JJ, any word of rumors involving Iginla to the Hawks?

I loved it too. Did y'all notice the club didn't miss a beat with Seabrook out? I've been tired of this guy sleepwalking (just like Bollus) through the season so far.

The nonchalant plays and attitude. In this league -- you do that and there are going to be lots of guys that will stuff that right up your a$$. Which is exactly what has happened a number of times to Seabrook. His skating has improved over the years but he's no speed demon by any stretch. Lackadaisical attitude and play like that will burn you almost every time unless your goalie bails you out.

And in spite of the thoughts about Duncan Keith being MUCH better, he's been better but he seems to have a real problem this year taking the wrong angle on lots of plays coming back into our zone. He tries cutting players off thinking they are going to skate along the wall and as soon as he does that, they jump the middle and are past him. Exactly, BTW what Oduya did last night.
- savvyone-1

Your performance review is quite harsh on Seabs I think. He was probably the butt of a few jokes in the dressing room or at dinner last night after the game. He got a message delivered to him and that will be the end of it. He's not the only Dman on this team that has been caught with his pants down at one time or another.

And if you want to trade him, I'm sure the Philly Flyers will cough up plenty of assets to acquire him as will other teams.

Well, the truth is, Seabrook is having a down year by his All-star Canada Defenseman standards. His ice time is down, Q isn't playing him against top lines like he used to, and last year would have never let a player rip by him like last night. He's still a vital peice but it's more than fair to hold him to a higher standard.

My only question is why they can't get the kind of movement on the PP that they had on Seabrook's goal. It's obvious they can do it...

More than a little concerned about Hossa. That wasn't a particularly big hit that put him out for the night. If that continues the whole year and/or next, a summer 2014 amnesty becomes an actual thought......

Onwards

Great game last night, boys. Happy to see Hayes get on the board and the fellas firing on all cylinders. JJ, is there any trade rumors going around in terms of the Hawks aquiring a goalie? Just curious.

If Frolik can bag a few goals and gain some confidence, I think he could be a real offensive weapon.

This team badly needs a FO guy..And I mean badly...
- captainserious

ha ha hahahahahahah!

Well, the truth is, Seabrook is having a down year by his All-star Canada Defenseman standards. His ice time is down, Q isn't playing him against top lines like he used to, and last year would have never let a player rip by him like last night. He's still a vital peice but it's more than fair to hold him to a higher standard.

My only question is why they can't get the kind of movement on the PP that they had on Seabrook's goal. It's obvious they can do it...

More than a little concerned about Hossa. That wasn't a particularly big hit that put him out for the night. If that continues the whole year and/or next, a summer 2014 amnesty becomes an actual thought......

Onwards
- yahoodi

yeah Get rid of Seabrook he having a down year... another ha-ha moment!

Better hope neither Bolland or Seabrook get hurt because you will find out very quickly how important both actually are to the team. The way the Hawks have played so far this season would refute your claims anyone is 'sleepwalking'. I haven't seen one passenger on the Hawks this year unlike last year when they had too many.
- paulr

My .02

Seabrook was at the end of a shift, got caught flat-footed by a very fast player. It happens to the best of them.

Dennis, Leddy is a +15 because he is not exactly facing Rocket Richard every shift. If he had to do Seabrook's job every night, we all might be singing a different tune. I have ZERO problem with what Seabrook brings to this team.

Bolland . . . Bolland.

-1 on the year, 45% in the dot. Kruger's FO% is higher (slightly). Kruger is now the first unit C on the PK. Occasionally, you see Bolland making a nice play. But I dunno how indispensable he is anymore. Is he really driving Kane's line as a playmaker? No. Maybe he's giving Kane some freedom because he covers him on the back-end. Maybe.

I think there is a valid debate open about Bolland and how indispensable he is.

Great game last night, boys. Happy to see Hayes get on the board and the fellas firing on all cylinders. JJ, is there any trade rumors going around in terms of the Hawks aquiring a goalie? Just curious.
- Hank3Henshaw

I could get on the board if I played with Patrick Kane. I think the same thought when I consider Saad playing with Hoss and Toews. Good Lord, the top two lines are a force with the anchors of this roster.

