The Ducks could be hard pressed to keep all three...Ryan, Getzlaf and Perry.
- Al

only two of those are UFA's to be. My assumption is that Selanne retires, freeing up another 4-4.5M to split between Perry and Getzlaf.

I think I'm just going to enjoy the 8-0-2 start . There will be plenty of time for hand wringing later. I can't quite figure out why basically the same team with minor tweaks is playing so much better than they have in the last two seasons. The only thing I can come up with is a case for addition by subtraction. Maybe getting rid of Scott,Brunette,Lepisto, O'D and Olsen and replacing them with a couple of players who are not pylons is all they needed.
- jhawk159

Team chemisty is my guess. The forward ranks went fairly unchanged, and the D ranks remained about the same, only upgrading with veterans in their early to mid 20s from strong defensive corps in Phoenix and Anaheim. Previously Chicago has retread Lepisto, past expiration dated players like Brunette/O'Donnell, etc. and massive turnover the past 2 offseasons.

Ok, is it not a fact that Stan has been sitting on cap space for two years? Is it a fact that there have been deals to be made, only for him to pull out at the 11th hour? Is it a fact that you have seen other people capable of that #2C role going elsewhere? I'm based a large majority of this argument based on what JJ has shared with us.

I'm not in the room, so I don't know what other people are asking from the Hawks. The fact is, you've seen parts move and you say 'that player would fill a need for the hawks'....am i right?

For the record, I'm not complaining about the start to the season. Always room for improvement, but hard to argue w/18 out of 20 pts available. My issue was preception of Stan's comment pointing at Q. That's all. Just don't know why you bring that into the discussion, if that was his intent.
- eburgio

I posited this a few weeks back. What if the price of the Cup in 2010 was some austerity in 2011 and 2012. While you, JJ and others fairly point out that there was left over cap space, how do we know that it was available? Financially? We were paying north of 5 million year in real dollars, not necessarily cap dollars to deal with other issues.

Secondly, point me to 2ndlinecenter.com so I can see all these moves you referred to?

I agree with everyone that you always look to improve your team when you can, but this entitlement mentality is so pervasive, that we need more and more and more talent. Relatively speaking we have more than our fair share of elite high end talent. Saying that is the problem or that you need more is a fools game.

I promise you one thing. Any player worth his salt believes he is capable and will be the man when needed. That he can take on more and get things done. If your team is made up of guys looking for others to carry the water...a second line center is the least of your problems.

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

Increases penalty probability....its hockey

Wanna start a list of grievances? We can start with two of your favourites:

Fire Q
Trade Sharp


- blackhawk24

Festivies was 2 months ago..

Somebody brought up Brendan Morrow in your blog earlier in the week. Not much gas left in that tank, but he probably wouldn't cost that much and Stanbow wouldn't owe him anything at the end of the year.
- RickJ

I think they will look for another face off man, but I know hat you are saying about the positives of Morrow- he would have to be in good health because the way he still plays might bang him up a lot, and you don't want it ot be like Brendan Morrison acquistition,where Morrison was nursing a bum knee and various other injuries when trade from Calgary.

Not boring at all. Conversely, looking for the curve and getting the heat was a exercise in pain. So late on the swing it was like not even worth closing the barn door after the horse got out.


Hitting the pitched baseball is the hardest thing in sports.
- blackhawk24

Not sure if you go to many cubs or sox games, but if you can sit by the bull pen and focus on the hand at release point, you will be amazed at how learnable this is. Not saying it is easy, but it is something that can give you confidence. Not that any of us is making a run at baseball anymore.

Pretty sure someone suggested a deal surrounding Sharp for Ryan as the centerpieces. Like the physicality that Sharpie has shown, but in my opinion, that is not what he is paid for. Ryan is more the complete package of flash, dash, and crash
- ikeane

You won't be getting Bobby Ryan for Sharp so there is nothing more to discuss.

Sharp's role is to be a sniper. He's misfiring so far, give it some time. Phil Kessel has ZERO goals so far, and he's the prototypical sniper.

Maybe I'm alone on this, but I'm getting a tad weary of the Saad angst here.


perhaps its because I don't saturate myself with a lot of 'Hawks media coverage, so maybe I'm not taking the full brunt of the hype machine with this kid.

But, I've found a lot of the HB blog and message board negativity a bit tiresome.

The kid had a great moment last night. Of course it's going to be sold as a story by the broadcast team, beat media, and blogosphere. It's their job to create interesting storylines from a sport that - let's face facts - can be pretty devoid of interesting supplemental content. I invite anyone to watch an "Arena Cam" interview on NHL Tonight for proof positive of this fact.

