Boquist not on Team Sweden?? Is he overage for this tourney??
- EnzoD

Too small.

But seriously, folks - it’s an under 18 tournament - Boqvist is under 18 - but I think it’s for not yet draft eligible players (and I don’t know the draft eligibility rules).

Boquist not on Team Sweden?? Is he overage for this tourney??
- EnzoD

Yes, he's a 2000 this tourney is for 01's. How you diggin 16 yr old Alexis Lafreniere?!?!? Kid put up 80 points in Major Junior as a 16 yr old! Tank for the Frenchy!! https://www.eliteprospect.../296697/alexis-lafreniere

Helluva game man. Hair on fire up and down back and forth crash hockey. This is what top jr players look like before the wild horse is coached out of them.

Too small.

But seriously, folks - it’s an under 18 tournament - Boqvist is under 18 - but I think it’s for not yet draft eligible players (and I don’t know the draft eligibility rules).
- StLBravesFan

No Sage, these kids are draft eligible for the 2019 draft. This coming draft. Any 01 that's 18 before Sept 15 2019.

No Sage, these kids are draft eligible for the 2019 draft. This coming draft. Any 01 that's 18 before Sept 15 2019.
- Mr Ricochet

Ok.

Too complicated for a Saturday night.

Yes, he's a 2000 this tourney is for 01's. How you diggin 16 yr old Alexis Lafreniere?!?!? Kid put up 80 points in Major Junior as a 16 yr old! Tank for the Frenchy!! https://www.eliteprospect.../296697/alexis-lafreniere

Helluva game man. Hair on fire up and down back and forth crash hockey. This is what top jr players look like before the wild horse is coached out of them.
- Mr Ricochet

Tbh this hockey game is far more entertaining than NHL games. Unreal pace, skill, and scoring.

Link go bad? This one is working. http://unblocked.lol/tsn2

Tbh this hockey game is far more entertaining than NHL games. Unreal pace, skill, and scoring.
- EnzoD

Their brains have not caught up with their feet yet. They have damn near NHL speed, many do now though, and they play all out crash/speed/uber skilled hockey. The structure as a unit defensively breaks down at the jr level and the skill, speed and exuberance of the offense exploits that so you have tons and tons of chances, many high danger ones back and forth. Tons of offense, speed, the exuberance of a kid and compete makes it so exciting. .........Incredible to realize they are 17 yr olds and a few 16 yr olds.

Then they get to the next level, pro or college, and they are littered with coach's like Q, Trotz and Sutter who insist on defense wins and won't allow them to do everything at 120 MPH and coach the wild horse out of them.

Yes, for me Tier 1 (USHL) and Major Junior is my favorite level for pure hockey entertainment. Would you take your family of 4 to a Major Junior or USHL game (Steel had 5 players on the USA Hlinka squad) for 50 bucks in tickets or an NHL game for 4-5-600 bucks in tickets and 11 dollar beers?

Ok.

Too complicated for a Saturday night.
- StLBravesFan

Too often you have to have a steel trap memory and be a Math Major to follow jrs. Best to just enjoy it without trying to figure out what the hell.

Jeff Marek
‏Verified account @JeffMarek
10h10 hours ago

Jeff Marek Retweeted Bucci Mane

Would it surprises anyone if Tkachuk ended up playing with the London Knights of the OHL this season? Is probably ready for the NHL but is playing in Ottawa the best move for him right now?

Jeff Marek added,
Bucci Mane
Verified account @Buccigross
Brady Tkachuk, son of Keith, has informed Boston University Head Coach Albie O'Connell of his intentions to sign a pro contract.
21 replies 15 retweets 63 likes

Jeff Marek
‏Verified account @JeffMarek
10h10 hours ago

Jeff Marek Retweeted Bucci Mane

Would it surprises anyone if Tkachuk ended up playing with the London Knights of the OHL this season? Is probably ready for the NHL but is playing in Ottawa the best move for him right now?

