A few observations from attending the game:

1) If Khabby is our biggest worry this team will be just fine. This organization will figure out the backup goaltending situation.

2) Morin, Saad and some of the young kids certainly are making it known that they belong.

3) Defense. Need to shore up the key strength of this team.

All in all.. very happy with the start to this season.

....And at this point I don't know how much Khabby listens to a goalie coach. He could turn it around and if not Bowman is wearing this one.
- Al

Al: If backup goalie is this teams biggest concern they're going to win a LOT of games this year.

This organization will figure it out if Khabby isn't the answer...

I wasn't a fan of this signing. Didn't even think of him at all. Bowman has had some bad signings. Some good ones, too.
- tomcat24

Bowman targeted Khabby and we will see...

Al: If backup goalie is this teams biggest concern they're going to win a LOT of games this year.

This organization will figure it out if Khabby isn't the answer...
- CaptainBlackhawk

Long schedule this year and a solid back up is needed. Right now it is too early to say either way but there aren't any options for awhile.

A few observations from attending the game:

1) If Khabby is our biggest worry this team will be just fine. This organization will figure out the backup goaltending situation.

2) Morin, Saad and some of the young kids certainly are making it known that they belong.

3) Defense. Need to shore up the key strength of this team.

All in all.. very happy with the start to this season.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I need more optimist supporters like you! I think the thing lacking in team D is forwards are dropping off their men sometimes, even Toews and Hossa both have which has led to goals

Bowman targeted Khabby and we will see...
- Al

Well the guy is a proven vet. Was pretty good here, especially the 2008-2009 season and I guess was pretty popular with his teammates. But over the last 3 years he had a lot of injuries and poor play. I guess he is banking on that being with a bad oiler team.

He either plays 2C or he goes down. The bottom lines are set imo. Juggling that creates more nonsense.

Pirri is a smart player, he will figure out the defensive side of the puck. His size does not help him, but still can be real effective. To hyperbolize about his mistakes as glaring and costly at this point is askew. Granted he has more at stake, but there are plenty of blunders being made by others. If one were honest, he makes no more bad plays than half the other forwards each night. I know he is the one auditioning, but so far has not cost the team a goal.
- TrueGrit

Ding ding ding. See this Pirri coming and going is not so confusing or so messed up like O'Bama Care.

I need more optimist supporters like you! I think the thing lacking in team D is forwards are dropping off their men sometimes, even Toews and Hossa both have which has led to goals
- rollpards19

We know and trust everyone will be trying their darned best to be responsible come the final playoff round(s). Most know what to do; they just need to care enough, be motivated enough NOT SO during regular season. A full 60 minute effort by all? Right. How often does that happen? But it is the same approach for the most part with each team. So they play how they will, it is what it is. As fans we can still enjoy a great game, albeit just not as good possible during the regular season.

I like to think that young kids hungry to make a statement would strive to succeed on the ice and therefore make big dollars. I always like a few prospects pushing hard for a job. Thing is, superstar and top players get a pass on playing two way hockey most of the time. When Kane and Sharp check and go to dangerous areas someone like Brendan Smith, Red Wings, says that's cool last playoffs. Hockey is a demanding physical sport and players who will play a physical style,and who will give great effort defensively all the time....just aren't a lot during regular season.

I see that you were going in a sort of different direction with your comment. But this is what I thougt of when you made the remarks.

Pulford used to say players show up and play hard something like 40 or 50 times in their shorter seasons back in the day. I think this was said previous to his Chicago reign.

Anyway I will borrow an expression heard lately but in a different vernacular or fashion: that's hockey baby!

TT update: After one game without a point Teuvo had 1+1 yesterday when his team Jokerit won 4-1. Teuvo was second star of that game and is really finding his game as a center.

TT update: After one game without a point Teuvo had 1+1 yesterday when his team Jokerit won 4-1. Teuvo was second star of that game and is really finding his game as a center.
- MjulQvist

Definitely good news!

Definitely good news!

- HawkintheD

Good news.

Yeah, well that is only half the story. Consider: his linemattes; the five skaters he is usually playing with and the caliber of five players the opponent puts out against him; and so many other factors at least I do not know.

How about, does he have skill players helping him get those points? On powerplay? Is the opponent applying any strategy, such as intimidation? How good are teams he scores against lately? What type of goals, from where on ice ?

Want to get a clear picture. Helpful to have more information. TT is not player I expect to come help Chg late this season. He probably is going to be a top six forward here.....eventually.

Beside the obvious most talked about Icehogs, again not until next season earliest want to try to gauge how younger Broadhurst fits in. Only so many jobs on forward lines open. You have a Mills sort on fourth so a Broadhurst brings us ( fill in the blank) as compared to Morin or someone else and they give us (fill in blank) on third line? Or will Shaw become the third line RW if TT were a top six? What is the upside for Ross? Hartman and Nordstrom, Dannault and McNeil as center or wingers?

I think we learn the answers when they get here and have earned a shot by playing well in AHL and in spot fling(s) in Chg. remember they would take someone else job when they are ready.

I must have misremembered the Bulin Wall. His only good year in Chicago was his last year. I know the team struggled his first three years in Chicago but I seem to remember he was part of those struggles.

Long schedule this year and a solid back up is needed. Right now it is too early to say either way but there aren't any options for awhile.
- Al

Wish they could swing the cap hit numbers somehow to bring up Raanta, he has GOT to be an improvement over Khabibulin.

I'm pleased with how the bottom six has played the past two games.

