If people are offended by a nickname of Jesus for Saad....then i have lost hope. It;s tongue in cheek. Nobody is quoting biblical phrases or editing team names like our friend used to do over at the DH blog in regards to the Devils.

For Hayes to be effective he has to be physical...consistency. Something that plagued Brouwer for a long time. He has to use that big frame, otherwise, it's a pointless call up.

For everyone talking about Sharp being bought out, what about Keith? Talk about a deal that is going to haunt this team long term. Guy continues to regress, and could be the most overrated player in hockey. Like a few others, imagine what this team could be if Keith and Seabrook awoken? Paying a guy top cash to post a monsterous 2% shot percentage is comical. So if we are going to make all the cases in the world for Hossa, and Sharp, then I give you Keith...Honestly you very well could have his replacement on this team already in Leddy....Not seeing a bunch of top 6 players who have proven anything at the NHL level in the Hawks system or on this team....

What has alarmed me the most during the past 2 games is this: The streak is over...thank you for the memories, but now you are in a stretch run in a shortened season, where teams are desperate. IN fact, more teams are desperate because of the condensed schedule. The Hawks came out flat in the 2nd vs Colorado and the 1st vs Edmonton..Why? There is no sense of urgency....If that starts to happen, you start buildling bad tendencies and you can't just flip on a switch on April 30th and think it'll change.

This team will be tired again....April is brutal for amount of games vs off days. I dont expect them to win every game. however, they need to come out and work and get some things corrected if they want to achieve their one goal
- SteveRain

Sense of urgency vs fatigue. High level club / developmental sports aren't professional but at that level practicing 3-4 days a week and having 2-3 games on a weekend becomes a grind. Even in college playing 4 games in 7 days is exhausting. Multiply that by the speed and pressure of a professional environment and guys are going to burn out at some point. That is especially true for a compressed season.

It isn't an excuse it is just a reality. The human body can only be pushed so hard and they were going to hit a bump eventually. Fortunately they have a stretch now to get some rest, pick up a few points and still be in a good position at the end of the year to rest / manage time going into the playoffs. Far from pushing panic button or doing anything drastic.

Good thing I had finished my cup of coffee before I sat down to check the board!
Guaranteed would have spit it up all over my laptop.


I think you and I are the only guys calling Bolland Bolus (or Bollus); do you recall the whole medical dictionary-tinged conversation about what a bolus is?

Well, the Hawks would be nuts to re-up him for more than he's making given his injury history and lack of production. You'd think if the guy was REALLY serious, he'd have done some work on faceoffs in the long offseason.

But nope -- he's no better and in fact might be worse than last year. How many PP draws has he lost this year, and once done, eat up 30 sec of clock?

You know, for as much crap as Kane has taken on this board, I give the guy all the props in the world. He goes overseas to Switzerland to keep his skills sharp and it has paid off. And it's also clear he has worked again on his shot as evidenced by some of the wicked goals he's scored this year. At least the guy seems to be committed and shows proof that he's committed and done the work.

Bolland, not so much, if at all.

I really don't care about all his playoff hype -- need to see the guy really improve at the dot but that has not happened and certainly won't this year.

Please invite me to the Bollus party, OK?
- savvyone-1

No preseason wrist surgery helps...

For Hayes to be effective he has to be physical...consistency. Something that plagued Brouwer for a long time. He has to use that big frame, otherwise, it's a pointless call up.

Plagued? Is that a biblical reference?

People are generally very polite in Columbus. Except yahoodi.
- John Jaeckel

Kiss my Azz Jaeckel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a bastion of good manners and elegant charm.

Saad Rules! Saad rules! Saad rules!

Kiss my Azz Jaeckel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a bastion of good manners and elegant charm.

Saad Rules! Saad rules! Saad rules!
- yahoodi

4 game point streak is kinda cool

I respectfully disagree on Kruger. While his draws are weak and inconsistent, his zone coverage defensively and instinctive play around and behind the net are a big positive from my point of view. I like him at center.

But either way if they are on 4th line together, no doubt Hayes can give you some strength around the other teams goal and compliment Frolik and Kruger well.

Perhaps Hayes gets a shot on the PP?
- TrueGrit

What would be the downside of Kruger being on a 3rd line with a center as good defensively who can win faceoffs??

.....Instead of a 4th line center playing 40-50% less ice time....There wouldn't be any, and someday I think that happens.

He is good enough to play the position in most ways but his inability to win faceoffs means he plays down a line...and even then he doesn't take all the draws. Which is a reason Mayers is still on the team.

I would rather have Kruger on the ice more than 4 th line mins and on the PK.

Our experience has always been GREAT in Columbus -- really easy to get to, nice hotels, good food nearby -- and based on that experience, good fans.

I have always felt bad for the fans there supporting the team -- they really deserve better than what they have seen but hopefully they will turn that around.
- savvyone-1

I completely agree -


The majority of Hawks games I've been able to take in live have been in Columbus the past few seasons, as I live couple hours north.

Their fans have always been polite and non-confrontational for the most part, which I commend. Nothing worse than watching your team in another team's arena and being hassled, especially when you go in and keep to yourself.

I'm a little sad with the re-alignment that I won't have but one opportunity to see the 'Hawks play down there after this season. Hopefully that one meeting will be on a weekend.