Jeff Marek added,
Bucci Mane
Verified account @Buccigross
Brady Tkachuk, son of Keith, has informed Boston University Head Coach Albie O'Connell of his intentions to sign a pro contract.
21 replies 15 retweets 63 likes
- Mr Ricochet

The quicker the ELC starts, the sooner he can get out of that poop show in Ottawa lol

https://thehockeynews.com...on-the-2018-19-nhl-season

“Chicago Blackhawks
Outlandish prediction: The Hawks finish last overall.
Reality check: Three years removed from their three-Cups-in-six-years mini-dynasty, the Blackhawks are a shell of their former selves. Corey Crawford’s status is up in the air, Jonathan Toews has slowed down, Brent Seabrook has really slowed down, and the supporting cast ain’t what it used to be. If anything happens to Patrick Kane, look out below.”


Jack Hughes new 1C!

https://thehockeynews.com...on-the-2018-19-nhl-season

“Chicago Blackhawks
Outlandish prediction: The Hawks finish last overall.
Reality check: Three years removed from their three-Cups-in-six-years mini-dynasty, the Blackhawks are a shell of their former selves. Corey Crawford’s status is up in the air, Jonathan Toews has slowed down, Brent Seabrook has really slowed down, and the supporting cast ain’t what it used to be. If anything happens to Patrick Kane, look out below.”


Jack Hughes new 1C!
- EnzoD

Chicago needs bounce back years from Crawford, Saad, Keith, Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook to get back into the playoff picture.

Read this gem on Rotoworld this morning lol. Just need bounce back seasons from 5 main contributors and we'll be fighting for a playoff spot!

Their brains have not caught up with their feet yet. They have damn near NHL speed, many do now though, and they play all out crash/speed/uber skilled hockey. The structure as a unit defensively breaks down at the jr level and the skill, speed and exuberance of the offense exploits that so you have tons and tons of chances, many high danger ones back and forth. Tons of offense, speed, the exuberance of a kid and compete makes it so exciting. .........Incredible to realize they are 17 yr olds and a few 16 yr olds.

Then they get to the next level, pro or college, and they are littered with coach's like Q, Trotz and Sutter who insist on defense wins and won't allow them to do everything at 120 MPH and coach the wild horse out of them.

Yes, for me Tier 1 (USHL) and Major Junior is my favorite level for pure hockey entertainment. Would you take your family of 4 to a Major Junior or USHL game (Steel had 5 players on the USA Hlinka squad) for 50 bucks in tickets or an NHL game for 4-5-600 bucks in tickets and 11 dollar beers?
- Mr Ricochet

I'd rather go to an echl game on the cheap and see some fights. But that's just me. I use to enjoy junior but the whl is the last league that plays the game the right way.

https://thehockeynews.com...on-the-2018-19-nhl-season

“Chicago Blackhawks
Outlandish prediction: The Hawks finish last overall.
Reality check: Three years removed from their three-Cups-in-six-years mini-dynasty, the Blackhawks are a shell of their former selves. Corey Crawford’s status is up in the air, Jonathan Toews has slowed down, Brent Seabrook has really slowed down, and the supporting cast ain’t what it used to be. If anything happens to Patrick Kane, look out below.”


Jack Hughes new 1C!
- EnzoD

You mean - an 18% chance to get Jack Hughes....

Read this gem on Rotoworld this morning lol. Just need bounce back seasons from 5 main contributors and we'll be fighting for a playoff spot!
- Assman22

Tbf, Crawford doesn't need a bounceback. I think it's possible for the other four...maybe not likely.

Would be great but I also have no issue with them picking in the top 10 again.

I'd rather go to an echl game on the cheap and see some fights. But that's just me. I use to enjoy junior but the whl is the last league that plays the game the right way.
- vandymeer23

I've been wondering for some time now, why don't you just follow boxing?

Mike Morreale
‏Verified account @mikemorrealeNHL
11h11 hours ago

Keith Tkachuk confirmed to me that Brady has decided to turn pro and will sign with the Ottawa Senators.

Their brains have not caught up with their feet yet. They have damn near NHL speed, many do now though, and they play all out crash/speed/uber skilled hockey. The structure as a unit defensively breaks down at the jr level and the skill, speed and exuberance of the offense exploits that so you have tons and tons of chances, many high danger ones back and forth. Tons of offense, speed, the exuberance of a kid and compete makes it so exciting. .........Incredible to realize they are 17 yr olds and a few 16 yr olds.

Then they get to the next level, pro or college, and they are littered with coach's like Q, Trotz and Sutter who insist on defense wins and won't allow them to do everything at 120 MPH and coach the wild horse out of them.

