We typically don't have any


- PhatJoeSki

Cuz Kenny trades them all?

See my post immediately above.

I'm sorry, I'm a jerk and I am negative. But I am sick of the hype (not just around him either). He's just the latest poster boy. It goes way back.

Can we not acknowledge a young player's strengths while also not overbuilding expectations and trying to force the narrative— so also recognize that the player has some things to work on as well?

Some will say this "doesn't matter." Well, when hand in glove with it, we see players being put into roles they're not ready for, it does matter.
- John Jaeckel

I don't think you're being negative you're being realistic. Saad has strengths and I think he'll be a good player I just don't know at this point in his career if he belongs on the top line. I also wonder if the Hawks would get more production from the top line if Q moved Saad off it and put someone else at LW. The question I have is does Saad's game compliment Toews and Hossa's game?

I know one guy who knows how to run a power play who is on the Hawk payroll. But Q doesn't like having him around.
- John Jaeckel

And Q keeps this up (and continues with this hard-headedness), he won't be around long either. No way they are going anywhere with the same problems on the PP as they've had. Yes, the PK is better -- owing much to the great play of:

Hjalmarsson
Frolik
Krueger

And the simple fact that they are pressuring the puck. We said as much last year, there was too much standing around in the box and allowing teams to move the puck to an open side for an easy goal.

Just as we've been saying time is precious on the PP -- taking away time when you are on the PK is its mirror. Take away time, the PP you're up against won't be very successful.

So knowing this, why is it so very hard for this coaching staff to see that what's right on the PK is what is wrong on the PP????

Saad scored while falling/leaping head first through the air.

Bobby Orr famously did that too.

Pretty sure that's all Steve was talking about. Some of you guys giving non-existant weight to a color commentator's post game thoughts is laughable.

Yeah, well, before you do too extensive a victory dance here. What set up the whole thing? A big, clean hit. Weren't you saying here yesterday that sort of thing doesn't really matter?

Though the rest of the point is well taken.

I did not see the puck cross the line with the goal still attached. Nor did like eight announcers/analysts. I do concede that it is possible. I just haven't seen the replay yet that shows it (to me).

Someone post the video where we can see the puck across the line and the mooring stioll attached. Until then, there is still an argument it was a lucky point—because the goal was at best questionable. As "absurd" as you want to say it is.
- John Jaeckel

That was more directed to the whole need to fight regardless of situation crowd and yes I said that a team that lacks an abundance of toughness can make up for that with tenacity.

The Hawks were definitely the less physical team and had only three guys who were throwing their body and 2 that were effective at it but made up for it with amazing puck pursuit by the first line, the 4th line, Sharp skating around furiously, the mobile defensemen being mobile and blocking a crap load of shots.

Do they need a few physical players? Yes they probably do. Can they get away with out being the most physical and feared team in the NHL and still contend for the Cup? I think so if they continue to play as they did last night.

you talk about luck, what about the Ducks first goal, that was luck. secound Saads goal look as if it went it. Most of the night it looked as if the Hawks were on the pp and the PK was amazing. You make your own luck JJ , man do you have to always be a downer.

you talk about luck, what about the Ducks first goal, that was luck. secound Saads goal look as if it went it. Most of the night it looked as if the Hawks were on the pp and the PK was amazing. You make your own luck JJ , man do you have to always be a downer.
- Dojodan

Downer or realistic? He has answered this numerous times. You make some good points, but there is nothing positive about 1 for 8 on the PP and two PP's squandered in OT when the four best players in the building are on your team.

Could be. I keep coming back to a Ryan Smyth sort of projection.
- John Jaeckel

I can see that...He may have a little better wheels then Smyth, but that's a fair comparison.

That was more directed to the whole need to fight regardless of situation crowd and yes I said that a team that lacks an abundance of toughness can make up for that with tenacity.

The Hawks were definitely the less physical team and had only three guys who were throwing their body and 2 that were effective at it but made up for it with amazing puck pursuit by the first line, the 4th line, Sharp skating around furiously, the mobile defensemen being mobile and blocking a crap load of shots.

Do they need a few physical players? Yes they probably do. Can they get away with out being the most physical and feared team in the NHL and still contend for the Cup? I think so if they continue to play as they did last night.
- fattybeef

Gotcha. And agreed.

Thought the tete a tete between Foley and Edzo on the topic of taking the instigator was interesting. Personally, it seems like there's a (rare) time for it and more often it's a bad idea.

Though I do agree with Edzo that a clean, hard hit on one player or size equal to the player he hits should not ilicit that response. Dumb. Agreed.

