I know I shouldn't do this--but since you guys brought it up . . . . Great movie, Glory, but you should read U. VA historian Gary Gallagher's book linked here: http://www.amazon.com/Cau...agher+hollywood+civil+war

Also, mentioning Freeman and Hackman, how 'bout _Unforgiven_? Love that movie.
- AL SEC0RD

oh yeah, Richard Harris, too.

Love this rivalry -- even when it brings out the delusional ones like yourself. All bloggers here are 'homers' -- what different would you expect? JJ is a Hawks homer -- so what? Trade speculations are what this site is about (aside from Canuck-hating: which I love) -- and most are removed from reality. If you've read Esplen's blogs, you'd see he pretty much always includes a section called. "respect your opponents". Is JJ "slanted" in the Hawks favour? Of course he is --and it shouldn't be any other way. Generally, your post is empty of substance -- but that's all right, too. There are all kinds here on HB.
- rdfred

Ok--so everybody is "biased" about any stance on any issue having to do with anything--as in, every human being sees things from a limited (and very often self-interested) perspective--but that doesn't mean that you can't distinguish those who come off as more so or less so. And some are more "biased" than others on here. I don't always agree with JJ, but he doesn't see things through Blackhawks-colored glasses on every issue . . . .

Hey JJ not sure if mentioned in earlier posts but I would love to see lines shaken up now that record is set and if Bolland is out as an experiment.

Toews Kane Sharp
Kruger Hossa Stahlberg
Shaw Bickell Saad
Meyers Frolik Carcillo

What ya think?

I work in the Visual effects industry, I spend my days making lies visual lies. Check out our company reel , soho vfx , toronto ontario, just google it.

Toronto was New York in Cinderella Man. Vancouver was all of North America in the X Files.

A big part of this is up to about 7-8 years ago, the exchange rate was so favorable to the U.S. dollar, plus the availability of top quality crews and slightly cheaper union talent in Canada.

I used to shoot a "summer" promotion for Canadian Tire every March in Vancouver, which often involved outdoor locations/sets. Realy dicey there that time of year trying to simulate June, but it was doable because Vancouver is so mild relatively year round.
- John Jaeckel

Hey JJ not sure if mentioned in earlier posts but I would love to see lines shaken up now that record is set and if Bolland is out as an experiment.

Toews Kane Sharp
Kruger Hossa Stahlberg
Shaw Bickell Saad
Meyers Frolik Carcillo

What ya think?
- dciz99

Bolland in :

Toews Kane Sharp
Kruger Hossa Stahlberg
Bolland Bickell Saad
Shaw Frolik Carcillo

to me that works. Thoughts anyone???

Ok--so everybody is "biased" about any stance on any issue having to do with anything--as in, every human being sees things from a limited (and very often self-interested) perspective--but that doesn't mean that you can't distinguish those who come off as more so or less so. And some are more "biased" than others on here. I don't always agree with JJ, but he doesn't see things through Blackhawks-colored glasses on every issue . . . .
- AL SEC0RD

Thanks, that was my point but it carries more credibility coming from you.

I work in the Visual effects industry, I spend my days making lies visual lies. Check out our company reel , soho vfx , toronto ontario, just google it.
- Dojodan

Oh man, we could easily have worked together 6-7 years ago.

Hey JJ not sure if mentioned in earlier posts but I would love to see lines shaken up now that record is set and if Bolland is out as an experiment.

Toews Kane Sharp
Kruger Hossa Stahlberg
Shaw Bickell Saad
Meyers Frolik Carcillo

What ya think?
- dciz99

Good lines

Oh, and just so everyone's clear on this:

My role here is not to agree (or disagree) with you, whether you are a Hawk fan or a fan of another team. And when I disagree, especially when I provide a factual argument for my point of view, it doesn't make me a jerk or a homer.

In fact, you can pretty much find the jerks and homers based on who trots those terms out. 'I can't refute the message, so I shoot the messenger.'

I'm not and I think it's a smart move.

Season is 1/3 over. Hawks look great but they do have the feeling of a great regular season team and maybe not a team perfectly built (yet) for the grind of the playoffs. Their most physical forward, by far, is Bryan Bickell. Not a huge problem, but also not something to really inspire fear on the other side or tremendous confidence on the Hawks' side.

I think whatever move might be made will be a tweak. Rumor I heard a week or two ago was Chris Neil.

