Also the opening night of every season should consist of the original 6 all squaring off against each other as the only 3 games on the schedule.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's a good idea...

Ogi, it's obvious you place more value in the O6, and the number of times they meet, than I do. I can appreciate that and I would like to play Montreal and Toronto ect. home and away each year.

I just accept the idea that being the western most of the O6 presents problems...and I have no problem being in the proposed division with the Wild, Stars, Jets and Blues.

Frankly, I'm bored with the supposed rivalry with the Wings...the Blues always got me more agitated, and reviving a MN rivalry is fine by me.

Since I am not part of the bandwagon full of fans here who are determined to find elsewhere what they think may be missing on the roster of a team that hasn't lost in regulation, because of their fear that when the playoffs come and tigher checking and physical play ramp up, the team will fold,

I have to wonder IF there was an addition, would this have to be one chance wonder , where the contract is gone after the playoff.

I have to wonder if Brouwer or any addition has the ability to handle the puck as well as the present crew.
Brouwer is a really physically strong guy.
For his to even be in consideration to return here, the Hawks would have to feel not only that he upgrades the present group, but that Brouwer's 3,666,667 for THREE MORE years after when the Cap shrinks is as well a good fit....
- wiz1901

Ugh-greed. I think I tried to make that point a few threads back. Think biggest hole is at the bottom pending Bolland's health and Mayer's gas tank and Carcillo's brain farts.

Over halfway to 35 games unbeaten. Now that would be some serious poop but probably still not good enough to win a 7 game series... (EDIT: SARCASMMMMMMMMMMMMM LOTS OF IT)

Very true Philco, the issue is this. Hossa, Toews and Saad are puck possession players. The reason this line is lacking in productiveness is this reason alone. The puck can not be broken into three pieces in a game. Move Saad to the third line and put Stalberg with 19-81 to try and get him more production on a consistent basis. Saad will grow as a player more with Shaw and Bickell where he can handle the puck all he wants.

Yes, Saad lovers, they are 15-0-3, but they as of late are not firing on all cylinders. They are winning with a different hero every night. That is not a bad thing, but in these close games they are an unfortunate bounce away from a loss. So if changing things up provides a fresh new energy, we can see this streak continue.
- nickmo2699

Great point Nick...Stalberg has played with the top 2 before and played well. Really need a DISTRIBUTOR on that line to feed those puck possession monsters wearing 19 and 81.

Prolific wing assist men are hard to find though. Might need to deal to find the perfect fit for that line. Alex Tanguay's a guy that comes to mind...he's signed through '15-16 at $3.5 per/yr.

The size/strength issue would seem to be the only inhibitor. That said, he is probably as strong today as Kruger is. The Hawks don't seem to have a huge issue with bringing guys in who are still "boys" physically. I would agree more a year ago. Danault has put on some functional weight since then.

And as I said earlier in the thread, it's not always the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog (see: Kruger and Danault).
- John Jaeckel

Hmmmm...

JJ you haven't even mentioned Teuvo Taravainen...

Ugh-greed. I think I tried to make that point a few threads back. Think biggest hole is at the bottom pending Bolland's health and Mayer's gas tank and Carcillo's brain farts.

Over halfway to 35 games unbeaten. Now that would be some serious poop but probably still not good enough to win a 7 game series... (EDIT: SARCASMMMMMMMMMMMMM LOTS OF IT)
- fattybeef

Are we gonna talk about Kevin Hayes again?

Are we gonna talk about Kevin Hayes again?
- ArlingtonRob

Since I am not part of the bandwagon full of fans here who are determined to find elsewhere what they think may be missing on the roster of a team that hasn't lost in regulation, because of their fear that when the playoffs come and tigher checking and physical play ramp up, the team will fold,

I have to wonder IF there was an addition, would this have to be one chance wonder , where the contract is gone after the playoff.

I have to wonder if Brouwer or any addition has the ability to handle the puck as well as the present crew.
Brouwer is a really physically strong guy.
For his to even be in consideration to return here, the Hawks would have to feel not only that he upgrades the present group, but that Brouwer's 3,666,667 for THREE MORE years after when the Cap shrinks is as well a good fit....
- wiz1901

Thanks for the last compliment on Saad....Also tell our mutual friend Steve to not be a stranger.

Brouwer earns too much for too long...But he would be ideal as he could slide up and down the lineup.

I think JJ will have more to say soon and I don't have a specific rumor to give you but...

Take a look at the bottom teams, those that also realize the playoffs might be more than one year away.

If I were Bowman I would be looking for a player who is affordable and knows how to play and is now playing as a top six foward on a bad team.

If the player brings some size, knows how to play defense and has hands....Bingo

If said player can also win a faceoff and hit some...Jackpot.

My main goal would be to slot the player on a lower line than then he is on now plus give PP time, and hope he shines when surrounded by more talent.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Thanks for the last compliment on Saad....Also tell our mutual friend Steve to not be a stranger.

Brouwer earns too much for too long...But he would be ideal as he could slide up and down the lineup.

I think JJ will have more to say soon and I don't have a specific rumor to give you but...

Take a look at the bottom teams, those that also realize the playoffs might be more than one year away.

If I were Bowman I would be looking for a player who is affordable and knows how to play and is now playing as a top six foward on a bad team.

