Being out of position, giving the puck away and making generally bad decisions (with the exception of being in the right place for that game winner) should constitute less TOI or a day in the press box.
- fattybeef

we said it before beefy, we know you don't like that type of game guys like him & Ott play, maybe the european no check game suits your style better!
even the hawk commentators said in a recent game, that there needs to be more contact & aggression from the guys. some of us think this coach is turning carcillo into another powder puff! you think torts, trotz or lindy ruff would follow the same suit? this team is soft, not because of the individuals on it but probably because thats the way the coaches want them to play?????

JJ, you seem to have some clout or at times "get their ears" hopefully you're pushing Steve Ott their way. hell i'd even sacrafice victor, peter marsh i can't hit the net stalberg for Ott. switch grit for alleged potential scoring skill that we may never see . i'd rather have Ott than Neil, & i like Chris Neil, but Stevie O is younger!

we said it before beefy, we know you don't like that type of game guys like him & Ott play, maybe the european no check game suits your style better!
even the hawk commentators said in a recent game, that there needs to be more contact & aggression from the guys. some of us think this coach is turning carcillo into another powder puff! you think torts, trotz or lindy ruff would follow the same suit? this team is soft, not because of the individuals on it but probably because thats the way the coaches want them to play?????
- wonthecup10

He must have missed the 09-10 team; who finished their checks with regularity.

But this team is a little soft right now, some due to the players, some due to the approach. That said, I believe the approach will go to a more physical game come game #49. But even with that, they still need more physical players.

we said it before beefy, we know you don't like that type of game guys like him & Ott play, maybe the european no check game suits your style better!
even the hawk commentators said in a recent game, that there needs to be more contact & aggression from the guys. some of us think this coach is turning carcillo into another powder puff! you think torts, trotz or lindy ruff would follow the same suit? this team is soft, not because of the individuals on it but probably because thats the way the coaches want them to play?????
- wonthecup10

Soft as defined by who? To me playing soft implies the team and it's players won't go to the hard areas on the ice, the Hawks will. Soft implies they won't play tough along the boards, the Hawks will. Soft implies they can't play against bigger tougher clubs and the Hawks certainly can. You're confusing soft with physically punishing and no that isn't how the Hawks are built. I think most of us would like to see some physicality added to the line-up but that physicality cannot come at the expense of speed and skill and certainly not to have a bunch of mindless thugs who are there to provide a sideshow.

JJ, you seem to have some clout or at times "get their ears" hopefully you're pushing Steve Ott their way. hell i'd even sacrafice victor, peter marsh i can't hit the net stalberg for Ott. switch grit for alleged potential scoring skill that we may never see . i'd rather have Ott than Neil, & i like Chris Neil, but Stevie O is younger!
- wonthecup10

Ha, thanks but nothing could be further from the truth. To the extent they read me, it's to make sure I'm not skewering them too much..

I take some credit for knowing how the organization operates and how some of the key players think, and I get good tips and info. most of the time.

I have no issue with confidence either. But after the last two games, there needs to be a sense of urgency and respect for the opponent, no matter who it is. Get a two goal lead, then be "supremely" confident.
- John Jaeckel

Totally agree, if I may extrapolate a little more, the existence of parity is what makes their original streak all the more remarkable.

As we see, consistency is the key. Even the almighty Bruins, as fawned over by many here, blew a two goal lead the other night. The way the game is structured rules wise, it is near impossible to go into a shut down mode. It is imperative to play a hard 60 each night to win consistently. I do not doubt when that commitment is there, the Hawks are definitely one of the top 5 teams.

Over the course of a season, you will have lulls in play. That is human nature. Looking for that consistent effort tonight.

Soft as defined by who? To me playing soft implies the team and it's players won't go to the hard areas on the ice, the Hawks will. Soft implies they won't play tough along the boards, the Hawks will. Soft implies they can't play against bigger tougher clubs and the Hawks certainly can. You're confusing soft with physically punishing and no that isn't how the Hawks are built. I think most of us would like to see some physicality added to the line-up but that physicality cannot come at the expense of speed and skill and certainly not to have a bunch of mindless thugs who are there to provide a sideshow.
- paulr

Agree 100 %, Steve Ott , i believe scored 20 goals in this league already, JMO but i see victor stalberg as 1 they could sacrifice in a deal to net them a guy like Ott.
I think SB will make that choice for all of us when stalbergs agent tells him that his guy is worth 4 mill a year& we know dam well SB ain't gonna pay that. this is why a guy like Steve Ott who brings other skills to the table is a candidate when it comes to switching grit for some skill. right now the hawks, while they are wonderfully skilled will get eaten alive by the Bruins & a few others in the East. Hawks match or probably have more skill than them but not the red ass it takes for playoff hockey. I still think these coaches have a leash on a few of these players when it comes to that. yes/no?

Alot of rumbles about Hawks-Habs trade.

Listen, Im not beating a dead horse about this, and this is unrelated to past Miller/Blackhawks trade talk, but rather the new whispers of Millers days being numbered in BUF per Nick Kypreos

If we could swing lets say a Crawford/McNeil/1st trade for Miller, should we do it?

Regardless of how good Crawford has started so far, I would trust Miller behind this Blackhawks team over Crawford behind this blackhawks team in the playoffs.

Need to try and sell crawford while stock is high.

