Even better is if he's key player to another 'Hawks championship or two. They we can all collective raise our middle fingers and shout out a gigantic F(U)CK YOU to Doug Wilson of the Sharks. Can I get FU Willie now just for sh!ts & grins?!
- blackhawk24

FU Willie!!!

Good hard game last night. Hawks seem to play a better overall game on the road, they tend to try and get too fancy when they're at the UC.

I thought all 4 lines played well last night, no complaints from me. Bob stood on his head, that could've easily been a 5 or 6-1 game.

Riberio would be nice...but the guy I want from Washington is Matt Hendricks. He can centre the 4th line, play on the PK, and he's great on draws. He's a pending UFA with a cap hit (annualized) of $825,000. This could be a guy to help us in the short term and long term.
- DarthKane

Say you put Iginla on the Penguins, Bruins or LA Kings? Or Ribeiro on the Bruins?

In this scenario,Do you like our chances without adding a top 6, even if we add Hendricks like you suggest? Yes he might be a good addition but this is not enough.

I think many people are missing the point here. We need a top line left wing or a 2nd line center to have a very good shot at the cup barring injuries.
We also need a bottom six that can win draws.



Stan needs to be proactive and get a top 6 piece even if it is a rental. Our bottom six is just fine with the exception of someone to win faceoffs. I understand the importance of the bottom six but the Blackhawks must be thinking top 6 first.

Getting these 2 pieces does not guarantee a cup but gives the Hawks a much better chance!

Use any prospect except TT or Danault for a rental or a signed player.
I would include Stalberg for the right top 6 player and then you move Saad to the third line. Of course I would love for the Hawks to keep him but it might not be possible. Saad has plenty of speed and might fill Stalberg's shoes on the 3rd line for the rest of the year

I have heard, as many of you know, rumors of them dealing Stalberg. But man, he and Frolik will be huge weapons in the playoffs with their size/speed/effort and endurance.

I mean, superhuman. Just the intensity and effort they maintain over a long shift is really incredible. Another guy, though not as much probably due to his age: Hossa. Amazing.
- John Jaeckel

Trd Stalberg and break-up the best line combo going??....Stanbow needs to make sure he gets back something in return that fills other need...cuz him going creates other holes

Oh yeah, the remaining % of Hawk fans who continue to dismiss this guy are missing the point: he's a really good hockey player, fat or not.
- John Jaeckel

He is a good player, he runs the PP well and has some qualities that can be found in very few NHL players. All that being said, he is a poor defenseman, average on his best day, he still has not fully committed to being the player he maybe can be, but probably never will be.

Bottom line, he is NOT worth the money he is being paid. He wants to play D but on a solid playoff contender like the Hawks, Bruins, etc. he is not a top 4 because he is just not defensively responsible. SO for $5+mil you get a 3rd pairing defenseman and a PP specialist. Most teams just can't fit that under their cap

Say you put Iginla on the Penguins, Bruins or LA Kings? Or Ribeiro on the Bruins?

In this scenario,Do you like our chances without adding a top 6, even if we add Hendricks like you suggest? Yes he might be a good addition but this is not enough.

I think many people are missing the point here. We need a top line left wing or a 2nd line center to have a very good shot at the cup barring injuries.
We also need a bottom six that can win draws.



Stan needs to be proactive and get a top 6 piece even if it is a rental. Our bottom six is just fine with the exception of someone to win faceoffs. I have been a hockey fan for over 35 years and understand the importance of the bottom six but the Blackhawks must be thinking top 6 first.

Getting these 2 pieces does not guarantee a cup but gives the Hawks a much better chance!
- Greek7

A good bottom 6 guy is probably more likely. However I still would like 2nd line center. Ribeiro is my ideal trade target if the Caps continue to have a down year and they don't sign him to an extension.

Kane is incredible.

I swear him momentarily losing his handle of the puck in the shootout was done on purpose.

There's nobody I enjoy watching play more than 88.
- AceRatbang

I feel the same way about Jack Skille

Say you put Iginla on the Penguins, Bruins or LA Kings? Or Ribeiro on the Bruins?

In this scenario,Do you like our chances without adding a top 6, even if we add Hendricks like you suggest? Yes he might be a good addition but this is not enough.

I think many people are missing the point here. We need a top line left wing or a 2nd line center to have a very good shot at the cup barring injuries.
We also need a bottom six that can win draws.



Stan needs to be proactive and get a top 6 piece even if it is a rental. Our bottom six is just fine with the exception of someone to win faceoffs. I understand the importance of the bottom six but the Blackhawks must be thinking top 6 first.

