Does Kassian contribute offensively playing on the line with the Sedins?
- jhawk159

5 goals?

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 any Euro at the end of a shift your team.
- PopCanBong

Fixed.

(I kid, because I love.)

Bieksa could handle most Hawks. He does have a tendency to avoid the actual heavyweights in the league.

Bollig, however, would destroy him and Bieksa will not actually engage him in a million years.

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

ZING!

"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

Wow, if you actually reported that post...well that's just chickensh!t JJ. You seem to throw out disparaging comments about players that use cheap shot tactics, well Keiths headshot was cowardly and he deserves all the criticism coming his way
Personally I think Keith will be targeted but I don't see it being cheap or cowardly.

Does Kassian contribute offensively playing on the line with the Sedins?
- jhawk159

From the few highlights I saw, Kassian has redirected some pucks and stuffed in rebounds on the pp. He's the big body player we wish Bickell would play like. That being said, in my opinion the guy is a jagoff and will be taking some dumb penalties tonight. He did the last time the Hawks and Nucks met.

Why is that? Because I don't agree that Kassian should have to fight Bollig and instead should be able to ride shotgun with the twins? Or is it for responding to another original sister comment ?
- golfingsince

More importantly, Kassian might agree that Kassian should not have to fight Bollig.

Also, anyone taking a shot at Toews (unprovoked) better get the golf clubs out. Their season will be over. Sorry. Just how it is. And you guys keep forgetting that Daniel took a shot at Keith first. Doesn't justify what Keith did.

But all this talk of payback on Hawk stars, if the Canucks are actually thinking that, will hurt them in the end as much or more than the Hawks.

From the few highlights I saw, Kassian has redirected some pucks and stuffed in rebounds on the pp. He's the big body player we wish Bickell would play like. That being said, in my opinion the guy is a jagoff and will be taking some dumb penalties tonight. He did the last time the Hawks and Nucks met.
- prd797

He's a different player already from the last time they met. Jagoff or not, he's got some skill and is tough enough to put Eager our with one punch.

From the few highlights I saw, Kassian has redirected some pucks and stuffed in rebounds on the pp. He's the big body player we wish Bickell would play like. That being said, in my opinion the guy is a jagoff and will be taking some dumb penalties tonight. He did the last time the Hawks and Nucks met.
- prd797

Ahh, perfect use of Chicagoese.

More importantly, Kassian might agree that Kassian should not have to fight Bollig.

Also, anyone taking a shot at Toews (unprovoked) better get the golf clubs out. Their season will be over. Sorry. Just how it is. And you guys keep forgetting that Daniel took a shot at Keith first. Doesn't justify what Keith did.

But all this talk of payback on Hawk stars, if the Canucks are actually thinking that, will hurt them in the end as much or more than the Hawks.
- John Jaeckel

What suspensions in recent memory would make you think that this is accurate?

He's a different player already from the last time they met. Jagoff or not, he's got some skill and is tough enough to put Eager our with one punch.
- 1970vintage

Dude, My Mom could put Benny and his mush for brains out with one punch. Come on.

More importantly, Kassian might agree that Kassian should not have to fight Bollig.

Also, anyone taking a shot at Toews (unprovoked) better get the golf clubs out. Their season will be over. Sorry. Just how it is. And you guys keep forgetting that Daniel took a shot at Keith first. Doesn't justify what Keith did.

But all this talk of payback on Hawk stars, if the Canucks are actually thinking that, will hurt them in the end as much or more than the Hawks.
- John Jaeckel

That's so childish.

We agree though, trying to get retribution in a physical sense will not end well. Canucks will come to play hockey, if they don't get down early it should be a good game.

Dude, My Mom could put Benny and his mush for brains out with one punch. Come on.
- John Jaeckel

Fair enough.

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.
- fattybeef

The kid will be good at some point, but you can't continue to have him skating with Toews and Hossa and not showing up on the score sheet. That's a prime spot and this team needs productivity.

They are far too talented to leave a kid in that spot just because...and hope he grows. I don't know what the magic number is in regards to games played, but either he craps or gets off the pot.....

What suspensions in recent memory would make you think that this is accurate?
- nucks_94

Torres, 25 games.

I am somewhat privy to a conversation that took place between Rockwell Wirtz and Gary Bettman the night Torres ran Hossa. Just saying, I don't think the league is going to shine britghtly on retaliations going back to last season.

Seriously, I bet Quenneville is hoping someone like Burrows or Bieksa will do something suspendable tonight. It probably hurts Vancouver as much or more than it does Chicago at this point.

Since you came to discuss hockey, instead of 'golfingsince'...do you think the Sedins are more effective w/Kassian on their line, or rewind to year's prior when they had Burrows? Further, do you think Kassian protects those guys more this year than last (or the year before)?

o your point, maybe it speaks to your point about not so much who's on the other wing, but more about the Defense?

