Carcillo may be a better option than Bollig, but either way it's not a big deal if these guys are going to play 5 - 10 minutes per game.
- DarthKane

Maybe Q is throwing a bone to Bollig....a St. Loo kid playing against the Blues...BB has played against them many times now...but maybe that a factor for Q ?

Wha?..he carried us last year down the stretch when toews was out. I know he didnt light it up all year, but they moved him from c to w and back to c. He was on the short list for OUR mvp and certainly earned his keep.
- miked23

Lazy dogging it Kane, not worth the money. Pissed of determined Kane worth the money.

Sidney Crosby is in a class by himself.

Yes, this year's Kane is the Kane we as Hawks fans all hoped for. He's finally putting together a god given ridiculous skill set. He's doing the little things quite well (back-checking, defensive zone coverage). He's been amazing to watch.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks announce both Kane and Toews, extensions at the Hawks convention....McDonough loves his large splashes...and honestly, 8 years and 8.65 is probably what both will get.

if they take less to allow for more quality depth, god bless them, but I am not going to expect either of them to.
- SteveRain

Maybe the one after the next one, when they have a year left. While long term security may be what Toews and/or Kane wants, especially given Toews concussion history, by waiting a year to be extended they get the "current" rate which will undoubtedly go up from the Getzlaf/Perry contracts.

I don't think it is size. The Hawks are not small, it is the coaching staffs stick waving teachings that will hurt. Saad is not small, Toews is not small, Hossa is not small, also Sharp is not small. The team plays to the way the coaching staff wants them to play. Same thing on D, how many times do the Dmen take the body?
- droe411

Kind of nitpicking but tough to heavily criticize a D that is second in GAA and 4th in SA/G,

Interesting stat find:
Winning % Leading after two periods

Pittsburgh : 1.00
NYR : 1.00
Columbus : 1.00
Winnipeg : 0.929
Carolina : 0.923
Chicago : 0.909
Phoenix : 0.909
Nashville, Ottawa and Anaheim round out top ten all less than 90%

What's to say they don't get their extension after this season with the market currently being what it is.....a max signing bonus....and lifetime personal services contract when they retire with a percentage on revenue.....the hawks will not let kane and toews go.....plus there will be pressure from the league with the Hawks being the only definitive draw in the western conference.
- UnnamedSource

Sounds like collusion. Pressure from the league? Really? Only definitive WC draw?

As much as the 'Hawks lead the universe in %-of-capacity attendance, I believe the NHLPA will have something to say about any of their star players getting anything less than ABS MAX. While I concur with your feelings "as a 'Hawks fan" please keep in mind there is an equal and opposite force to the league.

That said, a BIG signing bonus and whatever Rocky & Co can do to "help their cause" will certainly be deployed.

Kind of nitpicking but tough to heavily criticize a D that is second in GAA and 4th in SA/G,

Interesting stat find:
Winning % Leading after two periods

Pittsburgh : 1.00
NYR : 1.00
Columbus : 1.00
Winnipeg : 0.929
Carolina : 0.923
Chicago : 0.909
Phoenix : 0.909
Nashville, Ottawa and Anaheim round out top ten all less than 90%
- fattybeef

Asking our D to be a little more physical is not nitpicking.........

>JJ, seems like some of the recent so-so or poor third periods (soft goals aside) can be traced to poor shift management by the players -- and maybe some missing control behind the bench to curtail it
>Too many times Hawk forwards are trying to squeeze in an extra offensive burst when they should be heading for a change -- turnover -- and then an entire line gets pinned forever in their own zone or until a goal is scored against them
>There's an old coaches adage: "Fresh legs play D, tired legs get scored on."
>Hawks need to focus on puck management and shift management the rest of the regular season (and stay healthy) -- Ws and Ls will take care of the themselves

I don't think it is size. The Hawks are not small, it is the coaching staffs stick waving teachings that will hurt. Saad is not small, Toews is not small, Hossa is not small, also Sharp is not small. The team plays to the way the coaching staff wants them to play. Same thing on D, how many times do the Dmen take the body?
- droe411

What I am saying is that the larger sized skill guys you mentioned before, don't really scary any D man on a forecheck in regards to be hit physically. I love Toews, but he's never hammered anyone physically. Hossa and Sharp can, but they are nursing/coming back from shoulder injuries. Probably don't want them flying around delivery checks all night.

Hammer and Seabrook will on the back end, but they pick their spots.

I was getting at the depth of forwards on this team are very small and not physical compared to the teams (08-09 & 09-10) that had playoff success.

Asking our D to be a little more physical is not nitpicking.........
- droe411

Have them carry knives?

Yep...100% agreed. And the few regular season games this year that mirrored playoff intensity, physicality...what happened? They got dominated shift by shift below the goal line and blew leads. It's not a coincidence.

