Let's be realistic none are as capable defensively or skate as well
- fattybeef

your right but my point is Bickell has not earned a contract next year and someone will replace him

I think some of you guys would find a way to complain about dome from a dime, haha. Unbeaten in regulation, with 8 out of the 10 games coming on the road, and people are still fighting the good fight and not drinking from the "kool-aid trough"???

No one is serving kool-aid, the team is dishing out their own right now. They aren't a perfect team, there are areas that need addressing, but there is a lot to like right now. They are winning on the road, sometimes with less than their best, but finding ways to win. They are getting contributions from a lot of guys throughout the roster, which has been needed as some of the core guys are struggling to find their game (Sharp and Seabrook).

I guess these are the discussions you have when you start 8-0-2.

Yes. And yes.

Go back through his comments at the end of last season. "We underachieved in the playoffs, etc."

What he says and when he says it often has a desired spin effect. I know some say I'm seeing bogeymen. Yeah, well . . . maybe I hear things they don't.
- John Jaeckel

How many coaches would give their left nut to coach the talent on this team? How many would die for the opportunity to orchestrate this group?

I do not want to put words in your mouth, but are you implying that SB is deflecting blame to Q and that Q does not have enough pieces to make a run?

Because Q does not have an all star team and every exact piece he wants, then this can not be his fault? We are all accountable to our bosses, no matter how unrealistic our perception of demands.

If there are guys whining behind the scene because they don't like SB...big deal. The horses are on the ice...time to get it done.

OH MY GOD! Quick everyone to the bat cave. We have to make a plan. We can't go on this way.
- TrueGrit

Relax Internet hero, just bringing something up.

10 is the flash with zero speed
- fattybeef

I'd go with Wonder Women, watched last night where he had chances to hit someone into the boards, and he pulled up. If you aren't scoring help the team out by hitting someone.. anyone!

I also want to say this: not sure why Patrick Sharp has suddenly taken on the hands of Jeff Shantz, but in fairness, he has been pretty physical at times the last few games. Last night he made a really nice play checking a larger d-man right off a puck behind the SJ net and gaining possession. Something not enough current hawk forwards can or will do.
- John Jaeckel

Oooof...great comparison hahaha.

Yes. And yes.

Go back through his comments at the end of last season. "We underachieved in the playoffs, etc."

What he says and when he says it often has a desired spin effect. I know some say I'm seeing bogeymen. Yeah, well . . . maybe I hear things they don't.
- John Jaeckel

I don't expect him to say 'Yeah, we're 7-0-2 and we really have a lot of weaknesses' but putting the spotlight squarely on Q at this point is b.s. I just don't understand how Stanley gets a pass all the time. I don't look at him as 'constructing' this roster. I look at him as being a pu$$ and getting lucky with a few things.

Jammer = #22
Hammer = #4
- Ogilthorpe2

THANK YOU OGI WAN

I agree. But you can't count—at all— on the refs calling it by the book. Or, if your goalie is going to s--- the bed or your star player is going to take a head shot. All of which happened when a faster, more talented team faced the Phoenix Coyotes in Round 1 last year.

This is why adding some muscle up front might not hurt this team going into the playoffs. Of all the "good" Hawk teams since 2008-09, the 2009-10 team was best at transitioning from a fast-break, possession style to a dump and bang style—when the opposition forced it. And that's what happens more often than not in the playoffs.

I also want to say this: not sure why Patrick Sharp has suddenly taken on the hands of Jeff Shantz, but in fairness, he has been pretty physical at times the last few games. Last night he made a really nice play checking a larger d-man right off a puck behind the SJ net and gaining possession. Something not enough current hawk forwards can or will do.
- John Jaeckel

Great Jeff Shantz reference.

Thought the league said shouldn't have been a match penalty.

If the league is saying shouldn't have been a penalty, then the league doesn't really want to reduce concussions or protect the health of its most important assets - its players.

Skates left the ice, lifted his shoulder into Mayers, a dangerous hit whether Mayers was looking or not.
- StLBravesFan

Dangerous? Perhaps. Headshot? Absolutely not.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hockey is a dangerous game. That danger is compounded when you put yourself in vulnerable positions.

Skates left the ice on/after contact. That is not a penalty. Principle point of contact was shoulder-to-shoulder. Again, not a penalty.

If I get a chance to make that open ice hit, I make it every time. Again, not saying I don't understand the call, I do (because it looked really bad in real time), but after the benefit of (multiple) replay, I don't think it should've been made. I also don't think it's the reason the Sharks lost the game, as many Sharks fans/coaches would lead you to believe.

