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.
- flahawkfan

His play and his edge is really starting to remind me of what Eager used to be like before he got all concussed. The best part? Bollig was an undrafted FA and Eager cost a 1st rounder.

When the spotlight shone on Shaw last season his game took a backseat to his celebrity. I'd prefer he was left out of the spotlight for the time being so he can focus on his ever improving game.
- paulr

I agree the kid is gold, but let him fly away from the hype...he is an intregal part of the success by solidifying the front with the Saad addition, Kruger continuing his development, and Frolik flying albeit handcuffed.

Balance.

You don't acquire it from the outside via trades....

oh wait Bruins added Kelly & Peverly from outisde...but underpaid.

A different time at the deadline than this one....

I just don't think Dave Bolland got THIS FAR by not being a good player as all levels.

....you don't know what you got until it's gone...
isn't that what the song says?

.
- wiz1901

The Hawks played a lot without his through his back issues. I don't think they faired too well if I recall correctly, but that might have been attributed to the overall lack of centres during that time.

Our 4th line was great!!!

I guess that what I have seened without even having to isolate on him, is a really aggressive fast player, and don't see this gaping hole that exists in the minds of the Hawk beloved. You are not finding outside repalcements as good for less money, so i say to you what is the point?

I just don't think Dave Bolland got THIS FAR by not being a good player as all levels.

....you don't know what you got until it's gone...
isn't that what the song says?

The parking lot seems to be the continual rehashing / grading of him that many are simply stuck in the wet concrete.
- wiz1901

Not saying he is a "Bad" player. Not at all. But he does take bad penalties, he is not a good faceoff guy and he is injured quite a bit. The guy definitely has talent; however, it was brought up as to whether he is part of that vaunted "Hawks Core." At one time he was, but I don't think he is anymore and I believe it was either Al or JJ who said he was shopped hard in this past offseason. Obviously, as long as the salary cap is a part of hockey, tough decisions will have to be made on players. At this point in time if it was a decison between keeping Stalberg and/or Bickell or keeping Bolland, I'd go with the former. Now of course, if the Hawks could get a bona fide second line center and Bolland could drop down to a third line center, where I feel he is best suited, that would be a different story, but we've been talking about a second line center since 2010 and since they don't grow on trees or come cheaply, I don't anticipate that happening.

Know what, Ogi? I won't disagree with you. But Dan Carcillo can do the job you just described. So does Kruger. Outside of Toews and Hossa, I'm not sure there's a guy on the Hawks who's better along the boards than 178 pound Marcus Kruger.

I'm not here to bury Bolland.

Just saying. I think it is a valid argument as to how indispensible he is to this team at his salary.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, Kruger like Shaw seem to be able to keep this pace as wall guys that take the hit to make the play, and I keep marveling at their pace, along with everyone's...

I just know that the TEAM feels they can rely upon each other to do the job and it breeds continued commitment.

I agree the kid is gold, but let him fly away from the hype...he is an intregal part of the success by solidifying the front with the Saad addition, Kruger continuing his development, and Frolik flying albeit handcuffed.

Balance.

You don't acquire it from the outside via trades....

oh wait Bruins added Kelly & Peverly from outisde...but underpaid.

A different time at the deadline than this one....
- wiz1901

A trade shouldn't be used to build a team but rather compliment it. If the right deal is there the Hawks could use a complimentary player or two.

Bolland is completely invisible almost every night, except when he misses opportunities that Kane sets him up for. As far as on the PK, Kruger and Frolik have surpassed him in importance and effectiveness.

have to wonder, is that back acting up again. He looks stiff and slow out there.
- furso27

I've said this in the past and I'll repeat it here, Bolland's offensive game just doesn't really fit the Hawks. He's better at distributing the puck from behind the net, a lot like old school 80's hockey, but on a puck cycling team? His skills just don't really mesh. Not to mention that he isn't and has never been a great shooter and, well, it's a tough row to hoe for him to be on the same line as Kane.

Which, makes what Kane doing all the more impressive. That Kane's scoring has gone to another level since Sharp went out with the injury (coincidence, not causal IMO) just serves as further evidence that Kane is having a truly special season (when you also consider his back and forechecking) and one that is hopefully a sign of years to come and not a shortened-season blip.

