I think the Hawks will make a valiant effort to retain #25. Sure would like to keep that 3rd line together. Might mean they have to shove Bolland and Frolik overboard the good ship Blackhawk to do it.
To think Olescz is hauling down $4M+ and Stalberg is making $850K - market correction required. - RickJ
It's possible they keep Bickell and Stalberg with only buying out Monty and Olesz, then trading Bolland. It all depends on what Stalberg and to come extend Leddy want. If everyone agrees to fair and reasonable deals I think it can get done. But if Stalberg wants to test free agency and score a big contract (which I have no issue with) then it may no happen.
Loved the third line last night, and I especially noticed Shaw's hustle, again. The kid's got amazing energy, and didn't seem to slow down even in OT.
If the Wild are going to double team Kaner, Sharpie needs to make good on those chances. I'm hoping next game is the one that starts a hot streak for him. Love Zus on that line.
And I hope the Wild keep running Suter into the ground with big minutes. Will be good for us in the long run.
I think the Hawks will make a valiant effort to retain #25. Sure would like to keep that 3rd line together. Might mean they have to shove Bolland and Frolik overboard the good ship Blackhawk to do it.
To think Olescz is hauling down $4M+ and Stalberg is making $850K - market correction required. - RickJ
I felt Stalberg took a little bit of a discount with his current deal. Kinda seemed like the Hawks said prove it these next two years and you'll get paid.
I'd like to keep him, but not at the expense of Leddy. That's why I hope he has an incredible playoffs and prices himself out of the Hawks range. Let Chicago get the benefit of him now and then not feel so bad when he cashes in elsewhere.
I felt Stalberg took a little bit of a discount with his current deal. Kinda seemed like the Hawks said prove it these next two years and you'll get paid.
I'd like to keep him, but not at the expense of Leddy. That's why I hope he has an incredible playoffs and prices himself out of the Hawks range. Let Chicago get the benefit of him now and then not feel so bad when he cashes in elsewhere. - AceRatbang
Shaw was lucky not to get a boarding penality right before Oduya made that awesome pass off the boards to Stalberg. If it was any other period than a playoff overtime that would of been called every time. - barth 39
On the check he made that got the puck to Oduya? That wasn't boarding.
Only caught the last half of the 3rd and OT. Saw the replay of the goal CC gave up. Not so good. Why these guys seem to come out flat at home is still beyond me. After that goal though, CC was on the ball. He had some stellar saves in the 3rd/OT. I noticed the hitting level was WAY UP! Gotta keep that going. Harding was freaking Yoda out there. Seeing/stopping everything. Wont last. That 3rd line will be the difference. Very hard to match up with 3 legit scoring lines. Add to that a pretty effective 4th line and that = problems for other teams. I have this series to the Hawks in five games with two going to OT. I should be in Vegas... (Only if Phil is my body guard. Need some angry to keep the goof balls away.. )
Regarding #25.. I hope we resign him. With the two buy outs I think we can do it. Keeping that 3rd line together is the key. Heres to a round house punch in game #2. 5-1 Hawks... Lets go to Minny with those guys dragging there #*!&@ in the dirt.
Location: I'm singing the Blues!, IL Joined: 03.04.2011
May 1 @ 11:34 AM ET
No problemo Savvy...good to hear you chime in. Your boy will be in line for a huge raise 444444444444444444 Sure. - philco28
Everyone keeps bringing up Subban as the best comparable contract. Even though the cap is going down, hard to see Leddy getting same or less than Subban (we can debate the stats and style and toughness all we want).
Fact is, guys that can skate like Leddy and carry the puck like him are far and few between. The fact he is 22 yrs old and has stayed healthy (knock on wood here, don't want to jinx him during the Hawks run -- Leddy going out and having to see Brookstank in his stead -- or Montador (shudders at this thought), not good) has got to play into possible offer sheets for him.
Can't believe he wouldn't get at least 1, if not more, thrown his way. Obviously, hope he signs here -- but wherever he lands, I will cheer him on.
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL Joined: 06.06.2009
May 1 @ 11:40 AM ET
I think the Hawks will make a valiant effort to retain #25. Sure would like to keep that 3rd line together. Might mean they have to shove Bolland and Frolik overboard the good ship Blackhawk to do it.