JJ, any word of rumors involving Iginla to the Hawks?
- EKolb13

Hawks made their interest known. I've heard nothing further.

And I would just like to add that Saad made a nice play on the pass to Toews for the 5th goal...I am by no means a Saad lover, if anything I am taking the wait and see approach with him just like JJ and many others here...But he did the right thing on that play,the pass wasn't anything spectacular,but him skating immediately to the front of the net opened up space for Toews shot which was brilliant...Most young hockey players and even some veterans would peel off,or even slow down, whereas he skated straight to the front of the net which caused havoc for the d-men
- captainserious

He's been doing that consistently. Simplified his game to passing and going to the net and not really looking to shoot much or as a last resort. Made nice play on rebound to almost score. Not afraid to go to the dirty areas

If Frolik can bag a few goals and gain some confidence, I think he could be a real offensive weapon.
- powerenforcer

As a "4th liner" his offensive production is secondary to his performance on the PK and his defensive energy. That said, if he scores a few that line becomes a 2b line.

As a "4th liner" his offensive production is secondary to his performance on the PK and his defensive energy. That said, if he scores a few that line becomes a 2b line.
- Kentxo

I agree. I have no problem with Frolik's current role, in fact I love what he is bringing game to game. I just wish for his sake he could net some goals.

Well, the truth is, Seabrook is having a down year by his All-star Canada Defenseman standards. His ice time is down, Q isn't playing him against top lines like he used to, and last year would have never let a player rip by him like last night. He's still a vital peice but it's more than fair to hold him to a higher standard.

My only question is why they can't get the kind of movement on the PP that they had on Seabrook's goal. It's obvious they can do it... More than a little concerned about Hossa. That wasn't a particularly big hit that put him out for the night. If that continues the whole year and/or next, a summer 2014 amnesty becomes an actual thought......

Onwards
- yahoodi

Very good point, and one I noticed too. When playing 5 on 5 and the Hawks have their opponent hemmed in their own end, the Hawks play a far more dynmanic style with players constantly moving opening shooting and passing lanes and getting people open. The Hawk powerplay is static and all they do is move the puck, it's like the players somehow grew roots and can't move.

yeah Get rid of Seabrook he having a down year... another ha-ha moment!
- wiz1901

Where anywhere did I say get rid of Seabrook? All I said was he isn't playing as well as the last two years.

Overreaction City. Population Wiz......

I could get on the board if I played with Patrick Kane. I think the same thought when I consider Saad playing with Hoss and Toews. Good Lord, the top two lines are a force with the anchors of this roster.
- DirkGraham

Duke,

I give Hayes credit for the nice move and being where he should be. He IS better the closer he gets to the net when the Hawks have offensive zone possession. The rest of his game is meh to just not very good.

He's been doing that consistently. Simplified his game to passing and going to the net and not really looking to shoot much or as a last resort. Made nice play on rebound to almost score. Not afraid to go to the dirty areas
- molly2522

He's pretty much won me over. Kid can play. Still has some rough edges in terms of decisions at high speed, but he's going to be a good player for years if he keeps the effort/intensity up (which has been a questionmark with him).

My .02

Seabrook was at the end of a shift, got caught flat-footed by a very fast player. It happens to the best of them.

Dennis, Leddy is a +15 because he is not exactly facing Rocket Richard every shift. If he had to do Seabrook's job every night, we all might be singing a different tune. I have ZERO problem with what Seabrook brings to this team.

Bolland . . . Bolland.

-1 on the year, 45% in the dot. Kruger's FO% is higher (slightly). Kruger is now the first unit C on the PK. Occasionally, you see Bolland making a nice play. But I dunno how indispensable he is anymore. Is he really driving Kane's line as a playmaker? No. Maybe he's giving Kane some freedom because he covers him on the back-end. Maybe.

I think there is a valid debate open about Bolland and how indispensable he is.
- John Jaeckel

With the third line playing as good as it is.. I would rather see Bolland traded.. and keep stalberg.

Whilst praising Saad, I also want to point out that my faith in B52 appears to be getting rewarded. Yet another solid game last night. That line was all over Colorado in their end and came close a lot.

