Much to the chagrin of many of you, I believe that the team has already done this, and fans should get on board and that is embrace who you are and what you are as a hockey team.

And while anyone looking at a nice house could find something they would change, the carpet, paint etc..it still is a nice house. While the theme of blaming depth and bad supporting cast will always be the first point of attack with any failure, I firmly believe that this teams core has to lead and get the job done, in particular on the power play.

This team did not lose to Vancouver 2011 because we were not tough enough, CC played out of his mind and the team failed to score on PP in overtime in game 7. You win that game, you move on.

Last year same thing. All the hullabaloo about not enough size or toughness etc, and a few bad goals. Those bad goals never happen if you score a ppg...just 1 freaking PP goal....

Since 2010 all you hear about is second line center...same stuff different year. Would it be nice to have a great guy there...of course...but its not the end all. Point again is every team has their weaknesses, but this is not fantasy land, it is reality. And the concept in life that everything has to be perfect to achieve great things is absurd. Guys step up and get it done. Ben Smith hero in 2011.

Would I like a Hendricks guy down the stretch, yes no doubt, and I gonna play roster roullette based upon assonine assumptions? No thanks.

I will close with this, when you have more talent, horses and speed then others, you feature that and dare other teams to beat it. More times than not, when the talent is committed, talent wins. It is that simple. This is who we are. This, from my distant eyes appears to be the change in Q, and the players love it, that is let us be who we are and do it better than everyone else. Let us swarm and overwhelm, and not every single night you will win, but you will win more than you lose and so long as you are willing to pay the price and step up and support one another (see Keith, Bickell...) then you have some thing the guys can rally behind. And that is what is happening. Enjoy it and keep wasting your time looking for style points and justify every detail...you will miss out on some excitement and fun.
- TrueGrit

+1

Much to the chagrin of many of you, I believe that the team has already done this, and fans should get on board and that is embrace who you are and what you are as a hockey team.

And while anyone looking at a nice house could find something they would change, the carpet, paint etc..it still is a nice house. While the theme of blaming depth and bad supporting cast will always be the first point of attack with any failure, I firmly believe that this teams core has to lead and get the job done, in particular on the power play.

This team did not lose to Vancouver 2011 because we were not tough enough, CC played out of his mind and the team failed to score on PP in overtime in game 7. You win that game, you move on.

Last year same thing. All the hullabaloo about not enough size or toughness etc, and a few bad goals. Those bad goals never happen if you score a ppg...just 1 freaking PP goal....

Since 2010 all you hear about is second line center...same stuff different year. Would it be nice to have a great guy there...of course...but its not the end all. Point again is every team has their weaknesses, but this is not fantasy land, it is reality. And the concept in life that everything has to be perfect to achieve great things is absurd. Guys step up and get it done. Ben Smith hero in 2011.

Would I like a Hendricks guy down the stretch, yes no doubt, and I gonna play roster roullette based upon assonine assumptions? No thanks.

I will close with this, when you have more talent, horses and speed then others, you feature that and dare other teams to beat it. More times than not, when the talent is committed, talent wins. It is that simple. This is who we are. This, from my distant eyes appears to be the change in Q, and the players love it, that is let us be who we are and do it better than everyone else. Let us swarm and overwhelm, and not every single night you will win, but you will win more than you lose and so long as you are willing to pay the price and step up and support one another (see Keith, Bickell...) then you have some thing the guys can rally behind. And that is what is happening. Enjoy it and keep wasting your time looking for style points and justify every detail...you will miss out on some excitement and fun.
- TrueGrit

+1

Edit: I will add that at least this team looks like it has an identity, something that has been lacking the last two years. I didn't know what they were, just a bunch of guys, some of whom possess great skill, but a team lacking identity, and with crap special teams to boot.

+1

Edit: I will add that at least this team looks like it has an identity, something that has been lacking the last two years. I didn't know what they were, just a bunch of guys, some of whom possess great skill, but a team lacking identity, and with crap special teams to boot.
- MartiniMan

I think it was more they were trying to be something they were not. Wasting time and energy on that, as opposed to just being who they were.

Much to the chagrin of many of you, I believe that the team has already done this, and fans should get on board and that is embrace who you are and what you are as a hockey team.

And while anyone looking at a nice house could find something they would change, the carpet, paint etc..it still is a nice house. While the theme of blaming depth and bad supporting cast will always be the first point of attack with any failure, I firmly believe that this teams core has to lead and get the job done, in particular on the power play.

This team did not lose to Vancouver 2011 because we were not tough enough, CC played out of his mind and the team failed to score on PP in overtime in game 7. You win that game, you move on.

