I think he was benched as Morrison had a better pedigree in terms of offensive upside. And they were having big issues putting the puck in the net.

And I don't know what Mayers could have done since Bollig sprinted at him and started swinging. Plus another misconduct and possible suspension would have been not good.

Again... Hitting Torres isn't the way to do it. Hammering the absolute crap out of their best players accidentally on purpose (Doan, maybe super hard slash, tell him its because of that F-Bag Torres OTW to box) or crash the net... hard... and again otw to box make it clear to them that they will suffer the consequences for their teammate being a clown.
- fattybeef

I agree. There's so much to be said for a punishing forecheck and being physical up and down the ice—proactively. Retaliation generally accomplishes little. The tone that gets set from go is key. The team that brings it physically usually gains the upper hand—just look at the Hawks' last two playoff series. Although Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig can each get out of control, they will hit people and keep opposing teams honest. Maybe you have Paradis (a real banger) in the mix by playoff time. Maybe Tin Man Bickell finds his heart. You CAN NOT overestimate the value of a hard forecheck on opposing defenses in the playoffs.

I've got a blog going up in the next hour or so that touches on this and many other subjects.

I agree. There's so much to be said for a punishing forecheck and being physical up and down the ice—proactively. Retaliation generally accomplishes little. The tone that gets set from go is key. The team that brings it physically usually gains the upper hand—just look at the Hawks' last two playoff series. Although Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig can each get out of control, they will hit people and keep opposing teams honest. Maybe you have Paradis (a real banger) in the mix by playoff time. Maybe Tin Man Bickell finds his heart. You CAN NOT overestimate the value of a hard forecheck on opposing defenses in the playoffs.

I've got a blog going up in the next hour or so that touches on this and many other subjects.
- John Jaeckel

I didnt think Bickell was that abisimal in that series. Had a game winner in OT. Had a goal on a PP which would have made me think the heavens opened up. I think Bickell will have a solid year this year.

I agree, and on top of that the first goal hadnt been scored yet and in a tight series such as that one retalitory acts need to be at the right time.
- nickmo2699

The book on the Hawks is that they were/are pushovers. You're right the playoffs are not the right time but Mayers was oblivious as to what happened and not only did he do nothing.. SO Boilig was on Torres , Mayers could have went right after Doan or anyone else on the ice for that matter.

But the 2nd game of the regular season is a great time to go a little bonkers and try and hurt your opponent , the game in Feb this year against Phoenix when Torres is back on the ice is the perfect time to try and take his head off , clean or dirty.

Even if Torres accepts a fight , that shouldn't settle it. Every time he is on the ice he should be very uncomfortable.

I agree. There's so much to be said for a punishing forecheck and being physical up and down the ice—proactively. Retaliation generally accomplishes little. The tone that gets set from go is key. The team that brings it physically usually gains the upper hand—just look at the Hawks' last two playoff series. Although Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig can each get out of control, they will hit people and keep opposing teams honest. Maybe you have Paradis (a real banger) in the mix by playoff time. Maybe Tin Man Bickell finds his heart. You CAN NOT overestimate the value of a hard forecheck on opposing defenses in the playoffs.

I've got a blog going up in the next hour or so that touches on this and many other subjects.
- John Jaeckel

This is why the biggest single mistake by Bowman was not keeping Andrew Ladd.

This is why the biggest single mistake by Bowman was not keeping Andrew Ladd.
- furso27

I often wonder if thru free agency it would have been easier to replace a star or two (Kane and Keith) instead of replacing the perfect support players. .... We'll never know....

And Bowman would have Crusified for ever if he would have moved Keith and Kane after 2010

Everyone is trying to play nice....

Today's column.....

On the Blackhawks: The art of compromise - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/VYoMzh

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

I dunno, Shanahan seemed to be very careful about stepping on the toes of some GMs and owners last year. There is a problem in the NHL, going back along way, where the equeaky wjheel gets the grease, and all the make-good crap that follows.

Basically, meet the new boss same as the old bloss. Shanahan is just a more telegenic Colin Campbell minus the embarrassing emails.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ....in other words...Shanny's a former player turned kiss as s, who's is seemingly more media friendly ?

I agree. There's so much to be said for a punishing forecheck and being physical up and down the ice—proactively. Retaliation generally accomplishes little. The tone that gets set from go is key. The team that brings it physically usually gains the upper hand—just look at the Hawks' last two playoff series. Although Shaw, Carcillo and Bollig can each get out of control, they will hit people and keep opposing teams honest. Maybe you have Paradis (a real banger) in the mix by playoff time. Maybe Tin Man Bickell finds his heart. You CAN NOT overestimate the value of a hard forecheck on opposing defenses in the playoffs.

I've got a blog going up in the next hour or so that touches on this and many other subjects.
- John Jaeckel

You definitely cannot, unfortunately too many on the current roster prefer the FLY BY instead of the STAPLER. The '92 team was the best i've seen at embodying the latter.

A lot has been made of the second line center hole that the hawks have had. If Bolland works out in that spot, do we begin shopping for a good third line center that seems to be a little easier to find?

You definitely cannot, unfortunately too many on the current roster prefer the FLY BY instead of the STAPLER. The '92 team was the best i've seen at embodying the latter.
- philco28

1992

Dirk Graham. Michele Goulet, , Jocely Lemieux !!


Why did they lose this faceoff ? Why was #66 so wide open ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcJmjxklcw4

A lot has been made of the second line center hole that the hawks have had. If Bolland works out in that spot, do we begin shopping for a good third line center that seems to be a little easier to find?
- nickmo2699

It will only work out if Bolland is 52% or better on draws this year. Bolland has the offense to play that line but needs to win more faceoffs.

1992

Dirk Graham. Michele Goulet, , Jocely Lemieux !!


Why did they lose this faceoff ? Why was #66 so wide open ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcJmjxklcw4
- mrpaulish

The 95-96 year was awfully good as well.

1992

Dirk Graham. Michele Goulet, , Jocely Lemieux !!


Why did they lose this faceoff ? Why was #66 so wide open ??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcJmjxklcw4
- mrpaulish

Pains me to say it...but it looked Larmer might have blown his assignment. Damn.
Smell-four didn't do any favors with the phat rebound either.

I often wonder if thru free agency it would have been easier to replace a star or two (Kane and Keith) instead of replacing the perfect support players. .... We'll never know....

And Bowman would have Crusified for ever if he would have moved Keith and Kane after 2010
- mrpaulish

I still feel that was what should have been done. The stars didn't win the Cup, it was having so much depth that won it. In a cap world you can't have so many players making over 5 million, too. But even though at thee time the return on Kane and Keith would have been amazing, I still would have traded Hossa or Sharp first

A lot has been made of the second line center hole that the hawks have had. If Bolland works out in that spot, do we begin shopping for a good third line center that seems to be a little easier to find?
- nickmo2699

Don't we supposedly have that already in Kruger, and Danault in the next year or two?