What the Hawks need is a reliable second option (after Toews) for special teams faceoffs. Going by committee is likely the best choice for now.
- John Jaeckel

David Steckel.

JJ,I am curious as to your thoughts on Paradis?Is he a long ways off in his development?I like his size and toughness.
- eagle50

For the role he would fill in CHicago he is not that far off but he would have to bump Frolik or Bollig who can fill that role and maybe bring more to the lineup.

Can't ask for a better start getting 4 points on the road in the first 2 games, against good competition. A lot of these have been touched upon already, but my observations so far:

1) Kruger looks like a different player. Hopefully he can keep it up.

2) Bolland has done a good job so far in the 2C role, it's only 2 games so I'll take it with a grain of salt, but I like what I've seen.

3) Rosival should be in the lineup. Liked what he brought last night.

4) Good to see the big guns firing right off the bat. Hopefully they can keep this up.

This team still needs another center of some kind (one who can win a draw as a lot of people have mentioned). That way you move Shaw back out on the wing in a Carcillo-type role where he's more effective. That, and the goaltending need to be the two priorities for Stan right now. Hopefully he's not sleeping at the wheel.

Specifically said he would have come to Chicago if offered a contract (money and term being equal).
- nathanjf

That's interesting, because his name was high on a list of similar players I was told the Hawks had targeted. Also told they liked him at the trade deadline. Not going to name names or say where I got the info. but this source is usually bang on.

Brookbank's name was also on that list as related to me, BTW, and I mentioned it here in the thread prior to them signing him (though not in a blog as I recall).

Not sure why they hesitated or just got beat to the punch on Winnik, because any "tips" aside, he would help this team right now.

For the role he would fill in CHicago he is not that far off but he would have to bump Frolik or Bollig who can fill that role and maybe bring more to the lineup.
- John Jaeckel

Lots of credit on calling Bollig last season. I'll admit I wasn't sure but I like his positional game and obviously love the grit and swagger he brings.

While we're at it, for calling Kruger 2 years ago and sticking by it while he's gone through growing pains.

That's interesting, because his name was high on a list of similar players I was told the Hawks had targeted. Also told they liked him at the trade deadline. Not going to name names or say where I got the info. but this source is usually bang on.

Brookbank's name was also on that list as related to me, BTW, and I mentioned it here in the thread prior to them signing him (though not in a blog as I recall).

Not sure why they hesitated or just got beat to the punch on Winnik, because any "tips" aside, he would help this team right now.
- John Jaeckel

It would be pretty great to add his skill set. Really quality guy too.

Not sold on Shaw at 3rd line center. Move him to wing, Kruger to 3rd line C. Juggle the 3rd and 4th line wings a touch.

Maybe even move Shaw to take Carcillo's spot and drop Saad to 3rd line
- Winterland

lets give the lines a chance to gell over say 8 games before evaluating

Maybe shaw is on the third line to help his two wingers to play a more aggressive game
Kreuger looks really good out there and his hands are really quick. how much bigger is he than last year?

100% Correct!!!!!

Evidently, this is going to be a season-long thing.

1) Hockey is a contact sport, not the Ice Follies
2) As such, guys who actually make contact, and do so in a meaningful way, affect the way the other team plays—creating opportunities for your skill players (a FACT lost on more casual hockey fans)
3) When Bollig mashes an opposing d-man in the opponent's end, see #2.
4) When Bollig takes on and beats their best fighter, ALL your guys play a little taller and heavier—5 of those PIM did not hurt the club at all

Not every guy on the ice can (or should) get oohs and ahhs from the Great Unwashed for his "skating." Bollig helps this team more than he hurts it. As he has since he came up last year.
- John Jaeckel

The issue at center has little to do with Kruger or Bolland...

The question is whether Shaw is a NHL 3rd line center. That line has been good for the most part but it has been Stalberg and Bickell along the walls and scoring. Shaw is decent winger and the jury is still out for me at center.

If Shaw fails and Pirri doesn't get a get out of Rockford card, the Hawks could be still short a true center.


As far as last night, Crawford should have started, Emery looked like he was on a beach for 9 months.

Chicago Blackhawks follow the same script, continue to roll - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/V1JkTX
- Al

The goal by stalberg was partially setup by shaw skating to the net forcing smith to stay back in the crease. Relax and give it some time.

Mayers at center doesn't work for the long haul..

The past two seasons when he should have been most valauble, in the playoffs, his gas tank was empty...Happened last season and with the Sharks and Mayers was scratched both times.

Chicago Blackhawks follow the same script, continue to roll - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/V1JkTX
- Al

Completely agree, Al. I suspect Q does too. Q seems to be coaching better thus far--could that be that he now realizes he now "owns it"?

Evidently, this is going to be a season-long thing.

