Other needs later, only so many roster spots.
- Al

Don't know how correct the Depth cart for the Hogs is, but it shows only 5 D-Men.

I have no problem with how it was handled. Perhaps Mayers was sent as he's a grizzled vet. Many female doging on radio about staged fights, and how fighting is so passe. There's a protocol in hockey, especially with regards to fighting, and that's yet another thing I love about the sport. Also, getting the fight out of the way earlier is certainly better than having people try to crush Torres through the boards, possibly throwing themselves out of position, resulting in bad goals by Phoenix. Props to Torres to stepping up, and hopefully he wakes up and stops this crap that he's known for.
- howiehandles

Hockey is an extremely physical sport. Great post, Howie.

Carcillo didn't "replace" Bollig when the season started. So there is a bit of a hole in that logic to start with. Some people still think Ice Follies hockey is what it's all about, how many shots a player takes (even if most of them miss the net), arcane (mostly offensive) statistics, etc.

I'll never forget the ASININE argument put forth here by one of the acolytes of soft hockey (who is currently enjoying his ban elsewhere) that my admiration for pavel Datsyuk over Kane a couple of years back was because I am enamored of "Selke Award" type players and I can't see, therefore, the superiority of an offensive whiz like Kane. While there is some truth to mty appreciation of defensive hockey, the "logic" behind it is laughable.

The truth is, two -way players are much more valuable than one-way players. Guys who give effort every shift every night are more valuable than those who don't—even usually, those with more "talent." And physical hockey, not just fighting but es
- John Jaeckel[-especially hitting—even if you're a "puck possession" team—matters. Especially in the playoffs.

So a guy like Bollig even if he is the 23rd most "skilled" player on the Hawks, might merit a roster spot because he not only can settle some scores and keep some guys honest, but he can also actually hit someone with a hard, clean check once in a while, something, oh, half the current Hawk (and Ice Hog) roster struggles with.

So, come April, you will need Carcillo AND Bollig (or similar) and probably another guy to mash some defensemen. And if you're thinking Jimmy Hayes is going to be a physical force in the playoffs, I think you might be disappointed.

But anytime they want to bring up Phillippe Paradis for that particular job, I'm fine with it.

I mentioned Hayes earlier, but it wasn't in reference to him being a physical force but rather a big body Q can park in front of the net (especially on the PP).

Enjoy while you can boys your goalies are not good enough to get out of Rd1
- Bones

Assuming you're a Coyotes fan...you won't even make it to round 1 this year. Hope you're boys enjoy the golf course

Another thing I'm liking so far this year is this team's ability to convert 5 on 3. Last couple of years they blew lots of chances to win and/or put teams away with their inability to score in those situations. Law of averages, better team play, or Kompon? Doesn't really matter why, just happy to see it.
- Ogilthorpe2

That execution the 5-on-3s was fantastic. Precise positioning and passing, and burying goals. If a team can play like that on a 5-on-3 consistently, teams will be afraid to take penalties against the Hawks. Hopefully it'll eventually translate to success 5-on-4 as well.

I mentioned Hayes earlier, but it wasn't in reference to him being a physical force but rather a big body Q can park in front of the net (especially on the PP).
- DarthKane

I hear you, point taken. I'm not sure where he really fits because that means another top 9 forward sits, who right now are all better than Hayes, unless one is injured.

Don't know how correct the Depth cart for the Hogs is, but it shows only 5 D-Men.
- Beaver-Warrior

Not sure but didn't Lebda got released a short time ago...They must not be too woried about depth.

In a dominant effort, Blackhawks unhinge Coyotes - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/11UkhKg

I hear you, point taken. I'm not sure where he really fits because that means another top 9 forward sits, who right now are all better than Hayes, unless one is injured.
- John Jaeckel

That's more what I'm thinking. Like I said before it's hard to suggest any real trades any this point given how well the team is playing. We'd all love to have a big physical forward but it's hard to pick a guy to take off the roster at this point. The scorers are scoring and the depth guys are playing a good defensive game - everyone it doing their part. Which makes us happy has fans but doesn't give us much to talk about on this board.

I mentioned Hayes earlier, but it wasn't in reference to him being a physical force but rather a big body Q can park in front of the net (especially on the PP).
- DarthKane

I don't think Hayes would be the first call up.....

I mentioned Hayes earlier, but it wasn't in reference to him being a physical force but rather a big body Q can park in front of the net (especially on the PP).
- DarthKane

I don't think Hayes would be the first call up.....

I don't think Hayes would be the first call up.....
- Al

Who would be? Morin?

Carcillo didn't "replace" Bollig when the season started. So there is a bit of a hole in that logic to start with. Some people still think Ice Follies hockey is what it's all about, how many shots a player takes (even if most of them miss the net), arcane (mostly offensive) statistics, etc.

I'll never forget the ASININE argument put forth here by one of the acolytes of soft hockey (who is currently enjoying his ban elsewhere) that my admiration for pavel Datsyuk over Kane a couple of years back was because I am enamored of "Selke Award" type players and I can't see, therefore, the superiority of an offensive whiz like Kane. While there is some truth to mty appreciation of defensive hockey, the "logic" behind it is laughable.

