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 has been offered that by Colorado. He wants much more, but at this point he may just want out. This has turned into a bad situation for the Av's.

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

They did. Don't know about you but I would have thought they'd have more than a few S/O losses by now. I've seen more positive than negative. Would still like to swap for someone who can play and take the body a bit more consistently.

Said there were holes too. Not sure if you're making the Bear comparison too but in spite of a hot start the Bears still didn't make the playoffs and even if they had I would have been surprised if they won a round.

Though the Hawks lost in round one last year I wouldn't have been surprised if they had advanced either; at least past PHX anyway.

It's hard to look past the early morning arrival from Vancouver, or the back to back, or the 9 games in 14 days or whatever....but jesus, this team is playing some uninspired hockey. After that Dallas game, which they were BY FAR the better team, this Hawks team has been a bit...pedestrian. They have been lucky to get a point in their last two, and could've easily lost the previous 3 before that.

Emery had huge balls last night. Good for him. Sharp looked better than he did in Vancouver, but not much (though I think I saw him throw a check).

Does Saad remind anyone of Stalberg circa 2010-2011? He has moves and finds himself in a good position, but isn't a finisher. He turns it over less than Stalberg did/does.

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....
- mrpaulish

+1

I know it's a big if but as long as he stays away from stupid penalties still like the lineup with him in it. Maybe he's just not properly medicated.

It's hard to look past the early morning arrival from Vancouver, or the back to back, or the 9 games in 14 days or whatever....but jesus, this team is playing some uninspired hockey. After that Dallas game, which they were BY FAR the better team, this Hawks team has been a bit...pedestrian. They have been lucky to get a point in their last two, and could've easily lost the previous 3 before that.

Emery had huge balls last night. Good for him. Sharp looked better than he did in Vancouver, but not much (though I think I saw him throw a check).

Does Saad remind anyone of Stalberg circa 2010-2011? He has moves and finds himself in a good position, but isn't a finisher. He turns it over less than Stalberg did/does.
- eburgio

Lucky to get a point in the last two? Really? I thought they outplayed Minny, and although they started out slow, I thought they played better as the game went on against Vancouver...This team is tired...They have played a lot...and a lot of road games,if they get manhandled by SJ I will be concerned..But to tell ulyou the truth, I don't think this team as it is made up is a Cup winning team...a few additions and this team can be very dangerous though

It's hard to look past the early morning arrival from Vancouver, or the back to back, or the 9 games in 14 days or whatever....but jesus, this team is playing some uninspired hockey. After that Dallas game, which they were BY FAR the better team, this Hawks team has been a bit...pedestrian. They have been lucky to get a point in their last two, and could've easily lost the previous 3 before that.

Emery had huge balls last night. Good for him. Sharp looked better than he did in Vancouver, but not much (though I think I saw him throw a check).

Does Saad remind anyone of Stalberg circa 2010-2011? He has moves and finds himself in a good position, but isn't a finisher. He turns it over less than Stalberg did/does.
- eburgio

[/b

He is only 20. I suspect that when he does score he will have a multiple goal game and he will finally settle down and regularly contribute on the score sheet. Imagine what he must be thinking after a post and a couple of almost goals that went to the goal line. He is working well and drawing penalities and actually forechecking.

Saad has some really nice offensive moves, you can see that. He has shown some nice power moves to the net, too. I think he is putting too much pressure on himself playing with 19 and 81. Maybe it is time to move him down a line or 2. I think it is time to switch up the lines, too. The offense has been pretty bad the last 4 games

Nice article Al. That was Emery's finest hour in the NHL.
- RickJ

Wow, memories certainly are short. His finest play in the NHL was 2006-07 when he backstopped the Ottawa Senators, seeded 4th in the East, to the Stanley Cup Finals.

He's a quality goaltender who has had to overcome a potentially career ending injury.

Razor's strong play in the NHL didn't start yesterday.

