Hossa needs to play with Kane, I think I've mentioned this twice and I'll continue to bring it up. They look so good out there together and Kane has been finding Hossa constantly.

I like how Saad is playing, it hasn't translated into points thus far, but he definitely has the intensity and has been playing smart for the most part.

Somethings happened with Sharp, not too sure what is going on. Hopefully he'll turn something around.

Emery got us the 2 points last night and Crawford has been making big saves (minus his 5-hole). We don't have a dominant goalie, but this combination could put together a good year.
- HawksHype

Unless you put Kane at center, Hossa and Kane can't play on the same line and I sure don't want Kane at center!

Maybe the way to get more consistency is to pair Kane with Toews and Hossa with Sharp? As much as I like Hossa and Toews together, Quenneville needs to get Sharp going and maybe the best way to do that is get Hossa on his line.

Wait...have they lost a game?

16 out of 18 possible points?

Did anyone of YOU think this was gonna be the positive start to the season they wanted?
I sure didn't...so pick pick pick pick away at what is "wrong."

No.... the overtime LOSSES are Ties in my book.

Are they tired?

Sure.

Are they still playing hard?

They won a stinker didn't they?


And let's put to rest the Saad issue because he is staying, and no worse than any of the other rookies still around the league.

Clearly, Saad was their best option because he is so quick, strong on the pins, and strong on the puck and good on the wall...he fits the run and gun better than slugs like Hayes, Smith, Morin to play with the better skilled fast stars.

Not saying these guys can't play somewhere, just that they all start somewhere get chances in variuos pigeon holes, and you have to show upward progression, and that they don't get stuck in quicksand along the way, and he hasn't...his sin is he hasn't scored enough for you...

All yesterday convinced me of was Calgary needs scorers, and a bigger horseshoe.



The last three games have only further convinced me that the shoot out sucks balls, and that in each game the better on ice for 65 minutes team lost.

those should have been ties.

Or have a three on three for 5 minutes and there will be less shoot-outs.


I noticed the Hockey Night in Canada announcers had more respect for the way the Indianhead players go about business than their fans do.
Anybody want to make up 50 trade scenarios (that are NOt gonna happen at this juncture, b/c teams are not letting go of guys in a shrunken schedule, where you may need everybody with the injury issues...).
- wiz1901

This may be your all time best post Wiz, enjoyed reading it.

"well, let's not start sucking each others d***ks quite yet"

the hawks are 7-0-2.....anyone remember the Bears 7-1 start?

as a TEAM, they are not playing well - a few heroic efforts by Hossa has saved their bacon.

Q is slipping back into his stubborn mode and not rolling 4 lines - can't work long term in this condensed season.

Enjoying them winning, just not convinced they have what it takes based on how they are playing

old problems still exist...face offs, PP, net presence, refusing to dump puck in,etc.

detroit is a shell of its former self, vancouver has no 2nd line, calgary...well, is calgary
- dpard

I do but I don't think that's a great comparison. The Bears had a bunch of defensive wins in those 7 and the offense ended up being a mess all year. Did you really think they were a playoff team or one that could go deep?

The second part of my statement going deep in the playoffs obviously is still a ? mark for this team but I disagree with some of the things you mentioned.

Last night was the first game I watched where they abandoned dumping the puck and were trying to skate it across the blue line.

Other than Bolland at 41% Face Offs haven't been horrible with Shaw and Krueger going at 48% and 49% (Toews at like 65%). Kruegs won 3 and lost 14 last night but I would say toss that game out as anything really meaningful as you could tell they had nothing in the tank and because of Emery were able to steal a win.

I actually have seen guys going to the net on the PP. Maybe they haven't quite mastered the art a la Tomas Holmstrom but I'm encouraged to at least see a body with the Indianhead on it in front of the opposing net.

The power play has been better but there are still issues like looking for the perfect passing play to score back door. Please stop that; shoot the puck and see what happens.

I think you're seeing some decent things though. I am anyway: not burning out Keith and Seabs, the pk has been much improved and they are using other guys so Toews doesn't get burned out and the goaltending has been good to start the season.

Those are a few things and they've only played 2 games at home. Have they answered all the ?'s; no probably not but I'm enjoying the start to the season.

Unless you put Kane at center, Hossa and Kane can't play on the same line and I sure don't want Kane at center!

Maybe the way to get more consistency is to pair Kane with Toews and Hossa with Sharp? As much as I like Hossa and Toews together, Quenneville needs to get Sharp going and maybe the best way to do that is get Hossa on his line.
- paulr

You're right, for the long haul you can't pair those two together, but they have shown good results on the small time they share the ice (mainly OT, but sometimes in regulation).

Pairing Hossa with Bolland and Sharp would be good. Hopefully Hossa can get both scoring and making plays. Sharp has looked lost out there, but I don't think it will last and think something will change. Toews with Kane, can't knock it there. I love them together.

Great post as usual JJ. Youre last sentance you mentionned unless there is any big news. Are you hearing any trade winds?

Oduya /Hjalmarsson - most TOI (26+ minutes).

