Very true.
You could run the same analysis on every team. Add-ons to teams don't necessarily equate to success on the ice -e.g. everyone was conceding the Cup to St. Louis after the TDL last year.
Our farm system is not receiving enough credit as an injury cushion (LTIR, of course). We have a lot of hungry depth there that would be in the NHL on other teams. We all saw what success LA had with their young energy against us last year.
- 67hawks

Not me. I hated the Miller deal.

And beside the staged fights I noticed the Habs, Sens, Bruins etc. just stayed away when the Leafs wanted to fight last year. That made the Leaf's 4th line completely useless.
- paulr

Staged fights are the worst imho. Bollig/Reaves early in a game. Snooze.

So is it worth dressing a guy like Reaves to give him significantly limited minutes which would only maybe be for 1) sending him out to be a hitting machine to try and wake your own team up if they are playing poorly or to get the crowd into it (hopefully you have better skilled guys that are hard on the fore check); 2) to try and start a fight when you are down to try and change the momentum; 3)to try and exact some sort of payback for a dirty hit?

if I was gm and coach, I think I would strongly consider using that spot and 5 minutes a game to a power play specialist and/or shootout specialist. MDZ perhaps or Jason Allison back in the day.

Don't worry, you guys already have Seabrook who can run players.

I love that fans complain about Backes. It makes no sense. Yes, he plays physical. He will hit Toews or Kane. And most of the time it will be completely legal. Still, fans will complain about him even when Seabrook is as dirty if not more from that single headshot.

Maybe I need to talk to Blues fans about what we are going to do when Seabrook goes head hunting this year? But I won't.......don't feel like talking to myself today in a Blues thread.

- carcus

Goodness, I can't believe this is getting talked about. I guess having blues fans in a hawks thread never really gets to close those cans of worms.

It was an ugly hit, but Seabrook is anything but a headhunter. He's had his fair share of being lit up and I assume after a player experiences something like that they'd probably try not to inflict that same kind of punishment to an opposing player purposefully.

I've seen the Backes hit. No where does Seabrook launch himself or seem intent on targeting the head. He was standing straight up and Backes happened to have his head down. An unfortunate hit, but a hit that had little no malicious intent as some might think.

Staged fights are the worst imho. Bollig/Reaves early in a game. Snooze.

So is it worth dressing a guy like Reaves to give him significantly limited minutes which would only maybe be for 1) sending him out to be a hitting machine to try and wake your own team up if they are playing poorly or to get the crowd into it (hopefully you have better skilled guys that are hard on the fore check); 2) to try and start a fight when you are down to try and change the momentum; 3)to try and exact some sort of payback for a dirty hit?

if I was gm and coach, I think I would strongly consider using that spot and 5 minutes a game to a power play specialist and/or shootout specialist. MDZ perhaps or Jason Allison back in the day.
- stljam

Thats an excellent point. There are kids like Ryan Ellis in Nashville who are very small but high skill who could bring their talent to a specialist role at the NHL level instead of being squeezed out by some big, talentless goon with big fists and an IQ one above lettuce.

It could create a job for Clendening or Runblad in Chicago and others around the league. I'm sure the Blues have somebody on the farm like that that Fatso doesn't want to use but Doug Armstrong would force feed him.

Don't worry, you guys already have Seabrook who can run players.

I love that fans complain about Backes. It makes no sense. Yes, he plays physical. He will hit Toews or Kane. And most of the time it will be completely legal. Still, fans will complain about him even when Seabrook is as dirty if not more from that single headshot.

Maybe I need to talk to Blues fans about what we are going to do when Seabrook goes head hunting this year? But I won't.......don't feel like talking to myself today in a Blues thread.

- carcus

Backes and Thorton were just some random names, I wasn't specifically trying to call out those two.

The best deterrent for cheap shots is a strong PP. Scoring early on the PP is the best way to stop teams from taking cheap shots against you, unless they don't care about giving up goals.
That is what pisses me off about this Blackhawk team the last few seasons, the PP has been crap. Look at Edmonton, they are not a great "team" but their PP is much more damaging then Chicago's the last few seasons.
- powerenforcer

Power... Dind Ding Ding!
Nothing sucks more than tacking a dumb penalty and seeing a goal against and the looks that burn into your head even if you are not looking up at the team and coaches.

I know you seriously dont believe this ......


This happened while Bollig was on the ice .....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hckLGFCY86I

The tough guy fighters rarely prevent anything other than their own team from scoring goals .
- mrpaulish

He said he did not want an enforcer.

