Back to Boston: Blackhawks
Wish HBO was still at the helm: CSN
Happy math: ESPN Chicago
Last goodbye: NHL
Keep upping that HRR: PHT
Woof: TSN
Back in 2011, Michael E. Schuckers published a study called “What’s An NHL Draft Pick Worth? A Value Pick Chart for the National Hockey League” that details a way in which to attach a numeric value or worth for each pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Mr. Schuckers used statistical models to assign the values. The paper details how the model essentially bases the values on the number of NHL games each draft pick can be forecasted to play during his career. The values assigned do not forecast the quality of the player of course so there are differences in what a team will actually get but the number of games is helpful in general terms.
The picks near the top of the draft have the highest values, while the picks near the bottom have the lowest. We all know that large numbers of drafted players never actually play a game in the NHL. So the decrease in value is logical and makes practical sense. The stated purpose of the paper was to help NHL decision makers figure out how to package picks for trades and other transactions.
If Saturday’s win against Nashville was a reminder that the Central Division still runs through Chicago, then today’s game was a reminder of how long an 82 game season can be. The New Jersey Devils are not a very talented team and because of injuries, also inexperienced. This was not an aesthetically pleasing game to watch for many reasons. In the end, all anyone was really concerned with was the two points and the Hawks got that. No matter how long it took. So let’s move along.
If Saturday’s win against Nashville was a reminder that the Central Division still runs through Chicago, then today’s game was a reminder of how long an 82 game season can be. The New Jersey Devils are not a very talented team and because of injuries, also inexperienced. This was not an aesthetically pleasing game to watch for many reasons. In the end, all anyone was really concerned with was the two points and the Hawks got that. No matter how long it took. So let’s move along.
at 
Game Time: 6:00PM Central
TV/Radio: CSN, WGN-AM 720
Oh Man, Sportswriters Sure Do Love Springsteen: In Lou We Trust
After two weeks on the west coast ended briefly with a layover for two home games, the Hawks now take their traveling carnival out east to visit Uncle Lou’s struggling Devils.
Dancing with the Devil: Blackhawks
Sharp returns: ESPN Chicago
I smell a sitcom: CSN
Loonie tunes: PHT
I have a new dream job: PD
Sens fire MacLean: TSN
The Rockford IceHogs had a week of highs and lows against division opponents. The Hogs turned in an impressive performance in Milwaukee before dropping less than stellar efforts at home against Grand Rapids and Lake Erie, the two bottom teams of the AHL’s Midwest Division.
If Rockford is content to do its best work on the road for the time being, this is a good stretch for them. The IceHogs play their next six games away from the BMO, starting Wednesday night in Milwaukee.
The Hogs are now 16-6-2-1 and lead the Midwest Divison with 35 points. That total also puts Rockford in a tie for the top seed in the Western Conference.
