Hoss

Another Athletic writer did his own power rankings and has them at five.

There will be blood

Good call

I’d like clarity on this as well because LeBrun said its January 1st.

I can’t think of former D that became forwards right now. I’m sure there are some.

As currently constructed there is again no concern about losing a valuable piece in the expansion draft. We could even have an extra spot to protect guys like Bogo or Okposo if they still look damn good next year.

Brent Burns and Dustin Byfuglien are both former forwards

Marleau is playing in his 1600th game tonight. He’s just the eleventh player to do that. Howe has the most played at 1767. Anybody think he can beat that? Would likely need to play two more seasons and stay healthy. He’s one of my favorite players. Sad he ended up in Toronto.

This is my current leader. Casey’s goal against Pittsburgh second. Situation will dictate it for me mostly and both were in super important moments for two young players.

He's Wild Bill. That's his nickname. I can't tell if you're intentionally playing coy or not lol

Stand down

That's also his twitter handle.

Are you looking at William Karlsson?

I’m assuming there’s something I’m missing since he did?

That Kane conversation was held in another thread and it has some interesting takes. I don't believe that offer is enough. I don't know if I want Kane around this team either. Also: the Flyers fired Ron Hextall.

Nobody is advocating for "trading away your future." You don't need to do that to acquire good players who help you win games. Some light and quick (so likely missing a couple) research on Cup winners since the last lockout... Only one team had all first and second round picks intact in the year before, year of and year after their cup championship. That was the 2010 Blackhawks. These are the trades involving first and second round picks from the three years surrounding (before, during, after) their Stanley Cup runs: Carolina 2006 - Mark Recchi 2007 2nd at 2006 Anaheim 2007 - Jeff Friesen 2006 2nd NOT ON CUP - Chris Pronger 2007 1st NOT DEADLINE - Randy Carlyle 2007 2nd NOT DEADLINE - Chris Pronger 2008 1st NOT DEADLINE - Chris Pronger 2008 2nd NOT DEADLINE Detroit 2008 - Todd Bertuzzi 2007 2nd NOT ON CUP - Brad Stuart 2008 2nd Pittsburgh 2009 - Marian Hossa, Pascal Dupuis 2008 1st - Hal Gill 2008 2nd Chicago 2010 - NONE Boston 2011 - Nathan Horton, Gregory Campbell 2010 1st NOT DEADLINE - Daniel Paille 2010 3rd - Tomas Kaberle 2011 1st Los Angeles 2012 - Dustin Penner 2011 1st - Jeff Carter 2013 1st Chicago 2013 - Johnny Oduya 2013 1st Los Angeles 2014 - Jeff Carter 2013 1st - Robyn Regehr 2014 2nd - Robyn Regehr 2015 2nd Chicago 2015 - David Rundblad 2014 2nd - Antroine Vermette 2015 1st - Kimmo Timonen 2015 2nd - Kimmo Timonen 2016 2nd Pittsburgh 2016 - David Perron 2015 1st NOT ON CUP - Phil Kessel 2016 1st NOT DEADLINE - Ryan Reaves 2017 2nd NOT DEADLINE NOT ON CUP - Ron Hainsey 2017 2nd Pittsburgh 2017 - Phil Kessel 2016 1st NOT DEADLINE - Danniel Winnik 2016 2nd NOT DEADLINE - Ryan Reaves 2017 2nd NOT DEADLINE NOT ON CUP - Ron Hainsey 2017 2nd Capitals 2018 - Lars Eller 2017 2nd NOT DEADLINE - Kevin Shattenkirk 2017 1st NOT ON CUP - Lars Eller 2018 2nd NOT DEADLINE So that's 25 separate trades (by my count) involving first and second rounders in those years around cup runs. Of those 25: - 13 were for players at the deadline that were on the Cup champion team - 4 were players at the deadline that did NOT end up on the Cup winning team - 2 not at the deadline or on the Cup roster - 5 were deals not at the deadline but still on the Cup winner - 1 was a coach trade (Randy Carlyle) This might have been a useless exercise for my own health but draw your own conclusions here.

I don’t have much to speak of. I have a Drury goathead jersey but as far as items I just have a signed Pominville puck. Want to add more to the collection but haven’t gotten to it yet.

A little surprised by the coverage of Allen’s day. I’m seeing many people say it was easily his best day (it wasn’t nearly as good as Minnesota). A lot of “he passed the eye test” comments. He had the 75 yard throw which was great. A few other good throws. But also some more bad misses and still only eight completions on 19 attempts. That’s now three games under 50% and 50% isn’t even a good benchmark. That’s six of seven games below 60% which is also still a meh benchmark but at least decent. That wasn’t a good performance even if he’s just a rookie. And I’m not buying the excuse that Barkley’s performance was purely because he’s a vet. He’s been terrible and he hadn’t started in years. I still feel next to no hope based on what I’ve seen. I’m not giving up but I’m 100% not celebrating the performance yesterday. 42% is laughable.

Strome and Debrincat had great success in Erie. I’d be surprised if the Blackhawks have sunk as low as putting a guy struggling in Arizona right into one of their most important roles.

Interesting the both McCoy and Kyle Williams didn’t back up their players when asked about the fight after the game. McCoy said he doesn’t support fighting so he refused to talk about it. Said it’s stupid because you’ll end up hurt or suspended. Kyle said he decided not to enter the fight because it would’ve taken too much energy out of him and he needed to get ready for the next play.

Eichel and Skinner are not on Hall’s level from last season. There’s a long way to go for them to try and get a vote. If they win the president’s trophy there’s a good chance someone gets a vote. This is an interesting deal. Schmaltz was very good last year. Seems like the Blackhawks are hoping to turn one cheap young player into two before Schmaltz becomes expensive (he’s an RFA this offseason). Are the Hawks just in eternal cap hell?

Trubisky hasn’t reached a height yet and wasn’t as bad as current Josh Allen (i.e. “very bad”). Carson Wentz was absolutely not “very bad” his rookie year. He was flat out good. He made a huge leap to MVP level his second season but he was already good. There is no “etc.” The list is short. Goff is a good example. Trubisky debatable. Both guys went from out of touch coaches to creative offensive minds in their second seasons. We won’t get that, unfortunately.

Looking at their schedule there is a very real chance the Bills end up 7-7 going into New England. Miami week 17. Could be an 8-8 team. Really excited for a weak draft pick.