I’m thinking a lot of people female doging about the missed hand pass call are hypocrites.

So let’s say instead of a hand pass there was a blatant trip (or hook, cross check, slash etc) that allowed the Sharks player the time/space/possession needed to advance the puck to his teammate for the game winning goal. There would be plenty of people saying “the refs didn’t want to affect the outcome”, or “Let the players decide it on the ice”, or my favorite “just let them play”. So why the universal outrage at this no -call? All they did is what a seemingly large portion of league fandom wants. They just let them play.

Now I’ve always thought those kind of people were nuts, and that by not making a call that might change the outcome of the game, refs frequently end up changing the outcome of games...which is exactly what happened last night. But why are so many people who would’ve been ok with not calling a trip in that moment be so upset that they didn’t call the hand pass?

Honest question.
- Ogilthorpe2

Refs like clockwork, call out a handpass during the regular season. Now, they act as though the rule never existed. Has nothing to do with "just letting them play." They failed to follow through on the preestablished pattern, they themselves, set.

Faceoffs be the only upgrade rather a younger player and kampf is ahler or extra forward IMO.
- Scott1977

Why would you say Kampf is an AHL’er? Kruger wasn’t an AHL’er and Kampf looks like a reasonable replacement for him.

Refs like clockwork, call out a handpass during the regular season. Now, they act as though the rule never existed. Has nothing to do with "just letting them play." They failed to follow through on the preestablished pattern, they themselves, set.
- gabriel

What’s the difference? A penalty is a penalty...until the playoffs, then we “just let them play”. Why should a hand pass be any different? If interference no longer exists in the playoffs why should hand pass infractions?

What’s the difference? A penalty is a penalty...until the playoffs, then we “just let them play”. Why should a hand pass be any different? If interference no longer exists in the playoffs why should hand pass infractions?
- Ogilthorpe2

Interference, hooking, holding...they all seem to disappear in the postseason. Thank God Seabs scored in the OT vs DET in ‘13 or we’d all still be complaining about Brandon Saad going off with Kyle Quincey after getting mugged by KQ in what can only be described as one of the oddest calls I’ve ever seen.

Sorry, back to this discussion. I’m sure Blues fans are pissed but I’m ok with that.

Kakko with a beauty goal against Denmark today. That guy is good at hockey.

If I had to pick between Hughes and Kakko - I think I'm leaning toward Kakko.

I guess my point is this:

If we agree that the no-call last night resulted in a game changing event, then we are forced to admit that not making a call on an infraction can affect the outcome of a game as much, or more as an infraction being called.

If we accept that as true, then we must also admit that what happened last night is proof that the whole notion of “just letting them play” is nonsensical, and that there should be no difference in how games are officiated in the post season as compared to the regular season.

Yet, I can guarantee you, that if the Sharks player had blatantly cross checked the defender resulting in his being able to make the pass that resulted in that GWG, there would not be nearly as much outrage over the call being missed. Never mind the potentially dangerous hits being ignored every shift because, well that’s a “judgement call”. That procedural infraction though, that better be called every time! It’s madness.

What’s the difference? A penalty is a penalty...until the playoffs, then we “just let them play”. Why should a hand pass be any different? If interference no longer exists in the playoffs why should hand pass infractions?
- Ogilthorpe2

Because we'd be embracing total nihilism and wild Wild West hockey? They should not just let boys be boys during the playoffs. That was a stupid standard from it's inception. Call the game the way you always call it. If the network doesn't like it, they can go shimmy up a tree. You're right, Ogi. More vicious crosschecks, et. seen this year, and to whose benefit? The refs don't like it, I would suspect. They no longer care to be a part of a purposeful inconsistency. They chose to absolve themselves. In some ways, I can't totally blame them.

Everything I've read and seen says he's a very good skater, including agility, lateral, edges, etc. The only negative comment I've seen related to skating was wiz commented that he took a tripping penalty in a playoff game because (paraphrasing) "he had trouble pivoting" - but that is a one-off that could happen to anyone - even great skaters. His skating is a major strength - not a question at all.
- EbonyRaptor

I believe now with the scrutiny these players are under their is not much that escapes the GM and scouts, and skating would be 1 or 2 on that list . . So with a couple lucky bounces the HAWKS have a shot at another great D prospect. I am a big fan of Best player available .So with our history of taking D the last 2 or 3 drafts ,and the best two players available IMO after Hughes and KK are two Center and Defenseman I would take the Center . Cozens and Dach are close ,I really like Cozens story and think that will be the decider between these two . I don't think I will be to upset at anyone of the 3 becoming the HAWKS next top prospect .

Kakko with a beauty goal against Denmark today. That guy is good at hockey.

If I had to pick between Hughes and Kakko - I think I'm leaning toward Kakko.
- EbonyRaptor

If I had to pick between Hughes and Kakko I would pick Caufield.

