NHL Players Not Going To The Olympics
On Tuesday, the NHL and NHLPA have reportedly agreed to not have players participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Beijing.
This sucks, but should surprise nobody. There are obvious concerns about COVID across the NHL, and those are only amplified by the conditions in Beijing and potential quarantine issues if a player tests positive at the Games.
Patrick Kane on the Olympics: "It’s just a tough situation for everybody. You always want to represent your country when you get a chance. I’m 33 right now, so you’re hoping you can play as many as possible.” #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/2J3J7esK7Z
— Charlie Roumeliotis (@CRoumeliotis) December 21, 2021
It’s the right call
Good for them for doing the right thing that needs to be done.
Right call, wonder if other athletes follow suit or not. Anyways Merry Christmas
Intelligent move finally from the NHL
Hope that some countries will boycott the Chinese Olympic ..to bad for athletes who works hard to go there but life is more important plus I think Chinese communist party can control everything in their country and lie ( they are professional liar ) they can say to some athletes you can’t compete because you have positive Covid test. And take advantage to win more medals .everybody knows that they can lie,cheat, invent rules, to get to their goal. You definitely CANT trust them . Remember when they said yes you can come and verify everything about the Covid …finally they didn’t allowed to go here and there ,not allowed to look at all the file from where and when exactly the Covid started. It was national secret . Same with HK ..they sign in 97 that the territory would not be governed by China before 50 years ,now it’s already 2 years that the took complete control . Impossible to trust them . Good call not to go play at their conditions.
Very wise move by the NHL and players. Anyone would have to be crazy to go anywhere near that crime scene of a country. After what the world has gone through the last 2 years that country should not be hosting any international sporting events.
Wonder if they still have a week or so open in February to fill, if they try to put together an allstar game/tournament and skills showcase.
Ian, They might need that whole week to play catchup on the canceled games. I am skeptical about them opening backup next Monday but I have been wrong before.
Agree Hawks2010, I’d be fine boycotting them regardless of Covid
TimW agree they will need to reschedule games in February, there is no games scheduled from the 3rd thru 24th i believe. Even at that with the way things are right now and a heavy schedule for teams after they resume until then, may need every bit it. Saw today, not sure how serious they are, where talk of using taxi squads again being thrown around.
For those of us who thought Toews was struggling, he is
https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2021/12/22/jonathan-toews-says-this-season-has-been-a-grind/
Jonathan Toews: “This season has been a grind physically and mentally.”
— John Dietz (@johndietzdh) December 21, 2021
Dollar Bill thats a pretty weak article.
The article is, but Toew’s quote is what counts
Dollar Bill thats exactly what i mean he cherry picked the part of the quote and showed it in a way to sensationalize it and take a cheap shot at him. Obviously getting to where he wants to be is taking time and isn’t surprising. If you read the comversation where he said that, he is talking about getting his confidence back offensively to contribute to help the team and the league pausing early for covid and how it could benefit him. Nothing there that tells me anything about Toews everybody didn’t already know.
Pausing for Covid will benefit him for sure, he should’ve been getting days off, even a game off here and there considering what he’s come back from. Though them needing points was more important.
Sadly though he isn’t anywhere near the player he once was.
Dollar Bill, he still came a long way from when we were questioning if he would evet play again. As fans we demand more by yesterday, no he isn’t elite in all areas of his game anymore but father time is part of that as well, let’s see if continues to progress in new year and how much before writing him off.
Since a few people haven’t figured this out yet, I’ll be clear here:
This is a site for conversation about hockey. I’m not here for political pissing contests or arguing about people’s beliefs about vaccinating/sticking worm steroids in your ass or whatever you feel is the way to keep you & your family healthy. This isn’t a woke mob. It’s simply keeping political idiots from fighting with each other, invading hockey conversation.
Tab – Thanks for the sanity check on hockey relevance, there’s certainly no shortage of other outlets for everyone’s opinions on other topics
NHL cancels all scheduled games for December 27th. No definitive date set for return.
Merry Christmas, thanks Tab for keeping the site to hockey and all the insanity out of it.
Sure Tab I’m all for sticking to hockey talk but if we are to take you at your word that it’s not a woke mob simply removing one side of the arguments, then how come you haven’t also removed Hawk2010’s lengthy comment on Communist China and Covid origins etc? Hard to argue much of that comment is focused on hockey and my comment was directly in response to that one and one on a previous post by miro.