I will say, a surprisingly huge percentage of the rumors I have heard coming out of the Hawks in terms of players they have been interested in for well over a year now are Neil type players. The Hawks want to be tougher to play against.
- John Jaeckel

I agree it's a very smart move. The playoffs will be a physical grind and it wouldn't hurt the Hawks to shore that part of their game up.

I posted on yesterdays blog that I went back and watched the entire game against san jose and there was nothing to indicate that there was contact and the upper body injury, except at one point Bolland was in front in a stick battle were he could have strained a muscle in arm or shoulder, and later a easy play were returnee defender Jason Demers had his elbow brush Bolland's ear.

The entire second period bolland played hard, but i started to read in that he was more comfortable dishing away the puck than having to stick handle hard through traffic, but that could be hindsight leading me down a wrong path.

No one on this Hawk roster is going anywhere in a trade.
More likely will be a IceHog send off if anything is done.

just because fans see teo GM at games talking, etc. ....guess what they know each other, have kids playing against each other, and mutual friends.

Team also get scouted to know what they do.

Ottawa is desperately scavanging the league for help, but they are not giving away anyone....yet.

I know I shouldn't do this--but since you guys brought it up . . . . Great movie, Glory, but you should read U. VA historian Gary Gallagher's book linked here: http://www.amazon.com/Cau...agher+hollywood+civil+war

Also, mentioning Freeman and Hackman, how 'bout _Unforgiven_? Love that movie.
- AL SEC0RD

+100! Superb movie.

Oh, and just so everyone's clear on this:

My role here is not to agree (or disagree) with you, whether you are a Hawk fan or a fan of another team. And when I disagree, especially when I provide a factual argument for my point of view, it doesn't make me a jerk or a homer.

In fact, you can pretty much find the jerks and homers based on who trots those terms out. 'I can't refute the message, so I shoot the messenger.'
- John Jaeckel

Ya Jerk!! (LMAO)

Oh, and just so everyone's clear on this:

My role here is not to agree (or disagree) with you, whether you are a Hawk fan or a fan of another team. And when I disagree, especially when I provide a factual argument for my point of view, it doesn't make me a jerk or a homer.

In fact, you can pretty much find the jerks and homers based on who trots those terms out. 'I can't refute the message, so I shoot the messenger.'
- John Jaeckel

but if it is me....it is my role here....and it does make me a homer and a jerk.

My role is to shoot any Hawk fan, or enemy fan down, if I think you are floating above hockey reality...including "their talking deal boy, JJ.'

I will give JJ credit to be able to able to start on one side of an opinion and walk through all the complexities all the way to the other side of the opinion, not waffling as much as presenting a nice balanced to & fro...and he is the only in the conversation, which is tough to do...see all the sides, wonder aloud if this is right, even if you in your own opinion are convinced it IS wrong...

but if it is me....it is my role here....and it does make me a homer and a jerk.

My role is to shoot any Hawk fan, or enemy fan down, if I think you are floating above hockey reality...including "their talking deal boy, JJ.'
- wiz1901

I know I shouldn't do this--but since you guys brought it up . . . . Great movie, Glory, but you should read U. VA historian Gary Gallagher's book linked here: http://www.amazon.com/Cau...agher+hollywood+civil+war

Also, mentioning Freeman and Hackman, how 'bout _Unforgiven_? Love that movie.
- AL SEC0RD

Unforgivin may be the best western ever in my opinion

I actually think the Hawks have a nice stable of NHL-potential d prospects: Lalonde, Stanton, Dahlbeck, Johns, Clendening, Mattson, Paliotta, Fournier.

In light of how many quality D prospects the Hawks have, and the contract status of their NHL guys, I could see them dealing at least a couple of these guys. The "jewels" are Johns and Clendening, but there are a couple of boom or bust puck-movers and a couple of guys who look to have NHL games as stay at home guys.

Fournier is a guy I would be asking about if I needed a future top 4 d-man.
- John Jaeckel

JJ I've been banging this drum for a while. On the current roster your puck movers are Keith, Oduya, and Leddy. Obviously Keith isn't going anywhere and Oduya is signed for two years after this one. Leddy and Clendening are similar and #8 is a RFA at the end of this year. As it stands right now there is no room for Clendening which makes him perfect for a trade and I'm sure a lot of teams would want him. I think with Leddys growth the Hawks will resign him to 3 year deal this year. As far as Olsen goes, he seems to have really taken a step back this year and may have dropped a few steps behind every one. With his size he is still attractive to other teams. Also what about Justin Holl? What they do this off season with Hammer , whether resign, trade, or decide to let him play out his contract is a big sign on what they think of Johns development.

