I dont know if anyone else is watching the Preds/Blues game right now, but it is one hell of a game. Tied 3-3 in the late stages of the 3rd. Tarasenko with a goal and two assists. Halak in goal, likely meaning we see Elliott in goal tomorrow.

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

I think better chance Hutton is hurt...My take.

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.
- John Jaeckel

Emery is digging his own grave with not being able to control rebounds. Not defending Smith but he faced more quality shots than Emery and made several nice saves.

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"
- John Jaeckel

JJ,

Bottom line: The cupboard is bare and the Hawks should have an interest in many goalies. As you say you never know.

This kid was on waivers 4 days ago and they could have had him for free...

Hutton is going to be suspended but I have a hunch they needed someone now becasue Hutton is hurt....Just a guess.

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

My first thought when I heard about the trade.

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.
- TrueGrit

After the Kings game, Toews said something along the lines of, "We didn't care what they were going to do. We were going to come out and play our game." If true, that's a huge shift from the last few years of adjusting to what the other team's strategy is.

I dont know if anyone else is watching the Preds/Blues game right now, but it is one hell of a game. Tied 3-3 in the late stages of the 3rd. Tarasenko with a goal and two assists. Halak in goal, likely meaning we see Elliott in goal tomorrow.
- hawks2010

Halak was chased after giving up 3 on 11 shots. Elliot in since first half of the second. Going to a shootout now tied at 3.

Twice I saw the Blues take interference penalties at the blue line on dump and chases. If they have issues with the Preds' speed, they might have serious issues tomorrow night with heavy legs.

Edit: Blues win in a shootout

After the Kings game, Toews said something along the lines of, "We didn't care what they were going to do. We were going to come out and play our game." If true, that's a huge shift from the last few years of adjusting to what the other team's strategy is.
- NewToHockey

Indeed...let the opponent WORRY ABOUT US...not the other way around.

Halak was chased after giving up 3 on 11 shots. Elliot in since first half of the second. Going to a shootout now tied at 3.

Twice I saw the Blues take interference penalties at the blue line on dump and chases. If they have issues with the Preds' speed, they might have serious issues tomorrow night with heavy legs.

Edit: Blues win in a shootout
- NewToHockey

The penalty of the month seems to be interference in the offensive zone.

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

THX, TG

Therein lies the whole issue.

There are probably 20 guys in Rockford and the talent pipeline with more "skill" than Bollig. Why is he is in the lineup? Because Q et al are "meatheads" who don't understand the "finer points" of hockey like you do?


He's there because he does three things—on balance—better than anyone else in the organization: fights, hits, plays a passable 4th line LW, can help kill a penalty, might add a goal or two.

If he's going to be gone soon, why wasn't he gone when camp broke? Sure, he could easily go back to Rockford at some point, but he'll be back because no other forward down there does what he does—even if you don't think it's of any value. He is here now because the staff thinks it is.

It ain't brain surgery.
- John Jaeckel

jj did you notice the improvement in his skating

JJ,

Bottom line: The cupboard is bare and the Hawks should have an interest in many goalies. As you say you never know.

This kid was on waivers 4 days ago and they could have had him for free...

Hutton is going to be suspended but I have a hunch they needed someone now becasue Hutton is hurt....Just a guess.
- Al

That's what's funny because I was told the Hawks were interested in him when he was waived. Then they chose not to make a claim. Then they trade a late pick. So dunno. Maybe some cost or risk due to the waiver claim. Maybe seeing Emery last night was enough for them to say why not deal the pick.

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

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

A+ showing by Orr

Very impressive.

jj did you notice the improvement in his skating
- molly2522

Honestly, no.

I like the guy. He's not the athlete that Byfuglien was but I get the sense he's a similar kind of presence. I have been told by multiple sources Byfuglien was a great influence in the dressing room. He kept the room loose and therefore more together. And guys respected Byfuglien. You have to remember, these guys are together 24/7 and mostly without pads on. Bollig is built like the proverbial brick (ou)thouse with legs like tree trunks. And he is a really positive, up guy.

I don't konw if it's Kompon, or weeding out Havvy—who is a great guy but was clearly at odds with Q and Kitchen—but something has happened to this team that is more about its spirit than anything "instructional."

They are really, really confident. It's like the last two years have been forgotten. Some of it could be because they had, by my count, 10 guys playing during the lockout and that is more than a lot of teams. But it seems like the chemistry is very good, the depth is better and they are physical now as well as skilled.