Merry Christmas and thanks Tab for the site and for trying to keep it to hockey talk
I never initiate political talk but I have argued in posts with others who initiate it – I think going forward I’ll just ignore any non hockey talk – it’s not fair to the community here to have to wade through that
Quick question. I know players can not be moved during the Holiday freeze. But can teams talk?
Just had a news ( according to Sportsnet) the taxi squad will be back in NHL very soon
And it makes sense.
Don’t know when but probably very soon .
Wondering how all this will affect the AHL and the Juniors if we start taxi squads.
NHL just canceled more games through the 29th including Tuesday nights Hawks game against Jackets.
Call it a season and ramp up for 22-23 .
They will find a way to play because the owners need money haha.
Junior hockey today . Canada was down 3-1 then Power woke up .they won 6-3
.
tab
well said and thanks for providing this forum. happy new year. stay healthy.
Fleury into protocol. Doubt that the Hawks play in Winnipeg Wednesday night. Canada locked down.
Hawks game weds cancelled against winnepeg.
Fleury in covid protocol. de Hann out of protocol.
Colin Delia up from Rockford.
Connelly to taxi squad.
Hope Jan 24 game stays scheduled with fans. Got tickets 2nd row where Hawks shoot twice behind goalie. I’ll wear my Nordiques jersey.
Jr Roman
Bonne chance
Je te le souhaite vraiment .
Hope all had a very good weekend, i found a copy of Chicago Blackhawks An Illustrated Timeline under my Christmas tree. Enjoying reading that and watching some world juniors while waiting for Nhl to get it together.
As much as the Gm and coaching change has been a positive, heading into 2022, there still is no clear indication of the direction of this team on the ice or off the ice either. A full tear it down build it back up process seems unlikely with a blueline that seems close to being ready , with some secondary tweaking/ upgrades. A forward group with 19 and 88 aside, have Debrincat and Hagel, possibly Kubalik likely regains his scoring touch, in prime form now, Dach and Reichel hopefully there in next year or 2. Plus Entwistle and Slavin look like potential bottom 6 fixtures.
Do they have the horses to go for it right away ? This season seems to say they need more help. Will they pursue names like Debrusk, Kravtsov, also rumored Boesner, Riley Smith as acquire and extend options?
One thing for sure Comesso looking like he could be future in goal in a couple more years. The bubble where they landed Reichel and Commesso in draft could turn into a big break for this organization. Especially considering the hope was to draft Askarov who is struggling again in juniors and may be a star goalie someday but that isn’t looking like anytime soon right now.
Most probable route could be to take the next couple of years to be as competitive as possible. While waiting for what would be hoped is Comesso to develop to become the final or or one of final pieces, assemble a solid forward group that is ready to compete and bolster the blueline as needed. Could go with Lankinen and Soderblom in goal in short term, or easily add another body to bolster until Comesso gets his chance. Maybe look at Allen from Habs, Leafs likely need to move a goalie out for caproom, even last year of Quicks contract among other possibilities.
First thing though is to stabilize the front office and decide what the direction of the on ice moves are going to be.
Figures: I just got back from vacation, brought the snow with me and THEN find out tonight’s game is cancelled. Sorry about that everybody.
Junior hockey … no USA game today because a few players with Covid so they loose automatically that game 1-0 against Suisse.
Canada against Autriche tonight iff ?
Canada will miss one player that is suspended and another who is hurt.
Bedard with four goals today. Maybe we get t-shirts with LET’S TRY TO SUCK on them for next year’s season.
Ilya Safonov (6th rounder in 2021) with hatty in K yesterday. Highlight packages always make guys look good (Runblad looked liked Erik Karlsson) but this guy is a beast. Be nice if we got lucky.
Expecting world juniors to be cancelled soon, meeting now over it.
JordyHawk
Safonov in past 2 years included yesterday .87 games played 13 goals 9 assist +13
Let see how far he can go in the next 2-3 years .
This year 7 goals 11 pts in 39 games .we can always dream
World juniors cancelled.
Soderblom called up to taxi squad.
Rockford upcoming game cancelled. Reichel and Galvas put in covid protocol along with others.
This time the COVID situation is getting really fudge-up . And it’s just the beginning of the dance I think. Let hope for the best and get back to hockey soon .
Talking about extending season by a couple of weeks now.
Tab, not sure if you realize this but COVID is a political issue, I don’t like it and my guess is most of the people here don’t like it either, but our government and we all know which side has MADE it a political issue……so if you post an article about games being cancelled due to the Chinese Virus, expect opinion in regards to said subject….and please respect people’s opinions about the virus.
Thank you.
