Please bring Anti Raantaa up and give him a game or two just to see. I think he will be better than both Cro and Habby.

First one - sample size. Second one - awful is a wee bit strong, imo; makes you sound like an irrational, reflexive Crow hater, which I don't think you are. That best team in the league has had a few games where they've allowed way too many shots and quality chances. Crow gets a share of the blame on the PP issue, but 'awful' is way over the top I think.
- mohel

Awful is too strong a word probably, but the team's PK SV% is like 20% lower than last year while allowing less shots per 60. He hasn't been good. 5v5 he's been great, but the thing is he's been making some big saves, which is important. I think saying they'd have way more losses is unfair when his SV% is pretty average. Sample size point, totally agree, because his SV% on the PK is way too low and unsustainable, and he will undoubtedly get better.

Unrelated, go Red Sox, been a good year for a Hawks/ Red Sox fan

I believe Canada views DUIs as attempted murder.
- faustus1500

True story and they pretty much are.

Five pages into a blog about Khabby and nobody has posted a picture of his daughter yet? You guys are slipping.

Five pages into a blog about Khabby and nobody has posted a picture of his daughter yet? You guys are slipping.
- Dieselhead

Don't know about Khabby's daughter....but lately...he's been the Mother of All SOFTIES....switching gears...here's an Avs' beat writer chiming in on Varlamov

http://blogs.denverpost.c...efore-and-survived/15397/

He has a .916 save %. Nothing special. He's been AWFUL on the PK. He plays behind the best team in the league, he's a good goalie, wins very few games for them. It drives me crazy that everyone says the Hawks can't finish but any time Crawford makes a couple saves its a goalie win
- rollpards19

Maybe just maybe, Chicago should've sent a scout to see him in that role last year in Edmonton. Yes we sucked, but so did Bulin. Giving him anything more than league min was absolutely stupid.
- Lahey

I've looked up the numbers.

Last year Khabby was a part-time tender, playing 12 games

2.54 GA
.923 save %
1 shutout

For a club as awful as last years Oilers, those numbers look rather respectable.

I'm not defending Khabby, just pointing out the numbers.

Awful is too strong a word probably, but the team's PK SV% is like 20% lower than last year while allowing less shots per 60. He hasn't been good. 5v5 he's been great, but the thing is he's been making some big saves, which is important. I think saying they'd have way more losses is unfair when his SV% is pretty average. Sample size point, totally agree, because his SV% on the PK is way too low and unsustainable, and he will undoubtedly get better.

Unrelated, go Red Sox, been a good year for a Hawks/ Red Sox fan
- rollpards19

For the first 9 games, I think Crawford was First Star for this team - the most consistent readon they started 6-1-2. Only one game (the openner) he allowed more than 3 goals.

Five of the PK goals were right after clean FO losses in their zone - win some face-offs, kill some penalties. Same comment about missing Frolik so much.

A topic i have touched on more than a few times the past few months. The San Jose Sharks and their transformation. Having watched the Hawks gas them physically for the past 4 to 5 years, it has been obvious, especially the last season and a half to watch Doug wilson intelligently remake his team in a model and style akin to Chicago Blackhawk Hockey.

This has been one of my relevant talking points in looking at where we are as a team as it relates to desire/necessity to count on Handzus.

See the article from NHL.com

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=689264&navid=DL|SJS|home

Consider this when getting nostalgic about Zus and chasing Ryan Clowe's etc...

I watched a good bit of last nights game, and they look like the Hawks on the forecheck and cycle.

Just thought I would throw out this nugget on a slow day. It is a fast explosive league, if you play otherwise you get run over or left on the side of the highway.

A topic i have touched on more than a few times the past few months. The San Jose Sharks and their transformation. Having watched the Hawks gas them physically for the past 4 to 5 years, it has been obvious, especially the last season and a half to watch Doug wilson intelligently remake his team in a model and style akin to Chicago Blackhawk Hockey.

This has been one of my relevant talking points in looking at where we are as a team as it relates to desire/necessity to count on Handzus.

See the article from NHL.com

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=689264&navid=DL|SJS|home

Consider this when getting nostalgic about Zus and chasing Ryan Clowe's etc...

I watched a good bit of last nights game, and they look like the Hawks on the forecheck and cycle.

Just thought I would throw out this nugget on a slow day. It is a fast explosive league, if you play otherwise you get run over or left on the side of the highway.
- TrueGrit

Yeah. The Sharks are the darling of the NHL right now. But I've been on this train before. There were a couple of times where I thought the Sharks were the darling of the NHL. ( 2012 for example.) I still don't trust that D. There are several first pair D I'd take before I got to Dan Boyle- Marc Edourd Vlasic. I think Niemi is fine. And they simply lucked into moving Burns to forward. That was a desperate move at the time and now it looks like genius. Of course, the same could be said about moving Byfuglien to forward too

They're simply going to have to prove it to me. I think they're a really good team, but Come may, I think they turtle again....

But spot on about being nostolgic about Handzus, etc.

BUM


- philco28

What's worse is you haven't seen the Bulin that goes off and on the IR for random old man injuries.