Getting these 2 pieces does not guarantee a cup but gives the Hawks a much better chance!
- Greek7

Holy moly....I'm just say the guy I want off the Caps roster is Hendricks, I'm not saying he's the only acquistion Stan should make. There are other potential options than Riberio - Alfreddson, Iginla, Brassard and I wasn't saying we don't look at them. If the price is right Stan should go for it. Hendricks might be the best fit for our 4C needs, and he's affordable. As for the top 6 needs there are several viable options.

Holy moly....I'm just say the guy I want off the Caps roster is Hendricks, I'm not saying he's the only acquistion Stan should make. There are other potential options than Riberio - Alfreddson, Iginla, Brassard and I wasn't saying we don't look at them. If the price is right Stan should go for it. Hendricks might be the best fit for our 4C needs, and he's affordable. As for the top 6 needs there are several viable options.
- DarthKane

I agree with you.

He is a good player, he runs the PP well and has some qualities that can be found in very few NHL players. All that being said, he is a poor defenseman, average on his best day, he still has not fully committed to being the player he maybe can be, but probably never will be.

Bottom line, he is NOT worth the money he is being paid. He wants to play D but on a solid playoff contender like the Hawks, Bruins, etc. he is not a top 4 because he is just not defensively responsible. SO for $5+mil you get a 3rd pairing defenseman and a PP specialist. Most teams just can't fit that under their cap
- TheTrob

JJ.....Listen to the Trob. The Trob clearly knows what he's talking about and you should listen to him.....JJ....? The Trob.

Kind of a side note -


But the 'Jackets annoucing team is unbearable.

Being in Ohio, was saddled with them for the game - absolutely miserable tgo listen to. (On another side note - in the Cleveland area, I am forced to watch the 'Hawks/Jackets games on Fox Sports Ohio, as the Center Ice feeds are blacked out. When there is a Cavaliers game that conflicts with a 'Jackets game, the hockey game is then moved to Fox Sports Cincinati, which I do not get. Hence, CI feeds blacked out, and the game is shown on a channel I would have to pay an extra $15 a month to get. Talk about some BS..)

But, I digress... Every so often I catch an opposing broadcast either by choice or not, and the 'Jackets team is by far the worst I've seen. (I loathe Jennereat in Buffalo too, but these guys are way worse).

Seriously, after a 0-0 first period, they literally said "the Bluejackets Prevail in Period One!" It was nauseating. They also proceded to break down plays saying how great the Jackets players were for standard back-checking plays - doing on-screen illuststrations of how the forward picks up the trailer to take away the passing lane - as if it was some amazaing individual effort and not simply hockey 101....

@RealFansProgram: Adam Hall (650K) is on waivers, and wins 56.4% of his draws, nearly all of them defensive. If he's available, Hawks should claim him. --MM

@RealFansProgram: More on Hall - Starts 88.3% of all EV shifts in D zone. Finishes in O zone 44.3% of the time. Flips the ice as a 4th liner. --MM

Wouldn't he be what Madden was to te 2010 team? Can't say I remember seeing him with Tampa,I do remember his Predators days...Worth a shot imo

He has played center for about 40 games in Rockford....That's more than an experiment.

But 23-24 year olds in the AHL these days aren't considered very young. At some point you are what you are and the top franchises find out first.

Chicago Blackhawks top performers help take down Columbus - OT changes + a trade thought- Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/YfYvKw

On Twitter @AlCimaglia
- Al

Hayes was meh. I think he needs a hand full of games (as in 4 more) to see if anything tangible precipitates. Does some good things, does some irritating things, spent a lot of time on the floor. The ice sucked and it was his first game.

Watching them lose every single draw is disgusting.

@RealFansProgram: Adam Hall (650K) is on waivers, and wins 56.4% of his draws, nearly all of them defensive. If he's available, Hawks should claim him. --MM
- captainserious

If he gets that far.

@RealFansProgram: More on Hall - Starts 88.3% of all EV shifts in D zone. Finishes in O zone 44.3% of the time. Flips the ice as a 4th liner. --MM

Wouldn't he be what Madden was to te 2010 team? Can't say I remember seeing him with Tampa,I do remember his Predators days...Worth a shot imo
- captainserious

Not a bad add---especially for free. Kills penalties too! But i would be surprised if no one claimed him.

???????

Phil, this is KEITH you are talking about.

The man with a 1.8% shooting percentage.

How 'bout we agree to disagree and simply say it was good position on Bobo's part but great save and that play had nothing in common.