Not to mention the space it woudl have created for the legit skill guys to have more room.....There is no Brouwer, Buff, Ladd outside of Bickell on the top 9..Guys who are going to grind away and create space, and cause chaos on the forecheck.

That's why a large skilled body, would have been nice.....Time will tell, but lasting another 28 games (at most) to win a championship with a small team, doesn't bode well.

Would love to hear from the peanut gallery the last small, skilled team that won a cup. Lets see...kings (no), Bruins (no), Hawks (no), Penguins (no), Wings (no), Ducks (no), Hurricanes (no).


- SteveRain

I think what teams have done the last couple years to the hawks in the playoffs is hit their stars hard and hit them often.... The thought being take out the top 2 lines and let the bottom 6 try and beat us. The results the last 2 seasons for the hawks top 4 reg season scorers.... Toews 3 goals in 13 games, Kane 1 goal, Hossa 2, and Sharp 4. These guys get zero time and space to make anything happen when teams play them physical. A banger down low would've helped tremendously. Jmo.

Have them carry knives?
- victorymc98

Brass knuckles I don't care......

Maybe the one after the next one, when they have a year left. While long term security may be what Toews and/or Kane wants, especially given Toews concussion history, by waiting a year to be extended they get the "current" rate which will undoubtedly go up from the Getzlaf/Perry contracts.
- TheTrob

July of 2014...you can book it. By that point Bowman will know what he has in Saad and probably a few other prospects. Cap will be on the rise. Makes sense.

Maybe Q is throwing a bone to Bollig....a St. Loo kid playing against the Blues...BB has played against them many times now...but maybe that a factor for Q ?
- philco28

It's probably because of the need for his heavyweight pugilist in the line up against St. Louis.

It's probably because of the need for his heavyweight pugilist in the line up against St. Louis.
- EKolb13

Plausible EK

I think what teams have done the last couple years to the hawks in the playoffs is hit their stars hard and hit them often.... The thought being take out the top 2 lines and let the bottom 6 try and beat us. The results the last 2 seasons for the hawks top 4 reg season scorers.... Toews 3 goals in 13 games, Kane 1 goal, Hossa 2, and Sharp 4. These guys get zero time and space to make anything happen when teams play them physical. A banger down low would've helped tremendously. Jmo.
- moylander

Exactly! Insert a Brouwer or Clowe for each line and those guys have more ice to make a difference.

Sidney Crosby is in a class by himself.

Yes, this year's Kane is the Kane we as Hawks fans all hoped for. He's finally putting together a god given ridiculous skill set. He's doing the little things quite well (back-checking, defensive zone coverage). He's been amazing to watch.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Hawks announce both Kane and Toews, extensions at the Hawks convention....McDonough loves his large splashes...and honestly, 8 years and 8.65 is probably what both will get.

if they take less to allow for more quality depth, god bless them, but I am not going to expect either of them to.
- SteveRain

That would probably be a very fair number.

Crosby has a world of talent but I don't like him for completely arbitrary reasons.

July of 2014...you can book it. By that point Bowman will know what he has in Saad and probably a few other prospects. Cap will be on the rise. Makes sense.
- SteveRain

Pending this years playoffs, who says stan will even be there still.

I think what teams have done the last couple years to the hawks in the playoffs is hit their stars hard and hit them often.... The thought being take out the top 2 lines and let the bottom 6 try and beat us. The results the last 2 seasons for the hawks top 4 reg season scorers.... Toews 3 goals in 13 games, Kane 1 goal, Hossa 2, and Sharp 4. These guys get zero time and space to make anything happen when teams play them physical. A banger down low would've helped tremendously. Jmo.
- moylander

Exactly, and that's why I was so critical yesterday about making a move.

Imagine a gaunlet of STL, La or Van, and then Anaheim...just to get out of the west. That's 3 large bodied teams, playing the same defensive, close checking systems. Throw in a Boston in the cup final....and I just don't see how this team wins 4 every around before losing 4.

Maybe a round or 2? Sure, but sooner or later the stars will be worn out having been hammered every single shift.

There is no excuse for ignoring this...We'll see if those who have made those excuses for Bowman, admit that IF this goes badly....

I'm hoping they can survive that need.....

I think what teams have done the last couple years to the hawks in the playoffs is hit their stars hard and hit them often.... The thought being take out the top 2 lines and let the bottom 6 try and beat us. The results the last 2 seasons for the hawks top 4 reg season scorers.... Toews 3 goals in 13 games, Kane 1 goal, Hossa 2, and Sharp 4. These guys get zero time and space to make anything happen when teams play them physical. A banger down low would've helped tremendously. Jmo.
- moylander

And the point some will make is that a much improved 3rd line and 4th line will take the weight off the shoulders of the top 2 lines. Teams may not be able to key on 2 lines alone. At least that is the hope

That would probably be a very fair number.

