He's interesting. When I watch the caps its not like he has lost the desire to play/compete, or even lost a step.... Yet somehow his #s are in steady decline. I can't figure it out. Maybe a change of scenery is indeed needed for ovi.
- moylander

How about this explanation - he plays against the other teams best defenceman every night. They know his go to moves and how to counteract them. The best goalies in the league have studied him and know what to expect. The more he tries to be an individual, the more he gets shutdown.

And it hasn't helped that he's had 3 coaches in 3 years. He was best suited for Boudreau's coaching philosophy - and he's long gone from Washington.

Like most teams the Hawks are not as good as they were during the winning streak and not as bad as they been during this three game stretch. However the positive is they are still getting points. During the past two season the Hawks would've called it a day during games like these. They are playing with a lot heart and fight, something that has been missing since they won the cup. They are as deep as anyone defensively since the emergence of Leddy and the great play of Hammer. Oduya has been steady as has Keith. Seabrooks play needs to improve but I'm confident he will get there.....he does lead the league in blocked shots. Rozival and Brookbank are good as anyones 6-7 defensemen. The penalty kill has been amazing yet the power play seems to be just as bad as last years. Even strength scoring is not enough. Patrick Sharp has been awful. I would put Sharp on the third line until he finds his game and bring Stalberg up. I think Sharps play is a bigger issue than having Saad on the first line. Sharps play has done more to hurt the team than Saads has........

Al,

Do you think even though it is a short season that Q is on the hot seat and maybe even gone if this team has a quick playoff exit? I'm not sure if there is still friction between Q and the front office but there is that history and also in one of the other blogs, there was a story that at some of the Hawks exit interviews last year that a good amount of them wanted Kitchen gone. That message was relayed to Q and instead of doing that, he through it back in their faces and launched Havy. So there also might be friction between Q's staff and the players.

Personally I think this year is huge for Q. He never has been Bowman's guy from the start and the team should've went farther the last two years then they did. Furthermore when you see the same issues popping up this year as the past two years I have wonder how the coaching staff isn't responsible for some of this by not correcting this. Just look at the Blues, they were a bunch of undisciplined hacks with Payne as their coach. Hitch comes in and they're Cup contenders.
- dan9189

Simply put I believe Q. won't be back if it is another one and done in the playoffs.
Most GM's have at least one, many at least two of their own choices as to hiring a head coach....Bowman has had none.

Q. probably has a deeper core on defense than he has had since being hired...

There are still some holes but in my view this is all on Q.....He has his own staff and now there will be no excuses.

We can talk about depth in the system and look forward to the future, which is great.....

But this roster as constructed is built to win now....Hossa and Sharp are north of 30 and the other core players are vets now....No missteps allowed for Q.

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

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

It is interesting to watch Ovechkin play now when many a defenceman knows his moves. He's got 3 points so far this year, 2 of them goals from the same spot on the pp.

A few seasons ago the guy would knife bowl through 5 players like a bull in a china shop and turn then turn a goalie inside out on a regular basis, but I just don't see the same snarl anymore. Seemed relatively disinterested last year and looks the same this year. Certainly doesn't deserve the C either.
- prd797

AO had a reckless style and it took a toll is my guess.

Eklund even posted a story on the main page about Ovechkin possibly being available. No way the Hawks are able to get him, but would love to see him in Chicago. Sharp and Hjalmarrson/Leddy would have to be the beginning pieces going back IMO. I follow that by saying the cap hit, and unwillingness for Stan to do blockbuster trades makes it a 0.01% chance the Hawks would try to get Ovie in Chicago
- ikeane

The only way the Hawks could make a 3/1 trade is if they are extremely confident the other two roster spots can be filled effectively by cheap prospects.

Hammer is a top pair dman on some teams and on almost all a top 4....

Leddy is so young and has the physical tools to be a caatlyst for the offense.

Sharp is over 30 and signed to a big contract, won't be as easy to trade as he would have been 2/3 yrs ago, unless the pot is sweetened.

IMO there are only 3 players that I would reach for and all could be available....

Ryan- Getzlaf or Stastny.