Lucky to get a point in the last two? Really? I thought they outplayed Minny, and although they started out slow, I thought they played better as the game went on against Vancouver...This team is tired...They have played a lot...and a lot of road games,if they get manhandled by SJ I will be concerned..But to tell ulyou the truth, I don't think this team as it is made up is a Cup winning team...a few additions and this team can be very dangerous though
- captainserious

Hey, I'm not complaining about not having a regulation loss. I'm happy for the record. All I'm saying is that I'm starting to see trends from the last two years creep back into the picture. For example, all that movement on the powerplay in the first few games is back to pass-pass-pass around the perimeter. Ugh.

Since i'm not all negative...the defense has looked good. I've been impressed with Leddy's positioning as well as the play of Oduya and Hammer. I'm happy Q rewarded those latter two with more ice time last night.

To address your point about a few additions...what you thinking?

[/b

He is only 20. I suspect that when he does score he will have a multiple goal game and he will finally settle down and regularly contribute on the score sheet. Imagine what he must be thinking after a post and a couple of almost goals that went to the goal line. He is working well and drawing penalities and actually forechecking.
- mrpaulish

Yeah, i hear ya. Not knocking the kid. More or less saying 'once he figures it out, he could be a stud.' I like how he's playing. He's not playing like a rookie, really

It is these snap shots in time that remind me that I'm just a fan buying a ticket. I watch the games on the away stations and have listened to (and read) the gushing over Nick Leddy, obviousely greatly improved but not quite ready to be seen as the next JC Trembley... and Brandon Saad, our pointless rookie of the year despite playing with 2 of the greatest players in franchise history. Is it Tim Trimper or Larmer........I don't know but it's remarkable to follow a kid who so far is hitting fly balls with warning track power. It seems that the league knows we cannot play along the wall and it's also noteworthy that commentators see that we have no power play entry and for sure, hate to dump and chase even strength.
However, our goaltending sure is a terrific and wonderful surprise. I think I am hearing that our coaching is across the board, mediocre at best......nobody can explain our PK but maybe that's just sort of like Stalberg's numbers vs Columbus last year.

Wow, memories certainly are short. His finest play in the NHL was 2006-07 when he backstopped the Ottawa Senators, seeded 4th in the East, to the Stanley Cup Finals.

He's a quality goaltender who has had to overcome a potentially career ending injury.

Razor's strong play in the NHL didn't start yesterday.
- scottak

You are right, he was very good in Ottawa for a season or 2 and then there were some issues with missing practice or the team plane or something and they dumped him. He was probably even better for a short period of time with the Ducks a couple of years ago when he got them into the playoffs after Hiller went out I think. And then they didn't re-sign him probably because of the hip problem.

When I said finest hour, I was referring to best game I've ever seen him play.

John Jaeckel: Don't Bury Me Cuz I'm Not Dead Yet
- John Jaeckel

jj used the same mark twain quote last night but did not credit him. Nice writeup

What has this gruelling road trip shown us so far?

I think it has shown us goaltending, at this point, is not a concern, so stop the Luongo trade rumours which would do more harm than good, long term, for the Hawks.

It has shown us that while the Hawks have decent depth they need to get a couple of big forwards who can play with some physicality and dictate the flow of the game when finesse alone can’t.

It has shown us that the defense is solid enough to allow minutes to be spread out a little more evenly. A big bruiser who can play the Hawks style and eat up some minutes would be a, nice to have, addition.

It has shown us that Leddy, Shaw and Kruger benefitted from their time on the Hawks last year when they weren’t really ready and why Saad’s inclusion in the line-up this season may be a blessing going forward.

It has shown us that the Hawks can compete in the one goal games, something they haven’t done well the last 2 years.

It has shown us that maybe we should give SB some credit for not making panic moves and for allowing him and the coaching staff to assess the team before making moves prematurely that they may come to regret. After the road trip they should have a very good idea of what they need to round out this team to make it even better for a long playoff run.

