Oh, I agree. Here's the thing about Kruger. He is going to get stronger. He has gotten stronger, but he is still a boy.
- John Jaeckel

Right on!!! He is only 22.......

Maybe you should actually take the time to read what is actually said before you post your ignorant comments. Again, for about the 5th time now, he's a great 3 zone player...one of the best, but when he came here and signed a lifetime, huge $$$$ contract, he was supposed to be all that and an elite scorer.

02-03 45/35
03-04 36/46
05-06 39/53
06-07 43/57
08-09 40/31

Hasn't come close to those numbers since, and likely never will. He is an elite all around talent, he's no longer an elite scorer.
- Ogilthorpe2

So you expect a 34 year old player to continue scoring at the same clip from season's that were 7-10 years ago? All of those years he played almost a full season. Last year he played 81 games and scored 77 points (5th best of his career). Obviously, most players will not continue to score the same as they did in their prime, but he still produces.

Fact is, the Hawks are short on playmakers, and short on them from the center position. Hossa is at his best when he has someone getting him the puck. His center has been a revolving door, basically, while with the Hawks, four in four seasons.

I will grant that he is probably not quite the player he was 5 years ago. but he was also clearly on pace for the Hart Fricking Trophy last year until he tweaked his groin at the ASG.

You guys are studiously ignoring the 800 pound gorilla in the room and that is that he, Saad and Toews don't complement eachother stylistically. But God Forbid the Great Saad and his two points in 14 games should be removed from the first line.



- John Jaeckel

Hossa's best fit is Crosby. I know they didn't win that year but those two were RIDICULOUS together

So you expect a 34 year old player to continue scoring at the same clip from season's that were 7-10 years ago? All of those years he played almost a full season. Last year he played 81 games and scored 77 points (5th best of his career). Obviously, most players will not continue to score the same as they did in their prime, but he still produces.
- Dannyboy

7-10, 4-5 tomato, tomahto.

Thought of the day.......

Now that Brian Elliot has become Brian Elliot again......and with a lot of back to back games in a shortened season.......is it possible the Blues miss the play offs?????

Oh, I agree. Here's the thing about Kruger. He is going to get stronger. He has gotten stronger, but he is still a boy.
- John Jaeckel

What about Kruger on 1st line LW?

Kruger Toews Hossa?

If not, and Toews, Kruger, Dannault end up as 1-3 C, would Bolland have any valure as a 2nd or 3rd line winger?

What about Kruger on 1st line LW?

Kruger Toews Hossa?

If not, and Toews, Kruger, Dannault end up as 1-3 C, would Bolland have any valure as a 2nd or 3rd line winger?
- Ogilthorpe2

IDK.....with his salary being 3.3 million and expect to get a signifigant raise after his contract is up next year could the hawks afford him or a better questions....would the hawks be willing to paying mid 4 to mid 5 million which is what he will get once he hits the open market.

Thought of the day.......

Now that Brian Elliot has become Brian Elliot again......and with a lot of back to back games in a shortened season.......is it possible the Blues miss the play offs?????
- UnnamedSource

Halak is supposed to be back soon. Can't see his game falling off a cliff. They're too good frankly to miss

If it were me, I'd try:

10-19-88
25-16-81
20-36-29
52-65-67
- John Jaeckel

He looked good out there with 88 and 81 today.

What about Kruger on 1st line LW?

Kruger Toews Hossa?

If not, and Toews, Kruger, Dannault end up as 1-3 C, would Bolland have any valure as a 2nd or 3rd line winger?
- Ogilthorpe2

Quite frankly, I don't see it. Wouldn't want to see it.

Right now I wouldn't mess with the lines.

Complaining about Hossa is just complaining to complain. He's cooled off since his hot start but he's still a force and he'll get hot again. Blaming his lack of goals the last few weeks on Brandon Saad is pure idiocy. The beauty of this team right now is that every line is capable of scoring and beating the opponent.

Halak is supposed to be back soon. Can't see his game falling off a cliff. They're too good frankly to miss
- rollpards19

If you consider all the back to back games in which most of those will be split between Halak and Elliot and with the bottom four of the conference changing daily it is conceivable.

He looked good out there with 88 and 81 today.
- RickyBear

I would love to see that line but neither likes the left side. I've always like 10-19-25 they are FAST

Right now I wouldn't mess with the lines.

Complaining about Hossa is just complaining to complain. He's cooled off since his hot start but he's still a force and he'll get hot again. Blaming his lack of goals the last few weeks on Brandon Saad is pure idiocy. The beauty of this team right now is that every line is capable of scoring and beating the opponent.
- dan9189

Pure idiocy???? Okay unless you've gone and tracked every goal by the Hawks this year and see that the production of Hossa-Toews-Saad is very poor for a number one line you need to stop the "know it all" comments. The great thing about facts is.....they don't lie.

Right now I wouldn't mess with the lines.