One is a young true power foward with vg size and the others are 1st line centers that could play down a slot here, and that works for me.

Ovi is WASHED UP! Finished as the 1-2 superstar in the NHL. An overpaid salary cap anchor with a thousand years left on his contract.

The beginning of the end for the Great 8 was when Jacques Martin stifled the Caps with that collapse to the net crap and Halak played out of his mind in goal.

Somebody told Ovi he deserved a Stanley Cup and would win one. They forgot to tell him that he would have to work his ass off and earn it as a team player. Instead, unfortunately now he's more focused on how much his escrow payments are.
- RickJ

Yeah that contract is far scarier than even Bobby Lou's, although Ovechkin is younger. Frankly I see the guy going back to Russia before he leaves Washington to go to another NHL.

That being said, the only way I see it working out for the guy to leave via trade is if someone trades for him as the final piece for contention (don't know who has ample cap space and is a contender) and then uses a buyout on him next offseason, and he heads home. If Alexander Radulov gets paid 9.2 million a year to not backcheck in Russia, Ovechkin will get far more.

The only way the Hawks could amke a 3/1 trade is if they are extremely confident the other two roster spots can be filled effectively by cheap prospects.

Hammer is a top pair dman on some teams and on almost all a top 4....

Leddy is so young and has the physical tools to be a caatlyst for the offense.

Sharp is over 30 and signed to a big contract, won't be as easy to trade as he would have been 2/3 yrs ago, unless the pot is sweetened.

IMO there are only 3 players that I would reach for and all could be available....

Ryan- Getzlaf or Stastny.

One is a young true power foward with vg size and the others are 1st line centers that could play down a slot here, and that works for me.
- Al

Careful, I was flamed for posing a Sharp+ for Ryan or Getzlaf trade yesterday



Sadly, he has a NTC anyways.

As far as who goes in a trade.......it may be Leddy or Clendening. Along with Keith, most teams won't carry 3 D'man under 6 feet....Also a short term fix at C is the way to go......With Danault, Pirri, McNeil, Flick, Hayes, and Kruger being the future 2c or 3c one of them may be included in a trade. I feel Kruger will be the future 2c with Danault as your 3rd line center and that future maybe be next or the year after...... Just my opinion

How about this explanation - he plays against the other teams best defenceman every night. They know his go to moves and how to counteract them. The best goalies in the league have studied him and know what to expect. The more he tries to be an individual, the more he gets shutdown.

And it hasn't helped that he's had 3 coaches in 3 years. He was best suited for Boudreau's coaching philosophy - and he's long gone from Washington.
- RickJ

Maybe... Although 6 years and 300+ goals to figure the guy out seems like a stretch - I'm leaning that he is just flat out more talented than most of them. Probably more the coaching philosophy.... In particular the PP. His PP #s are down almost 15 points the last 2 seasons.


I think the ovechkin individual, not a team player angle is overplayed.

As far as who goes in a trade.......it may be Leddy or Clendening. Along with Keith, most teams won't carry 3 D'man under 6 feet....Also a short term fix at C is the way to go......With Danault, Pirri, McNeil, Flick, Hayes, and Kruger being the future 2c or 3c one of them may be included in a trade. I feel Kruger will be the future 2c with Danault as your 3rd line center and that future maybe be next or the year after...... Just my opinion
- UnnamedSource

This logic would make Bolland very expendable.

Maybe... Although 6 years and 300+ goals to figure the guy out seems like a stretch - I'm leaning that he is just flat out more talented than most of them. Probably more the coaching philosophy.... In particular the PP. His PP #s are down almost 15 points the last 2 seasons.


I think the ovechkin individual, not a team player angle is overplayed. Guess that comes with being a Russian player.
- moylander

Yup, when you look at his annual production up to last year, there really isn't much change year over year. Lots of speculation - his playing weight is 10 lbs more than it should be; Backstrom isn't playing that well and that's hurting Ovi; hated playing for Dale Hunter; shouldn't be the captain; would rather play in Russia etc. etc.