Last year same thing. All the hullabaloo about not enough size or toughness etc, and a few bad goals. Those bad goals never happen if you score a ppg...just 1 freaking PP goal....

Since 2010 all you hear about is second line center...same stuff different year. Would it be nice to have a great guy there...of course...but its not the end all. Point again is every team has their weaknesses, but this is not fantasy land, it is reality. And the concept in life that everything has to be perfect to achieve great things is absurd. Guys step up and get it done. Ben Smith hero in 2011.

Would I like a Hendricks guy down the stretch, yes no doubt, am I gonna play roster roullette based upon asinine assumptions? No thanks.

I will close with this, when you have more talent, horses and speed then others, you feature that and dare other teams to beat it. More times than not, when the talent is committed, talent wins. It is that simple. This is who we are. This, from my distant eyes appears to be the change in Q, and the players love it, that is let us be who we are and do it better than everyone else. Let us swarm and overwhelm, and not every single night you will win, but you will win more than you lose and so long as you are willing to pay the price and step up and support one another (see Keith, Bickell...) then you have some thing the guys can rally behind. And that is what is happening. Enjoy it and keep wasting your time looking for style points and justify every detail...you will miss out on some excitement and fun.
- TrueGrit

Maybe ....

Much to the chagrin of many of you, I believe that the team has already done this, and fans should get on board and that is embrace who you are and what you are as a hockey team.

And while anyone looking at a nice house could find something they would change, the carpet, paint etc..it still is a nice house. While the theme of blaming depth and bad supporting cast will always be the first point of attack with any failure, I firmly believe that this teams core has to lead and get the job done, in particular on the power play.

This team did not lose to Vancouver 2011 because we were not tough enough, CC played out of his mind and the team failed to score on PP in overtime in game 7. You win that game, you move on.

Last year same thing. All the hullabaloo about not enough size or toughness etc, and a few bad goals. Those bad goals never happen if you score a ppg...just 1 freaking PP goal....

Since 2010 all you hear about is second line center...same stuff different year. Would it be nice to have a great guy there...of course...but its not the end all. Point again is every team has their weaknesses, but this is not fantasy land, it is reality. And the concept in life that everything has to be perfect to achieve great things is absurd. Guys step up and get it done. Ben Smith hero in 2011.

Would I like a Hendricks guy down the stretch, yes no doubt, and I gonna play roster roullette based upon assonine assumptions? No thanks.

I will close with this, when you have more talent, horses and speed then others, you feature that and dare other teams to beat it. More times than not, when the talent is committed, talent wins. It is that simple. This is who we are. This, from my distant eyes appears to be the change in Q, and the players love it, that is let us be who we are and do it better than everyone else. Let us swarm and overwhelm, and not every single night you will win, but you will win more than you lose and so long as you are willing to pay the price and step up and support one another (see Keith, Bickell...) then you have some thing the guys can rally behind. And that is what is happening. Enjoy it and keep wasting your time looking for style points and justify every detail...you will miss out on some excitement and fun.
- TrueGrit

I rarely comment on 'pep talks' but you make many valid points.

If you are a real hockey fan you love and enjoy the game for what it is and how it provides so much that entertains you and things to discuss and comment on.

Win or lose, I love watching the Hawks for their style of play and the way they approach the game. Like all teams, they aren't perfect. They make mistakes but they make great plays too. They entertain me, they annoy and frustrate me at times, they delight me on many occasions. I don't expect them to win every game, that would be boring.

Hawks fans are lucky to have a team like this to watch. I know my level of interest would be much lower if they played a style of game like Nashville, New Jersey, Phoenix, Minnesota and a number of others etc. Enjoy it while they have this kind of team. I know I don't want to watch a bunch of plumbers clogging up the neutral zone hoping to win 1-0.

Devils get Ponikarovsky again from Winnipeg for a 4th rounder in 2014 and a 7th rounder in 2013

I rarely comment on 'pep talks' but you make many valid points.

If you are a real hockey fan you love and enjoy the game for what it is and how it provides so much that entertains you and things to discuss and comment on.

Win or lose, I love watching the Hawks for their style of play and the way they approach the game. Like all teams, they aren't perfect. They make mistakes but they make great plays too. They entertain me, they annoy and frustrate me at times, they delight me on many occasions. I don't expect them to win every game, that would be boring.

Hawks fans are lucky to have a team like this to watch. I know my level of interest would be much lower if they played a style of game like Nashville, New Jersey, Phoenix, Minnesota and a number of others etc. Enjoy it while they have this kind of team. I know I don't want to watch a bunch of plumbers clogging up the neutral zone hoping to win 1-0.
- RickJ

Maybe not 1-0 but what do you think Quenneville does whenever the Hawks are up with a one goal lead late in a game?

