oh and since this is a Van/Chicago thread for the next 48 or so hours I should mention.....

Don't feed the trolls.
- nathanjf

Hawks better win tonight or it could get ugly on here.

"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.

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

BTW, just cuz I've had a bad week, your post was reported.


- John Jaeckel

Aw JJ now we might not have the stupid clown car posts to rag on.

Oh...and Brandon Saad, has ZERO points in 6 games all playing with toews and Hossa. Time for Stalberg to be moved up and Saad to go to the bench for Mayers, or to Rockford for a larger body.

Carcillo had 1 pt in 2 periods with those 2.

Enough said...

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.
- eburgio

Yes, one player clearly dictates the classiness of the whole team. That Malhotra sure is a jerk!

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

You have a real "loose" definition of classy. LOL

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.
- mrpaulish

100% agree. This needs to be a focus EVERY day in practice for him. When he was playing with lesser talent it wasn't as alarming.

BUT...if your system is all puck possession, 60% of the time Sharp, and Kane don't have the puck for a good part of the shift because Bolland can't win a draw.

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

Pretty deep on the blue line. Ridiculous top two lines provided those guys are healthy.

Plus there is a lot of jam up and down that line up. Even on their top two lines they have bangers with a high level of skill.

They are also 3 elite centers deep and have all kinds of flexibility to effectively distribute skill up and down. And stressing again... With the exception of Havlat, who is a strong player in his own right (though fluke injuries ugh), their top six is very skilled and very very physical.

They are the Bizarro Hawks and fairly well equipped to compete for a Cup assuming health.

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.
- PopCanBong

Strength doesn not equate to being soft or not. They do not initiate contact. Thats the definition of soft.

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

And where will these 3 players be coming from, and for what? There is certainly a sizable price to pay if SB is out looking to acquire some of those types, especially at the trade deadline. This is why the Hawks succeeded in the first place, because they had a million draft picks to develop after years of being a terrible team, rather than trading for players as needed.

Let's also note, SB's track record isn't that great. The only trade that probably worked out in his favor was the one that landed Leddy. He gave up both the 2nd and 3rd round picks in this year's draft for Oduya, so using those picks to land one of those big bodies is out of the question. And don't the Hawks have a guy in the AHL that was supposed to have all the qualities of a big power forward by the name of Kyle Beach? I know SB didn't draft him but his development program hasn't exactly worked out in that case.

You have a real "loose" definition of classy. LOL
- Blackwater13

Well, he's not Patrick Kane classy that's for sure....

Yes, one player clearly dictates the classiness of the whole team. That Malhotra sure is a jerk!
- nucks_94

he is. i don't trust players with lazy eyes, no matter how they got them

Pretty deep on the blue line. Ridiculous top two lines provided those guys are healthy.

Plus there is a lot of jam up and down that line up. Even on their top two lines they have bangers with a high level of skill.

They are also 3 elite centers deep and have all kinds of flexibility to effectively distribute skill up and down. And stressing again... With the exception of Havlat, who is a strong player in his own right (though fluke injuries ugh), their top six is very skilled and very very physical.

They are the Bizarro Hawks and fairly well equipped to compete for a Cup assuming health.
- fattybeef

The Sharks depth at C is certainly enviable.

Strength doesn not equate to being soft or not. They do not initiate contact. Thats the definition of soft.
- Gerk

Why would you initiate contact if you already have the puck?

Well, he's not Patrick Kane classy that's for sure....
- golfingsince

what's your end goal, here? to be a douche? ok fine...you're awarded 1st place. Congrats.

i'm sure the Sedins are nice guys. They're good players. The Hawks have good players too..with a ring.

Strength doesn not equate to being soft or not. They do not initiate contact. Thats the definition of soft.
- Gerk

Meh. Henrik has 5 hits this year, Pietrangelo has 3. So does Perron.

JJ,

Think your a game premature in stating the rivalry is dead. Let's see how tonight's game plays out. By the number of Nucks troll posts that have already been posted here including ones by those that "only post here on the Canuck blog" I think it's not quite dead yet.

Hawks drop a shootout to a decent team and people are back to saying this team isn't big enough. I don't completely disagree, but its funny regardless.

Also funny- I remember thinking last year that if this team could just fix the special teams, they'd be looked upon so much better and would pull out close games instead of dropping them.

So far, that has been the case.

Why would you initiate contact if you already have the puck?
- PopCanBong

How does Daniel have a negative +/- if they always have the puck?

Pretty deep on the blue line. Ridiculous top two lines provided those guys are healthy.

Plus there is a lot of jam up and down that line up. Even on their top two lines they have bangers with a high level of skill.

They are also 3 elite centers deep and have all kinds of flexibility to effectively distribute skill up and down. And stressing again... With the exception of Havlat, who is a strong player in his own right (though fluke injuries ugh), their top six is very skilled and very very physical.

They are the Bizarro Hawks and fairly well equipped to compete for a Cup assuming health.
- fattybeef

I agree with you. Sharks have the best team in the West IMO that can compete in the regular season AND give team fits in the playoffs. Jam throughout lineup, deep, speed, experience, size... and a goalie who has won it all.

Oh...and Brandon Saad, has ZERO points in 6 games all playing with toews and Hossa. Time for Stalberg to be moved up and Saad to go to the bench for Mayers, or to Rockford for a larger body.

Carcillo had 1 pt in 2 periods with those 2.

Enough said...
- SteveRain

Meh. Like I said in the other blog I think he should be moved away from Hossa.

This discussion has reached the point of silliness. Rather obvious he is not going anywhere until either A. the road trip is over or B. Carcillo comes back. He hasn't done anything to warrant a benching at this point, though not necessarily justifying a surplus of ice time.

Regardless of their line arrangements they should win this evening but if things are stale to start I can see a few changes being made and would not be opposed to that.

On a side note kind of funny how there were incessant complaints about the line shuffling the last 3 years and now that they have remained constant a lot of us want them changed.

what's your end goal, here? to be a douche? ok fine...you're awarded 1st place. Congrats.

i'm sure the Sedins are nice guys. They're good players. The Hawks have good players too..with a ring.
- eburgio

Wow, thanks for stooping. Did that one sting a little? Maybe it just made you realize that in comparison to some of the other elite players out there the Sedins are quite classy.

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.
- dutchtouch

Hey Douchetouch, did ya read the blog?

Well, he's not Patrick Kane classy that's for sure....
- golfingsince

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEuUXLFbV9A

You're right , Not as classy as Kaneeer !!

The Sharks depth at C is certainly enviable.
- nathanjf

yup

Oh...and Brandon Saad, has ZERO points in 6 games all playing with toews and Hossa. Time for Stalberg to be moved up and Saad to go to the bench for Mayers, or to Rockford for a larger body.

Carcillo had 1 pt in 2 periods with those 2.

Enough said...
- SteveRain

I agree Steve. I made the point yesterday that it may help the Hawks and Saad to switch Saad and Stalberg. Saad by being on the top line is going against the oppositions best checking line. Maybe the Hawks get some production out of Saad by moving him to the third line.