That’s not my point though. Why is THIS non-call causing so much angst? Every year, when the playoffs start, there are dozens non-calls that would be obvious penalties in the regular season that affect the outcome of games.

Usually there is a large contingent of fans that are ok with this because they want the refs to “allow the players to decide the outcome of the game”. Yet this particular non-call seems to have struck a universal nerve, including with many of those same people who are normally ok with minimal “interference” from the on-ice officials. A trip or a slash is just as illegal as a hand pass (more so actually as there is no PP awarded as the result of a hand pass) yet many of the people upset with the missed call last night would be less upset if a more serious infraction went uncalled.

I just find it interesting.
- Ogilthorpe2

I hear you, and I agree with what you've said. What I meant is that they should call everything all the time, regardless of the situation. I think the blues got screwed (not that I care), but as you said, the same thing happens all the time in regards to penalties not being called late in the game.

This whole idea that Caufield is a top 10 pick is an overreaction to ADB not being drafted in the first round. Caufield is no ADB. Caufield had an amazing U-18 tournament but IMO lacks the track record that ADB had when drafted. When drafted, ADB had already played in the OHL on the top line with McDavid. Although I think the US Developmental team is vastly improved over the last decade and is now producing top notch prospects, its still not the OHL. One spectacular tournament should not be the reason to draft Caufield at No. 3.
- hankscorpio

RFA Esa Lindell signs 6 years $5.8M AAV

I believe now with the scrutiny these players are under their is not much that escapes the GM and scouts, and skating would be 1 or 2 on that list . . So with a couple lucky bounces the HAWKS have a shot at another great D prospect. I am a big fan of Best player available .So with our history of taking D the last 2 or 3 drafts ,and the best two players available IMO after Hughes and KK are two Center and Defenseman I would take the Center . Cozens and Dach are close ,I really like Cozens story and think that will be the decider between these two . I don't think I will be to upset at anyone of the 3 becoming the HAWKS next top prospect .
- oldduffman

I think we're pretty sure we'll be happy with whomever Stan selects - almost a can't lose scenario.

- DarthKane

That's beautiful ... I'm cracking up ...

- DarthKane

I keep waiting for him to grab his crotch....

Kakko seems fast enough to me:

https://twitter.com/aj_ra.../1129103887204589569?s=21

I keep waiting for him to grab his crotch....
- StLBravesFan

Me too

Kakko seems fast enough to me:

https://twitter.com/aj_ra.../1129103887204589569?s=21
- walleyeb1

At that point he had scored 60% of Finland's goals in the tournament.

RFA Esa Lindell signs 6 years $5.8M AAV
- LAHawk

What to posters think of Spezza as a 3C? 1 or 2 year contract. Good size. Good at the dot. Decent speed still. Decent advance stats. 1 or 2 year contract. Is he still a $5 mil guy? more? less?

Me too
- tvetter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8VX-Q2wym8

Why would you say Kampf is an AHL’er? Kruger wasn’t an AHL’er and Kampf looks like a reasonable replacement for him.
- HawkintheD

Kruger played big in big games....not as much on the scoresheet but his compete level was/is very high.

Even this year when he was asked about the Hawks tanking or simply "develop" players. His response was he was pissed- and rightfully so.

While JJ thought Kruger was way better than what he was/is - his play/compete level is something I dont see from Kampf as some sort of Kruger "replacement"

If Kampf is anything more than a 4th liner/12th or 13th forward, fine. But JC plugs him higher than that, and I dont see anything out of him that shows he deserves it.

What to posters think of Spezza as a 3C? 1 or 2 year contract. Good size. Good at the dot. Decent speed still. Decent advance stats. 1 or 2 year contract. Is he still a $5 mil guy? more? less?
- -Doh-

No thank you, Has scored all of 8 goals each the last 2 seasons, let him go back to Ottawa as a UFA,

At that point he had scored 60% of Finland's goals in the tournament.
- tvetter

Hughs may be the better player in the long run, but you can’t convince me that Kakko isn’t the more developed player at this point in time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8VX-Q2wym8
- LAHawk

Thanks. That never gets old!

I guess my point is this:

If we agree that the no-call last night resulted in a game changing event, then we are forced to admit that not making a call on an infraction can affect the outcome of a game as much, or more as an infraction being called.

If we accept that as true, then we must also admit that what happened last night is proof that the whole notion of “just letting them play” is nonsensical, and that there should be no difference in how games are officiated in the post season as compared to the regular season.

Yet, I can guarantee you, that if the Sharks player had blatantly cross checked the defender resulting in his being able to make the pass that resulted in that GWG, there would not be nearly as much outrage over the call being missed. Never mind the potentially dangerous hits being ignored every shift because, well that’s a “judgement call”. That procedural infraction though, that better be called every time! It’s madness.
- Ogilthorpe2

They blew Perron's clear delay of game penalty and shortly after that Parayko's two handed wrist breaking slash on a SJ player in front of the net. Bottom line is there is no consistency with calling these games.