Jay Cutler is the biggest waste of dough since Cristobal Huet and Adam Dunn and Alfonso Soriano. I wish Cutler had half the heart and stones as Andrew Shaw. Cutler is a wise arse punk to boot. Trestman? Washed up CFL milquetoast coach. What's up with that? Iron Mike where are you? Lol
- rnewman291

Jay Cutller may not be as good as you wish he could be. Still with the weapons this offense has he should be good enough to lead the team to the playoffs IF YES IF the defense is better.

Are there enough difference makers on defense? Is there holes or not good enough talent throughout the defensive unit? Could the defense be improved but still not good enough?

The Bears had a problem getting anywhere against a very good St Louis Rams team last season. Specifically, the front four DL was a problem for the Bears. Against a similar good Bills defense Cutler and offense put up a descent amount of points this season, albeit only game #1. Really probably need a few more points, however, since the defense this season does not appear good enough as in allowing fewer points and yardage.

Could be that defense is better this season but still not good enough? Agree: The offense is pretty good but not good enough against the top defensive units in the league? Struggling to make the playoffs. Not much difference than last year's team when all said and done. Record wise, injuries and winning close games will be telling. But on paper it does not appear that Emery has made good enough upgrades.

I suppose it is not like each GM can sign the best free agents and trade for a very high draft choice in round one, which usually means pro bowl or among the best at their position players gained from such a high pick.

Much the same old same old Bears. Expectation out the window. Playoffs.... Maybe but I wouldn't bet on it. You think the DL is good enough? Line backing is not as good as it was a few years ago. Ditto, the secondary, the safety position in particular. And they can make the playoffs with this group. Well maybe but I am not enthusiastic about seeing it happen. But I feel more like an outsider looking at the inside of the operation when it comes to pro football (I follow hockey closer). My observations just appear obvious. I am sure diehard know all football fans could pick apart my comments, perhaps both agreeing and disagreeing on some points!

So Boston trying to sign two young players all the way up to the start of training camp/exhibition season. Is there salary cap concern? This could be the Blackhawks predicament same time next season.

I guess Bowman has a full year to chew on that. But right now there is another issue not much focus upon in JJ column or any feedback: Just whom is going to answer the bell when a fighting situation arises? Is that clown in Dallas going to belittle Chicago? The Blues pound Chicago into submission. Is the great acquisition from the Beach trade going to stand up? Is he a punching bag like Magnuson was a few decades ago?

Not that having a fighter who can win his share of battles is the most pressing issue. But just whom is going to be the team tough. My gosh, is Bowman going to pick up Scott on the very cheap, and employ him in select games? Just wondering how this situation with fighting turns out.

So Boston trying to sign two young players all the way up to the start of training camp/exhibition season. Is there salary cap concern? This could be the Blackhawks predicament same time next season.

I guess Bowman has a full year to chew on that. But right now there is another issue not much focus upon in JJ column or any feedback: Just whom is going to answer the bell when a fighting situation arises? Is that clown in Dallas going to belittle Chicago? The Blues pound Chicago into submission. Is the great acquisition from the Beach trade going to stand up? Is he a punching bag like Magnuson was a few decades ago?

Not that having a fighter who can win his share of battles is the most pressing issue. But just whom is going to be the team tough. My gosh, is Bowman going to pick up Scott on the very cheap, and employ him in select games? Just wondering how this situation with fighting turns out.
- jhawk59

Smith and Krug?

Boston (and Philadelphia and TB - and, oh, one other, I can't remember) is over the cap - all four need to make a negative move by October.

Fighter? Less worried about a fighter - especially in the pay-offs - than about who will go tough into the corners, along the half-wall, in the slot, clear out the crease - who will get to the net.

Smith and Krug?

Boston (and Philadelphia and TB - and, oh, one other, I can't remember) is over the cap - all four need to make a negative move by October.

Fighter? Less worried about a fighter - especially in the pay-offs - than about who will go tough into the corners, along the half-wall, in the slot, clear out the crease - who will get to the net.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed.

Anyways, more of the speculation/concern has been who is going to get under the cap.

He just likes their uniforms.
- Elbows15

News to me.

That Bears D really sucked yesterday, eh?

Bobby Douglas had a cannon for an arm.

How many wasted seasons trying to make him an NFL QB?
- StLBravesFan

oh boy you know its going to be a very long year when Bobby Douglass comparisons pop up after 1 game.

