I really can't believe everyone is buying in so highly on this San Jose team. Go look at the schedule they've played so far. They have played (actually) every other day and just finished the 5th game of a 6 game home stand. That means lots of practice time and rest - something the Hawks have been ill afforded. Then there is the overall competition level of their opponents: Flames, Oil twice, Avs; only played one division opponent - in the Shark tank no less. Oh, and to boot, two of their wins are 1992 ties (shootout wins).

The Hawks have beaten 3 division opponents, the defending champs, and 2 teams that gave them fits last year; while bouncing all over the country barely practicing.

The Hawks are contenders, so are the Blues and I really like what they've got going on out there in Anaheim.

I think the Hawks become instant top 5 cup contenders if SB adds 2 big forwards with some NHL experience who can skate, play, lay on the body and who will tread where few will. They don't have to be scrappers though that wouldn't be a bad thing, ideally they’ll play intelligently tough. Lots of guys to consider but acknowledging some grit is needed and then making a concerted effort to get these types of players in Hawk jerseys are the first steps. With 2 more players of this ilk, the Hawks have similar balance as they did in 2010. They can play any style with any team and with their core, they have as much or more speed and skill than any team in the league.
Then add a top 10 goalie and I think the Hawks become the team to beat.

If you guys want a good laugh, go check out Vancouver's last blog and their trade scenarios for Lu! They dump their crap that all their fans want out of town (Lu, Ballard, Raymond) and their return (for example) is Weiss, Gudbranson, Markstrom, and a 2nd!

If any game will get Bolland re-engaged, it will be tonight's game. Wonder which Sedin he'll drive nuts tonight?

I'll be impressed if Big Boy Kassian actually takes on another Big Boy, Bollig. But if so, he better duck. Or turtle.


- John Jaeckel

Why should our front line player fight a guy that can muster a career high 9 pts in the AHL? If nothing else, Kassian should provide the twins with a bit of sorely needed security.

Good morning everyone.

I wouldnt say the rivalry is dead. Im sure Bieksa or Kassian will do something dumb because of Keith's hit on the little sister last year. SO we'll see what happens. Also the Hawks and Nucks are just a play off series away from being a bitter rival again.

Also , the Hawks should be very excited to face Luongo tonight , with Vancouver in disarray if the Hawks can put up a large # on Luongo (Im not sure thats going to happen but if they can) the Canucks' dressing room problems could become more compounded. Schneider is suppose to be #1 but is flailing with Luongo looking over his shoulder.

It should be a good one tonight !
Lets go Hawks !

@mrploves33
- mrpaulish

You mean that blatant elbow to the head of a classy player. I'm sure you'll be fine if someone does that to Toews tonight........

Too bad we still didn't have Big Buff , he made it fun .....



- HurriKane

Great pic!

"It's been 7 games!

I shouldnt be surprised that a biased Chicago "writer" is already considering the Hawks as contenders.

Let's wait until the halfway point before we start separating contenders from pretenders. By then, we should have our second line healthy again and the Nucks will be playing their usual "Presidents Trophy" type of hockey.

By the way, I'd like to see the two cowards you mention pull the same BS with Kassian on that line. I can't wait to see Zack use Bolland's head like a punching bag."

Wow. Go back and read the blog. I think the pretty strong implication there is that I am not sold on either club as elite teams in the West, though the Hawks are closer. Tell you what. Use that mouse thingy and scroll down and look at the stats. And look at the standings. Yes, it's only 7 games. But 7 games are all we have to go by. You might also see throughout the blog that I feel the Hawks will have a very stiff challenge tonight.

- John Jaeckel

For the record, I think you've been more than fair and cautiously optimistic about this team. Has the start been good? Yes. But there's a lot of room for improvement. I don't think anyone has annointed the Hawks SC champs just yet.

will be good Game tonite, boys...rivalry is still there, hawks are good team...still early in season...tempo should be good one tonite

If any game will get Bolland re-engaged, it will be tonight's game. Wonder which Sedin he'll drive nuts tonight?
- paulr

my guess is none, not sure if you heard who their new linemate is, but if any one messes with a twin you get Mr. Kassian, ask your friend and mine, good old Benny Eager how that turned out.

I always look forward to a Hawks/Nucks game. Drop the puck.

You mean that blatant elbow to the head of a classy player. I'm sure you'll be fine if someone does that to Toews tonight........
- golfingsince

Are we talking Shane Doan "classy" Frankly I hope nobody on either side does anything stupid, as I would prefer the rivalry to be decided by scoring and goaltending instead of goonery and stupidity.