To expect the media to ignore or downplay the moment is foolish, and to be angered by it is sensless elevation of your blood pressure.

That being said, I don't think the kid warrants the backhanded compliments and sarcasm-laced, wink-wink stuff given in this blog. Call me a Kool-aid drinker, but I think that kind of stuff is largely misplaced.

No compitent hockey consumer would call Saad a picture-pefect top-six forward at this point in his career. If the angst is against the lack of a better alternative, I get that. I'd rather have Evander Kane or Scott Hartnell on the left wing with Toews and Hossa too. And maybe I'm not reading all the right articles or blogs, but most reaction to the kid has been pretty temperate. Haven't heard or read anyone calling the kid the next Gretzky, but I have read a lot of people angry that someone, somewhere is labeling him as such. Maybe I just need ot read more blogs -but there are only so many hours in the day.

I don't think there's any real reason to nay-say about Saad's development and performance. He's only played 11 regular season NHL games and 2 playoff games. It's foolish to expect miracles. He's been pretty compitent thus far, and hasn't stood out for any glaringly negative reason. Took him a while to pot that first one, but I can't fault any 21 year old who's been thrown into the first-line fire.

As has been said, winning cures a lot of ills. This team is overacheiving right now, and I can't say that I'm unhappy about it, nor am I jonesing to downplay the success. I'm also not fooling myself into thinking this team is a world-beater. If we're looking for things to nitpick about this team, I think there are other chinks in the armor to look at (bad faceoffs, bad powerplay, question mark in net despite the hot start) to look at besides the performance of a 21 year old rookie who, for all intents and purposes, has shown himself to be a servicable, responsible option on the top line. And as the standing points keep racking up, I'd be hard-pressed to criticize the results.

Hot start has been most welcome.

With the exceptions of Brookbank and Rozsival. Bowman seems intent on keeping this large group together, He seems pretty wedded to this body of players and i'm wondering...despite the hot start and the great season we appear to be in store for....if by staying committed to this group of 22 or 23...Bowman is playing Charlie Brown to Lucy and the football ?
- philco28

True, but...

It's not how you start that matters. Drive for show, putt for dough. Hopefully they're not peaking early and blowing their wad now.

Keep it up boys.

I posited this a few weeks back. What if the price of the Cup in 2010 was some austerity in 2011 and 2012. While you, JJ and others fairly point out that there was left over cap space, how do we know that it was available? Financially? We were paying north of 5 million year in real dollars, not necessarily cap dollars to deal with other issues.

Secondly, point me to 2ndlinecenter.com so I can see all these moves you referred to?

I agree with everyone that you always look to improve your team when you can, but this entitlement mentality is so pervasive, that we need more and more and more talent. Relatively speaking we have more than our fair share of elite high end talent. Saying that is the problem or that you need more is a fools game.

I promise you one thing. Any player worth his salt believes he is capable and will be the man when needed. That he can take on more and get things done. If your team is made up of guys looking for others to carry the water...a second line center is the least of your problems.
- TrueGrit

I'm not sure why you have a hard on to prove me wrong on this, yet you just agreed with JJ and he and I are saying similar things.

In short, Antoine Vermette was available and would check off several boxes for this team. Wins face-offs, gets garbage goals, goes to the front of the net.

Kyle Turris could have been had as well. He was traded for David Rundblad and a 2nd rounder. Would you trade Dylan Olsen and a pick for a Center making $1.4M a year and is RFA after this year?

Mike Ribiero was traded for Cody Eakin and a 2nd round pick. Stan couldn't have gotten creative w/Pirri and some other prospects?

Derek Roy - smallish, but is clipping at 50% at the dot and would give Bolland the chance to be a #3.

I'm not saying Toews/Kane are wondering where the help is going to come from, nor am I saying this team is poorly constructed. As of today, I don't think this team today is any better equipped to deal w/the Kings from the 2012 playoffs, than they were last year but that doesn't mean they can't win. It's not about Toews/Kane wondering when Stan is going to get them a shiny new toy, but why not help them where/if you can?

Haven't seen this brought up on last night's blog nor this morning's (but maybe I missed it) -- no one is talking about Tampon's PP going right back in the dumper.

Still see much that is bad with that 1st unit -- both 2 and 7 seem to not know what to do bringing the puck out of the Hawks end (way too tentative, waiting way too long to either skate hard up the ice or make a crisp quick pass for O zone entry). We've still got Keith either not knowing when to shoot or when he does, famously shooting the shin-pad shot OR driving the puck far off the net (I guess hoping for some miraculous bounce to happen).

