Do you really think the ultra high intensity and competitiveness it requires to win a game is really present every time every team hits the ice? No. Every player will take plays off. Some will even take games off. And in the dog days teams will take games off. Not everyone does it at the same time, and it really only means throttling the intensity down a bit. I've never played hockey in my life, yet I know that. Its human nature. Doesn't matter what you're paid, doesn't matter what your motivation. You just can't. Humans are not machines.

How do you decide which games to take it easy on? You don't. Your body does. It knows, as you say, a point is a point; So consider perhaps one might put more into assuring a win against the average or sub-par teams, but also take a run at the Champs when they come to town for the glory for a true measuring stick. Not as much against the other top teams in the league so you save your energy - maybe just a little.

Human nature. Doubting that - is intellectually dishonest.

Ducks are a little more focused on D and make their goalie look better. Who knows. maybe he is. Hawks have the propensity - always have - to want to fly and look pretty. But they are more than capable of shutting down any team. Much like the Wings of years past. To me the Ducks are a carbon copy of the Blues, except I can't seem to figure out where their scoring seems to come from.

So I'm not saying take your foot off the pedal... Perhaps I'm saying just simply don't gun it just yet. Any momentum you try to gain will be lost during the Olympics anyway.
- busmaster

Certainly not, but the Hawks have played the same number of games as last season at this point and have more of those games than last year. They also have more games at less than balls out than the Ducks and Blues. Now doesn't matter, these things can tend to become habits if they happen too often.

I have mentioned this a few times, but I will again. I have not heard one Hawk talk about repeating and the belief among most of the league that it is impossible in the modern NHL. I would love to hear players referring to that thought as "doubting" the Hawks - use it to put a chip on their shoulder and rallying cry.

Certainly not, but the Hawks have played the same number of games as last season at this point and have more of those games than last year. They also have more games at less than balls out than the Ducks and Blues. Now doesn't matter, these things can tend to become habits if they happen too often.

I have mentioned this a few times, but I will again. I have not heard one Hawk talk about repeating and the belief among most of the league that it is impossible in the modern NHL. I would love to hear players referring to that thought as "doubting" the Hawks - use it to put a chip on their shoulder and rallying cry.
- mohel

The thing about teams like the Blues and Ducks, at least in years past, is that they play balls to the walls hockey during the regular season and then go flat and get rolled over come playoff time. That's my guess as to why no drastic moves are being made right now. I know we are in a horrible slump but we are still taking games to OT at least and walking away with a point which is keeping us in a great spot in the standings.

Kostka would also not clear waivers if they sent him down.
- steelhead

Good chance of that. My point was that it is not needed to add a forward - the team has the cap space to call one up. And there is no benefit of "saving cap space" as a reason to not bring one up, since the Hawks cannot accumulate space. This leads to two reasons they haven't brought up a forward. One might be that they want the kids to play; I don't think this is the case as they are playing with a hamstrung roster. Another - and I think this is the correct one - is that they feel none of the Rockford kids are ready to help as the 13th forward at this point.

Certainly not, but the Hawks have played the same number of games as last season at this point and have more of those games than last year. They also have more games at less than balls out than the Ducks and Blues. Now doesn't matter, these things can tend to become habits if they happen too often.

I have mentioned this a few times, but I will again. I have not heard one Hawk talk about repeating and the belief among most of the league that it is impossible in the modern NHL. I would love to hear players referring to that thought as "doubting" the Hawks - use it to put a chip on their shoulder and rallying cry.
- mohel

Yeah but I'm saying perhaps you're simply seeing their opponents are more consistently showing up "balls out" then the same opponents did last year and therefore they're playing harder games then the Blues and Ducks...

In any case... I'm not saying TT is untoucheable. but his stock may be as high as its ever going to be so the return better be phenomenal.

The thing about teams like the Blues and Ducks, at least in years past, is that they play balls to the walls hockey during the regular season and then go flat and get rolled over come playoff time. That's my guess as to why no drastic moves are being made right now. I know we are in a horrible slump but we are still taking games to OT at least and walking away with a point which is keeping us in a great spot in the standings.
- PhilMeister89

Exactly. And if shootouts are our biggest weakness, we're in good shape.

72 is ok, 73 would have been way too much

But you're right, the small glasses are a little bit dangerous and if it tastes that good like Schumacher you have a problem rather sooner than later

Why 10 days in May once every 10 years?
- MDGHawk

Every 4 years.