If the player brings some size, knows how to play defense and has hands....Bingo

If said player can also win a faceoff and hit some...Jackpot.

My main goal would be to slot the player on a lower line than then he is on now plus give PP time, and hope he shines when surrounded by more talent.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

I've read quotes from Stan that he likes to take a top 6 forward from a weak team and add them to our bottom six (ie Frolik). But they are 2 different skill-sets and I don't know if that's the way to go.

Ugh-greed. I think I tried to make that point a few threads back. Think biggest hole is at the bottom pending Bolland's health and Mayer's gas tank and Carcillo's brain farts.

Over halfway to 35 games unbeaten. Now that would be some serious poop but probably still not good enough to win a 7 game series... (EDIT: SARCASMMMMMMMMMMMMM LOTS OF IT)
- fattybeef

Counting last year we are at 24 straight without a regulation loss. That is the way it looks in the official NHL stats...

- Ogilthorpe2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjwofYhUJEM

I don't know why everyone is so worried about next years cap. Stan has left himself in a good situation. The new history of second contracts are going down. He has 2 buyouts, which I hope they use! This team could have 11+ million to round out a team next year. Plenty of money there to keep this team near the same. I am not advocating for the same, but just saying they could. The Hawks could even go big FA shopping next year if they trade Bolland. The one thing that Stan has done well is keep this team out of the position of having to sell off players to get under the cap.

Since I am not part of the bandwagon full of fans here who are determined to find elsewhere what they think may be missing on the roster of a team that hasn't lost in regulation, because of their fear that when the playoffs come and tigher checking and physical play ramp up, the team will fold,

I have to wonder IF there was an addition, would this have to be one chance wonder , where the contract is gone after the playoff.

I have to wonder if Brouwer or any addition has the ability to handle the puck as well as the present crew.
Brouwer is a really physically strong guy.
For his to even be in consideration to return here, the Hawks would have to feel not only that he upgrades the present group, but that Brouwer's 3,666,667 for THREE MORE years after when the Cap shrinks is as well a good fit....
- wiz1901

Another option is a take a look at an NCAA UFA for a month prior to the playoffs -
http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Shots--Have-Nots/99/49551

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjwofYhUJEM
- paulr

Thanks for the last compliment on Saad....Also tell our mutual friend Steve to not be a stranger.

Brouwer earns too much for too long...But he would be ideal as he could slide up and down the lineup.

I think JJ will have more to say soon and I don't have a specific rumor to give you but...

Take a look at the bottom teams, those that also realize the playoffs might be more than one year away.

If I were Bowman I would be looking for a player who is affordable and knows how to play and is now playing as a top six foward on a bad team.


If the player brings some size, knows how to play defense and has hands....Bingo

If said player can also win a faceoff and hit some...Jackpot.

My main goal would be to slot the player on a lower line than then he is on now plus give PP time, and hope he shines when surrounded by more talent.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

It sounds like you have guys in mind, just aren't telling....

Yep. I can understand it when they're new, but these are "our" guys, how hard is it to learn how to spell their names? I would think people would figure it out after 2.5 seasons just by watching the games.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hey, if we could remember how to spell "Byfuglien" there are no excuses!

I've read quotes from Stan that he likes to take a top 6 forward from a weak team and add them to our bottom six (ie Frolik). But they are 2 different skill-sets and I don't know if that's the way to go.
- DarthKane

Yes and no on the skill set because some players who are slotted in as a top six guy on a bad team really shouldn't be there.

It sounds like you have guys in mind, just aren't telling....
- hockey nut 28

I have a couple in mind but haven't heard any whspers...

Still time to make a list....But as I said a few times it would be wise to not wait until Deadline day to make a move.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Ray Emery will start in goal for #Blackhawks vs. Oilers. Center Dave Bolland will not play.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Ray Emery will start in goal for #Blackhawks vs. Oilers. Center Dave Bolland will not play.
- philco28

I guessed wrong on that one....Thought he would stick with Crawford.

I guessed wrong on that one....Thought he would stick with Crawford.
- Al

Two hot goalies is a very nice problem to have

I have a couple in mind but haven't heard any whspers...

Still time to make a list....But as I said a few times it would be wise to not wait until Deadline day to make a move.
- Al

Glenncross, Ott, Dorsett, Weiss, Okposo...

Right track?

Clowe only gets two games

Ryane Clowe has been handed a two-game suspension for his actions on Friday.
The NHL judged that Clowe left the bench on a legal line change in the dying seconds of Friday's game, but did so to start a fight with Chicago's Andrew Shaw. Had they determined that Clowe didn't leave the bench legally, then he would have faced an automatic 10-game suspension. He's already served the first of his two game suspension while awaiting the NHL's hearing, so he'll be eligible to return on Thursday.

Two hot goalies is a very nice problem to have

- philco28

Yeah, but I agree with Al's assessment that it should have been Craw tonight, Ray against the Blues.

Glenncross, Ott, Dorsett, Weiss, Okposo...

Right track?
- Ogilthorpe2

Tanguay, Thorburn two more i wouldn't mind

Yeah, but I agree with Al's assessment that it should have been Craw tonight, Ray against the Blues.
- Ogilthorpe2

Tough call...with Crow's recent injury, he might benefit from a day off. It's tough since both are so sharp right now. I'd would have liked to have Crow tonight too.