Allot of what Truegrit says is very vailid and if he didn't say it I would, however the Hawks could use a line that is a bit more work man like. I don't want to see plumbers either, I want to see a line that can dump the puck into a corner and go win the battle to retrieve it. Then when they get it have the ability to move it around. You know like on those days when carrying or passing the puck across the opposition blueline isn't working.

Devils get Ponikarovsky again from Winnipeg for a 4th rounder in 2014 and a 7th rounder in 2013
- prd797

Strange, huh some folks said trades wouldn't happen this early in the season. I have heard there may be quite a few more moves in the next few days.

Blackhawk ticket prices up almost 13% this year:

http://www.chicagobusines...ices-up-nearly-13-percent

League ticket prices up almost 6%.

So: can we never no more hear how ever-rising players salaries are the sole (or even major) cause of high ticket prices? Salaries down from 57% to 50% by next year....

Maybe not 1-0 but what do you think Quenneville does whenever the Hawks are up with a one goal lead late in a game?

Allot of what Truegrit says is very vailid and if he didn't say it I would, however the Hawks could use a line that is a bit more work man like. I don't want to see plumbers either, I want to see a line that can dump the puck into a corner and go win the battle to retrieve it. Then when they get it have the ability to move it around. You know like on those days when carrying or passing the puck across the opposition blueline isn't working.
- paulr

My favourite NHL team of all time was the Islanders in their glory years because they could play any style you wanted. Wide open, dump and chase, heavy physical, cycle the puck along the boards and any other game the opponent wanted to play. Rule changes, young players in the league before they are ready, entry level contracts and the salary cap mean you can't put that type of team together and hold onto it for very long.

Sure, the Hawks could use a Butch Goring or John Tonelli type of player or a 4th line like the Bruins or LA Kings can throw out. But for now I'm happy with what I'm watching because it sure beats the hell out of Predators or Devils hockey.

Ogi you are a ton smarter than entertaining the idea that Sharp gets bought. My goodness, I look to you for insight and leadership...Cmon man....
- TrueGrit

Isn't that basically what I said? Regardless of my personal feeling for Sharp, No way he gets bought out.

Bad news for Erik Karlsson

Bad news for Erik Karlsson
- moylander

Ya, just another 'accident' that Matt Cooke happened to be on the scene for.

My favourite NHL team of all time was the Islanders in their glory years because they could play any style you wanted. Wide open, dump and chase, heavy physical, cycle the puck along the boards and any other game the opponent wanted to play. Rule changes, young players in the league before they are ready, entry level contracts and the salary cap mean you can't put that type of team together and hold onto it for very long.

Sure, the Hawks could use a Butch Goring or John Tonelli type of player or a 4th line like the Bruins or LA Kings can throw out. But for now I'm happy with what I'm watching because it sure beats the hell out of Predators or Devils hockey.
- RickJ

Trotts . . .


(and I had you pegged as a Habs guy)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Isn't that basically what I said? Regardless of my personal feeling for Sharp, No way he gets bought out.
- Ogilthorpe2

I guess i just over reacted that the topic of buying out sharp was actually a topic....point conceded

My favourite NHL team of all time was the Islanders in their glory years because they could play any style you wanted. Wide open, dump and chase, heavy physical, cycle the puck along the boards and any other game the opponent wanted to play. Rule changes, young players in the league before they are ready, entry level contracts and the salary cap mean you can't put that type of team together and hold onto it for very long.

Sure, the Hawks could use a Butch Goring or John Tonelli type of player or a 4th line like the Bruins or LA Kings can throw out. But for now I'm happy with what I'm watching because it sure beats the hell out of Predators or Devils hockey.
- RickJ

That was a heck of team and you are right....They did whatever was needed and id it very well.

I rarely comment on 'pep talks' but you make many valid points.

If you are a real hockey fan you love and enjoy the game for what it is and how it provides so much that entertains you and things to discuss and comment on.

Win or lose, I love watching the Hawks for their style of play and the way they approach the game. Like all teams, they aren't perfect. They make mistakes but they make great plays too. They entertain me, they annoy and frustrate me at times, they delight me on many occasions. I don't expect them to win every game, that would be boring.

Hawks fans are lucky to have a team like this to watch. I know my level of interest would be much lower if they played a style of game like Nashville, New Jersey, Phoenix, Minnesota and a number of others etc. Enjoy it while they have this kind of team. I know I don't want to watch a bunch of plumbers clogging up the neutral zone hoping to win 1-0.
- RickJ

+1 and another for True Grit's post.

They have a core and it's not like they can make big splashes in free agency or trades unless they ship money out so they build from within. Some of those guys are developing nicely too (Shaw, Krueger, Leddy).