Know what, Ogi? I won't disagree with you. But Dan Carcillo can do the job you just described. So does Kruger. Outside of Toews and Hossa, I'm not sure there's a guy on the Hawks who's better along the boards than 178 pound Marcus Kruger.

I'm not here to bury Bolland.

Just saying. I think it is a valid argument as to how indispensible he is to this team at his salary.
- John Jaeckel

Same can be said of Sharp, and he's signed to a lot more $, for a lot more years.

Great insights on Hammer, Roszival/Leddy, Bolland, Kane, Hossa.

And I still say the notion of buying out Hossa is really stupid as long as he can think straight. This shoulder injury thingie is not a career-ender, so that's silly too.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks John.

Agree 1000% on HOSS -- was watching the game with my daughter last night and before getting hurt, just marveling at Hossa's level of play and smarts. Truly, the guy is amazing and might have been one of the best things to happen to this club.

He is really a leader and an amazing example for ALL the guys, especially the young guys. Train, prepare and then go out and get the job done in all 3 zones. He is truly a treat to watch. Yes, I wish he would score more but most of the time I don't care because he is such a complete player.

Honestly, I think Saad -- oops -- I mean Jesus has really learned a lot from big Hoss. If he can just soak it all up and learn, that will be invaluable. Kind of what happened with Leddy last year and especially this year. I was watching Leddy and Rozsival on the bench last night talking after their shift. I swear he has learned more from Rozy this year . . . again, great veterans with lots of knowledge to impart to these young guys with talent . . . they just need a great model and Hoss has been and continues to be and now Rozy for the D.

Was watching the avs feed (altitude) last night. They were very high on the hawks all night regarding their depth and skill. Only negative was one of them kept talking bout toews hitting varlomov in the head on Kane's goal, although the replay showed toews getting shoved as he came across the crease.
- HajdukChicago

Varmalov went down to seal off the crease....gee you think when a goalie puts his head on the ice he might get hit by charging winger.

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

His postseason play will go a long way in determining whether or not he's moved this summer. He'll need something close to his 2010 performance to entertain keeping him, IMO.

JJ,

Any chance they can move Frolik before the TDL and use that $$ to re-sign Stalberg?
- ChicagoDave

Why would you want to do that with one of the hardest workers and top pk killer who can also be threat offensively on 3rd or 4th line?

I've said this in the past and I'll repeat it here, Bolland's offensive game just doesn't really fit the Hawks. He's better at distributing the puck from behind the net, a lot like old school 80's hockey, but on a puck cycling team? His skills just don't really mesh. Not to mention that he isn't and has never been a great shooter and, well, it's a tough row to hoe for him to be on the same line as Kane.

Which, makes what Kane doing all the more impressive. That Kane's scoring has gone to another level since Sharp went out with the injury (coincidence, not causal IMO) just serves as further evidence that Kane is having a truly special season (when you also consider his back and forechecking) and one that is hopefully a sign of years to come and not a shortened-season blip.
- QStache

I can't see Bolland being a Hawk to start next season mainly due to his salary situation and expiring contract. With Shaw and Kruger basically doing what Bolland is capable of and with the cap going down next season that leaves Bolland on the outside looking in. That said I'd be inclined to finish the season with Bolland unless a bonafide number 2 center was coming back Chicago's way, and that ain't likely to happen.

Not saying he is a "Bad" player. Not at all. But he does take bad penalties, he is not a good faceoff guy and he is injured quite a bit. The guy definitely has talent; however, it was brought up as to whether he is part of that vaunted "Hawks Core." At one time he was, but I don't think he is anymore and I believe it was either Al or JJ who said he was shopped hard in this past offseason. Obviously, as long as the salary cap is a part of hockey, tough decisions will have to be made on players. At this point in time if it was a decison between keeping Stalberg and/or Bickell or keeping Bolland, I'd go with the former. Now of course, if the Hawks could get a bona fide second line center and Bolland could drop down to a third line center, where I feel he is best suited, that would be a different story, but we've been talking about a second line center since 2010 and since they don't grow on trees or come cheaply, I don't anticipate that happening.
- RetiredGoalie

It's easy to pound on Bolland but he's here for the rest of this year and probably the rest of his contract at least unless there is an unbelievable trade out there for him. The guy to move in order to keep Bickell and/or Stalberg is one Michael Frolik. He makes twice what those 2 guys do combined and his offence is, well, offensive. He's a 4th line checker making $2.3M, and that's all he does.

