How is Backes any different than him? Goon squad. That is funny.

He deserved it.

You realize you are have a huge double standard, right? Tell me when Backes has knocked someone out on a bad hit, then taunted him as he is getting up? Who is the goon?

Let me answer that for you, neither.
- carcus

I didn't say Backes is any different from him. That is taken from someone else's post. That said, Seabs is a FAR, FAR classier player than Backes. Far cleaner as well.

Backes is a huge trash talker. He is also one to stand over someone after hitting him. Lapierre, Ott, Jackman, Backes, Reaves.... all of these players are trash talkers and instigators. Just like Coach "Chaos" Hitch loves.

Can we just change the petition to make the ice girls go away entirely? They shovel the ice like crap, clog the concourse, and are generally clueless about the team.
- Sandus

Sexist! Not only do they shovel worse but they are in the way and clueless about the team. I'm starting another petition.

Every ice girl must memorize each player's Corsi/Fenwick ratings from the previous game before putting on their pants and jacket.

I agree with everything but the Saad at 3.5 mil. He's still on an ELC and will probably get qualified at 2 mil or so, whatever the CBO dictates.

Unless Saad is at risk of getting offer sheeted and the Hawks give him a contract beforehand.

I don't know how that would work either with the talk of salary cap restrictions and money being allocated too far in advance. What is that term again?
- Fistafury17

Jamie McGinn just signed his bridge deal for 2 years $2.95M/per coming off of a 38 point season.

If Saad puts up better numbers this year than last I think $3.5 is in line with the market off of an ELC. He had 10 more points this last year than McGinn. Where are the comps for $2m?

If we win another Cup or two I really won't care, it will be a sacrifice worth making.

I understand the concern that these guys won't want to play near the tail end of their contracts. But both Keith and Hossa are quality guys and I don't see them backing out of their deals, especially Keith. DK has a chance to spend his entire career with one team and enjoy both tremendous personal and team success. I can't see him wanting to give that up.
- DarthKane

Your first comment is 100% the real, Bubba. The Stanley Cup is so hard to win....and after so many fruitless years of non playoff Hockey , the steps taken or sacrifices if you will ( long contracts and all) to win 2 championships and to currently be a top team and perrenial favorite are priceless....who cares if those contracts are a bother 10 yrs from now.The Cup is everything. Presidents trophys and long playoff streaks like St.Louis had prior to their rebuild and like San Jose currently have mean nothing.

I take the attitude where you do whatever it takes to win the cup. I've heard people say that Calgary lost the Brett Hull trade 30 yrs ago ....yet they won a cup and the blues did not.

Meatheads in every fan base.
- StLBravesFan

Oh, here we go. Condescension from the mountain along with a "meathead" thrown in.

When you have a combination of Reaves/Jackman/Lapiere/Ott and whomever taking runs at star players in the regular season without response it will eventually add up to injury. I'm hardly advocating for a goon. This lineup right now has Seabs and Bickell who occasionally step in for people. Shaw is also a stand up guy. None of them you want to see engaging every night (ok, Bickell I would like to see engaging every night). I am hoping someone like Johns plays well and fills that need when required. Important to establish an identity early as a team that stands up for each other - definitely there in 10 and 13.

He hit McGinn late, was a retaliation for earlier in that game.
- carcus

And Backes has deserved retaliation for years from a multitude of players and teams.

He plays on the edge. He hasn't crossed over into Cooke territory yet but he is close. He definitely belongs in the Brown/Perry class for dirty play (not for skill).

For Cooke class runners Hitch has his usual over allotment of Ott, Lapierre, Jackman and Reaves.

For Cooke class runners Hitch has his usual over allotment of Ott, Lapierre, Jackman and Reaves.
- tredbrta

I get the Ott and Lappy grouping in here. I understand the Jackman perception though I think he is a different style than Lappy and Ott.

Reaves being in this list confuses me a bit I must admit. I get the fighting, no skill, kind of goon reference but I haven't seen much from him to put him in Lappy's and Cooke's class. Is it partly comments he makes? It has to be more than the mostly shoulder to shoulder hit he put on Toews with the puck in game 1 of the playoffs. Right?

I get the Ott and Lappy grouping in here. I understand the Jackman perception though I think he is a different style than Lappy and Ott.

Reaves being in this list confuses me a bit I must admit. I get the fighting, no skill, kind of goon reference but I haven't seen much from him to put him in Lappy's and Cooke's class. Is it partly comments he makes? It has to be more than the mostly shoulder to shoulder hit he put on Toews with the puck in game 1 of the playoffs. Right?
- stljam

I'll concede Jackman to an extent. He hits high a lot but most of his garbage is after the whistle.

Reaves is a dirty goon. He targets players like Kane and Toews too much to be considered clean. I am sure it is how he is being coached but he should stick to his own weight class.

If the officials aren't calling it then at least the Blues have plenty of options to employ. This Hawk's roster has one option - finesse/possession. The 2010 roster could play whatever style you wanted. Though I prefer the 13 defense group the forward makeup of 10 would have ground the Blues up last year and spit them out in 5 games not 7 and Hitch would be coaching the Panthers.

Reaves is a dirty goon. He targets players like Kane and Toews too much to be considered clean. I am sure it is how he is being coached but he should stick to his own weight class.
- tredbrta

If you mean he searches for hits, even taking himself out of plays to make them, most definitely. All I meant is that I just don't see much flying elbows, head principal point of contact, knee and let stuck out, etc. with Reaves.