I'll take a few first responders on the ice - guys like Dubinsky, Martin (yes, he is the new "Ott") or Campbell. Would rather it be a group response - something like the Bruins expect from their players - but this current roster doesn't seem to have it. That doesn't mean they can't start playing that way.

What would happen if Reaves goes after Seabrook? Do you really think he would drop the gloves? No way. Doesn't really matter because I fully expect Backes and Seabrook to have a go in the first game or nothing at all to happen to Seabrook which is fine by me, frankly preferred. If backs and seabrook want to go to settle it or whatever you want to call it, fine. If they have let it go, why wouldn't the rest of us. It doesn't seem that hard of a concept to me but maybe that is the libertarian part of me


- stljam

I have never seen Seabrook refuse a fight after he has thrown a big hit and gets challenged. I have seen Backes in the same situation refuse to go many times. We'll see if Backes goes after someone he isn't sure he can beat.

Don't worry, you guys already have Seabrook who can run players.

I love that fans complain about Backes. It makes no sense. Yes, he plays physical. He will hit Toews or Kane. And most of the time it will be completely legal. Still, fans will complain about him even when Seabrook is as dirty if not more from that single headshot.

Maybe I need to talk to Blues fans about what we are going to do when Seabrook goes head hunting this year? But I won't.......don't feel like talking to myself today in a Blues thread.

- carcus

What does the Blues thread in September and the Scott Trade Center in May have in common?

Crickets

So how do you add this "need" of an enforcer? Where does the cap space and roster spot come from?
- EKolb13

Why is there a need to explain how this will be achieved, Eli?

The roster is going to see some shuffling. Some of us are simply saying it would be nice if that shuffling may result in some added toughness to the roster. And again, I really cannot see anyone here desiring an enforcer like Scott or even Bollig being necessary. The team needs a role player who deserves full shifts while bringing the pain when necessary.

I'm not saying they need to be there as a preventative measure, I'm saying it would be nice for at least some kind of punishment to be given out if the refs. fail miserably.
- Murph76

Well said. For the regular season I am also willing to see a penalty taken or a power play lost showing the Backes/Roussell types that their runs will have consequences.

Probly the most glaring reason Im perfectly fine with Bollig being gone. He watched that happen, and waited for a wistle to go do something about it. I dont care if its the playoffs or whatever, Torres should have been jumped immediately after that hit happened.

gets my blood boiling to watch that video
- BlazinMike

Agreed.

He seemed to come back and know his role in 13 but last year he looked like 2012 playoffs again. Forgot what he was out there for....

What does the Blues thread in September and the Scott Trade Center in May have in common?

Crickets


- Cup-Bearer

Why limit the thread comment to just September?

Don't worry, you guys already have Seabrook who can run players.

I love that fans complain about Backes. It makes no sense. Yes, he plays physical. He will hit Toews or Kane. And most of the time it will be completely legal. Still, fans will complain about him even when Seabrook is as dirty if not more from that single headshot.

Maybe I need to talk to Blues fans about what we are going to do when Seabrook goes head hunting this year? But I won't.......don't feel like talking to myself today in a Blues thread.

- carcus

More selective memory. Show me a single example of Seabrook's "head hunting" prior to that hit. He had never even had a hit reviewed up until that point. I can show you several per year on Backes. It is the defining element of his style.

Again, Backes is recognized as a Dustin Brown, Cory Perry type of player. Seabrook has never been looked at in that class. You would have a better argument if Keith was the comp.

Why is there a need to explain how this will be achieved, Eli?

The roster is going to see some shuffling. Some of us are simply saying it would be nice if that shuffling may result in some added toughness to the roster. And again, I really cannot see anyone here desiring an enforcer like Scott or even Bollig being necessary. The team needs a role player who deserves full shifts while bringing the pain when necessary.
- tredbrta

I'm asking the question because I'm looking for someone to give me a different view as to how this can be achieved cap-wise. From the way I'm looking at it, I can't see where it fits unless one of a couple of conditions are met - either Bowman trades a forward, or Bowman clears out enough cap space to carry a full roster of 23.

As for someone who can "bring the pain when necessary," perhaps Bickell, Shaw, Seabrook and a few others should be playing with more of a physical edge and should answer some of these challenges? I'm talking about players that this club has now and should probably have once Bowman makes a move (or two?) to get under the cap, not a couple of "minor pro-punchers" currently situated in Rockford, or the possibility of trading for some far-fetched acquisition that may never happen.

The best deterrent for cheap shots is a strong PP. Scoring early on the PP is the best way to stop teams from taking cheap shots against you, unless they don't care about giving up goals.
That is what pisses me off about this Blackhawk team the last few seasons, the PP has been crap. Look at Edmonton, they are not a great "team" but their PP is much more damaging then Chicago's the last few seasons.
- powerenforcer

THIS would be the best remedy but when have we seen it from this team?

