Very premature evaluation on your part. It will take a little more time before that winning culture brought by the 5 ex-Maple Leafs now with the Hawks to result in victories. When it does, the team will soar on the standings.
- RickJ

I’m sorry, I thought that was the prevailing narrative? You mean I have to go back to being patient?

Glad to see Levshunov is now getting in to games. KFC has had quite a kicks at the can so it will be interesting to see how the team begins to shape in the next couple years.

In other news, should be an entertaining Bear game today. WSH's pass and run D should provide another favorable matchup for the Bears offense.
- HawkintheD

Well KD said he wanted his team to be better this year, i guess they are in every game they've played this year other than the Canucks.

He's really a 2nd line away and 3 RD men away from being a quality hockey team. Glad we still have our 1st round pick. 3 years of draft picks and Bedard is the only one playing in the bigs. Gotta remind myself to be patient.

Glad we got the Bears, looking forward to seeing a quality QB develop and a really good defense behind him.

Hundred other players can make that shot
- LFS

There may be guys that can shoot like that, but not sure who can shoot like Bedard and release like Bedard, that’s why it’s an elite shot.

I was LR camp for a long time but he has too much JC in him where he only holds non veterans accountable. The way Brodie has played he deserved some time in the sky box. As does turtle neck. Just don’t see how you think you send a message to that room scratching guys who have a lower role on this team and allowing guys who do know better to get away with it?

Remember in November in 2008 in Phoenix when q chained sharp and Kane to the bench right after taking over for savard? That’s what LR has to do.


I mean that 2nd PP having Craig smith and Maroon on it is a fireball offense.

I didn’t expect a cup but I did expect a better start and improvement over last year and right they are projecting to be worse. No way LR survives this if they don’t start winning some games and soon.
- SteveRain

Well Rainman, just prior to the start of the regular season I posted that the team record at the end of October would be 2-9, at best 3-8. (And I certainly didn't expect them to beat the Oilers so that was a shock).

This is a bad hockey team with a weak roster, mediocre goaltending and meh coaching. But fans shouldn't be too diasppointed and if they are, their expectations were wildly out of focus. It will be close to a repeat of last year standings wise.

I can understand wanting to fire the coach but it won't change anything. But if coach firing works, expect to see Philly fire Tortorella, Montreal fire St,Louis, Utah and Pittsburgh to fire their guys.

I’m sorry, I thought that was the prevailing narrative? You mean I have to go back to being patient?
- paulr

I don't get your impatience with KD and the Blackhawks. After all, your beloved Maple Leafs are on a 57 year losing streak but every Saturday night you sit in your man cave waving the blue and white pom poms hoping to see greatness.

(Lovely play by Auston Mathews in OT last night).

I don't get your impatience with KD and the Blackhawks. After all, your beloved Maple Leafs are on a 57 year losing streak but every Saturday night you sit in your man cave waving the blue and white pom poms hoping to see greatness.

(Lovely play by Auston Mathews in OT last night).
- RickJ

I’m not remotely impatient. I figured this year would be a slight improvement over last and next year they’ll just be figuring things out. I’m really looking forward to the influx of talent over the next 2-3 years. I’ve seen Lardis twice this year and he’s really upped his game. Spellacy may make KD look like a genius and there are still five or six blue chip prospects on top of that.

I didn’t see your buddy RSA (Regular Season Auston), I’m in Italy at the moment. What did he do, or not do?

I’m not remotely impatient. I figured this year would be a slight improvement over last and next year they’ll just be figuring things out. I’m really looking forward to the influx of talent over the next 2-3 years. I’ve seen Lardis twice this year and he’s really upped his game. Spellacy may make KD look like a genius and there are still five or six blue chip prospects on top of that.

I didn’t see your buddy RSA (Regular Season Auston), I’m in Italy at the moment. What did he do, or not do?
- paulr

You are in Italy and posting about hockey? Where in Italy? Some of my best and memorable vacations in Italy. But keep your wallet out of your back pocket - some of the best pickpockets in the world are Italians.

