No. Their names are spelled different. Not to mention there is a hue difference in skin color.
- Elbows15

"Hue" - very good.

A couple of things I will add to this discussion.

Hard to argue with Bickell's work without the puck. He destroyed a few guys, including Kronwall. Those types of hits change series, even if it doesn't get noticed by most.

By the same rationale, as well as offensive production, Byfuglien deserved the award in 2010, not to mention playing both defense and wing very well over the course of the playoffs.

We also saw in these playoffs why Sharp and Keith both wear the "A." But there were lots of ballsy performances from many guys.

What will be interesting is to see how these Hawks, after the second Cup and now 3 years older, come back next year.

A lot of these guys have matured into leaders and elite players with a collective killer instinct. Kane took a huge step up in maturity over the last year and really in the LA series when he said screw it, I'm going to fight through the physical stuff and be a factor.

We saw guys like Hjalmarsson and Kruger step up last year.

Kane was a key player especially near the end and got the highlight goals but to me he was not the right candidate as he was not consistent and was nowhere to be found in the first two series. To me that is not behavior worthy of the MVP.

1st choice - Bickell : He was a rock throughout and the was one of the main reason they even made it to the final.

2nd choice - Crawford : Very solid during all the series.

3rd choice - Sharp, Seabrook : Came out and contributed every night. Leaders!

Fourth - Kane : A force in the last two series.

Kane was a key player especially near the end and got the highlight goals but to me he was not the right candidate as he was not consistent and was nowhere to be found in the first two series. To me that is not behavior worthy of the MVP.

1st choice - Bickell : He was a rock throughout and the was one of the main reason they even made it to the final.

2nd choice - Crawford : Very solid during all the series.

3rd choice - Sharp, Seabrook : Came out and contributed every night. Leaders!

Fourth - Kane : A force in the last two series.
- Hawkster

You felt like Seabrook came out and performed every night? Huh.

In a lot of previous years it ws basically a 2-man race for the award. With the winner being way ahead. But with the hawk Cups, there could have been about 4 or 5 good choices this year and at least 6 in 2010. Keith was below standards in the regular season, but really stepped up in the playoffs. Keith really represents what this team is all about. I still vote Crawford, though.

A couple of things I will add to this discussion.

Hard to argue with Bickell's work without the puck. He destroyed a few guys, including Kronwall. Those types of hits change series, even if it doesn't get noticed by most.

By the same rationale, as well as offensive production, Byfuglien deserved the award in 2010, not to mention playing both defense and wing very well over the course of the playoffs.

We also saw in these playoffs why Sharp and Keith both wear the "A." But there were lots of ballsy performances from many guys.

What will be interesting is to see how these Hawks, after the second Cup and now 3 years older, come back next year.

A lot of these guys have matured into leaders and elite players with a collective killer instinct. Kane took a huge step up in maturity over the last year and really in the LA series when he said screw it, I'm going to fight through the physical stuff and be a factor.

We saw guys like Hjalmarsson and Kruger step up last year.
- John Jaeckel

I don't think anyone is arguing how great Bickell was, I think people are saying that others (i.e. Crawford) were just as good, only in a different way. Bickell led the team in hits and was 2nd in goals, 2nd in points, 2nd in +/-, 7th amongst forwards in ice time, 1st in shooting %, led the team in road points and +/-. There's no question Bickell delivered and MVP worthy performance.

But so did Crawford, his GAA of 1.84 is a team playoff record. His save % of 0.932 was stellar. I know you can (and likely will) argue that Crawford numbers are good because of the great team that played in front of him. To some degree you can make the same argument about the talented players Bickell played with. Bickell played well on the third line, but he played a lot better on the first line with Toews and Kane.

What a nice luxury this is, debating over who should have been the Conn Smythe winner.

A couple of things I will add to this discussion.

Hard to argue with Bickell's work without the puck. He destroyed a few guys, including Kronwall. Those types of hits change series, even if it doesn't get noticed by most.