Keith/Seabrook at about 23.
- StLBravesFan

About time. The second pairing has been far more solid than Seabs and Keith, and that top pairing needs to find their game again soon before Q decides he wants to run them into the ground again like the last few years.

It's great that you have come over from the Dark Side of the Moon - at least for a couple of days. But that's OK, even I think Loss 1 is just around the corner. But after it happens, they will repay the Sharks twice at the UC in mid February. If the team can stay relatively healthy thru this ridiculous schedule to start the season, they will be in great shape. (And they have already sewn up a playoff spot).
- RickJ

Whats up RickJ??


Anyone know what is up with Bolland ? How bad is it ?

http://avalanche.nhl.com/...r.htm?id=8475158&view=bio

I'll take 1 Ryan O'Reilly to go please !!

Whats up RickJ??


Anyone know what is up with Bolland ? How bad is it ?

http://avalanche.nhl.com/...r.htm?id=8475158&view=bio

I'll take 1 Ryan O'Reilly to go please !!
- mrpaulish

On Bolland, Sassone reported that it wan't as bad as it looked or originally thought. He's traveling with the team to SJ and is day to day.

I do but I don't think that's a great comparison. The Bears had a bunch of defensive wins in those 7 and the offense ended up being a mess all year. Did you really think they were a playoff team or one that could go deep?

The second part of my statement going deep in the playoffs obviously is still a ? mark for this team but I disagree with some of the things you mentioned.

Last night was the first game I watched where they abandoned dumping the puck and were trying to skate it across the blue line.

Other than Bolland at 41% Face Offs haven't been horrible with Shaw and Krueger going at 48% and 49% (Toews at like 65%). Kruegs won 3 and lost 14 last night but I would say toss that game out as anything really meaningful as you could tell they had nothing in the tank and because of Emery were able to steal a win.

I actually have seen guys going to the net on the PP. Maybe they haven't quite mastered the art a la Tomas Holmstrom but I'm encouraged to at least see a body with the Indianhead on it in front of the opposing net.

The power play has been better but there are still issues like looking for the perfect passing play to score back door. Please stop that; shoot the puck and see what happens.

I think you're seeing some decent things though. I am anyway: not burning out Keith and Seabs, the pk has been much improved and they are using other guys so Toews doesn't get burned out and the goaltending has been good to start the season.

Those are a few things and they've only played 2 games at home. Have they answered all the ?'s; no probably not but I'm enjoying the start to the season.
- HawkintheD

not a great comparison?

toss out the bad FO nites to make numbers better?

Can't judge the team too much.

3rd straight 3 in 4 nights with crazy travel and no practice vs. a team playing it's 6th!! game in 2 weeks. Chicago was only Calgary's second game this week (which included a break of 4 days!). This schedule is completely messed up. Really looking forward to this line-up getting some rest, practice time and home cooking; only hoping they won't be completely burned out by then.
- nathanjf

My bet is they consulted with experts on sleep, fatigue and nutrition on how best to handle the road trip and the condensed schedule. And McD is probably taking all of the boys to Dairy Queen for a treat this afternoon.

Can't judge the team too much.

3rd straight 3 in 4 nights with crazy travel and no practice vs. a team playing it's 6th!! game in 2 weeks. Chicago was only Calgary's second game this week (which included a break of 4 days!). This schedule is completely messed up. Really looking forward to this line-up getting some rest, practice time and home cooking; only hoping they won't be completely burned out by then.
- nathanjf

My bet is they consulted with experts on sleep, fatigue and nutrition on how best to handle the road trip and the condensed schedule. And McD is probably taking all of the boys to Dairy Queen for a treat this afternoon.

not a great comparison?

toss out the bad FO nites to make numbers better?
- dpard

Yeah it was one horrible game where other than Emery they had nothing going. The season has yet to be played out and sure they have holes in their game but the Bears comparison other than the start to the season? Just don't think it's a good one.

Other than the Indy game (first one) name another where the offense was the reason they won. They beat no one (other than Dallas at that time) that was considered a playoff caliber team. Don't say Indy because they weren't when the Bears beat them.

Just think that's a tough comparison to make. You're welcome to it but I disagree is all.

John,
Great title...I didn't think Emery had it in him.

Here is the last line from article...
I would like to think nothing can surprise me when it comes to the Blackhawks but Emery's performance was hard to believe

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

John,
Great title...I didn't think Emery had it in him.

Here is the last line from article...
I would like to think nothing can surprise me when it comes to the Blackhawks but Emery's performance was hard to believe

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I always wondered why Pirri wasnt called up .

Yeah it was one horrible game where other than Emery they had nothing going. The season has yet to be played out and sure they have holes in their game but the Bears comparison other than the start to the season? Just don't think it's a good one.

Other than the Indy game (first one) name another where the offense was the reason they won. They beat no one (other than Dallas at that time) that was considered a playoff caliber team. Don't say Indy because they weren't when the Bears beat them.