I don't think it registers in Keith's head . . . whether it is a defender's shinpads, stick, thigh guard, glove or the goalie's blocker . . . if it is THERE for Keith to shoot into, HE WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And please don't get me going on Bollus. I'll bet SteveRain was cussing up a storm last night (I'm getting ready to attend the first-ever Bollus party SteveRain is hosting).

Fuggin NHL caliber players shoot easily be able to shoot into a YAWNING chasm that Keith and Bollus had last night.
- savvyone-1

You know, I wasn't cussing...I was just laughing out loud as my wife stared at me. Only Bollus...can miss a wide open net. Eddie O talked about him rushing his shot, but you know what, that's what guys with no skill do...They rush their shot. I also LOVED the half @ss effort on draws by Bollus. Just pure laziness. Almost like, hell it is like, he doesn't care about faceoffs. How Kane even is a threat on a nightly basis playing with that pile, is a huge testament to his skill.

Overall, i was happy they won. They grinded it out. Bolig...ugh. he was OK. Shaw and Stalberg were turnover machines in their own end. Shaw especially trying to skate out of the zone and getting his pocket picked.

Saad and Hayes were non factors. I thought Seabrook and Hammer had great games. Keith made some nice plays, took some stupid chances, and of course, wasn't a threat offensively. Guy really can't be anywhere near the PP. That has to happen if this PP is going to do anything consistently.

Glad to see Crawford back to playing well....he absorbed some huge shots with no rebounds.

I did notice the PK has seem to changed up. The far side point man is now wide open and as the forwards seem to be stacking right behind one another. Led to easy point shot deflections for the Oilers on Sunday, and a very walk in for Johnson yesterday. I don't know what the hell Kitchen is doing, but it's just not a Saad issue. Saw it with Toews-Hossa AND Frolik and Kruger.

16 more months worst case scenario until BOLLUS DAY (7/1/2014). Best case scenario this June at the draft......I'm counting down....

Oh yeah, the remaining % of Hawk fans who continue to dismiss this guy are missing the point: he's a really good hockey player, fat or not.
- John Jaeckel

2 beautfil, skilled wrist shots at the net that resulted in goals.

I hope somebody is showing Keith that tape. Instead of winding up and hammering away that the shin pads in front of him.

You know, I wasn't cussing...I was just laughing out loud as my wife stared at me. Only Bollus...can miss a wide open net. Eddie O talked about him rushing his shot, but you know what, that's what guys with no skill do...They rush their shot. I also LOVED the half @ss effort on draws by Bollus. Just pure laziness. Almost like, hell it is like, he doesn't care about faceoffs. How Kane even is a threat on a nightly basis playing with that pile, is a huge testament to his skill.

Overall, i was happy they won. They grinded it out. Bolig...ugh. he was OK. Shaw and Stalberg were turnover machines in their own end. Shaw especially trying to skate out of the zone and getting his pocket picked.

Saad and Hayes were non factors. I thought Seabrook and Hammer had great games. Keith made some nice plays, took some stupid chances, and of course, wasn't a threat offensively. Guy really can't be anywhere near the PP. That has to happen if this PP is going to do anything consistently.

Glad to see Crawford back to playing well....he absorbed some huge shots with no rebounds.

I did notice the PK has seem to changed up. The far side point man is now wide open and as the forwards seem to be stacking right behind one another. Led to easy point shot deflections for the Oilers on Sunday, and a very walk in for Johnson yesterday. I don't know what the hell Kitchen is doing, but it's just not a Saad issue. Saw it with Toews-Hossa AND Frolik and Kruger.

16 more months worst case scenario until BOLLUS DAY (7/1/2014). Best case scenario this June at the draft......I'm counting down....
- SteveRain

C'mon Steve, give Bollig a break, he was more than just ugh, OK

I hope someobdy else caught the Melrose mail bag yesterday. Guy is connected to the Hawks, and was very honest in his take on this club.

Mentioned they NEED to be in ON every trade. Including Iginila. Not sure if Calgary would trade him in conference, but Feaster can't let him walk for nothing. So Bowman better be on this....

As they should be on a guy who can actually win a faceoff. Obviously Bolland doesn't care. Guy couldn't win a draw to save his life. Kruger and Shaw at least battle and need a few years to see if they can improve. No excuse for Bolland. Guy has been in the league since 2007-08 and like free throws, it's just work ethic.

Hayes looked out of place last night. I'll chalk that up to nerves, but if that's the same Hayes we see in 5 games, I'll stand on I-90 and waive as he heads back to Rockford.

