If the Hawks were to go on a 5 game losing streak those deficiencies will become obvious. Right now any weakness has been hidden in the win column. SB will not be blinded by this early success anymore than he will if the Hawks start struggling. It is up to him to identify where the Hawks need to improve to be a strong contender, when the real season begins.
- paulr

They've been good AND they've been lucky. I would not be so sure however, Bowman will be prepared to pull the trigger after a five game losing streak.

They've been good AND they've been lucky. I would not be so sure however, Bowman will be prepared to pull the trigger after a five game losing streak.
- John Jaeckel

This.

Also, you've (Paulr) mentioned the real season a few times. In an abbreviated season I think you're going to see that type of hockey in the stretch run of the regular season as teams don't have the luxury of an extra couple dozen games to make up ground lost at the beginning of the season.

They've been good AND they've been lucky. I would not be so sure however, Bowman will be prepared to pull the trigger after a five game losing streak.
- John Jaeckel

Good point, there has been some good luck involved and when the Hawks have a few bad games that luck could turn the other way as it tends to do.

My point wasn't that Bowman would pull the trigger on a trade should the team lose a few. My point is he should (had better) know what the Hawks need regardless of winning or losing streaks.

Everyone who says because it is all going so well we don't need fill the odd hole are not being realistic about this season

Last year after 13 games the Hawks were 8-2-3

After 13 games this year we could be about the same

We scrambled to make the playoffs last year so do the Math

Any team that has a nose dive losing streak will struggle to make the playoffs in such a short season

It seems that at this point it could not happen to the Hawks but it could

Any moves they make to fill holes will work for me

Scotty B as some posters suggest will be the voice of reason and I for one am glad he is with the Hawks and not another organization

Everyone who says because it is all going so well we don't need fill the odd hole are not being realistic about this season

Last year after 13 games the Hawks were 8-2-3

After 13 games this year we could be about the same

We scrambled to make the playoffs last year so do the Math

Any team that has a nose dive losing streak will struggle to make the playoffs in such a short season

It seems that at this point it could not happen to the Hawks but it could

Any moves they make to fill holes will work for me

Scotty B as some posters suggest will be the voice of reason and I for one am glad he is with the Hawks and not another organization
- PEIHawkFan

The difference is that after 13 games this season, almost a third of it will be over.

I agree with the post earlier of New to Hockey where yes the Hawks have some holes but the needs aren't as glaring.

If they are able to address a need, great! If not I feel better about there chances this year as they're improved in defensive depth, shot blocking, goaltending, pk, bottom 6 forwards, and overall team toughness. Could possibly make some improvements on the last one but I like it better than last year. I mentioned before, to me a screen setter on the pp is as of now seemingly the biggest NEED.

NO way a team makes a trade during a streak like the Blackhawks are on. The biggest weakness this team has is the power play not a 2nd line center. The PP issues are not because of a missing piece, it's the scheme itself. Teams have adjusted and know whats coming plain and simple. Basically this is on the coaching staff. If there was a second weakness it's face offs. Besides Toews they are inconsistent. Ideally a person with a physical presence who can win face offs would be the perfect fit but a lot of teams are looking for that so not an easy find. Also, those who are expecting a big name trade please don't get your hopes up. First, it's not in StanBo's history and secondly trades like that usually don't involve the top team during a season. If Bowman adds anything it will be a bottom line player with very little going the other way. If he does trade a player off the current roster look for it be a Frolik, Bickel, or Stalberg. Frolik has value especially because of his play on the PK. Bickel and Stalberg are both cheap will not command a huge raise in the offseason. If Bowman is planning on resigning them then.............More than likely a Clendening or Pirri will be involved in a trade and like I said....those names may not bring a lot back. All in all this team is a great team....not a good team. Getting points when you are not playing your best is huge and then standing up strong against Phoenix and SJ shows how tough this team is. Think of it this way.....they've played on twice on home ice. This schedule has been grueling and they have shown up. Fix the PP and this team will go from great to elite!

Stanley's daddy was a master at adding a body here and there close to playoff time to plug a hole or create a little more depth in a position he wasn't entirely comfortable with. Currently he's sitting down there in Florida going to all of the Lightning games and watching hockey on TV every night of the week.

You can be sure he's feeding names to Junior to put in his Blackberry. He knows better than anybody where the areas of concern with the Hawks roster would be. Probably looking for another John Madden type right now.
- RickJ

A-hole/Mastermind....but GLAD he's on our side.

do you really think this team could contend with the 2012 kings, 2011 bruins, 2010 hawks, 2009 penguins, or 2008 red wings?

i say no way, not a chance, because we dont have the physicality, or goaltending for it.
- FourFeathers773

Right, because that Wings team was a physical powerhouse packed with bruisers and elite goaltending!

Also, were you saying that the 2012 Kings were a dominant cup caliber team 1/4 of the way through the season?

