Miller a minor (but unproven) upgrade in goal. Ott and Stewart are a wash, imo.
- mohel

IMO, Miller is an upgrade over Halak.

Why does everyone say the Blues can't score when they're third in the NHL in goals per game? They score enough, it's just spread out among more players, and losing Stewart and gaining Ott is probably almost a wash in terms of pt. production, given that Stewart didn't quite live up to expectations in STL.
- Tugboat

I agree with your post, just wanted to point out that Stewart has more points this year than Ott. Not by much, but still.....

How about........just give the Hawks credit for winning 2 Stanley Cups without a true #2 center. If this happened or that happened.....but they didn't happened. The Hawks won 2 Cups not because their opponents were beat up....it's because the Hawks have the deepest team....still do. Deepest D.....and when healthy have 4 lines.....do they have holes.....yes but....so does every one else.
- UnnamedSource

I do give the Hawks credit for winning two Stanley Cups. However, During the regular season of 2010 and during the shortened season of last year, it was apparent to me that the Hawks were head and shoulders above the the rest of the NHL talent wise. I don't feel that this year. They were #1 in goals against last year. This year, they're mid-pack. ( Granted, that's a slanted stat due to piss poor PK earlier in the year…..)

I think the Hawks have a shot. But this isn't 2010 or 2014 when you felt like they SHOULD make it to the cup finals and most likely win...

Why does everyone say the Blues can't score when they're third in the NHL in goals per game? They score enough, it's just spread out among more players, and losing Stewart and gaining Ott is probably almost a wash in terms of pt. production, given that Stewart didn't quite live up to expectations in STL.
- Tugboat

Because the regular season and playoff aren't the same, and depth scoring takes a big hit in the playoffs. You need your stars to score like stars and the Blues really don't have any IMO.

IMO, Miller is an upgrade over Halak.
- EKolb13

I acknowledged that already. If you're saying he's a big upgrade, then okay; I don't see a big upgrade, but we'll see how he does under the type of fire he's not been in for a long time.

I acknowledged that already. If you're saying he's a big upgrade, then okay; I don't see a big upgrade, but we'll see how he does under the type of fire he's not been in for a long time.
- mohel

I never said big upgrade. Miller is better than Halak, for sure. As too how much of a difference it makes, we'll see.

Why does everyone say the Blues can't score when they're third in the NHL in goals per game? They score enough, it's just spread out among more players, and losing Stewart and gaining Ott is probably almost a wash in terms of pt. production, given that Stewart didn't quite live up to expectations in STL.
- Tugboat

This. Never underestimate your opponent; ESPECIALLY one you couldn't beat this season. Yes , we score goals, but in streaks. We'll score 5 or 6 in one game, then one or two. They are averaged. I'd be interested in seeing the % of games in which we've scored 3 or more, and against which teams.

I acknowledged that already. If you're saying he's a big upgrade, then okay; I don't see a big upgrade, but we'll see how he does under the type of fire he's not been in for a long time.
- mohel

The bolded is key.

I do give the Hawks credit for winning two Stanley Cups. However, During the regular season of 2010 and during the shortened season of last year, it was apparent to me that the Hawks were head and shoulders above the the rest of the NHL talent wise. I don't feel that this year. They were #1 in goals against last year. This year, they're mid-pack. ( Granted, that's a slanted stat due to piss poor PK earlier in the year…..)

I think the Hawks have a shot. But this isn't 2010 or 2014 when you felt like they SHOULD make it to the cup finals and most likely win...
- yahoodi

I understand your point, but the difference between this year's team and the dominant one of last year is not at 2C. It is Bolland, Stalberg and Frolik; and to me it is only Bolland that is significant because the others have been adequately replaced by Smith and Versteeg. So, this team is VERY similar to last year's. Are other teams really better than last year? Perhaps, but we'll soon see.

I do give the Hawks credit for winning two Stanley Cups. However, During the regular season of 2010 and during the shortened season of last year, it was apparent to me that the Hawks were head and shoulders above the the rest of the NHL talent wise. I don't feel that this year. They were #1 in goals against last year. This year, they're mid-pack. ( Granted, that's a slanted stat due to piss poor PK earlier in the year…..)

I think the Hawks have a shot. But this isn't 2010 or 2014 when you felt like they SHOULD make it to the cup finals and most likely win...
- yahoodi

Most teams have gotten better. You could argue that the Hawks have not.