IMO, the 2nd unit has been far better -- mainly due to 2 things: Nick Leddy seems to know WTF to do bringing the puck out of our zone (either skating it hard up ice or passing to Kane for entry into the zone) and Kane has been and continues to be very good leading/directing that PP. Happened to note both Eddie and Pat commenting that the 2nd PP unit looked much better than the 1st unit. Leddy able to get shots through from the point but again, don't the coaches work on positioning with these guys????

If they don't know how to be a screen in front and move laterally, then teach them. Or maybe it's a question of having the balls to stand there facing your teammate winding up knowing YOU might take the shot off your body. I know that's a consideration but with practice, you figure it out. Doesn't seem like anyone on the club is willing to pay the price.

And Sharp's play at the point has not been very good -- I think his play alone has kept that unit from scoring. At various times last night, looked like not only hands of stone but legs of clay as well.

I'm not sure why you have a hard on to prove me wrong on this, yet you just agreed with JJ and he and I are saying similar things.

In short, Antoine Vermette was available and would check off several boxes for this team. Wins face-offs, gets garbage goals, goes to the front of the net.

Kyle Turris could have been had as well. He was traded for David Rundblad and a 2nd rounder. Would you trade Dylan Olsen and a pick for a Center making $1.4M a year and is RFA after this year?

Mike Ribiero was traded for Cody Eakin and a 2nd round pick. Stan couldn't have gotten creative w/Pirri and some other prospects?

Derek Roy - smallish, but is clipping at 50% at the dot and would give Bolland the chance to be a #3.

I'm not saying Toews/Kane are wondering where the help is going to come from, nor am I saying this team is poorly constructed. As of today, I don't think this team today is any better equipped to deal w/the Kings from the 2012 playoffs, than they were last year but that doesn't mean they can't win. It's not about Toews/Kane wondering when Stan is going to get them a shiny new toy, but why not help them where/if you can?
- eburgio

Stan may have missed the boat on some of the deals but not all of them. I'm sure Phoenix and Columbus weren't in a rush to help us out and the asking price for the Blackhawks was probably higher. Same goes for Dallas (to a lesser extent), Stan tried to make a deal with them last season and they wanted a top prospect for Grossman but ended up getting a 2nd and 3rd from Philly.

True, but...

It's not how you start that matters. Drive for show, putt for dough. Hopefully they're not peaking early and blowing their wad now.

Keep it up boys.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hopefully a reprise of 2010 and not 1991.

Review match penalties and review goals. Won't take that long but you get the right call, which is more important than the extra min or two it might take. Simple.

Stan may have missed the boat on some of the deals but not all of them. I'm sure Phoenix and Columbus weren't in a rush to help us out and the asking price for the Blackhawks was probably higher. Same goes for Dallas (to a lesser extent), Stan tried to make a deal with them last season and they wanted a top prospect for Grossman but ended up getting a 2nd and 3rd from Philly.
- DarthKane

Hey, I'm not disagreeing that sometimes deals fall apart for other reasons. And it's easy to look back at all the things in the past and say you should've done this/that. You can look at Tallon and some of the mistakes he made. 'Awww, Dale should've drafted Setoguchi instead of Skille'...or whatever.

My whole issue from the jump, was if Stan's comment was meant to say if they didn't win, it's because of Q. That's it. Brian Burke made some stupid trades, and passed on some trades he should've, and that got him fired. But at least there's some accountability there.

Seems easy for Stan to point the finger at Q when he's seen as 'protected'

I'm not sure why you have a hard on to prove me wrong on this, yet you just agreed with JJ and he and I are saying similar things.

In short, Antoine Vermette was available and would check off several boxes for this team. Wins face-offs, gets garbage goals, goes to the front of the net.

Kyle Turris could have been had as well. He was traded for David Rundblad and a 2nd rounder. Would you trade Dylan Olsen and a pick for a Center making $1.4M a year and is RFA after this year?

Mike Ribiero was traded for Cody Eakin and a 2nd round pick. Stan couldn't have gotten creative w/Pirri and some other prospects?

Derek Roy - smallish, but is clipping at 50% at the dot and would give Bolland the chance to be a #3.

