Saad only needs four more points to tie his total for last season. Also, he's shooting at just over 17%. Very happy to have been proved wrong about what he has become on this team.
- prd797

Saad's been awesome and he has been an absolute steal of the draft.

It would be nice to see Saad have a little nasty in his game. He's big enough.
- rnewman291

Yes. That would be awesome. However, what he does already is awesome and not all players can be all things for all fans. I'm happy if he keeps progressing and getting better as he has been since he's here.

Nice FIND


Love seeing that GOOF get mopped by BB.

Roussel's a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch and guys like that will GET IT....you can COUNT ON IT. Might not be vs us since Q is content to let it be, but hopefully we are the ones that FEED that TWAT a good bushel of teeth busting fists. And agree with Elbows, it was nice to see Morin intervene at the end...great job REP'N 11.

Was out and just caught the game on video and had to endure the Stars feed. Normally those guys are alright, but tonight, they couldn't accept that Kostka's goal was a goal until the ref said so. All the replays showing it was over the line and these homers are still trying convince themselves it wasn't in.

Got to admit though...the color guy had a unique line early on when he said Lehtonen made "2 Mastodonic saves." Of course that's before he got HOOKED. Also, interesting to see Curt Fraser as an assistant to Lindy Ruff.

Excellent all round effort. Kostka's early tally. A big hit on Eakin by Shaw'zer and Zeus laying out to block on shot on early pk all helping to set a good tone.
Kuc tweeted that 5 Hawks player had 3 blocks. COMMITMENT TO TEAM DEFENSE was superb.

Lot of funny goals going in for us....and who would have thought the Hawks would be the top scoring team on goals per game average ? At least that's what Stars' feed graphic suggested. The balance on the club is great and will only get better with Bicks coming back soon and maybe a nice addition at the deadline.

Raanta was solid again and just gotta love his overall demeanor. Remember what the last Finn with ice in his veins did for us
- philco28

I really thought, with that lead, Bollig might get to the douche. He needs to be addressed by someone. Great step up by Morin and Versteeg - that is team toughness.

Loved Curt Fraser. They should replace Ted Dent with him. Would have been interested in the Stars announcers take on Rousel's garbage. Fraser was trying to calm him down. Where's Ruff? Used to seeing more discipline from his teams. As I said, the Stars on the bench looked like they were tired of Rousel - certainly weren't interested in protecting him. Why would they after he slew foots and elbows players all game long? I'm sure Gillis would love to have him back in VC.

That was definitely Raanta's most "settled" game. Only a few nervous moments. He shows some real poise when screened. Attach that stick to his hand and he may be a real keeper. Head and shoulders better than the Bulin we have seen this year.

Lindy Ruff loves Roussel, thats why he gets the ice time vs the Hawks he does. He won't tell him to stop.

Blatant, obvious retaliation against a guy like Roussel isn't the way to go.
Patrick Sharp is probably the best Hawk at doing some very innocuous things on the ice - with his stick. In the finals against the Bruins, he shut Brad Marchand up for the rest of the series with an undetected spear to the area that really hurts a man. Marchand sang soprano for quite awhile and was no factor in the series after that.
- RickJ

Never heard that about Sharp on Marchand. Know he got Lidstrom with one of those after some stick work from him.

I'm not a Roussell fan at all but I have seen him go with lots of guys. He went toe to toe with Seabrook and more than held his own. He had the upper hand early with Shaw untill Shaw's other motor kicked in. Give credit where it's due, Roussell may be a knob, but unlike a guy like Kaletta, he has shown he will answer the call.
- paulr

He answers the call but in a Basil McRae like way. He goes after smaller players and really goes for the ambush if equally matched.

