Six million or not I would like to see what Raanta can do. So far so good with this kid and Crawford needs to realize he has to perform to be in every night.

Teravainen questionable to join Hawks this season

http://m.espn.go.com/gene...y=chicago&src=desktop&wjb

We don't have to trade them...cut 'em, release...get 'em off the books.
- philco28

Cutting them doesn't get them off the books. They gotta be traded or lost to another team on waivers, or sent to Rockford (which only buries $925K each).

If they lose as many faceoffs, miss as many blocks, don't clear out the front of the net and sag in too deep....You can get 2 Froliks back and they will still be in the bottom 6 in the PK.

Part-time effort earns Hawks another loss:http://bit.ly/IHBr68 : My Fox Chicago-On The Blackhawks
- Al

Well said, in all the longing for yesteryear and Frolik misletoe, I mentioned last month, the bigger issue regarding the PK likely has less to do with personell as it does strategy. That is, contrary to what many seem to think or believe here on this board, but every NHL team has staffs full of people who study what their oppenents do. They study what other teams do that work. Guess what, they find weaknesses and wrinkles and go to school on that. How come the Bears don't run the 46 defense anymore. How come it was pretty much obsolete by 1990? It is because teams figure out how to beat it. Yes I know personnel are important in any scheme, but when you can look at something over and over on film, you can devise a strategy to minimally nuetralize its effectiveness or even defeat it.

So like Rogers throwing the quick slant or 13 yard curl route vs Lovies awesome cover 2, you can bet that every nhl team knows that they can stick anyone right in front of CC and there will be no resistance. Worse yet, is that point shots with direct targets are clear much to often.

So the issue is, now that the league has obviously adjusted to the Hawks scheme from last year, how do we adjust? As Al points out, it is not the magic of one player, it requires a systemic solution.

If they lose as many faceoffs, miss as many blocks, don't clear out the front of the net and sag in too deep....You can get 2 Froliks back and they will still be in the bottom 6 in the PK.

Part-time effort earns Hawks another loss:http://bit.ly/IHBr68 : My Fox Chicago-On The Blackhawks
- Al

Absolutely agree. It is much easier to say a problem is one guy missing (Frolik) or still here (Crow). The easy answer is not typically the right answer.

Teravainen questionable to join Hawks this season

http://m.espn.go.com/gene...y=chicago&src=desktop&wjb
- DarthKane

Shocker

Not as predictable as Handzus.

I want Fro BACK...one year rental
- philco28

Pirri lost his confidence when the guy he saw moving around the dressing room on a Lark, passed him by back up to 2C.

Guys... I wasn't trolling... I was just letting you know what to expect. He is an AHL acquisition and like a 15th forward. Yea he has size but he isn't noticeable on the ice as in throwing his body around. He will get in a fight and your like "Oh Mash was on the ice." I was just saying don't let the size trick you to thinking he's that big hard hitting forward type that's all.

And since he's an AHL plug for the Ranger's stand point it's maybe a change of scenery wakes the Beach up although I doubt it but hey, didn't give up much to try and find out.
- mrhattrick27

Everyone is just cranky because of the two straight losses and well.....we Chicago sports fans.

Pirri lost his confidence when the guy he saw moving around the dressing room on a Lark, passed him by back up to 2C.
- TrueGrit

If his psyche is that fragile then he needs to go........

Well said, in all the longing for yesteryear and Frolik misletoe, I mentioned last month, the bigger issue regarding the PK likely has less to do with personell as it does strategy. That is, contrary to what many seem to think or believe here on this board, but every NHL team has staffs full of people who study what their oppenents do. They study what other teams do that work. Guess what, they find weaknesses and wrinkles and go to school on that. How come the Bears don't run the 46 defense anymore. How come it was pretty much obsolete by 1990? It is because teams figure out how to beat it. Yes I know personnel are important in any scheme, but when you can look at something over and over on film, you can devise a strategy to minimally nuetralize its effectiveness or even defeat it.

So like Rogers throwing the quick slant or 13 yard curl route vs Lovies awesome cover 2, you can bet that every nhl team knows that they can stick anyone right in front of CC and there will be no resistance. Worse yet, is that point shots with direct targets are clear much to often.

So the issue is, now that the league has obviously adjusted to the Hawks scheme from last year, how do we adjust? As Al points out, it is not the magic of one player, it requires a systemic solution.
- TrueGrit

TG this is a good point.....pro sports is essentially a game of adjustments and who can stay ahead of the competition......I think the pk issues are more a little adjustment here and there than a complete overhaul.......

Pirri lost his confidence when the guy he saw moving around the dressing room on a Lark, passed him by back up to 2C.
- TrueGrit

TG

If his confidence is that shaky I would have questions also. If you want to be in the big show you have to block that stuff out. If you believe in your abilities none of that should matter.

Wonder how long before Slats gets Beach into his first NHL game
- philco28

Mashinter will be on the shuttle for one reason and one reason only....

http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/2696

Management may have recognized what we were discussing the other night. This guy is needed for those "unique" regular season games against the Rousel and Reaves of the league....

