Post-whistle B.S. is not really a Blackhawks' thing anymore though--for better or for worse. I mean both Bollig and Carillo have been reined in quite a bit. I think the Blues get up for the Blackhawks, and because they do have players whose style is quite a bit more physical than most of the 'Hawks it gets pretty rough--before and after the whistle.
- AL SEC0RD

Carcillo has more experience and knows better when to fight.

Bollig's last fght was a mistake....

Carcillo has more experience and knows better when to fight.

Bollig's last fght was a mistake....
- Al

his last fight was so dumb (well, they all are, but this was extra dumb)

he started a fight with a guy who made a clean hit on Kruger. he then proceeds to beat him up and then give him a pat on the back when he's done. what the hell is that? you started the fight because he hit your teammate and now you're friends? isn't that the same guy who just destroyed your teammate?

fighting is so dumb in this sport and Bollig is the kind of dumb fights.

Super serious.
- fattybeef

You probably don't care enough to respond (which is totally fine) but why? I don't get his MVP hype either

You probably don't care enough to respond (which is totally fine) but why? I don't get his MVP hype either
- rollpards19

Who are we talking about??

Who are we talking about??
- andru2797

Patrick Kane.

I'm glad the trade period is over....I was getting upset for no reason.

We have a great team and can win it all this year.

LETS GO HAWKS AND LETS KICK SOME ASS TONIGHT.

I'm glad the trade period is over....I was getting upset for no reason.

We have a great team and can win it all this year.

LETS GO HAWKS AND LETS KICK SOME ASS TONIGHT.
- Hawkster

Phuck yea

With the playoffs approaching, and the Hawks needing extra toughness, Handzus most likely on the fourth line. What happens to Bollig and Carcillo? Do they both sit? If so, that's even less toughness. What are your thoughts on this?

Just out of curiosity and for a bit of fun, let's say in 5 years Teows and Kane resign at a reasonable price, Seabrook, Leddy, Hjalmarsson, Shaw, Bickell, Saad, TT, McNeil, Lalonde and Denault are all still in the organisation. We may keep most of the guys and you can choose to put them in or maybe they have been shipped out/let go. What lines do you assume that we have?

From the Didn't know department:

Kelly Amonte Hiller (NU women's lacrosse coach) is Tony Amonte's sister.

Patrick Kane.
- savvyone-1

Well the MVP hype is pretty simple. He has scored big goals at key times probably more than any other player in the league this year, including shootout goals. He's also played at a consistently high level: I believe he's up there at the top of the league with Crosby and Stamkos in terms of getting points in the highest number of his teams games. Couple those elements with a consistent back check and the numbers to back it all up (both team and individual) as well as the fact that he's not playing with either of the teams two other top players, and you've got a pretty strong case for the hart.

Just out of curiosity and for a bit of fun, let's say in 5 years Teows and Kane resign at a reasonable price, Seabrook, Leddy, Hjalmarsson, Shaw, Bickell, Saad, TT, McNeil, Lalonde and Denault are all still in the organisation. We may keep most of the guys and you can choose to put them in or maybe they have been shipped out/let go. What lines do you assume that we have?
- AusBlackhawks

Saad-Toews-Teravainen
Sharp-McNeill-Kane
Danault-Kruger-Shaw
Sauce(?)-Nordstrom-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Leddy-Hjalmarsson
Clendening-Johns

UFA goalie Lol

That's my lineup if everyone develops as they should, which is VERY rare in the NHL.

Saad-Toews-Teravainen
Sharp-McNeill-Kane
Danault-Kruger-Shaw
Sauce(?)-Nordstrom-Smith

Keith-Seabrook
Leddy-Hjalmarsson
Clendening-Johns

UFA goalie Lol

That's my lineup if everyone develops as they should, which is VERY rare in the NHL.
- andru2797

Most likely acurate cuz you know we wont make any trades

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.
- SteveRain

OMFG! Did you just say that Sharp has/can/will ever "hammer" someone physically? All of your credibility lost with just one click of the Submit icon.

Most likely acurate cuz you know we wont make any trades
- Hawkster

Even so, that is a pretty good team. The questionable is the goalies, but who knows, maybe we get lucky. I would not be pissed if we didn't trade, Hawks will be a contender for a long time if they stay healthy and the prospects work out, but then again anything can happen, just go with it.

Carcillo has more experience and knows better when to fight.

Bollig's last fght was a mistake....
- Al

I agree on both counts--especially the latter. But I was more getting at the fact that the Blackhawks don't really try to stir things up much at all. Sure, Bolland and Shaw yap a bit, give a palm of the glove to a player once in awhile, but relative to the rest of the league they're pretty tame in that regard as a team. Maybe stating the obvious--but I was responding to the Blues' poster who said all the post-whistle stuff is "just hockey" (or something to that effect). Not really for the Blackhawks--at least in my view.