[quote=steelhead]. Where's Ruff? Used to seeing more discipline from his teams. As I said, the Stars on the bench looked like they were tired of Rousel - certainly weren't interested in protecting him. Why would they after he slew foots and elbows players all game long? I'm sure Gillis would love to have him back in VC./quote]

"He's the one bright spot," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "They hate playing against him, and he showed why. He wasn't afraid to get into dirty places and he got rewarded for being in the right place. I admire the way he plays the game." -Lindy Ruff

http://scores.espn.go.com...708&ex_cid=espnapi_public

Isnt that why he is on the team? I mean i know he does a little more than JUST fighting, but thats what got him a spot on the team and i think he needs to get back to that. Otherwise hes just a random bigger guy on the 4th line with a hard shot that cant score from close range haha. I still like him but its annoying to see him not lighting guys up either with his fists or with major body checks.
- BlazinMike

I think Bollig will be stepping up in fights now that Mashinter is waiting in Rockford. He has been more visible the last few games in that respect. Probably would have gone last night if Rousell wasn't running away all night.

WTF?
- TrueGrit

I like Morin but he had at least 3 OZ turnovers and 1-2 big DZ turnovers last night. He also had 2 penalties. Bickell comes back - Morin probably goes down.

While many were longing for the blood or Rousell as some sort of retribution, not sure if anyone noticed or mentioned prior, but the Hawks were clearly set on going out and thoroughly embarrasing the Stars last night.

I believe they were intent on winning 10 - 0 to send that message.

And when opportunties presented themselves, rub Roussel face in it and see if he would go.

Did Shaw have concussion type issue, or was it more a bad hand from punching helmet?

That reminded me of an old school Edmonton Oilers coming to town to embarrass you in front of your wife and kids beat down.
- TrueGrit

Excellent point. Still would have been cathartic to see Rousell destroyed by Bollig.... Cherry on the sunday type thing.

1. Shaw had a ribcage issue.

2. Don't know if you remember but Edmonton could and would engage physically and would dish out as much as they got. Semeko wasn't there to win the Art Ross. Yes they would try to embarrrass you on the scoreboard but they also had players for protection.
- paulr

Exactly. They would run it up and then Semenko and later McSorley and Buchberger would smack you up a bit. Messier would hit and stick all night long and Glen Anderson would lay some people out (Shaw reminds a bit of GA). Oilers always had some nasty.

Reports on the 670 the Score say theres a source stating the Bears are willing to let Jay Cutler walk in the offseason UNLESS he takes a very club friendly deal. Wouldnt mind if the Bears got a QB early in the draft.

I Tweeted this yesterday late afternoon...

Bob McKenzie was on the NHL Network on and said with big increases in the salary cap ceiling a player like Toews could be in line for a $12-$13 million per yr. extension.....Yikes!

Hawks steamroll Stars 6-2.
Was the choice really between Versteeg or trading for another goalie? Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1cozymS

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

[quote=steelhead]. Where's Ruff? Used to seeing more discipline from his teams. As I said, the Stars on the bench looked like they were tired of Rousel - certainly weren't interested in protecting him. Why would they after he slew foots and elbows players all game long? I'm sure Gillis would love to have him back in VC./quote]

"He's the one bright spot," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. "They hate playing against him, and he showed why. He wasn't afraid to get into dirty places and he got rewarded for being in the right place. I admire the way he plays the game." -Lindy Ruff

http://scores.espn.go.com...708&ex_cid=espnapi_public
- resqmed99

Wow. Thanks.

Sad that he encourages that garbage. Guy crosses the line too much. Can't argue that that team needs some intensity though.

I Tweeted this yesterday late afternoon...

Bob McKenzie was on the NHL Network on and said with big increases in the salary cap ceiling a player like Toews could be in line for a $12-$13 million per yr. extension.....Yikes!


- Al

A rising tide should lift all boats and not just the elite in the league. Cap growth or not, teams still should keep room to maneuver and retain the role players needed to compliment star players.

Any GM who signs deals like that should be shot. I don't care who the player is.

I suspect a guy like Toews would rather be a rich winner than a mega rich loser.

I Tweeted this yesterday late afternoon...

Bob McKenzie was on the NHL Network on and said with big increases in the salary cap ceiling a player like Toews could be in line for a $12-$13 million per yr. extension.....Yikes!

Hawks steamroll Stars 6-2.
Was the choice really between Versteeg or trading for another goalie? Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1cozymS

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

That's only about $5M per year more than Crosby.

A rising tide should lift all boats and not just the elite in the league. Cap growth or not, teams still should keep room to maneuver and retain the role players needed to compliment star players.