Let the Bear hate roll. Where's Abe Gibron to kick around when you need him!

So Boston trying to sign two young players all the way up to the start of training camp/exhibition season. Is there salary cap concern? This could be the Blackhawks predicament same time next season.

I guess Bowman has a full year to chew on that. But right now there is another issue not much focus upon in JJ column or any feedback: Just whom is going to answer the bell when a fighting situation arises? Is that clown in Dallas going to belittle Chicago? The Blues pound Chicago into submission. Is the great acquisition from the Beach trade going to stand up? Is he a punching bag like Magnuson was a few decades ago?

Not that having a fighter who can win his share of battles is the most pressing issue. But just whom is going to be the team tough. My gosh, is Bowman going to pick up Scott on the very cheap, and employ him in select games? Just wondering how this situation with fighting turns out.
- jhawk59

A) Signing a fighter is stupid.
B) If they want a fighter, they already have Brandon Mashinter.
C) John Scott already signed with the San Jose Sharks.

A) Signing a fighter is stupid.
B) If they want a fighter, they already have Brandon Mashinter.
C) John Scott already signed with the San Jose Sharks.
- BreakoutHockey

A). Signing a fighter is stupid. Couldn't agree more. There is no salary cap room for someone whose primary role is as a fighter. There are few fighters left in the NHL who do not have a skill set. I cannot even recall any right away when I pause and try to come up with a couple.

B). I do not think Mashinter is a good fighter. Against NHL heavyweights he would probably fare worse than Bollig. Is Mashinter even in the heavyweight class - more in the size/weight class one below that level - where Bollig resides. Mashinter is a last choice option for toughness and in that role to even make the Chicago roster.

C). My point was merely how is Chicago going to address the team tough and whom would be their primary fighter? If no player is added whom could step into the role of team pugilist? Well maybe some cheap (read: affordable per salary cap constraint) would be brought in and employed sparingly. Even played only in certain games on the schedule. Truth is, don't know what Biwman will do. St Louis Braves fan has it right when he says that he is more concerned about how tough and in what area of the ice the team, overall, plays tough.

Surprising it would be if Scott makes a roster. Thanks for reminding that he signed with SJ. Players near the end of their career, or NHL career, probably are paid too much and are not very good players.

Scott is at the end and not paid much. He is bereft of a skill set. Others?

Colton Orr is just a thug. D Murray is slow, getting old and not ever been on a roster just for fighting. His time in Montreal appears short. His NHL time remaining is probably perilously short as well.

I would have to research whom is even on the market, unsigned or signed but available. By opening night we should have an answer. Kind of hard to accept that Mashinter is the answer. I questioned last year if he could be brought up for a few gp at the end of the season to use for toughness and to fill in so others receive a rest before the playoffs. I was also incensed that no response was made over the Orpik check. But even back then I knew Mashinter was more -or -less a bum only helpful at AHL level. And just someone taken insofar as to dump a Beach. Now he appears a last ditch choice to play in Chicago?

That Bears D really sucked yesterday, eh?


- prd797

Joke the Bears retained this guy. Now they are hoping a very old Tillman/Briggs and other old vets like Ratliff can hold it together. Ummm no. Shea is a stand up
3-4 LB and is outa place in a 4-3 set up. S position is still a joke. Emery missed again not taking one of those top S in round 1. 2 years in a row that Emery has missed badly in round 1. And Cutler.. Trestman has filled that guys head with all this savior crap. If this team goes 6-10 I will be shocked. Be ready for a SF beat down. They are re-loaded and will destroy the Bears with Gore and that other stud rookie RB they have. That looks 41-10 to me.. and an 0-2 start.

God please get hockey going for us....

You're missing out. Good stuff, make you strong.
- Ogilthorpe2

Oyster-fest on Roscoe over the weekend. Nothing beats NOLA oysters tho

Has anyone ever been to the Training Camp Festival? I bought a couple tickets to take my 3 year old (going to be 4 in December) to his first Blackhawks experience.

Any tips or things to do at this? Time to get there? What to do to get decent seats? Any help is appreciated.
- Dannyboy

GO very early the line is extremely long to get in, usually one door southside unless you participate in the pre-fest activities, kinda hard with a little guy. Worth it once you are inside

A). Signing a fighter is stupid. Couldn't agree more. There is no salary cap room for someone whose primary role is as a fighter. There are few fighters left in the NHL who do not have a skill set. I cannot even recall any right away when I pause and try to come up with a couple.