Saad scored while falling/leaping head first through the air.

Bobby Orr famously did that too.

Pretty sure that's all Steve was talking about. Some of you guys giving non-existant weight to a color commentator's post game thoughts is laughable.
- AceRatbang

Since the "acutal happening", I've seen replays - and it looks to me like Orr shot BEFORE he was airborn - shot the puck then kind of got tripped and took off horizontally.

See my post immediately above.

I'm sorry, I'm a jerk and I am negative. But I am sick of the hype (not just around him either). He's just the latest poster boy. It goes way back.

Can we not acknowledge a young player's strengths while also not overbuilding expectations and trying to force the narrative— so also recognize that the player has some things to work on as well?

Some will say this "doesn't matter." Well, when hand in glove with it, we see players being put into roles they're not ready for, it does matter.
- John Jaeckel

This is what happens when the media outlet is owned by the teams they cover, period. Get used to it, as much as it sucks!

It's the same mind-set that put BBB (Beanie Baby Buddy) in that commercial with the players.

you talk about luck, what about the Ducks first goal, that was luck. secound Saads goal look as if it went it. Most of the night it looked as if the Hawks were on the pp and the PK was amazing. You make your own luck JJ , man do you have to always be a downer.
- Dojodan

I've said as much here already

Saad scored while falling/leaping head first through the air.

Bobby Orr famously did that too.

Pretty sure that's all Steve was talking about. Some of you guys giving non-existant weight to a color commentator's post game thoughts is laughable.
- AceRatbang

I won't be able to do it Friday, or next Tuesday because I'll be at the UC.

However, on Sunday and next Friday I'll do a comparison. How often the national team brings up Saad for no apparent reason vs the talking heads. I'll also compare how many times Saad gets brought up vs any other player next Friday.

I guarantee you outside of Kane, Toews, and maybe Keith....it's out of control.

Leddy has sold me. He gets his shot through more times then not. I keep hearing media proclaim how great of a shot Seabrook has but he's very hesitant to shoot. Instead he's trying to force passes. You also have ZERO net presence. None. Nobody wants to sit in front of the net and take a beating or pop out into the slot. So unless you move it quickly, which they don't, or get a BS back door tap in, which the rest of the NHL strategizes against, this PP is doomed until these problems are fixed. The 4 on 3s were pathetic. Stagnant movement with tons of ice, and 20 ft slap shots aren't going to cut it. 99% of the goalies in the NHL are going to stop those.

Saad made a helluva move on the shoot out. He didn't elevate it or else it's a goal. I was surprised that Eddie O didn't know the rule on the morings having to come out COMPLETELY before the net is considered dislodged, but he's too busy giving shot outs, pimping Quebec junior tourneys, or god knows what else.

last night was a brief preview of what ails this team. Physicality. 1 handed poke checks to avoid contact, Keith, and running for your life, Oduya, led to numerous turnovers and tons of chances. Same thing that Phoenix did to them last spring.

Bickell was sensational. That's the Bickell we should EVERY night. He was by FAR the best forward. Saad had a strong game and has a Toews like workmanship with constantly moving his legs. He's doing the small things right, which is a great sign.

I will say...the idiotic penalties that Frolik takes are getting old. For what this guy earns, and what he was supposedly supposed to be, he's a solid PK guy who tries hard, but takes untimely penalties and couldn't hit the right side of a barn with his shot. He's a perfect candidate to flip to a team for a larger sized, grinding player, that they'll need come playoff time.

Lastly, Crawford...13 games and only can point to 1 game where he crapped himself, but he still righted the ship. Guy is showing confidence, and that's all you need in the NHL to be successful.
- SteveRain

No, now I want to fight about people comparing Saad to Bobby Orr.

(kidding, but COME ON)

It is really interesting to watch him and the divergent opinions on him. I USED to be in the camp that he was being over-hyped, but now I have to admit, what he does athletically, playing down hill ftrom the red line in, all that is pretty impressive.

I encountered the opinion last night that he is "carrying" that line and I think that, also, is absurd. His energy is bringing something to that line. But there are also holes (or at best rough edges) to his game that are in plain sight: never finishes a check, not great along the boards against players his size, will shoot into the side of the net rather than hold on and wait for a play to develop. And I'm not sure the awareness is there (yet) to play with really top guys who also need the puck on their blade.

So, work in progress and clearly, there is something to be very excited about going forward because he has (some) gifts that not many guys do. That said, he is far from a complete player. In spite of the hype.
- John Jaeckel

Just the photo, nothing else.