How many coaches would give their left nut to coach the talent on this team? How many would die for the opportunity to orchestrate this group?

I do not want to put words in your mouth, but are you implying that SB is deflecting blame to Q and that Q does not have enough pieces to make a run?

Because Q does not have an all star team and every exact piece he wants, then this can not be his fault? We are all accountable to our bosses, no matter how unrealistic our perception of demands.

If there are guys whining behind the scene because they don't like SB...big deal. The horses are on the ice...time to get it done.
- TrueGrit

Gotta disagree with you here. I take that comment as Stan saying 'Hey, if we don't get it done, it's not my fault.' As JJ has beat this horse many a time, Stan was aware of the ongoing holes in the lineup going on 3 years now and have they been addressed? No. His answer is move Kane to #2C, thus creating a hole at RW.

Stan is probably a smart guy and I hope he's saying that more as a way not to show what cards he's holding, rather than throwing Q in front of the bus. I hope.

I don't expect him to say 'Yeah, we're 7-0-2 and we really have a lot of weaknesses' but putting the spotlight squarely on Q at this point is b.s. I just don't understand how Stanley gets a pass all the time. I don't look at him as 'constructing' this roster. I look at him as being a pu$$ and getting lucky with a few things.
- eburgio

In the great scheme of things WHO GIVES A FRANK!!! In pro sports teams often win in spite of coaches, manager, owners and GMS. Like it or not those guys will get credit...deserved or undeserved. It does not matter. This is playground whining crap. Like listening to the Kotex Mafia at a luncheon. Jeez....

THE TEAM IS 8 0 2, That is the reality. Tough matchup for any team. If you don't get that and see how dangerous they are, and as such have as good a chance as any to compete for a cup...then...whatever....

Next thing I am gonna hear is that Stan left a candy bar wrapper on the break room table and did not pick it up. He didn't flush the toilet after a dump... Bottom line WHO CARES ABOUT STAN EITHER WAY!

And therein lies the problem for contenders like SJ, LA and St.Louis - overall team speed and especially lack of it on their back end.

If you can't stay with a faster team, the first thing you do is play the trap, clog up the neutral zone game. Then you have to resort to obstruction fouls - holding, hooking etc. If the referees call the game by the book, it spells trouble for those teams.
- RickJ

And because of the trap etc. is precisely why it is imperative the Hawks get a couple of big, fast skating bangers who can play dump and chase and take away the one weakness I believe this team has.

I think some of you guys would find a way to complain about dome from a dime, haha. Unbeaten in regulation, with 8 out of the 10 games coming on the road, and people are still fighting the good fight and not drinking from the "kool-aid trough"???

No one is serving kool-aid, the team is dishing out their own right now. They aren't a perfect team, there are areas that need addressing, but there is a lot to like right now. They are winning on the road, sometimes with less than their best, but finding ways to win. They are getting contributions from a lot of guys throughout the roster, which has been needed as some of the core guys are struggling to find their game (Sharp and Seabrook).

I guess these are the discussions you have when you start 8-0-2.
- PhatJoeSki

Agreed.

Can you imagine if they were 4-4-2...or worse?

Loved how CC battled back after a softie or 2. He looks to have a whole new mental toughness this year. Faceoffs still an issue. How many times did we see the Hawks lose a defensive zone draw that lead to 2-3 good chances? Too many. Not saying it is the end-all-be-all cure to the issues, but Kruger 0-fer-6 on top of his 2/14 last game is baaad.
- Kentxo

CC has talked about his new mental approach a lot. He no longer plays hacky sack in the pre-game, choosing instead to be alone and concentrate on a vigorous stretching regimen. Results are there.

In the great scheme of things WHO GIVES A FRANK!!! In pro sports teams often win in spite of coaches, manager, owners and GMS. Like it or not those guys will get credit...deserved or undeserved. It does not matter. This is playground whining crap. Like listening to the Kotex Mafia at a luncheon. Jeez....

THE TEAM IS 8 0 2, That is the reality. Tough matchup for any team. If you don't get that and see how dangerous they are, and as such have as good a chance as any to compete for a cup...then...whatever....

Next thing I am gonna hear is that Stan left a candy bar wrapper on the break room table and did not pick it up. He didn't flush the toilet after a dump... Bottom line WHO CARES ABOUT STAN EITHER WAY!
- TrueGrit

If they win the cup Mcdouchenuts will take the credit anyway.

