Magic no. is now 12.5 to clinch division.

Bolland was invisible last night and looks slow and out of place playing beside Kane. When this road trip ends it is time for Stan and Q to put Pirri into this lineup as the second line center, or trade for one. Bolland's audition has gone on too long!

I think one thing that should finally be clear is we shouldn't worry about what Kane can finally become until he hits his prime....And that could still be a couple of years away.

If he stays in shape and has the passion, we haven't see his best yet.

Today's article....
Blackhawks run a clinic in Dallas, rollover the Stars 8-1 - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/ZiYfwM

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Hawk put on clinic.....check...they have done that regularly this year. Best 5 on 5 team in the league. Get a pp thats is dangerous...and look out.

Stars put on a clinic also on how not to play and what happens when you have no real team speed and are very poor fundamentally as you pointed out.

Little bit tired of hearing about the great young fast Aves. There is something wrong with that team internally. They look like EDM...keep them off the pp and limit transition opps for them and they are done. Not a good team defensively at all. I think the bluejackets are a much better team than the Aves. But I suppose the they will get their energy back after going 1-3-0 since beating the hawks to play them again. Aves a playoff team? They will be fighting the Flames and Edm for the bottom spot in the west!

Magic no. is now 12.5 to clinch division.

Bolland was invisible last night and looks slow and out of place playing beside Kane. When this road trip ends it is time for Stan and Q to put Pirri into this lineup as the second line center, or trade for one. Bolland's audition has gone on too long!
- hawksbuzz

Bolland is the big x-factor concerning the future roster and direction of this team. Him going in a trade has been worn out on this blog. From a contract and cap perspective it makes sense: 1 year left at $3.3 then UFA. He will be only 28 when his contract expires. He will attract interest. But can the Hwks afford gving him another long term contract @ 4 mil plus. Or can those $$$ be used to strengthen other areas and allow a current roster play (Kruger?) take his spot and move someone else from Rcf.

If Bowman were to a mke a big splsh trd before the deadline or this summer...Bolland is the most likely candidate to move.

Kane still could get checked out of games. His line has been - in corsi several games. And as games get more physical and tighter defensively, they'll sick they're hitters on Kane's line than Toews due to the smallish nature of it. It will be up to Q to remedy that.

Magic no. is now 12.5 to clinch division.

Bolland was invisible last night and looks slow and out of place playing beside Kane. When this road trip ends it is time for Stan and Q to put Pirri into this lineup as the second line center, or trade for one. Bolland's audition has gone on too long!
- hawksbuzz

Have you seen Pirri play? He gets easily checked off the puck all night long in the AHL. I don't see him having any better luck in the NHL.

Kane still could get checked out of games. His line has been - in corsi several games. And as games get more physical and tighter defensively, they'll sick they're hitters on Kane's line than Toews due to the smallish nature of it. It will be up to Q to remedy that.
- yahoodi

I am talking about psychologically getting checked out of games.

But I do agree that line gets marginalized when opponents' take away the center of the ice, horizontally as well as vertically. They might be better with Carcillo on LW in that event than the glacial Hayes.

I also don't think Kane is going to get checked out of games any more. He gets it now. And he wants it. Great to watch.
- John Jaeckel

YES......And strong enough to have the thrust to get by dmen and go to the net...

I hear you!!

I see the West finishing something like this
1.Hawks or Ducks
2.Ditto
3.Vancouver od Minnie
4.LA
5.Blues
6.Wings
7.Sharks
8.Vancouver/Minnie or the Coyotes

I think we avoid playing the Ducks,LA,the Blues or the Wings but could play the Canucks,Wild,Sharks or Coyotes in the first round

I see the final four in the West

Hawks,Ducks,Kings and Blues
Should be a fun month of May.
- PEIHawkFan

I'd rather see SB make a couple of moves to toughen up this team. Better PK, better FO, more grit. Then 'Hawks fans couldn't care less about who their favourite team plays... you know like back in 2010.

Kane still could get checked out of games. His line has been - in corsi several games. And as games get more physical and tighter defensively, they'll sick they're hitters on Kane's line than Toews due to the smallish nature of it. It will be up to Q to remedy that.
- yahoodi

That's why having 4 lines is key....