Maybe the real problem is that he realizes the Caps aren't that good and he should move on. If I were the Canadiens, his contract wouldn't bother me at all. He would be a cult hero there. And if I were Toronto, I'd offer the Caps Phil Kessel and money to buy him. And both teams would make all of their money back in a few weeks thru merchandise sales.

Careful, I was flamed for posing a Sharp+ for Ryan or Getzlaf trade yesterday



Sadly, he has a NTC anyways.
- CBHawks88

Flamed in what way??....It would take a lot more than Sharp to get Bobby Ryan.

Flamed in what way??....It would take a lot more than Sharp to get Bobby Ryan.
- Al

I know you didn't say this Al but can we get a board-wide ban on mentioning Sharp in trade rumors? He has a no movement clause in his contract, he got that because he wants to play and live here for the duration of his contract, not for poops and giggles. I am writing it into hockeybuzz law that until 2016 no Sharp can trade be mentioned

The only way the Hawks could make a 3/1 trade is if they are extremely confident the other two roster spots can be filled effectively by cheap prospects.

Hammer is a top pair dman on some teams and on almost all a top 4....

Leddy is so young and has the physical tools to be a caatlyst for the offense.

Sharp is over 30 and signed to a big contract, won't be as easy to trade as he would have been 2/3 yrs ago, unless the pot is sweetened.

IMO there are only 3 players that I would reach for and all could be available....

Ryan- Getzlaf or Stastny.

One is a young true power foward with vg size and the others are 1st line centers that could play down a slot here, and that works for me.
- Al

IMO, what the Hawks need are 2 big bottom 6 forwards who can skate, can sub in on the top 6 on occasion and who come with manageble contracts. Washington has some older guys, the Islanders some younger ones, the Leafs have a couple and the Sabres have a couple. If Bolland and Stalberg are expendable to make moves maybe the Hawks can make a trade or trades to balance the team with some grit and size?

A question for everyone looking for a Canada Cup quality roster, how many other coaches would love the opportunity to coach a roster like the Hawks have?

To be clear, I would never suggest that you keep things status quo and never look to improve your team through a trade. What I attempt to point out, maybe not very well, is that your team, especially core, needs to buy in to whatever the system is, then play it consistently. More than that it is having the intensity and discipline to do it shift after shift, game after game.

If this were fantasy hockey and you can build your all star team, then you or I could probably coach team to the Cup. Giving Q a pass because he does not have a hall of fame roster top to bottom is assonine. It is his job as a manager to make good personnel decisions and get the most out of what he is given. Not throw tantrums and play head games with guys.

Flamed in what way??....It would take a lot more than Sharp to get Bobby Ryan.
- Al

Sharp + Name your prospect except TT and a 1st round pick ??? For Bobby Ryan and a 2nd round pick .


Next years draft is very deep

IMO, what the Hawks need are 2 big bottom 6 forwards who can skate, can sub in on the top 6 on occasion and who come with manageble contracts. Washington has some older guys, the Islanders some younger ones, the Leafs have a couple and the Sabres have a couple. If Bolland and Stalberg are expendable to make moves maybe the Hawks can make a trade or trades to balance the team with some grit and size?
- paulr

Too bad we can't get the coaching staff to teach Stalberg and Bickell to play to their size. That would solve the problem in house.

Careful, I was flamed for posing a Sharp+ for Ryan or Getzlaf trade yesterday



Sadly, he has a NTC anyways.
- CBHawks88

FWIW, I see the Ducks being a serious threat this year in the west, thereby complicating things for their situation.

Too bad we can't get the coaching staff to teach Stalberg and Bickell to play to their size. That would solve the problem in house.
- NewToHockey

Or if the old Orville Tessier comment about getting a heart transplant could be applied.

true grit
Hows this i enjoy watching the hawks are want to see them win the cup
That said i think the lines would be better balanced with a more skilled version of carcillo
I think this is something that can be accomplished by stan and not cost alot
- molly2522

Molly, you know I respect you, but give me a name? A Price? Don't you think a guy like that would be a commodity? As such, at a glance, looks like we should be able to get that cheap, but where is it?