Industry convention that happens every 4 years. Lasts two weeks, I usually have to go for most of it. Stay at the Renaissance, convenient cab ride to Aldstadt.

The thing about teams like the Blues and Ducks, at least in years past, is that they play balls to the walls hockey during the regular season and then go flat and get rolled over come playoff time. That's my guess as to why no drastic moves are being made right now. I know we are in a horrible slump but we are still taking games to OT at least and walking away with a point which is keeping us in a great spot in the standings.
- PhilMeister89

True about teams tiring in the playoffs if they push too hard in the regular season. The question is whether the team will be able to step on the gas at that time. And last year the Hawks went balls out all year and won. But that was a short year, and up until then there was the President's Cup curse, which fits your point nicely. Two sides to an argument = good internet/bar talking points!!

True about teams tiring in the playoffs if they push too hard in the regular season. The question is whether the team will be able to step on the gas at that time. And last year the Hawks went balls out all year and won. But that was a short year, and up until then there was the President's Cup curse, which fits your point nicely. Two sides to an argument = good internet/bar talking points!!
- mohel

Maybe we could even throw in that guys are distracted by the Olympics coming up. I would hope that we see a better focus after the tournament.

Good chance of that. My point was that it is not needed to add a forward - the team has the cap space to call one up. And there is no benefit of "saving cap space" as a reason to not bring one up, since the Hawks cannot accumulate space. This leads to two reasons they haven't brought up a forward. One might be that they want the kids to play; I don't think this is the case as they are playing with a hamstrung roster. Another - and I think this is the correct one - is that they feel none of the Rockford kids are ready to help as the 13th forward at this point.
- mohel

Agree. Was responding to EKs original post.

I think a lot of this is Q being stubborn. He should have given both Pirri and Morin more time.... even if it was just to pad their stats a bit to get more in trade.

I know they don't have enough down the middle but Zus is bringing nothing right now and needs to sit.

True about teams tiring in the playoffs if they push too hard in the regular season. The question is whether the team will be able to step on the gas at that time. And last year the Hawks went balls out all year and won. But that was a short year, and up until then there was the President's Cup curse, which fits your point nicely. Two sides to an argument = good internet/bar talking points!!
- mohel

Playoffs are totally different from the regular season. Teams have stretches of 3 games in 4 nights; meet teams on long road trips who may either be slumping or on hot streaks, etc. etc.

Different ball game when you play a team as many as 7 consecutive games trying to win 4 of them.

What I want to see on April 1 is the Hawks playing good hockey with a healthy, reasonably rested roster. Will take my chances from there with what they have.

Agree. Was responding to EKs original post.

I think a lot of this is Q being stubborn. He should have given both Pirri and Morin more time.... even if it was just to pad their stats a bit to get more in trade.

I know they don't have enough down the middle but Zus is bringing nothing right now and needs to sit.
- steelhead

Maybe he's holstering them for now so they can play a role more towards the playoffs. Maybe they saw what they needed to see for now. Just a thought.

Playoffs are totally different from the regular season. Teams have stretches of 3 games in 4 nights; meet teams on long road trips who may either be slumping or on hot streaks, etc. etc.

Different ball game when you play a team as many as 7 consecutive games trying to win 4 of them.

What I want to see on April 1 is the Hawks playing good hockey with a healthy, reasonably rested roster. Will take my chances from there with what they have.
- RickJ

Don't forget, we'll get a bump in the playoffs when "Playoff Bickell" shows up!

all good...you set it up well.....HAPPY DAYS one of my FAVORITE SHOWS EVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVER
- philco28

Really? Growing up I thought it was great and had the fonzie lunch box and shirt, but every now and then I watch a rerun on nick at nite and they don't seem to be that good anymore.

The thing about teams like the Blues and Ducks, at least in years past, is that they play balls to the walls hockey during the regular season and then go flat and get rolled over come playoff time. That's my guess as to why no drastic moves are being made right now. I know we are in a horrible slump but we are still taking games to OT at least and walking away with a point which is keeping us in a great spot in the standings.
- PhilMeister89

And again, I think it's important to note that last year they went to OT 16 times, winning 11.

This year - 15 times to OT, winning 4.

That's just to offset the belief that somehow this team just rolled thru the regular season last year - it didn't - 1/3 of the games went to OT. They just won more after regulation than this year.

