Bickell isn't healthy, and I concur with Phil when he says Bickell shouldn't be in the lineup if he's not capable of playing, but I for one am not ready to write him off just yet. Give him some time to get over his knee injury(s) and then let's reassess.
- paulr

I think the olympic break will be important for him....get healthy and get some strength. Let's see how he is then.....we will need him in the playoffs.

It was nice to have the TSN crew giving the 4th line, and specifically Bollig, credit. He has really improved his all around game from two years ago and that 4th line has been a Godsend. Imagine if the Hawks didn't have that safety net to throw out there.
- eburgio

Ive liked Bollig ever since he came up a couple years ago. Even though that 4th line is effective i still wouldnt mind seeing Smith get a shot at the 3rd line. With how much line juggling goes on anyway he'd probly end up back on the 4th even if things were going good.

No.

I think the idea here would be to acquire another defenseman to play with Leddy, not to trade him.
- EKolb13

to bad Lindstrom retired

Sorry, Leddy's a pusssy that needs to trade in the Jill for a jock or he will be filling water bottles in the playoffs again.

Ive liked Bollig ever since he came up a couple years ago. Even though that 4th line is effective i still wouldnt mind seeing Smith get a shot at the 3rd line. With how much line juggling goes on anyway he'd probly end up back on the 4th even if things were going good.
- BlazinMike

I've been very impressed with the 4th line. On most nights the 4th line gets more ice time than the 3rd, especially Kruger and Smith. The key to our success is Q rolling 4 effective lines, so right now I say leave 52-16-28 intact.

Also, the PK duo of Smith and Saad is excellent. They are becoming this year's Kruger and Frolik.

I thought Leddy had a pretty solid game, he made a good defensive play with about 5 1/2 minutes left in the game to stop a Canuck on a partial breakaway. Let's hope this type of play continues.

I've been very impressed with the 4th line. On most nights the 4th line gets more ice time than the 3rd, especially Kruger and Smith. The key to our success is Q rolling 4 effective lines, so right now I say leave 52-16-28 intact.

Also, the PK duo of Smith and Saad is excellent. They are becoming this year's Kruger and Frolik.

I thought Leddy had a pretty solid game, he made a good defensive play with about 5 1/2 minutes left in the game to stop a Canuck on a partial breakaway. Let's hope this type of play continues.
- DarthKane

Every once in awhile i see Leddy make a decent hit, or do some type of red ass thing to someone and i say, "hmm that was nice". If only he did it more often he'd be awesome.

I wanna watch the whole thing now
- BlazinMike

88 hours of footage into 50 minutes....not easy

Every once in awhile i see Leddy make a decent hit, or do some type of red ass thing to someone and i say, "hmm that was nice". If only he did it more often he'd be awesome.
- BlazinMike

I've been as hard on Leddy as anyone, but I have to admit that I am seeing improvement in his game. Keep in mind he's only 22 and rarely plays with the same partner in consecutive games.

In a close game I still want Oduya on the ice over Leddy, but I like the improvement Leddy is making.

I've been as hard on Leddy as anyone, but I have to admit that I am seeing improvement in his game. Keep in mind he's only 22 and rarely plays with the same partner in consecutive games.

In a close game I still want Oduya on the ice over Leddy, but I like the improvement Leddy is making.
- DarthKane

I liked seeing Leddy stick Richardson with the lumber after the whistle...bout time

Nice game from the Hawks last night. Aside from the 1st shift of the game and Versteeg's 2nd period brain fart, I thought it was a solid outing. If they can get 4 of 6 pts in the next 3 games, I'd consider that acceptable.

The Bickell situation is getting a bit concerning though. Regardless of the situation, it doesn't look good at all that your scratching a guy who you just signed to a $16 mil extension. Personally I'd hold on to Bickell but if the Hawks are going to continually scratch him and Q loses all confidence then maybe Bickell can use a fresh start elsewhere. Hawks would be able to get something for him regardless of how his year has been this year.
- dan9189

Not to be the grammar police, but...

Good to see the Hawks playing a little more like the Hawks. Kind of figured they would bounce back against the Canucks, who appear to be running on fumes.

That might have been Ben Smith's best game this year. He was everywhere. I love the new drop-the-shoulder and head straight for the net move with the puck. More please. It also helped that Q didn't match them up against any top line. Just rotated lines. More please.

Steeger has been awfully turnover happy ( his one wonderful pass notwithstanding) and that line is still a bit of a work in progress. But they were better than in Calgary. And they're more interesting with Pirri than they have been with either 65 or 26 centering that line. Hopefully, Pirri gets some patience from Q......but I doubt it.

Onwards.
- yahoodi

I saw your Tweet form last night and I will follow up now on Versteeg.

Too often he is high risk/reward...But when goals aren't happening at the same pace players try to do too much and he often leads the list.

Q has always been patient with him and he does back check well and draws penalties too.

When you see Versteeg off the PP then you will know Q is upset otherwise hang on tight.

Smith is a nice player unfortunate he can't seem to be effective on the PK but maybe he will get more chances and that will change.

For the first time in quite awhile the 3rd line was effective and productive...It's hard to win in a Q system when the 3rd line is weak.

All I can say is the one player most thought would have an up/down year due to age and a bad back was Hossa and he has been better than ever since being here.

Crawford sneaky good last night in a game most won't give him any credit for...

Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Good to see the Hawks playing a little more like the Hawks. Kind of figured they would bounce back against the Canucks, who appear to be running on fumes.

That might have been Ben Smith's best game this year. He was everywhere. I love the new drop-the-shoulder and head straight for the net move with the puck. More please. It also helped that Q didn't match them up against any top line. Just rotated lines. More please.

