Actually I'd like to see a clean open ice hit to the chest, knocking the wind out of him. As he lies in a daze, a 'Hawk player or two can skate by and simply say, "bumhole".

I also agree with others, karma will catch up to him.

EDIT: Rozner on The Score this morning torched Tippett too; about the coaching staff sitting Torres down and talking to him, like this was the first time the pr!ck ever did something. Think Barry's exact words were, "Dave Tippett can bite me".
- blackhawk24

Tippet runs a dirty team IMO....unless he just can't control his players. Morris should have been suspended already for at least two late-game incidents. Doan has, as usual, been hovering around the line with some questionable hits.

Good to see a little insurance in the Hawks line up, just in case, though the Hawks will miss Mayers on face offs.

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.
- paulr

I think you add Carcillo to 4th line when he returns, you have as much if not more balance than anyone. I totally agree on finding a bigger center for faceoffs and grinding in bottom 6, but not sure who that is and what cost is.

After the Cup victory, the squad seemed to miss having forwards that were able to get back in the attack zone and pressure the opposing defenders with checks...it was as if the Ladd, Eager, Burish subtraction actually gave the opposition as "easy out" of their zone.
I just don't see that as being the case so far this season.
I see the Hawks forwards "getting there."

The all-situation player you want to acquire just isn't available at this juncture, and surprisingly many of these guys, even if not expected to be scoring options, get paid much more than you would suspect.
The perfect candidate is signed long term at 3.1 million until 2017 and he is Martin Hanzal...if you can get 15 goals and 30 points, you take it and feel comfortable with the other side of the guy's game.

I just don't see these all-around players dropping into availabilty, and even the deadline means competition for them and over paying...
Maybe next year? (Becasue the hawks are gonna lose some of their soon to be UFAs, right?

Rookie side bar:

Mark Schiefele sent to juniors, and
Ryan Johansen sent to Springfirld AHL

Proof that you gotta try and not rush your Danault's Teravainen's, McNeill's and Rockfords...
- wiz1901

And it seems the Hawks haven't done so well drafting them lately either. The major focus seems to have been skating, speed & hockey IQ--which is good, but it seems it leaves a bit of a void in a much-needed type of role player.

After the Cup victory, the squad seemed to miss having forwards that were able to get back in the attack zone and pressure the opposing defenders with checks...it was as if the Ladd, Eager, Burish subtraction actually gave the opposition as "easy out" of their zone.
I just don't see that as being the case so far this season.
I see the Hawks forwards "getting there."

The all-situation player you want to acquire just isn't available at this juncture, and surprisingly many of these guys, even if not expected to be scoring options, get paid much more than you would suspect.
The perfect candidate is signed long term at 3.1 million until 2017 and he is Martin Hanzal...if you can get 15 goals and 30 points, you take it and feel comfortable with the other side of the guy's game.

I just don't see these all-around players dropping into availabilty, and even the deadline means competition for them and over paying...
Maybe next year? (Becasue the hawks are gonna lose some of their soon to be UFAs, right?

Rookie side bar:

Mark Schiefele sent to juniors, and
Ryan Johansen sent to Springfirld AHL

Proof that you gotta try and not rush your Danault's Teravainen's, McNeill's and Rockfords...
- wiz1901

I agree on Hanzal but he would cost any team more than they want to pay.

Even though I have never been a big fan of his, Nik Antropov might be a suitable alternative and I think he would be available. Can play center or wing, big (and clumsy), veteran with experience.

I think you add Carcillo to 4th line when he returns, you have as much if not more balance than anyone. I totally agree on finding a bigger center for faceoffs and grinding in bottom 6, but not sure who that is and what cost is.
- TrueGrit

Who's roster spot does Carcillo take when he returns? I would assume the top 6 stay the same. The only wildcard there is Bickell if he pull his disappearing act. Kruger and Frolik will stay because they have play so well defensively, especially on the PK. Does Bollig get benched or does he get sent down to Rockford? I'm not saying Bollig deserves to be sent down, he's done his job as we as can be expected. But somebody has to be the odd man out.

We need to find away to acquire Ryan O'Rielly from the Aves..
Any ideas fellas? Sure, nobody wants to screw with team chemistry right now as the Hawks are clipping along, but it would solve the 2nd line Centre issue for the foreseeable future.
Of course the cap will be an issue this summer, but we would be well positioned for a long cup run this season.
In my eyes Option B is D. Brassard followed by T. Bozak..

He is already skating...
- TrueGrit

even better.

After the Cup victory, the squad seemed to miss having forwards that were able to get back in the attack zone and pressure the opposing defenders with checks...it was as if the Ladd, Eager, Burish subtraction actually gave the opposition as "easy out" of their zone.
I just don't see that as being the case so far this season.
I see the Hawks forwards "getting there."