A move of crawford, buyout of montador and olesz moves out 8.54 mil while moving in 6.25 mil and saving ~2.25 mil in cap space for next year.

This alleviates some worries about goalies for the playoff run and give CHI a legit 1A goalie to backstop a Hossa/Toews/Kane/Seabrook/Keith/Sharp team while all still in their prime

Alot of rumbles about Hawks-Habs trade.
- soad_live

would be interesting and would love to hear whats being kicked around

that being said, when was the last time the two first place teams in each conference made a trade with each other? Ever?

Listen, Im not beating a dead horse about this, and this is unrelated to past Miller/Blackhawks trade talk, but rather the new whispers of Millers days being numbered in BUF per Nick Kypreos

If we could swing lets say a Crawford/McNeil/1st trade for Miller, should we do it?

Regardless of how good Crawford has started so far, I would trust Miller behind this Blackhawks team over Crawford behind this blackhawks team in the playoffs.

Need to try and sell crawford while stock is high.

A move of crawford, buyout of montador and olesz moves out 8.54 mil while moving in 6.25 mil and saving ~2.25 mil in cap space for next year.

This alleviates some worries about goalies for the playoff run and give CHI a legit 1A goalie to backstop a Hossa/Toews/Kane/Seabrook/Keith/Sharp team while all still in their prime
- FourFeathers773

Yes you should. The only ?? is between the pipes.

Agree 100 %, Steve Ott , i believe scored 20 goals in this league already, JMO but i see victor stalberg as 1 they could sacrifice in a deal to net them a guy like Ott.
I think SB will make that choice for all of us when stalbergs agent tells him that his guy is worth 4 mill a year& we know dam well SB ain't gonna pay that. this is why a guy like Steve Ott who brings other skills to the table is a candidate when it comes to switching grit for some skill. right now the hawks, while they are wonderfully skilled will get eaten alive by the Bruins & a few others in the East. Hawks match or probably have more skill than them but not the red ass it takes for playoff hockey. I still think these coaches have a leash on a few of these players when it comes to that. yes/no?
- wonthecup10

Add the Ducks and Kings in the West and we're looking at a potential early exit.

I sure hope SB and the FO believe this team is still a couple steps away from the 09-10 cup winning team.

Alot of rumbles about Hawks-Habs trade.
- soad_live

Any names being mentioned, either side?

would be interesting and would love to hear whats being kicked around

that being said, when was the last time the two first place teams in each conference made a trade with each other? Ever?
- FourFeathers773

I don't know but it might make sense. I heard Chicago might buy Hossa out in the summer. Is it true?? if it is could he be available before deadline??

A deal involving him and Plekanec + might make sense.

Yes you should. The only ?? is between the pipes.
- soad_live

I meant more of beating a dead horse about the Miller to CHI talks that have been a staple of CHI trade talk chatter for almost two years now.

I don't know but it might make sense. I heard Chicago might buy Hossa out in the summer. Is it true?? if it is could he be available before deadline??

A deal involving him and Plekanec + might make sense.
- soad_live

Ill stop you right there and tell you this wont happen. CHI wont buy out Hossa. Top 5 two way player in the game still playing at elite level. By the time it comes for hawks to part ways with Hossa at tail end of his career, the cap will be so high that it wont cripple the team

The whole Hossa buyout talk started by other teams saying CHI should buy out Hossa, not any CHI writers. The buyouts are primely reserved for guys like olesz and montador who might never wear the sweater again and eating too much money

Any names being mentioned, either side?
- blackhawk24

No i don't know. I guess it would not be major but some sources say that it might surprise alot of people.

Ill stop you right there and tell you this wont happen. CHI wont buy out Hossa. Top 5 two way player in the game still playing at elite level. By the time it comes for hawks to part ways with Hossa at tail end of his career, the cap will be so high that it wont cripple the team

The whole Hossa buyout talk started by other teams saying CHI should buy out Hossa, not any CHI writers. The buyouts are primely reserved for guys like olesz and montador who might never wear the sweater again and eating too much money
- FourFeathers773

Ok that clears it. I just heard of it and to be honest, i thought it wouldn't make sense at all.

that being said, i think you guys need a second line centre and toughness. Plekanec would fill greatly the first issue. One of the best two ways second line center in the league.

Off topic a bit here...but the Coyotes have copied our player of the game belt idea:

http://sports.yahoo.com/b...shiny-121537168--nhl.html

Ok that clears it. I just heard of it and to be honest, i thought it wouldn't make sense at all.
- soad_live

Well what are the Habs in need of? Maybe we can spitball back and forth what they might be trading

Well what are the Habs in need of? Maybe we can spitball back and forth what they might be trading
- FourFeathers773

The Habs have a kind of a jammed pack bunch of second line centers in Desharnais, Eller and Plekanec with Galchenyuk being the next first line center.

We need top 6 right winger and a bit of toughness on the backend.

37th!!

Happy PI day to all.

Will believe the trade rumors if and when a trade is actually made.

I don't know but it might make sense. I heard Chicago might buy Hossa out in the summer. Is it true?? if it is could he be available before deadline??

A deal involving him and Plekanec + might make sense.
- soad_live

Dude, please.

No i don't know. I guess it would not be major but some sources say that it might surprise alot of people.
- soad_live

If its been "reported" by HockeyyIniderr then I wouldn't trust it. The guy has as much credibility as Lennay Kaukua

Dude, please.
- John Jaeckel

Dude, please what??