I know this is shouting at the rain ( as opposed to shouting at Steve Rain....) but this "Hope someone beats Raffi Torres' skull into dust thing" is really really pointless. When has a team ever "gotten revenge"...? Especially the very next game. It's just not going to happen. In fact, if anything everyone knows that all eyes will be on Torres and I'm sure the Hawks will try and skate right at them and test his "new found respect for the opponent." Torres is going to be out his element ( Donny!) and The Hawks would be better off capitalizing on that for two points than going after this phony Man-tough BS revenge that Marian Hossa himself hasn't asked for and doesn't want....

Did the Canucks waste all game trying to get revenge on Duncs? Or did they just win the game....

A little worried about this game. There's a "well this trip is already a success" feel and that's usually when the guard gets dropped. However, a few early goals and we could be looking at 20 out of 22 possible points.

Small (but growing) sample size, but: 32 of 70 WC games have gone into extra time - 45%.

One of two games is a three-pointer.

At this rate (although I would guess the rate would normalize over time) very few teams will be out of play-off contention as the season goes on.

Torres represents everything I hate about the game
- molly2522

LOSING should represent what we hate about the game.

That - and Stan Bowman, of course.

Well said, in the echo chamber here it is important to balance your dreams with reality.

If I see another person drop a "hits" statistic and hang their hat on it, I am coming with a blind side two hander.

Try looking at the stat for wins and goals for, and the fact that if our team is engaged, will be the best team on the ice every night.
- TrueGrit

The hit statistic is so BS at a certain point. So is the Take Away one to a certain extent. Really indicative of the score keeper.

Interesting Does not seem Colarado is a fit

The Avalanche and Ryan O’Reilly’s camp did talk, but it looking like neither side is going to budge. The Avs remain at 2 years and $7 million or 5 years and $17 million. O’Reilly is closer on the 2 year deal than on the 5 years, where he’s looking for closer to $25 million. Two scenarios could now be either a trade or an offer sheet. It’s unclear if the Avs would consider moving him. The possibility of an offer sheet is growing. If O’Reilly signed a deal between $3,364,392 to $5,046,585, the Avs would get a 1st and 3rd round pick. If between $5,046,586 to $6,728,781, it would be a 1st, 2nd and 3rd round pick. Offers $6.7 million and higher are at least 2 1st round picks. If the Avs matched the offer, they are not allowed to trade him for one year.
- PEIHawkFan

At those $$$$ not a fit for anyone. You can justify 3.5 for that guy. Definitely nowhere close to 5.

If there are any shades of grey in one of Torres hits - it won't be long till there the hawks hopefully introduce Torres face to the ice. javascript:emoticon('') J.J. You did not say anything. What do you think will go down tonight???

I know this is shouting at the rain ( as opposed to shouting at Steve Rain....) but this "Hope someone beats Raffi Torres' skull into dust thing" is really really pointless. When has a team ever "gotten revenge"...? Especially the very next game. It's just not going to happen. In fact, if anything everyone knows that all eyes will be on Torres and I'm sure the Hawks will try and skate right at them and test his "new found respect for the opponent." Torres is going to be out his element ( Donny!) and The Hawks would be better off capitalizing on that for two points than going after this phony Man-tough BS revenge that Marian Hossa himself hasn't asked for and doesn't want....

Did the Canucks waste all game trying to get revenge on Duncs? Or did they just win the game....

A little worried about this game. There's a "well this trip is already a success" feel and that's usually when the guard gets dropped. However, a few early goals and we could be looking at 20 out of 22 possible points.
- yahoodi

I think a lot of the "getting revenge" thing has disappeared a bit from hockey - particularly when its across a period of time. Within a game is a different story.

There are only a couple relatively recent examples that I can think of, one being Boston and Matt Cooke after the Savard hit, and the other being Ladd and Kesler after that hit in the playoffs. Overall, I think a lot of the "revenge" fighting has faded from the game quite a bit, and when it does come up, it seems to be more prevalent in the Eastern Conference.