Just think that's a tough comparison to make. You're welcome to it but I disagree is all.
- HawkintheD

you're making my case for me

the Hawks are building points because of D and G..who'da thunk it?
the Hawks offense is a mess

I do but I don't think that's a great comparison. The Bears had a bunch of defensive wins in those 7 and the offense ended up being a mess all year. Did you really think they were a playoff team or one that could go deep?

The second part of my statement going deep in the playoffs obviously is still a ? mark for this team but I disagree with some of the things you mentioned.

Last night was the first game I watched where they abandoned dumping the puck and were trying to skate it across the blue line.

Other than Bolland at 41% Face Offs haven't been horrible with Shaw and Krueger going at 48% and 49% (Toews at like 65%). Kruegs won 3 and lost 14 last night but I would say toss that game out as anything really meaningful as you could tell they had nothing in the tank and because of Emery were able to steal a win.

I actually have seen guys going to the net on the PP. Maybe they haven't quite mastered the art a la Tomas Holmstrom but I'm encouraged to at least see a body with the Indianhead on it in front of the opposing net.

The power play has been better but there are still issues like looking for the perfect passing play to score back door. Please stop that; shoot the puck and see what happens.

I think you're seeing some decent things though. I am anyway: not burning out Keith and Seabs, the pk has been much improved and they are using other guys so Toews doesn't get burned out and the goaltending has been good to start the season.

Those are a few things and they've only played 2 games at home. Have they answered all the ?'s; no probably not but I'm enjoying the start to the season.
- HawkintheD

Didn't the hawks have the best record in the NHL about halfway through last season?

I am in shock JJ

A team plays 3 games in 4 and they were out of gas but found a way to tie it up with two seconds left

How do say guts and heart

Thought Emery would be shakey and thought the team would play well

Wrong on both accounts


The search for a back up can be put on hold for now and Gillis just lost another trading partner for Lu

Emery's value has gone up

Maybe we trade him for a center now?

Is there any point at looking at Jason Arnott ? Rangers were in but he flunked the Medical

John,
Great title...I didn't think Emery had it in him.

Here is the last line from article...
I would like to think nothing can surprise me when it comes to the Blackhawks but Emery's performance was hard to believe

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Nice article Al. That was Emery's finest hour in the NHL. He has never played a better game and probably never will again. Now every player on this team can feel themselves as being a contributing member of the group.

Brandon Pirri - he's down there in Rockford and he may not be a Q favourite but you know what they say about never having too many defenceman or relievers in the bullpen. If nothing else, he is depth. And you never know when Bryan Murray will pick up the phone and offer something that Stanbow wants - Jason Spezza is out at least 6 weeks and Kyle Turris is their #1 C now.

As the season goes on and playoff races get tight, Bowman should be able to squeeze a good return out of some of the extra bodies he has been stashing away and who may never make the NHL as a member of the Hawks.

What a game for Emery. Hi last (only) outing wasn't spectacular but he got the win which is the only thing I want my backup to do. I really hope Crawford had his notebook out and took notes on how to have a "goalie win". Other than Razor, I had to watch this game through my fingers it was so painful.

Whats up RickJ??


Anyone know what is up with Bolland ? How bad is it ?

http://avalanche.nhl.com/...r.htm?id=8475158&view=bio

I'll take 1 Ryan O'Reilly to go please !!
- mrpaulish

Would absolutely love this guy for the Hawks short term and long term but I have no idea how we could make that happen

5 years x 3.5 million would not be a problem for us

Oduya /Hjalmarsson - most TOI (26+ minutes).

Keith/Seabrook at about 23.
- StLBravesFan

I'm still shocked by that. It seemed Keith was out there longer. I still think Keith and Seabrook look best around 22-23 minutes. 26 is too much for Hammer and Oduya, though. We need rozy back so he and Leddy can get at least 16-18

you're making my case for me

the Hawks are building points because of D and G..who'da thunk it?
the Hawks offense is a mess
- dpard

Yeah the O seems a little stuck in neutral and D and G have been big factors in the last few wins.

Unlike the Bears (Sid Luckman still holds some QB records for the team) which have never had a high powered offense in my lifetime (save for one off years; Super Bowl and Erik Kraemer's one season), I do believe the Hawks have enough Offense to play there way out.

Didn't the hawks have the best record in the NHL about halfway through last season?
- moylander

Yes. Carcillo went down and then the Hawks got pushed around by EVERYONE....

Im not sure thats directly because of the Carcillo injury but when he was in the line up the Hawks were #1 in the conference and had a 24-10 record or something like that....

Would absolutely love this guy for the Hawks short term and long term but I have no idea how we could make that happen

5 years x 3.5 million would not be a problem for us
- PEIHawkFan

He's a young Center , We have young Centers in the minors and we have draft picks !!!!! ..AND LALONDE !

But I know its a pipe dream ,

Great post as usual JJ. Youre last sentance you mentionned unless there is any big news. Are you hearing any trade winds?
- ikeane

Calgary will finally be looking to re build if they are out of the playoff picture by mid March which I think they will be

Tanquay is who I would target even though at 33 and 3.5 mil he would be a push

He is a great center