So it is only game 1 of the preseason. So what if most of the real team is not playing. It is still hockey, still better than the Bears,so come on jump aboard the wild ride known as the NHL!

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When I am stuck and need to figure something out I always remember the Immortal words of Socrates when he said:"I just drank what?"

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"This is Chicago, my friend. Anything can happen."

10/12

Hat size?

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Didn't watch, can't imagine many people did, but the ones who did said Schmaltz, Forsling, and Hinostroza (!) were your standout youngsters, while Kero, Motte, and Hartman were warm crap and Svedberg was hot flaming crap. The only real surprise there is Hinostroza, whom I pegged at "AHL All-Star" and nothing more. Maybe he had a good summer. I hope he did; God knows we need forwards.

With Keith being out for at least the preseason, it wouldn't surprise me to see Forsling make the team out of camp and get a quick look early.

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I think we are in for a bumby year. I thought Motte and Schmaltz would make the team, but I think Schmaltz will be the only of the 2. Svedberg needs to learn how to use his size. Should of trained with a certain captain of a New England team.

I watched some of the game last night. No one stood out. A whole lot of nothing.

I watched most of the game. Hartman was not "warm crap." He wasn't gold, but wasn't bad. Schmaltz and Forsling looked as advertised. They'll need seasoning and experience, but you can see why they're highly regarded. Schmaltz demonstrated his speed and vision multiple times. Forsling was steady and mature.

Did not watch, but am glad to see younger guys getting some time. I really, really, really want to see Roszival anwhere but on the ice.

Pressure is on the young Forwards...we need 2 of them to step up.

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No he didn't

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I'll be there opening night. Can only pay attention to pre-season hockey so much.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

Must be saving all those goals for the regular season.

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Hammer gets suspended for the rest of the preseason AND the first regular season game. That's bull fucking shit.

I don't want guys head hunting, but sometimes you're going to make a clean hit that happens to line up with the guy's head. I don't know what you want people to do - not hit the guy at all? Crouch down to make sure you don't get him in the head?

Again, he was useless for two whole years after he got suspended for wrecking Jason Pominville. This is not a good sign at all.

And yeah, if you know the league is going to come down on you like a ton of bricks for shouldering a guy in the head on open ice, fucking don't do it then.

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Yeah that was a huge problem after the Pominville hit. He was finally getting back to playing physical.

The trouble I see is that you don't always know whether or not you're going to catch the guy's head or you'll catch the guy's shoulder/chest. You either need to go puck all the way or body all the way and hope for the best. By the time you figure out that you're physically lined up with his head, it's too late. It's sort of a flaw in the rule. It's a good rule to control head-hunting. But this is sort of a necessary side effect. With the way puck carriers and defenders are lined up physically, there will be instances where no matter what, you line up with his head. It's an imperfect system.