I know this is shouting at the rain ( as opposed to shouting at Steve Rain....) but this "Hope someone beats Raffi Torres' skull into dust thing" is really really pointless. When has a team ever "gotten revenge"...? Especially the very next game. It's just not going to happen. In fact, if anything everyone knows that all eyes will be on Torres and I'm sure the Hawks will try and skate right at them and test his "new found respect for the opponent." Torres is going to be out his element ( Donny!) and The Hawks would be better off capitalizing on that for two points than going after this phony Man-tough BS revenge that Marian Hossa himself hasn't asked for and doesn't want....

Did the Canucks waste all game trying to get revenge on Duncs? Or did they just win the game....

A little worried about this game. There's a "well this trip is already a success" feel and that's usually when the guard gets dropped. However, a few early goals and we could be looking at 20 out of 22 possible points.
- yahoodi

They should try to score 7 or 8 goals and embarrass them. 10 would be magical. Then say it was a statement game after. Public humiliation in that regard is so much better, longer lasting and way more fun for everyone. Also very classy.

Obviously that number is difficult against that clown they have in goal but in my perfect delusional world that is how it works.

At those $$$$ not a fit for anyone. You can justify 3.5 for that guy. Definitely nowhere close to 5.
- fattybeef

Agreed - not with the cap going down next year.

O'Reilly is a curious case though - a solidly built left handed-center who makes plays and wins draws. Kind of a rare commodity, and I can see someone paying for him.

Wish he could fit into the 'Hawks' financials, because I like this kid quite a bit. Can't see the offer sheet happening though - not with having to give up a first and third.

Ultimately, I see the Av's trying to move Stastny before they let O'Reilly go.

At those $$$$ not a fit for anyone. You can justify 3.5 for that guy. Definitely nowhere close to 5.
- fattybeef

David Booth is making 4.5 m

He is young so 4 mil x 4 years would work

what should happen vs. what will probably happen re: mr. torres!
raffi has to know it's comin his way, just like matt cooke did against the bruins.
man up , step up to the plate & answer the bell , get it out of the way early, take your medicine (or if Q chooses not to dress 52) or give it raffi, (raffi can fight so he'd probably woop 22's or whoever elses arse.)earn the respect of the players & fans, then move on & play hockey!
what will probably happen is Q will puss out ,come up with some crap about "the best medicine for that was losing $$ for 25 games"! and do nothing! never mind "the code & honor " of the game !
either way hawks win again!!

I'm not a big believer in hits for the sake of hitting and if you read my post you'd know that. What the Hawks need is more balance, not for regular season points, but to be a force in the playoffs when it gets harder to play. Right now the Hawks mainly gain access to the opposition's zone with finesse, they need to balance that with some dump and chase and physical puck battles to open up the ice for finesse too. The balance and depth the Hawks had in 2010 is what I'd like them try to recreate.

Just as an aside, am I to take it you were satisfied with their impressive regular season point total last season? Overlooking the fact the Hawks need a more balanced line up to compete in the playoffs makes you a candidate for that 'blind side two hander'.
- paulr

Fair questions. My overarching theme is to embrace who we are, for better or worse. Embrace our strengths. Then augment weaknesses with concerted effort.

Micro analyzing every guy on every shift in every game is really a tad goofy. I get frustrated with that.

Finding the balance of 2010 is something every team in the NHL will try to replicate for the next 15 years. Like the 85 bears, the team was an anomaly of special circumstance. This team has to be who they are and beat the teams in current NHL and not the 2010 team.

While last years playoff exit was frustrating. Contrary to many here, I do not believe it fell solely on the shoulders of CC. Yes, he struggled and let in a soft one or two. What most never talk about is the absence of Hossa and Shaw for that matter. Do 5 more body checks a game = a goal a game?

My biggest contention with the playoffs is that your core failed you. That is you got no scoring from your big boys and zero help on the power play. Those are facts.