That is what I am saying. Much of what we are looking for everyone else is too. In reality, the hardest thing to find in the league is top end talent, we have as much if not more than anyone. The grit etc is simply effort and commitment.

To me that is more confounding than the lack of trades, it is the lack of guys stepping up to fill these roles.

Well, I'm convinced.

Not that the Hawks don't have the flaws I think they do - but JJ, mrpaulsh, rickj and others.have convinced me the the short, absurdly compressed season will exaggerate those flaws for every team, and we should just enjoy the ride - it will affect every good team.

Should have remembered how bad basketball was with its condensed season last year - almost unwatchable. Of course, hockey is never unwatchable.

The Hawks ARE finding was to get points - as bad as they an look, there seems to e a "hockey integrity" there that keeps them in games.

Of course, I reserve the right to revert should they stink up the Shark Tank on Tuesday nite.
- StLBravesFan

Awesome post

It's early, but - so much for fans losing interest in NHL hockey:

Only 4 teams this year are below 90% of capacity, compared to 9 last year and 11 the year before.

But - it is early.

Dear Lollipops & Roses,
(No disrepect, but only have a second and don't wat to back pedal to get the correct apst post and quote it...)

As someone who has seen so so many games, seasons, teams, and starts...

It troubles me that someone would post abstract opinion after this many games, and a positive start.

Anyone saying the Blackhawks are not winning a Cup or ARE winning a Cup clearly doesn't understand the sport the history of the game, or when to say what.

But I am sure the year the Dirk Graham captained Hawks steamrolled their way through the standings, there was someone saying they definately were gonna win it all...then Minnesota came along in the first round.

Or the huge point totals by Vancouver over the last couple...there were probably people saying, It's all lollipops & roses for the Canucks, but when the playoffs come...

The truth of the matter is

a) There are a LOT of good teams.

b) Many MANY things must come together to win Lord Stanley's Cup...just a look back to LAST season where the final seed came together to make it so.

c) No one can, by judging the Hawks the competition, and the past weeks and determine who will win the crown...history has proven this countless times from the early days, through the 1960's when I started watching.

To starting making pooh-poohing statements just paints you as a naysayer...

It usually has me by-pass the post and moev on because there is no talking with that banter...the opinion is cast by you in stone. This
- wiz1901

wiz,wiz,wiz
first off, I was responding to a few people who were lost in Hawks nirvana.
Because I'm not all gaga over the Hawks start I'm a naysayer?
While I don't profess to have your bona fides with regards to scouting and prospects, I've played, coached, and seen enough hockey to know what is needed to win championships.
I won't apologize for not being sold on this version of the Hawks. Q falling into old bad habits, piss poor PP, complete lack of any physical play, less than good at the dot. Not a one of those is a good omen during the playoffs.
Emery played out of his mind last nite but if Glencross buried just half of his chances, the Hawks get blown out. Nothing the Hawks did stopped Glencross, he missed wide open nets.
Not trying to predict who will win it all, but I see too many missing aspects to condsider this Hawks roster a reasonable contender for the Cup. The pattern and method in which they are building points is not the formula for long term success- Just my .02

Molly, you know I respect you, but give me a name? A Price? Don't you think a guy like that would be a commodity? As such, at a glance, looks like we should be able to get that cheap, but where is it?

That is what I am saying. Much of what we are looking for everyone else is too. In reality, the hardest thing to find in the league is top end talent, we have as much if not more than anyone. The grit etc is simply effort and commitment.

To me that is more confounding than the lack of trades, it is the lack of guys stepping up to fill these roles.
- TrueGrit

I agree with you and place most of the blame for the hawks lack of grit/physicality on the coaches.For whatever reason the hawks cant seam to develop that player except for shaw who in my opinion proves playing physical is not just about size.

Just one more thought on the power forward I wish the hawks would aquire is if Im a guy like McNeil who has the physical size and skating ability i think i would be trying to play this style.
I dont think its difficult to play power forward for this team since you just have to take the body, get the puck in the corner and pass to your mates and go stand in front of the goalie and get garbage goals off rebounds. Not alot of thinking required to play this style