I vote for the continues removal of anything political from our HOCKEY board. Thanks Tab for being a good moderator.
Don’t think anyone is going to sign PK for any big bucks. Would you want him on the blue line for say 2 or 3mil just to be a hitter, disruptor of skaters coming across the blue. Forwards gotta keep their heads up or atleast look for him when he’s on the ice.
I would take PK at 2 millions/year. 1year deal .
But at same time it can be bad for the kids because he has that attitude sometimes. Maybe he grew up in the past 5-10 years.
Soderblom recal. That’s a very good idea iff they find a way to play a few games here and there.
Joker on the ice for all 4 Devils goal.
How about
Kane in New York to reunite with Panarin to get a chance to get another Cup.
Kane would probably say yes ( I think )
Means that Hawks would probably get ?
Kakko or,Goodrow,or Scheider ? Plus a first round..
Wish everybody a healthy year 22
Back at you 2010 and Happy New Year everybody.
What happens with Kane and Toews are some of the big issues surrounding this team in the next year. Moving Kane is a possibility, but a 1st from Nyr for Kane is a pick that won’t be in top 25 and if it works out not in the top 30, fine for Ryan Hartman when getting Beaudon in late 1st, with Kurashev and Edjsell who turned out to be just a throw in, need a game changer potential or 2 for Kane, if moving him.
Even if KD is going to be the new Gm, the structure in place around him, replacing McDonough, MacIsaac and KD’s old asst. Gm spot need to be addressed. Then the direction they want to go with the on ice roster. The decisions made next year will have lasting effects on the franchise for next number of years. Here’s hoping for a positive direction both off and on the ice in the new year for this organization.
HNY one and all
Hopefully the Hawks do the right thing and change all the Hockey Op’s
to people outside of the organization, otherwise we become da Bears
and have a long long wait until we see another Cup.
Joker was actually a -1
Lankinen in covid protocol.
Delia and soderblom in net tomorrow.
Hawks sign goalie Cale Morris to a one year entry level deal. Played in Rockford and the Indy fuel the last two seasons.
MrFenn, Morris had was solid for Notre Dame in his Ncaa stint. When he was signed i think they wanted to give him a chance to develop, not just signed to fill a hole. As a goalie he still might have time yet to make it.
Presumably Delia gets the NSH start – he did well at the end of last season – see if he can continue
Isn’t NHL (at least the American teams and some Canadian teams) on 5 day isolation if doubly vaxxed and symptoms are improving? So shouldn’t Fleury be getting out of protocol very soon probably in time for the game after NSH?
Didn’t say what plus or minus he was just stated a fact he was on the ice when the New Jersey Devils scored all their goals. Thought plus or minus didnt mean anything.
La Franchise and a 2nd in 22 a 1st in 23. Like Coach Cherry said Take the North American boy.
JR, Joki played over 22 mins on top pair with Dahlin who was on for all 4 goals as well. One was a pp goal and they were on ice for 2 goals scored, why the plus 1, happens when you play for a team like Buffalo especially.
@Ian
Like Cale Morris also. Think they extend him for a year after this season finishes up.
Him signing also adds a 5th goalie after trading Malcolm.
Kevin Lankinen to covid protocol.
Soderblom to active roster
Cale Morris now on the taxi squad
Well haven’t heard nothing yet so it looks like we got HAWKS HOCKEY today!!!! I see somebody here who will remain nameless still pines for good ol’ StanBo. LOL!!!
Anyone see any lines together for the game? Let Soderblom start the New Year off.
Practice lines were.
12 13. 88
38. 19 17
23. 77 8
16. 58. 22
Pp1 was 77, 19, 88, 12, 4
Pp2.was 17, 13, 8, 23, 56
All 7 dmen available i believe
Another goal in the first minute and 2 more goal shorthand…
Definitely not the start I was expecting for 22 but .
Pretty much new year same Hawks
I can’t for the life me see why King pulled Delia, the first goal was a nice snipe
the 2nd goal was on the D, 3rd he was screened.
Soderblom had wasn’t all that bad either.
Wait til next year
Oh and the announcers were horrible.
I’m scratching my head wondering why King didn’t have Gabriel in seeing Nashville is rather large, physical and lead the league in fighting majors. Unless he was sick or hurt, he was signed to protect our players not eat popcorn in the press box. Not a fan of the different analyst tonight and the play by play guy was meh.