The team that wins the Cup also most times have the best bottom six forwards.

Now Q. has the roster to have flexibility.

Blackhawks run a clinic in Dallas, rollover the Stars 8-1 - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/ZiYfwM

Have you seen Pirri play? He gets easily checked off the puck all night long in the AHL. I don't see him having any better luck in the NHL.
- NewToHockey

Saad, Shaw and Kruger were not playing better than Pirri in Rockford this year but all have been playing very well in Chicago. Why? Because they are playing with better players. How does the top center and leading scorer in Rockford not get at least an audition on a team who's no. two center has 5 goals and 7 assists and is a minus 2. The only times Dallas had any sustained preasure last night was when Bolland was on the ice. He is being outplayed by Shaw and Kruger.

Hawk put on clinic.....check...they have done that regularly this year. Best 5 on 5 team in the league. Get a pp thats is dangerous...and look out.

Stars put on a clinic also on how not to play and what happens when you have no real team speed and are very poor fundamentally as you pointed out.

Little bit tired of hearing about the great young fast Aves. There is something wrong with that team internally. They look like EDM...keep them off the pp and limit transition opps for them and they are done. Not a good team defensively at all. I think the bluejackets are a much better team than the Aves. But I suppose the they will get their energy back after going 1-3-0 since beating the hawks to play them again. Aves a playoff team? They will be fighting the Flames and Edm for the bottom spot in the west!
- bogiedoc

Colorado, Edmonton and a some others all have the same issue....Their dmne can be exploited.


The issue is when the Hawks don't play a chip and chase game early and are asleep at the switch on defense both of those clubs can skate and finish.

Combine that with a very good performance in net and trouble could happen.

But most of the success the Av's and Edm could have is because of what the Hawks don't do...

Blackhawks run a clinic in Dallas, rollover the Stars 8-1 - Chicago News and Weather | FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/ZiYfwM

I'd rather see SB make a couple of moves to toughen up this team. Better PK, better FO, more grit. Then 'Hawks fans couldn't care less about who their favourite team plays... you know like back in 2010.
- blackhawk24

Agree 100%.

Let's hope Stan can work the phones and gets us player/s to complete the roster. Neil, Hendricks, Ribeiro...something like that!

and then....ours to lose!

I hear you!!

I see the West finishing something like this
1.Hawks or Ducks
2.Ditto
3.Vancouver od Minnie
4.LA
5.Blues
6.Wings
7.Sharks
8.Vancouver/Minnie or the Coyotes

I think we avoid playing the Ducks,LA,the Blues or the Wings but could play the Canucks,Wild,Sharks or Coyotes in the first round

I see the final four in the West

Hawks,Ducks,Kings and Blues
Should be a fun month of May.
- PEIHawkFan

What happened to the AVS?

Magic no. is now 12.5 to clinch division.

Bolland was invisible last night and looks slow and out of place playing beside Kane. When this road trip ends it is time for Stan and Q to put Pirri into this lineup as the second line center, or trade for one. Bolland's audition has gone on too long!
- hawksbuzz

Wow....take Bolland, who is pretty much a glue guy in the room, off the second line and put Pirri, an unproven player, in your top six. I wish today was Thanksgiving because I would give thanks that you're not in position to make these types of decisions. Bolland is the best option right now at number 2 outside of a trade. My question to you is.....how much have you seen of Pirri for you to make this assessment?

I also don't think Kane is going to get checked out of games any more. He gets it now. And he wants it. Great to watch.
- John Jaeckel

The scary thing is they are both (Kane & Toews) still a few years away from their "peak" years......will be unreal to watch. JJ, do you think the cap increases or will it remain the same?

Anyone know how Hendricks is at the dot? Not just his F/O percentage but do the Caps use him much in crucial draws - def zone PK etc... I don't watch the Caps much.

I really think Pirri would be a mistake at 2c. I also think Hayes is dead weight with Kane. Skate him on the 4th line and give him a regular shift on the PP to see what he can do. If he doesn't produce then bring Morin or Smith up and give the a shot.

