It is nuts - for any deal that would be remotely possible.

But - IF Montreal said Subban for Keith, straight up - wouldn't you at least have to consider it?
- StLBravesFan

No. I know we all rag on Keith from time to time but he's a guy you just can't replace what he brings. On the PP Keith may be average, but 5 on 5 and on the PK he's stellar. Subban will be a great defenseman in his own way, but I would rather have Keith. Keith is a proven winner and you don't trade guys like that if you can avoid it.

Looking at this situation off ice, Keith's deal is much more cap friendly than Subban's next deal will be.

No. I know we all rag on Keith from time to time but he's a guy you just can't replace what he brings. On the PP Keith may be average, but 5 on 5 and on the PK he's stellar. Subban will be a great defenseman in his own way, but I would rather have Keith. Keith is a proven winner and you don't trade guys like that if you can avoid it.

Looking at this situation off ice, Keith's deal is much more cap friendly than Subban's next deal will be.
- DarthKane

No rag on Keith: just don't think you could dismiss it out if hand.

I don't think I'd do it, either - for all the reasons everyone said - but I would certainly think it over.

Rosi is a skilled veteran who can be alternately good and bad. He has his games or moments. I am concerned if his skating slows down. But perhaps the many injuries career long he suffers makes it ever the more difficult coming back strong. So in a long season, no doubt Q hoping Rosi can be solid for a playoff stretch. More like, the playoffs itself and not the playoff stretch. The Blackhawks make the playoffs with or without Rosi as a meaningful regular season contributor. Should Rosi not be up to par in playoffs, then he should seriously be let go (if possible if his contract has one year remaining). He is near retirement.

I would like Dahlback to get some NHL time insofar as in the playoffs teams need to be deep on their blueline. Dahlback should get a taste and an idea or feel for the NHL game. His style seemingly would be a good fit. Looking for a safe, reliable third pair depth dman?

FYI: due to injuries Tallon has recalled D Olsen.
- jhawk59

Rozy is a proven playoff dman - priceless. concerns, maybe a matchup problem against speedier teams, but usually he doesn't play against the top lines and the lower lines are not so fast.

oh, J Hayes with a goal the other day for Fla.

No rag on Keith: just don't think you could dismiss it out if hand.

I don't think I'd do it, either - for all the reasons everyone said - but I would certainly think it over.
- StLBravesFan

Here is my thought. Keith is a very strong part of this "core" to the Blackhawks. Much like the Seabrook banter last week, trading a player like Keith for ANYONE is too big of a shakeup in my opinion. You could argue that PK would be better but you also have to think of chemistry. Keith has been here through the development of this entire current roster. I just don't think you can trade the "core" no matter how tempting the offer, at least while these guys make up the strongest team in hockey and are contenders for the foreseeable future.

per Lazerus on Twitter, Crawford in net again tonight

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 18m
#Blackhawks lines: Sharp-Toews-Saad, Handzus-Pirri-Kane, Versteeg-Shaw-Morin, Bollig-Kruger-Smith. Hossa expected back in Calgary.

Keith is like the weirdest dirty player ever. The whack to Carter and the elbow to Sedin were both dirty plays, we'd be so mad if those happened to one of our studs. But then I don't think I've ever seen him do anything else dirty ever. He actually avoids contact pretty consistently, then those two things just happened.
- rollpards19

Yep keith tows the line. Keith was a monster during the 2008-9 season, solid and consistent every game.. but he caught a cheap blindside elbow (forearm - shoulder maybe) from Stratford on Buffalo, and had a concussion and was out for a few games. Surprisingly, no retaliation ever by the Hawks or Keith. but Keith was never the same after that. He Started picking up his game during the 2011-12 season, especially Vancouver 2011 playoff series. Thought kieth was better during the 2008-9 year (before injury) , than his Norris Trophy year.

btw - Sharp retaliates all the time with borderline slashes.

per Lazerus on Twitter, Crawford in net again tonight

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 18m
#Blackhawks lines: Sharp-Toews-Saad, Handzus-Pirri-Kane, Versteeg-Shaw-Morin, Bollig-Kruger-Smith. Hossa expected back in Calgary.
- Glenman12

Q is riding Crow like a 2 dollar whore.

Yep keith tows the line. Keith was a monster during the 2008-9 season, solid and consistent every game.. but he caught a cheap blindside elbow (forearm - shoulder maybe) from Stratford on Buffalo, and had a concussion and was out for a few games. Surprisingly, no retaliation ever by the Hawks or Keith. but Keith was never the same after that. He Started picking up his game during the 2011-12 season, especially Vancouver 2011 playoff series. Thought kieth was better during the 2008-9 year (before injury) , than his Norris Trophy year.

btw - Sharp retaliates all the time with borderline slashes.
- Topshelf2010

Meh, someone has too. When Sharp is engaged physically, the whole team plays better. He sets the tone.

Q is riding Crow like a 2 dollar whore.
- Elbows15

Next year, like a 6 dollar whore.

I miss UnnamedSource.

Next year, like a 6 dollar whore.
- StLBravesFan

LOL. Well played sir.