Maybe Dineen and Richards will have that kind of impact?

I think we will see Richards get time on the point before Rundblad.

Why limit the thread comment to just September?

- stljam

Fixed
What does the Blues thread and the SCOTT TRADE CENTER in May have in common?

Crickets

What would happen if Reaves goes after Seabrook? Do you really think he would drop the gloves? No way. Doesn't really matter because I fully expect Backes and Seabrook to have a go in the first game or nothing at all to happen to Seabrook which is fine by me, frankly preferred. If backs and seabrook want to go to settle it or whatever you want to call it, fine. If they have let it go, why wouldn't the rest of us. It doesn't seem that hard of a concept to me but maybe that is the libertarian part of me


- stljam

Specious. Backes back down from Bickell. Reaves is not Bickell. Also, Seabs has fought a number of tough guys. Backes jumps player like McKinnon.

Staged fights are the worst imho. Bollig/Reaves early in a game. Snooze.

So is it worth dressing a guy like Reaves to give him significantly limited minutes which would only maybe be for 1) sending him out to be a hitting machine to try and wake your own team up if they are playing poorly or to get the crowd into it (hopefully you have better skilled guys that are hard on the fore check); 2) to try and start a fight when you are down to try and change the momentum; 3)to try and exact some sort of payback for a dirty hit?

if I was gm and coach, I think I would strongly consider using that spot and 5 minutes a game to a power play specialist and/or shootout specialist. MDZ perhaps or Jason Allison back in the day.
- stljam

Fortunately, you have Coach Chaos Hitch at the helm. He will be playing Lapierre, Reaves, Ott et al... over skill all year long. It will probably kill you again in the playoffs (along with goaltending). For the regular season though the Hawks need someone to regulate your goons... or a PP.

The best deterrent for cheap shots is a strong PP. Scoring early on the PP is the best way to stop teams from taking cheap shots against you, unless they don't care about giving up goals.
That is what pisses me off about this Blackhawk team the last few seasons, the PP has been crap. Look at Edmonton, they are not a great "team" but their PP is much more damaging then Chicago's the last few seasons.
- powerenforcer

Bingo

Bingo
- 6628

I agree as well.

As for someone who can "bring the pain when necessary," perhaps Bickell, Shaw, Seabrook and a few others should be playing with more of a physical edge and answer some of these challenges? I'm talking about players that this club has now and should probably have once Bowman makes a move (or two?) to get under the cap, not a couple of "minor pro-punchers" currently situated in Rockford, or the possibility of trading for some far-fetched acquisition that may never happen.
- EKolb13

Agree with you here. Maybe all this takes is having someone take on that Jamal Mayer role in the locker room. Maybe Dineen will be reminding them to watch out for each other? He was that type of player. Not the biggest but nasty and stuck up for teammates.

If the power play starts dominating it may not be necessary at all. As long as the officials are calling penalties (unlike last POs).

Specious. Backes back down from Bickell. Reaves is not Bickell. Also, Seabs has fought a number of tough guys. Backes jumps player like McKinnon.
- tredbrta

FYI, Backes has fought Bickell before. Pretty sure it was early in the season a few years ago. When did Backes supposedly back down from Bickell?

The MacKinnon thing has been way overplayed imho. Backes reacted quickly (perhaps overly so) to a high stick by McKinnon. He goes right after him in the heat of the moment. Stuff like that can easily happen in hockey. It's not like he pummeled Mackinnon. There aren't even any punches thrown/landed.

More selective memory. Show me a single example of Seabrook's "head hunting" prior to that hit. He had never even had a hit reviewed up until that point. I can show you several per year on Backes. It is the defining element of his style.

Again, Backes is recognized as a Dustin Brown, Cory Perry type of player. Seabrook has never been looked at in that class. You would have a better argument if Keith was the comp.
- tredbrta

Show me several per year then for Backes.

Show me several per year then for Backes.
- carcus

Backes plays a physical game. His hits normally are clean/hard but they can hover on the fine line (Mursak 2013 failed head shot). I think where the line is set depends on the jersey the fan is wearing. Most of the complaining is done on boards like this, not so much by the opposing players (ok maybe in the moment). If he has a rep IMO it would be for the opposing team to keep theirs heads up, because given the opportunity DB will knock you on your a$$. He chooses those opportunities, if there is a chance he will get lit up he does not finish the check. If challenged by a "enforcer" maybe he does not fight. Bottom line he is a pllayer who is a pain to play against and easy to hate if you are not in STL