I feel it too sir , i just hope so no major injuries .....
- mrpaulish

Yeah a Major injury I think would be the only thing stopping us, especially to either Toews, Kane, Keith, or maybe even Crawford. Or a few different players. I really like our depth now, though. I think we can overcome some injuries

Yeah a Major injury I think would be the only thing stopping us, especially to either Toews, Kane, Keith, or maybe even Crawford. Or a few different players. I really like our depth now, though. I think we can overcome some injuries
- tomcat24

Or chronic injuries that continue and get worse: Hossa's back, Toews' head, Sharp's shoulder....

68 is who gave me nightmares, which made this past year all the more special. Phucking Jagr
- Ogilthorpe2

A measure of revenge was SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

A measure of revenge was SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET


- philco28

...and a dish best served cold. (Old Klingon proverb)

20 years cold.

Something to watch and concerning is Hossa's back. Fact he hasn't skated much should send off alarms everywhere. A bulging disk in his back, and why the Hawks and Hossa didn't elect for surgery is asinine. Very similar to Bolland in 2009-10 when he didn't elect to have it after the 2009 season, and then was shut down in November and lost until the spring.

Hossa is older, and already feeling discomfort. Not good at all.

Something to watch and concerning is Hossa's back. Fact he hasn't skated much should send off alarms everywhere. A bulging disk in his back, and why the Hawks and Hossa didn't elect for surgery is asinine. Very similar to Bolland in 2009-10 when he didn't elect to have it after the 2009 season, and then was shut down in November and lost until the spring.

Hossa is older, and already feeling discomfort. Not good at all.
- SteveRain

Knowing that the neurosurgeons at Northwestern are the ones who pioneered and perfected modern discectomy surgery, and that they are the affiliated staff with the team, do not think for one second that their expertise in whether the procedure is advisable or not came into play.

I suspect the decision was at least in part based upon the likelihood of a successful outcome from surgery versus more conservative treatment protocols. The 1/3 successful, 1/3 little to no change, 1/3 worse outcome formula for back surgery still generally applies. See: Dave Bolland

Something to watch and concerning is Hossa's back. Fact he hasn't skated much should send off alarms everywhere. A bulging disk in his back, and why the Hawks and Hossa didn't elect for surgery is asinine. Very similar to Bolland in 2009-10 when he didn't elect to have it after the 2009 season, and then was shut down in November and lost until the spring.

Hossa is older, and already feeling discomfort. Not good at all.
- SteveRain

If be all for letting Hossa sit for 2-3 months if it was needed and helped him in long run. That would give an opportunity for all of Morin, Hayes, Smith and Nordstrom to stay in Chicago.

Knowing that the neurosurgeons at Northwestern are the ones who pioneered and perfected modern discectomy surgery, and that they are the affiliated staff with the team, do not think for one second that their expertise in whether the procedure is advisable or not came into play.

I suspect the decision was at least in part based upon the likelihood of a successful outcome from surgery versus more conservative treatment protocols. The 1/3 successful, 1/3 little to no change, 1/3 worse outcome formula for back surgery still generally applies. See: Dave Bolland
- Return of the Roar

This.

I'm no doctor or medical expert, but the 30 years that my dad dealt with a couple of slipped discs in his lower back and the recommendation that surgery would probably make it worse is why he chose not to have surgery.

My wife is in healthcare administration. I hear about the 1/3 successful, 1/3 little to no change, 1/3 worse outcome formula regularly.

If be all for letting Hossa sit for 2-3 months if it was needed and helped him in long run. That would give an opportunity for all of Morin, Hayes, Smith and Nordstrom to stay in Chicago.
- DarthKane

This doesn't make the Hawks better.

This.

I'm no doctor or medical expert, but the 30 years that my dad dealt with a couple of slipped discs in his lower back and the recommendation that surgery would probably make it worse is why he chose not to have surgery.

My wife is in healthcare administration. I hear about the 1/3 successful, 1/3 little to no change, 1/3 worse outcome formula regularly.
- EKolb13

Interesting study - not exactly comparable as it is NFL versus NHL, but 26% of all discectomies resulted in the players not ever returning to play, and for the 74% who did, the average length of career post surgery was three years.

http://www.scholars.north...&id=77957282705&u_id=1037

...and a dish best served cold. (Old Klingon proverb)

20 years cold.
- EKolb13

I thought Don Corleone said that.

If be all for letting Hossa sit for 2-3 months if it was needed and helped him in long run. That would give an opportunity for all of Morin, Hayes, Smith and Nordstrom to stay in Chicago.
- DarthKane

Preaching to the choir on this. I've a six pack saying we won't see Big Hoss till American Turkey day.