I was very skeptical about Mills, but he's been efficient and responsible. That fourth line saw a lot of ice last night and did not look out of place.

Hard to say how this third line will shake out. It seems wrong to keep a newly-signed $4MM player on the third, but with the way Saad's playing, there's good argument for demoting him. Concerning Morin, he's been hit or miss. He looked like he slept through the first half the game, which led to Q double shifting Kane with the 3rd in his place. He did seem to get the message and had a very solid third period, though.

Of all the Rockford options for the lower lines, he's my favorite so far. That release of his shot is real nasty, borderline elite. That's a real luxury to have in the bottom six.

Wish they could swing the cap hit numbers somehow to bring up Raanta, he has GOT to be an improvement over Khabibulin.
- Murph76

If they send K down (which I'm not sure is possible, let alone probable), they save $900,000 on his cap hit.

Raanta gets brought up at his $925,000 cap hit.

A wash.

IF you can, and do, send K down.

If they send K down (which I'm not sure is possible, let alone probable), they save $900,000 on his cap hit.

Raanta gets brought up at his $925,000 cap hit.

A wash.

IF you can, and do, send K down.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed, I saw enough of Khabi while at the Lightning game last week. Just hope Q sees that he is washed up as well.

Good news.

Yeah, well that is only half the story. Consider: his linemattes; the five skaters he is usually playing with and the caliber of five players the opponent puts out against him; and so many other factors at least I do not know.

How about, does he have skill players helping him get those points? On powerplay? Is the opponent applying any strategy, such as intimidation? How good are teams he scores against lately? What type of goals, from where on ice ?

Want to get a clear picture. Helpful to have more information. TT is not player I expect to come help Chg late this season. He probably is going to be a top six forward here.....eventually.

Beside the obvious most talked about Icehogs, again not until next season earliest want to try to gauge how younger Broadhurst fits in. Only so many jobs on forward lines open. You have a Mills sort on fourth so a Broadhurst brings us ( fill in the blank) as compared to Morin or someone else and they give us (fill in blank) on third line? Or will Shaw become the third line RW if TT were a top six? What is the upside for Ross? Hartman and Nordstrom, Dannault and McNeil as center or wingers?

I think we learn the answers when they get here and have earned a shot by playing well in AHL and in spot fling(s) in Chg. remember they would take someone else job when they are ready.
- jhawk59

Well yes, all things to consider. Was merely commenting it's good news as opposed to "Teuvo looks lost"..."He's a boy playing among men"...you know, that kind of report.

Early word around here seems he has a spot on the team next year and might be his to lose. Good news > Bad news...in my world anyway. A lot can happen between now and then so yes we'll see.

Agreed, I saw enough of Khabi while at the Lightning game last week. Just hope Q sees that he is washed up as well.
- Murph76

This becomes a bit of a "Devil you know..." argument. I certainly have seen enough of Khabibulin to know he's not a particularly attractive option.

The alternative is also a sizable question mark, however. It's not a particularly good situation.

Agreed, I saw enough of Khabi while at the Lightning game last week. Just hope Q sees that he is washed up as well.
- Murph76

I don't think they should do it now.

Raanta needs North American experience at a Rockford. He played well Sunday, but I heard he wasn't as good the previous game or two. Don't want to bring him up and have him implied. But then - I'm more cautious about wanting to bring inexperienced players up than many are.

K also deserves another chance or two. Not sure why, but it seems that he should.

I don't think they should do it now.

Raanta needs North American experience at a Rockford. He played well Sunday, but I heard he wasn't as good the previous game or two. Don't want to bring him up and have him implied. But then - I'm more cautious about wanting to bring inexperienced players up than many are.

K also deserves another chance or two. Not sure why, but it seems that he should.
- StLBravesFan

But then the question becomes, if we can pretty much count on Khabi to give up 4 goals a game like he has so far (WAY too much)...at what point do we say "enough" and give Raanta a shot? I know we need to give CC a break every now and then, but come on!

I don't think they should do it now.

Raanta needs North American experience at a Rockford. He played well Sunday, but I heard he wasn't as good the previous game or two. Don't want to bring him up and have him implied. But then - I'm more cautious about wanting to bring inexperienced players up than many are.

K also deserves another chance or two. Not sure why, but it seems that he should.
- StLBravesFan

How about against a team which has issues shooting the puck at the net?

If they send K down (which I'm not sure is possible, let alone probable), they save $900,000 on his cap hit.

Raanta gets brought up at his $925,000 cap hit.

A wash.

IF you can, and do, send K down.
- StLBravesFan

But we might risk losing Khabibulin on waivers!!!

But we might risk losing Khabibulin on waivers!!!
- DarthKane

Is that a bad thing?

Is that a bad thing?
- EKolb13

Maybe Edmonton would take him back, they seem to be really struggling. Or maybe Buffalo really wants the #1 overall draft pick, Khabby could help them out.

I don't think they should do it now.

Raanta needs North American experience at a Rockford. He played well Sunday, but I heard he wasn't as good the previous game or two. Don't want to bring him up and have him implied. But then - I'm more cautious about wanting to bring inexperienced players up than many are.

K also deserves another chance or two. Not sure why, but it seems that he should.
- StLBravesFan

Saturday's game against Charlotte Raanta got caught a half dozen times out of the blue paint at inopportune times either behind the net or coming out to challenge a player/shot. Perhaps it's just him adjusting to the smaller ice surface and doesn't quite realize just how quick the opposition can come rushing in? Otherwise, he's seeing plenty of shots and making big saves. Overall, he looks like a pretty steady goaltender to me.