Continuing our look around the NHL, we continue to our own conference with a look at the Pacific Division. I have to say, I really liked the idea of having no conferences whatsoever and re-seeding for the last four teams, but understand why they scrapped it. When the NHL adds two teams — and you know they will — I hope they go back to it. Anyway, let’s look at all the fodder for the Kings.
Recent Posts
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Morning Links 9/25/13
Roster shrinkage: Blackhawks
This is a thing that happened for some reason: PD
Nashville fake games will be a little less handsome: PHT
That’ll learn’em: ESPN
I’d joke but I live in a state that may end up with a whites only town: SI
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Pigs in Zen: IceHogs Season Preview
It’s been a long summer for the IceHogs and their fans after the team missed the playoffs by a mere 2 points to the Milwaukee Admirals in 2012-13. The Hogs finished 9th in the Western Conference with a record of 42-31-2-1 (87 points). The roster turnover will be noticeable this year for Rockford, which is different from last season where the majority of the team was the same from the year before.
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Cut It Up – Hawks Trim Roster to 28
After last night’s pretend game against a very real Penguins roster wherein the Hawks’ B-cast relatively held their own, more cuts came down today from on high.
The following players won an all-expenses paid trip to lovely Rock Vegas:
The #Blackhawks have assigned eight players: D. LeBlanc, T. Broadhurst, P. Danault, B. Froese, K. Beach, A. Raanta, B. Mills, M. Shalunov.
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) September 24, 2013
Additionally, veteran meatbags Brad Winchester and Theo Peckham were put on waivers, for the purpose of being sent to the Swine.
So what does this mean moving forward?
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Morning Links 9/24/13
Pirri Confident: CSN CHICAGO
Prospects on display: Chicago Tribune
Central Preview from Canada: Sportsnet
So that was fun: Blackhawk Up
The results of the Toronto-Buffalo meatheadgasm: TSN
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Weekend Exhibition Thoughts (On The Games, The Thoughts Aren't Exhibitions. Well, Maybe….)
Two preseason games left, and two at the disposal of our throbbing brains Friday and Sunday. Did we learn anything? Do we ever? Let’s try anyway….
-Let’s get to the biggest debate or competition coming into camp first. And we really haven’t cleared anything up at all. Thanks to Brandon Pirri’s injury (though he’ll play tonight and I bet he sticks around long enough to get a look in the last preseason game, too), Drew LeBlaahhhhhh had a chance to seize the #2 center derby by the throat. I can’t really say he did. He hasn’t been good on draws, and other than his assist to Sharp against Pittsburgh, I haven’t really seen him do much in the two away games. He’s tidy if nothing else, but it’s been far from inspirational.
And it might be that the Saad Experiment is over, because yesterday he was playing on a wing with Toews. If they really wanted to push it they would give him all the game time at center they could. Maybe jumping to conclusions, but that’s just the way it looks. Which is fine, because Saad didn’t show much other than confusion at the pivot anyway, and I want my Rick Tocchet back.
All of which leads me to believe that either Handzus or Kruger is going to be centering Sharp and Hossa (if he can stand up) on Oct. 1. The only way that doesn’t happen is if Pirri blows them away in the next week. But I would bet some combo of Smith, Handzus, Kruger, and Shaw fill out the three spots behind the captain. I’m rooting for Pirri, though. Just cuz.
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Weekend Exhibition Thoughts (On The Games, The Thoughts Aren’t Exhibitions. Well, Maybe….)
Two preseason games left, and two at the disposal of our throbbing brains Friday and Sunday. Did we learn anything? Do we ever? Let’s try anyway….
-Let’s get to the biggest debate or competition coming into camp first. And we really haven’t cleared anything up at all. Thanks to Brandon Pirri’s injury (though he’ll play tonight and I bet he sticks around long enough to get a look in the last preseason game, too), Drew LeBlaahhhhhh had a chance to seize the #2 center derby by the throat. I can’t really say he did. He hasn’t been good on draws, and other than his assist to Sharp against Pittsburgh, I haven’t really seen him do much in the two away games. He’s tidy if nothing else, but it’s been far from inspirational.
And it might be that the Saad Experiment is over, because yesterday he was playing on a wing with Toews. If they really wanted to push it they would give him all the game time at center they could. Maybe jumping to conclusions, but that’s just the way it looks. Which is fine, because Saad didn’t show much other than confusion at the pivot anyway, and I want my Rick Tocchet back.
All of which leads me to believe that either Handzus or Kruger is going to be centering Sharp and Hossa (if he can stand up) on Oct. 1. The only way that doesn’t happen is if Pirri blows them away in the next week. But I would bet some combo of Smith, Handzus, Kruger, and Shaw fill out the three spots behind the captain. I’m rooting for Pirri, though. Just cuz.
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Morning Links 9/23/13
3-0!
Preseason from Blackhawks.com: Sunday Recap Monday Preview
This Saad story is good news: CSN (auto)
huh?: PHT
Still looking for work: ESPN
All kinds of stupid here: TSN
Still more legit than the spin move: PD