If they could swing a deal for Brassard or Dubinsky I would do it and then move Bolland in the off season. No way they can re-sign him after this contract is up. Why would they with Kruger developing and Danault in the wings? Dubs would bring a lot of salary but would really solidify their cup chances this year.

Rousell is really becoming one of the least liked players in the league. I can't believe Seabs sleep walked into that fight as he had a problem with him since the first period. Seabs will be punishing that kid for years to come now unless the Canucks trade for him (he does play their style).

I still cannot believe Stars traded Neal for Goligowski. Neal and Benn would be a scary combination. When you look at Sherman and Nieuwendyk with the Avs and Stars I thank the hockey gods we have Bowman (though he isn't Shero).

Agree 100%.

Let's hope Stan can work the phones and gets us player/s to complete the roster. Neil, Hendricks, Ribeiro...something like that!

and then....ours to lose!
- Hawkster

Cant see it happening. its either who gets traded or who ccan we get? we'd have to give up a lot for even a decent center (remember the Hodgson and gaustad deals last year). To find a bigger center, that is good on face offs, has a reasonable cap hit and can play with Kane and sharp...well....I'd love it but I dont see it happening. Keep in mind his offensive output will be more important if sharp is dealt to acquire him.

As for a pp qb (also a glaring need) What Dman do you remove? Right now our top 5 dmen are playing as well as anyone in the league. Do we disrupt that 5 on 5 and pk chemistry in order to improve our pp? I dont know. I know that it will be tough to find a legit pp qb that is suited for bottom pairing duties..maybe Barker?

Finally, the "grit issue". Like it or not it, management addressed it with guys like carbomb, bollig, and brookbank. When carbomb and brookbank are in the line up we are tougher. that's it. Between shaw, carbomb, bickell, stlberg, mayers and bollig we have enough size and grit in our bottom 6. Its our top 6 fwds that have not nearly enough size and grit to win 2 or 3 plyoff series let alone the Cup. And our top dmen are undersized and CANNOT clear the net and SHOULD NOT fight when asked. If we are to toughen up our lineup it needs to be in our top 6. I would love a Clowe (bolland and 2 or 3 picks/prspects for Clowe???) but again--I dont see it happening.

I hate to say this, But Buf IS effective on the powerplay..DOESNT need top 4 minutes on D, and CAN be a grittier top 6 forward for brief stints.

Anyone know how Hendricks is at the dot? Not just his F/O percentage but do the Caps use him much in crucial draws - def zone PK etc... I don't watch the Caps much.

I really think Pirri would be a mistake at 2c. I also think Hayes is dead weight with Kane. Skate him on the 4th line and give him a regular shift on the PP to see what he can do. If he doesn't produce then bring Morin or Smith up and give the a shot.

If they could swing a deal for Brassard or Dubinsky I would do it and then move Bolland in the off season. No way they can re-sign him after this contract is up. Why would they with Kruger developing and Danault in the wings? Dubs would bring a lot of salary but would really solidify their cup chances this year.

Rousell is really becoming one of the least liked players in the league. I can't believe Seabs sleep walked into that fight as he had a problem with him since the first period. Seabs will be punishing that kid for years to come now unless the Canucks trade for him (he does play their style).

I still cannot believe Stars traded Neal for Goligowski. Neal and Benn would be a scary combination. When you look at Sherman and Nieuwendyk with the Avs and Stars I thank the hockey gods we have Bowman (though he isn't Shero).
- tredbrta

I feel that the talk around the leauge is that Rousell beat the crap out of a guy that is A LOT bigger and stronger than he is. I also think that the talk around the league is "CRASH THE HAWK NET! if we take a penalty-we will kill it..and the only hawk defenseman we thought could handle himself-CAN'T!!!"

The last time I was so disappointed in a Blackhawk fight was when Simon kicked the $hit outta Probert in the playoffs. awful.

Anyone know how Hendricks is at the dot? Not just his F/O percentage but do the Caps use him much in crucial draws - def zone PK etc... I don't watch the Caps much.