I think the best thing about this road trip is that so far it has shown us that after 2 years and at great upheaval to the cup winning roster the Hawks are again a team that can again, if injuries aren’t an issue and after some tweaking, be a serious contender for the cup this year.
- paulr

I think i have read this before and upticked you then and it is still correct now

Send this to stan and sign it mc donut

Wow you guys are harsh. This is the only game you could call "uninspired." Even then they just looked tanked, not that they didn't have the effort (which is a change from last season).

The have the best record in the NHL. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but it's also not fair to nitpick every little tiny flaw. No team is perfect and they aren't going to win every game.

Special teams have improved, goaltending looks vastly improved, and these were the two things that needed to happen to get this team back into elite form. All we can go on is what we see, and I see a dangerous team if they keep going this way.

Wow you guys are harsh. This is the only game you could call "uninspired." Even then they just looked tanked, not that they didn't have the effort (which is a change from last season).

The have the best record in the NHL. Let's not get ahead of ourselves but it's also not fair to nitpick every little tiny flaw. No team is perfect and they aren't going to win every game.

Special teams have improved, goaltending looks vastly improved, and these were the two things that needed to happen to get this team back into elite form. All we can go on is what we see, and I see a dangerous team if they keep going this way.
- patorioto

yea werent the hawks number 1 in the west last year as well before they went on to lose a stretch of 9 straight and lose in the first round of the playoffs again? im not saying lets crucify the team, but the entire NHL knows this is the same team as last year with a different third D pairing. thats it. last night and the past few games should have been a wake up call, if not a reminder of the underlying issues of this team that were masked by a 6-0 start. most notably a center corps that is shallower than a bowl of soup

come on, we have last years 3rd line rookie right winger centering the second line right now. Hawks still arent a physical despite this "new look" blackhawks. carcillo going down hurts there, but it doesnt put them over the top. despite playing the most games in the league, you know where they rank in hits?

29th

yea werent the hawks number 1 in the west last year as well before they went on to lose a stretch of 9 straight and lose in the first round of the playoffs again? im not saying lets crucify the team, but the entire NHL knows this is the same team as last year with a different third D pairing. thats it. last night and the past few games should have been a wake up call, if not a reminder of the underlying issues of this team that were masked by a 6-0 start. most notably a center corps that is shallower than a bowl of soup

come on, we have last years 3rd line rookie right winger centering the second line right now. Hawks still arent a physical despite this "new look" blackhawks. carcillo going down hurts there, but it doesnt put them over the top. despite playing the most games in the league, you know where they rank in hits?

29th
- FourFeathers773

When they are on and playing the puck possession game they are likely going to get outhit in most games.

As far as a telling stat I'm not sure what it says. last night they were completely outplayed but the stat sheet said they outhit CGY 13-7.

Do I agree they could be a bit more physical; yes! But as far as the eye test goes I don't recall a game so far where they were blasted out of a building because the other team was just hammering them physically.

yea werent the hawks number 1 in the west last year as well before they went on to lose a stretch of 9 straight and lose in the first round of the playoffs again? im not saying lets crucify the team, but the entire NHL knows this is the same team as last year with a different third D pairing. thats it. last night and the past few games should have been a wake up call, if not a reminder of the underlying issues of this team that were masked by a 6-0 start. most notably a center corps that is shallower than a bowl of soup

come on, we have last years 3rd line rookie right winger centering the second line right now. Hawks still arent a physical despite this "new look" blackhawks. carcillo going down hurts there, but it doesnt put them over the top. despite playing the most games in the league, you know where they rank in hits?

29th
- FourFeathers773

Wow brilliance. It appears that many will doubt the team until they raise the cup. Whatever. Hey Eyore, how bout you check out till June and let us know how smart you are then, should they fail. What a lot of you fans miss is that it is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride, otherwise why bother. Or are we so hollow in some ways, we have to try to be a bit more clever and insightful then the next guy on the board?

Criticism and improvement is all good, Hyperbole and whining cuz we don't win 10 - 0 each day is another bit of crap.

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....
- mrpaulish

Thanks. I was pretty sure they did.... But the lockout did weird things to my hockey memory, couldn't recall.