B). I do not think Mashinter is a good fighter. Against NHL heavyweights he would probably fare worse than Bollig. Is Mashinter even in the heavyweight class - more in the size/weight class one below that level - where Bollig resides. Mashinter is a last choice option for toughness and in that role to even make the Chicago roster.

C). My point was merely how is Chicago going to address the team tough and whom would be their primary fighter? If no player is added whom could step into the role of team pugilist? Well maybe some cheap (read: affordable per salary cap constraint) would be brought in and employed sparingly. Even played only in certain games on the schedule. Truth is, don't know what Biwman will do. St Louis Braves fan has it right when he says that he is more concerned about how tough and in what area of the ice the team, overall, plays tough.

Surprising it would be if Scott makes a roster. Thanks for reminding that he signed with SJ. Players near the end of their career, or NHL career, probably are paid too much and are not very good players.

Scott is at the end and not paid much. He is bereft of a skill set. Others?

Colton Orr is just a thug. D Murray is slow, getting old and not ever been on a roster just for fighting. His time in Montreal appears short. His NHL time remaining is probably perilously short as well.

I would have to research whom is even on the market, unsigned or signed but available. By opening night we should have an answer. Kind of hard to accept that Mashinter is the answer. I questioned last year if he could be brought up for a few gp at the end of the season to use for toughness and to fill in so others receive a rest before the playoffs. I was also incensed that no response was made over the Orpik check. But even back then I knew Mashinter was more -or -less a bum only helpful at AHL level. And just someone taken insofar as to dump a Beach. Now he appears a last ditch choice to play in Chicago?
- jhawk59

There really isn't any cap room to address this issue - unless Bowman is looking to move two players to make room.

As it sits now, there are 13 forwards under contract in Chicago that cannot be sent down unless they pass through waivers. There are also currently 7 defenseman in the same boat, and a team that is approximately $1.4 million over the cap.

At this point, it's about moving someone to get under the cap. Beyond that, leaving enough cap room to have the ability to re-call a player from Rockford without having to stick someone on LTIR in an emergency and to build cap room in a deadline deal would be optimal.

That probably means that whoever is moved out to make that cap room isn't going to leave Bowman enough room beyond carrying 13 forwards and 7 defenseman, with maybe enough room to re-call someone from time to time.

Rockford is probably where the Hawks will fill the enforcer role - with a re-call when they feel they need it. So guys like Mashinter, Labrie, and possibly Bass could be that guy, for a night or two at a time.

Or Bowman could choose not to address the role at all...

A). Signing a fighter is stupid. Couldn't agree more. There is no salary cap room for someone whose primary role is as a fighter. There are few fighters left in the NHL who do not have a skill set. I cannot even recall any right away when I pause and try to come up with a couple.

B). I do not think Mashinter is a good fighter. Against NHL heavyweights he would probably fare worse than Bollig. Is Mashinter even in the heavyweight class - more in the size/weight class one below that level - where Bollig resides. Mashinter is a last choice option for toughness and in that role to even make the Chicago roster.

C). My point was merely how is Chicago going to address the team tough and whom would be their primary fighter? If no player is added whom could step into the role of team pugilist? Well maybe some cheap (read: affordable per salary cap constraint) would be brought in and employed sparingly. Even played only in certain games on the schedule. Truth is, don't know what Biwman will do. St Louis Braves fan has it right when he says that he is more concerned about how tough and in what area of the ice the team, overall, plays tough.

Surprising it would be if Scott makes a roster. Thanks for reminding that he signed with SJ. Players near the end of their career, or NHL career, probably are paid too much and are not very good players.

Scott is at the end and not paid much. He is bereft of a skill set. Others?

Colton Orr is just a thug. D Murray is slow, getting old and not ever been on a roster just for fighting. His time in Montreal appears short. His NHL time remaining is probably perilously short as well.

I would have to research whom is even on the market, unsigned or signed but available. By opening night we should have an answer. Kind of hard to accept that Mashinter is the answer. I questioned last year if he could be brought up for a few gp at the end of the season to use for toughness and to fill in so others receive a rest before the playoffs. I was also incensed that no response was made over the Orpik check. But even back then I knew Mashinter was more -or -less a bum only helpful at AHL level. And just someone taken insofar as to dump a Beach. Now he appears a last ditch choice to play in Chicago?
- jhawk59

Agreed that signing someone whose sole purpose is to fight is a dumb move. No argument there. However, when Bowman got rid of Bollig for less than a bag of pucks...he not only got rid of the team's hit leader (which very few people acknowledge), he also got rid of the ONLY member of the team who was a decent fighter and actually made any kind of impact when standing up for his teammates on occasion. THIS concerns me. Ek, you're our Rockford guy...how would you rate Mashinter as a replacement for Bollig in that regard? How would you feel about a 4th line of Smith-Kruger-Mashinter?