I really can't believe everyone is buying in so highly on this San Jose team. Go look at the schedule they've played so far. They have played (actually) every other day and just finished the 5th game of a 6 game home stand. That means lots of practice time and rest - something the Hawks have been ill afforded. Then there is the overall competition level of their opponents: Flames, Oil twice, Avs; only played one division opponent - in the Shark tank no less. Oh, and to boot, two of their wins are 1992 ties (shootout wins).

The Hawks have beaten 3 division opponents, the defending champs, and 2 teams that gave them fits last year; while bouncing all over the country barely practicing.

The Hawks are contenders, so are the Blues and I really like what they've got going on out there in Anaheim.
- nathanjf

If you look at the Sharks, their top two lines are good, but there's a drop off after that. Other than Burish, I'm not sure there's another player I can think of that resides outside the top two lines. But even when you look at that, Marleau/Pavelski/Thornton line are really the ones carrying the load. That line has scored more than some teams have so far. That's bound to dry up soon. Niemi has been pretty solid, however.

I doubt there will be any shenanigans, the points are too important. Canucks have been guilty of slow starts thus far, so they will need to keep it tight for the first 10 minutes to make sure they are still in the game. I think the players still think there is a rivalry and the intensity will be there, another 3-2 game, first goal wins.

Anyone have an update on Rozsival? Is he still day-to-day?

Are we talking Shane Doan "classy" Frankly I hope nobody on either side does anything stupid, as I would prefer the rivalry to be decided by scoring and goaltending instead of goonery and stupidity.
- prd797

I'm not suggesting you like the Sedins, but to suggest that either one is not classy is kinda ridonkulous.

You mean that blatant elbow to the head of a classy player. I'm sure you'll be fine if someone does that to Toews tonight........
- golfingsince

"Our" What are you on the team ?

Kassian is not a top line player even if he spends time on the time line.

Classy ? hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

You easily forget the Sedin cheap shotted Keith first , of course unsuccuessfully because well the Sedins are weak physically.

All the diving the Sedin's do makes them anything other than classy. Maybe Bieksa will fight someone other than Stalberg or Desjardans . What a clown.

If you look at the Sharks, their top two lines are good, but there's a drop off after that. Other than Burish, I'm not sure there's another player I can think of that resides outside the top two lines. But even when you look at that, Marleau/Pavelski/Thornton line are really the ones carrying the load. That line has scored more than some teams have so far. That's bound to dry up soon. Niemi has been pretty solid, however.
- eburgio

They've been sqeaking by in the last couple of games. Won in Edmonton last night in the glorified coin toss (shoot-out). Their win streak is mirroring that of the one the Hawks just had, strong wins early with lots of scoring, followed by several close wins and games that could've gone either way (like last night's). I have a feeling they'll get their first loss relatively soon.

At the end of this trip, you have 25% of the season gone, and it will be interesting to see where this team lies at that point.

1. Crawford has played very well...I'll give him credit. So far so good, but still a long way to go..and regular season success doesn't mean crap. Win a playoff series. I still want NOTHING to do with Luongo, as I posted his career melt downs come spring time a few threads back.

The immortal Craig Anderson also HAS NOT won a playoff series. He played very well in both...

2. The depth scoring on this team still is a MAJOR concern. Everyone wants to get excited about this great 3rd line. 4 goals in 7 games isn't anything to get nuts over. This line has to put on their big boy pants, and start consistently producing.

3. The center depth is glaring. Your 2nd best faceoff man is Shaw who is at 48%. Mayers is at 58%, which begs the question, WHY IS HE NOT playing? The objective is to win championships. If they are sitting back grooming Shaw and Kruger for the future, fine...but it's going to cost them games late when Toews can't take a key draw and these 2 are dominated at the dot. Bolland at 41% is pathetic.

4. Keith and Seabrook are a combined -7. That has to improve.

Overall, the 6-0-1 could be the false positive this team showcased early last year, until the bottom fell out in February.

I don't doubt they can compete for in the west. However without some added size, and another face off man they are going to flame out by round 2.

I think the Hawks become instant top 5 cup contenders if SB adds 2 big forwards with some NHL experience who can skate, play, lay on the body and who will tread where few will. They don't have to be scrappers though that wouldn't be a bad thing, ideally they’ll play intelligently tough. Lots of guys to consider but acknowledging some grit is needed and then making a concerted effort to get these types of players in Hawk jerseys are the first steps. With 2 more players of this ilk, the Hawks have similar balance as they did in 2010. They can play any style with any team and with their core, they have as much or more speed and skill than any team in the league.
Then add a top 10 goalie and I think the Hawks become the team to beat.
- paulr

That's an excellent blueprint for success. Now just who should they give up to get those players - a bunch of excess garbage in Toledo and Rockford? I'm very surprised Stan couldn't turn Peter Leblanc into Andrew Ladd or Max Pacioretty. Instead, all he could do was open a space on his 50 man total roster.

