Nevermind

Don't worry. I'm sure those photos will still happen even if the Hawks lose.

If Zboril is still available, I'm not sure that I can handle another left-handed Czech defensemen named Jakub picked 19th overall and not panning out. Exactly 10 years apart too.

Mostly off the top of my head are top hometown draft picks that played a vital role for each Cup-winning team since the cap has been in place. In parentheses are top picks who played a minor role. 2006 Hurricanes--Staal (Ladd) 2007 Ducks--Selanne though he left for several years. Getzlaf and Perry are picked late enough in the first round to not count. Pronger and Neidermayer weren't homegrown obviously. 2008 Red Wings--None 2009 Penguins--Crosby, Malkin, Fleury, Staal 2010 Blackhawks--Toews, Kane, maybe Seabrook at 14th overall 2011 Bruins--None (Seguin not vital but got him from drafting Kessel) 2012 Kings--Doughty, Kopitar, Brown, and Johnson got them Carter 2013 Blackhawks--Same as 2010 2014 Kings--Same as 2012 This year, it's either Chicago again or Tampa which drafted Stamkos and Hedman, while using Drouin sparingly. So I'd say us and the Bruins are the only teams in the cap era that didn't win our Cups with the help of top 10 draft picks. But we were incredibly lucky picking up Lidstrom, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg when we did in the draft. That's like winning the lottery three times and I don't think we'll ever be quite so lucky again. Honestly, I see us as becoming a team with good depth in the future, but lacking the star power to consistently be much of a threat. Our only hope is Mrazek becoming a truly elite netminder and Larkin to develop like Bergeron or Toews (don't believe he has anything near 2008 Datsyuk or Zetterberg potential). Even then, we have absolutely no elite talent coming up on the blue line. So I'm really not sure what the plan is when Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall decline and retire. We need to hit some more home runs in the draft obviously.

I'm gonna be sick...

Sarcasm haha? They're both pretty icky to root for IMO.

Excessive celebrations always bother me as well. But if Pulkinnen can score even half as well at the NHL level I'll learn to put up with it.

So Devellano gets the secondary assist then?

There really isn't a single UFA player that interests me much. Green would be a good addition in terms of puck movement and shots getting through from the point, but he's sure to be overpaid and still not very reliable defensively after all these years in the league. I honestly think we may need to package a promising young forward for some offensive help on the blue line.

What a heads-up play by Helm. Err...legs up?

Didn't see the penalty. Maybe Boyle though Helm dove?

Don't worry, they'll make up for it with a chincy call against us later.

Along with Kopitar and Happy Hudler. Let's hope he can be mean to Tampa's Cup hopes though.

Good effort tonight. Need more of the same Thursday but with hopefully even more play in their zone.

17 minutes per usual. But I feel the same way haha

Pretty much exactly what I was gonna say. Need to bear down in the slot in the offensive zone when there's an opportunity.

Andersson's had a good game I must say.

Why is Miller taking the faceoff on a 5 on 3?

Someone needs to change the time in the title to 7 EST. Wouldn't want anyone to miss part of the 1st.

I would go with... Helm-Datsyuk-Tatar Abdelkader-Zetterberg-Nyquist Weiss-Sheahan-Pulkinnen Miller-Glendening-Jurco But I'm guessing the bottom six will be this instead... Andersson-Sheahan-Jurco Miller-Glendening-Ferraro

Is Glendening sure he shouldn't be a lefty?

Anyone else think Mark Stone looks way closer to 42 than 22?

I can see Seth Jones surpassing Weber some day.

Was watching another game. Can you say what he did? I'm guessing he was jumping up and down in an off-ice tantrum haha

I think Subban lacks maturity, but I didn't see the viciousness there for it to be 5 and a game. Definitely a stupid play and a minor penalty, but not worse.

Most aren't first round NHL draft picks. There's a reason teams so often talk about character when touting their high profile draft selections.