is the precursor to a second trade up to nab Cole.

Maybe Demidov will still be there
- BetweenTheDots

The Montreal fans think he is Russian Jesus and even want the Hab's management to trade up to get him...

As far as "Demi-god" lasting until #18, look how despite the odd strengths / weaknesses / floor / Ceiling on 2023 year long assessment as the 2nd best player...you still had Philiadelphia deciding at #7 he was their guy.

Philly?

At the time, it seeemed odd. Still does.


I think all the early hawk forward selections have been high pace prospects with jump and are slippery puck carriers. If many lack success as dominant attackers, they have tool boxes that fit the filling in of the lower lines & roles.

No reason not to continue to keep adding good sticks, more jump, but I want a Getslaf and even a Perry type if we go down the shopping aisle they are on.