Are there some holes in there game, sure. All teams have them. The cap isn't allowing anyone to try and buy it all like the Yankees in baseball. Even when you do go out and spend you have to get the right guys.

Overall this team is fun to watch night in and night out and a deep one that should be able to make a deep run in the playoffs. I've seen most games and the ones I've watched this year I don't recall anyone intimidating the Hawks. If they can replicate in the playoffs what they are doing now in I think they'll be fine.

That was a heck of team and you are right....They did whatever was needed and id it very well.
- Al

Not sure if any of you read Gretzkys early biography , where he talked about their first trip to the cup, and as they walked by the Islanders room and all the guys with bruises, iceing and just plain beat up after beating them.

They were all world talent and skill and it was like a shock to them, they joked about it. But he recalled the next year after they won, how they resembled the Islanders all banged up having figured out what it took. I probably am not doing it justice, it was like a right of passage or passing of baton in a sense as to figuring out how to win.

Trotts . . .


(and I had you pegged as a Habs guy)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
- John Jaeckel

Trottier is in my Top 5 players of all time. For a few years, I think he was the best forward in hockey. I remember sitting in good seats at Maple Leaf Gardens one night when he threw a clean open ice hit on Darryl Sittler, shoulder into the chest. Sittler was a tough guy and you could almost hear the air coming out of him, grasping for breath. Trotts could shake you up.

Seeing the Habs lose I find is a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. The only thing I don't hate about that team is their red jerseys, they are classics. The lowly Maple Leafs gave them a good spanking on Saturday night which thrilled most of English Canada.

Trotts . . .


(and I had you pegged as a Habs guy)
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
- John Jaeckel

Trottier is in my Top 5 players of all time. For a few years, I think he was the best forward in hockey. I remember sitting in good seats at Maple Leaf Gardens one night when he threw a clean open ice hit on Darryl Sittler, shoulder into the chest. Sittler was a tough guy and you could almost hear the air coming out of him, grasping for breath. Trotts could shake you up.

Seeing the Habs lose I find is a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me. The only thing I don't hate about that team is their red jerseys, they are classics. The lowly Maple Leafs gave them a good spanking on Saturday night which thrilled most of English Canada.

Matt Cooke should never ever be allowed to play hockey again. That guy is a piece of garbage and ended one teams season and an Achilles injury is not the easiest to come back from. Who knows if Karlssons mobility will ever be the same...

Get that bozo off the ice and out of the NHL ASAP.

Strange, huh some folks said trades wouldn't happen this early in the season. I have heard there may be quite a few more moves in the next few days.
- paulr

ya beat me to it

Ya, just another 'accident' that Matt Cooke happened to be on the scene for.
- RickJ

Changed man my A$$. Anyone who thought Cooke was clean now is ignorant. The sad part is, as long as Bertuzzi is in the league, nothing will ever happen to these guys.

+1 and another for True Grit's post.

They have a core and it's not like they can make big splashes in free agency or trades unless they ship money out so they build from within. Some of those guys are developing nicely too (Shaw, Krueger, Leddy).

Are there some holes in there game, sure. All teams have them. The cap isn't allowing anyone to try and buy it all like the Yankees in baseball. Even when you do go out and spend you have to get the right guys.

Overall this team is fun to watch night in and night out and a deep one that should be able to make a deep run in the playoffs. I've seen most games and the ones I've watched this year I don't recall anyone intimidating the Hawks. If they can replicate in the playoffs what they are doing now in I think they'll be fine.
- HawkintheD

And it is not to say that you don't add some pieces, but relatively speaking its not the color of the drapes or carpet that give the house value, it is the foundation of the house. It is the guys on the ice in the key parts of games that will ultimately win or lose games for you. It is incumbent on leaders to lead and lift their teams. IMHO, our leaders have been insulated from criticism by and large (no shots intended for anyone here), good leaders find ways to make guys better around them.

I would find it hard to believe that Hossa would not be a professional with anyone he played with, especially a younger player. That he would not embrace his role and standing and positively influence his teammates. That does not mean you won't get frustrated, but to portray Hossa as if he is whispering poop about Saad on the bench, in clubhouse or at dinner is a big stretch to me. This mindset, if true, would actually explain why this team has struggled for consistency the past few years. It is not the depth crap. It would be the double standard and elite privilege stuff that would make them pretenders. Again all theory..that I do not believe actually happens and hope does not exist.

Changed man my A$$. Anyone who thought Cooke was clean now is ignorant. The sad part is, as long as Bertuzzi is in the league, nothing will ever happen to these guys.
- powerenforcer

Really, that was an intentional slash with his skate? Look at it in real speed.