Unforgivin may be the best western ever in my opinion
- molly2522

The new Lone Ranger movie.

and Hell on Wheels on TV...

I posted on yesterdays blog that I went back and watched the entire game against san jose and there was nothing to indicate that there was contact and the upper body injury, except at one point Bolland was in front in a stick battle were he could have strained a muscle in arm or shoulder, and later a easy play were returnee defender Jason Demers had his elbow brush Bolland's ear.

The entire second period bolland played hard, but i started to read in that he was more comfortable dishing away the puck than having to stick handle hard through traffic, but that could be hindsight leading me down a wrong path.

No one on this Hawk roster is going anywhere in a trade.
More likely will be a IceHog send off if anything is done.

just because fans see teo GM at games talking, etc. ....guess what they know each other, have kids playing against each other, and mutual friends.

Team also get scouted to know what they do.

Ottawa is desperately scavanging the league for help, but they are not giving away anyone....yet.
- wiz1901

Agreed, more likely prospects get dealt—if anyone.

Never say never as far as the NHL roster. Not terribly likely. Not out of the realm of possibility. Expiring contracts, the team has shown interest in getting "tougher to play against." Fire sales and new GMs elsewhere.

Is the streak reality or something else less than the streak? Likely the latter. The Hawks are flat stupid if they are 100% buying in to their own press clippings.

And the Hawks have talked to Ottawa quite a bit over the last couple of years

Unforgivin may be the best western ever in my opinion
- molly2522

I enjoyed Val Kilmar as Doc Holliday in Tombstone -- still one of my favorites

Hansen getting 1 game for his hit should mean Shaw gets 10 (exaggeration). It was a far more dangerous hit: 4-6. Anyone here think it was a good, clean hit?
- rdfred

Ah, the troll returns. Well troll, if you read the SJ thread you will see quite a few Hawks fans said it was a bad hit and we did not feel that it would be unjust to suspend him. 4-6 games? Really? Jensen followed through into the head. Shaw pulled up. At most Shaw deserved a one game suspension. If Hall got 2 games for his knee offense, you are dillusional thinking Shaw (who pulled up before the hit) warrants 4-6 games. Go back to Esplen's blog and cry with others who are in their own BC world.

Unforgivin may be the best western ever in my opinion
- molly2522

Not an expert here, but it's my favorite too, though I like _The Outlaw Josey Wales_ also.

JJ I've been banging this drum for a while. On the current roster your puck movers are Keith, Oduya, and Leddy. Obviously Keith isn't going anywhere and Oduya is signed for two years after this one. Leddy and Clendening are similar and #8 is a RFA at the end of this year. As it stands right now there is no room for Clendening which makes him perfect for a trade and I'm sure a lot of teams would want him. I think with Leddys growth the Hawks will resign him to 3 year deal this year. As far as Olsen goes, he seems to have really taken a step back this year and may have dropped a few steps behind every one. With his size he is still attractive to other teams. Also what about Justin Holl? What they do this off season with Hammer , whether resign, trade, or decide to let him play out his contract is a big sign on what they think of Johns development.
- UnnamedSource

And they need to sign Kruger.

So maybe they ride what they have and just part ways with a hungry-to-get-paid Stalberg in the offseason. Or they fill a slight area of need and move Stalberg in the deal now in order to get some compensation for him.

See Cam Barker, March 2010.

I forgot about Olsen who probably has not been written off completely throughout the league. And, yes, the Hawks are HIGH on Johns specifically.

Shaw is well known for his reckless play. Between him and Carcillo, the Hawks have two of the dirtiest players in the league.

Agreed, more likely prospects get dealt—if anyone.

Never say never as far as the NHL roster. Not terribly likely. Not out of the realm of possibility. Expiring contracts, the team has shown interest in getting "tougher to play against." Fire sales and new GMs elsewhere.

Is the streak reality or something else less than the streak? Likely the latter. The Hawks are flat stupid if they are 100% buying in to their own press clippings.

And the Hawks have talked to Ottawa quite a bit over the last couple of years
- John Jaeckel

Depending on who they get. Stalberg and Bickel are your prime candidates to move. I would hate to see Stalberg go because I don't think he has reached his upside and I've always loved his speed. For all you young hockey players out there watch how the other teams D plays when he is on the ice......for a guy who has only had one season of 20 goals they show him premier play respect........with the space they give him.