tired of hearing about line combos...

look at that vegas...i could not even name their their top 6 but they play hard as a team and even with their 3rd goalie

preds...not the most talented top 6 but look how they play as a TEAM...
- bogiedoc

I think the biggest concern with Vegas is - how much trouble is a league in when a startup team can pick the 12th or 13th best players from each team, and compile a record of 8-1 in their first nine games???

People were laughing at them for keeping nine defenseman on their opening night roster - which forced them to send Shipachyov to the minors - is anyone laughing now???

I mean - really - is the NHL this much of a bush league that a new franchise - with mostly castoffs - can dominate this early??? What does this say about the NHL as a whole.

I spoke to someone this week about it that is wired into the league - some are hopeful Vegas will come back to earth sometime around Thanksgiving, others are a little concerned about how it looks - and it ain't good!!!!!!

When this mess of a team with these HORRID contracts misses the Playoffs I hope we can finally get rdi of the Bowmans.

Just Brutal!
- Goalie-33

I am more hopeful we can finally get rid of you!!!!

You add absolutely NOTHING to the conversation here!!!

All you do is whine and complain - I swear my children don't whine as much as you!!!!!

Now it's waaaay past your bedtime baby - if you don't go to sleep, no play time tomorrow!!!!

I think the biggest concern with Vegas is - how much trouble is a league in when a startup team can pick the 12th or 13th best players from each team, and compile a record of 8-1 in their first nine games???

People were laughing at them for keeping nine defenseman on their opening night roster - which forced them to send Shipachyov to the minors - is anyone laughing now???

I mean - really - is the NHL this much of a bush league that a new franchise - with mostly castoffs - can dominate this early??? What does this say about the NHL as a whole.

I spoke to someone this week about it that is wired into the league - some are hopeful Vegas will come back to earth sometime around Thanksgiving, others are a little concerned about how it looks - and it ain't good!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

I think this speaks to how narrow the gap can be in talent between players around the league and how much teams can over-achieve based on good hard work. In some cases too, Vegas got some guys that were better than 12th or 13th because teams wanted to dump salary.

I say hats off to them, their GM, and coaching staff, but I wonder how long they can stretch the hot play until they hit a wall.

I think this speaks to how narrow the gap can be in talent between players around the league and how much teams can over-achieve based on good hard work. In some cases too, Vegas got some guys that were better than 12th or 13th because teams wanted to dump salary.

I say hats off to them, their GM, and coaching staff, but I wonder how long they can stretch the hot play until they hit a wall.
- breadbag

If you think this is a good narrative for today's NHL, and you are the basic NHL fan opinion, this league is in worse shape than is known.

This is NOT a good story - and there is growing concern around the league about it.

I will give you a few bullet points on what they are worrying about......

1) If teams around the league - not from Canada, or Chicago or New York - that aren't real contenders - see Vegas as a building block for today's NHL, and start spending less on players - seeing that the difference in a $4 million player is really not that far off from a $1 million player - how do you think the union will see that going forward - especially with a looming lockout/strike on the horizon after next year - and from what I have heard - the players have been told to save up their cash - like a "squirrel saving nuts for the winter" - because they are expected to lose at least one season - if not more.

2) Do you really think it's a positive narrative that a team can draft 2nd tier players from each team, and seriously compete with it?? If you are Carolina, or Florida, or Colorado - are you really happy with this?? Really??

The 18-20 teams around the league that are not considered "money makers" were the ones screaming the loudest about the expansion draft - and how they could have used this kind of "quick fix" for their teams.

3) How do you think it looks if an expansion team is beating the leagues top teams on a regular basis?? What does that say about your top teams?? Is it the talent, is it the structure of play, is the officiating?? All of the above?? If so, then you are seeing the point - this league is in BIG trouble!!!!!! And they were in BIG trouble before this season started!!!!!!

I think this speaks to how narrow the gap can be in talent between players around the league and how much teams can over-achieve based on good hard work. In some cases too, Vegas got some guys that were better than 12th or 13th because teams wanted to dump salary.

I say hats off to them, their GM, and coaching staff, but I wonder how long they can stretch the hot play until they hit a wall.
- breadbag

The greater point being: If an expansion team can just throw 20 players together - and be a top 10 team from the start, then what does that say about the 30 teams that already exist. In my eye - and the eyes of people around the league - not very much!!!!!!

I am more hopeful we can finally get rid of you!!!!

You add absolutely NOTHING to the conversation here!!!

