Is he healthy?
- Ogilthorpe2

No, still a week or two away. But when I said a healthy Smith I meant he'd be the first call up once he'd back to 100%. If a call-up is needed before it would depend on the specific team need, but I like the idea of giving Morin a shot (eventually).

21 games is gutless?
- paulr

No. But speaking of gutless...

Calling a trip and a dive on the same play, that's gutless. If you're going to call a dive, then call the dive. Have the stones to call just the dive. Drives me nuts.

Who would be? Morin?
- Ogilthorpe2

If the aim is to find someone to stand in front of the net with hands I would take Morin...When Hayes was moved to center and all Mgt eyes were on Rockford Hayes did poorly and he didn't last long in camp.

I have a feeling some of his luster is gone at least for now....

Many believe Hayes is a physical player but not really so...Not just my opinon but that of people who are paid to watch and evaluate such things.

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

on Twitter @AlCimaglia

No, still a week or two away. But when I said a healthy Smith I meant he'd be the first call up once he'd back to 100%. If a call-up is needed before it would depend on the specific team need, but I like the idea of giving Morin a shot (eventually).
- DarthKane

Smith most likley deserves the promotion more than anyone but he plays the wrong position. Unless an injury the Hawks don't need another right wing

Smith most likley deserves the promotion more than anyone but he plays the wrong position. Unless an injury the Hawks don't need another right wing
- Al

He can play the left or C, but RW is his more natural position.

Just my .02, but if the Hawks have a missing piece, it probably is not at Rockford.

I hope Bowman is just playing possum when he says this is it, the roster is in place. He is right to assume it's close. He is a fool if he thinks that there isn't some room for improvement with an eye toward the playoffs.

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.
- John Jaeckel

Well, I can't help but feel like I'm being thrown into this group, and rather unfairly. So allow me to smooth out my skirt, put down my tea and my print-outs of all my stats and try and explain my position a little clearer.

I am in no way against fighting. I'm not against hitting. I love both. What I'm against is STUPID. It's why I don't care for Bollig. He makes a lot of STUPID decisions. Fighting Ryan Reaves, when the Hawks have a 1-0 lead, and have carried the puck, tempo, and style of play all damn game was STUPID. a lot of his penalties are not because he got beat or because he was out of position, he just decided to do something STUPID. And it's why Q has yet to play Bollig more than 6 minutes a game. He hasn't cracked 6 minutes in a game this season including his last game which was an overtime game against one of the worst teams in the league.

Carcillo is on his second year on his second year of stupid. Everyone talks of Carcillo in this "IF he plays within himself" and "When he plays intelligently" and it always ends with him doing something incredibly STUPID. Whether it's the Tom Gilbert injury that ended his Hawks year last year, or running into Jeff Carter at full speed and basically ended his Flyer career.

The Hawks have to play someone on that 4th line, so it will be Bollig/or Carcillo until Stan decides to give someone else a try.

Thank you. Gotta run. I really really love this Coldplay song on the radio and I have to go peruse the Ambercrombie and Fitch catalog....

He can play the left or C, but RW is his more natural position.
- John Jaeckel

Center maybe down the road....

I don't now how long Mayers can hold up playing center at this pace, but he is the only one besides Toews that can win a faceoff.

Unfortunately Kruger culd be the worse faceoff man in the NHL...

But you don't fix what isn't broken, especially here, so the staus quo will stay in place until there are injuries.

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

Well, I can't help but feel like I'm being thrown into this group, and rather unfairly. So allow me to smooth out my skirt, put down my tea and my print-outs of all my stats and try and explain my position a little clearer.

I am in no way against fighting. I'm not against hitting. I love both. What I'm against is STUPID. It's why I don't care for Bollig. He makes a lot of STUPID decisions. Fighting Ryan Reaves, when the Hawks have a 1-0 lead, and have carried the puck, tempo, and style of play all damn game was STUPID. a lot of his penalties are not because he got beat or because he was out of position, he just decided to do something STUPID. And it's why Q has yet to play Bollig more than 6 minutes a game. He hasn't cracked 6 minutes in a game this season including his last game which was an overtime game against one of the worst teams in the league.

Carcillo is on his second year on his second year of stupid. Everyone talks of Carcillo in this "IF he plays within himself" and "When he plays intelligently" and it always ends with him doing something incredibly STUPID. Whether it's the Tom Gilbert injury that ended his Hawks year last year, or running into Jeff Carter at full speed and basically ended his Flyer career.

The Hawks have to play someone on that 4th line, so it will be Bollig/or Carcillo until Stan decides to give someone else a try.

Thank you. Gotta run. I really really love this Belle and Sebastian song on the radio and I have to go peruse the Ambercrombie and Fitch catalog....
- yahoodi

Fixed.

Ahhh, that's comedy gold, Jerry

Just my .02, but if the Hawks have a missing piece, it probably is not at Rockford.

I hope Bowman is just playing possum when he says this is it, the roster is in place. He is right to assume it's close. He is a fool if he thinks that there isn't some room for improvement with an eye toward the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

In your opinion what is that missing piece?