In answer to your question - the Leafs are about to lose 3-2 in regulation time as usual and with their goalie pulled washed up Brad Marchand gets the puck on the boards between center and the Leaf blueline with a fairly easy wide open net to hit. Instead he blows that and turns the puck over. Leafs come down and score. In OT Mathews picks off a pass at his blueline, skates deep into the D zone and passes it to nobody on the boards. Bruins say thankyou and score.

Should be competing for the Cup in year 2 of the rebuild. They would if Stevie Y were GM.
- HawkintheD

Just like Buffalo look at all the Cups they've won the last 15 years.

I was LR camp for a long time but he has too much JC in him where he only holds non veterans accountable. The way Brodie has played he deserved some time in the sky box. As does turtle neck. Just don’t see how you think you send a message to that room scratching guys who have a lower role on this team and allowing guys who do know better to get away with it?

Remember in November in 2008 in Phoenix when q chained sharp and Kane to the bench right after taking over for savard? That’s what LR has to do.


I mean that 2nd PP having Craig smith and Maroon on it is a fireball offense.

I didn’t expect a cup but I did expect a better start and improvement over last year and right they are projecting to be worse. No way LR survives this if they don’t start winning some games and soon.
- SteveRain

It's easy to see what KD did in offseason. He brought in a few mostly fringe NHL players upping the talent, but not enough to win. Letting the kids play in Rockford.

You are in Italy and posting about hockey? Where in Italy? Some of my best and memorable vacations in Italy. But keep your wallet out of your back pocket - some of the best pickpockets in the world are Italians.

In answer to your question - the Leafs are about to lose 3-2 in regulation time as usual and with their goalie pulled washed up Brad Marchand gets the puck on the boards between center and the Leaf blueline with a fairly easy wide open net to hit. Instead he blows that and turns the puck over. Leafs come down and score. In OT Mathews picks off a pass at his blueline, skates deep into the D zone and passes it to nobody on the boards. Bruins say thankyou and score.
- RickJ

We’re actually in Croatia (Split) at the moment on a cruise ship. I’m sitting by the pool on the iPad. We had stayed for four days in Florence, two in Trieste and are heading down the Adriatic. Dubrovnik (my wife’s father’s hometown) tomorrow then Greece, Malta, Sicily then Rome for a week. My third time in Rome and fourth in Greece. And my wife already encountered a pick pocket but grabbed her hand as she tried to take her wallet from her purse.

I have no idea how the Leafs Regular Season Superstars are going to handle Berube? Poor babies don’t want to play hard in the playoffs, they just want to score in the regular season to get good contracts.

We’re actually in Croatia (Split) at the moment on a cruise ship. I’m sitting by the pool on the iPad. We had stayed for four days in Florence, two in Trieste and are heading down the Adriatic. Dubrovnik (my wife’s father’s hometown) tomorrow then Greece, Malta, Sicily then Rome for a week. My third time in Rome and fourth in Greece. And my wife already encountered a pick pocket but grabbed her hand as she tried to take her wallet from her purse.

I have no idea how the Leafs Regular Season Superstars are going to handle Berube? Poor babies don’t want to play hard in the playoffs, they just want to score in the regular season to get good contracts.
- paulr

Sicily - most fun 2 week vacation I ever took. Enjoy the trip.

There may be guys that can shoot like that, but not sure who can shoot like Bedard and release like Bedard, that’s why it’s an elite shot.
- Angotti

Bedsy had Otter going down then put it in over Otter's glove. I don't think hundreds of people could get Otter to do that. I agree, he has an elite shot.

There has been criticism of the performance of some forwards on the team this season

I feel strongly that there is a way to receive three lines contributing offensively.

Teravainen and Bedard together works best if there was a strong boards player. I am not a fan of Bertuzzi or Hall. Too much inonsistency and Hall not hustling back defensively. By mid season I would maybe rotate Maroon and call up Hayes - thise two can switch back and forth to 4th line depending on period - to - period strategy.