Saad scored while falling/leaping head first through the air.

Bobby Orr famously did that too.

Pretty sure that's all Steve was talking about. Some of you guys giving non-existant weight to a color commentator's post game thoughts is laughable.
- AceRatbang

True, but . . . it's the kiddies who get all wrapped up in it and start blasting it all over the place that are out of hand. Sometimes, even with the best of intentions, guys like Konroyd should watch what they say when comparing guys to Hall of Famers.

Imagine a 7 games series with these guys.......... I am sold more than ever that this team needs more guys like Bickell. Two more rugged wingers who can skate with this team and I am sold 100% on this season. This will show us a lot about Bowman too, will he pony up some of these prospects like Saad for a shot this season? Now before someone jumps down my throat wanting to trade Saad, I am using him as an example. JJ keeps saying value for value. Bowman will have to sack up and make a hard decision.

There is a nice set of skills to be very excited about with this kid.

To say he will "replace" Marian Hossa within the next two years (or maybe ever) or to compare him to Bobby Orr shows a true lack of hockey knowledge, period.
- John Jaeckel

Not to defend the Saad hype, but I think people's annoyance with the Saad tire pumping has colored their hearing. Konroyd didn't compare him to Bobby Orr and I am guessing the people on Twitter weren't comparing him either. People were saying that that singular play (scoring a goal with his feet out from under him parallel to the ice) looked like the famous Orr goal to win the Cup, not comparing Saad the player to Orr the player. If anyone was, they should probably have their hockey credentials revoked. He ain't Hossa, and he sure as hell isn't Bobby Orr.

When your buddy makes a hole in one and you tell him that looked like a shot Tiger would make, you aren't comparing his game to Tiger's just that singular result.

EDIT: You beat me to it, Ace.

Cuz Kenny trades them all?
- eburgio

Yessir, although frankly none of them have really gone on to make him regret it.

Just the photo, nothing else.
- Beaver-Warrior

It was a great play (physically) and is testament to the kind of athlete Saad is.

I've got a feeling a year from now, this conversation is going to be a lot like the Leddy conversation is today. Maybe they expected too much from him the prior year, but look how he's settled in now and benefited from the experience.

It remains to be seen if he will stay on the first line all year, or if that will be the right thing for the team all year and in the playoffs.

Is that just a Chicago thing? Is that a McDonough thing? That happens far too much with the Cubs. If McD was still in charge over there, you might already see Baez or some of the kids in the bigs. I'm not blaming McD for the Saad hype, but there's a common denominator. I don't hear that much about Sox prospects.
- eburgio

Both Sale and Beckham were pumped. Tank and the Missile were pumped. Mitchell to a certain degree has been pumped.

They have had success to varying degrees.

Reed was a rookie last year who got 29 saves.

Quite a bit of homegrown talent in the Sox line up especially for how they get bashed for "trading prospects" and nonsense like that. Throw in the reclamation projects like Danks, Konerko, Floyd, Thornton... I think their player development is a bit underrated.

Not to defend the Saad hype, but I think people's annoyance with the Saad tire pumping has colored their hearing. Konroyd didn't compare him to Bobby Orr and I am guessing the people on Twitter weren't comparing him either. People were saying that that singular play (scoring a goal with his feet out from under him parallel to the ice) looked like the famous Orr goal to win the Cup, not comparing Saad the player to Orr the player. If anyone was, they should probably have their hockey credentials revoked. He ain't Hossa, and he sure as hell isn't Bobby Orr.

When your buddy makes a hole in one and you tell him that looked like a shot Tiger would make, you aren't comparing his game to Tiger's just that singular result.

EDIT: You beat me to it, Ace.
- PhatJoeSki

You might be right.

Imagine a 7 games series with these guys.......... I am sold more than ever that this team needs more guys like Bickell. Two more rugged wingers who can skate with this team and I am sold 100% on this season. This will show us a lot about Bowman too, will he pony up some of these prospects like Saad for a shot this season? Now before someone jumps down my throat wanting to trade Saad, I am using him as an example. JJ keeps saying value for value. Bowman will have to sack up and make a hard decision.
- droe411

BINGO. Thank you. Bickell, Mayers, and Carcillo won't be able to do it alone.

Yessir, although frankly none of them have really gone on to make him regret it.
- PhatJoeSki

Gio Gonzalez might be the closest thing right now.

- philco28

seriously...Eddie O was always a corporate @ss kisser. But I'm disappointed in Foley. He's not the same guy I grew up with, and that's sad.

It's coming to a point I may need to watch games in silence.