Really? Growing up I thought it was great and had the fonzie lunch box and shirt, but every now and then I watch a rerun on nick at nite and they don't seem to be that good anymore.
- tomcat24

Nick at Night reruns ! Giv eme Dragnet allllll DAY !!


Bed time used to be 9pm when I was a little Hawks fan , got to stay up till 930pm when Dragnet was on ! LOL

And again, I think it's important to note that last year they went to OT 16 times, winning 11.

This year - 15 times to OT, winning 4.

That's just to offset the belief that somehow this team just rolled thru the regular season last year - it didn't - 1/3 of the games went to OT. They just won more after regulation than this year.
- StLBravesFan

I remember people giving us a hard time for that too.

To beat the Ducks maybe they need to Stay out of the penalty box and put Rantaa in net
- ikeane

agreed! Corey Osgood Crawford needs a 6 million dollar break

Don't forget, we'll get a bump in the playoffs when "Playoff Bickell" shows up!
- vabeachbear

Bickell came in last year admitting he was in the best shape of his career from playing (in Switzerland I think) during the strike. He knew he was in a contract year. From what I have seen of him this year it is not just the knees but his conditioning is way down. Hard to get or stay in shape with a knee issue. He says the braces have to stay on all year. If he decides to take one off towards the playoffs or at some point maybe that will signal a change. He may need more time on IR with the lack of time Q is giving him.

To beat the Ducks maybe they need to Stay out of the penalty box and put Rantaa in net
- ikeane

Since Crow left the Dec. 8 game against Florida where Raanta relieved and was credited with the win and starting with the next game...

Raanta is 9-3 (with 2 of those losses coming via the dreaded shootout)

Since returning vs NYI on Jan. 2...Crawford is 0-5 with (3 o/t losses, 1 s/o loss).

Crow allowed 3 goals or less in 4 of those 5 starts and didn't have much chance on the 3 o/t goals that beat him.

And again, I think it's important to note that last year they went to OT 16 times, winning 11.

This year - 15 times to OT, winning 4.

That's just to offset the belief that somehow this team just rolled thru the regular season last year - it didn't - 1/3 of the games went to OT. They just won more after regulation than this year.
- StLBravesFan

That is not a good sign for the playoffs either. This roster is losing the OT games. Confidence isn't where it was.

Really? Growing up I thought it was great and had the fonzie lunch box and shirt, but every now and then I watch a rerun on nick at nite and they don't seem to be that good anymore.
- tomcat24

I never had the Fonzie lunch box.....you nerd


Kidding TC...no seriously...i could watch that show forever with no regrets.

Since Crow left the Dec. 8 game against Florida where Raanta relieved and was credited with the win and starting with the next game...

Raanta is 9-3 (with 2 of those losses coming via the dreaded shootout)

Since returning vs NYI on Jan. 2...Crawford is 0-5 with (3 o/t losses, 1 s/o loss).

Crow allowed 3 goals or less in 4 of those 5 starts and didn't have much chance on the 3 o/t goals that beat him.
- philco28

Why Q doesn't let Raanta have a few more or even a few in a row seems odd. The guy clearly cannot tolerate rookies. Saad was an extreme exception it seems.

I'm not going to knock the Ducks or the Blues because both are very good and probably better than the Hawks at this point.

But did you ever notice how many home games the Ducks play against teams on the second night of a back to back playing in less than 24 hours after a tough game against the Kings?

Or St. Louis - they seem to get 2 nights off after every game they play and then go up against a team on the 2nd game of a back to back.

Things even out over time but they haven't as yet.
- RickJ

Yeah I noticed that, too. It is a huge edge. I think they play 18 games against a team that played the nigt before. That's almost a quarter of their games they have the edge of bing rested. Same with Blues and San Jose. I think we only play 13. And maybe in 5 or 6 of those we also played the night before so no edge

Why Q doesn't let Raanta have a few more or even a few in a row seems odd. The guy clearly cannot tolerate rookies. Saad was an extreme exception it seems.
- steelhead

Crow's the UNO for now. The Cup win earned him that respect and the new contract amplified his value to the brass, so the job is his....until he completely SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHITS himself.

That said...i'd love to see them split the workload.

That is not a good sign for the playoffs either. This roster is losing the OT games. Confidence isn't where it was.
- steelhead

Easy fix! Take Zus out and put Pirri in and all the troubles are over! Or maybe the Hawks are having a slump and the coaches and players will work things out.