I don't know what your point is.

Burrows was undrafted and made the NHL, yes good research.

Bolland and the word merit in the same sentence is a bit of an oxymoron, don't you think?

But hey we could spin these tires all day.

Should be a great game!
- Mattjd123

If you feel seasons of 67, 85 and 130 points in junior is without merit I'd suggest you look up the word oxymoron because it is obvious you only understand the part of that word that shows your level of intelligence, comprehension and understanding.

If you feel seasons of 67, 85 and 130 points in junior is without merit I'd suggest you look up the word oxymoron because it is obvious you only understand the part of that word that shows your level of intelligence, comprehension and understanding.
- paulr

If he's so good why does he have to play like such an ass?

So does Bolland. You guys love having him on your team, and we love having Burrows on ours.
- Fosco

Some of us have not developed a luv for Bolland. The man couldn't win a big draw to save his own life. The sooner he's off the second line the better.

Hawks are still in need of 2nd line center, but the last man to correct that is Stan Bowman.

If he's so good why does he have to play like such an ass?
- PopCanBong

His style of play totally neutralized the Sedins in two playoff rounds.

>Recent trends Hawks need to improve:
>Solving the 2-man forecheck -- look for Canucks to start with it
Hawks need much better 5-man spacing to create better breakouts
>Shift length and line changes
Lines have been changing less and less as a unit with some players floating
around looking for a cherrypick, then getting caught playing D with 1/2 of the
other next line -- the rhythm of rolling four lines only works when ALL players
buy into it
>Faceoffs -- yes, Toews is always very good -- but
Other centers lose too many draws too cleanly
Hawk forwards are losing too many puck battles right off the draw
>Net Presence -- needs to be a priority
Goalies seeing Hawk shots far too easily these last few games
Need to actually block the goalie's view, not just stand in front of the net
>Hawks will play a solid game if they improve in these areas
- SnapitUpstairs

At a minimum crashing the net would be nice to see. Baby steps


Good points otherwise

First off, Bolland shut Thornton down in the 2010 playoffs, so that point is irrelevant. Thornton is a big guy, but he doesn't often throw down and resorts to cheap shots, like punching Toews in the head last season and being an overall bag-o-$hit.

You also note that because Burrows "makes marvelous plays" and generally "plays hockey first" implies that he can get a pass for being dirty?! Hair pulling, cheap shots, biting, etc. can be ignored because he is skilled?!

Bear in mind Bolland also has an underrated offensive part of his game (which since he is getting a shot as our 2C might make him less underrated in that aspect) and he scored some wonderful goals, especially short handed, against many teams, including your Nucks in the playoffs (like when he had pavol demitra draped on his back and still scored against Loungo shorthanded).

He has also been one of the best checking centers in the league, and he's done it very well in the playoffs. Both can play hockey, both have different roles, but being an agitator and pissing of the other team is far more relevant for one than the other.
- prd797

Bolland is very effective at his job as a third line C who can shut down the opposing 1'st line and get under their skin.....it is why you like him as do I and it is why we like Burrows because he can do the same thing. Bolland is a cheap player as is Burrows.....most players who come into the league to be shut down players are.

I think the difference with our 1'st line this year is Kassian. Having him out there with the twins seems to give the twins more comfort and I have seen them be a bit more aggressive with opposing players. Kassian will do his job which is to be there to intimidate the opposing players with his size if it comes down to that.

At a minimum crashing the net would be nice to see. Baby steps


Good points otherwise
- fattybeef

I said it in one of the last blogs, seeing Stalberg at least go and stand in front of the net on the PP was a welcome sight and though not a big guy Shaw seems to find his way there. Since the Cup have watched the last two years of guys passing the puck around the boards and never having someone within a sniff of the net while on the PP. Maddening!

Like you said baby steps.

If you feel seasons of 67, 85 and 130 points in junior is without merit I'd suggest you look up the word oxymoron because it is obvious you only understand the part of that word that shows your level of intelligence, comprehension and understanding.
- paulr

Maybe you should look up synonym or redundant...

But lets not get petty my friend.

There is no merit in that.

http://blogs.theprovince....f-his-suspension-cant-be/

Interesting.

His style of play totally neutralized the Sedins in two playoff rounds.
- paulr

Ya i know, that's why i think he's an ass.

That said, he didn't do it all on his own, he had help...if A/V (Coach) new how to make simple adjustments then Bolland wouldn't have been able to do squat.