Complaining about Hossa is just complaining to complain. He's cooled off since his hot start but he's still a force and he'll get hot again. Blaming his lack of goals the last few weeks on Brandon Saad is pure idiocy. The beauty of this team right now is that every line is capable of scoring and beating the opponent.
- dan9189

Well, I guess we should all just be quiet, praise the streak, not bring up any negatives....

What a boring blog this would be.

IDK.....with his salary being 3.3 million and expect to get a signifigant raise after his contract is up next year could the hawks afford him or a better questions....would the hawks be willing to paying mid 4 to mid 5 million which is what he will get once he hits the open market.
- UnnamedSource

Bolland ?? and $$$ will be the big topic of banter all next year. They hold onto Krugs who is RFA after this year. I doubt both Bicks or Stahls are back..both are UFA's. Leddy is RFA. They have some $$$ allocation issues staring them in the face. Emery is also UFA. Can Hwks really afford Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabs and Bolland all making $5 mil plus in 2014-15?

Bolland ?? and $$$ will be the big topic of banter all next year. They hold onto Krugs who is RFA after this year. I doubt both Bicks or Stahls are back..both are UFA's. Leddy is RFA. They have some $$$ allocation issues staring them in the face. Emery is also UFA. Can Hwks really afford Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp, Keith, Seabs and Bolland all making $5 mil plus in 2014-15?
- bogiedoc

That was kinda my point.....I expect them if not traded, to bring Stals back.

Does no good when it hits the goalie square in the middle of the crest 95% of the time. Fact.
- Ogilthorpe2

THIS with his Grandma wrist shot. Unleash the SLAPPER 81.

Slow down with all this clown window crap. Focus on tomorrow, next week and this season. Any farther out you bring into account 1 million assumptions. Besides it does not matter one single iota, will not change how one guy approaches a game.
- TrueGrit

This year matters most right now...but serious budgeting decisions will need to be made with 2 franchise players...you better ax somebody.

Been in Clearwater all day at daughters swim meet. Watched the game on my phone via nbcsports app. Was cool.

So as I catch up here, I missed so much. Starting with the trap game suggestion. Gosh I am glad I missed that. JJ this team has not lost in regulation, it is a streak. Streaks good and bad trump any/all trap game designations.

Phil...Hawks Choke...WTF bro. This is the NHL. Stuff happens. You accurately pointed out we were let down by our better forward lines, but this is hockey, these guys are human, and are not machines. Good for Hawks in getting out to a lead.

Was it Dpard who said we need a bigger line 4. Cuz how can we match up. Hey, as I have said to JJ and promoted, the question is for the Kings and rest of NHL to say, Holy Shat, how in the duck do we match up and find the speed to keep up with these guys?

The obsession and assumed belief that we lost last 2 playoff series because we were no big/tough enough is very overplayed. Yes I know playoff hockey, but 10 hits does not = a power play goal. That last year was the biggest problem.

To repeat, this team has embraced who they are and are not wasting their time trying to prove how tough or whatever people want them to be. Finishing checks, back checking and playing with a purpose for 60 mins is a solid way to play.

And for those saying this is not playoff hockey, well with a short season every game is like a playoff game, to assume that teams are just cruising now waiting for playoffs to get intense and bring their best game is nuts.

Talk of Sharp, then Hossa, chalk that up to your team being 12-0-3 and having nothing else to talk about.

So who will be the first Sally on the next thread saying we are lucky or that they have a bad feeling about the next game?

Chance for history Tuesday. Lets enjoy this.
- TrueGrit

They didn't play with a purpose for 60 TG...that's the problem. The record's great and hopefully we make history, but these cardiac 3rd period performances are troublesome. We have to close these games out a lot stronger.

This year matters most right now...but serious budgeting decisions will need to be made with 2 franchise players...you better ax somebody.
- philco28

Olez is an obvious buy out candidate this summer. No trade value at all with that salary and his recent history. But given this start..I suspect StanBow is in no hurry to move anybody with next year in consideration. A minor deal at the deadline..sure!

This thread now reminds me of the barbershop scene in the beginning of Hoosiers. Like Coach Dale, I am outta here cause I see what's goin on.

Olez is an obvious buy out candidate this summer. No trade value at all with that salary and his recent history. But given this start..I suspect StanBow is in no hurry to move anybody with next year in consideration. A minor deal at the deadline..sure!
- bogiedoc

I was initially thinking Montador and Rusty would both be bought out this offseason and that still might happen. However if only 1 of them is then there's a real chance that Hossa might be bought out after 2013-2014.

If it were me, I'd try:

10-19-88
25-16-81
20-36-29
52-65-67
- John Jaeckel

How about

10-19-81
20-36-88

Olez is an obvious buy out candidate this summer. No trade value at all with that salary and his recent history. But given this start..I suspect StanBow is in no hurry to move anybody with next year in consideration. A minor deal at the deadline..sure!
- bogiedoc

Don't think much will happen this year given the white hot gate break...my point was that with inflation...88-19-4 and who knows who else will be due some big increases. Tazer won't be greedy and it wouldn't shock me to see him and Kane sign matching deals again. But what will market value be for them when their current deals expire ?