Everyone who says because it is all going so well we don't need fill the odd hole are not being realistic about this season

Last year after 13 games the Hawks were 8-2-3

After 13 games this year we could be about the same

We scrambled to make the playoffs last year so do the Math

Any team that has a nose dive losing streak will struggle to make the playoffs in such a short season

It seems that at this point it could not happen to the Hawks but it could

Any moves they make to fill holes will work for me

Scotty B as some posters suggest will be the voice of reason and I for one am glad he is with the Hawks and not another organization
- PEIHawkFan

All right, here is the math.

This season they are playing less than 60% of a normal season. Going off of last season, 95 points was the last spot in the West. 60% of 95 is 57. Can we then safely assume that the cut off for the playoffs will be around 57?

After 11 games, the Hawks have 20 points. This would require them to get only 37 points over the final 37 games to make that cut off. That's right, the Hawks would make the playoffs without winning another game in this scenario by going 0-0-37.

The shorter the season, the bigger the effect a streak, good or bad, will have on it. In the NFL, a 10 game win streak is season making. In MLB, not so much. Ignoring the shorter season to say they are in the same place as last year is myopic.

Lastly, North of Eight, a band out of Downers Grove, has an excellent song named Do The Math.

http://youtu.be/iEVQuKKLyoE

I've got it!

Stan trades: Saad, Bickell, Shaw, Stalberg, Bollig, Kruger, Mayers, Carcillo, Frolik, Oduya, Leddy, Roszival, Brookbank, Crawford and Emery for Brouwer, Ladd, Buff, Versteeg, Kopecky, Eager, Fraser, Burish, Sopel, Campbell, Boynton, Niemi and Huet.



Who cares if this Hawks team could beat last year's playoff Kings team. Will Quick be in God Mode again this Spring? They only need to beat the teams in front of them.

All right, here is the math.

This season they are playing less than 60% of a normal season. Going off of last season, 95 points was the last spot in the West. 60% of 95 is 57. Can we then safely assume that the cut off for the playoffs will be around 57?

After 11 games, the Hawks have 20 points. This would require them to get only 37 points over the final 37 games to make that cut off. That's right, the Hawks would make the playoffs without winning another game in this scenario by going 0-0-37.

The shorter the season, the bigger the effect a streak, good or bad, will have on it. In the NFL, a 10 game win streak is season making. In MLB, not so much. Ignoring the shorter season to say they are in the same place as last year is myopic.

Lastly, North of Eight, a band out of Downers Grove, has an excellent song named Do The Math.

http://youtu.be/iEVQuKKLyoE
- NewToHockey

I agree with you

I am just pointing out that in a long season there is time to recover from a losing streak but in a shortened season there is not

I was not trying to compare the Math as a direct equation of start versus start

That would make me an idiot

It was a general comment that despite the great start and all the improvements we started well last year and went into a 9 game tail spin that in a shortened season would or could see the Hawks miss the playoffs

last year the Hawks in the longer season had time to recover which they did

So add any pieces that become available because things can change quickly for anyone in this league

I think when we start comparing players often age is fogotten. Datsyuk was a force from the 2005-2006 season on....When he was 26-27 years old.
- Al

Haha, how about across sports. Remember when this team went 49 games before losing...

trust me im not trying to argue with you i love where the hawks are at, NOW. but you cant be ignorant and be content with this team without making any moves to solidify a cup run just because of their record 3 weeks into the season. Injuries and droughts WILL happen, and maybe at the wrong time. To cut yourself off of options or to ignore weaknesses is the wine of the fool.

problem is its a double edged sword this year. you CANT wait for a slump or a major injury to make a move this year because then it might be too late with the condensed schedule.

There is a lot to like about the way this team is playing right now, but the last thing you want to do is ignore the market and get doe-eyed about things such as "our not so right" 2nd line. Lets admit, a lot of people have already stated the 2nd line isnt working in previous days/games. if it wasnt for Kane's torrid pace, that 2nd line would still be a HUGE problem
- FourFeathers773

I'm going to drink my sweet delicious wine and if I end up with a hang over well I end up with a hang over.

Everyone who says because it is all going so well we don't need fill the odd hole are not being realistic about this season

Last year after 13 games the Hawks were 8-2-3

After 13 games this year we could be about the same

We scrambled to make the playoffs last year so do the Math

Any team that has a nose dive losing streak will struggle to make the playoffs in such a short season

It seems that at this point it could not happen to the Hawks but it could

Any moves they make to fill holes will work for me

Scotty B as some posters suggest will be the voice of reason and I for one am glad he is with the Hawks and not another organization
- PEIHawkFan

Last season about that time a foot injury to Bolland caused a problem. Hossa tweaking something became a huge problem. Toews getting knocked out was mitigated by the stellar play of Kane however ran some of their top players into the ground IMO.

Also, an abysmal penalty kill, a terrible attitude regarding the forwards and their lack luster back checking and a massive lack of bottom line production and reliability. Plus a nightmare third pairing and Hammer and Keith having nightmare seasons by their standards...

