Great to be talking hockey with you. And here we are 48 games in 99 days all against the Western Conference. It's gonna create quite a straight to the flat it's gonna magnify everything pat you on the fact you're playing within your own division it's gonna be as -- as you mentioned and you know that's why these games will be very intense right from the very beginning. Players realize that they also realize that. You go through two or three game. Losing streak it's magnified it's like a 46 game losing streak so I think you're gonna see a lot of exciting hockey you see a lot of intensity right out of the gate. Walking and got great news just up couple weeks ago when that lockout ended after a 113. Days here are some of the key points that. It here -- -- and -- here without a contract limits except here in the side. Your own player 64 point three million dollar salary cap 4013 fourteen campaign. Idiots these both sides much to do that collective bargaining your thoughts on this it's easy. Well I think the -- -- both sides are still. A little upset means it's probably good deal because nobody got exactly what they wanted but you know for this to have taken three months and losing almost half the season. It's really a shame but that's just part of the business that's the -- side of the business. And another realize that it's time to put all that bad blood behind them it's water under the bridge and just get down to playing hockey. And it's creating quite a schedule as you mentioned 48 games in roughly 99 days that's about three to. -- games a week almost every other night you're gonna see your black box and we'll have 39 of those contests right here. Comcast sports that season kicks off Saturday in Los Angeles against the defending Stanley Cup chance that game is on NBC five. We'll have our first game -- Comcast sports that Sunday evening against the Coyotes are coverage begins. At 8 o'clock for that the home opener is Tuesday January 22 right here at the United Center against the blues. Comcast sports that will carry that have all the Detroit teams here on the west side beginning January 27. In mid February we're moving into the peanuts better be better tell your wife -- about that on February 12 pockets picked up a seven game homestand. Against the ducks at what do you think it's challenging schedule and as you take a look at it well. You know obviously that the road games just as important as the home games but you really have to take advantage of your home ice advantage and that's something the Blackhawks have done in the past. 190 plus consecutive sellouts and it just rocks through the United Center so the -- after advantage. They've got to go on the road and window and you know if you're barely above 500 on the road well you should give above 500 road should have a problem making the playoffs is to take a look at that last time there's a 48 games scheduled that 9495. Strike shortened season that you were part of the league that what what was that like in what do you think translates to that this this season quiet first stop players -- handle -- better shape back when you know we're talking almost twenty years ago and it was my last year in the NHL -- I was really amazed -- by the level of hockey the quality of hockey right out of the gate it was competitive. It was good and I think that's where we're gonna see here you know some people talked about needing a hockey will be a little choppy to begin -- I think right from the get go you're gonna see outstanding hockey and players realize that this is like a mini play -- -- them and will some of the guys that played overseas or in the HL have an advantage some of the Blackhawks chimed in on that. -- I would think that most of us that have been playing felt pretty good -- there's no. He's not stupid games did you guys can -- quite as much. Gasquet is up to different and that game is different than practice so let's go see obviously it's guys. Once in the pros Byrd for a long time. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- We'll see whether it's playing in. EHL or overseas do you think those players have an advantage whether it's conditioning -- timing wise in this. Schedule at least at the beginning of it yeah I think especially for the younger guys had it it's real important for a nickel ID and now Marcus Kruger -- difficult to be playing as much hockey is they can't. If the older guys not quite as important so Marion also Patrick Sharp did not go overseas were not playing. During the lockout and I don't think it's going to be that important for them. And you get a guy like -- and Toews said he didn't go overseas either he's working -- like a -- while it is here. But he's just so ultra competitive that that's the last guy you have to worry about.