The truth is, two -way players are much more valuable than one-way players. Guys who give effort every shift every night are more valuable than those who don't—even usually, those with more "talent." And physical hockey, not just fighting but es
- John Jaeckel[-especially hitting—even if you're a "puck possession" team—matters. Especially in the playoffs.

So a guy like Bollig even if he is the 23rd most "skilled" player on the Hawks, might merit a roster spot because he not only can settle some scores and keep some guys honest, but he can also actually hit someone with a hard, clean check once in a while, something, oh, half the current Hawk (and Ice Hog) roster struggles with.

So, come April, you will need Carcillo AND Bollig (or similar) and probably another guy to mash some defensemen. And if you're thinking Jimmy Hayes is going to be a physical force in the playoffs, I think you might be disappointed.

But anytime they want to bring up Phillippe Paradis for that particular job, I'm fine with it.

The Hawks have a good problem right now because most of the team is playing well and they do have some nice depth. That being said it's almost impossible to predict who will and won't be playing come playoff time because of trades/injuries/etc.

Who would be? Morin?
- Ogilthorpe2

I think it depends on the role they want the player to fill. If they wanted a 4th liner, I bet it would be Paradis or Flick.

I think it depends on the role they want the player to fill. If they wanted a 4th liner, I bet it would be Paradis or Flick.
- John Jaeckel

I like what I've seen of Flick

The Hawks have a good problem right now because most of the team is playing well and they do have some nice depth. That being said it's almost impossible to predict who will and won't be playing come playoff time because of trades/injuries/etc.
- dan9189

Totally agree. Unless there are injuries, there might be no moves at all. I personally think they would be wise to add a forward who can bang for the playoffs. Roster is fine for games like last night's and the regular season. I think it is too soft for the playoffs.

Not sure but didn't Lebda get released a short time ago...They must not be too woried about depth.

In a dominant effort, Blackhawks unhinge Coyotes - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/11UkhKg
- Al

Just took a longer look at the Hog Depth chart, four goalies.

Don't you find it telling than no mentioned Monty in all of this?

I like what I've seen of Flick
- Ogilthorpe2

He's my boy...but he's a guy that truly needs another year or two in the A.

I would like to see a scientific poll of how many of these people played above the bantam or no-check level.

Hockey is an extremely physical sport. Great post, Howie.
- John Jaeckel

I believe staged fights make a mockery of not only the real, spontaneous fights but to the game itself. My fear is staged fights may be the catalyst to trying to ban fighting from the NHL level. I have no problem with what happened last night, I have no issue with two guys squaring off in the corner because of a high stick or elbow but to me there is no point at all to two guys who can't play more than a few minutes a game taking a roster spot just to have their predictable, pointless and passionless fight, which I will also admit to paying attention to.

Totally agree. Unless there are injuries, there might be no moves at all. I personally think they would be wise to add a forward who can bang for the playoffs. Roster is fine for games like last night's and the regular season. I think it is too soft for the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

Last year I'd totally agree with you but it seems like the Hawks are playing with more snarl this year than the past few. I loved how they started to fight/hit back at the Sharks the other night after SJ were taking runs at the Hawks the first 10 minutes of the game. That would've never have happened last year. Even Mayers going right after Torres last night was something I didn't think we'd see based the past few years teams.

An enforcer doesn't deter, he metes out punishment. Remember Bollig's presence on the ice didn't deter Torres from hitting Hossa last spring.

The only thing that can deter a player from injuring another player is the coach, who would need to be deterred by the GM, who would need to be deterred by the owner, who would need to be deterred by the league threatening to fine the team millions of dollars for players trying to injure each other. And in that situation, the coach would stop dressing players who have no respect for other players, and that includes Carcillo.

Seeing as the above isn't going to happen any time soon we will continue to see players try to injure other players regardless of the presence of an enforcer, be it on the ice or on the bench. And then we’ll see the enforcer ‘settle’ the score at the next convenient time.
- paulr

If the NHL didn't have an inconsistent, gutless, cheap-shot artist in charge of suspensions, they would be able to get better control of guys like Torres.

If the NHL didn't have an inconsistent, gutless, cheap-shot artist in charge of suspensions, they would be able to get better control of guys like Torres.
- Hemingways

21 games is gutless?

Who would be? Morin?
- Ogilthorpe2

A healthy Smith?

Last year I'd totally agree with you but it seems like the Hawks are playing with more snarl this year than the past few. I loved how they started to fight/hit back at the Sharks the other night after SJ were taking runs at the Hawks the first 10 minutes of the game. That would've never have happened last year. Even Mayers going right after Torres last night was something I didn't think we'd see based the past few years teams.
- dan9189

Bickell's really starting to play like he means it. Probably he remembered that it's a contract year, and it might be short lived because of that fact, but hopefully Bickell can keep it up all year and the Hawks ride the Bickell wave of physicality deep into the playoffs.

A healthy Smith?
- DarthKane

Is he healthy?

Bickell's really starting to play like he means it. Probably he remembered that it's a contract year, and it might be short lived because of that fact, but hopefully Bickell can keep it up all year and the Hawks ride the Bickell wave of physicality deep into the playoffs.
- Ogilthorpe2

I agree, he can be a force when he wants to be. That being said if he goes back to his on again/off again self then I hope SB packages him in a trade elsewhere and gets a 3rd line guy that will be a force. I have no time to deal with Bickell being an enigma again this year.