All you do is whine and complain - I swear my children don't whine as much as you!!!!!

Now it's waaaay past your bedtime baby - if you don't go to sleep, no play time tomorrow!!!!


- dahawks8819

The greater point being: If an expansion team can just throw 20 players together - and be a top 10 team from the start, then what does that say about the 30 teams that already exist. In my eye - and the eyes of people around the league - not very much!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

They apparently didn’t just throw them together - they are right now a well coached, disciplined team who know how to play with each other - and enough talent (and front office skill to get Fleury, Subban and Dansk) to make it work - at least through October.

What does THAT say about the 30 other COACHING STAFFS in the league.

Of course, they may fall into the toilet before the snow falls....

They apparently didn’t just throw them together - they are right now a well coached, disciplined team who know how to play with each other - and enough talent (and front office skill to get Fleury, Subban and Dansk) to make it work - at least through October.

What does THAT say about the 30 other COACHING STAFFS in the league.

Of course, they may fall into the toilet before the snow falls....
- StLBravesFan

That's exactly the point - about the other 30 teams and the hope Vegas comes back to earth.

And, for the record - they basically did throw this team together - in about three months.

I think I speak for EVERYONE here when I say that I am tired of your little three year old whiney tirades!!!!!

Why don't you GTFO - and let the adults speak!!!!!

Now back to your crib - with your blankie and binkie!!!!!



- dahawks8819

Know more in my little finger than you will in a lifetime.

You nhave kids? WOW somebody done messed up.

Dave manson

Hawks appear to me to be on the downward side of the Cup arc as it were. I'm still not sure which team we're going to end up with further down the road here, but the Hawks have lost 4 out of 5 and the PP is absolutely hot garbage.

Both Q and Bowman share responsibility here.

Coming off multiple days off this team has looked flat on more than one occasion. The PP continues to do nothing. The one bright spot has been the PK which is 7th in the league. Some other positive have been the 4th line and Saad. And of course Crawford. Instead of the line blender is it time to swap some kids out from the Rock here.

Meantime no question the overpays and nmcs etc have had an effect on the shaping of the roster - that can't be overlooked. This team as currently constructed looks top heavy with some bloated contracts. Certainly there needs to be more added here - whether its through Rockford or trade.

Hawks are 1-3 against the Central. Goals 5 on 5 are paltry at best. We'll see how they do against the Lanche tonight but they've always had problems in Colorado.

They apparently didn’t just throw them together - they are right now a well coached, disciplined team who know how to play with each other - and enough talent (and front office skill to get Fleury, Subban and Dansk) to make it work - at least through October.

What does THAT say about the 30 other COACHING STAFFS in the league.

Of course, they may fall into the toilet before the snow falls....
- StLBravesFan

Right on Stl. If Florida is pissed they should be embarrassed as well. They are the ones that blew Gallant out. He prolly has the Knights thinking it's them against the world. And perhaps he has some castoff players who think they have a little something to prove. I think it's a great story about open minded out of the box thinking and hard work. The ones who are worried about the Knights are the old thinking political stodgy establishment types. And guys who line blend as plan A, B, and C. And they should be embarrassed. I love it.

Hawks appear to me to be on the downward side of the Cup arc as it were. I'm still not sure which team we're going to end up with further down the road here, but the Hawks have lost 4 out of 5 and the PP is absolutely hot garbage.

Both Q and Bowman share responsibility here.

Coming off multiple days off this team has looked flat on more than one occasion. The PP continues to do nothing. The one bright spot has been the PK which is 7th in the league. Some other positive have been the 4th line and Saad. And of course Crawford. Instead of the line blender is it time to swap some kids out from the Rock here.

Meantime no question the overpays and nmcs etc have had an effect on the shaping of the roster - that can't be overlooked. This team as currently constructed looks top heavy with some bloated contracts. Certainly there needs to be more added here - whether its through Rockford or trade.

Hawks are 1-3 against the Central. Goals 5 on 5 are paltry at best. We'll see how they do against the Lanche tonight but they've always had problems in Colorado.
- DK002

They can´t score. It is time for players to step up!

Right on Stl. If Florida is pissed they should be embarrassed as well. They are the ones that blew Gallant out. He prolly has the Knights thinking it's them against the world. And perhaps he has some castoff players who think they have a little something to prove. I think it's a great story about open minded out of the box thinking and hard work. The ones who are worried about the Knights are the old thinking political stodgy establishment types. And guys who line blend as plan A, B, and C. And they should be embarrassed. I love it.
- 6628

Interesting to note that Gallant was fired while Tallon was on the outside looking in at Tom Rowe. Of course Rowe is now out and Dale is back at the helm.

https://www.usatoday.com/...-rowe-as-coach/100279944/

Know more in my little finger than you will in a lifetime.