Yes, for me Tier 1 (USHL) and Major Junior is my favorite level for pure hockey entertainment. Would you take your family of 4 to a Major Junior or USHL game (Steel had 5 players on the USA Hlinka squad) for 50 bucks in tickets or an NHL game for 4-5-600 bucks in tickets and 11 dollar beers?
- Mr Ricochet

100% agreed Mr. Ricochet! Pure hockey-wise its CHL (Major Jr) and USHL for me, although you can get some good players from BCHL and NAHL (especially late blooming goalies). Major Jrs. you get the the top end like McDavid, Crosby, Kaner, etc and USHL (my favorite because of the student/athlete scenario of college afterwards); not as top heavy but just as deep as Major Jr.

You got to remember, these 16-20 yrs old (16-17 if you are really good) ran rough-shod over their opponents growing up, mostly on being bigger, faster, and more athletic (of course there are exceptions like above) but they do not truly learn how to play hockey (game within the game, play within the play) until that next level like you said in areas such as: slowing the game down in your head while still playing fast, offensive and defensive support without the puck, O/D managing/handling odd number situations 2 on 1 or 3 on 2, and probably most important and under-valued is on and off ice (bench or locker room) COMMUNICATION.

Tbf, Crawford doesn't need a bounceback. I think it's possible for the other four...maybe not likely.

Would be great but I also have no issue with them picking in the top 10 again.
- HawkintheD

The man hasn’t successfully been on the ice since December (that anyone here or, apparently, at 1901 W Madison knows about) - he needs a comeback.

That aside - except for Kane - everyone on the team needs to be better than he (they?) have been the past couple of years - whether the five-man experienced core who need comebacks - or the young players who need to show continued improvement (including Chicken Fat and AdB). Not a single player can be only as good as he had been recently - all must be better than they’ve shown. (Kane probably excepted. )

That’s a lot of “ifs” and “maybes”....

Their brains have not caught up with their feet yet. They have damn near NHL speed, many do now though, and they play all out crash/speed/uber skilled hockey. The structure as a unit defensively breaks down at the jr level and the skill, speed and exuberance of the offense exploits that so you have tons and tons of chances, many high danger ones back and forth. Tons of offense, speed, the exuberance of a kid and compete makes it so exciting. .........Incredible to realize they are 17 yr olds and a few 16 yr olds.

Then they get to the next level, pro or college, and they are littered with coach's like Q, Trotz and Sutter who insist on defense wins and won't allow them to do everything at 120 MPH and coach the wild horse out of them.

Yes, for me Tier 1 (USHL) and Major Junior is my favorite level for pure hockey entertainment. Would you take your family of 4 to a Major Junior or USHL game (Steel had 5 players on the USA Hlinka squad) for 50 bucks in tickets or an NHL game for 4-5-600 bucks in tickets and 11 dollar beers?
- Mr Ricochet

It’s not just slowing them down into a “defense wins” mindset - it’s also getting to play within a team approach.

A lot of the exciting hockey that you (and I) like is based on individual play, which doesn’t win when quality opposing teams use a more team-oriented system. Playground basketball vs. Red Holzman/Auerbach coached teams. Getting back on defense, covering up for ainching teammate - defense first, yeah, but more recognizing that they have to understand what’s happening with the others wearing the same sweaters.

It’s not just slowing them down into a “defense wins” mindset - it’s also getting to play within a team approach.

A lot of the exciting hockey that you (and I) like is based on individual play, which doesn’t win when quality opposing teams use a more team-oriented system. Playground basketball vs. Red Holzman/Auerbach coached teams. Getting back on defense, covering up for ainching teammate - defense first, yeah, but more recognizing that they have to understand what’s happening with the others wearing the same sweaters.
- StLBravesFan

This. What is more "entertaining", 4 corners basketball or Phi Slama Jama of the Houston teams of Clyde the Glide and Alajowan?

At the top level of a sport's ladder defense and structure wins trophies but not always the most entertaining.

Of course this is a sort of generalization but applies IMO.

The Steel team that won the cup under Dan Muse two yrs ago and went straight to the Nashville Preds bench the very next yr played a very similar system to the LA Kings cup teams. No matter what an opponent did there was always a defender there to take away time and space, no open ice and very few options due to team positioning.