By the same rationale, as well as offensive production, Byfuglien deserved the award in 2010, not to mention playing both defense and wing very well over the course of the playoffs.

We also saw in these playoffs why Sharp and Keith both wear the "A." But there were lots of ballsy performances from many guys.

What will be interesting is to see how these Hawks, after the second Cup and now 3 years older, come back next year.

A lot of these guys have matured into leaders and elite players with a collective killer instinct. Kane took a huge step up in maturity over the last year and really in the LA series when he said screw it, I'm going to fight through the physical stuff and be a factor.

We saw guys like Hjalmarsson and Kruger step up last year.
- John Jaeckel

Keep in mind a lot of the Hawks will be playing in the Olympics......With a short off season for conditioning it will be interesting.

Based on what we know NOW....

1. Bickell---fact the guy played that banged up and was still a force in the Cup final was amazing. Set up the Shaw goal in game 1 with a great check. Overall body of work, hard to argue.

2. Sharp...all he does is SCORE huge goals. They may not have beaten Minnesota if not for Sharp, Bickell, and Crawford.

3. Crawford...he lost the award after game 4, when the overblown glove hand conversation began. He won a lot of games and out dueled every goalie along the way.

4. Kane....he was noticeable, and came on late, but the 3 above him have a better case.

My head may explode with the line shuffling, but I'll bet $$ Piiri is going to be given a very long, hard (hockey porn) look at 2c. He was pimped during the end of the season, and immediately afterwards by the marketing machine. Not saying he's the best fit, but he may have to lose the job to get unseated before training camp ends...
- SteveRain

The look you are speaking of will end once he shows Q he can't play defense and gets knocked of the puck....it's Krugers job until Danault is ready.

Keep in mind a lot of the Hawks will be playing in the Olympics......With a short off season for conditioning it will be interesting.
- UnnamedSource

Yes - aren't some Olympic training camps in about two weeks?

Q (and Stan) are going to have to manage a 23-man roster this year, maybe with a "Rockford Shuffle" at times.

Like to see healthy scratches this year for (certainly) Roszival, Handzus, Hossa, but (also) Toews and Sharp, Seabrook, Keith.

The look you are speaking of will end once he shows Q he can't play defense and gets knocked of the puck....it's Krugers job until Danault is ready.
- UnnamedSource

Could be....Depends on how much they value Shaw at center compared to wing, if you consider/assume Handzus will be 4th line center....

However, Q has his safety net in Handzus at 2c....the key question is, is will he keep the line of Toews-Kane-Bickell together?

I would think Saad has to get top 6 minutes, but where? the only spot is the top line...which brings back the argument of Shaw playing wing with Bickell and Kruger centering them on line 3.

I think the roster for the most part is set, but how Q uses the pieces will be interesting to watch.....When the Hawks are really good, that "3rd line" seems to be a force.....

My head may explode with the line shuffling, but I'll bet $$ Piiri is going to be given a very long, hard (hockey porn) look at 2c. He was pimped during the end of the season, and immediately afterwards by the marketing machine. Not saying he's the best fit, but he may have to lose the job to get unseated before training camp ends...
- SteveRain

Well that's the interesting thing. Stan comes out and immediately pimps Brandon Pirri's tires and then when Q is asked about 2C at the convention he says it's gonna be Brandon Saad's role to lose..... Now perhaps that's simply a shot across Pirri's bow to make him work even harder over the summer. (He's already in Chicago working with fitness Animal Paul Goodman. Hard to imagine working harder than with him.....)

I think Pirri will be given a very good chance. I also think Q will move him in and out of there, with Handzus, Kruger, and, sadly, even Saad getting some time at 2C. While they've won a championship ( actually 2) there's still a fun little disconnect between Q and management that everyone but the Chicago press seems to pick up on.....

Ahh. But we've got fantasy football teams to draft before that happens.....