I really do hope that the team stays there, too. Downtown Columbus isn't the greatest, but the little district they've put together around Nationwide is really pretty and well-kept, and it's a real pleasure to go down there and grab dinner/a couple drinks at Buca di Beppo or O'Shaughnessy's before a game.

For Hayes to be effective...

- Kentxo

Has he learned to skate in Rockford yet? That skill might be helpful.

Has he learned to skate in Rockford yet? That skill might be helpful.
- Return of the Roar

I've noticed an improvement in his skating this season. That doesn't mean Hayes is still good enough.

I completely agree -


The majority of Hawks games I've been able to take in live have been in Columbus the past few seasons, as I live couple hours north.

Their fans have always been polite and non-confrontational for the most part, which I commend. Nothing worse than watching your team in another team's arena and being hassled, especially when you go in and keep to yourself.

I'm a little sad with the re-alignment that I won't have but one opportunity to see the 'Hawks play down there after this season. Hopefully that one meeting will be on a weekend.

I really do hope that the team stays there, too. Downtown Columbus isn't the greatest, but the little district they've put together around Nationwide is really pretty and well-kept, and it's a real pleasure to go down there and grab dinner/a couple drinks at Buca di Beppo or O'Shaughnessy's before a game.
- FredoXV

With all the s h i t happening at sporting events over the years, I NEVER WEAR MY COLORS in the opponents rink. Why chance any b.s. .

What would be the downside of Kruger being on a 3rd line with a center as good defensively who can win faceoffs??

.....Instead of a 4th line center playing 40-50% less ice time....There wouldn't be any, and someday I think that happens.

He is good enough to play the position in most ways but his inability to win faceoffs means he plays down a line...and even then he doesn't take all the draws. Which is a reason Mayers is still on the team.

I would rather have Kruger on the ice more than 4 th line mins and on the PK.
- Al

Fair enough. I see your point and agree about his ice time. I just really appreciate his dzone awareness and tenacity is all. In my old humble way, I try to play a similar game. His compete level is something special.

Kiss my Azz Jaeckel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a bastion of good manners and elegant charm.

Saad Rules (in my mind)! Saad rules (in my mind)! Saad rules (in my mind)!
- yahoodi

Fixed.

With all the s h i t happening at sporting events over the years, I NEVER WEAR MY COLORS in the opponents rink. Why chance any b.s. .
- philco28

You can wear an opponent's sweater to Columbus and 9 times out of ten, you will have no problem.

I've noticed an improvement in his skating this season. That doesn't mean Hayes is still good enough.
- EKolb13

It is rare to get all the qualities we want in a player, however his size and hands around the net could be beneficial.

With all the s h i t happening at sporting events over the years, I NEVER WEAR MY COLORS in the opponents rink. Why chance any b.s. .
- philco28

I wore my Bolland jersey t-shirt to a game in Vancouver last season. First time after the 'sisters' comment. They were surprisingly cool to me, save for a few knuckleheads.

Surprise: Kellen Davis released! Just heard on 670-The Score
- blackhawk24

You can wear an opponent's sweater to Columbus and 9 times out of ten, you will have no problem.
- John Jaeckel

I'm sure most fans in most rinks are cool...but there's always an ASS HOOOOLE or two out there that just like to provoke folks.

For Hayes to be effective he has to be physical...consistency. Something that plagued Brouwer for a long time. He has to use that big frame, otherwise, it's a pointless call up.

Plagued? Is that a biblical reference?

- Kentxo

Brouwer>>>Hayes

Hawk fans tend to instinctively make their prospects Hall of famers and guys they've traded away tomato cans

You can wear an opponent's sweater to Columbus and 9 times out of ten, you will have no problem.
- John Jaeckel

The last couple times I went, 'Hawks sweaters were the majority anyway.

It is rare to get all the qualities we want in a player, however his size and hands around the net could be beneficial.
- TrueGrit

I would think the prerequisite for ice hockey would be the ability to skate on ice.

I've noticed an improvement in his skating this season. That doesn't mean Hayes is still good enough.
- EKolb13

So why does he get the call up and not Morin and/or others?

I wore my Bolland jersey t-shirt to a game in Vancouver last season. First time after the 'sisters' comment. They were surprisingly cool to me, save for a few knuckleheads.
- eburgio

Ballsy bro, that Van crowd can be pretty rowdy

So why does he get the call up and not Morin and/or others?
- RickJ

I think NHL experience plays a role, as does the fact that his combination of size and hands give Q the flexibility to play on various lines.

Could conceviably play top-six minutes (skating is a problem, I know), or play the role of a 4th line banger.

Maybe thinking too much inside the box, but from what I've seen of Morin, he's best suited for a top-six sniping role, and if he falters there, has little value elsewhere in the line-up. He plays with an edge, but I think he'd get his lunch handed to him at the NHL level with that aspect of his game.

So why does he get the call up and not Morin and/or others?
- RickJ

They are probably trying to see if he can be that physical lower line guy they have been looking for. Also doesn't hurt that he is a "higher profile" Stanley find. Those guys get moved along faster.

And if I'm Ben Smith or Jeremy Morin, I want out of this organization ASAP.

Ballsy bro, that Van crowd can be pretty rowdy

- philco28

F those losers. Most of the people sitting around me were super cool, but caught some flack in the concourse. The lady at the concession stand gave me props for not being intimidated and then later, under her breath, said she didn't like the Van fans.