he was supposed to be good with teaching the younger kids (Kadri)..I don't know though..I don't think everyone is buying into his system, although this team has had 4 coaches in 5 years, which is ridiculous IMO..they need structure..oh..and get rid of Lowe..
- yakattack

Lowe and Gillis belong in the Pulford hall of fame.

If Eakins hates Yakupov he should have kept playing him - let him get his points and then let Mac move him for real value back. Just to prove a point to his other players he has hurt his trade value. So far, Eakin's fitness regimen and other changes have meant squat. A shame, would rather see the Oil turn around than that douche Roy.

So basically we're the same exact team as last year....only we've somehow completely flipped the PP and PK efficiencies, we can actually win faceoffs, ...and unfortunately our backup goaltending has gone from a strength to an embarrassment....Does that sound about right?

You mean last year's "tight D," right? That D was present in the RS and the playoffs. Not near as tight this year to date, imo.
- mohel

It has been there in stretches this season. See where it is in January when Pirri, Morin, and Smith know their positioning better. Pirri already looks better back checking than those first few games.

I really do not get Brookbank at forward though. Get Morin the work he needs. Can't help but think it is Q thumbing his nose at Stan.

One of the reason's you guys have as good of a record to date.
- carcus

And the Blows haven't been playing the East this year?

Good luck resigning Steen. Of course, these Swedes seem to be signing at discounts for some reason.

I think you lose Steen and Halak this OS. So much for the window.....

So basically we're the same exact team as last year....only we've somehow completely flipped the PP and PK efficiencies, we can actually win faceoffs, ...and unfortunately our backup goaltending has gone from a strength to an embarrassment....Does that sound about right?
- SimpleJack

And we've gone from fewest goals against to the middle of the pack.

So basically we're the same exact team as last year....only we've somehow completely flipped the PP and PK efficiencies, we can actually win faceoffs, ...and unfortunately our backup goaltending has gone from a strength to an embarrassment....Does that sound about right?
- SimpleJack

No.

PP has certainly gotten better.

Except for last nite, the PK has been very good after the first 3 games - solid 85% success rate for 14 games.

One of the reasons: the improvement in FO % - especially from Kruger.

Back-up goalie: haven't seen him in - what - two weeks? He had two bad games (yes, out of 3 - but still a small sample size) - maybe working with Weekes he will show improvement.

It has been there in stretches this season. See where it is in January when Pirri, Morin, and Smith know their positioning better. Pirri already looks better back checking than those first few games.

I really do not get Brookbank at forward though. Get Morin the work he needs. Can't help but think it is Q thumbing his nose at Stan.
- tredbrta

I agree that it has been there at times, and I also believe they will tighten up as the year goes on. But it is not a sure thing. I think last year the team had a serious "prove it" attitude, and that this year's team is a bit less in that mode. I would like to see more of a chip on the collective shoulder. I do believe they will ramp that up, but more than 20% of the season is gone already.

And we've gone from fewest goals against to the middle of the pack.
- mohel

Indeed. But i figured that has an awful lot to do with our PK + Bulin's GA.

Your right, we have played
Min twice
Fla once
Buf once
Nyi once
Edm once
Wpg twice
Cgy once

That's eight games against some of the weaker teams in the league. I am concerned how things will go when we visit murderers row..SJ, LA, ANA
- waitforawhistle

Yawn... their best games have come on the road. Barring injury, the core will be ready for those games. Though I am sure we will see a few losing streaks - cup hangovers are real. The number of games these players have played since last January is scary.

My worry would be Crow's endurance. Bulin needs a couple starts on the road. If he blows then they need to show him the door somehow for someone who can spell Crawford.

Yawn... their best games have come on the road. Barring injury, the core will be ready for those games. Though I am sure we will see a few losing streaks - cup hangovers are real. The number of games these players have played since last January is scary.

My worry would be Crow's endurance. Bulin needs a couple starts on the road. If he blows then they need to show him the door somehow for someone who can spell Crawford.
- tredbrta

I would think they could all spell Crawford:

C-R-A-W-F-O-R-D.

Not particularly dificult.

Now, Khabibulin - that's a different story.

Stamkos taken to the hospital for x-rays...poor guy

Minnesota if healthy will be heard from...

I think the Hawks are playing much better now than when they played the Blues.

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e
- Al

I agree Al, they do look better. But who have they played with St. Louis's caliber recently? Pho will be a good test, but 3 full days of rest. Wow.
The Hawks lost to Calgary and a depleted Minn team in the past two weeks.

The Hawks do look better and it does look like their is some chemistry building. But we still have Brookbank playing wing? Double shifting Kaner is not the answer - tired penalty the other day and he did miss a wide open net last night when the game was close.

Concerning Pirri, the kid looks ok. Seems to be a step slow at times or doesn't seem to be engaged. Pirri can pass and has a nice shot. EKolb called it awhile back, he is not strong on the puck and gets knocked off the puck. These guys are strong on the puck, Toews and Shaw and Hossa

So basically we're the same exact team as last year....only we've somehow completely flipped the PP and PK efficiencies, we can actually win faceoffs, ...and unfortunately our backup goaltending has gone from a strength to an embarrassment....Does that sound about right?
- SimpleJack

Kind of, but the PK can be fixed - if not by finding someone on the roster then a TD pickup. Same thing with backup goaltender. Can't wait too long on that though.