You nhave kids? WOW somebody done messed up.

- Goalie-33

They sure did - it was your parents when they tried to conceive - and failure you look at in the mirror every morning was the result!!!!!

Know more in my little finger than you will in a lifetime.

You nhave kids? WOW somebody done messed up.

- Goalie-33

And another thing - you shouldn't list your IQ in your name here!!!! -33

I think the biggest concern with Vegas is - how much trouble is a league in when a startup team can pick the 12th or 13th best players from each team, and compile a record of 8-1 in their first nine games???

People were laughing at them for keeping nine defenseman on their opening night roster - which forced them to send Shipachyov to the minors - is anyone laughing now???

I mean - really - is the NHL this much of a bush league that a new franchise - with mostly castoffs - can dominate this early??? What does this say about the NHL as a whole.

I spoke to someone this week about it that is wired into the league - some are hopeful Vegas will come back to earth sometime around Thanksgiving, others are a little concerned about how it looks - and it ain't good!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

yes they will have their reality check of losing 4 in a row and 9 of 11 etc...every team does...

i think they working off of that mojo of let's show'em all how wrong they were to throw us in to the draft...
the excitement of new venue and new team mates
and they do have some talent

it will raise eyebrows about salary structure and the two tiered system that many are committed to, including the hawks..

the hawks have 6 guys: toews, kane, craw, seabs, keith, saad = 62% of cap space and only one under age of 27 (saad)...alot of old big $$$

need to be aware: kane, toews, seabs, craw, keith got those contracts for what they did not what they are going to do...

a team must draft, sign and develop players quicker who can make big contributions on entry level contracts; note also teams are signing their young studs to bigger contracts earlier = player and salary control thus moving in the direction of baseball

notice all the players that the hawks had to move; mostly in or soon to be the 2-3-4 mildo per year range: darling, TT, shaw, hammy, bickell ( a special case i know), kruger, TVR,etc...replaced with cheaper contracts with 62% of $$ going to 6 players those mid tier, 2nd contract players have to be moved...

I think this speaks to how narrow the gap can be in talent between players around the league and how much teams can over-achieve based on good hard work. In some cases too, Vegas got some guys that were better than 12th or 13th because teams wanted to dump salary.

I say hats off to them, their GM, and coaching staff, but I wonder how long they can stretch the hot play until they hit a wall.
- breadbag

very good points also..got alot of extra high picks and guys like neal and fleury were a salary dump...

They can´t score. It is time for players to step up!
- MjulQvist

T8me for players to get to the net and make the goalies uncomfortable.

yes they will have their reality check of losing 4 in a row and 9 of 11 etc...every team does...

i think they working off of that mojo of let's show'em all how wrong they were to throw us in to the draft...
the excitement of new venue and new team mates
and they do have some talent

it will raise eyebrows about salary structure and the two tiered system that many are committed to, including the hawks..

the hawks have 6 guys: toews, kane, craw, seabs, keith, saad = 62% of cap space and only one under age of 27 (saad)...alot of old big $$$

need to be aware: kane, toews, seabs, craw, keith got those contracts for what they did not what they are going to do...

a team must draft, sign and develop players quicker who can make big contributions on entry level contracts; note also teams are signing their young studs to bigger contracts earlier = player and salary control thus moving in the direction of baseball

notice all the players that the hawks had to move; mostly in or soon to be the 2-3-4 mildo per year range: darling, TT, shaw, hammy, bickell ( a special case i know), kruger, TVR,etc...replaced with cheaper contracts with 62% of $$ going to 6 players those mid tier, 2nd contract players have to be moved...
- bogiedoc

Keith paid before Cups, right?

yes they will have their reality check of losing 4 in a row and 9 of 11 etc...every team does...

i think they working off of that mojo of let's show'em all how wrong they were to throw us in to the draft...
the excitement of new venue and new team mates
and they do have some talent

it will raise eyebrows about salary structure and the two tiered system that many are committed to, including the hawks..

the hawks have 6 guys: toews, kane, craw, seabs, keith, saad = 62% of cap space and only one under age of 27 (saad)...alot of old big $$$

need to be aware: kane, toews, seabs, craw, keith got those contracts for what they did not what they are going to do...

