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

Minimally, but there is at least more depth at that position, now, than there was an hour ago. The Hawks will give Crawford this year, like it or not, to reclaim his form of two years ago. If he does, great, if not, it will likely be addressed in the offseason. At least there is another option in Karlsson, who has some NHL experience. This move also tells me the Hawks saw what we did last night with Emery, and this is a cheap reactionary move.

After seeing Emery last night, Karlsson might actually be #2 on the hawks depth chart in goal

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....
- wiz1901

I was actually pretty unaware he did so bad in SJ the year before.....and either way, I didn't think this was the ultimate solution, I just hadn't seen anyone even mention him up until this point.

I think Henrik Karlsson is a kick the tires move for the cheap price of a 7th rounder.


He's already 29 and if Calgary decided he is not in their plans, what does that say to you?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slm441Wr_M8

This fist pump may be his closest move to hockey immortality...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWPhK6L8ZGI

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....
- TrueGrit

Well I won't disagree but Q. is much different than most, actually a bit of a dinosaur in that regard.

If you have the most talented top six forwards logic would say play them against the opponents top six forwards and at the end of the day on most nights you win.

Q. hasn't looked at it that way...When we won the Cup the 3rd line was key, that's why he has been reluctant to move up Bolland.

Times change and as I have written more times than you want to remember...A different style of play, even if only a tweak is needed because the personnel is different.

To be clear, the 3rd line has been OK...although if LA would have played up to their standards we could have gotten a better idea on Shaw's group defensive prowess.

My contention on Shaw is more to do with his ability to play center in the NHL, no matter what role.

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

Steckel is scratched tonight. Big trade coming?? Stan's in a dealing mood.

I think Henrik Karlsson is a kick the tires move for the cheap price of a 7th rounder.


He's already 29 and if Calgary decided he is not in their plans, what does that say to you?
- wiz1901

They traded the seventh round pick in this years draft that they got in the Klinkhammer trade with Ottawa last year. So essentially they traded Klinkhammer for Karlsson. Simply just a much needed depth move.

They traded the seventh round pick in this years draft that they got in the Klinkhammer trade with Ottawa last year. So essentially they traded Klinkhammer for Karlsson. Simply just a much needed depth move.
- hawks2010

Agreed worth the 7th rounder that was found money....

Maybe they envision a long suspension for Hutton ?

The Los Angeles Kings’ regrettable home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks just got a lot more regrettable.


Defenseman Matt Greene, a cornerstone of the Kings’ defense corps, was likely lost for the season with a back injury he suffered in the game.

I ALREADY ERASED BOTH MY RECORDINGS ...who hit him, anybody?

Steckel is scratched tonight. Big trade coming?? Stan's in a dealing mood.
- DarthKane

Would love to get steckel, checks off a lot of boxes hawks need. If Hawks get him, who does he then replace? If that means moving Saad back to healthy scratch, who do you move back into top 6? Stalberg? Then do you put Steckel at the dot at 4C and move Kruger to wing? Just running the scenario through my head. Actually dont want to see Kruger leave the dot at the moment, looks exceptionally strong there right now

Would love to get steckel, checks off a lot of boxes hawks need. If Hawks get him, who does he then replace? If that means moving Saad back to healthy scratch, who do you move back into top 6? Stalberg? Then do you put Steckel at the dot at 4C and move Kruger to wing? Just running the scenario through my head. Actually dont want to see Kruger leave the dot at the moment, looks exceptionally strong there right now
- FourFeathers773

I'd send Saad back to Rockford. Or maybe the deal could be Bickell and a pick for Steckell (to open a roster spot).

I'd move Kruger to the third line with Shaw and Frolik while Steckel centers the 4th line.

Our old buddy John Scott made his 2013 fighting debut Monday night dropping the gloves with a legit KO specialist Colton Orr. Scott took a couple early, controlled most of the bout, before being tagged late while on his knees. This one was a BEEEEE UUUUU TEEEEE.

Watch for the link when it's posted on hockeyfights.com

I'd send Saad back to Rockford. Or maybe the deal could be Bickell and a pick for Steckell (to open a roster spot).

I'd move Kruger to the third line with Shaw and Frolik while Steckel centers the 4th line.
- DarthKane

that makes sense, im still not sold one bit on shaw being 3C despite the result of the first two games.

After seeing Emery last night, Karlsson might actually be #2 on the hawks depth chart in goal
- FourFeathers773

Hutton absent in today's Rockford game as per Chris Kuc...
probably due to suspension

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

Or Richards...whose numbers are pretty bad after the better part of 3 seasons there. Either way, a good place to stash him for now.