Any GM who signs deals like that should be shot. I don't care who the player is.

I suspect a guy like Toews would rather be a rich winner than a mega rich loser.
- Return of the Roar

It will be a good off season to be a UFA.

I doubt the cap expansion justifies that sort of escalation for a Kane or Toews. They will base their numbers on previous salaries and not on those salaries as a percentage of the cap at the time... Oh well, I'm sure some agents may try.

Isnt that why he is on the team? I mean i know he does a little more than JUST fighting, but thats what got him a spot on the team and i think he needs to get back to that. Otherwise hes just a random bigger guy on the 4th line with a hard shot that cant score from close range haha. I still like him but its annoying to see him not lighting guys up either with his fists or with major body checks.
- BlazinMike

Guarantee Q. is in Bollig's ear about not fighting as much as he used to. Bollig has put in the work to be a part of the Hawks, including limiting his PM/improving his skating/etc. I think whoever comes back from injury, doesn't matter...he should not be sent back down to the Hogs.

A rising tide should lift all boats and not just the elite in the league. Cap growth or not, teams still should keep room to maneuver and retain the role players needed to compliment star players.

Any GM who signs deals like that should be shot. I don't care who the player is.

I suspect a guy like Toews would rather be a rich winner than a mega rich loser.
- Return of the Roar

The players union stuck together during the CBA from the elite down to the journeyman.I would hate to see them turn this into more of class war than need be.Share the wealth boys,after all you where all on the same team last fall.

Guarantee Q. is in Bollig's ear about not fighting as much as he used to. Bollig has put in the work to be a part of the Hawks, including limiting his PM/improving his skating/etc. I think whoever comes back from injury, doesn't matter...he should not be sent back down to the Hogs.
- Murph76

i just want to see more red ass

Wow. Thanks.

Sad that he encourages that garbage. Guy crosses the line too much. Can't argue that that team needs some intensity though.
- steelhead

What's he got to lose?

If Roussel gets suspended, he's relatively easily replaceable: extracted to a full season, 15 goals, 30 points - znc 2+ penalty minutes per game.

Dallas has nothing to lose by letting him go after people.

Guarantee Q. is in Bollig's ear about not fighting as much as he used to. Bollig has put in the work to be a part of the Hawks, including limiting his PM/improving his skating/etc. I think whoever comes back from injury, doesn't matter...he should not be sent back down to the Hogs.
- Murph76

As he should...... Because the ol hidden secret here is.......Bollig's kind of a awful fighter. He rarely wins. He won his last won against Barch and celebrated like holy hell because it's been so long. On the circus trip McGratton handed him his head. Bollig's come a long way from last year. I suggest he continue on improving those skills, because his fighting skills, as much as the meathead crowd might like it....well, Day ain't uh so good.

Totally agree !! If there was ever a time to stop this idiot from running at Kane and others, it was with the 5 goal lead. Bollig should have run him into a corner he couldn't escape from and just drop em. The extra minutes would have stopped this moron in the future against us. If he hurts one of our guys in the future, we will remember what should have happened at this 6-2 game !!!
- Hawkytalk

Absolutely not true.

Yeah i know hes gotta be able to take a regular shift. I understand that, but when he first came up with the team he fought...every game. THATS what got him a spot on the roster, was the willingness in my opinion. Glad to see he can do more, but he doesnt score goals aside from an occasional one here and there and he doesnt make as many big hits as id like to see from a 4th line big guy who is supposed to be physical
- BlazinMike

I suspect he's doing exactly what the coach wants him to do; he's seen what happens to others here who don't.

Absolutely not true.
- mohel

It would have ccomplished nothing except make me feel good for about five minutes...maybe ten.

I suspect he's doing exactly what the coach wants him to do; he's seen what happens to others here who don't.
- mohel

Ok, im assuming the coach wants him to hit people (checking-wise), but he doesnt do that very much. Along with the rest of the team. I know its all about defense and puck possession and so on, but is there NO place in the game for checking on this team? Is there no evidence that body checks help win games? Not just Bollig, id like to see the whole team check more. Not by getting out of position to do so, but is it really that crazy to think body checks can be helpful to win games occasionally?