The Scott Gomez situation in Montreal is fairly bizarre.

Rocky stated from the start that they would be a fast team and exciting to watch. After the other lockout with the way the referees were calling the game having stick checking players who took away space in stead of interfering with players is advantageous.

If the game is called tight from the star the Hawks will have a ridiculous advantage by having mobile defenders who block a lot of shots.
- fattybeef

Taking the optimistic view . . .

Kids like Stalberg and Leddy, with all their flaws, do give you a huge advantage. And that comes from their speed. How many times do you see these guys fly into the offensive zone down a wing, completely unchecked? A lot. Their speed requires the defense to play back and back on its heels. Add to that Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Oduya.

PLUS, with guys like Shaw, Carcillo, Bollig, Brookbank, now you also have some mashers.

The same kind of balance of speed and physicality you had in 2010, sort of. And that's really good. if LA comes out and tries to check the Hawks out of the building Friday,the Hawks have the bodies (at least) to respond.

Another positive, the defense is deep. Say what you want about Oduya, but his skills fit this system like a glove. And he does what Camobell did: by being able to play 20-23 minutes, PK, some PP, he takes some pressure off Keith, who then starts to look like Norris Keith instead of Nathan Dempsey Keith.

Oduya, Brookbank, Rozsival, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson block a lot of shots, which should take some pressure off another guy who's a bit soft mentally: Crawford. And it will help on the PK.

I am, meh, intrigued by the new lines.

The negatives:

Still no real help on faceoffs for Toews, which means Q has to overuse him on special teams.

Hossa and Toews both have to be considered vulnerable. And if either or both go down, look out.

And no one trusts Crawford anymore. Most notably, maybe, Crawford himself.

No doubt Bears offense has big issues. However, you can go to cover2.com and pop warner teams can draw run 4 basic plays that march a team down the field. As dominating as defense was at times, it was horrible end of half and end of game. Because Cover 2 scheme leaves 17 yard in, 13 yard curl and 6 yard dump over the middle open all day long...not to mention slants.
The defense was horrible when it mattered most. Keep your stats.

So the role guys don't even get on the ice when it matters and you blame role players. Role players killed the PP and PK right? Who played on it? as you would say..nice argument. BTW Crosby and Malkin do not kill penalties. To say the role players aren't executing is like proving a negative, since they NEVER get a chance with Q.
- TrueGrit

It is horrible at the later stages of the game because they spend most of the game on the field. I would be tired too if my offense went 3 and out every drive.

Yes. Irregardless of their ability to execute on the power play and penalty kill, the role players could not be trusted with simple things like exiting their own zone, cycling the puck or killing a penalty. Aside from Stalberg... Who had a propensity to give the puck away in the neutral zone... who else could be relied upon to score game winning goals... Sharp, Stalberg, Kane, Hossa and Toews in that order.

Between Carcillo, Shaw and Stalberg again look at all the stupid penalties that they commit... Hammer had an off year and massive issues covering the back side but then again there was no reliable 3rd pairing to take any pressure off of anyone else.

That stuff wears teams down but if you look across the NHL, with the exception of Philly (who have won nothing in 30 years) the best teams have a large disparity between their best players and their role players in terms of TOI.

If you look at the teams that have won the last few years, the Hawks included, they have had 3rd and 4th lines that make an impact and surprise players step up.

And still, with major injuries, they battled 2 teams, one that made it to the Cup the other to the Western Conference Finals, to 7 games and had chances to win both of those series. Pretty impressive in the grand scheme of things.

Taking the optimistic view . . .

Kids like Stalberg and Leddy, with all their flaws, do give you a huge advantage. And that comes from their speed. How many times do you see these guys fly into the offensive zone down a wing, completely unchecked? A lot. Their speed requires the defense to play back and back on its heels. Add to that Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Oduya.

PLUS, with guys like Shaw, Carcillo, Bollig, Brookbank, now you also have some mashers.

The same kind of balance of speed and physicality you had in 2010, sort of. And that's really good. if LA comes out and tries to check the Hawks out of the building Friday,the Hawks have the bodies (at least) to respond.

Another positive, the defense is deep. Say what you want about Oduya, but his skills fit this system like a glove. And he does what Camobell did: by being able to play 20-23 minutes, PK, some PP, he takes some pressure off Keith, who then starts to look like Norris Keith instead of Nathan Dempsey Keith.

Oduya, Brookbank, Rozsival, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson block a lot of shots, which should take some pressure off another guy who's a bit soft mentally: Crawford. And it will help on the PK.

I am, meh, intrigued by the new lines.

The negatives:

Still no real help on faceoffs for Toews, which means Q has to overuse him on special teams.

Hossa and Toews both have to be considered vulnerable. And if either or both go down, look out.

And no one trusts Crawford anymore. Most notably, maybe, Crawford himself.
- John Jaeckel

I think those are the two biggest detriments, especially if they are going to attempt to play puck possession.

Apparently no Kopitar and no Mitchell and Quick was medically cleared a week ago. Hawks should have a good opportunity to pick up points.