This doesn't make the Hawks better.
- EKolb13

Neither does forcing Hossa to play if he's not ready and risking further long term health issues. There would be short-term pain with sitting Hossa, but you do it for the long term gain.

Knowing that the neurosurgeons at Northwestern are the ones who pioneered and perfected modern discectomy surgery, and that they are the affiliated staff with the team, do not think for one second that their expertise in whether the procedure is advisable or not came into play.

I suspect the decision was at least in part based upon the likelihood of a successful outcome from surgery versus more conservative treatment protocols. The 1/3 successful, 1/3 little to no change, 1/3 worse outcome formula for back surgery still generally applies. See: Dave Bolland
- Return of the Roar

Understood...but a little over 2 months later, and he's obviously in some severe pain, as he's staying off the ice. Now, if he's having issues feeling his leg, with the disk hitting his nerve, that could be lingering issue.

With age, comes nagging injuries, and slow to heal....There is no point rushing Hossa back if his back is bothering him.

...and a dish best served cold. (Old Klingon proverb)

20 years cold.
- EKolb13

Gotta love those Klingons....on Star Trek i mean

Or chronic injuries that continue and get worse: Hossa's back, Toews' head, Sharp's shoulder....
- StLBravesFan

Yes, this. Most seem to forget our captain could be one bad hit away from being Karl in Slingblade.

Understood...but a little over 2 months later, and he's obviously in some severe pain, as he's staying off the ice. Now, if he's having issues feeling his leg, with the disk hitting his nerve, that could be lingering issue.

With age, comes nagging injuries, and slow to heal....There is no point rushing Hossa back if his back is bothering him.
- SteveRain

I once phucked my back up in the warm up before a floor hockey game and proceeded to run around for the next hour on a rock hard gym floor. MASSIVE MISTAKE. I could barely walk for the next month and it took several more months before the problem healed properly.

Kudos to Hoss for playing hurt last year. His presence in the lineup was a huge boost. But 'playing hurt' is a FOOL'S GAME.

Gotta love those Klingons....on Star Trek i mean
- philco28

No.

Neither does forcing Hossa to play if he's not ready and risking further long term health issues. There would be short-term pain with sitting Hossa, but you do it for the long term gain.
- DarthKane

This very well may be the case...Hawks are have been relatively quiet about it. Hossa hasn't played in a single preseason game. Hell, he's barely skated. So how is he ready for game speed, or confident he can take a pounding on that back...let alone, skating puts tremendous pressure on the lower back......

Very well could be the reason Q raised the white flag on the whole Saad at center experiment....They'll need to him to produce at the highest level with Hossa out.

I'm also very curious as to why they are hell bent on carrying 8 defensemen. Gotta think Rozsival may not be all that healthy, and we all see the train wreck that IS THE Sheldon Brookbank.

I thought Don Corleone said that.
- Beaver-Warrior

I know, but I prefer the Star Trek version.

I once phucked my back up in the warm up before a floor hockey game and proceeded to run around for the next hour on a rock hard gym floor. MASSIVE MISTAKE. I could barely walk for the next month and it took several more months before the problem healed properly.

Kudos to Hoss for playing hurt last year. His presence in the lineup was a huge boost. But 'playing hurt' is a FOOL'S GAME.
- philco28

Agreed....and that's why he needs to rest and not be rushed. This isn't 2011 where they have skeleton team with massive amounts of unknowns. Other guys should be able to pick up HOssa's slack and let him sit out until Thanksgiving or even Christmas....He may not be any better by then....but he certainly won't be any worse.

No.
- DarthKane

Oh c'mon. We stroke your Star Wars ego all the time. A one off Star Trek reference here and there shouldn't hurt.

Yes, this. Most seem to forget --insert player's name here-- could be one bad hit away from being Karl in Slingblade.
- MartiniMan

Fixed.

Also, is it movie reference day?

No.
- DarthKane

Ok..how about the Stage 5 Clinger's in Wedding Crashers ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14ZO1b3T6jo

This very well may be the case...Hawks are have been relatively quiet about it. Hossa hasn't played in a single preseason game. Hell, he's barely skated. So how is he ready for game speed, or confident he can take a pounding on that back...let alone, skating puts tremendous pressure on the lower back......

Very well could be the reason Q raised the white flag on the whole Saad at center experiment....They'll need to him to produce at the highest level with Hossa out.

I'm also very curious as to why they are hell bent on carrying 8 defensemen. Gotta think Rozsival may not be all that healthy, and we all see the train wreck that IS THE Sheldon Brookbank.
- SteveRain

My guess is that they don't want to risk losing Kostka on waivers.