The all-situation player you want to acquire just isn't available at this juncture, and surprisingly many of these guys, even if not expected to be scoring options, get paid much more than you would suspect.
The perfect candidate is signed long term at 3.1 million until 2017 and he is Martin Hanzal...if you can get 15 goals and 30 points, you take it and feel comfortable with the other side of the guy's game.

I just don't see these all-around players dropping into availabilty, and even the deadline means competition for them and over paying...
Maybe next year? (Becasue the hawks are gonna lose some of their soon to be UFAs, right?

Rookie side bar:

Mark Schiefele sent to juniors, and
Ryan Johansen sent to Springfirld AHL

Proof that you gotta try and not rush your Danault's Teravainen's, McNeill's and Rockfords...
- wiz1901

Hanzal would be a very good option, but the question becomes what do we have to give up for him? We'll likely have to overpay but I think we have the assets to do that. If they're going to trade away a young, talented, large centre and I'm sure the Coyotes will want a major return.

We need to find away to acquire Ryan O'Rielly from the Aves..
Any ideas fellas? Sure, nobody wants to screw with team chemistry right now as the Hawks are clipping along, but it would solve the 2nd line Centre issue for the foreseeable future.
Of course the cap will be an issue this summer, but we would be well positioned for a long cup run this season.
In my eyes Option B is D. Brassard followed by T. Bozak..
- HawkFanInLeafLand

In my opinion, Bolland is not cutting it on the 2nd line. The 3rd and 4th lines are firing on all cylinders so this could make the Rat available in a trade with a prospect like Morin/McNeill for RoR?

Top 6 of:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-RoR-Kane

Also, with O'Reilly being a left handed shot, this provides Hossa an alternate center to play with. O'Reilly reminds me of a mini-Toews with his style of play and I think would excel on the 2nd line

In my opinion, Bolland is not cutting it on the 2nd line. The 3rd and 4th lines are firing on all cylinders so this could make the Rat available in a trade with a prospect like Morin/McNeill for RoR?

Top 6 of:

Saad-Toews-Hossa
Sharp-RoR-Kane

Also, with O'Reilly being a left handed shot, this provides Hossa an alternate center to play with. O'Reilly reminds me of a mini-Toews with his style of play and I think would excel on the 2nd line
- ikeane

I think O'Reilly is more of a 3rd line centre as well. Bolland has done fine on the 2nd line, I think it's Sharp that needs to pick up his game a bit.

The crazy thing is after tonight, the Blackhawks will have only 15 roadies remaining the remainder of the year. They are basically home throughout the rest of the season.

And 6-0-2 is none to shabby away from the UC.

In my opinion, Bolland is not cutting it on the 2nd line. The 3rd and 4th lines are firing on all cylinders so this could make the Rat available in a trade with a prospect like Morin/McNeill for RoR?
- ikeane

He is not winning faceoffs - grant you that. Prior to his injury, that line was pretty decent. The weak link is Sharp. I suspect his game will come around though.

Question is this: is 36 expendable to the extent they could do without his services entirely - as in not even return as the third like "checking" center?

This is all a symptom of failing (that means you Stan) to get a true second line center who can win faceoffs.

In spite of the strong regular season start, we all can agree that some games involved some real horseshoes, and that this sort of play (winning by relying on finesse and not enough muscle and bad faceoff win pct) is not likely to continue, and most importantly, will not give them the edge they need in the playoffs.

The problem with moving Bolland to the Avs is that the Avs ultimately will want O'Reilly's skill set replaced in any trade. Bolland does not win faceoffs, and prospects are just that.

Stan has already told us this is your 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.

He is not winning faceoffs - grant you that. Prior to his injury, that line was pretty decent. The weak link is Sharp. I suspect his game will come around though.

Question is this: is 36 expendable to the extent they could do without his services entirely - as in not even return as the third like "checking" center?

This is all a symptom of failing (that means you Stan) to get a true second line center who can win faceoffs.

In spite of the strong regular season start, we all can agree that some games involved some real horseshoes, and that this sort of play (winning by relying on finesse and not enough muscle and bad faceoff win pct) is not likely to continue, and most importantly, will not give them the edge they need in the playoffs.

The problem with moving Bolland to the Avs is that the Avs ultimately will want O'Reilly's skill set replaced in any trade. Bolland does not win faceoffs, and prospects are just that.
- Return of the Roar

I gotta ask, is this really what you are seeing this year or just projecting the distaste from the past two years on this year's team? No doubt there has been a couple of games that they won that they may have needed "horseshoes" or not carried the play, but I think we have seen a tougher game from them so far this year in all three zones.

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

+1

Some of you guys starting to sound as silly as the Sharks fans were yesterday. Just win.