A+ showing by Orr

Very impressive.
- AceRatbang

yeah I was wrong..it has to go to Orr...I watched it over and over til I realized it was a body shot that brought him to his knees...

jj kreuger looks alot bigger and faster have you seen a revised scouting report on him
My report is his hands look to be exceptional in tight spaces and with time and the ability to practice faceoffs with the best centerman in the league it will pay dividends in the near future. the term thinking the game alies to kreuger

That's what's funny because I was told the Hawks were interested in him when he was waived. Then they chose not to make a claim. Then they trade a late pick. So dunno. Maybe some cost or risk due to the waiver claim. Maybe seeing Emery last night was enough for them to say why not deal the pick.
- John Jaeckel

I think the focus had to be there...Don't know why they didn't make a move sooner except maybe something having to do with suspension or as I think an injury to Hutton.

It would have cost Hawks a fee for a waiver claim although they would hold onto the pick.

I would be looking everywhere, here and abroad because there is a need for some quality goal keeping prospects.

Emery looked like he enjoyed the last nine months and didn't face many shots before camp.

He could be a lot better in a week or so...and if not there will be an issue.

Winnipeg TOI leader with 30:29 in shootout loss to Boston . . . 280 pound Dustin Byfuglien

jj kreuger looks alot bigger and faster have you seen a revised scouting report on him
My report is his hands look to be exceptional in tight spaces and with time and the ability to practice faceoffs with the best centerman in the league it will pay dividends in the near future. the term thinking the game alies to kreuger
- molly2522

No, just going on what I saw watching him at Rockford this year.

Kruger's ability in space was evident in 2009 when Wiz and I saw him in a scrimmage at Prospect Camp. To me, when everyone went home last summer, it seemed like he just needed to mature physically and translate that maturity into improvement in traffic, in the corners, at the dot, skating—all of which appears to have happened.

Kruger has high hockey sense and vision but something beyond that which is more important . . . the desire to compete and win.

Honestly, no.

I like the guy. He's not the athlete that Byfuglien was but I get the sense he's a similar kind of presence. I have been told by multiple sources Byfuglien was a great influence in the dressing room. He kept the room loose and therefore more together. And guys respected Byfuglien. You have to remember, these guys are together 24/7 and mostly without pads on. Bollig is built like the proverbial brick (ou)thouse with legs like tree trunks. And he is a really positive, up guy.

I don't konw if it's Kompon, or weeding out Havvy—who is a great guy but was clearly at odds with Q and Kitchen—but something has happened to this team that is more about its spirit than anything "instructional."

They are really, really confident. It's like the last two years have been forgotten. Some of it could be because they had, by my count, 10 guys playing during the lockout and that is more than a lot of teams. But it seems like the chemistry is very good, the depth is better and they are physical now as well as skilled.
- John Jaeckel

Didn't Q also say he needed to change his coaching approach? Maybe that's a factor too?

That's what's funny because I was told the Hawks were interested in him when he was waived. Then they chose not to make a claim. Then they trade a late pick. So dunno. Maybe some cost or risk due to the waiver claim. Maybe seeing Emery last night was enough for them to say why not deal the pick.
- John Jaeckel

I read somewhere that if they claimed him off waivers, they wouldn't be able to assign him to Rockford. I'm guessing the situation with Hutton also played a factor.

I read somewhere that if they claimed him off waivers, they wouldn't be able to assign him to Rockford. I'm guessing the situation with Hutton also played a factor.
- CrisCrossCrease

Probably more so the first. thanks

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"
- John Jaeckel

It's interesting how the NHL works in situations like this. Bowman realizes the Flames are the dregs of NHL society right now and has the opportunity to claim one of the 2 goalies Feaster put on waivers last week but doesn't. A few days later he gives Feaster a draft pick for Karlsson.

So is there anything to read into this? Like maybe Stan telling him he"ll try to help him out where he can if something comes up later in the season but would like first crack at Kiprusoff at the deadline if the Flames are out of it?

Didn't Q also say he needed to change his coaching approach? Maybe that's a factor too?
- golfbard

Much of why I found last year's team so frustrating came down to coaching. Given it's only two games, but most of those things seem to have changed this year. Agression on the PK, movement on the PP, less passing and more net presence on the PP, distribution of ice time, and the list goes on.

Q said all summer that he was going to be harder on the guys. Maybe scapegoating Haviland was more about sending a message to the players than about Mike's ability as a coach? Did Q give the players too much leeway the last two years? It might be a case of he was too hands off. If so, kudos to him for changing, but why did it take two years?

Much of why I found last year's team so frustrating came down to coaching. Given it's only two games, but most of those things seem to have changed this year. Agression on the PK, movement on the PP, less passing and more net presence on the PP, distribution of ice time, and the list goes on.

Q said all summer that he was going to be harder on the guys. Maybe scapegoating Haviland was more about sending a message to the players than about Mike's ability as a coach? Did Q give the players too much leeway the last two years? It might be a case of he was too hands off. If so, kudos to him for changing, but why did it take two years?
- NewToHockey

Yup.