Dude, I was just going to write the exact same thing.

He will of course add that "while there may have been some deals to be made out there, the asking prices were just too high."

But cheer up, we may get a guy like Marcel Goc to get us over the hump.
- Return of the Roar

Seriously...Seeing Bowman's face sends me into a rage of anger. You know he was just sitting back giving the FU face to Haugh when he wrote that knee pad article a few weeks back.

I don't think this team can afford to give up Seabrook OR Hammer at this point. They have no replacements.
- SteveRain

Exactly. The closest thing to a physical top 4 guy is Steve Johns who is likely 2 years away and no lock to be anything better than a 5/6 guy.

Hammer is their best defenseman from the opponent's blueline back. Without question. I don't recall seeing him get beaten this year. At all. He's also a guy, if Q tells them to dial it up physically, can make the Hawks' blueline a dangerous place for opposing forwards.

No question in my mind. A 2nd round exit also could cost one or both their jobs. Expectations are now sky high.
- John Jaeckel

Seems just plain wrong to me to think that Q would be in danger of losing his job with another post-season exit. He's an excellent coach and he has done some really great things with this hockey club. But hey its a business right?

Todays' article.....


NHL realignment thoughts, Blackhawk trade strategy overview - Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/WT0IQa.

Exactly. The closest thing to a physical top 4 guy is Steve Johns who is likely 2 years away and no lock to be anything better than a 5/6 guy.

Hammer is their best defenseman from the opponent's blueline back. Without question. I don't recall seeing him get beaten this year. At all. He's also a guy, if Q tells them to dial it up physically, can make the Hawks' blueline a dangerous place for opposing forwards.
- John Jaeckel

Sold on hammer this year, he has been by far our steadiest defenseman. Like you said he just hasn't been getting beat, at all, the effort is there from him consistently this season and its hard to see us having the success we did without him in the lineup.

Seems just plain wrong to me to think that Q would be in danger of losing his job with another post-season exit. He's an excellent coach and he has done some really great things with this hockey club. But hey its a business right?
- Ballam

And a political one at that. You could cut that s--- with a knife in Bowman's postseason remarks last spring.

Keith is a wacky dude. I hear he is almost kind of OCD about certain things. Tends to fixate on or worry about kind of trivial things. But maybe along with that, he seems to really get it lasered in sometimes, like in round 1 vs. Vancouver in 2011, where he is a great defenseman. I also liked his game in Anaheim when Seabrook was wearing the Clown Shoes. I think we also tend to take for granted the minutes he logs and the players he goes up against.

I would not just throw this guy out.
- John Jaeckel

I'm not saying throw him out, but what does this team have a surplus of? Puck rushing defensemen.

The return on a Keith trade would trump anything a Hossa, Sharp, or Leddy would return.

Would this team LOSE that much if Leddy steps in for Keith right now, and continues to show the same improvement? I think you could make a case Leddy would be fine.

I've heard similar about Keith, but worse...I hear he's a complete red @ss jag.

Exactly. The closest thing to a physical top 4 guy is Steve Johns who is likely 2 years away and no lock to be anything better than a 5/6 guy.

Hammer is their best defenseman from the opponent's blueline back. Without question. I don't recall seeing him get beaten this year. At all. He's also a guy, if Q tells them to dial it up physically, can make the Hawks' blueline a dangerous place for opposing forwards.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed. Hammer has had a great year.

LIke others have stated, if Keith and Seabrook could be more consistent, this team could be scary. That doesn't mean you don't add up front, because there are very few guys 1-12 who initimidate any opposing d man on the forecheck.

I'm sold on Anaheim. They aren't pure skill like Bodreau's Cap teams were that flamed out. That team is very solid, and if they add another d man...look out.

And a political one at that. You could cut that s--- with a knife in Bowman's postseason remarks last spring.
- John Jaeckel

Not Q's fault that Crawford let IN 2 baby poo soft o/t goals in the playoffs...but it is Bowman's fault for not realizing that Crawford is probably not a Cup winner...hell..he ain't even won a series yet.