1) Hockey is a contact sport, not the Ice Follies
2) As such, guys who actually make contact, and do so in a meaningful way, affect the way the other team plays—creating opportunities for your skill players (a FACT lost on more casual hockey fans)
3) When Bollig mashes an opposing d-man in the opponent's end, see #2.
4) When Bollig takes on and beats their best fighter, ALL your guys play a little taller and heavier—5 of those PIM did not hurt the club at all

Not every guy on the ice can (or should) get oohs and ahhs from the Great Unwashed for his "skating." Bollig helps this team more than he hurts it. As he has since he came up last year.
- John Jaeckel

I thought Bollig played a good game less the tripping minor. Hawks need his 40 grit sandpaper in the lineup.

How great is it that this year we have an actual D-man as our 7th and we don't have to worry about that? I'd be fine w/ Brookbank as a 6D except we have Roszival there and I'm more fine with that! Also I think its pretty evident the power play is better this year. Numbers-wise its still early, but the eye-test says its better. Puck and player movement, good possession, great job by specifically Leddy skating the puck in and setting up.

The goal by stalberg was partially setup by shaw skating to the net forcing smith to stay back in the crease. Relax and give it some time.
- molly2522

Shaw's a keeper....don't know where he fits exactly...but room must be made for him. With time, patience and maturity, this kid may become one of the more popular players at the UC. Keep the faith with 65.

Kane and Keith still farting around with the puck too much. Kane loses a draw clean and forgets his man Vermette who burns us again. Bad fundamentals. The kid gets by on his immense raw talent. Just hope one day, he learns to do the basic things like pick up his man in the d-zone and not make risky saucer passes when he's the lone man back. Leddy did a great job to bail him out on that one.

The anti Q crowd is pretty quiet and for good reason. He had these guys prepared and had his lieutenants distributing ice time very judiciously. Props to the 'Stache for getting the good ship Tomahawk out of the harbor safely.

I'll just say this, the Hawks played more aggressively in these games than they did most of the last 2 years. Two things open up the ice: speed and big hits. Hawks have both (right now). Loved Hjalmarsson's hit on Sullivan last night too. Completely clean and really lined him up.
- John Jaeckel

>Yes, love the intense, short shifts with max effort & the big hits
>Also love the Hockey IQs now of the first two lines
>Bolland & Sharp are very smart players who know how to find soft areas in the attack zone -- along with Kane
>Hockey IQ of the D pairings looks strong, too
>If the Hawks stay relatively healthy and can play most of the 48 games at the pace we've seen so far, they will be a legit contender
>Lastly, Doan is, was, and will forever be a dirtbag -- his "accidental" slewfoot of Oduya after the whistle was atrocious -- it's his favorite move to line up a player and then look the other way when he delivers the hit -- making it look like an accident -- that's how he elbowed Benn in the head and got 3 games last year
>Eddie O got it wrong when he commented on Doan "yapping" at Oduya -- Doan was responding to Oduya getting in Doan's face and calling him out for the ultra-cheap shot (watch the tape -- it's all there)

Even though I am sick of the Lu soap opera

Florida will not pay the price and Lu has told Gillis he will veto a trade to Toronto

Chicago is on his short list and I say we offer up Duneault and McNeil

It's not that expensive for a goalie and if Crawford gets hurt we are in big trouble with Emery

Thoughts JJ

Shaw's a keeper....don't know where he fits exactly...but room must be made for him. With time, patience and maturity, this kid may become one of the more popular players at the UC. Keep the faith with 65.

Kane and Keith still farting around with the puck too much. Kane loses a draw clean and forgets his man Vermette who burns us again. Bad fundamentals. The kid gets by on his immense raw talent. Just hope one day, he learns to do the basic things like pick up his man in the d-zone and not make risky saucer passes when he's the lone man back. Leddy did a great job to bail him out on that one.

The anti Q crowd is pretty quiet and for good reason. He had these guys prepared and had his lieutenants distributing ice time very judiciously. Props to the 'Stache for getting the good ship Tomahawk out of the harbor safely.
- philco28

I agree that Shaw is a keeper, ultimately I think he should be a third line winger who could move up and down the line up for short stints.

Even though I am sick of the Lu soap opera

Florida will not pay the price and Lu has told Gillis he will veto a trade to Toronto

Chicago is on his short list and I say we offer up Duneault and McNeil

It's not that expensive for a goalie and if Crawford gets hurt we are in big trouble with Emery

Thoughts JJ
- PEIHawkFan

Danault and McNeill for Lou? Pass, big time.

Danault and McNeill for Lou? Pass, big time.

- DarthKane

Fair enough but what is plan B if Crawford pulls a groin and is out for 20 games

What then?

Did you see Emery last night .......ouch!

Lets put something to bed right now. Luongo is not and will not go anywhere until he is bought out. The risk for a gm to trade for him, given current terms, and having it blow up in their faces in the first 3 years is much greater than the benefits.