Actually I thought Crawford should have stopped that third one, but all in all, he was solid with squaring up and his good legs/pads.
- wiz1901

I just rewatched the game. Crawford did make some huge saves when the gane was 4-3 Hawks. He still looks shakey sometimes on what I would consider simple shots, seems to always be looking back to see where the puck went.

Q keeping him in after 3 first period goals should boost his confidence though.

Gotta disagree with you here. I take that comment as Stan saying 'Hey, if we don't get it done, it's not my fault.' As JJ has beat this horse many a time, Stan was aware of the ongoing holes in the lineup going on 3 years now and have they been addressed? No. His answer is move Kane to #2C, thus creating a hole at RW.

Stan is probably a smart guy and I hope he's saying that more as a way not to show what cards he's holding, rather than throwing Q in front of the bus. I hope.
- eburgio

For the 500th time, and anyone please chime in...give me a name and a price for acquiring the elusive 2nd line center. Where is the orchard they are sitting ripe on a tree? My God...28 other teams are dying for a second line center. The few teams that have those guys don't trade them or give them away, unless you want to send over a few of your high profile guys.

If the guys in the room are whispering about this crap, then we have the weakest mental team in the world. Do you guys think that Toews and Kane are laying in bed texting each night saying...boy SB needs to get us a second line center...or man I don't think we can really win a cup...don't tell no one."?

Are they on facebook and twitter saying "Love you Q... Sad face SB.

A Coach/Managers job is to take resources he is given and figure out how to align them and motivate them for his desired ends. If he shoots himself in the foot given this roster, then so be it. Injuries happen, don't fault him for that, but if you bury guys mentally because they are not Brunnette and OD, your guys, don't expect those guys to be prepared step up when you need them.

reduces kinetic force...it's physics
- isaiah520

Kinetic energy? You mean half the product of a mass and its velocity squared?

But we're not talking about Desjardins just leaving his feet. He pushed upwards towards Jammer, leaving his feet doing so.

Since we're talking about the mechanics of the hit put on Jammer last night, it can be also considered Desjardins energy increased by him using additional force from his legs to push upwards off the ice and into Jammer.

If you'd like, we can delve further into Newton's laws of motion as it applied to that play last night, but I digress. Suffice to say, that play could easily have also been called, "two minutes for charging".

And in general... We got 8-0-2 first place by 4 points 10 games in problems.....

If they win the cup Mcdouchenuts will take the credit anyway.
- nickmo2699

So everyone stop watching the team from here on out! Do you know how weak many sound with this crap. Maybe the players should just start giving half effort until they are more appreciated. Players play for each other in the room. They could care less about the other crap. Sure it creeps in and is annoying at times, but there is no McDonough sucks TWitter group that the players tweet too all day and night and between periods.

Jammer/Oduya have been the best defensive pairing the Hawks have to start the season.
- Holes02

Ahhhhhh Bro., "Jammer" is a reference to #22 on your score card. "Hammer" is #4...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curveball
- paulr

It wasn't an illusion when I couldn't hit one in college. Gimme me fastballs all day long and I'm happier than a pig in $hit. Start throwing that off-speed stuff, especially the 12-6 curve and I was toast!

I will have more to say as my article is about to be posted...

But I do agree withh JJ...the Hawks had their legs and it helped they hit the Sharks some also. The Sharks playing on Monday helped also.

As far as the check ....Dirty or clean it was an advantageous hit not really needed.

For the 500th time, and anyone please chime in...give me a name and a price for acquiring the elusive 2nd line center. Where is the orchard they are sitting ripe on a tree? My God...28 other teams are dying for a second line center. The few teams that have those guys don't trade them or give them away, unless you want to send over a few of your high profile guys.

If the guys in the room are whispering about this crap, then we have the weakest mental team in the world. Do you guys think that Toews and Kane are laying in bed texting each night saying...boy SB needs to get us a second line center...or man I don't think we can really win a cup...don't tell no one."?

Are they on facebook and twitter saying "Love you Q... Sad face SB.

A Coach/Managers job is to take resources he is given and figure out how to align them and motivate them for his desired ends. If he shoots himself in the foot given this roster, then so be it. Injuries happen, don't fault him for that, but if you bury guys mentally because they are not Brunnette and OD, your guys, don't expect those guys to be prepared step up when you need them.
- TrueGrit

I think the #2 C orchard is located across the street from Jerry Angelo's offensive line vineyard he mentioned several times.