If you mean he searches for hits, even taking himself out of plays to make them, most definitely. All I meant is that I just don't see much flying elbows, head principal point of contact, knee and let stuck out, etc. with Reaves.
- stljam

I've seen plenty from Reaves. Toews was a head shot in game 3 (or 4). He isn't coordinated enough to use his knee. I recall seeing an elbow or 2 or 3. He also picks his spots. He was scared to death of Scott. Saw him back down from McGratton. Bollig OTOH (lighter than Reaves) dropped them with McGratton and suffered for it.

Speaking of which - until the Backes hit - Seabs had never had a suspension. Not even sure he ever had a close call. He is head and shoulders above Backes in the "clean" department.

Oh, here we go. Condescension from the mountain along with a "meathead" thrown in.

When you have a combination of Reaves/Jackman/Lapiere/Ott and whomever taking runs at star players in the regular season without response it will eventually add up to injury. I'm hardly advocating for a goon. This lineup right now has Seabs and Bickell who occasionally step in for people. Shaw is also a stand up guy. None of them you want to see engaging every night (ok, Bickell I would like to see engaging every night). I am hoping someone like Johns plays well and fills that need when required. Important to establish an identity early as a team that stands up for each other - definitely there in 10 and 13.
- tredbrta

Just a comment: no condescension implied.

But if you don't like condescension, I'd suggest staying away from here.

Even better than Robert Marvin Hull?
- blackhawk24

Always forget about that. But TBH, he is always #9 to me.

Just a comment: no condescension implied.

But if you don't like condescension, I'd suggest staying away from here.
- StLBravesFan

I think he's probly safe actually. Not really allowed to be offensive in any way around here anymore.

Someone want to get a napkin for the Blues' fans? If Backes had any skill and didn't mishandle the puck like a rookie, Seabrook's hit was perfectly timed. To call it a cheap shot is a stretch of Armstrong proportions.

I think he's probly safe actually. Not really allowed to be offensive in any way around here anymore.
- BlazinMike

The list? consider yourself on it.

Oh, here we go. Condescension from the mountain along with a "meathead" thrown in.

When you have a combination of Reaves/Jackman/Lapiere/Ott and whomever taking runs at star players in the regular season without response it will eventually add up to injury. I'm hardly advocating for a goon. This lineup right now has Seabs and Bickell who occasionally step in for people. Shaw is also a stand up guy. None of them you want to see engaging every night (ok, Bickell I would like to see engaging every night). I am hoping someone like Johns plays well and fills that need when required. Important to establish an identity early as a team that stands up for each other - definitely there in 10 and 13.
- tredbrta

So you respond to what you think is condescension with some of your own?

Makes sense to me.

The list? consider yourself on it.
- Elbows15

meh, (frank) it

I've seen plenty from Reaves. Toews was a head shot in game 3 (or 4). He isn't coordinated enough to use his knee. I recall seeing an elbow or 2 or 3. He also picks his spots. He was scared to death of Scott. Saw him back down from McGratton. Bollig OTOH (lighter than Reaves) dropped them with McGratton and suffered for it.
- tredbrta

If you mean Game 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6NFTsFyamM - Principal point of contact is shoulder to shoulder. Notice how Toews holds/rests his shoulder after the hit and while skating off. It's the shoulder that is causing him trouble/pain there, not his head. I know that position all too well unfortunately.

I'm sticking by my thinking it is his overall perceived lack of effectiveness that contributes more to this "rep" than actually dirty hits, save the dirty punch he threw on Scott after he was down in a fight.

FYI - Reaves has fought McGratton - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZvKKm_Tplw

If you mean this as "backing down" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAxywEsYemA , I want him to not fight in that situation all day long. Why get into a worthless fight when up 2-0 in a game and risk changing momentum?

Someone want to get a napkin for the Blues' fans? If Backes had any skill and didn't mishandle the puck like a rookie, Seabrook's hit was perfectly timed. To call it a cheap shot is a stretch of Armstrong proportions.
- Elbows15

I'll take a napkin and a slice of Lou Malnati's or Pizzeria Uno or Due pie please.

meh, (frank) it
- BlazinMike

eggzzaaccttllyyy

Bears game tonight fellas. Know what that means? Hockey is getting closer.

So you respond to what you think is condescension with some of your own?
- Elbows15

Well said.

While everyone is at it, let's drop the condescending attitudes.

Just a comment: no condescension implied.

But if you don't like condescension, I'd suggest staying away from here.
- StLBravesFan

Ok. None taken. That said, every time I see "meathead" posted when the discussion is simply about toughness I consider it a straw man. Just because you believe a team is better off responding tough to goon tactics in THE REGULAR SEASON doesn't mean you want a lineup of Grimsons and Pelusos. Responding early lets another team know they are in for a battle, brings your own team together, and gets the officials paying more attention down the line. All good things when you know you're lineup is more skilled (like the Hawks vs the Blues).

Also, I really don't see the condescension that was here previously.

Of course, condescension towards other teams (the Blues in particular) has to be allowed at all times.

Ok. None taken. That said, every time I see "meathead" posted when the discussion is simply about toughness I consider it a straw man. Just because you believe a team is better off responding tough to goon tactics in THE REGULAR SEASON doesn't mean you want a lineup of Grimsons and Pelusos. Responding early lets another team know they are in for a battle, brings your own team together, and gets the officials paying more attention down the line. All good things when you know you're lineup is more skilled (like the Hawks vs the Blues).

Also, I really don't see the condescension that was here previously.

Of course, condescension towards other teams (the Blues in particular) has to be allowed at all times.
- tredbrta

Yeah. He is not a Blues fan. He is a Hawk fan.

Well said.

While everyone is at it, let's drop the condescending attitudes.
- EKolb13

Also, someone explain to me what condecending means...