Depth is going to go a long ways this year if the Hawks seven defensemen can stay healthy. They have 7 proven NHL defensemen that can all play. I like Leddy a lot as our #5 and getting PP minutes. Right now that is where he can help the most. I would also like to see Kruger center the 3rd line. Put Stalberg on the left side and Shaw on the right side. A 4th line of Mayers at center with Bickell and Frolik on the wings looks pretty strong. Bollig can be the 13th forward and use him in games when you know that you are going to be playing tough physical teams such as LA and St. Louis.

20 - 19 - 81
10 - 36 - 88
25 - 16 - 65
29 - 22 - 67
52

2 - 7
4 - 27
8 - 32
17

50 - 30
- ChicagoHope

Bickell and Stalberg have some pretty sweet chemistry working right now. Why is that a good idea to break that up.

Bollig... Again while not a particularly good hockey player... with the exception of the tripping penalty is usually fairly responsible and can hammer people. He is fine as a 4th line winger or whatever they have him playing right now. Necessary evil as it were and I don't see a viable replacement who will be content with that amount of time in that role. Smith maybe but he is injured so that is a moot point.

I think the benching was more of the normal Q stupid penalty = sit on your ass kind of thing.

And I say if he was so good at what he did, he'd be out there more than 5 minutes.
- yahoodi

Some holes in that logic. Just having that guy dressed and on the bench can be enough. And some nights, he might get 10-12 minutes, depending.

Wiz, it was a joke.
- TheTrob

the real joke is my two finger typong that requires me to go back on every f..g thing I post and fix.

the real joke is my two finger typing that requires me to go back on every f..g thing I post and fix.
- wiz1901

MF you see...I didn't mean that either....

Vancouver can try all they want, but why would anyone give anything when they would not have to and just wait a few months.

Vancouver will disappoint in my opinion this year...I was on record saying last year, that that if vancouver was done, you deal him then and get it over with. Now they have let it all linger to their own detriment.
- TrueGrit

Haven't looked at their schedule, but I think Vancouver is in a little more danger of missing the playoffs than even they think right now. Injuries, advancing age and improvement by Minny and Edmonton within their division means not as many easy 2 point games as last couple years.

Couple that with nobody wanting the Luongo contract and the collar around Gillis' neck is going to get pretty tight.

I've got Chicago, LA, St.L., Minny, SJ and Nashville in the playoffs for sure. That leaves only 2 spots for Van., Detroit, Edmonton and Colorado.

And I say if he was so good at what he did, he'd be out there more than 5 minutes.
- yahoodi

It doesn't matter how good an NFL place kicker is at his job, he's not going to get more playing time. He has a job, he does it. More so in some games than others, but always in a limited but important role. He has a place.

Until someone better/more complete comes along, Bollig has a place on this roster.

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

Until proven otherwise he has looked better on the wing.

If you recall I was one of the first to say he was more than a grinder or just another guy.

Very difficult task to play 3rd line center...

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

I would trade prospects for a proven goalie and if Gillis would take prospects he would be gone by now

Having said that I hope your right about Emery but I have my doubts

Time will tell
- PEIHawkFan

They tried in the summer to acquire Bernier, even though they knew that IF the there was no work stoppage, Quick was gonna be out for awhile, living Bernier in the net as a regular.

Yeah, I also don't think they will find a team giving a guy up at the juncture for picks...everyone is trying to shore up there weaknesses when they amke a trade of a promisning netminder.

Off track: PEI do you live close to :

a) The potato museum
b) Brad Richard charity golf tourney campground
c) the St. Peter's fish shack where the mussels grow
d) The french wine bottle chapel
e) Where the harvest the seewed in the North Cape
or
f) down the street from the Ice Cream store COWS, where I got my Sidney COWSby shirt..

They tried in the summer to acquire Bernier, even though they knew that IF the there was no work stoppage, Quick was gonna be out for awhile, living Bernier in the net as a regular.

Yeah, I also don't think they will find a team giving a guy up at the juncture for picks...everyone is trying to shore up there weaknesses when they amke a trade of a promisning netminder.

Off track: PEI do you live close to :

a) The potato museum
b) Brad Richard charity golf tourney campground
c) the St. Peter's fish shack where the mussels grow
d) The french wine bottle chapel
e) Where the harvest the seewed in the North Cape
or
f) down the street from the Ice Cream store COWS, where I got my Sidney COWSby shirt..
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz for broadening my horizons.

http://www.peipotatomuseum.com/

Not sure how so many people can write off Emery from one start. Pretty much every goalie had a rough start so far which is understandable since they have been off for so long.

They tried in the summer to acquire Bernier, even though they knew that IF the there was no work stoppage, Quick was gonna be out for awhile, living Bernier in the net as a regular.

Yeah, I also don't think they will find a team giving a guy up at the juncture for picks...everyone is trying to shore up there weaknesses when they amke a trade of a promisning netminder.