I haven't seen anything Canuck related so far this year.
- eburgio

Zack has been very impressive to start the year and yes he gives not only the twins but the entire team more room and confidence and allows the canucks more versitility...if only AV keeps him there. When Kesler comes back and plays with Burrows...that will make it tough on any team, as those 2 can play against any top line in the league.

Our D will find their stride, i love Edler but AV is him playing on his wrong side, he's a pro and should adjust but it will take time. Garrisson is new, he'll come around, but with no preseason games it'll take time.

Fair enough.
- 1970vintage

All good.

More importantly, Kassian might agree that Kassian should not have to fight Bollig.

Also, anyone taking a shot at Toews (unprovoked) better get the golf clubs out. Their season will be over. Sorry. Just how it is. And you guys keep forgetting that Daniel took a shot at Keith first. Doesn't justify what Keith did.

But all this talk of payback on Hawk stars, if the Canucks are actually thinking that, will hurt them in the end as much or more than the Hawks.
- John Jaeckel

I'm pretty sure the Canucks will stick to hockey, although there will likely be a tilt or two in this game as i think it will be spirited. Clowe handed Kassian his lunch a week ago, so i'm sure Bollig could do that and more.

I'm pretty sure Zack will land a couple of bone rattling hits tonight though, and Keith might be on the receiving end of one.

Zack has been very impressive to start the year and yes he gives not only the twins but the entire team more room and confidence and allows the canucks more versitility...if only AV keeps him there. When Kesler comes back and plays with Burrows...that will make it tough on any team, as those 2 can play against any top line in the league.

Our D will find their stride, i love Edler but AV is him playing on his wrong side, he's a pro and should adjust but it will take time. Garrisson is new, he'll come around, but with no preseason games it'll take time.
- PopCanBong

All kidding aside, I would love to see a player like him on the Hawks. Exactly what they need.

I'm pretty sure the Canucks will stick to hockey, although there will likely be a tilt or two in this game as i think it will be spirited. Clowe handed Kassian his lunch a week ago, so i'm sure Bollig could do that and more.

I'm pretty sure Zack will land a couple of bone rattling hits tonight though, and Keith might be on the receiving end of one.
- golfingsince

All good. I can see that.

Torres, 25 games.

I am somewhat privy to a conversation that took place between Rockwell Wirtz and Gary Bettman the night Torres ran Hossa. Just saying, I don't think the league is going to shine britghtly on retaliations going back to last season.

Seriously, I bet Quenneville is hoping someone like Burrows or Bieksa will do something suspendable tonight. It probably hurts Vancouver as much or more than it does Chicago at this point.
- John Jaeckel

Maybe... Torres was a repeat offender though (i think) so that likely added to his suspension. I'm not saying that I don't agree with you, but I just don't think the league has shown that it's willing to suspend a guy for the season as you suggested.

All good.
- John Jaeckel

I'd go away, but Ian isn't half the blogger you are, and lately, it's all Toronto trolls in the thread...

That's so childish.

We agree though, trying to get retribution in a physical sense will not end well. Canucks will come to play hockey, if they don't get down early it should be a good game.
- 1970vintage

No, it's just that I think that's how Colin, er I mean Brendan Shanahan (sarcasm intended) looks at things. I will also tell you I think the league will have zero tolerance for shots on either teams' stars.

Keeping Stalberg on the 3rd line makes it dangerous and gives us 3 lines that are a threat to score. Although I don't think Saad is the type of player we need next to Hossa and Toews, neither is Stalberg. I think you and I agree Carcillo is. We don't have anything in the system to fill that roll now. So I am ok leaving Saad where he is. He hasn't really hurt us and has shown some flashes. And this is also pretty good experience for him for down the road.
- ilinkhawk

Carcillo is that guy for sure...110% agreed, and better be right back in that spot if the boy wonder is still up with club.

Saad hasn't hurt....but playing with 2 elite players he has to start cashing in on his chances. That's my point. He has to go to the net and free up room and use his hands to score some of thos coveted garbage goals.

Stalberg has been very good so far, and I gotta think he's wondering what the hell he has to do to get a shot playing top minutes when a rookie isn't producing? Those sorts of decisions can quickly start to segment a locker room...very quickly. All well fine when the team is winning, but when you're not...watch out.

I'm pretty sure the Canucks will stick to hockey, although there will likely be a tilt or two in this game as i think it will be spirited. Clowe handed Kassian his lunch a week ago, so i'm sure Bollig could do that and more.

I'm pretty sure Zack will land a couple of bone rattling hits tonight though, and Keith might be on the receiving end of one.
- golfingsince

I was hoping it was the other way around and Kassian handed Clowe his lunch. Clowe is a D-bag.

I'd go away, but Ian isn't half the blogger you are, and lately, it's all Toronto trolls in the thread...
- 1970vintage

Ward, aren't you being a little hard on the Beaver. Ian's a good guy.