A second line will hopefully work should Reichel fit

The third line - which really ought to be offensive L2 - must include Nazar. The question is, who to put with him?

I would like to see DelMaestro play regularly by mid season or after trade deadline. If the only way Richardson will do such is to switch Allen with him, then fine let Allen play more TOI in AHL. Next season i want both Allen and DelMaestro to have enough experience at the NHL level insofar as they are not too green but rather can hold a job. Both may turn out to be third pair type but we need to try to see how they may turn out in the NHL.

Martinez here next year. Fine shoukd he not be traded at the trade deadline. Brodie's contract - ok he can.be 6th and spare. Murphy should be given away ar trade deadline before he brings back absolutely nothing

The future on defense needs to be Arty, hopefully BOTH Rinzel and KK. Hope both keep developing. Kaiser can make or break his opportunity for third pair with either Allen or DelMaestro the other half of third pairing

There may be guys that can shoot like that, but not sure who can shoot like Bedard and release like Bedard, that’s why it’s an elite shot.
- Angotti

He has an elite shot that needs to find the back of the net on a much more consistent basis. I think it will .

He has an elite shot that needs to find the back of the net on a much more consistent basis. I think it will .
- LFS

We finally agree.

It's easy to see what KD did in offseason. He brought in a few mostly fringe NHL players upping the talent, but not enough to win. Letting the kids play in Rockford.
- rpeters01

The big question is, whether KD makes a bold big trade at the draft '25?

I personally would rather try to sign or trade for an NHL goal scorer maybe someone who has a high contract or one or two good years left (age). We would offer what? Difficult to say? Trade down from a top choice? That is crazy! Trade a top prospect another team covets? Really ....Arty Moore Rinzell Lardis hard to trade? Just try to sign someone e or a trade like the Hall type trade. No big trade. Get someone who can score as a fill in for one or two years. Which will require due diligence to snag.

Hall seems worthless but maybe if he remains healthy and he puts up points on a line with Nazar..........you don't even make a trade. That would be best case scenario. And if a Hayes comes along because he is the best scoring forward prospect in Rockford

After 2 assists yesterday, Savoie with a nifty backhand on a shorthanded breakaway.

1-1 after 1. Both goals were shorties.

We finally agree.
- Angotti

He’s a bust.

After 2 assists yesterday, Savoie with a nifty backhand on a shorthanded breakaway.

1-1 after 1. Both goals were shorties.
- rickboardman

If he keeps on playing well maybe we’ll see him soon?

If he keeps on playing well maybe we’ll see him soon?
- paulr

I would think first forward call up if not Nazer would be Slaggert.

He’s a bust.
- paulr

We knew that after his first faceoff against Crosby last season.

I would think first forward call up if not Nazer would be Slaggert.
- LAHawk

Phillips was in lineup for Rockford Sunday matinee loss 3-1. Tough to win back - to - back games Sat/Sunday same opponent both at Manitoba

Glad to see Levshunov is now getting in to games. KFC has had quite a kicks at the can so it will be interesting to see how the team begins to shape in the next couple years.

In other news, should be an entertaining Bear game today. WSH's pass and run D should provide another favorable matchup for the Bears offense.
- HawkintheD

This has aged poorly.

Phillips was in lineup for Rockford Sunday matinee loss 3-1. Tough to win back - to - back games Sat/Sunday same opponent both at Manitoba
- jhawk59

Why if you are better is it tough?

Why if you are better is it tough?
- vabeachbear

Road teams usually loose more than they win. It is too early in season to examine which is the better team when they haven’t played but a few games and you don’t know the opposing players too well. Noteworthy however when Blackhawks head out west Philips did too - too Manitoba to rejoin Icehogs!

On a side note, I was in your area in the early 1990’s and wish I had more time to be a tourist. I was playing 12 inch softball on a traveling team on a holiday weekend. I’ve checked back though and saw that your area never voted to annex a new name for several towns combined - was to be called Hampton Road