I'm not saying Toews/Kane are wondering where the help is going to come from, nor am I saying this team is poorly constructed. As of today, I don't think this team today is any better equipped to deal w/the Kings from the 2012 playoffs, than they were last year but that doesn't mean they can't win. It's not about Toews/Kane wondering when Stan is going to get them a shiny new toy, but why not help them where/if you can?
- eburgio

I am not trying to prove anyone wrong, just trying to bring logic and facts into the discussion.

You assume, that if a guy can be had, that you have a right or are entitled to him. This is what I point out.

All the guys you mention, many would not have been dealt to Hawks for various reasons. Additionally, you do not know that the teams trading them perhaps targeted certain return for their assets.

And again, you assume that no effort is being done to add pieces. This is our point of disagreement.

For example, if you were the Hawks and Kane, Toews and Hossa were all free agents after this season. Lets assume we are out of it in a month, no playoffs, what would it take for you to deal them?

Now think about what the Ducks will ask for Perry, Getz, or Ryan.

I will not disagree with the protecting etc, I will contend that the pieces are there if they perform. If you get Bickell and others to finish checks, and other guys stay committed in their own zone.

Not being a smart ass at all, can you give an example of other teams that have the pieces?
- TrueGrit

I'm not worried about them. That's the job of their GMs. Some of whom might step up and do what's necessary to get them there. I WILL say, look at the last three Stanley Cup Winners, and most of the last 10: all teams with muscle upfront and money goaltending come playoff time.

Not saying the Hawks don't have those things. But I don't think it would hurt to stack the deck as much as possible. Anything else is really just giving Bowman a free pass. This team could go all 48 games without a regulation loss. It almost proves nothing about its playoff viability.

Haven't seen this brought up on last night's blog nor this morning's (but maybe I missed it) -- no one is talking about Tampon's PP going right back in the dumper.

Still see much that is bad with that 1st unit -- both 2 and 7 seem to not know what to do bringing the puck out of the Hawks end (way too tentative, waiting way too long to either skate hard up the ice or make a crisp quick pass for O zone entry). We've still got Keith either not knowing when to shoot or when he does, famously shooting the shin-pad shot OR driving the puck far off the net (I guess hoping for some miraculous bounce to happen).

IMO, the 2nd unit has been far better -- mainly due to 2 things: Nick Leddy seems to know WTF to do bringing the puck out of our zone (either skating it hard up ice or passing to Kane for entry into the zone) and Kane has been and continues to be very good leading/directing that PP. Happened to note both Eddie and Pat commenting that the 2nd PP unit looked much better than the 1st unit. Leddy able to get shots through from the point but again, don't the coaches work on positioning with these guys????

If they don't know how to be a screen in front and move laterally, then teach them. Or maybe it's a question of having the balls to stand there facing your teammate winding up knowing YOU might take the shot off your body. I know that's a consideration but with practice, you figure it out. Doesn't seem like anyone on the club is willing to pay the price.

And Sharp's play at the point has not been very good -- I think his play alone has kept that unit from scoring. At various times last night, looked like not only hands of stone but legs of clay as well.
- savvyone-1

My biggest gripe with 2 and 7 on the PP is that they refuse to switch sides at the point and neither are on their off-side to one time passes from each other. They struggle to get shots through because they have to catch the pass and then shoot. Thats why Leddy and sometimes Sharp have been much more successful getting his shots at least past the wing at the top of the box.

Don't get me started on the 4-on-3 powerplay that we have seen a couple of times already this year in which they send out four lefties, completely wasting one side of the ice (usually Kane's side) because he is on his right (as in correct not directional) side and therefore not a threat to one-time passes. When you have to catch the pass and then shoot, teams don't have to play your side and have time to close on you.

...and he was playing some chippy after his words with Thornton.

Since your all talking about the "hit" i will chime in, the guy who is still angry the open ice hit check has been basically made a penalty, and if you saw Leo Bovin stick it out and deliver it, even as a Hawk fan, you saw an art form, a true thing of beauty....

I think the "new NHL rules" is calling their new destroyer infractions, not because they techincally fall outside the rules, but more because they are clearly plays that are more man damage related than a play where you are trying to gain possession.

Like it not, it creeped in a few years back.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the check.

But it is very difficult to say Mayer was carrying out in possession on some extended carry where Desjardins saw that and went over to separate him and the puck.

This was more Desjardins seeing "a possible possession" and pumping to full speed (with hopes Mayer did have the puck) and reaching full stride so the collision would be a physical jarring one


Over the recent past seasons, really good physically jarring hits have started to be called "charging" even if the two and half steps are adhered to, "boarding" is commom place, IF the guy who is "boarded" possibly could have been injured.