While I will not begrudge you or anyone for hoping and wanting more players, my point is for the most part it is ineffectual hype, like going to work everyday wishing you got more money. Given real circumstances in the league, the players we demand are not necessarily sitting ripe on a tree waiting to be plucked. It is this groundhog day mentality that is so played out.

So long as the guys stay committed on the forecheck, like 29, 25, 65, 20 the other day...we will be good. Contrary to what many think, our forwards, man for man are not much smaller then most teams. So in my mind the issues are not with the assets, as it is the buy in and commitment day in and day out. Because if you just nuetralize opponents physically, not overwhelm them, your high end talent puts you over the top. Think about it, look how tough Nashville plays every game, if they had high end offense they would be super elite.

A big guy who can skate, bang and win draws would be nice and I have reason to believe the Hawks want that.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, it's in house if 29 & 25 use their size and get alittle raw under the skin! as much as i am all over 29, out of the 2, i think he can be THAT guy for us.
25, it's early but i'm already starting to think down the road we'll be lookin back & sayin "mr. yaremchuk all over again"! if it ain't the jackets, he ain't scoring. i think his agent will try to squeeze 3 mill a year out of the hawks. i say deal him, if there is any bullshlit to this colorado stuff, & orielly, SB should atleast investigate it.
29, with a good kick in the asss, & he'll get it once 13 comes back & he's up in the box, could be useful here for the long haul!

The hit statistic is so BS at a certain point. So is the Take Away one to a certain extent. Really indicative of the score keeper.
- fattybeef

faceoffs too for the most part, there are seldom clean wins. And often a guy will pull it back his way, only to have it poke checked to opposing team within 3 seconds.

A big guy who can skate, bang and win draws would be nice and I have reason to believe the Hawks want that.
- John Jaeckel

Sounds like you guys could use Martin Hanzal...

Thanks for the game dag thread JJ. Do you know when we can expect to see Roszival back in the lineup? I thought he was playing better than Brookbank.

Hopefully we get revenge for being eliminated from the playoffs and take 2 points in regulation.
- DarthKane

According to the Hawks website: "Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival (lower body) is questionable. … "

It sounds like he's still a week away from skating.

According to the Hawks website: "Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival (lower body) is questionable. … "

It sounds like he's still a week away from skating.
- Lido_Shuffle

Last year that would have meant John Scott was in the lineup. God that was frustrating. Brookbank has been at least steady, if not good.

According to the Hawks website: "Blackhawks defenseman Michal Rozsival (lower body) is questionable. … "

It sounds like he's still a week away from skating.
- Lido_Shuffle

He is already skating...

JJ, it's in house if 29 & 25 use their size and get alittle raw under the skin! as much as i am all over 29, out of the 2, i think he can be THAT guy for us.
25, it's early but i'm already starting to think down the road we'll be lookin back & sayin "mr. yaremchuk all over again"! if it ain't the jackets, he ain't scoring. i think his agent will try to squeeze 3 mill a year out of the hawks. i say deal him, if there is any bullshlit to this colorado stuff, & orielly, SB should atleast investigate it.
29, with a good kick in the asss, & he'll get it once 13 comes back & he's up in the box, could be useful here for the long haul!
- wonthecup10

Only problem with that is that third line has been cycling the puck and keeping possession tremendously. Really difficult to lay guys out if you have the puck and are on offense a vast majority of the shift / TOI.

Karma Chameleon, he plays for the Culture Club, he comes and goes.
- Ballam

Just getting caught up but between this and loose,I am LMAO.Thanks.

Last year that would have meant John Scott was in the lineup. God that was frustrating. Brookbank has been at least steady, if not good.
- Kentxo

I think there is a good amount going on for us to be - cautiously - excited about this season.

The 'Hawks are not a perfect team. They have voids that have been present for a couple of seasons now. But, they haven improved the roster from last year in a couple of ways - the biggetst being what you alude to here as depth on the blue line. I think this will go a long way to improving a lot of the team's woes from the past two seasons.