Guys... I wasn't trolling... I was just letting you know what to expect. He is an AHL acquisition and like a 15th forward. Yea he has size but he isn't noticeable on the ice as in throwing his body around. He will get in a fight and your like "Oh Mash was on the ice." I was just saying don't let the size trick you to thinking he's that big hard hitting forward type that's all.

And since he's an AHL plug for the Ranger's stand point it's maybe a change of scenery wakes the Beach up although I doubt it but hey, didn't give up much to try and find out.
- mrhattrick27

Thanks for the input. Bottom line, this is not a prospect exchange. We sent the Hawks a head case for some toughness in Rockford and an occasional callup to back up Bollig in Mashinter.

Since Bollig seems to believe he is now a scorer maybe some motivation is in order.

He shouldn't see any time Phil. The guy is bad at hockey. MAybe we can trade him to the Leafs. They like face punchers who can't play. Mac would help our PK.
- Elbows15

No offense, the league still has it's share of teams that can push this roster around. Your idealism does not fit. The Hawks got by last year in a shortened regular season without this (though Bollig seemed to know his role better last year).

This guy will be an ideal call up for the occasional regular season game - just to patrol the competition and something this organization needed.

Better than the bag of pucks Beach should have warranted.

[quote=SnapitUpstairs]>
> I would add Leddy to the PK mix -- even consider him as one of the PK "forwards" -- Hawks aren't winning any races to 50-50 pucks in their own zone

How 'bout my daily dose of "Leddy Love" for all my fans?

S.I.U., I was going to suggest this a while ago.

In all seriously, WTF is the difference if they put Leddy out there to gain some experience on the PK? I mean, is this now going to be the difference of being 29th or 30th on the PK?

And what, just what if, Leddy because of his quickness and speed can actually help defend a bit better than the far-too-often-frozen-in-cement-skates Brent Seabrook? Watching #7 last night was killing me. He was quite slug-like watching opposing players move around him and helped lead him to the penalty he took which tied the game.

Once again, I will question Q riding those 2 while Leddy seems to get all the ire of Q and the staff. Cripes, you'd think those guys don't make mistakes? What about, as someone pointed out earlier, Keith's daydreaming back to a puck that should have been ours to control and he simply lets the Wild player easily beat him to it.

If Leddy would have done that, we'd have likely had to go rescue him from some team in the KHL in Siberia. Meanwhile, all it means for Keith is even MORE ice time and more mental mistakes out of those 2.

And Oduya and Hammer are feeling the effects of this as well.

Me thinks the solutions to some of our problems are right in front of the staff's collective noses but they fail to see the forest for the trees. Easier to staple a 22 yr old's butt to the bench. Or in Pirri's case, send him down.

The penalty kill sucks. Otherwise Crawford's numbers are pretty comparable to last years.

Oh and anyone still want to trade Kane who is out playing Toews at this point in the season?

If Hossa plays 75 games he should probably win the Selke.

Wonderful.

Any hockey skills there - or just a fighter whom you can't play more than 2 minutes per season?
- StLBravesFan

I think most everyone has covered him. He's a plug. I don't know a thing about his hockey skills but my guess is they see something in him if they traded for him. He was brought into this organization to fill a role if/when needed. No reason to think he's a hot commodity (which i don't). He'll get comfy in Rockford. He played 22 mins this season on the rangers squad. All I was saying is I like his confidence with the scraps. He might not ever see NHL time with the hawks, who knows. Beach was an animal for us though, right?

No offense, the league still has it's share of teams that can push this roster around. Your idealism does not fit. The Hawks got by last year in a shortened regular season without this (though Bollig seemed to know his role better last year).

This guy will be an ideal call up for the occasional regular season game - just to patrol the competition and something this organization needed.

Better than the bag of pucks Beach should have warranted.
- steelhead

What Hawks team have you been watching the past 2-3 years.....

TG

If his confidence is that shaky I would have questions also. If you want to be in the big show you have to block that stuff out. If you believe in your abilities none of that should matter.
- rtang415

My comment was in jest....if we could only clone Handzus and Brookbank.....all problems solved.

The only thing that is hard to block out or reconcile is not being put on the ice and jerked around. While you have done nothing wrong. Other than catch the frustration of your Coach because of God knows what.

Yes I know he made 1 turnover in 24 games that cost a goal.

My comment was in jest....if we could only clone Handzus and Brookbank.....all problems solved.
- TrueGrit

You kill me.

Any news on Shaw and Handzus for tonight?

TG this is a good point.....pro sports is essentially a game of adjustments and who can stay ahead of the competition......I think the pk issues are more a little adjustment here and there than a complete overhaul.......
- UnnamedSource

Exactly, perhaps some guys are more comfortable in knowing they have Q's trust and therefore no real accountability. (Just stirring the pudding)

Any news on Shaw and Handzus for tonight?
- DarthKane

Handzus' right hand fell off at lunch today. He should be good to go. Predictable.

Any news on Shaw and Handzus for tonight?
- DarthKane

I haven't heard anything, and am curious about the goalie tonight. The back-up needs to play in one of the back-to-backs, right?