A couple of things I will add to this discussion.

Hard to argue with Bickell's work without the puck. He destroyed a few guys, including Kronwall. Those types of hits change series, even if it doesn't get noticed by most.

By the same rationale, as well as offensive production, Byfuglien deserved the award in 2010, not to mention playing both defense and wing very well over the course of the playoffs.

We also saw in these playoffs why Sharp and Keith both wear the "A." But there were lots of ballsy performances from many guys.

What will be interesting is to see how these Hawks, after the second Cup and now 3 years older, come back next year.

A lot of these guys have matured into leaders and elite players with a collective killer instinct. Kane took a huge step up in maturity over the last year and really in the LA series when he said screw it, I'm going to fight through the physical stuff and be a factor.

We saw guys like Hjalmarsson and Kruger step up last year.
- John Jaeckel

All good points JJ. I will also add we also saw why Seabrook gets the A in Keith or Sharp's absence. IMO you couldn't really have gotten it wrong giving the Smythe to 5 or 6 guys. Each one was deserving in their own way.

The Hydra that is the Blackhawks centre situation (it's all I could put together quickly):


- DarthKane

Love the photoshop, rough though it may be. If only two more centers would grow out of the roster when one got hurt!

JJ, any perspective on which of the following is/will be tougher on the team:

1. The 48 game schedule in 96 days with multiple long road trips, back to back games

or

2. The short off-season this year having won the cup but only having 1-2 months of training before camp begins

I thought he did. He scored some huge goals and often appeared to be the best player on the ice. That being said, Corey Crawford had a hell of a playoff run and there is no more important position in any sport than goaltender in hockey.

Is he a quality coach or there to blow Q when Kitchen's knees get sore?
- NewToHockey

Hey Mike,

I was waiting for someone to come back with a comment like this.

I set'em up, you knock'em down.

Well, in that case, he sucks. Hello Eli.
- Elbows15

Hello Elbows!

The look you are speaking of will end once he shows Q he can't play defense and gets knocked of the puck....it's Krugers job until Danault is ready.
- UnnamedSource

Or it's Kruger's job until Teravainen is ready. Or it's Shaw's job until someone else can win it. Or it belongs to Handzus? Or it's Saad's job because Q is stubborn, and will keep marching him out there just like he did John Scott on defense.

At any rate, it ought to be interesting to see who breaks camp with that job to start out.

All good points JJ. I will also add we also saw why Seabrook gets the A in Keith or Sharp's absence. IMO you couldn't really have gotten it wrong giving the Smythe to 5 or 6 guys. Each one was deserving in their own way.
- Elbows15

I think Seabs deserves the "A" more than Keith. Keith needs to stop taking stupid retaliatory penalties.

Hey Mike,

I was waiting for someone to come back with a comment like this.

I set'em up, you knock'em down.
- EKolb13

He beat me to the punch.

Kane, Bickell, Crawford all equally deserving in my book. Honorable mentions to Sharp and Keith. Unfortunately for Craw and Bicks, the tie goes to the biggest "Name". Always has, always will.

JJ, any perspective on which of the following is/will be tougher on the team:

1. The 48 game schedule in 96 days with multiple long road trips, back to back games

or

2. The short off-season this year having won the cup but only having 1-2 months of training before camp begins
- Beaks99

I'd say #2. I'm not expecting much early in the season. Hopefully they can pace themselves and have enough in the tank for another late spring run.

Kane, Bickell, Crawford all equally deserving in my book. Honorable mentions to Sharp and Keith. Unfortunately for Craw and Bicks, the tie goes to the biggest "Name". Always has, always will.
- Ogilthorpe2

I still can't get use to you saying positive things about Sharp.

I still can't get use to you saying positive things about Sharp.


- DarthKane

I'm on step 7...making progress every day

I think Seabs deserves the "A" more than Keith. Keith needs to stop taking stupid retaliatory penalties.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed. Keith has a serious RA.