Chico Maki was horse crap ...the most over rated Hawk " legend"...Guys like Chet koppick and Dan McNeil and possibly you were five or seven when he played and don't remember how oh so ordinary he was...his only talent was getting the girls the other guys weren't willing to do.
honestly Dave Bolland is a better hockey player.

And granted Dennis COULD SHOOT THE puck and when motivated actually play a good all around game, but he was most a floater, with his chief contribution as a funny event host speaker.

You are in over your head if want to debate this one with me.

He is only six year older than I am, so my memories are of the real results or lack thereof, not the rah rah rah stuff.
- wiz1901

While I disagree somewhat with you about Maki (and I was much older than 7 when I saw him), you are not wrong about Dennis.

I used to see him when he was with the St. Louis Braves for half of a season - he was the successor to a hard-shooting high-scoring forward named Alain Caron in being most likely to trip over the blue line.

Chico Maki was horse crap ...the most over rated Hawk " legend"...Guys like Chet koppick and Dan McNeil and possibly you were five or seven when he played and don't remember how oh so ordinary he was...his only talent was getting the girls the other guys weren't willing to do.
honestly Dave Bolland is a better hockey player.

And granted Dennis COULD SHOOT THE puck and when motivated actually play a good all around game, but he was most a floater, with his chief contribution as a funny event host speaker.

You are in over your head if want to debate this one with me.

He is only six year older than I am, so my memories are of the real results or lack thereof, not the rah rah rah stuff.
- wiz1901

If D. Hull was simply "a floater"...he sure could produce (aprox. 600 points in 11 full seasons).

I guess some guys are still kickin' him for not being Bobby.

I wish Stalberg "floated" as well as D. Hull while with the Hawks...if he had he'd still be here.

I'm worried. I like Nordstrom's talent and game sense (from what I've heard) but his weight does worry me. The more I think of it the more I'm wondering if it's better to send Nordstrom to Rockford for a bit of conditioning.
- DarthKane

I was for trading Kruger before last season for the same reason. There is a fine art to almost getting creamed along the boards and Kruger learned it last year. The year before he got lit up several times, but last year every big hit seemed to just miss. Has Nordstrom learned that lesson? Shaw knew it before he reached the NHL.

Q has said more than once that he isn't necessarily looking for the most talented players to keep. He is looking to fill roles and a big one is Frolik's PK role. I think if you see Nordstrom out as Kruger's partner first off on all PKs tomorrow, you have your answer on who made one of the spots.

You sure about that? Did you stand next to Nordstrom while he was on the scale?

Maybe I have a hard time buying that he's gained 20 lbs of muscle since the spring. Then, he was kind of a wiry kid. He still kind of looks like that now.

In all, I have no problem if Q wants to keep him over Morin & Pirri. It might be for the better. The kid can play center and looks like the defensive side of his game is there. Ultimately, I'd like to see him get more time in the "A," but if Q thinks he's ready, then I guess he belongs in the show.
- EKolb13

You just want more autograph opportunities before he becomes famous, Mr. IceHogs Season Ticket Holder.

I like these lines but I'm a bit surprised that Morin, Pirri and Hayes are all on the 5th line. Also, I know Nordstrom is a feel-good story if he makes the team, but I have concerns on how he'd hold up over an 82 game season plus the playoffs. He's 6'1" and 160 lbs and the most he's played in a regular season (in Sweden) was 47 games (plus 10 in the playoffs). I'm not doubting the kid's skill, but maybe a year in Rockford would help him acclimate to the rigors of a professional hockey schedule in North America.

Bickell-Toews-Kane,
Sharp-Handzus-Hossa,
Saad-Shaw-Smith,
Bollig-Kruger-Nordstrom.
5th line: Morin-Pirri-Hayes
- DarthKane

He has the body of a taught, pre teen swedish boy!

He has the body of a taught, pre teen swedish boy!
- TrueGrit

I've heard the educational system in Sweden is quite good.

No doubt about that, especially in the regular season. And it is too bad about Bolland's injuries and how they have hurt his playing career. I still hope he comes back to work for the Hawks in some capacity
- tomcat24

Always loved Bolland. Hawks will miss him, as others have said, especially in the playoffs. Wish him the best, hope he helps the Leafs to the finals only to lose to Hawks.

He has the body of a taught, pre teen swedish boy!
- TrueGrit

I miss Kramer!

Always loved Bolland. Hawks will miss him, as others have said, especially in the playoffs. Wish him the best, hope he helps the Leafs to the finals only to lose to Hawks.
- vabeachbear

That would be great hate to see Toews face Bolland, though. If Zetterberg got him off his game, I would hate to see what The Rat would do. Toews would prevail in the end, though.

I miss Kramer!
- vabeachbear

I miss them all. One of the best shows ever

I miss them all. One of the best shows ever
- tomcat24

Honestly I had to look up who "Kramer" was. Never enjoyed the work of Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David. All told, watched maybe at most one episode of Seinfeld.

I miss Kramer!
- vabeachbear

I miss Oz.

Honestly I had to look up who "Kramer" was. Never enjoyed the work of Jerry Seinfeld or Larry David. All told, watched maybe at most one episode of Seinfeld.
- Beaver-Warrior

Don't like "me too" posts, but I agree 100%.

The most overrated comedy - until Big Bang Theory.

Panthers sign Brad Boyes (1 year at $1 million) and Tom Gilbert.

I miss Oz.
- DarthKane

Oz was great. Too bad one of the best characters is now doing those mayhem commercials I miss Deadwood.

Oz was great. Too bad one of the best characters is now doing those mayhem commercials I miss Deadwood.
- tomcat24

Ya, Ryan O'Reilly was by far the best character on the show. I heard the actor got really sick and they impacting his career.

As per some of the beat writers on Twitter the Blackhawks have recalled Antti Raanta. Not sure why

Hawks have recalled Raanta - for tonite's game only?

Lines at practice:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Smith
Saad - Shaw - Hayes
Bollig - Pirri - Nordstrom

No Handzus, Hossa or Morin.

Hawks have recalled Raanta - for tonite's game only?
- StLBravesFan

It looks like Khabibulin is getting the start but it should have been Crawford's. Crawford is practicing today, maybe Q decided to give him the night off.

Hawks have recalled Raanta - for tonite's game only?
- StLBravesFan

Khabibulin (sp?) hung over?

It looks like Khabibulin is getting the start but it should have been Crawford's. Crawford is practicing today, maybe Q decided to give him the night off.
- DarthKane

Haven't played since Tuesday - won't play again until Tuesday - nite off?

Haven't played since Tuesday - won't play again until Tuesday - nite off?
- StLBravesFan

I know, I know. I'm reaching here, just hoping Crawford isn't hurt.

Oz was great. Too bad one of the best characters is now doing those mayhem commercials I miss Deadwood.
- tomcat24

Deadwood wasn't bad. I thought it ran out of steam towards the end IMO and those who doubt me sux kock willingly!

I know, I know. I'm reaching here, just hoping Crawford isn't hurt.


- DarthKane

Seems not - Kuc reporting he is on the ice with Bulin.