Also, what are your thoughts on the Hawks re-signing Bickell? Have you heard any rumblings about the Hawks pending UFAs?

No. But speaking of gutless...

Calling a trip and a dive on the same play, that's gutless. If you're going to call a dive, then call the dive. Have the stones to call just the dive. Drives me nuts.
- Ogilthorpe2

Me too, I wish they'd overlook the tripping or hooking call and make dives a double minor and misconduct to make the divers think twice.

I was lucky enough to see the Harlem Globetrotters of the NHL in PHX last night.

What a game.. Just pure domination. I thought it was funny to see Doan and Yandle lose their sh1t - I would have put my money on Smith

In your opinion what is that missing piece?

Also, what are your thoughts on the Hawks re-signing Bickell? Have you heard any rumblings about the Hawks pending UFAs?
- DarthKane

Andrew Ladd

In your opinion what is that missing piece?

Also, what are your thoughts on the Hawks re-signing Bickell? Have you heard any rumblings about the Hawks pending UFAs?
- DarthKane

I think the missing pieces are 2 big power forwards.

If Bickell continues to play and doesn't become comatose again I don't think the Hawks have any other option but to sign him. I wonder if Shaw's presence on that line has motivated him?

I think the missing pieces are 2 big power forwards.

If Bickell continues to play and doesn't become comatose again I don't think the Hawks have any other option but to sign him. I wonder if Shaw's presence on that line has motivated him?
- paulr

This team is led by Toews, no question. But it has always been Kane who is the motor. When he is playing like this everyone feeds off of it. When sulks and plays passive, so does everyone else. At least that what I have seen.

This team is led by Toews, no question. But it has always been Kane who is the motor. When he is playing like this everyone feeds off of it. When sulks and plays passive, so does everyone else. At least that what I have seen.
- furso27

It seemed in the past he sulked when he wasn't on Toews' line. Maybe he has finally matured?

I think the missing pieces are 2 big power forwards.

If Bickell continues to play and doesn't become comatose again I don't think the Hawks have any other option but to sign him. I wonder if Shaw's presence on that line has motivated him?
- paulr

This

Tonight I am going to try to watch Danault, at 6 Eastern, Moncton vs. Halifax
McNeill at 8
Rockford at 8:05
Travis Brown at 9:30
Mac Carruth at 10:30

Also all NHL games and most in HD, at:

http://www4.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981

Tonight I am going to try to watch Danault, at 6 Eastern, Moncton vs. Halifax
McNeill at 8
Rockford at 8:05
Travis Brown at 9:30
Mac Carruth at 10:30

Also all NHL games and most in HD, at:

http://www4.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981
- John Jaeckel

Seems like McNeil is feeding off his time on the WJC team.......

No. But speaking of gutless...

Calling a trip and a dive on the same play, that's gutless. If you're going to call a dive, then call the dive. Have the stones to call just the dive. Drives me nuts.
- Ogilthorpe2

In fairness one can be tripped and still embellish the trip.

This
- John Jaeckel

Were you meaning this for the two power forwards or re-signing Bickell? If Stan does go and get some thunder up front, what sort of forward are you thinking? A top 6 guy or a bottom 6 player? I guess it depends on if its a center or wing, but who in the current lineup do you see as the likely odd man/men out, or would you think a current forward would go to Team X in acquiring a power forward.

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

I agree with this as well, but I think it is fair to say that we havent seen enough of that type of Snarl consistently to be sold. I like what bickell has brought, Sharp has thrown his body around, Shaw is a Tazmainian devil, and the back end has punished quite a few times. But JJ is right in the sense that we need a guy that is going to chip and dump and force the D to turn around and get smacked the whole night. Asham, Cooke, Kennedy, prust, talbot, too too, Clutterbuck, these guys make D-man angry when they play because every shift their on the ice they are finishing their checks. Idk if I have seen a hawk player do that consistently since 10'

This
- John Jaeckel

And while he may not be huge, I like that kid Ryan White on Montreal, who can skate, he has some skill, isn't afraid to get his nose dirty and can drop em if needed. The other young guy I like is Marcus Foligno on Buffalo. Not sure of the cost or if Montreal or Buffalo would even consider trading them but these are the types of guys the Hawks could realistically aquire as opposed to the stars who are more well known but who have higher cap hits and potentially more impact to the current team chemistry.

I think the missing pieces are 2 big power forwards.

If Bickell continues to play and doesn't become comatose again I don't think the Hawks have any other option but to sign him. I wonder if Shaw's presence on that line has motivated him?
- paulr

If we acquire 2 big power forwards who are the odd men out on the current roster?

Tonight I am going to try to watch Danault, at 6 Eastern, Moncton vs. Halifax
McNeill at 8
Rockford at 8:05
Travis Brown at 9:30
Mac Carruth at 10:30

Also all NHL games and most in HD, at:

http://www4.hockeystreams.com/ref/51981
- John Jaeckel

I'm heading to Saskatchewan for a vacay at the beginning of March...never thought i'd ever say or write that...but it's true. I'm going to see McNeill at least twice in PA...and I'll have a much better opinion of him after those games.

I'm a big fan of the kid and think he could be a Troy Murray type down the line.