Ive been saying this since they put that line together. Theres no denying that its a very effective line, but it costs the rest of the lineup depth IMO. Basically anyone you put on a line with Toews is gonna be a very good line, so theres no need to load him up with Sharp and Hossa.
- BlazinMike

And let's Versteeg play where he is best suited for the Hawks. On the 3rd line.

Best part of that whole play is Toews putting his elbow into Wiz' face.
- Elbows15

That was nice. I lost every ounce of respect/like for Wiz after he went flying elbow first in the Seabrooks face that time in Anaheim.

Even if there is an early play-off exit, what are his chances of making the national team for the World Champuonships? Bowman said if he did, that would delay his cone rocker here.
- StLBravesFan

Well it depends how many NHL players are available and so on? I guess he is on the list but he is no sure thing to making the team.

Sure he isn´t safe bet to succeed in NHL but he has some unusual skills which many of us Finnish people haven´t seen in a while - if ever. Yes, he is really raw in strenght wise and has a lot of learning to do with playing without the puck. Potential is huge though. I can´t remember any Finnish player who is so nifty with the puck and sees the ice so well than TT and I´ve followed Finnish hockey over 30 years.

So is Marty St. Louis, and we know TT is at least as skilled as MSL.
- mohel

And it's guaranteed that he will have at least as good a career.

Was it you who compared him to Frolik the other night? Frolik isn't going to like that.
- Elbows15

Nope, perhaps it was DK.

He looks like he plays stand up bass in a jazz trio....
- UnnamedSource

Kind of shocking he didn't TBH. And put Sharp and Kane back together.
- Elbows15

Tough job being the coach; gets abuse for changing them up too much (Line Blender) and for not changing them enough. Few, though are on the both sides of this issue, except Q...argh, of course.

And it's guaranteed that he will have at least as good a career.
- StLBravesFan

Unless he's called up too soon.

He has Frolik's eyebrows
- prd797

He should give them back - he's destroying them.

Para-Ogis are on NBCSN, live from Sochi.

Tough job being the coach; gets abuse for changing them up too much (Line Blender) and for not changing them enough. Few, though are on the both sides of this issue, except Q...argh, of course.
- mohel

His Mo has been to change his lines up when things aren't going well. What drives me crazy is when he does it shift to shift. That usually doesn't work. guys start running around and no one knows where anyone is supposed to be.

Nope, perhaps it was DK.
- prd797

No. No one compares to Frolik in Dk's world. I know who the poster was.

That's the point though. He is hurt all of the time because of the WAY he plays, doing it all and bringing 150% every time he hits the ice. When your banging in the corners, playing the dirty minutes against the opponents best, it's going to ear on you. We'll see the same thing happen to Shaw, Krugers, etc.
- Bjm84

If playing with Kane the "hard minutes" are probably reduced...

And aside from his hip and shoulder detaching all at the same time and this year breaking his hand in the Olympics there isn't that much injury history.

Toews has serious concussion history, so does Seabrook and Hossa has a bionic shoulder.

Its a gamble but not that terrible of a bet.

could kesler not center kane and say sharp or hossa? you guys would be unbeatable.

His Mo has been to change his lines up when things aren't going well. What drives me crazy is when he does it shift to shift. That usually doesn't work. guys start running around and no one knows where anyone is supposed to be.
- Elbows15

When things aren't going well in a game or they need a goal, he tends to load up the Toews line (with Kane). I think most of the combination have played together so many times by now that they are okay with it. It doesn't work a ton but that could be because the team is already playing like crap. I would rather have too much changing than too little; gives Q the ability to give the other coach a match-up problem when needed.

If playing with Kane the "hard minutes" are probably reduced...

And aside from his hip and shoulder detaching all at the same time and this year breaking his hand in the Olympics there isn't that much injury history.

Toews has serious concussion history, so does Seabrook and Hossa has a bionic shoulder.

Its a gamble but not that terrible of a bet.
- fattybeef

Kesler has fallen off a bit the past few years (note, I am not saying he sucks), so I think it is fair to ask if the injuries have affected his game and whether it is temporary or permanent. The Hawks you mentioned have shown they have recovered from their injuries without impact on their game.

As for the highlighted, I had this thought - "other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?"

And let's Versteeg play where he is best suited for the Hawks. On the 3rd line.
- Elbows15

Agreed. It reminds of when they kept trying to insert Frolik on a scoring line also.

And let's Versteeg play where he is best suited for the Hawks. On the 3rd line.
- Elbows15

I agree....Steeger should be on the 3rd line. He can fill in on the 2nd during injuries but I'd like to see the Bickell/Shaw/Versteeg line going forward.

Ive been saying this since they put that line together. Theres no denying that its a very effective line, but it costs the rest of the lineup depth IMO. Basically anyone you put on a line with Toews is gonna be a very good line, so theres no need to load him up with Sharp and Hossa.
- BlazinMike

I can understand him keeping them together as well especially if they're having success but at the end of the day breaking them up is best for the team. I would put Kane up with Saad & Toews. Hossa/Shaw with Sharp & The Caboose.

Ive been saying this since they put that line together. Theres no denying that its a very effective line, but it costs the rest of the lineup depth IMO. Basically anyone you put on a line with Toews is gonna be a very good line, so theres no need to load him up with Sharp and Hossa.
- BlazinMike

I can understand him keeping them together as well especially if they're having success but at the end of the day breaking them up is best for the team. I would put Kane up with Saad & Toews. Hossa/Shaw with Sharp & The Caboose.

His Mo has been to change his lines up when things aren't going well. What drives me crazy is when he does it shift to shift. That usually doesn't work. guys start running around and no one knows where anyone is supposed to be.
- Elbows15

yeah, and then we end up with Phil's favorite, the "Q too-many-men-line-blender" penalty.

I can understand him keeping them together as well especially if they're having success but at the end of the day breaking them up is best for the team. I would put Kane up with Saad & Toews. Hossa/Shaw with Sharp & The Caboose.
- UnnamedSource

I think Shaw would probably work better on a 3rd line with Regin and Bickell/Steeger.

I like the idea of propping up Zus with Hossa and Sharp. (worked last year.) and then you have Saad with 19/88.

But the truth is it's Q. Which means it will be that way at some point. And then it will be something else….

yeah, and then we end up with Phil's favorite, the "Q too-many-men-line-blender" penalty.


- savvyone-1

How does that happen so much? They have to lead the league in those.

I can understand him keeping them together as well especially if they're having success but at the end of the day breaking them up is best for the team. I would put Kane up with Saad & Toews. Hossa/Shaw with Sharp & The Caboose.
- UnnamedSource

We got it the first time.

And let's Versteeg play where he is best suited for the Hawks. On the 3rd line.
- Elbows15

Probably correct and let him have his share of power play time.

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