Steeger has been awfully turnover happy ( his one wonderful pass notwithstanding) and that line is still a bit of a work in progress. But they were better than in Calgary. And they're more interesting with Pirri than they have been with either 65 or 26 centering that line. Hopefully, Pirri gets some patience from Q......but I doubt it.

Onwards.
- yahoodi

What's your Twitter handle?

I saw your Tweet form last night and I will follow up now on Versteeg.

Too often he is high risk/reward...But when goals aren't happening at the same pace players try to do too much and he often leads the list.

Q has always been patient with him and he does back check well and draws penalties too.

When you see Versteeg off the PP then you will know Q is upset otherwise hang on tight.

Smith is a nice player unfortunate he can't seem to be effective on the PK but maybe he will get more chances and that will change.

For the first time in quite awhile the 3rd line was effective and productive...It's hard to win in a Q system when the 3rd line is weak.

All I can say is the one player most thought would have an up/down year due to age and a bad back was Hossa and he has been better than ever since being here.

Crawford sneaky good last night in a game most won't give him any credit for...

Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Versteeg was a turnover machine last night. I kept waiting for Q to bench him, but he kept sending him out there.

Versteeg was a turnover machine last night. I kept waiting for Q to bench him, but he kept sending him out there.
- MartiniMan

Versteeg didn't have a good game, he was trying to do too much on his own. He needs to use his team mates a lot more.

Age is a factor, but you have to figure in wear and tear and conditioning. I know that JJ has said it many times - Hossa is an animal in the gym. Perhaps Roszival isn't as disciplined in his own conditioning?
- EKolb13

Rozsival has a bad knee. Hossa is sort of Bobby Hull-like. Just genetically gifted as far as strength and athleticism. I still find it funny and ironic that so many had him written off. At 35, he plays better than 98% of the 25 year olds in the league, and does everything they do physically.

It was nice to have the TSN crew giving the 4th line, and specifically Bollig, credit. He has really improved his all around game from two years ago and that 4th line has been a Godsend. Imagine if the Hawks didn't have that safety net to throw out there.
- eburgio

Which is why fixing the third line is SO im[ortant. Gives Q a HUGE matchup advantage in the playoffs.

Funny how a bunch of guys who hang around other message boards (and bloggers on this boards, and a few here) knew more about Bollig ("he can't play, doesn't belong in the NHL" etc) than the Hawk front office and some others did. The guy is not Pavel Bure, but he is an effective, physical hockey player and he can shoot the puck.

I just heard an interesting fact on the radio today. The teams which has the most shots on goal has won at a 51% clip this season.

Another fact is that about 1/8 of all games played end with a shut out.

Versteeg was a turnover machine last night. I kept waiting for Q to bench him, but he kept sending him out there.
- MartiniMan

Like I said Q was always very patient with him...more so than any other player I can think of.

He tries to do too much at times but can be an effective player...and has been sloppy and pressing the last few games.

I would keep him on one line for awhile because he should be good with Kane.

Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Which is why fixing the third line is SO im
- John Jaeckel[ortant. Gives Q a HUGE matchup advantage in the playoffs.

Funny how a bunch of guys who hang around other message boards (and bloggers on this boards, and a few here) knew more about Bollig ("he can't play, doesn't belong in the NHL" etc) than the Hawk front office and some others did. The guy is not Pavel Bure, but he is an effective, physical hockey player and he can shoot the puck.

Im smarter than all you mentioned

Which is why fixing the third line is SO im
- John Jaeckel[ortant. Gives Q a HUGE matchup advantage in the playoffs.

Funny how a bunch of guys who hang around other message boards (and bloggers on this boards, and a few here) knew more about Bollig ("he can't play, doesn't belong in the NHL" etc) than the Hawk front office and some others did. The guy is not Pavel Bure, but he is an effective, physical hockey player and he can shoot the puck.

I have noticed and probably you have too..

Hossa has another gear and uses it when Toews/Sharp or others are struggling.

Just an elite hockey player....Like Selanne he doesn't lose much as he gets older.

It's out of the box and a sports writer award...Two things that work against it happening...But Hossa should win the Selke this year even though he is a winger.

Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

Not to be the grammar police, but...


- MartiniMan

Nice trophy.

So we finally get Pirri up to play with Kane and for some reason Q moves the defensively responsible and puck battle winning saad to the third line and puts the turnover prone versteeg on a line with Pirri and Kane. Plus Q tried to saddle Kane with Handzus and Shaw too. Why does Q hate Pirri and Kane?

So we finally get Pirri up to play with Kane and for some reason Q moves the defensively responsible and puck battle winning saad to the third line and puts the turnover prone versteeg on a line with Pirri and Kane. Plus Q tried to saddle Kane with Handzus and Shaw too. Why does Q hate Pirri and Kane?
- Walky

It's more liking Saad on the third line than hating Pirri or Kane.

A rival is based on competition.
- paulr

How bout you cut the trash talk out....you do remember 2011 and barely making the playoffs...right? And the dreaded 9 game losing streak the year after? Take the high road once in a while.

How bout you cut the trash talk out....you do remember 2011 and barely making the playoffs...right? And the dreaded 9 game losing streak the year after? Take the high road once in a while.
- captainserious

If I can contain myself and abstain from trash talking Canucks fans then anyone can. Most of the Canucks fans I know are good fans and know their stuff, but they are frustrated with their team just as we have been. Although the long term outlook for their club is pretty bleak.

If I can contain myself and abstain from trash talking Canucks fans then anyone can. Most of the Canucks fans I know are good fans and know their stuff, but they are frustrated with their team just as we have been. Although the long term outlook for their club is pretty bleak.
- DarthKane

Very true. After losing Edler, Ehrhoff and Mitchell in particular, they have never been the same.