Oyster-fest on Roscoe over the weekend. Nothing beats NOLA oysters tho
- Cup-Bearer

We tried to go to this a number of years back and did actually go but the oysters they got were bad so it turned into an oyster-less oyster-fest.

ESPN has a story up that Leddy's agent not expecting a trade. Smoke screen or what?

ESPN has a story up that Leddy's agent not expecting a trade. Smoke screen or what?
- z1990z

Here is the article.

http://espn.go.com/blog/c...cting-hawks-to-deal-leddy

Something seems a bit fishy, it appears that every agent is expecting their player to stay. It will be interesting to see what Stan does.

I am not the biggest Leddy fan, but I understand the reasons for keeping him so I wouldn't be surprised to see him stay.

http://uversechannels.att.com/channel-survey




If you are stuck in Uverse hell like me , please take 1 minute to fill this out and request the NHL Network.

They have the NHL Network already in their drop down menu for this survey so hopefully they are close to adding it back on .

A). Signing a fighter is stupid. Couldn't agree more. There is no salary cap room for someone whose primary role is as a fighter. There are few fighters left in the NHL who do not have a skill set. I cannot even recall any right away when I pause and try to come up with a couple.

B). I do not think Mashinter is a good fighter. Against NHL heavyweights he would probably fare worse than Bollig. Is Mashinter even in the heavyweight class - more in the size/weight class one below that level - where Bollig resides. Mashinter is a last choice option for toughness and in that role to even make the Chicago roster.

C). My point was merely how is Chicago going to address the team tough and whom would be their primary fighter? If no player is added whom could step into the role of team pugilist? Well maybe some cheap (read: affordable per salary cap constraint) would be brought in and employed sparingly. Even played only in certain games on the schedule. Truth is, don't know what Biwman will do. St Louis Braves fan has it right when he says that he is more concerned about how tough and in what area of the ice the team, overall, plays tough.

Surprising it would be if Scott makes a roster. Thanks for reminding that he signed with SJ. Players near the end of their career, or NHL career, probably are paid too much and are not very good players.

Scott is at the end and not paid much. He is bereft of a skill set. Others?

Colton Orr is just a thug. D Murray is slow, getting old and not ever been on a roster just for fighting. His time in Montreal appears short. His NHL time remaining is probably perilously short as well.

I would have to research whom is even on the market, unsigned or signed but available. By opening night we should have an answer. Kind of hard to accept that Mashinter is the answer. I questioned last year if he could be brought up for a few gp at the end of the season to use for toughness and to fill in so others receive a rest before the playoffs. I was also incensed that no response was made over the Orpik check. But even back then I knew Mashinter was more -or -less a bum only helpful at AHL level. And just someone taken insofar as to dump a Beach. Now he appears a last ditch choice to play in Chicago?
- jhawk59

Mashinter had some good showings as a rookie against Reaves and Jaansen among others. Think he actually did better than Bollig against both (not sure if Bollig fought Cam). As a player though he offers nada.

I share your concern in C. This team needs another player who can fight but can earn real TOI in a checking or PK role. The players who can show up right now on this roster to offset the Roussel types in the regular season (Seabs, Bickell, Shaw) you would rather not see taking the risk for various reasons.

Mashinter had some good showings as a rookie against Reaves and Jaansen among others. Think he actually did better than Bollig against both (not sure if Bollig fought Cam). As a player though he offers nada.

I share your concern in C. This team needs another player who can fight but can earn real TOI in a checking or PK role. The players who can show up right now on this roster to offset the Roussel types in the regular season (Seabs, Bickell, Shaw) you would rather not see taking the risk for various reasons.
- tredbrta

Risk of what - getting hurt in a fight? You're right - they aren't - and shouldn't be - fighters.

But they need to be able to risk injury doing what tough NHL skaters SHOULD be doing these days - going hard to the puck, winning board battles, getting to the net and winning the slot battles on both ends of the ice.

Hawks need tough players, not fighters.