I think the Hawks become instant top 5 cup contenders if SB adds 2 big forwards with some NHL experience who can skate, play, lay on the body and who will tread where few will. They don't have to be scrappers though that wouldn't be a bad thing, ideally they’ll play intelligently tough. Lots of guys to consider but acknowledging some grit is needed and then making a concerted effort to get these types of players in Hawk jerseys are the first steps. With 2 more players of this ilk, the Hawks have similar balance as they did in 2010. They can play any style with any team and with their core, they have as much or more speed and skill than any team in the league.
Then add a top 10 goalie and I think the Hawks become the team to beat.
- paulr

That's an excellent blueprint for success. Now just who should they give up to get those players - a bunch of excess garbage in Toledo and Rockford? I'm very surprised Stan couldn't turn Peter Leblanc into Andrew Ladd or Max Pacioretty. Instead, all he could do was open a space on his 50 man total roster.

I'm not suggesting you like the Sedins, but to suggest that either one is not classy is kinda ridonkulous.
- golfingsince

It appears Esplen hasn't conjured up any realistic trade scenarios that Canuck fans can discuss yet today, which is why they are here.

Regardless the intent of Keith's hit last year (i believe it was unnecessary), as long as that little mattress stain Burrows is on your team, I think you should refrain from using the word class regarding any Canuck.

At the end of this trip, you have 25% of the season gone, and it will be interesting to see where this team lies at that point.

1. Crawford has played very well...I'll give him credit. So far so good, but still a long way to go..and regular season success doesn't mean crap. Win a playoff series. I still want NOTHING to do with Luongo, as I posted his career melt downs come spring time a few threads back.

The immortal Craig Anderson also HAS NOT won a playoff series. He played very well in both...

2. The depth scoring on this team still is a MAJOR concern. Everyone wants to get excited about this great 3rd line. 4 goals in 7 games isn't anything to get nuts over. This line has to put on their big boy pants, and start consistently producing.

3. The center depth is glaring. Your 2nd best faceoff man is Shaw who is at 48%. Mayers is at 58%, which begs the question, WHY IS HE NOT playing? The objective is to win championships. If they are sitting back grooming Shaw and Kruger for the future, fine...but it's going to cost them games late when Toews can't take a key draw and these 2 are dominated at the dot. Bolland at 41% is pathetic. 4. Keith and Seabrook are a combined -7. That has to improve.

Overall, the 6-0-1 could be the false positive this team showcased early last year, until the bottom fell out in February.

I don't doubt they can compete for in the west. However without some added size, and another face off man they are going to flame out by round 2.
- SteveRain

Bolland's faceoff % needs to be at 52 % to justify him as the #2 center in my eyes. He has a long way to go and it is a valid concern.

"Our" What are you on the team ?

Kassian is not a top line player even if he spends time on the time line.

Classy ? hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

You easily forget the Sedin cheap shotted Keith first , of course unsuccuessfully because well the Sedins are weak physically.

All the diving the Sedin's do makes them anything other than classy. Maybe Bieksa will fight someone other than Stalberg or Desjardans . What a clown.
- mrpaulish

Anyone who thinks the Sedins are soft need to pay closer attention...they don't fight, we get it, but it takes a ton of strenght to take the abuse they get night after night and not fight back, not once. The come to play hockey not MMA, frick Henrick hasn't missed a game in years and is 2nd behind Jay Bo in Calgary for the league iron man (but Hank plays in the playoffs)...how many sick days you had last year?

Now Bieksa, I'm pretty sure he'd have a go with anyone your team.

"Our" What are you on the team ?

Kassian is not a top line player even if he spends time on the time line.

Classy ? hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

You easily forget the Sedin cheap shotted Keith first , of course unsuccuessfully because well the Sedins are weak physically.

All the diving the Sedin's do makes them anything other than classy. Maybe Bieksa will fight someone other than Stalberg or Desjardans . What a clown.
- mrpaulish

1. Our, as in the team from Our city that We cheer for. It shouldn't be too difficult to understand so i'll just give you a bit more time to process it.

2. Classy, as in donate time and plenty of money to various charities. I don't think he's ever had a major penalty in his career.

3. Of course it's diving, nobody would ever be guilty of an infraction of a top scorer in the league.

4. He has more goals than Kane or Toews, but maybe you didn't know that. It's gonna be hard to give all the credit to the Sedins seeing as how he has more points than Henrik. Yup, 1st line player.

5. Coming from the team that dressed John Scott in the playoffs?