Someone, somewhere along the line has gotten into his head that he can be more than John Scott as a hockey player.

My .02

Seabrook was at the end of a shift, got caught flat-footed by a very fast player. It happens to the best of them.

Dennis, Leddy is a +15 because he is not exactly facing Rocket Richard every shift. If he had to do Seabrook's job every night, we all might be singing a different tune. I have ZERO problem with what Seabrook brings to this team.

Bolland . . . Bolland.

-1 on the year, 45% in the dot. Kruger's FO% is higher (slightly). Kruger is now the first unit C on the PK. Occasionally, you see Bolland making a nice play. But I dunno how indispensable he is anymore. Is he really driving Kane's line as a playmaker? No. Maybe he's giving Kane some freedom because he covers him on the back-end. Maybe.

I think there is a valid debate open about Bolland and how indispensable he is.
- John Jaeckel

Agree on both points. Seabs has generally started seasons slowly, though that seems to have been extended a bit this year. But the play that led to his benching wasn't unforgivable under the circumstances. He and Keith both could have played it better and my guess is that Q's benching of Seabs lit a fire under both of them (though IMO, Keith has been playing fine of late and I've loved the few shifts I've seen with Keith and Hammer out there together). I'm banking on Seabs responding well, as he did after he returned last night.

Bolland . . . he has shown brief flashes of the quick hands and cheap-shotting (which is not an indictment, I kinda love when he plays that way) that have made him so valuable to the Hawks. But he's not a second-line center and I'm starting to think he thrives on his third-line C role and would play better there -- but there's no place for him on the third or fourth lines right now, unless Kruger moves to wing or something. I see Bolland as the most expendable player on the team right now, and I like the guy.

Where anywhere did I say get rid of Seabrook? All I said was he isn't playing as well as the last two years.

Overreaction City. Population Wiz......
- yahoodi

I'm starting to feel a little Bob Luce-like here.


Al, Dennis, Vince, Carl, a few of the other "old-timers" will get the reference.

Agree on both points. Seabs has generally started seasons slowly, though that seems to have been extended a bit this year. But the play that led to his benching wasn't unforgivable under the circumstances. He and Keith both could have played it better and my guess is that Q's benching of Seabs lit a fire under both of them (though IMO, Keith has been playing fine of late and I've loved the few shifts I've seen with Keith and Hammer out there together). I'm banking on Seabs responding well, as he did after he returned last night.

Bolland . . . he has shown brief flashes of the quick hands and cheap-shotting (which is not an indictment, I kinda love when he plays that way) that have made him so valuable to the Hawks. But he's not a second-line center and I'm starting to think he thrives on his third-line C role and would play better there -- but there's no place for him on the third or fourth lines right now, unless Kruger moves to wing or something. I see Bolland as the most expendable player on the team right now, and I like the guy.
- flahawkfan

Hey, welcome back!

If Frolik can bag a few goals and gain some confidence, I think he could be a real offensive weapon.
- powerenforcer

Fur those who want to dump Stalberg for Steve Ott because #25 can't finish ......... this guy Frolik makes Duncan Keith look like a sharpshooter/sniper. Couldn't drop a puck in the ocean from a rowboat. He's one guy that need the NHL to mandate larger nets.

He's pretty much won me over. Kid can play. Still has some rough edges in terms of decisions at high speed, but he's going to be a good player for years if he keeps the effort/intensity up (which has been a questionmark with him).
- John Jaeckel

I hope he develops the physical part of his game more. Seems to know what to do to stay in the NHL
Learning curve should continue to progress quickly in next few years
Can imagine him going more blue collar type player with the guys he is playing with

Whilst praising Saad, I also want to point out that my faith in B52 appears to be getting rewarded. Yet another solid game last night. That line was all over Colorado in their end and came close a lot.

Someone, somewhere along the line has gotten into his head that he can be more than John Scott as a hockey player.
- John Jaeckel

So I'm agreeing with you a lot today, JJ.

Totally agree on Bollig. The kid has decent speed and a great shot, and he works his a$$ off. I hate that he's been pigeon-holed into the "enforcer" role because he could be more than that. I'm surprised more people don't see it.