C'mon Steve, give Bollig a break, he was more than just ugh, OK
- Maggie

The puck was finding him...no question. He is better then Mayers, but he needs to be asserting himself more consistently physically. Need to see him finishing checks.

Hayes was meh. I think he needs a hand full of games (as in 4 more) to see if anything tangible precipitates. Does some good things, does some irritating things, spent a lot of time on the floor. The ice sucked and it was his first game.

Watching them lose every single draw is disgusting.
- fattybeef

It's Toews or bust.

Honestly, it's a minor miracle that their PK has been this good considering Kruger and Frolik are your top PK guys, and KRuger sucks at draws as well. Puts your PK on it's heals immediately when you can't win a draw.

Badly need a faceoff man.

You know, I wasn't cussing...I was just laughing out loud as my wife stared at me. Only Bollus...can miss a wide open net. Eddie O talked about him rushing his shot, but you know what, that's what guys with no skill do...They rush their shot. I also LOVED the half @ss effort on draws by Bollus. Just pure laziness. Almost like, hell it is like, he doesn't care about faceoffs. How Kane even is a threat on a nightly basis playing with that pile, is a huge testament to his skill.

Overall, i was happy they won. They grinded it out. Bolig...ugh. he was OK. Shaw and Stalberg were turnover machines in their own end. Shaw especially trying to skate out of the zone and getting his pocket picked.

Saad and Hayes were non factors. I thought Seabrook and Hammer had great games. Keith made some nice plays, took some stupid chances, and of course, wasn't a threat offensively. Guy really can't be anywhere near the PP. That has to happen if this PP is going to do anything consistently.

Glad to see Crawford back to playing well....he absorbed some huge shots with no rebounds.

I did notice the PK has seem to changed up. The far side point man is now wide open and as the forwards seem to be stacking right behind one another. Led to easy point shot deflections for the Oilers on Sunday, and a very walk in for Johnson yesterday. I don't know what the hell Kitchen is doing, but it's just not a Saad issue. Saw it with Toews-Hossa AND Frolik and Kruger.

16 more months worst case scenario until BOLLUS DAY (7/1/2014). Best case scenario this June at the draft......I'm counting down....
- SteveRain

Thought Saad was noticeable late, otherwise invisible. Hayes noticeable for how out of place he looked at times. Way to slow for that line, he'll get the benefit of the doubt for a few games so we'll see. Hammer has been awesome most games this year, very few mistakes. Seabrook and Keith were mostly good, but both of them continue to turn the puck over with too much regularity. Seabrook with a few really poor choices up the middle of the ice or wraps to un-occupied sides. Keith just needs to keep it simple, make the simple pass, quick shot, etc. but without a doubt he should not be on the PP

Kind of a side note -


But the 'Jackets annoucing team is unbearable.

Being in Ohio, was saddled with them for the game - absolutely miserable tgo listen to. (On another side note - in the Cleveland area, I am forced to watch the 'Hawks/Jackets games on Fox Sports Ohio, as the Center Ice feeds are blacked out. When there is a Cavaliers game that conflicts with a 'Jackets game, the hockey game is then moved to Fox Sports Cincinati, which I do not get. Hence, CI feeds blacked out, and the game is shown on a channel I would have to pay an extra $15 a month to get. Talk about some BS..)

But, I digress... Every so often I catch an opposing broadcast either by choice or not, and the 'Jackets team is by far the worst I've seen. (I loathe Jennereat in Buffalo too, but these guys are way worse).

Seriously, after a 0-0 first period, they literally said "the Bluejackets Prevail in Period One!" It was nauseating. They also proceded to break down plays saying how great the Jackets players were for standard back-checking plays - doing on-screen illuststrations of how the forward picks up the trailer to take away the passing lane - as if it was some amazaing individual effort and not simply hockey 101....


- FredoXV

I was stuck with them last night as well. They were ready to hang a banner in the rafters when they got it to OT. Pathetic, but then again, I'm sure with the success the franchise has had, hard to be truly optimistic.

He is a good player, he runs the PP well and has some qualities that can be found in very few NHL players. All that being said, he is a poor defenseman, average on his best day, he still has not fully committed to being the player he maybe can be, but probably never will be.

Bottom line, he is NOT worth the money he is being paid. He wants to play D but on a solid playoff contender like the Hawks, Bruins, etc. he is not a top 4 because he is just not defensively responsible. SO for $5+mil you get a 3rd pairing defenseman and a PP specialist. Most teams just can't fit that under their cap
- TheTrob

Put him on a legit Cup Contender and he is worth $10 million a year. In the playoffs alone. Seriously.