Hutton absent in today's Rockford game as per Chris Kuc...
probably due to suspension
- philco28

Even I'd Hutton wasn't suspended his move makes sense, we need a goalie upgrade in Rockford worse than Chicago.

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

Well, there's that.

Via Kevin Allen btw
- TheMaestro

Nice pickup. Hawk interest in him first reported . . . here.

Even I'd Hutton wasn't suspended his move makes sense, we need a goalie upgrade in Rockford worse than Chicago.
- DarthKane

I like Hutton from what i saw of him....wouldn't mind seeing a young backup in Chi

Orr vs John Scott...was this Scott's first loss ? You decide.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/115173

I think Henrik Karlsson is a kick the tires move for the cheap price of a 7th rounder.


He's already 29 and if Calgary decided he is not in their plans, what does that say to you?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slm441Wr_M8

This fist pump may be his closest move to hockey immortality...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWPhK6L8ZGI
- wiz1901

Listen, I do not claim to be an expert on goalies, much less Henrik Karlsson. But I have read two scouting reports on him since I was told last week the Hawks had interest in him. Certainly seems worth the draft pick. Montreal gave up on Tony Esposito. The Hawks on Hasek. It is an old, but oft-repeated story.

"Calm demeanor with great agility for his size … has an intimidating net presence … very quiet footwork and balanced movements allow him to play patiently and let pucks hit him … rarely caught out of position or seen diving for a puck … extremely solid butterfly technique … very quick recovery for his size … reads plays extremely well … strong legs allows him to execute explosive lateral pushes with ease … great post coverage in the vertical-horizontal stance … keeps his back extremely straight in the butterfly and covers the top corners very well … square shoulders allows for very balanced lateral and angled pushes … when forced to scramble, he still has great visual attachment to the puck … snaps his knees down to the ice very quickly … has a tight butterfly that effectively seals all holes … original “up” stance is average width with hunched over shoulders, very similar to Gustavsson … has a tremendous absorption rate on high shots and swallows them often … does not have to fend off traffic or screens very often thanks to the space his body demands in the crease … when he’s down, he’s never out, for he rarely loses his net, his balance or positioning … does a great job of fully committing to the butterfly on screened shots … needs to improve his stick handling and puck-moving abilities … needs to push out and challenge shooters on a more consistent basis … bats or punches out blocker-side shots instead of turning the blocker over and re-directing them … rebound control needs improvement, especially on low shots to the opposite-side pad … plays with a very consistent level of energy … does not show signs of wearing down after executing a strenuous series of movements"

After seeing Emery last night, Karlsson might actually be #2 on the hawks depth chart in goal
- FourFeathers773

Lots of goalies stinking it up over the last 72 hours.

Emery was not the worst in Jobing.com last night; the other girl, er, I mean, guy with the long hair was.

I would not throw the dirt on Emery's grave just yet.

Well I won't disagree but Q. is much different than most, actually a bit of a dinosaur in that regard.

If you have the most talented top six forwards logic would say play them against the opponents top six forwards and at the end of the day on most nights you win.

Q. hasn't looked at it that way...When we won the Cup the 3rd line was key, that's why he has been reluctant to move up Bolland.

Times change and as I have written more times than you want to remember...A different style of play, even if only a tweak is needed because the personnel is different.

To be clear, the 3rd line has been OK...although if LA would have played up to their standards we could have gotten a better idea on Shaw's group defensive prowess.

My contention on Shaw is more to do with his ability to play center in the NHL, no matter what role.

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

I know you and I are on the same page, and your contention is fair and valid. My question/thought was just on this managing strategy thing that seems backwards.

Instead of handcuffing and messing with your teams mental psyche all the time, why not embrace the talent and skill you have and get behind your guys. The compacted schedule may force him to roll lines more and quit/minimize his overcoaching.

Orr vs John Scott...was this Scott's first loss ? You decide.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/fights/115173
- philco28

IMO it was a draw..both got a couple of good shots in but neither dominated the fight..

The Los Angeles Kings’ regrettable home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks just got a lot more regrettable.


Defenseman Matt Greene, a cornerstone of the Kings’ defense corps, was likely lost for the season with a back injury he suffered in the game.

I ALREADY ERASED BOTH MY RECORDINGS ...who hit him, anybody?
- wiz1901

Greene had a bit of an awkward collision with Bollig with about 6 minutes left in the second.Right afterwards he took an interferance penalty.He was still playing right up until NBC decided to drop the game.

Nice pickup. Hawk interest in him first reported . . . here.
- John Jaeckel

Well done JJ...remember this amid your critics, that many, myself included come here first for news and insight into all things blackhawk.