Frolik-Toews-Hossa > Frolik has worked really hard and is winning board battles consistently, and looks offensively dangerous…he's earned a chance.

- andru2797

Key word is 'looks'. He's as dangerous as a cap gun.

He's been absolutely fantastic on the PK but he's proven over and over that he doesn't have the scoring touch in this system. Toews and Hossa do more than their share along the boards and defensively... maybe Frolik doing the digging would free them up a bit, but I haven't seen much of a set up game from him at all.

If I was going to reward Frolik with anything, it would be power play time. Look at how he used to score in Florida- a lot of dirty goals, all very close to the net.

Get Frolik some PP time instead of Shaw and see if he can jam a few home. I'd like to see that.

So if my francais serves me, they're talking Bickell for Eller but Bergy wants Stalberg too (?).

I can see Bickell plus a prospect. Doubt they would do Bickell plus Stalberg.
- John Jaeckel

No, it says Stalberg would make sense, if Weber were part of the deal. Of course it would, for the Canadiens.

I said it in one of the last blogs, seeing Stalberg at least go and stand in front of the net on the PP was a welcome sight and though not a big guy Shaw seems to find his way there. Since the Cup have watched the last two years of guys passing the puck around the boards and never having someone within a sniff of the net while on the PP. Maddening!

Like you said baby steps.
- HawkintheD

Yeah Stalberg is actually really strong on his skates... Some fine tuning is needed but not many other options at this juncture in time.

I suppose there is a reason a guy like Holmström can have such a long career. Not many people can do that thankless task well. Though Buff was the closest thing I've seen and it is beyond unfortunate he didn't relish that role more. Ugh irritating.

St. Louis was a big win and IMO this would be just as big.

I never really know what to expect when playing Vancouver..
- pri$ey

expect to lose.

Will Q match up Bolland-Kane-Sharp against the Sedins or Kruegers line?

Canucks are dirty from the top down. From their crybaby GM and coach to the olympic diving team on the ice.

I would love nothing more than to annihilate them tonight.

expect to lose.
- Scooby_Doo

Hey...did you hear about the new Vancouver Canuck designer jeans ?

Yeah...they got the zipper in the back. Scooby grabbed the whole rack.

Maybe you should look up synonym or redundant...

But lets not get petty my friend.

There is no merit in that.
- Mattjd123

No there isn't.

Hey...did you hear about the new Vancouver Canuck designer jeans ?

Yeah...they got the zipper in the back. Scooby grabbed the whole rack.
- philco28

Let's go Chicago!!!

Canucks are dirty from the top down. From their crybaby GM and coach to the olympic diving team on the ice.

I would love nothing more than to annihilate them tonight.
- CBHawks88

If the Hawks can light up Luongo.... I know thats a massive IF at this point in time but If the Hawks can make Luongo look silly again then Vancouver will have even more goalie related dressing room turmoil.
Hawks PP has been better this year so let Vancouver take dumb after the whistle penalties if they want. 5 on 5 the Hawks are a deeper team.
If Saad finishes tonight with 0 points it should be his last nite on the top line for a while.

If the Hawks can light up Luongo.... I know thats a massive IF at this point in time but If the Hawks can make Luongo look silly again then Vancouver will have even more goalie related dressing room turmoil.
Hawks PP has been better this year so let Vancouver take dumb after the whistle penalties if they want. 5 on 5 the Hawks are a deeper team.
If Saad finishes tonight with 0 points it should be his last nite on the top line for a while.
- mrpaulish

I think it's the other way around. If Lou shuts down the Hawks it creates more controversy. Regardless, I want to see him do well.

Let's go Chicago!!!
- al3535

Traitor.

I think it's the other way around. If Lou shuts down the Hawks it creates more controversy. Regardless, I want to see him do well.
- golfingsince

I see what you're saying. I just think Gillis over valued Schneider. He could have traded him for so.e assets. If Luongo is good again tonight Gillis gains some leverage back if he wants to deal him. If Luongo is bad the Canucks GM will have negative turmoil to deal with.

I see what you're saying. I just think Gillis over valued Schneider. He could have traded him for so.e assets. If Luongo is good again tonight Gillis gains some leverage back if he wants to deal him. If Luongo is bad the Canucks GM will have negative turmoil to deal with.
- mrpaulish

Oddly enough, besides that one off game against Anaheim to open the season he's played pretty well. His save percentage in the other games is .935. I'm one of the minority that is in no hurry to trade either goalie as the Canucks play 16 games in March. Two excellent goalies will come in handy.