I gotta ask, is this really what you are seeing this year or just projecting the distaste from the past two years on this year's team? No doubt there has been a couple of games that they won that they may have needed "horseshoes" or not carried the play, but I think we have seen a tougher game from them so far this year in all three zones.
- PhatJoeSki

With the exception of the bottom D pairing, this IS the same team. Playing tougher in the D zone - yes, but 2 and 7 are not where they should be. That's a problem.

Tougher in the neutral zone? Sometimes - as long as Hossa is out there when it counts.

Tougher in the O zone? Not really seeing that at all. No consistent net presence.

Saw speculation that Brian Boyle is on his way out in NYC. Could be a nice fit with Hawks.

The problem with moving Bolland to the Avs is that the Avs ultimately will want O'Reilly's skill set replaced in any trade. Bolland does not win faceoffs, and prospects are just that.
- Return of the Roar

Bolland is one of the best #3 centers in the league. Avs already have Duschene and Statsny for the first two lines. Bolland is actually signed and playing. Just thinking that he may be an attractive piece for the Avs

Saw speculation that Brian Boyle is on his way out in NYC. Could be a nice fit with Hawks.
- furso27

Was hoping the Hawks would get him a few times. Meets the banging big body who skates and can chip in the occasional goal.

Was hoping the Hawks would get him a few times. Meets the banging big body who skates and can chip in the occasional goal.
- ikeane

Tortorella moved him to LW Monday. Would not mind seeing him on LW with Toews and Hossa....at. all.

With the exception of the bottom D pairing, this IS the same team. Playing tougher in the D zone - yes, but 2 and 7 are not where they should be. That's a problem.

Tougher in the neutral zone? Sometimes - as long as Hossa is out there when it counts.

Tougher in the O zone? Not really seeing that at all. No consistent net presence.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed that its the same team, I agree that the top pairing of 2 and 7 has largely been the shakiest of the three, and I agree that the net presence has been inconsistent (seemingly there are guys there but that they aren't effective or doing anything while there). I guess I feel like they have been a little more effective and physical on the forecheck. No they aren't punishing defensemen on every dump-in, but it seems to me there has been an increase in board battle wins. Maybe its just me.

Tortorella moved him to LW Monday. Would not mind seeing him on LW with Toews and Hossa....at. all.
- Return of the Roar

To quote Matthew Barry - Boyle on that line would "look like a snail on Prozac"

Agreed that its the same team, I agree that the top pairing of 2 and 7 has largely been the shakiest of the three, and I agree that the net presence has been inconsistent (seemingly there are guys there but that they aren't effective or doing anything while there). I guess I feel like they have been a little more effective and physical on the forecheck. No they aren't punishing defensemen on every dump-in, but it seems to me there has been an increase in board battle wins. Maybe its just me.
- PhatJoeSki

Not really seeing much O zone board battle winning.

Case in point:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93ZYFzSyIpQ

He is not winning faceoffs - grant you that. Prior to his injury, that line was pretty decent. The weak link is Sharp. I suspect his game will come around though.

Question is this: is 36 expendable to the extent they could do without his services entirely - as in not even return as the third like "checking" center?

This is all a symptom of failing (that means you Stan) to get a true second line center who can win faceoffs.

In spite of the strong regular season start, we all can agree that some games involved some real horseshoes, and that this sort of play (winning by relying on finesse and not enough muscle and bad faceoff win pct) is not likely to continue, and most importantly, will not give them the edge they need in the playoffs.

The problem with moving Bolland to the Avs is that the Avs ultimately will want O'Reilly's skill set replaced in any trade. Bolland does not win faceoffs, and prospects are just that.

Stan has already told us this is your 2013 Chicago Blackhawks.
- Return of the Roar

Not many face offs are won cleanly any more, it's all about your wingers getting in there and helping out. Kane and Sharp are great but they're not the type of wingers that get aggressive during face offs. Some of the blame is Bolland's for sure, but not all of it.

If we need a better shutdown centre I'd have no issue moving Bolland back to 3C and keep Shaw at 2C. There's nothing wrong with Bolland on the 2nd line, I'm just thinking about balancing out the lines.

Tortorella moved him to LW Monday. Would not mind seeing him on LW with Toews and Hossa....at. all.
- Return of the Roar

If Boyle really is available I'd love for StanBo to make a run at him. His versatility would check a lot of boxes the Hawks need.

Torres was that kid on the play ground we all hated. That hyper-spastic ( ) kid with the backyard mohawk haircut. That kid that ran around knocking kids off the swings and kicking them when they were not looking. After all the suspensions, he hasnt learned yet. And Tippett should know that too. Torres trys to hurt people. He has no biz being on the ice. I say ignore him to start the game. The second he trys to run someone, its game on. He needs a beat down in the worst way. Another great game tonight... Hawks take this one easily.