Wow brilliance. It appears that many will doubt the team until they raise the cup. Whatever. Hey Eyore, how bout you check out till June and let us know how smart you are then, should they fail. What a lot of you fans miss is that it is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride, otherwise why bother. Or are we so hollow in some ways, we have to try to be a bit more clever and insightful then the next guy on the board?

Criticism and improvement is all good, Hyperbole and whining cuz we don't win 10 - 0 each day is another bit of crap.
- TrueGrit

Totally agree! Other than last night's game which was pretty much an aberration (dead tired team/no legs) this has been a pretty fun team to watch. Even last night, though no one else showed, Razor was fun to watch and gave us a goalie win which people have been clamoring for. Can't please everyone.

Wow brilliance. It appears that many will doubt the team until they raise the cup. Whatever. Hey Eyore, how bout you check out till June and let us know how smart you are then, should they fail. What a lot of you fans miss is that it is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride, otherwise why bother. Or are we so hollow in some ways, we have to try to be a bit more clever and insightful then the next guy on the board?

Criticism and improvement is all good, Hyperbole and whining cuz we don't win 10 - 0 each day is another bit of crap.
- TrueGrit

seems like an over the top reaction, but hey
he pointed out truths - lack of center depth, lack of physical play, easy to shut down with tight checking -same as it ever was
hey! the hawks are 7-0-2!!! it's all lollipos, rainbows, and unicorns
except neither unicorns nor the hawks chances of winning the cup with this lineup exist

seems like an over the top reaction, but hey
he pointed out truths - lack of center depth, lack of physical play, easy to shut down with tight checking -same as it ever was
hey! the hawks are 7-0-2!!! it's all lollipos, rainbows, and unicorns
except neither unicorns nor the hawks chances of winning the cup with this lineup exist
- dpard

Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle as your statement seems a bit of a contrarian over the top reaction.

Yes they lack center depth and they're not overly physical; if they are so easy to shut down in tight checking games though why are they winning the majority of them?

Wow brilliance. It appears that many will doubt the team until they raise the cup. Whatever. Hey Eyore, how bout you check out till June and let us know how smart you are then, should they fail. What a lot of you fans miss is that it is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the ride, otherwise why bother. Or are we so hollow in some ways, we have to try to be a bit more clever and insightful then the next guy on the board?

Criticism and improvement is all good, Hyperbole and whining cuz we don't win 10 - 0 each day is another bit of crap.
- TrueGrit

Yes - but - that's what separates us fanatics from casual fans - we see (and have at least informed opinions on, right or wrong) the contrarian position - not as good as the record shows, still need to fix this, let's make it better - the Tom Thibodeau approach.

Maybe we could meet somewhere in the middle as your statement seems a bit of a contrarian over the top reaction.

Yes they lack center depth and they're not overly physical; if they are so easy to shut down in tight checking games though why are they winning the majority of them?
- HawkintheD

This is what many fail to recognize. This team is embracing its own identity. Starting with Q on down. He has let lines be stable, playing solid rotation. REALIZING THAT 9 OUT OF 10 NIGHTS IF NOT EVERY NIGHT, WE HAVE MORE TALENT AND HORSES THAN ANYONE WE PLAY AGAINST. So while it would be nice to have a full roster of all stars, that is not realistic. While you might like a little more of this or a little more of that, it does not change the bold print above. And so far sticking to our guns is winning games.

This team has matured in many ways and is playing poised from net on out, no matter the situation. So yes, beat the drum on 2C, Power forward..and on and on... Then you will miss out on enjoying one of the best teams in the league. It is assonine to think that some magic formula will guarantee a cup. So far Rangers have all that stuff you ask for, and where are they? We also beat them twice last year.

The obsession with comparing this team to the 27 Yankees, or the 2010 Hawks is PLLAAAYYYED OUT!

By the way, the demands for the 2C and power forward are only on the top priority lists of 28 other teams in the league. So add some perspective and stop the whining about Stan blowing off trades that don't exist.

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.
- RickJ

Pirri reminds a lot of PA Parenteau...He can play for someone, but not here.


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