Choosing to not play competent players with Kane and not acquiring someone with a high skill level to compliment him (or using Saad there...) is absolutely baffling and a waste. Could be problematic in the playoffs when playing a team that has players who can compete with Sharp - Toews - Hossa both physically and skill wise.

There is really no second threat because who gives a poop about defending Versteeg or whatever is being passed as a 2C.

Very frustrating to watch as a fan. Especially more frustrating because the most exciting player in the league is being neutered by a combination of the guy standing on the bench and the guy the press box.

This. Never underestimate your opponent; ESPECIALLY one you couldn't beat this season. Yes , we score goals, but in streaks. We'll score 5 or 6 in one game, then one or two. They are averaged. I'd be interested in seeing the % of games in which we've scored 3 or more, and against which teams.
- Q...argh

25 games out of 62 less than 3 goals (if I counted correctly the other nite).

Not sure how that stacks up against the rest of the league.


But I agree with you on the streakiness of it: before Saturday nite, you had only only line scoring for several games - the top line; Kane's line has been in a goal funk (and which is Kane's line?), third line has disappeared with Bickell; fourth line is fourth line.

If Teravainen dodes get a shot this season, and if Teravainen can produce and help this team, and if Teravainen is more suited at wing rather than center, as wiz says - could Sharp be forced to move to center?
- EKolb13

I don't care how good he is. There has to be some adjustment to the North American game and I don't know that you burn a year of his ELC to experiment unless massively desperate.

Pretty piss poor planning and a massive gamble if that is their plan.

I understand your point, but the difference between this year's team and the dominant one of last year is not at 2C. It is Bolland, Stalberg and Frolik; and to me it is only Bolland that is significant because the others have been adequately replaced by Smith and Versteeg. So, this team is VERY similar to last year's. Are other teams really better than last year? Perhaps, but we'll soon see.
- mohel

It's Bolland, Stalberg, and Frolik - AND Bickell and Handzus - five guys replaced by your two.

25 games out of 62 less than 3 goals (if I counted correctly the other nite).

Not sure how that stacks up against the rest of the league.


But I agree with you on the streakiness of it: before Saturday nite, you had only only line scoring for several games - the top line; Kane's line has been in a goal funk (and which is Kane's line?), third line has disappeared with Bickell; fourth line is fourth line.
- StLBravesFan

Thanks. Not quite as bad as I thought, but it'd be nice if it were a bit lower. (They score 2 or less in slightly over 40% of games.)

Most teams have gotten better. You could argue that the Hawks have not.

Choosing to not play competent players with Kane and not acquiring someone with a high skill level to compliment him (or using Saad there...) is absolutely baffling and a waste. Could be problematic in the playoffs when playing a team that has players who can compete with Sharp - Toews - Hossa both physically and skill wise.

There is really no second threat because who gives a poop about defending Versteeg or whatever is being passed as a 2C.

Very frustrating to watch as a fan. Especially more frustrating because the most exciting player in the league is being neutered by a combination of the guy standing on the bench and the guy the press box.
- fattybeef

Best post in a while.

Not only could one argue the Hawks have not gotten better, you could easily argue they have slipped.

Now it is all about health and the draw they get in the post-season. In the end, the road to the WCF goes through STL - who is a much better team than last year - especially in the areas the Hawks are weaker in: board play, faceoffs, and special teams.

The question is, since the Hawks have not found a way to beat STL in the regular season this year, that STL is now better than before the TDL, and the Hawks are not better than before the TDL, are they content and think they can prevail in a series against the Blues.

This. Never underestimate your opponent; ESPECIALLY one you couldn't beat this season. Yes , we score goals, but in streaks. We'll score 5 or 6 in one game, then one or two. They are averaged. I'd be interested in seeing the % of games in which we've scored 3 or more, and against which teams.
- Q...argh

we've scored 3+ goals 39 times this season.......took me 2 minutes to find this out.

They are not streaky......

we've scored 3+ goals 39 times this season.......took me 2 minutes to find this out.

They are not streaky......
- UnnamedSource

You sure about that#?

I don't care how good he is. There has to be some adjustment to the North American game and I don't know that you burn a year of his ELC to experiment unless massively desperate.

Pretty piss poor planning and a massive gamble if that is their plan.
- fattybeef

I don't disagree with you on this. With last nights tweets about Teravainen after the Pirri trade, it sounds like Bowman might be desperate enough to try him there.

Because the regular season and playoff aren't the same, and depth scoring takes a big hit in the playoffs. You need your stars to score like stars and the Blues really don't have any IMO.
- rollpards19

Interesting notion, but I'm skeptical, and wouldn't mind seeing some numbers that compare reg season vs. playoff goal distribution (pure scorers vs. non pure scorers & number of different scorers).