A). Signing a fighter is stupid. Couldn't agree more. There is no salary cap room for someone whose primary role is as a fighter. There are few fighters left in the NHL who do not have a skill set. I cannot even recall any right away when I pause and try to come up with a couple.

B). I do not think Mashinter is a good fighter. Against NHL heavyweights he would probably fare worse than Bollig. Is Mashinter even in the heavyweight class - more in the size/weight class one below that level - where Bollig resides. Mashinter is a last choice option for toughness and in that role to even make the Chicago roster.

C). My point was merely how is Chicago going to address the team tough and whom would be their primary fighter? If no player is added whom could step into the role of team pugilist? Well maybe some cheap (read: affordable per salary cap constraint) would be brought in and employed sparingly. Even played only in certain games on the schedule. Truth is, don't know what Biwman will do. St Louis Braves fan has it right when he says that he is more concerned about how tough and in what area of the ice the team, overall, plays tough.

Surprising it would be if Scott makes a roster. Thanks for reminding that he signed with SJ. Players near the end of their career, or NHL career, probably are paid too much and are not very good players.

Scott is at the end and not paid much. He is bereft of a skill set. Others?

Colton Orr is just a thug. D Murray is slow, getting old and not ever been on a roster just for fighting. His time in Montreal appears short. His NHL time remaining is probably perilously short as well.

I would have to research whom is even on the market, unsigned or signed but available. By opening night we should have an answer. Kind of hard to accept that Mashinter is the answer. I questioned last year if he could be brought up for a few gp at the end of the season to use for toughness and to fill in so others receive a rest before the playoffs. I was also incensed that no response was made over the Orpik check. But even back then I knew Mashinter was more -or -less a bum only helpful at AHL level. And just someone taken insofar as to dump a Beach. Now he appears a last ditch choice to play in Chicago?
- jhawk59

Jordan Nolan may come available.

Why all this concern about losing Bollig? How many fights did the Hawks have all of last year? I'm pretty sure it was 5 or less.

People can talk about Bollig and his physical play all they want. The crux of the biscuit is when it was playoff time, Bollig and his physical play sat both of the last two years. Also, he played Roszival over the more physical Brookbank both years. This should tell us all we need to know about where Q ranks physicality in the playoffs.

I think it would be fair to say that Q is more worried about effective lines than hits. Had the Hawks been able to play a fourth line against LA, that would have made more of a difference than someone just out there to lay the leather on people.

Agreed that signing someone whose sole purpose is to fight is a dumb move. No argument there. However, when Bowman got rid of Bollig for less than a bag of pucks...he not only got rid of the team's hit leader (which very few people acknowledge), he also got rid of the ONLY member of the team who was a decent fighter and actually made any kind of impact when standing up for his teammates on occasion. THIS concerns me. Ek, you're our Rockford guy...how would you rate Mashinter as a replacement for Bollig in that regard? How would you feel about a 4th line of Smith-Kruger-Mashinter?
- Murph76

I'm not thrilled by the premise of that. From what I've seen of Mashinter, he's a poor man's version of Bollig. His game in his own end is scary and has a tendency to take penalties at inopportune times.

If he does make the team, I don't think it's going to take Q long to relegate him to playing 3-5 mins a game, or banish him to the press box never to be heard from again. Then again, Q did ride John Scott in the defensive parings for forever until Bowman shipped him off. If Q wants to get rid of him, he might just play him until Bowman moves him.

Anyone who doesn't think that the NCAA isn't the worst and dirtiest example of a sports administration:

The punishments of Penn State have been rescinded - scholarships go back to normal next year, they're eligible for post-season play THIS YEAR - two years early.

A program that should have received the death penalty, a school that should have been kicked out of the Big Ten - if they had any integrity - now back in the good graces of sports universe and the TV networks that support it.

Disgusting.

Why all this concern about losing Bollig? How many fights did the Hawks have all of last year? I'm pretty sure it was 5 or less.

People can talk about Bollig and his physical play all they want. The crux of the biscuit is when it was playoff time, Bollig and his physical play sat both of the last two years. Also, he played Roszival over the more physical Brookbank both years. This should tell us all we need to know about where Q ranks physicality in the playoffs.

I think it would be fair to say that Q is more worried about effective lines than hits. Had the Hawks been able to play a fourth line against LA, that would have made more of a difference than someone just out there to lay the leather on people.
- NewToHockey

16 fighting majors last season. Bolling and Brookbank with 6, Bickell with 2, Shaw and Versteeg with 1.