2022 vs 2017, Can anyone see a difference between the Hawks and the Predators since 5 years have elapsed? Hawks still a soft disinterested team that does what it has to do to avoid physically engaging anyone. So much for the magical Interim King/Davidson magic. How do you come off of 2 weeks without a game and look like that. A deep dive into the game stats will quickly identify the usual suspects/ghosts. The announcers were beyond terrible. “You know,If the Hawks got a bounce here and there this 6 to1 game could be 4 to 3 or even tied”. Yikes! In reality if the Preds were half way interested after the 1st period it could have been about a 12 to 1 game.
In a general way a fair comment Tim, but this team has been off the ice for quite a while, over the holidays and they looked like it. Their opponent has played a couple other games recently. These guys are creatures of habit and some of the scores have been wacky lately. (better teams than the Hawks have looked off)
A more intriguing thing is the play of Kane. Some have said injury, some just getting older. I think a key piece, going forward, is no Olympics. He has the Cups, future HOF, etc. He was dreaming of playing on a line with Matthews, and perhaps Tkachuk. He knew he made the team but now there’s not much to get excited about. How bad will this year be for him. He will still get some points but it’s very noticeable that his play has dropped off by a big margin this year. The only thing that might light a fire is a new team.
Thought the game was in the evening so I completely missed it maybe luckily (?) although I wasn’t expecting a win – when was the last time the Hawks beat the Preds and they were coming off a big lay off as well
If we grant this game as a mulligan the next game is very important – need Fleury back (hopefully) and an immediate improvement to PK – get those and we should see a better game
This is where we see what King really has as a coach
Soderblom starts with Fleury as back up – I get it Fleury hasn’t skated in several days
Better Soderblom than Delia who I feel like we know what he is – a decent AHL goalie
Let’s see what Soderblom has got starting his first NHL game – big opportunity for him – if he grabs it and the PK gets it’s head out of it’s collective ass the Hawks might be competitive with CAL – sounds like a big ask though
Fleury off covid list will backup tonight
Soderblom to start.
Delia to Rockford.
Slavin to active roster.
Entwistle to taxi squad.
Hawks third round pick D Taige Harding leaves ajhl team to enroll at providence college.
it was ugly. how do you begin every period by allowing a goal inside the first minute? I dont care how long the layoff was, you are in season and need to prepare and play like you’re worthy of being in the league. I cant put much blame on King, players gotta play damnit.
Im getting awful tired of being mediocre and seeing that it’s accepted. If they want to be Buffalo, have at it. But dont try tell me you are anything else but bottom feeders
right now i woudnt walk across the street to watch those guys
ryandale
some comments here hold more water than others. seems you are usually a positive and patient guy. says a lot when you have had enough. i am in total agreement with your post.
you would think with as many players as this team dresses every night who are at a point in their careers where they need to show they belong that at least the effort would be there every night for sixty minutes. the early in the period goals are deplorable. and for it to happen in every period of a game ….. can’t find words for that.
hawks forwards outhit 10 to 2. dmen outhit 8 to 4. not one hawk had more than one hit.
i don’t care how skillfully slavin plays. until they have 12 forwards willing to play to the level of his motor he should dress every night.
regards to king. the players should not have to be motivated by the coach to play. but when they take the passenger approach he needs to place a few of them at the end of the bench and skip a few of their shifts.
Yeah likely the plan was to give Delia a start yesterday and then send him down when MAF ready. Soderblom start today and keep him around until Lankinen back, to get a look at him, yesterday just allowed him to get in a little sooner for them. With Morris signed now as insurance for covid their all set if a goalie gets moved after things settle out a bit.
Think you’ll see a better result tonight, no excuse for yesterday but a coach once told me, better to lose 6-0 than 1-0, in this kind of turn around. Blowout just forget about it and get ready for next game, lose a tight one and you think about it too much.
Question is for next permanent Gm has to be is there a core on this roster that a solid contender can be built around. What happens between now and next season will answer that one way or the other by the moves made.
Gabriel better be in the lineup tonight because Lucic and Zadorov are playing tonight, and they will be hunting for Kane and DCat. If you’re not playing him to protect our guys why did the “intern'” get him in the first place??? Now Wirtz is giving beer away as an incentive to buy the cheap seats. This organization has truly turned inept.
So nice to see NY Rangers destroy Tampa bay without Panarin . 4-0
I still hope to see Kane with NY
SO he could get another chance for a cup
Well Gabriel’s 5 minutes of ice time really did the trick.
Face it people, Stan left the cupboard empty, it’s going to be quite
sometime before they get good again.
Trading Kane/Toews should be a priority for a new GM from outside
the organization. My fear is they hire KD…..yikes!
This is an awful hockey team.