I really think Pirri would be a mistake at 2c. I also think Hayes is dead weight with Kane. Skate him on the 4th line and give him a regular shift on the PP to see what he can do. If he doesn't produce then bring Morin or Smith up and give the a shot.

If they could swing a deal for Brassard or Dubinsky I would do it and then move Bolland in the off season. No way they can re-sign him after this contract is up. Why would they with Kruger developing and Danault in the wings? Dubs would bring a lot of salary but would really solidify their cup chances this year.

Rousell is really becoming one of the least liked players in the league. I can't believe Seabs sleep walked into that fight as he had a problem with him since the first period. Seabs will be punishing that kid for years to come now unless the Canucks trade for him (he does play their style).

I still cannot believe Stars traded Neal for Goligowski. Neal and Benn would be a scary combination. When you look at Sherman and Nieuwendyk with the Avs and Stars I thank the hockey gods we have Bowman (though he isn't Shero).
- tredbrta

Shero's best move was Bettman fixing the draft!

I hear what your saying but I just dont like the second line makeup come playoff hockey to me they need a guy that can go into the corners and win puck battles

wonthecup I think bollig skated by their bench and told their team any bs and he comes and finds them
Give the guy credit he landed a big right before seabs saw it coming. Im surprised more guys dont do this when the other guy is trying to first grab the jersey
- molly2522

I don't think seabs has fought much lately. ...after wiz and Torres fuked his head up I think he's lost his chin he seems to get rocked easily now

I feel that the talk around the leauge is that Rousell beat the crap out of a guy that is A LOT bigger and stronger than he is. I also think that the talk around the league is "CRASH THE HAWK NET! if we take a penalty-we will kill it..and the only hawk defenseman we thought could handle himself-CAN'T!!!"

The last time I was so disappointed in a Blackhawk fight was when Simon kicked the $hit outta Probert in the playoffs. awful.
- miked23

Brookbank can handle himself just fine.....so can Monty. ...but I worry about Monty's chin....just like seabs

I'll keep on saying it, it's absolutely Kane can continue to put up points when being stuck with a turd like Bollus. This is a different Patrick Kane, and could be just the beginning of what this kid can become. The skill set has always been there, but now we are seeing him fully committed on and OFF the ice. it took Roenick a few years to figure out, and no reason why Kane can't be wearing an "A" in a year or two.

this team still needs a faceoff man. that can't be ignored because for every 8-1 win, they'll be a few losses where a face off win here or there would have been the difference.

Bowman is already in full spin mode saying if they don't make a trade "he's happy with his team". Of course he'll say that, but he better be proactive between now and April 4th, because a lot of other GMs will shorten the talent gap....
- SteveRain

Yep.

Gotta hand it to Saad and the team for going with him like they have.

But as I posted here yesterday, now the schedule gets tougher, games more physical, etc., we'll see how he does down the stretch. Hey EVERYONE looked all-world last night. But his game has elevated.
- John Jaeckel

His passing and vision have really elevated of late. Great to see

I feel that the talk around the leauge is that Rousell beat the crap out of a guy that is A LOT bigger and stronger than he is. I also think that the talk around the league is "CRASH THE HAWK NET! if we take a penalty-we will kill it..and the only hawk defenseman we thought could handle himself-CAN'T!!!"

The last time I was so disappointed in a Blackhawk fight was when Simon kicked the $hit outta Probert in the playoffs. awful.
- miked23

That was Holmes vs Ali redux. Poor Probie learned the lesson Reggie Fleming learned many years earlier: Young ma'phuckers will usually punish and feast on old, worn out vets.

I feel that the talk around the leauge is that Rousell beat the crap out of a guy that is A LOT bigger and stronger than he is. I also think that the talk around the league is "CRASH THE HAWK NET! if we take a penalty-we will kill it..and the only hawk defenseman we thought could handle himself-CAN'T!!!"

The last time I was so disappointed in a Blackhawk fight was when Simon kicked the $hit outta Probert in the playoffs. awful.
- miked23

Roussel can have a nice career as an agitator/4th line guy if he wants.