What's worse is you haven't seen the Bulin that goes off and on the IR for random old man injuries.
- Lahey

At this point we are hoping that is exactly what happens and he stays there for the rest of the season.

At this point we are hoping that is exactly what happens and he stays there for the rest of the season.
- rtang415

But hat never happens.

Yeah. The Sharks are the darling of the NHL right now. But I've been on this train before. There were a couple of times where I thought the Sharks were the darling of the NHL. ( 2012 for example.) I still don't trust that D. There are several first pair D I'd take before I got to Dan Boyle- Marc Edourd Vlasic. I think Niemi is fine. And they simply lucked into moving Burns to forward. That was a desperate move at the time and now it looks like genius. Of course, the same could be said about moving Byfuglien to forward too

They're simply going to have to prove it to me. I think they're a really good team, but Come may, I think they turtle again....

But spot on about being nostolgic about Handzus, etc.
- yahoodi

And I am not crowning them anything, but imitation is the greatest form of flattery. And there is no doubt who the Sharks role models are.

I know teams need balance and do not discount all of the rumblings here for grit/size etc...but if you are unable to move or have any skill, then its a waste of time. The wings still do not employ an enforcer. Yes they have some guys who have size and skill, but in the end, you can't hit what you can't catch. More so than any other years for Sharks, this team is finally built and managed to win in the modern league.

Yes they definitely can use a few high end demen, but trend is in the right direction.

A topic i have touched on more than a few times the past few months. The San Jose Sharks and their transformation. Having watched the Hawks gas them physically for the past 4 to 5 years, it has been obvious, especially the last season and a half to watch Doug wilson intelligently remake his team in a model and style akin to Chicago Blackhawk Hockey.

This has been one of my relevant talking points in looking at where we are as a team as it relates to desire/necessity to count on Handzus.

See the article from NHL.com

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=689264&navid=DL|SJS|home

Consider this when getting nostalgic about Zus and chasing Ryan Clowe's etc...

I watched a good bit of last nights game, and they look like the Hawks on the forecheck and cycle.

Just thought I would throw out this nugget on a slow day. It is a fast explosive league, if you play otherwise you get run over or left on the side of the highway.
- TrueGrit

You can get away with a couple of slower players in the lineup. San Jose still have more than the Hawks.

But hat never happens.
- Lahey

You can rest assured that if he goes on it with the Hawks he ain't coming off it. If you know what I mean.

You can get away with a couple of slower players in the lineup. San Jose still have more than the Hawks.
- paulr

A few roster spots don't matter at all? Zus as 4C, and guy to take some draws or occasionally match up with opposing big center. Fine. very limited. 2C running up and down the ice in the modern game, that is unwise.

>Right you are
>But those grand slams were hit by players not projected to hit them
- SnapitUpstairs

They were also hit by players not signed/drafted by Bowman

LOL on the CC bashing. He's by far the most consistent player on the team. His numbers don't reflect unstoppable shots, stupid turnovers and a slew of lost PK FO's in their own end. They clearly believe they can't run the old PK scheme with the personnel on hand. They should have kept Fro, but the poor PK performance is inexcusable. Lost FOs + collapsing on the net, screening the goalie while failing to block = disaster.

Come on, you guys know better.

A few roster spots don't matter at all? Zus as 4C, and guy to take some draws or occasionally match up with opposing big center. Fine. very limited. 2C running up and down the ice in the modern game, that is unwise.
- TrueGrit

Explain Joe Thornton?

Tobias Enstrom (Jets) has said no to playing for Team Sweden in the Olympics, he wants to focus on playing for Winnipeg.

Enstrom is a guy I thought would have made Team Sweden for sure. But this move increases the chance for Hjalmarsson and Oduya to make the team. I always thought Hammer would make it, but Oduya was on the cusp. Sweden may want to being this tandem just as Canada is looking at Keith and Seabrook.

I've looked up the numbers.

Last year Khabby was a part-time tender, playing 12 games

2.54 GA
.923 save %
1 shutout

For a club as awful as last years Oilers, those numbers look rather respectable.

I'm not defending Khabby, just pointing out the numbers.
- ArlingtonRob

Yes....As I've tried to point out Bowman wanted Khabby, there was a plan. That said Father Time waits for no one but there are reasons to believe nothing changes for awhile.


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

@AlCimaglia

A few roster spots don't matter at all? Zus as 4C, and guy to take some draws or occasionally match up with opposing big center. Fine. very limited. 2C running up and down the ice in the modern game, that is unwise.
- TrueGrit

Zus also provides a big man net presence, if he can get their in time and setup. We are also seeing him on the pk which has been indifferent. It really doesn't matter what he does, Q likes him.

Explain Joe Thornton?
- paulr

Big, slow, only physical with smaller opponents, and a shark.

A whale shark?

Yes....As I've tried to point out Bowman wanted Khabby, there was a plan. That said Father Time waits for no one but there are reasons to believe nothing changes for awhile.


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

not sure what the train of thought was- i complained about it and was told by the brainiacs Khabby was the best available. ofc, which i begged to differ. At that time, i thought Khabby could play still, but was more concerned about the 2mil cap hit and his propensity to get hurt.
Also, i am not sure what the plan is with our dmen in Rockford, it kind of looks like we are set for a few years.