My point iis simply this:
Dontcha think that the call yesterday was called right or wrong, because the officiating is trying to get the players without the puck to be under control, and not hunting?


I am guessing this is more or less what is happening.

Attention players move fast and hit but don't torpedo.
I wouldn't be surprised if Desjardins type plays will now alway be called unless Desjardins goes to the "bear hug" to stifle Mayers flying to the ice head first.

Curious to see if the Match penalty stands...

Just saying all this above.

I don't care one way or the other because I have no control over what the league sees is way to help curtail concussions.
- wiz1901

Winner!

I got 99 problems but Saad ain't one!

I am not trying to prove anyone wrong, just trying to bring logic and facts into the discussion.

You assume, that if a guy can be had, that you have a right or are entitled to him. This is what I point out.

All the guys you mention, many would not have been dealt to Hawks for various reasons. Additionally, you do not know that the teams trading them perhaps targeted certain return for their assets.

And again, you assume that no effort is being done to add pieces. This is our point of disagreement.

For example, if you were the Hawks and Kane, Toews and Hossa were all free agents after this season. Lets assume we are out of it in a month, no playoffs, what would it take for you to deal them?

Now think about what the Ducks will ask for Perry, Getz, or Ryan.
- TrueGrit

You're right, the price could've been a lot higher. I'm not saying the Hawks need to rape and pillage to get everyone on the trade block, nor should they be given first right of refusal on every trade. My point is that when a player is traded, he was available. Maybe the price would've been higher for the Hawks instead of Phoenix, or Dallas, or Buffalo. Could be. But isn't that Stan's job, to flush it out and see how he can improve his club.

I don't have dellusions that this is a cap free world we live in and you could just sign any ole' player. I hate listening to sports talk radio when some moron comes on and makes some stupid comment ("Cubs should sign Mike Stanton of the Marlins"....uhhh, he's not available to be signed).

Given Stan's inability to pull off a really meaningful trade, I tend to put a lot of the blame on him. Perhaps unfairly. I give him a pass when he got Campoli, because they were limited on cap space. But if what JJ says is true, perception is often reality regarding the NHL front office types in dealing with Stan.

Pretty sure someone suggested a deal surrounding Sharp for Ryan as the centerpieces. Like the physicality that Sharpie has shown, but in my opinion, that is not what he is paid for. Ryan is more the complete package of flash, dash, and crash
- ikeane

Ryan will bring a King's ransom.

only two of those are UFA's to be. My assumption is that Selanne retires, freeing up another 4-4.5M to split between Perry and Getzlaf.
- eburgio

Possible but Ryan has had issues there....And it will be up to the owner.

You're right, the price could've been a lot higher. I'm not saying the Hawks need to rape and pillage to get everyone on the trade block, nor should they be given first right of refusal on every trade. My point is that when a player is traded, he was available. Maybe the price would've been higher for the Hawks instead of Phoenix, or Dallas, or Buffalo. Could be. But isn't that Stan's job, to flush it out and see how he can improve his club.

I don't have dellusions that this is a cap free world we live in and you could just sign any ole' player. I hate listening to sports talk radio when some moron comes on and makes some stupid comment ("Cubs should sign Mike Stanton of the Marlins"....uhhh, he's not available to be signed).

Given Stan's inability to pull off a really meaningful trade, I tend to put a lot of the blame on him. Perhaps unfairly. I give him a pass when he got Campoli, because they were limited on cap space. But if what JJ says is true, perception is often reality regarding the NHL front office types in dealing with Stan.
- eburgio

I am often reminding you guys that the list of teams that are available and willing to deal at any time with the Hawks (for strictly hockey/standings reasons) is short. So Bowman gets a bit of a pass there. But then that puts the onus on him to be more aggressive in free agency, where you can go out and get the player you want, regardless of team, if you have the money and the guts.

There is a fairly prevalent belief/rumor/perception out there that Bowman has been difficult to get to pull the trigger on deals over the last couple of years. And that other GMs don't like dealing with him. Could be lots of reasons for this and the track record suggests there could be some truth to it. Arguably his two biggest trades since 2010 have been Frolik (with Tallon) and Oduya (with Chevy).

Possible but Ryan has had issues there....And it will be up to the owner.
- Al

Motivation issues aside, Ryan has two more years remaining at 5.1M. Selanne and Koivu are UFA after this year, freeing up 8.7M between the two. If Getz/Perry's salaries go from 5.325M to 7.5 each (which is reasonable), the Ducks still have $4M in reserve.

Of course, this is all assuming Selanne retires and Koivu does the same, or leaves