Just thinking off the top of my head, it seems that teams that go deep or win Cups do so with role players getting hot at the right time, and that you generally need big contributions from unlikely sources to win. I doubt depth scoring in the playoffs is statistically very different, but I could be wrong.

I don't disagree with you on this. With last nights tweets about Teravainen after the Pirri trade, it sounds like Bowman might be desperate enough to try him there.
- EKolb13

They would have to clear more roster cap to fit him in. Waive Regin? That's about the only way. What if TT craps the bed after you make room?

I think the lack of a competent 2C is now coming home to roost, as the depth and skill elsewhere can no longer effectively compensate for it. Not to mention the absolute crime it is to not have someone to allow Kane to really play to his potential.

Best post in a while.

Not only could one argue the Hawks have not gotten better, you could easily argue they have slipped.

Now it is all about health and the draw they get in the post-season. In the end, the road to the WCF goes through STL - who is a much better team than last year - especially in the areas the Hawks are weaker in: board play, faceoffs, and special teams.

The question is, since the Hawks have not found a way to beat STL in the regular season this year, that STL is now better than before the TDL, and the Hawks are not better than before the TDL, are they content and think they can prevail in a series against the Blues.
- Return of the Roar

How have they slipped? If you want to make that argument you would have to ignore the fact the penalty kill hasn't improved over the span of this season and at this point may be equal to what it was during last season.......they definitely have gotten better and have not slipped since the first quarter of the season. Last seasons struggling power play is 3rd in the NHL....definitely not slipped. You could also argue Face offs have improved due to Krugmans improvement.......Does St Louis have our number in the regular season...yes. However as you know the playoffs are a different animal. The biggest hurdle the hawks have is themselves....the motivation aspect of the game and hopefully that will dissipate in the post season. The Hawks still have the deepest team in the Conference.....

You sure about that#?
- Q...argh

Go to ChicagoBlackhawks.com.....go to schedule...see for yourself.

25 games out of 62 less than 3 goals (if I counted correctly the other nite).

Not sure how that stacks up against the rest of the league.


But I agree with you on the streakiness of it: before Saturday nite, you had only only line scoring for several games - the top line; Kane's line has been in a goal funk (and which is Kane's line?), third line has disappeared with Bickell; fourth line is fourth line.
- StLBravesFan

I went through the Hawks and Blues seasons so far and here's a breakdown of the number of times they've scored.

0 1 2 3 3+

Blues - 2 6 16 13 23

Hawks 1 8 17 9 27


Hawks have scored less than three goals two more times than the Blues. They have also played two more games than the Blues. In all, the distribution looks pretty similar to me. Note, I did not include the "shoot out" goal in the totals, since I don't believe it is a hockey goal.

They would have to clear more roster cap to fit him in. Waive Regin? That's about the only way. What if TT craps the bed after you make room?

I think the lack of a competent 2C is now coming home to roost, as the depth and skill elsewhere can no longer effectively compensate for it. Not to mention the absolute crime it is to not have someone to allow Kane to really play to his potential.
- Return of the Roar

I don't think that's an issue. Wouldn't the remaining games he could play adjust what goes against the cap? I could be wrong about that.

How have they slipped? If you want to make that argument you would have to ignore the fact the penalty kill hasn't improved over the span of this season and at this point may be equal to what it was during last season.......they definitely have gotten better and have not slipped since the first quarter of the season. Last seasons struggling power play is 3rd in the NHL....definitely not slipped. You could also argue Face offs have improved due to Krugmans improvement.......Does St Louis have our number in the regular season...yes. However as you know the playoffs are a different animal. The biggest hurdle the hawks have is themselves....the motivation aspect of the game and hopefully that will dissipate in the post season. The Hawks still have the deepest team in the Conference.....
- UnnamedSource

I agree that the PK has improved within the scope of this season, but it is still nowhere near the level of effectiveness it was last year. Overall team defense is far worse than last year - GA tells the story.

I dont think they are a bad team. In fact they are a good team. But they are NOT the team they were last year, while the competition has improved.

STL with even more grit and FO dot talent combined with better goaltending is a team that has been built to go for the weaknesses of the Hawks. Weaknesses that they have not yet fully addressed, let alone fixed or made better.

Not sayin' they suck - just sayin' it's going to be a VERY hard road for the Hawks past round one.