Anyone know if NBC is planning on streaming the regionally broadcast games on Saturday?


Living in Northern Ohio, I am saddled with the Pens/Flyers game, rather than Hawks/Kings. I'm hoping they will stream the feeds on nbcsports.com like they did last year on Hockey Day in America last year, so I won't be totally shut out.



Anyone heard?

And no one trusts Crawford anymore. Most notably, maybe, Crawford himself.
- John Jaeckel

Does this mean that Stan will actually try not to put all of his eggs in Emery's basket? Is the Sens/Hawks talks officially dead, or are they still talking...I mean the Hawks and the mystery team

It is horrible at the later stages of the game because they spend most of the game on the field. I would be tired too if my offense went 3 and out every drive.

Yes. Irregardless of their ability to execute on the power play and penalty kill, the role players could not be trusted with simple things like exiting their own zone, cycling the puck or killing a penalty. Aside from Stalberg... Who had a propensity to give the puck away in the neutral zone... who else could be relied upon to score game winning goals... Sharp, Stalberg, Kane, Hossa and Toews in that order.

Between Carcillo, Shaw and Stalberg again look at all the stupid penalties that they commit... Hammer had an off year and massive issues covering the back side but then again there was no reliable 3rd pairing to take any pressure off of anyone else.

That stuff wears teams down but if you look across the NHL, with the exception of Philly (who have won nothing in 30 years) the best teams have a large disparity between their best players and their role players in terms of TOI.

If you look at the teams that have won the last few years, the Hawks included, they have had 3rd and 4th lines that make an impact and surprise players step up.

And still, with major injuries, they battled 2 teams, one that made it to the Cup the other to the Western Conference Finals, to 7 games and had chances to win both of those series. Pretty impressive in the grand scheme of things.
- fattybeef

Again, excuses for Bears defense. It does not matter how long on the field, the vulnerability still stands. My point stands. Look at the prevent defense and how successful it is.

I think you miss my point about the lower lines. What I am pointing out is that plenty of guys do not get any chance whatsoever. That is Q\'s call. You can say what you want about how unreliable or bad the players are, the fact is they are not the ones on the ice in the third period when the team melts down and loses. Those are facts. My philosophy as a former coach, and it stands at any level, is if you give a guy a uniform, give him a role or a job and let him pull his weight. If you do not believe in a guy, then do not give him a uniform.

My points are more about the coaching philosophy then the players. We can hem and haw all day about this guy or group being better than another, but to say they can\'t be trusted only to have trusted guys fail...???? Keeping Keith on PP, leading league in Too many men on the ice penalties because of coaching hysteria....

Yes - number 2 was the director Peter Bogdanovich - who left his wife for her - then married Stratton\'s younger sister.
- StLBravesFan

I meant 2 movies. Star 80, and Death of a Centerfold.

It is horrible at the later stages of the game because they spend most of the game on the field. I would be tired too if my offense went 3 and out every drive.

Yes. Irregardless of their ability to execute on the power play and penalty kill, the role players could not be trusted with simple things like exiting their own zone, cycling the puck or killing a penalty. Aside from Stalberg... Who had a propensity to give the puck away in the neutral zone... who else could be relied upon to score game winning goals... Sharp, Stalberg, Kane, Hossa and Toews in that order.

Between Carcillo, Shaw and Stalberg again look at all the stupid penalties that they commit... Hammer had an off year and massive issues covering the back side but then again there was no reliable 3rd pairing to take any pressure off of anyone else.

That stuff wears teams down but if you look across the NHL, with the exception of Philly (who have won nothing in 30 years) the best teams have a large disparity between their best players and their role players in terms of TOI.

If you look at the teams that have won the last few years, the Hawks included, they have had 3rd and 4th lines that make an impact and surprise players step up.

And still, with major injuries, they battled 2 teams, one that made it to the Cup the other to the Western Conference Finals, to 7 games and had chances to win both of those series. Pretty impressive in the grand scheme of things.
- fattybeef

Ultimately, who's fault was it that the offense was so inept? Who hired and fired a string of sub-par offensive coordintors? Who insisted Rex was their QB and that Devin Hester was a #1 WR? The Head Coach no?

Switching to the Hawks, who's fault is it that the PP scheme is too predictable and inept? Who drove away two highly respected assistants nd replaced hem with yes men? Who insists Keith is the PP QB and that Scott should dress over Lepisto? The head coach........no?

Anyone know if NBC is planning on streaming the regionally broadcast games on Satur

Living in Northern Ohio, I am saddled with the Pens/Flyers game, rather than Hawks/Kings. I\\\'m hoping they will stream the feeds on nbcsports.com like they did last year on Hockey Day in America last year, so I won\\\'t be totally shut out.



Anyone heard?


According to the NHL on NBC site you will be able to watch online.. I\'m in NYC and I am in a similar situation since the Pens/Flyers will be aired on TV:

http://nbcsports.msnbc.co...sports-nhl/?ns=sports-nhl






- FredoXV

Anyone know if NBC is planning on streaming the regionally broadcast games on Saturday?