Not to say that club wasn't talented and exciting but played a stifling system first, a pro system. This team beat two goalies who would play ECHL and AHL the next yr so they were dynamic in the Ozone. But that kind of lock down team is more the exception than the rule despite all jrs cup teams coached to and understand positioning.

The man hasn’t successfully been on the ice since December (that anyone here or, apparently, at 1901 W Madison knows about) - he needs a comeback.

That aside - except for Kane - everyone on the team needs to be better than he (they?) have been the past couple of years - whether the five-man experienced core who need comebacks - or the young players who need to show continued improvement (including Chicken Fat and AdB). Not a single player can be only as good as he had been recently - all must be better than they’ve shown. (Kane probably excepted. )

That’s a lot of “ifs” and “maybes”....
- StLBravesFan

I get all that, but to suggest Crow needs a "baounceback" year, to me anyway, would lead you to believe his play before the injury wasn't up to snuff, which was hardly the case.

I wouldn't have lumped him in with the other four but yes he's a ? at this point.

As far as a lot of "ifs" and "maybes", it's why I find the season intriguing vs some who would just as soon write the season off cause they aren't a surefire Cup contender.

I get all that, but to suggest Crow needs a "baounceback" year, to me anyway, would lead you to believe his play before the injury wasn't up to snuff, which was hardly the case.

I wouldn't have lumped him in with the other four but yes he's a ? at this point.

As far as a lot of "ifs" and "maybes", it's why I find the season intriguing vs some who would just as soon write the season off cause they aren't a surefire Cup contender.
- HawkintheD

Agreed a lot.

100% agreed Mr. Ricochet! Pure hockey-wise its CHL (Major Jr) and USHL for me, although you can get some good players from BCHL and NAHL (especially late blooming goalies). Major Jrs. you get the the top end like McDavid, Crosby, Kaner, etc and USHL (my favorite because of the student/athlete scenario of college afterwards); not as top heavy but just as deep as Major Jr.

You got to remember, these 16-20 yrs old (16-17 if you are really good) ran rough-shod over their opponents growing up, mostly on being bigger, faster, and more athletic (of course there are exceptions like above) but they do not truly learn how to play hockey (game within the game, play within the play) until that next level like you said in areas such as: slowing the game down in your head while still playing fast, offensive and defensive support without the puck, O/D managing/handling odd number situations 2 on 1 or 3 on 2, and probably most important and under-valued is on and off ice (bench or locker room) COMMUNICATION.
- D2D

Sure and true of any sport but hockey is different than the other 3 major sports for youths. In baseball, football and hoops a kid plays at home but does travel to play other super-teams in their sport a few times a yr.

But in hockey kids leave home, their continent, at 15-16 to play Midgets and Jrs vs other uber talented 15-16 yr olds. When I go see Mt Carmel play Providence in HS football I see lights out football from the best Chicagoland has to offer. When I go see the Chicago Steel play the Omaha Lancers or the London Knights vs Windsor Spitfires I see the best 16-20 yr olds the WORLD has to offer, every game.

Add tix are 10 bucks each to see this, your kid can skate with the team and get autographs after the game making your kid a fanatic cuz it's personalized there is no better sports value on earth. ....... I mean every Chicagoland fan had/has access to seeing the Hughes brothers, Trouba, Wahlstrom, Matthews, Keller, Mittlestadt, Saad, Kane types and on and on for 10 bucks. All but a few of the kids on the US Hlinka roster played USHL last yr and the Canadian squad played Major Jr.

And yes then they go on and mature, lose much of their youthful exuberance that allows for so many momentum swings in a game and are coached up to play away from the puck in a team system. They learn to play better hockey but not always more entertaining hockey.

I get all that, but to suggest Crow needs a "baounceback" year, to me anyway, would lead you to believe his play before the injury wasn't up to snuff, which was hardly the case.

I wouldn't have lumped him in with the other four but yes he's a ? at this point.

As far as a lot of "ifs" and "maybes", it's why I find the season intriguing vs some who would just as soon write the season off cause they aren't a surefire Cup contender.
- HawkintheD

Exactly. We now get to see who earns it. Who's plays hard when the going is tough.