To think Olescz is hauling down $4M+ and Stalberg is making $850K - market correction required. - RickJ
Wonder if SB can get DT to take Bolly (and all of his $3.375M cap hit) as part of this rumored FLA/CHI deal during the draft. Couple that with Olesz and Monty compliance buyouts and the numbers look a lot better.
Only caught the last half of the 3rd and OT. Saw the replay of the goal CC gave up. Not so good. Why these guys seem to come out flat at home is still beyond me. After that goal though, CC was on the ball. He had some stellar saves in the 3rd/OT. I noticed the hitting level was WAY UP! Gotta keep that going. Harding was freaking Yoda out there. Seeing/stopping everything. Wont last. That 3rd line will be the difference. Very hard to match up with 3 legit scoring lines. Add to that a pretty effective 4th line and that = problems for other teams. I have this series to the Hawks in five games with two going to OT. I should be in Vegas... (Only if Phil is my body guard. Need some angry to keep the goof balls away.. )
Regarding #25.. I hope we resign him. With the two buy outs I think we can do it. Keeping that 3rd line together is the key. Heres to a round house punch in game #2. 5-1 Hawks... Lets go to Minny with those guys dragging there #*!&@ in the dirt. - z1990z
The difference between their play road vs home is significant. Similar grt records BUT they are dominate, focused and play complete gmes on the road. We keep hearing about home ice and the grt energy of the crowd...blah blah....but they don't play like they mean it at times...that 1st period with emergency baack-up Harding called in was inexcusable!
Wonder if SB can get DT to take Bolly (and all of his $3.375M cap hit) as part of this rumored FLA/CHI deal during the draft. Couple that with Olesz and Monty compliance buyouts and the numbers look a lot better. - blackhawk24
That's what I was hoping. I think Dale would definitely want #36.
Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR - Al
Great read as always, Al. I figured the note about Sharp has really summed up his year.
Just seems off, when I think he'll try stick side, he goes high glove. When I think he'd drive the net, he goes wide. When I think he's got an opening for a quick shot on the PP, he pump-fakes and passes it away, etc.
Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR - Al
Excellent game by Rozsival and I thought Seabrook very good too. Keith - wow, major errors in judgement in first period particularly.
Fans shouldn't be surprised by the closeness of any playoff game, its a war out there and every shift matters for every player every game. Regular season don't mean anything anymore.
Are you asking where he should play or where he will play?
He will likely play 2C
He should play 3C, bump Shaw to 4th line wing (and spot him at times 2nd or 3rd line) and Bollig to the press box. - Ogilthorpe2
I like what Zus brings to the second line. I think Shaw can do well on the fourth line but I don't know if Id break up that third line chemistry. That said, if the fourth line is charged with facing the Parise line, why not put the rat there with Kruger and Frolik. All are smart two way players who could give that line fits.
I like what Zus brings to the second line. I think Shaw can do well on the fourth line but I don't know if Id break up that third line chemistry. That said, if the fourth line is charged with facing the Parise line, why not put the rat there with Kruger and Frolik. All are smart two way players who could give that line fits. - golfbard
I thought Zus was good too...was pretty good along the boards..used his body,and it seemed like that line had more pressure then when Bolland is out there with Kane and Sharp...I think a Bolland Kruger Frolik line would be pretty good...I doubt Q breaks up the third line the way they have been playing
Stalberg will be a Hawk next season. There is so much money to play with in order to fit him in. Let's not forget that he is the only tangible 'win' in trades from the exodus of 2010 - I think that matters.
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL Joined: 07.27.2009
May 1 @ 12:15 PM ET
Say what you want about last night's game. To me, the real story was Josh Harding.
What an outstanding performance under the most stressful of circumstances a backup goalie can face, while dealing with the onset of a terrible disease.
The guy stood on his head last night, and it was very inspirational.
Gotta keep that going. Harding was freaking Yoda out there. Seeing/stopping everything. Wont last. That 3rd line will be the difference. Very hard to match up with 3 legit scoring lines. Add to that a pretty effective 4th line and that = problems for other teams. I have this series to the Hawks in five games with two going to OT. I should be in Vegas... 
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