Best pumpkin EVER!!
- DarthKane

Thought a death star pumpkin was right up your alley.

I wasn't wondering about where Mac is at..
- Beaver-Warrior

I know that. However, two people in the last 12 hours have floated the idea that Simpson should be brought up to replace Khabby, which isn't a good idea.

I figured I'd just quash the Carruth idea before someone thought it would be a good idea.

I didn't say he was playing better than Raanta, but I did say he has looked solid when in action. As for the idea of calling up Simpson now, the answer is no. He's nowhere near ready for the NHL. Neither is Carruth, in case anyone was wondering.

If it came down to a need to call up Simpson, which would mean that two of Crawford, Khabby & Raanta are injured, I would expect Bowman to go outside the organization and bring in another goalie before calling up Simpson.
- EKolb13

Any idea what Simpson cap hit would be???

I know that. However, two people in the last 12 hours have floated the idea that Simpson should be brought up to replace Khabby, which isn't a good idea.

I figured I'd just quash the Carruth idea before someone thought it would be a good idea.
- EKolb13

Let's see, Simpson is one year removed from the W, and Big Mac is in his first pro season. Yep, they're ready for the big show...

Any idea what Simpson cap hit would be???
- UnnamedSource

Nope. No idea what so ever.

Let's see, Simpson is one year removed from the W, and Big Mac is in his first pro season.
- Beaver-WarriorYep, they're ready for the big show...

Fixed.

Not sure if anyone has posted this, hindsight is 20/20:

Carter Hutton, 4 GP, 3 GS, 2-1-0, .927, 2.42

theres times when i cant stand that guy and other times (when spiegel spews out some garbage) that hes not bad. I think he (Mcneil) is just stuck in his like mid 20's state of mind or however old he was when he was rocking out to zepplin and acdc and he just wont get over the fact that hes an older man now (not that theres anything wrong with that) and he cant be "partying" like he used to. Of course this statement only applies IF there really was some kind of relapse for him. Hope for the best for him, i wouldnt mind speigel going away though, he annoys the piss outta me
- BlazinMike

Again, it was just the impression I got...McNeil was leaving for Wis on last Weds to go musky fishing with his sons and was supposed to be back on Monday..about 10 mins into the show today Spiegel said he wanted to address the gorilla in the room (McNiels absence)..he said it was something personal in Dans life and if he wanted to talk about it when he came back it was up to him..could be something completely different..

Don't underestimate the value of this post.

I will preface this by saying I am in no way excusing Khabi's play , but he has played in three games where the still very suspect Hawk team defense was arguably at its worst. Crawford was the recipient/victim of similar team play in the first game against the Wild.

Too many SOG being allowed by opponents this season is a good indicator that there is a lot of work yet to be done on the defensive part of their game.

If Khabi can be faulted for anything, it is his career long attitudinal tendency to give effort as his teammates give. That can only be resolved by the coaching staff - hence Q's tepid remarks after the game. Khabi is a veteran who still has a desire to win, and likely why Scotty thought him a wise choice.

The road trip will tell the story of Khabi's future with the team.
- Return of the Roar

5th in the league in shots against, with the 2nd best ratio in the league. But yeah, don't let facts get in the way

Fixed.
- EKolb13

Thought about the red font.

I tweeted it last night Montreal front office was well represented at the UC and not the only time in recent weeks,

That said I heard there were other GM's around as well...Not sure why.

Habs don't play Ott for awhile so not sure if there is any smoke.


Toews leads & Hawks win.
What to do about Khabibulin?
Nothing now except play better defense and hope:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/18CkfVh

@AlCimaglia
- Al

When john mentioned it last year, I was excited. But now I don't see how OR why they would make any major trades. I still would really like eller but I don't see the hawks moving any big name player from the roster NOW. Not after 2 Cups.

5th in the league in shots against, with the 2nd best ratio in the league. But yeah, don't let facts get in the way
- rollpards19

Other than last night, they really haven't given up a lot of shots on goal....the pk has been the killer and specifically the face offs while on the PK have been dreadful.....fix the percentage at the dot....the pk will get better.

Not sure if anyone has posted this, hindsight is 20/20:

Carter Hutton, 4 GP, 3 GS, 2-1-0, .927, 2.42
- scottak

Looks nice but its a pretty miniscule sample size. Either way, if the team in front of whichever goalie is in net pulls it all together, there wont be a problem.

When john mentioned it last year, I was excited. But now I don't see how OR why they would make any major trades. I still would really like eller but I don't see the hawks moving any big name player from the roster NOW. Not after 2 Cups.
- tomcat24

If TT is the future 2C..or at least being groomed to be then anyone who fills that role is strictly a temporary fix. No big name roster players will be moved to fill this position and those who play the role now may not be here next year.

Again, it was just the impression I got...McNeil was leaving for Wis on last Weds to go musky fishing with his sons and was supposed to be back on Monday..about 10 mins into the show today Spiegel said he wanted to address the gorilla in the room (McNiels absence)..he said it was something personal in Dans life and if he wanted to talk about it when he came back it was up to him..could be something completely different..
- Glenman12

Hey thanks for the update, really appreciate it

When john mentioned it last year, I was excited. But now I don't see how OR why they would make any major trades. I still would really like eller but I don't see the hawks moving any big name player from the roster NOW. Not after 2 Cups.
- tomcat24

I don't know who fits from Montreal but everyone knows the Hawks have kids in the lineup that may not fit here but are too good for Rockford.

All I can tell you is their head scout has been here at least 2x in the last few weeks...And if the Habs trade it will likely be with the West.

Toews leads & Hawks win.
What to do about Khabibulin?
Nothing now except play better defense and hope:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/18CkfVh

@AlCimaglia

When is the next blog coming? There was no game day one yesterday and no follow up one yet. Just curious

I don't know who fits from Montreal but everyone knows the Hawks have kids in the lineup that may not fit here but are too good for Rockford.

All I can tell you is their head scout has been here at least 2x in the last few weeks...And if the Habs trade it will likely be with the West.

Toews leads & Hawks win.
What to do about Khabibulin?
Nothing now except play better defense and hope:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/18CkfVh

@AlCimaglia
- Al

Hey Al (or anyone who can answer this...),

Was Kostka put on LTIR?

Other than last night, they really haven't given up a lot of shots on goal....the pk has been the killer and specifically the face offs while on the PK have been dreadful.....fix the percentage at the dot....the pk will get better.
- UnnamedSource

They're also getting dreadful goal tending. Team SV% SH is 70%. League average is about 87, so that's a heck of a difference. Eventually the shots from the points that go in right away will start hitting our goalies and the PK will be fine. The team as a whole is still doing a good job of preventing shots. Faceoffs are also a problem, especially on the right side, hopefully Mills can help with that

And if C2 gets hurt?
- Ogilthorpe2

Then we all hold a prayer vigil and talk about that great Stanley Cup season last year

Then we all hold a prayer vigil and talk about that great Stanley Cup season last year
- CaptainBlackhawk

Well played.

Off topic here, but has anyone heard about John Scott's punishment yet? Or are they just going to give him the Milton from Office Space treatment and hope it just works itself out?
- Fooseshark

His punishment is that he has to play in Buffalo for 5 more years.

His punishment is that he has to play in Buffalo for 5 more years.
- DarthKane

That sounds more like it's a punishment to the population of Buffalo.

His punishment is that he has to play in Buffalo for 5 more years.
- DarthKane

Gold...Jerry...That's Gold....

His punishment is that he has to play in Buffalo for 5 more years.
- DarthKane

A worse hit would have gotten him 10 years n Buffalo.