Loan repayments are not an expense: they are a cash flow item.

If Wirtz would say, we have negative cash flow because we are paying back loans to our affiliate, then OK - I have no problem with that.

But (if this is what he means) when he says he is losing money, and it's because he is paying back the loans, that's not the same thing.

It's more than just accounting semantics: if you're losing money in an accounting sense, at some point you have to borrow more money. If you're losing cash because you're paying back loans, but are making money in an accounting sense, at some point your loans will be paid off and you'll be generating cash.

Again, if this is what Wirtz means, he is also using currently generated money to pay off previous years' losses. But presumably, he is making money in current years.
- StLBravesFan

A big part is all the suite payments go into a subsidiary like company and are not counted in team revenue....Said so today in Forbes article.

I see you saw same and that is a ton of $$$

IMO the Avs D corps (and goaltending) is in this category of "performing above expected" too. Both Toronto and Colorado have played well, but I don't think it's unrealistic to predict that both the Avs and Leafs will fade as the season stretches.

The Leafs seem to be a better but similar team to the Wild a few years ago. Winning in spite of some scoring problems and a low shot count but counteracting with good goaltending and a bit of luck. Minnesota led the league until December in 11-12 before they ate sh*t and went flying down the standings. I don't see the Leafs defying the various metrics piling up that predict their comparative demise.
- prd797

everyone is surprised with the performance of the defense by Co. This might be a total team defense, because the defensive corps guys are a bunch of nobodies. They keep on getting shutouts. Both goalies are solid. This team will be interesting if they can keep it up. What happens to Varly will be interesting.

everyone is surprised with the performance of the defense by Co. This might be a total team defense, because the defensive corps guys are a bunch of nobodies. They keep on getting shutouts. Both goalies are solid. This team will be interesting if they can keep it up. What happens to Varly will be interesting.
- Topshelf2010

It will be more a case if Av's find more goal production because GAA will not stay as good, they give up too many shots.

The Leafs give up a ton of shots too but they are in the East.

I like the hunger of someone who has won two Cups and can still play at a very high level for over 20 mins a night.

Subban is very good and may prove to be better than Keith, but if he played in Carolina his press clippings wouldn't be nearly as long.

The Habs won't think of dealing Subban and it will be a long time until the thought crosses anyone in the Hawks front office to do the same to Keith.
- Al

Subban will be too pricey. Still like Duncs especially when he is engaged. After the 2010 cup, heard Duncs was lacking some motivation and looked it. He was not so good. But playing great this year. If only he learned how to shoot on the pp, doesn't the great coaching staff work with him on this.

Q is riding Crow like a 2 dollar whore.
- Elbows15

I Tweeted Q. wants Crawford to pad his stellar 5-3 record vs Edm.

In regards to people saying Kesler dove...really? Try being a fan of hockey, not just of the Blackhawks. He didn't dive. Get over it.
- HawkFan27

You should follow your own advise. We are all I titled to our opinion of a play

Also watch after the call some of the hawks say something to Kessler since they felt in MHO that he dove

I Tweeted Q. wants Crawford to pad his stellar 5-3 record vs Edm.
- Al

LOL. A part of me is wondering if Q is trying to give Crawford a chance to play his way onto the Canadian olympic team. Pretty sure he couldn't care less about that. Just seems like a perfect opportunity to give Raanta a start. Give Crawford a rest with a good feeling after his performance on Saturday.

What ya expect? I've still got a big hate going on with the Habs about 1971...
- Beaver-Warrior

Was at game 6 at the forum . Hawks won.

Q is riding Crow like a 2 dollar whore.
- Elbows15

This reminds of the scene in Jaws where Quint runs the engine too hard until it breaks down...leaving him and his boat as sitting ducks for the shark.

This reminds of the scene in Jaws where Quint runs the engine too hard until it breaks down...leaving him and his boat as sitting ducks for the shark.
- philco28

Meaning - we're going to need a bigger Crawford?

Subban will be too pricey. Still like Duncs especially when he is engaged. After the 2010 cup, heard Duncs was lacking some motivation and looked it. He was not so good. But playing great this year. If only he learned how to shoot on the pp, doesn't the great coaching staff work with him on this.
- Topshelf2010

I doubt if they focus on his shooting...They live with it.

I wrote about it a few times again this year...It took Keith 51 shots to score his 1st goal.

Byfuglien was into the 60's before he scored for the first time this season.

Was at game 6 at the forum . Hawks won.
- VANTEL

Just made Game 7 even worse. Thanks. Game 7 of the Cup final in 2011 was a masterpiece.

LOL. A part of me is wondering if Q is trying to give Crawford a chance to play his way onto the Canadian olympic team. Pretty sure he couldn't care less about that. Just seems like a perfect opportunity to give Raanta a start. Give Crawford a rest with a good feeling after his performance on Saturday.
- Elbows15

Well as far as the Olympic team, unless injuries wto spots are set...Luongo and Price.

...And Mike Smith might be playing better than anyone....

I miss UnnamedSource.
- Elbows15

I haven't seen him around in a few days. What's up with that?