Crosby has a world of talent but I don't like him for completely arbitrary reasons.

- fattybeef

I don't like Crosby either, I think he's a whiny little B-tch who cheap shots (Ask Claude Giroux), but he's a helluva talent. He makes 8.75 a year, and that's the number I point to if I'm Bowman when these deals come up...

I think what teams have done the last couple years to the hawks in the playoffs is hit their stars hard and hit them often.... The thought being take out the top 2 lines and let the bottom 6 try and beat us. The results the last 2 seasons for the hawks top 4 reg season scorers.... Toews 3 goals in 13 games, Kane 1 goal, Hossa 2, and Sharp 4. These guys get zero time and space to make anything happen when teams play them physical. A banger down low would've helped tremendously. Jmo.
- moylander

Ding, ding and DING...

It's probably because of the need for his heavyweight pugilist in the line up against St. Louis.
- EKolb13

The Hawks have had quite the success against St. Louis over the last season and a half. I believe they are 6-2 in the last eight against St. Lou. Bollig maybe stage fighting Reeves every tilt has something to do with it.

I have sooo much to do, but I just find that all these issues are almost classic new age hockey philosophies ones that I cannot help but discuss and address.

.....

Just like winning takes lucky bounces, big saves, tons of hard work and results from parts of the line-up you never expected it.

I just can't get caught up in all this concern....
- wiz1901

Once again Wiz shows up with his large brain and does some 'splaining.

Carcillo may be a better option than Bollig, but either way it's not a big deal if these guys are going to play 5 - 10 minutes per game.
- DarthKane

Where #13's value comes in is he adds the element of security. The other team knows hes out there and that he is a little unhinged. Bollig can do that, but Carcillo's history speaks for itself. Always good that have the half crazy guy out there especially playing the Blues tonight.

I have sooo much to do, but I just find that all these issues are almost classic new age hockey philosophies ones that I cannot help but discuss and address.

"zero physical presence on the Hawks' top 2 lines" I think about San Jose and how their bottom end had plenty, but still they move a defender, Burns there. So would you say they lack physical presence on the top 2 lines? Or are their top two line Sharks physical presence players? how has that worked out?

And it is too bad a player like Matt Martin wasn't there to scoop up but there wasn't. Would Martin have jelled onto a top two line this playoff or does the Hawk offense work, based on the familiarity of the skilled guys on those lines? Brouwer had difficulty playing there, right?
...and so, if you do not have physical forwards... you have to start drafting and developing them.

I thought that part of the Playoff championship team was able to get to the enemy defenders and rub on them, tire them...and then the next two playoffs were teams without that ability to even get down there at all.

I just don't think that is the case with the present club. They can engage, and more importantly they move.
The Al Secord wing type power player doesn't exist in that old form.
To me, power forwards have supplanted the physical power wing, only because the muckers of old now fit on the NHL clubs but not as top liners...and there are very few in existence.


power forwards have supplanted the physical power wing...
Hossa
Toews
Saad
those are your power players in the top two lines.
and then you add Handzus who will see minutes somewhere in the top 6.

Look at the Blues you see that power wing other than centre Backes?

and I think that the Hawks are truly hoping Hayes could play with a bit more punch because there are good hands in that big package, just not the right feet, and that os basically the crux and issue with team finding a big physical skilled quick skater with hands...they are rare.
(I think we all would agree say a guy like Eric Cole would get called a power with with physicality, right? but you look at numbers and they seem to never fit the use, salary and over-all dominance)

The interesting thing is Handzus will play a regular shift where he belongs with Kruger (taking faceoffs) and a pounder like Bollig or Mayers as a checker who gives out some punishment.
He will see lots of ice on face-offs on oall three lines in both offensive and defensive zones...it may be just 15 seconds and a waddle to the bench, but I think he is going to be asked to continually make contact after that face-off.
He will be asked to present a net presence.

Does he solve the problem that many seem to think exists that teh hawks are too "forgiving along the wall?"
Funny...thing is...they seem to have been winning a whole lot of those pucks in battle zones along the wall on the top lines, so I guess I am missing this idea they will be unsuccessful with out this "type."

I will call personal privilege, by virtue of having seem more years and round of playoff than anyone of you...and say
There is never one factor that determines who wins or loses a playoff series.

There has to be a combination of bad plays, glaring weaknesses, and the fact that sometimes the team you are playing just does as Ryan Getzlaf said, in the post game interviews after their last Cup win,....I played my balls off...we played our balls off."

Just like winning takes lucky bounces, big saves, tons of hard work and results from parts of the line-up you never expected it.

I just can't get caught up in all this concern....
- wiz1901

Uh did Oshie get traded. That is the type your hinting towards right Wiz?