Today... Those issues appear to be mitigated and fixed in some cases. Boom. Going to the ship yo, have a drink of your preferred hot / cold / alcoholic / non alcoholic beverage and hop on board.

I really think the way to go is to trade prospects to fill their needs so that means SB would have to deal top prospects like Teravainan to get back something of value.

I really think the way to go is to trade prospects to fill their needs so that means SB would have to deal top prospects like Teravainan to get back something of value.
- jhawk159

Stan would have to trade a roster player too in order to make space for another forward. Or send one of Bollig, Kruger, or Saad back to Rockford. None of whom deserve that.

NO way a team makes a trade during a streak like the Blackhawks are on. The biggest weakness this team has is the power play not a 2nd line center. The PP issues are not because of a missing piece, it's the scheme itself. Teams have adjusted and know whats coming plain and simple. Basically this is on the coaching staff. If there was a second weakness it's face offs. Besides Toews they are inconsistent. Ideally a person with a physical presence who can win face offs would be the perfect fit but a lot of teams are looking for that so not an easy find. Also, those who are expecting a big name trade please don't get your hopes up. First, it's not in StanBo's history and secondly trades like that usually don't involve the top team during a season. If Bowman adds anything it will be a bottom line player with very little going the other way. If he does trade a player off the current roster look for it be a Frolik, Bickel, or Stalberg. Frolik has value especially because of his play on the PK. Bickel and Stalberg are both cheap will not command a huge raise in the offseason. If Bowman is planning on resigning them then.............More than likely a Clendening or Pirri will be involved in a trade and like I said....those names may not bring a lot back. All in all this team is a great team....not a good team. Getting points when you are not playing your best is huge and then standing up strong against Phoenix and SJ shows how tough this team is. Think of it this way.....they've played on twice on home ice. This schedule has been grueling and they have shown up. Fix the PP and this team will go from great to elite!
- UnnamedSource

It's better to upgrade during a winning streak than a losing streak, it will cost you less. If you can turn a Stalberg or Bickell (for example purposes) and some picks/prospects into some significant top 6 help then why not. You'll get more for guys like that when they're playing this well then during a cold streak.

It's better to upgrade during a winning streak than a losing streak, it will cost you less. If you can turn a Stalberg or Bickell (for example purposes) and some picks/prospects into some significant top 6 help then why not. You'll get more for guys like that when they're playing this well then during a cold streak.
- DarthKane

Stalberg and Bickell make next to nothing! Significant top 6 help cost 3m and up. Then what happens if you get a couple injuries, but you are way closer to the cap. You can't make the moves you really need to..

Stalberg and Bickell make next to nothing! Significant top 6 help cost 3m and up. Then what happens if you get a couple injuries, but you are way closer to the cap. You can't make the moves you really need to..
- moots

I was just using them as examples. It could be Frolik, Mayers or Kruger as long as it upgrades to team. But it also depends on Stan's long term plans for Bickell and Stalberg since there UFAs at the end of the season.

Love this pic....CHECK OUT KANER

Love this pic....CHECK OUT KANER


- philco28

Kaner...."OOOOOOOOOO"

It's better to upgrade during a winning streak than a losing streak, it will cost you less. If you can turn a Stalberg or Bickell (for example purposes) and some picks/prospects into some significant top 6 help then why not. You'll get more for guys like that when they're playing this well then during a cold streak.
- DarthKane

Darth we don't need top six help. We have a deep enough roster to mix and match lines going forward. We may need a little more grit and someone who can win face offs. As far as trading now.....thank god us fans aren't GM's....this team is about to come off a two week 6 game road trip where they will have a minimum of 8 points or even 10 out of a possible 12......that is phenomenal. This team has come together....the locker room is pretty sound. You make a trade now, you run the risk of doing more harm than good. They feel like a band of brothers.....the mayers/torres fight, the way they have come back and won a few of these games, and keith sticking up for mayers are all reasons to think this road trip may be what this team needed. You hold on making a trade...for now.....but even then don't expect much.

I was just using them as examples. It could be Frolik, Mayers or Kruger as long as it upgrades to team. But it also depends on Stan's long term plans for Bickell and Stalberg since there UFAs at the end of the season.
- DarthKane

I would not trade Frolik or Kruger, because the PK was one of our biggest problems last year and Mayers might get you a bag of pucks..... Being proactive and disrupting excellent team chemistry could be a terrible move, you never know!!!

Kaner...."OOOOOOOOOO"
- Beaver-Warrior

88 said afterward how pumped he and the bench were after this...the pic confirms it.

I would not trade Frolik or Kruger, because the PK was one of our biggest problems last year and Mayers might get you a bag of pucks..... Being proactive and disrupting excellent team chemistry could be a terrible move, you never know!!!
- moots

Such a fine line between patience, urgency and panic...think our roulette wheel has firmly landed on the first...for now.