Stamkos taken to the hospital for x-rays...poor guy
- captainserious

Saw the replay - right leg hit the post as he was sliding into the net; looked like his lower leg snapped mid-shin. Not pretty.

No.

PP has certainly gotten better.

Except for last nite, the PK has been very good after the first 3 games - solid 85% success rate for 14 games.

One of the reasons: the improvement in FO % - especially from Kruger.

Back-up goalie: haven't seen him in - what - two weeks? He had two bad games (yes, out of 3 - but still a small sample size) - maybe working with Weekes he will show improvement.
- StLBravesFan

The only games we've shown good PK in have been against Winnipeg (twice). Calgary. Buffalo. Carolina. Florida. and Dallas. All those teams happen to be in the bottom 10 in PP in the league, many in the bottom 5-6. When we've faced teams with a better PP, like Wash, Stl, TB etc....we've been exposed, IMO.

I agree that it has been there at times, and I also believe they will tighten up as the year goes on. But it is not a sure thing. I think last year the team had a serious "prove it" attitude, and that this year's team is a bit less in that mode. I would like to see more of a chip on the collective shoulder. I do believe they will ramp that up, but more than 20% of the season is gone already.
- mohel

Great point.

Bolland and Frolik also had that sort of intangible. Bolland had snarl and Frolik never backed down. Hard to replace that with rookies.

Saw the replay - right leg hit the post as he was sliding into the net; looked like his lower leg snapped mid-shin. Not pretty.
- mohel

!!!???!!!???!!!???!!!??? Stamkos jus broke his leg!!!???!!!??

I agree Al, they do look better. But who have they played with St. Louis's caliber recently? Pho will be a good test, but 3 full days of rest. Wow.
The Hawks lost to Calgary and a depleted Minn team in the past two weeks.

The Hawks do look better and it does look like their is some chemistry building. But we still have Brookbank playing wing? Double shifting Kaner is not the answer - tired penalty the other day and he did miss a wide open net last night when the game was close.

Concerning Pirri, the kid looks ok. Seems to be a step slow at times or doesn't seem to be engaged. Pirri can pass and has a nice shot. EKolb called it awhile back, he is not strong on the puck and gets knocked off the puck. These guys are strong on the puck, Toews and Shaw and Hossa
- Topshelf2010

Saad, too.

And the Blows haven't been playing the East this year?

Good luck resigning Steen. Of course, these Swedes seem to be signing at discounts for some reason.

I think you lose Steen and Halak this OS. So much for the window.....
- tredbrta

Steen isn't going anywhere.

Halak, I don't know exactly what they are thinking past this season. We will see. But the Blues window is not closing, it has just been opened up. They will be good for a long time.

!!!???!!!???!!!???!!!??? Stamkos jus broke his leg!!!???!!!??
- SimpleJack

Looked that way to me. He's off to hospital for x-rays, but looks like a formality to me.

I agree Al, they do look better. But who have they played with St. Louis's caliber recently? Pho will be a good test, but 3 full days of rest. Wow.
The Hawks lost to Calgary and a depleted Minn team in the past two weeks.

The Hawks do look better and it does look like their is some chemistry building. But we still have Brookbank playing wing? Double shifting Kaner is not the answer - tired penalty the other day and he did miss a wide open net last night when the game was close.

Concerning Pirri, the kid looks ok. Seems to be a step slow at times or doesn't seem to be engaged. Pirri can pass and has a nice shot. EKolb called it awhile back, he is not strong on the puck and gets knocked off the puck. These guys are strong on the puck, Toews and Shaw and Hossa
- Topshelf2010

Pirri isn't the swiftest so having a high hockey IQ matters even more.

As far as the schedule...I pointed out before the season began that unlike the last few years this time around the first month was a cream puff schedule and actually won't turn more difficult until next week.

Blackhawks overcome slow start and outlast Oilers 5-4: My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/19Wcf6e

I would think they could all spell Crawford:

C-R-A-W-F-O-R-D.

Not particularly dificult.

Now, Khabibulin - that's a different story.
- StLBravesFan

Not guaranteed. Ever hear Morin in an interview?

No, Hitch is not wearing on this team. If anything, they are playing his system to a tee, and reaping the rewards. This team is buying in, and it shows.

He will only wear on players if they are selfish. The Blues just don't have those guys.
- carcus

Carcus = The Hockey Insider

ahhhhh!!!! I jus saw the replay. Stamkos' lower leg snaps in half when hitting the post. Cant believe it. Just awful.....hope he comes back asap.

Steen isn't going anywhere.

Halak, I don't know exactly what they are thinking past this season. We will see. But the Blues window is not closing, it has just been opened up. They will be good for a long time.
- carcus

I agree. The Central has three good teams that are still young - COL, STL and CHI. Gonna be good battles (and rivalries) for years.