That write up was "Unsurreal" ...
- QStache

George Bernard Shaw has ZIP on Andrew Shaw as a linguist

Thanks for the blogging JJ.

I appreciate the insight I get into the team from your posts. It helps me to evaluate my favourite team knowing what other competitive organizations are up to.

Kwolf, captain blackhawk, paulr and others who respond with personal attacks, notwithstanding, I enjoy the commentary and banter in the comments section as well.

Also, this is a fairly similar Hawks team to the one that got beat the previous two years in the first round, including by the Canucks who still retain the same core. The West is too competitive, unlike the East, to assume that your team can rest on its laurels if it wants to build a special legacy.
- kaptaan

I have never made a personal attack on anyone and never will. If you don't like Hawk posters comments regarding your team after you come to this site trolling, too bad so sad. PS: Enjoy the Circus with Torts!

George Bernard Shaw has ZIP on Andrew Shaw as a linguist


- philco28

I hear he's quite the 'cunning' linguist .....

JJ, I strongly suspect two things about the Bolland situation: 1. Mgmnt has probably communicated his likely fate and 2. Bolland would rather remain a Hawk

Some of that was nearly confirmed, in my feeble mind, listening to his post Cup interview--he clearly, almost painfully, avoided talking about the future

Hate to lose players (especially like him when on his game) that want to remain Hawks, but given the emergence of other players and cap needs, I can't see how he sticks around. Further, Stan is also going to want to replenish some draft picks

Just heard from a very good source: fasten your seatbelts. The Hawks are trying to move up high in the draft. That could definitely factor in to the Leddy and/or Bolland situations.
- John Jaeckel

How high? I hope this can be related to the rumors with florida. Add in TT and our 1st but I can't see florida dealing 2. There are a lot of very good players this year. We can move up to 15 and still get someone really good.

JJ, I strongly suspect two things about the Bolland situation: 1. Mgmnt has probably communicated his likely fate and 2. Bolland would rather remain a Hawk

Some of that was nearly confirmed, in my feeble mind, listening to his post Cup interview--he clearly, almost painfully, avoided talking about the future

Hate to lose players (especially like him when on his game) that want to remain Hawks, but given the emergence of other players and cap needs, I can't see how he sticks around. Further, Stan is also going to want to replenish some draft picks
- grinder10

I chalked it up to Bolland being a very weird dude, but your theory is certainly plausible.

Is ther a trade freeze until the draft or can teams trade right now?

Is ther a trade freeze until the draft or can teams trade right now?
- ikeane

Thought they were already trading...though it'll undoubtedly pick up steam as the draft approaches

I hear he's quite the 'cunning' linguist .....
- paulr

...don't doubt that at all

Is ther a trade freeze until the draft or can teams trade right now?
- ikeane

They can trade now. I think there might be soon. They have 2 days after the Cup is handed out, so tomorrow, to buyout a player I think. Hawks won't do anything until at least saturday but probably at the draft

I'm really gonna miss Bolly...he's a special player when healthy and in the right frame of mind. I hope Hawks find a way to keep him...but i can see the lipstick on the mirror
- philco28

By winning this cup, Q has entrenched himself as the coach of this team for years to come (assuming he wants to stay). By all accounts, Q is a big Bolland supporter.

So if the Coach that brought 2 cups to this city in 4 years wants Bolland around...is Stan really going to trade him? I'm not so sure.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it shouldn't happen. It makes sense to move him IMO, I just don't think it's a sure thing. He could go, he could stay. I won't be shocked either way.

By winning this cup, Q has entrenched himself as the coach of this team for years to come (assuming he wants to stay). By all accounts, Q is a big Bolland supporter.

So if the Coach that brought 2 cups to this city in 4 years wants Bolland around...is Stan really going to trade him? I'm not so sure.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that it shouldn't happen. It makes sense to move him IMO, I just don't think it's a sure thing. He could go, he could stay. I won't be shocked either way.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think Bolland has drifted away from Qs favor a little this year.

We saw in the playoffs that Bolland basically worked himself down to 4C in Q's lines. Call it a move for depth, but he opted to drop him lower in a year when Bolland was supposed to be our 2C

I think Bolland has drifted away from Qs favor a little this year.

We saw in the playoffs that Bolland basically worked himself down to 4C in Q's lines. Call it a move for depth, but he opted to drop him lower in a year when Bolland was supposed to be our 2C
- FourFeathers773

Perhaps, but I think acquiring Hanzdus at the deadline had a lot to do with that too. Is Hanzdus back next year?