Well the MVP hype is pretty simple. He has scored big goals at key times probably more than any other player in the league this year, including shootout goals. He's also played at a consistently high level: I believe he's up there at the top of the league with Crosby and Stamkos in terms of getting points in the highest number of his teams games. Couple those elements with a consistent back check and the numbers to back it all up (both team and individual) as well as the fact that he's not playing with either of the teams two other top players, and you've got a pretty strong case for the hart.
- andru2797

Thanks for explaining. My counter argument, less GWG than Toews and Hossa. The points in almost every game is a good argument. I guess I still don't buy that he is a good defensive player. In my opinion, Toews, who is the unquestioned leader, SO much better defensively, Selke finalist, probable winner this year. Best FO man in the world, only 7 pts Kane, over a PPG. He's just as good at shootouts (no matter the move the goals count the same). I just think people who watch the Hawks and think Toews isn't the MVP aren't watching for the right things

Whenever any increase in salary of large proportion-- your core players-- the roster out of training camp in September will necessarily include more entry level contracts for the prospects not long ago in junior or collegiate level. Maybe an Icehog who is even a less heralded longer tenured pro.

If this creates plenty of competition and hungry young players working hard to keep a job, the salary bump for core players can be put in a positive light.

Just want to see at that time if we can retain as many core players from the previous season.

Should the concussion issue arise ....well where are the future stars and core players coming from.

They come from first round draft choices. Some may be the players that we didn't send packing at the 2013 trade deadline.

You know, there's a sense in which the "real" season begins now--I am very curious to see how the Blackhawks play from here on out. Management made their decision to go with this particular team--the team that had the impressive streak, then hit a rough patch. Bowman has been quoted all over the place experessing confidence in this team. Will we see a return to form (as in the streak team--and Sharp will likely be back the next game or two), or will we see more of the team we've seen of late? I am interested to see if the team is able to ramp it up a bit--yesterday has come and gone, and the players know that too. It's not quite the beginning of the playoffs, but yesterday was a significant milestone sort of day, and I am curious to see if they can get it back in gear.

Thanks for explaining. My counter argument, less GWG than Toews and Hossa. The points in almost every game is a good argument. I guess I still don't buy that he is a good defensive player. In my opinion, Toews, who is the unquestioned leader, SO much better defensively, Selke finalist, probable winner this year. Best FO man in the world, only 7 pts Kane, over a PPG. He's just as good at shootouts (no matter the move the goals count the same). I just think people who watch the Hawks and think Toews isn't the MVP aren't watching for the right things
- rollpards19

Hard to argue with any of that. I suppose the only difference is really that Toes had a slower start. In the end its possible either one could be an MVP candidate...one has to wonder if that fact will hurt the chances of both though.

Thanks for explaining. My counter argument, less GWG than Toews and Hossa. The points in almost every game is a good argument. I guess I still don't buy that he is a good defensive player. In my opinion, Toews, who is the unquestioned leader, SO much better defensively, Selke finalist, probable winner this year. Best FO man in the world, only 7 pts Kane, over a PPG. He's just as good at shootouts (no matter the move the goals count the same). I just think people who watch the Hawks and think Toews isn't the MVP aren't watching for the right things
- rollpards19

Kane is among the team leaders in takeaways this season if I am not mistaken. He's right up there with Toews and Hossa which is great when you consider he doesn't get the ice time on the PK or top-line minutes. He has had several games where he has flatout DOMINATED. All of this without a legit center & at times, double-shifting. He is definitely Hart worthy especially if Crosby does not return soon. Toews is Toews. He is the heart and soul of this team & the captain, but Kane has carried this team in games when Toews/Hossa/Sharp were no-where to be found.

Even so, that is a pretty good team. The questionable is the goalies, but who knows, maybe we get lucky. I would not be pissed if we didn't trade, Hawks will be a contender for a long time if they stay healthy and the prospects work out, but then again anything can happen, just go with it.
- AusBlackhawks

You gotta think they address the long term future in net soon either through the draft or a deal.

Kane is among the team leaders in takeaways this season if I am not mistaken. He's right up there with Toews and Hossa which is great when you consider he doesn't get the ice time on the PK or top-line minutes. He has had several games where he has flatout DOMINATED. All of this without a legit center & at times, double-shifting. He is definitely Hart worthy especially if Crosby does not return soon. Toews is Toews. He is the heart and soul of this team & the captain, but Kane has carried this team in games when Toews/Hossa/Sharp were no-where to be found.
- CBHawks88

When is the vote - before or after the play-offs?

Kane is among the team leaders in takeaways this season if I am not mistaken. He's right up there with Toews and Hossa which is great when you consider he doesn't get the ice time on the PK or top-line minutes. He has had several games where he has flatout DOMINATED. All of this without a legit center & at times, double-shifting. He is definitely Hart worthy especially if Crosby does not return soon. Toews is Toews. He is the heart and soul of this team & the captain, but Kane has carried this team in games when Toews/Hossa/Sharp were no-where to be found.
- CBHawks88

This isn't a disadvantage, he doesn't play PK because he doesn't work hard enough/isn't good enough. Toews is RARELY nowhere to be found. I think Toews dominates more quite honestly.

Edit: Toews and Datsyuk (and Hossa to an extent) are world's apart in taking the puck away

When is the vote - before or after the play-offs?
- StLBravesFan

Before, regular season award