The Canucks need a center or 2. Think they would be interested in #36?

Same can be said of Sharp, and he's signed to a lot more $, for a lot more years.
- Ogilthorpe2

Sharp has always struck me as a one trick pony. His contract is the newer version of Brian Campbell. Good player but not worth the money they gave him.

Fixed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Good call Ogi-wan Kenobe. I thought Bolland made that first goal happen.

I guess that what I have seened without even having to isolate on him, is a really aggressive fast player, and don't see this gaping hole that exists in the minds of the Hawk beloved. You are not finding outside replacements as good for less money, so i say to you what is the point?

I just don't think Dave Bolland got THIS FAR by not being a good player as all levels.

....you don't know what you got until it's gone...
isn't that what the song says?

The parking lot seems to be the continual rehashing / grading of him that many are simply stuck in the wet concrete.
- wiz1901

And this is a valid argument.

It's easy to pound on Bolland but he's here for the rest of this year and probably the rest of his contract at least unless there is an unbelievable trade out there for him. The guy to move in order to keep Bickell and/or Stalberg is one Michael Frolik. He makes twice what those 2 guys do combined and his offence is, well, offensive. He's a 4th line checker making $2.3M, and that's all he does.

The Canucks need a center or 2. Think they would be interested in #36?
- RickJ

I put the chances of the Hawks trading Bolland in season at zero. After the season, especially if the team lays another playoff egg this year, then I wouldn't be surprised and might even say I'd expect he'll be traded. As for Frolik, I have no problem with the Hawks moving him, but I don't see to many other teams interested in a "energy and effort" guy at that price. And if they are, they aren't giving up much. Again, I am not pounding on Bolland. Just saying that I no longer feel he is an untouchable on this team.

It's easy to pound on Bolland but he's here for the rest of this year and probably the rest of his contract at least unless there is an unbelievable trade out there for him. The guy to move in order to keep Bickell and/or Stalberg is one Michael Frolik. He makes twice what those 2 guys do combined and his offence is, well, offensive. He's a 4th line checker making $2.3M, and that's all he does.

The Canucks need a center or 2. Think they would be interested in #36?
- RickJ

Frolik would and should go before Bolland.

Sharp has always struck me as a one trick pony. His contract is the newer version of Brian Campbell. Good player but not worth the money they gave him.
- furso27

Yeah. Only difference is he's prettier than Soupy and that appears to be invaluable to the front office.

Talk about showing you're not indispensable. Apart from those "tired" games to end the streak, the Hawks haven't missed a beat without Sharp. Good guy, good player, just not worth the cap hit. But of course he's going nowhere with that NTC.

Same can be said of Sharp, and he's signed to a lot more $, for a lot more years.
- Ogilthorpe2

They aren't missing him much now, are they, at $6 million per? Good point. This is where hockey needs to trump marketing.

They aren't missing him much now, are they, at $6 million per? Good point. This is where hockey needs to trump marketing.
- John Jaeckel

And this is also where the chairman needs to trump the prez.

Yeah. Only difference is he's prettier than Soupy and that appears to be invaluable to the front office.

Talk about showing you're not indispensable. Apart from those "tired" games to end the streak, the Hawks haven't missed a beat without Sharp. Good guy, good player, just not worth the cap hit. But of course he's going nowhere with that NTC.
- flahawkfan

If Sharp is asked to waive his NTC I bet he will. Very few players will stay where they are not wanted. The advantage Sharp will have is that he can decide where he goes or doesn't go. Trouble is because of the contract term the Hawks may not get much for him if they should move him.

I agree the kid is gold, but let him fly away from the hype...he is an intregal part of the success by solidifying the front with the Saad addition, Kruger continuing his development, and Frolik flying albeit handcuffed.

Balance.

You don't acquire it from the outside via trades....

oh wait Bruins added Kelly & Peverly from outisde...but underpaid.

A different time at the deadline than this one....
- wiz1901

Yep, also add Stalberg and Bickell playing optimized games—neither has ever been this good in all three zones. Hjalmarsson and Leddy's improvement.

A lotta mo bettah.