I think the marked improvement of a couple young players is also playing a big part in this - namely Kruger and Leddy. The re-emergence of Frolik as a competant two-way player has been big as well, and Bickell appears to have gotten the kick in the ass he needed. The team doesn't feel quite so top-heavy as in recent years - and even though it's not a perfect balance, I still feel like every line has an opportunity to score when they are out there. There does not appear to be too many wasted shifts, recent second-line difficulties aside.

Is this team a Stanley Cup Championship team? Hard to say. A key injury could send the whole house of cards fluttering down - and the perimeter game and relatively passive forcheck are systems built for playing with lead, rather than a deficit. There will be struggles, but in a shortened season, I think they have as good a chance as any to come out of the west.

I do have an inkling though, that one big aggressive move would vault them promptly into the driver's seat

They are quite loose and that is a big reason they are playing so well.
- paulr

Well played,well played indeed!

Fair questions. My overarching theme is to embrace who we are, for better or worse. Embrace our strengths. Then augment weaknesses with concerted effort.

Micro analyzing every guy on every shift in every game is really a tad goofy. I get frustrated with that.

Finding the balance of 2010 is something every team in the NHL will try to replicate for the next 15 years. Like the 85 bears, the team was an anomaly of special circumstance. This team has to be who they are and beat the teams in current NHL and not the 2010 team.

While last years playoff exit was frustrating. Contrary to many here, I do not believe it fell solely on the shoulders of CC. Yes, he struggled and let in a soft one or two. What most never talk about is the absence of Hossa and Shaw for that matter. Do 5 more body checks a game = a goal a game?

My biggest contention with the playoffs is that your core failed you. That is you got no scoring from your big boys and zero help on the power play. Those are facts.

While I will not begrudge you or anyone for hoping and wanting more players, my point is for the most part it is ineffectual hype, like going to work everyday wishing you got more money. Given real circumstances in the league, the players we demand are not necessarily sitting ripe on a tree waiting to be plucked. It is this groundhog day mentality that is so played out.

So long as the guys stay committed on the forecheck, like 29, 25, 65, 20 the other day...we will be good. Contrary to what many think, our forwards, man for man are not much smaller then most teams. So in my mind the issues are not with the assets, as it is the buy in and commitment day in and day out. Because if you just nuetralize opponents physically, not overwhelm them, your high end talent puts you over the top. Think about it, look how tough Nashville plays every game, if they had high end offense they would be super elite.
- TrueGrit

I think we agree on many points, I too can’t place the blame on any one position, player, play, coaching or Management decision. Like failures of any type the root causes are usually beyond an individual. I personally feel the problem the last two years was having to rip the guts from the 2010 championship team. There was no way, without divine intervention, that taking away so much talent at one time wasn’t going to impact the team for a few years.

With all that said my idea about bolstering the line up with a couple of more robust players who also have some skating ability and hockey smarts isn’t ‘ineffectual hype’, it is a need that can be addressed because of cap room and because of the availability of assets both on the roster and in development. Also the Hawks ‘window’ to remain a top contender has to be factored into the discussion and while that window appears to have a few years of being open we all know how fast it can close quickly because of injuries, decline in play etc.

So yes, I am very happy with the Hawks this season because I thought this would be another transitional year, but with the emergence of a few youngsters, Kruger, Shaw, Leddy and yes Saad as well as the improvement so far in Crawford’s game as well as the play of the more veteran guys I think this year is a great opportunity to fill in a few holes with some needed attributes and go for it. And the guys I think can make a difference are two younger guys with lower end contracts to provide the Hawks with the balance I think they need to be a real contender when the real season rolls around. Who those two guys are I don’t know, but that is what they pay SB and his scouting staff the big bucks for.

A big guy who can skate, bang and win draws would be nice and I have reason to believe the Hawks want that.
- John Jaeckel

Me likes Jason Chamera

A big guy who can skate, bang and win draws would be nice and I have reason to believe the Hawks want that.
- John Jaeckel

Me likes Jason Chamera