Living in Northern Ohio, I am saddled with the Pens/Flyers game, rather than Hawks/Kings. I\'m hoping they will stream the feeds on nbcsports.com like they did last year on Hockey Day in America last year, so I won\'t be totally shut out.



Anyone heard?



- FredoXV

here\'s your answer:

http://www4.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981

Does this mean that Stan will actually try not to put all of his eggs in Emery\'s basket? Is the Sens/Hawks talks officially dead, or are they still talking...I mean the Hawks and the mystery team
- ikeane

I would not, at all, rule out Emery taking over #1 if Crawford poops the bed. Right or wrong, Quenneville seems to like Emery. And I think Emery might still have something left in the tank, hip and all. Guy\'s a battler.

What is the story with Paradis? Is he never going to get a shot at the lower lines?

The point that is most important...

Those that evaluate their needs the quickest will be best off....It would surprise me if it would be easy to put anything of significant value together near this trade deadline.

Teams may look to dump a big contract but there should be many clubs in the battle for the final playoff spots and not many sellers.

@AlCimaglia
- Al

yes...i suspect many teams/GMs will be looking at this 1/2 asterik season as a transition/evaluation period. They need to figure out how the new CBA rules are going impact and how to work with in and around them. I just don't see any big trades during the season unless injurys figure in.

Also Al as you point out typically after 48 games maybe 1 or 2 teams in each conf are out of the running. Competition will be intense inter and intra team.

I would not, at all, rule out Emery taking over #1 if Crawford poops the bed. Right or wrong, Quenneville seems to like Emery. And I think Emery might still have something left in the tank, hip and all. Guy\'s a battler.
- John Jaeckel

JJ - Does Carter Hutton have any chance to surprise and emerge?

JJ - Does Carter Hutton have any chance to surprise and emerge?
- golfbard

Like I said, the "if Crawford poops the bed" corollary applies—any and all available options will be looked at. This is, of course, assuming they don't pull something out of their nether regions and upgrade G

here\'s your answer:

http://www4.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981
- John Jaeckel

I've been using that site recently and I love it.

I've been using that site recently and I love it.
- jedwilli

is this free?

is this free?
- FourFeathers773

No. You have to make a "donation" and then you get access to the games. They have NHL, AHL, WHL, OHL, QMJHL, and the KHL games. The price isn't bad for what you get when you compare it to other options.

Good to see some arguments stay the same. Q, John Scott, Q again.

Briefly, does anyone think Stan looks a little like Gollum from Lord of the Rings? I had never seen that movie before last week, so I might be a little late to the game on this.

Like I said, the "if Crawford poops the bed" corollary applies—any and all available options will be looked at. This is, of course, assuming they don't pull something out of their nether regions and upgrade G
- John Jaeckel

Hopefully, "poops the bed" in the eyes of Hawks management is only the first 2 or 3 games, bc they cant really afford much more that with Crawford possessing Waterford Crystal-like fragility with regards to his confidence.

I would not, at all, rule out Emery taking over #1 if Crawford poops the bed. Right or wrong, Quenneville seems to like Emery. And I think Emery might still have something left in the tank, hip and all. Guy\'s a battler.
- John Jaeckel

I would also think another year away from the surgury plus, this extra time off might help his hip. IMO, with this condensed schedule I think you need a 1a and 1b type goalies.

Bolland at 2C = duct tape at the expense of the shutdown line. Shell game. Fix a hole by creating another one.

Bowman's comments about the cap are all anyone needed to hear. There will be no deals of significance to add to 2C or goalie.

Just like the Bears - same gaping hole year after year, and the same ineffective responses to "address" them.

Accounting > winning in Stan's world. First round and out #3.

Hopefully, "poops the bed" in the eyes of Hawks management is only the first 2 or 3 games, bc they cant really afford much more that with Crawford possessing Waterford Crystal-like fragility with regards to his confidence.
- furso27

Yep, I agree. Again, right or wrong, Quenneville likes Emery. And I think the team likes Emery.

I can also see them taking a what the hell 2-3 game flyer on Hutton.

I can also see them yet making a deal for a goalie.

I'm in a win-win situation.

The hawks bomb, which I think they might, Bowman will be gone. Wirtz mentioned in his interview they are looking for more then a first round exit. That's the 1st time since he took over he's not spoken in generalties when addressing expectations.

So Bowman can sit here all he wants and talk about how he wants to see how this group looks before addressing it. Good for him. Exceptt, he has seen how this group has looked the past 2 years and still hasn't done anything besides been a bubble playoff team.

Oh you can blame Quenneville for some of it, and I agree, but a coach can only coach what he's been given, and if the immortal of future of hall of famer, Sheldon Brookbank was THE missing piece the past 2 years, god bless us all.

Fact is, you have the exact same team as last year, destined for a similar season. I don't deal in insanity, but apparently, Stan Bowman does....