Like I said, it could, maybe even should happen. I just don't think it's the foregone conclusion everyone seems to think it is.

Perhaps, but I think acquiring Hanzdus at the deadline had a lot to do with that too. Is Hanzdus back next year?

Like I said, it could, maybe even should happen. I just don't think it's the foregone conclusion everyone seems to think it is.
- Ogilthorpe2

I can see your point as well, Ogi. I'm pretty certain Bolly likes being a Hawk. Leddy's departure, despite his improvement and talent, seems a forgone conclusion to me. Didn't get the impression it was a huge deal to him either.

Perhaps, but I think acquiring Hanzdus at the deadline had a lot to do with that too. Is Hanzdus back next year?

Like I said, it could, maybe even should happen. I just don't think it's the foregone conclusion everyone seems to think it is.
- Ogilthorpe2

Neither do I, everyone is so quick to deem Bolland expendable, but CHI doesnt win this cup without him:
-Bolland SCWG
-Bolland laying out Andersson leading to Seabrooks GWG vs DET
-Bolland trucking M.Richards and knocking him out of the series almost

those are all HUGE, series changing, if not ending events

Hopefully the incoming 3rd and 4th line players, the Smiths, Pirris, Hayes, et al, can step up and fill the void. The stars will be stars. But those lines won the Cup.

I think Bolland has drifted away from Qs favor a little this year.

We saw in the playoffs that Bolland basically worked himself down to 4C in Q's lines. Call it a move for depth, but he opted to drop him lower in a year when Bolland was supposed to be our 2C
- FourFeathers773

I'd like to see the icetime for the finals. I'm sure bolland dropped a little in his mind. Everyone knows bolland does a lot better playing lower and in a checking role. But he put them out in a lot of important situations this year. Q knows what he will get from the Bolland, kruger, fro line: solid mistake-free play USUALLY

Neither do I, everyone is so quick to deem Bolland expendable, but CHI doesnt win this cup without him:
-Bolland SCWG
-Bolland laying out Andersson leading to Seabrooks GWG vs DET
-Bolland trucking M.Richards and knocking him out of the series almost

those are all HUGE, series changing, if not ending events
- FourFeathers773

One thing about Bolly, despite his lack of size, really has the timing and leverage to put a good clean hit on guys. Shaw has that quality too.

I wonder who Patrick Kane is going to punch this time?
- manvanfan

Early money says Alex Burrows.
- John Jaeckel

One can only hope.

I'd like to see the icetime for the finals. I'm sure bolland dropped a little in his mind. Everyone knows bolland does a lot better playing lower and in a checking role. But he put them out in a lot of important situations this year. Q knows what he will get from the Bolland, kruger, fro line: solid mistake-free play USUALLY
- tomcat24

Q basically used two 3rd lines in the playoffs...definitely a departure from the traditional crash & bang 4th model

Neither do I, everyone is so quick to deem Bolland expendable, but CHI doesnt win this cup without him:
-Bolland SCWG
-Bolland laying out Andersson leading to Seabrooks GWG vs DET
-Bolland trucking M.Richards and knocking him out of the series almost

those are all HUGE, series changing, if not ending events
- FourFeathers773

Nice list FF...and SPOT ON. Many here wrote Bolland's 'playoff legend' obit...but with that list added to his resume it's hard to argue he's not alive and well.

So happy for him and agree with Ogi...it wouldn't surprise to see him shipped...but hope Q can lobby to keep him. I'm not ready to let go of 36 now or anytime soon.

Just heard from a very good source: fasten your seatbelts. The Hawks are trying to move up high in the draft. That could definitely factor in to the Leddy and/or Bolland situations.
- John Jaeckel

I've heard the draft is not as deep as once thought or as everyone has said. I'm not a draft expert but I'm curious to hear what you JJ think and others in the know are feeling. For me it looks like there's three potential All-Star to franchise type players in Jones, Drouin and MacKinnon. Inquiring minds want to know...

Neither do I, everyone is so quick to deem Bolland expendable, but CHI doesnt win this cup without him:
-Bolland SCWG
-Bolland laying out Andersson leading to Seabrooks GWG vs DET
-Bolland trucking M.Richards and knocking him out of the series almost

those are all HUGE, series changing, if not ending events
- FourFeathers773

I agree 100 %. He also injured Jagr in the final game. I will miss him. He was huge for us. But, I just think his salary plus injuriies make him the one that will go. I personally would keep him and trade another player

And another backhander at CC ... really?

Congrats on the Win JJ.
See you in the Chicago - Toronto finals next year lol.