Dan Pompei tweeting the Bears are close to signing Broncos STUD lb DJ Williams

And a political one at that. You could cut that s--- with a knife in Bowman's postseason remarks last spring.
- John Jaeckel

What exactly was the comment Bowman made again? I can't recall. Seems to me like he would be better off showing Q some serious respect considering what that man has done for the Blackhawks organization.

Keith is a wacky dude. I hear he is almost kind of OCD about certain things. Tends to fixate on or worry about kind of trivial things. But maybe along with that, he seems to really get it lasered in sometimes, like in round 1 vs. Vancouver in 2011, where he is a great defenseman. I also liked his game in Anaheim when Seabrook was wearing the Clown Shoes. I think we also tend to take for granted the minutes he logs and the players he goes up against.

I would not just throw this guy out.
- John Jaeckel

>Agree 1000% with this
>All DK needs is a "whisperer" on the bench saying the right things during the game
>It's what Havi did during his Norris year
>Almost all of DK's D-zone mistakes are based on him leaving the slot to chase down a bad pass he just made instead of staying put and protecting the house
>DK played probably his best game this year vs Ducks the other night
>Leddy has talent but D-wise has miles to go to match DK's shutdown ability

Dan Pompei tweeting the Bears are close to signing Broncos STUD lb DJ Williams

- philco28

just read that...just needs to stay out of trouble..

Todays' article.....


NHL realignment thoughts, Blackhawk trade strategy overview - Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/WT0IQa.
- Al

Good read Al. I thought your thoughts on the trade deadline were bang on.

Dan Pompei tweeting the Bears are close to signing Broncos STUD lb DJ Williams

- philco28

SIGNED

What exactly was the comment Bowman made again? I can't recall. Seems to me like he would be better off showing Q some serious respect considering what that man has done for the Blackhawks organization.
- Ballam

Q was not StanBow's hire. A third consecutive early out with the regular season record they have will almost surely have "it was Q's fault" written all over it.

With a new coach hired by the current leadership, I am betting those vaunted "missing pieces" will begin arriving.

>Agree 1000% with this
>All DK needs is a "whisperer" on the bench saying the right things during the game
>It's what Havi did during his Norris year
>Almost all of DK's D-zone mistakes are based on him leaving the slot to chase down a bad pass he just made instead of staying put and protecting the house
>DK played probably his best game this year vs Ducks the other night
>Leddy has talent but D-wise has miles to go to match DK's shutdown ability
- SnapitUpstairs

Exactly

Per Chris Kuc Q says Hossa not likely to play on Monday....

just read that...just needs to stay out of trouble..
- Glenman12

Just reading about his rap sheet....geez

SIGNED
- John Jaeckel

Per Chris Kuc Q says Hossa not likely to play on Monday....
- Glenman12

That's not good news.

Does this push Bowman to make a move?

Q was not StanBow's hire. A third consecutive early out with the regular season record they have will almost surely have "it was Q's fault" written all over it.

With a new coach hired by the current leadership, I am betting those vaunted "missing pieces" will begin arriving.
- Return of the Roar

I hope this isn't the case. Look at the team Q had when they won the cup in 2010 and the team he had the next season. Dramatically different rosters, and you cant blame any of the salary cap hell on Q. He has been doing his best with the hand he has been given and the past two seasons you could just as easily place the blame on Bowman for not going out and acquiring those vaunted "missing pieces". Q is a winner, an extremely professional and experienced coach and he just won a cup in Chicago a couple years ago. Bowman is shooting himself in the foot if he wants to place all the blame on Q for our early playoff exits the last two years.

That's not good news.

Does this push Bowman to make a move?
- EKolb13

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130322,0,4667834.story

Dan Pompei tweeting the Bears are close to signing Broncos STUD lb DJ Williams

- philco28

Just read they signed him to 900k contract 1 year.... nice

That's not good news.

Does this push Bowman to make a move?
- EKolb13

The best thing about that unbeaten streak is the Hawks have comfortablely locked up a playoff spot and can afford to allow guys to get 100% healthy. I don't think a major move is needed ... unless Hossa is suffering the dreaded 'c' word.