Off track: PEI do you live close to :

a) The potato museum
b) Brad Richard charity golf tourney campground
c) the St. Peter's fish shack where the mussels grow
d) The french wine bottle chapel
e) Where the harvest the seewed in the North Cape
or
f) down the street from the Ice Cream store COWS, where I got my Sidney COWSby shirt..
- wiz1901

All of that and you forgot Anne of Green Gables?

"Flames goalie Henrik Karlsson traded to the Blackhawks for a seventh-round pick. "

Well, there's that.

Via Kevin Allen btw

"Flames goalie Henrik Karlsson traded to the Blackhawks for a seventh-round pick. "

Well, there's that.

Via Kevin Allen btw
- TheMaestro

Why trade for him when he was on waivers a week ago?

Why trade for him when he was on waivers a week ago?
- DarthKane

Ray Emery played last night

Why trade for him when he was on waivers a week ago?
- DarthKane

Well, I guess Bowman got his goalie.

6'6"

That's a big goaler

Until proven otherwise he has looked better on the wing.

If you recall I was one of the first to say he was more than a grinder or just another guy.

Very difficult task to play 3rd line center...

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

Al, if you will indulge me philosophically for a moment. One of my biggest gripes has been Q's obsession with match ups. The reason this frustrates me most is that 90% of the time we have more talent on our roster than opponent. I know that is not everything. However, if you focus on match up then by definition you are reacting. You are either a stimulus or a reaction. So here we are more skilled and talented and we dictate our personnel by the opponent.

To my main point, and that is the idea that you have to call Shaw a third line center it implies he has to be a shut down guy. Whereas, with Krueger and Shaw, you have like team USA (World Juniors) had, and that is 4 lines with some balance. The two top end lines are a matchup headache for any other team. Balance with offensive threat and defensive responsibility. This philosophy of rolling them is more of a Pat Riley mindset of we focus on what we want to do and if we do it well we will be fine. He does not waste time worrying about the what the other team will do and alter too much of what he does to combat it. It probably can be explained better.

Darryl Sutter rolled 4 lines last year in playoffs. Matchups were secondary....an after thought. We have the talent and horses in all 4 lines to create headaches for other teams. Making game a track meet at times and wearing out the opposition. Keep in mind, I am not suggesting that at a few key points in a game you don't send out your most responsible line out or players, but what I am saying is let those few moments materialize. Lets not stress out the whole game, creating more problems with guys coming and going. BECAUSE we are the better team at least 8 of 10 nights we play....

Ray Emery played last night
- Walky

He doesn't have to clear waivers to go to Rockford now. Worth a 7th I guess, it was an extra pick from the Klinkhammer deal with Ottawa.

Edit: Karlsson has already been sent to Rockford. I guess they're not happy with Hutton.

He doesn't have to clear waivers to go to Rockford now. Worth a 7th I guess, it was an extra pick from the Klinkhammer deal with Ottawa.
- DarthKane

At worst, Karlsson gives the Hawks another goaltender with NHL experience. It can't hurt, but does it really improve the situation?

At worst, Karlsson gives the Hawks another goaltender with NHL experience. It can't hurt, but does it really improve the situation?
- EKolb13

Another low-risk low-reward move by Stan. Give up a late round pick we got from another team and hope an AHL goalie turns into a star.

At worst, Karlsson gives the Hawks another goaltender with NHL experience. It can't hurt, but does it really improve the situation?
- EKolb13

Only if Crawford or Emery get hurt. He is likely an improvement over Carter Hutton, but that's about it.

yeah, but they called up Kent Simpson to replace Carter Hutton. Or maybe that was just a band-aid and Simpson will get sent back down.

My guess is Stan saw what we saw last night and wants insurance.....

is everyone forgettng about Jamal Mayers? Why not move Krueger to 3rd line center and insert Mayers on the 4th.....
- joneboy

What I am not forgeting is at playoff time for the past two seasons (one with 'hawks other with SJ) Mayers was spent and unable to go full tilt. He in fact got presboxed by Sj because they saw the regression.



Remember he was part of the negotiating team for the players and was out of the gym for a spell. He'll get his minutes.

That is the beauty of having him and Rockford able to get breathers for players along the way....

He doesn't have to clear waivers to go to Rockford now. Worth a 7th I guess, it was an extra pick from the Klinkhammer deal with Ottawa.

Edit: Karlsson has already been sent to Rockford. I guess they're not happy with Hutton.
- DarthKane

I've never been overly impressed with Hutton. Anyways, after Saturday night's brawl, Hutton will more than likely be serving a suspension for beating the crap out of Mrazek. Richards isn't all that great, and Simpson got lit up for 5 goals this afternoon.

Karlsson gives the Hawks another goalie with NHL experience in the depth chart. I guess I'd sooner have him around then the thought of Hutton being the #2 guy in Chicago if something were to happen to Emery or Crawford.

Only if Crawford or Emery get hurt. He is likely an improvement over Carter Hutton, but that's about it.
- Hemingways

Agreed.