a team must draft, sign and develop players quicker who can make big contributions on entry level contracts; note also teams are signing their young studs to bigger contracts earlier = player and salary control thus moving in the direction of baseball

notice all the players that the hawks had to move; mostly in or soon to be the 2-3-4 mildo per year range: darling, TT, shaw, hammy, bickell ( a special case i know), kruger, TVR,etc...replaced with cheaper contracts with 62% of $$ going to 6 players those mid tier, 2nd contract players have to be moved...
- bogiedoc

This is the problem Stan has run into: paying based on past performance. No question you have to draft and develop smartly here because your second tier guys get rewarded elsewhere.

The greater point being: If an expansion team can just throw 20 players together - and be a top 10 team from the start, then what does that say about the 30 teams that already exist. In my eye - and the eyes of people around the league - not very much!!!!!!
- dahawks8819

Lets be clear about the most important thing - this is no expansion team of past NHL work, like the Washington Caps, NYI, Ottawa Senators or Oakland Seals.

This team has some real talent on its first year roster - William Karlsson, Alex Tuch, Colin Miller, Neal, Marchessault and MA Fleury. And to boot, the absolute best defenceman they have is playing in the minors and is really p$ssed off about it - Shea Theodore.

I'm glad they are competitive and weren't built by being given the first pick in the draft and that player was forced to play many years with 22 other no talent stiffs.

What the NHL should really be embarrassed about is not the Golden Knights but rather the Arizona Coyotes and the abysmal state of their officiating league wide.

Right on Stl. If Florida is pissed they should be embarrassed as well. They are the ones that blew Gallant out. He prolly has the Knights thinking it's them against the world. And perhaps he has some castoff players who think they have a little something to prove. I think it's a great story about open minded out of the box thinking and hard work. The ones who are worried about the Knights are the old thinking political stodgy establishment types. And guys who line blend as plan A, B, and C. And they should be embarrassed. I love it.
- 6628

I think that's pretty evident, at least if you had the Vegas feed the other night like I did. They had numerous individual interview clips with with just about every member of the team and each player pretty much said verbatim "I'm playing with a chip on my shoulder" usually along with "soemthing to prove" and/or "want to show the team that didn't protect me they made a mistake".

Lets be clear about the most important thing - this is no expansion team of past NHL work, like the Washington Caps, NYI, Ottawa Senators or Oakland Seals.

This team has some real talent on its first year roster - William Karlsson, Alex Tuch, Colin Miller, Neal, Marchessault and MA Fleury. And to boot, the absolute best defenceman they have is playing in the minors and is really p$ssed off about it - Shea Theodore.

I'm glad they are competitive and weren't built by being given the first pick in the draft and that player was forced to play many years with 22 other no talent stiffs.

What the NHL should really be embarrassed about is not the Golden Knights but rather the Arizona Coyotes and the abysmal state of their officiating league wide.
- RickJ

RickJ, I agree with you and stated in an earlier post, this LV team was set up to win NOW. Not our Dad's expansion team. The blame has to go to Bettman. Bad salary cap (which is proving to not solve anything), Arizona franchise that is a pile of $hit, and lest we forget the "Crosby Lottery".

Which brings me to my next point, there is a lot of fans who blame Stan for some of the contracts signed, but you really have to look at McD, he is the one who is driving the player signing. Can Bettman, move McD to Commish, and you will see Stan have a whole lot more flexibility is his player signings. Win-win for the league, and Blackhawks fans.

Lets be clear about the most important thing - this is no expansion team of past NHL work, like the Washington Caps, NYI, Ottawa Senators or Oakland Seals.

This team has some real talent on its first year roster - William Karlsson, Alex Tuch, Colin Miller, Neal, Marchessault and MA Fleury. And to boot, the absolute best defenceman they have is playing in the minors and is really p$ssed off about it - Shea Theodore.

I'm glad they are competitive and weren't built by being given the first pick in the draft and that player was forced to play many years with 22 other no talent stiffs.

What the NHL should really be embarrassed about is not the Golden Knights but rather the Arizona Coyotes and the abysmal state of their officiating league wide.
- RickJ

If I were a coach, these would be my instructions to draw phantom penalties:
-step on opposing players' sticks to draw tripping penalties
-skate into the arms of opposing players along the boards to draw holding penalties
-drop your stick at any hint of opposing player stick contact
This is becoming the game plan for some teams who are taking advantage of these over zealous officiating teams.