That is because, everyone knows that if he is bought out, he is a free agent, and you can go at him under better terms. If he would consider a trade to your team, then he will also put you on the top of the list, once he is a free agent.


Case Closed.

Fair enough but what is plan B if Crawford pulls a groin and is out for 20 games

What then?

Did you see Emery last night .......ouch!
- PEIHawkFan

I think the plan is to balance playing time for the goalies so that Craw doesn't get overworked and Emery can get back to form. And after that its Carter Hutton I think. Doesn't exactly inspire confidence, but neither does selling the farm for Lu.

Shaw's a keeper....don't know where he fits exactly...but room must be made for him. With time, patience and maturity, this kid may become one of the more popular players at the UC. Keep the faith with 65.

Kane and Keith still farting around with the puck too much. Kane loses a draw clean and forgets his man Vermette who burns us again. Bad fundamentals. The kid gets by on his immense raw talent. Just hope one day, he learns to do the basic things like pick up his man in the d-zone and not make risky saucer passes when he's the lone man back. Leddy did a great job to bail him out on that one.

The anti Q crowd is pretty quiet and for good reason. He had these guys prepared and had his lieutenants distributing ice time very judiciously. Props to the 'Stache for getting the good ship Tomahawk out of the harbor safely.
- philco28

1.) Winning cures all

2.) He's been very un-Q so far. Minimal tinkering so far, let's see what happens the first time the offense hits a dry spell. Will he let them try and work through it, or will the non-stop line juggling begin? Hopefully, this year, Q keeps his Pop-O-Matic Bubble random line generator safely stowed in his all closet.

Lets put something to bed right now. Luongo is not and will not go anywhere until he is bought out. The risk for a gm to trade for him, given current terms, and having it blow up in their faces in the first 3 years is much greater than the benefits.

That is because, everyone knows that if he is bought out, he is a free agent, and you can go at him under better terms. If he would consider a trade to your team, then he will also put you on the top of the list, once he is a free agent.


Case Closed.
- TrueGrit

Isn't part of the new CBA where in a trade part of the money can be shifted (meaning the trading team is still on the hook for some of the salary)? If that is the case, why not try to get him for 70% of the contract (where Van has to pay some of it).

Fair enough but what is plan B if Crawford pulls a groin and is out for 20 games

What then?

Did you see Emery last night .......ouch!
- PEIHawkFan

You don't trade away 2 of your better prospects just in case your starting goaltender gets hurt. Most teams would be hurting if they lost their starting goaltender. There would be other options out there, maybe a trade with Ottawa or the Islanders. Emery had a rough game, but it was just his first game of the season, there's still no need to rush into a trade and overpay. I think it's a good idea to get a better backup, but I don't say that based solely on last night's performance. Closer to the deadline I'm sure somebody will be available for Stan (i.e. Giguere), whether or not he pulls the trigger is another story.

Evidently, this is going to be a season-long thing.

1) Hockey is a contact sport, not the Ice Follies
2) As such, guys who actually make contact, and do so in a meaningful way, affect the way the other team plays—creating opportunities for your skill players (a FACT lost on more casual hockey fans)
3) When Bollig mashes an opposing d-man in the opponent's end, see #2.
4) When Bollig takes on and beats their best fighter, ALL your guys play a little taller and heavier—5 of those PIM did not hurt the club at all

Not every guy on the ice can (or should) get oohs and ahhs from the Great Unwashed for his "skating." Bollig helps this team more than he hurts it. As he has since he came up last year.
- John Jaeckel

Oh deary me....where to start?

First off, I'm all for hitting. I love hitting. Al Secord is one of my favorite players. Scott Hartnell is my current favorite player. I love hitting. In fact I would say Niklas Hjalmarsson's hit was the most important part of the game. But I like guys that can hit and do more than hit. Hjalmarsson, you might have noticed, CONTINUED to play in the game. Bollig sat his ass down on the bench

Oh right, it's not like the Hawks played any bigger or any taller after Bollig had his staged fight with Biz Nasty. They simply played BETTER. It's not like they won the hit battle. They scored more goals because they had more skilled players on the ice.

40 minutes of grit and sandpaper my elbow. He played 5 minutes. 1,2,3,4,5. And a whopping 2 shifts after his fight. One of those shifts a whopping 8 seconds long. He's a slight tick above John Scott.

This won't be a year long discussion. Because he'll be replaced before then.

Lets put something to bed right now. Luongo is not and will not go anywhere until he is bought out. The risk for a gm to trade for him, given current terms, and having it blow up in their faces in the first 3 years is much greater than the benefits.

That is because, everyone knows that if he is bought out, he is a free agent, and you can go at him under better terms. If he would consider a trade to your team, then he will also put you on the top of the list, once he is a free agent.


Case Closed.
- TrueGrit

Good point but under your scenario Gillis buys him out and gets zip in return

I think the case on Lu is far from closed and he will be traded and not bought out but we will see

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