wtf is up with hossa? 1 goal? hes a complete waste to play in my pool

wtf is up with hossa? 1 goal? hes a complete waste to play in my pool
- DougGilmour_93

That whole line has done everything but score. You should be getting some points soon. And a lot of them.

Plus. He has the close to a milestone curse going.

That whole line has done everything but score. You should be getting some points soon. And a lot of them.

Plus. He has the close to a milestone curse going.
- Elbows15

geesus.... his points better be coming in 5's every game soon

geesus.... his points better be coming in 5's every game soon
- DougGilmour_93

I would like that.

Neal allowed to do whatever he pleased too. Anyone put a shoulder into him ?
- philco28

Big fan of his, actually.

I don't think he gets the credit he deserves. People will point to his attitude/character, but far as I'm concerned, he is exactly what the Blackhawks could have used. $5 mil annually for the next four years is a bargain in my opinion. I know the Hawks didn't have the cap space, but would have been a nice fantasy.

I'm still holding out for a similar player ... one who happens to have a brother on the roster .... and happens to be playing up north of the border .... guess who.

WARNING: RANT AHEAD

A storm is brewing. It isn't a positive storm either, it's a negative one. I don't want to be a Negative Nancy or a Debbie Downer, but I want to snap back to reality for a second here. Call it an over-reaction if you want, but I want to take a different view of the Blackhawks situation at hand here:

After today's pathetic display of a measly 8 hits, I decided to do some research pertaining to hit totals in the NHL by team.

Thus far (no surprise), the Hawks are at the bottom of the NHL along with the Minnesota Wild. However, what's interesting (and not surprising at all), is that the 'Hawks have been dead last in the league in hits for the past four seasons (including this one). What's more interesting? The hit totals have been consistently decreasing each of the past three seasons (18.3 per game in 11-12, 17.5 per game in 12-13 season, and 16.8 per game last year- not including this season yet since we're still very early into the year). So the trend is obvious that we're becoming more finesse. Now, given the 'Hawks were a bounce away from competing in their third SC in five years I can't really complain, but what's apparent is that given the 'Hawks style of play, it would be nice to be able to adapt a little bit and become more physical. Of course, the personnel isn't exactly ideal for that, but with Bickell allegedly setting a new goal for himself with 5 hits a game, a physical Seabrook, a gritty Shaw and Carcillo, it would be nice to see the team start to pick it up a little bit. I still want to Jeremy Morin given an extended chance to prove himself because he can be a very solid complimentary piece, but I think that it's evident that the stubborn Q doesn't seem likely to do that.

Maybe it's the study-drugs that kicking in, but nonetheless, I don't know what it is, but something in my gut tells me that the current situation of the roster now and going forward isn't right, and the team will be exposed.

Bieksa would beat the poop out of Backes. Backes is a tough guy against smaller players.
- Elbows15

But Bieksa isn't?

Not sure who mentioned it earlier but Rannta really needs to work on rebound control.
- Hawks64

Almost everybody?

But Bieksa isn't?

- John Jaeckel

Both of those guys are world champs when they can't see the opponents crest

The Central is the toughest division in the NHL, no gimmees in any of the rinks. 2 of those Nashville goals could have been prevented, sloppy giveaways.

And don't hold your breath waiting for Brad Richards to get any chemistry with anybody, the turtle is washed up.
- RickJ

I know its early, but Richards has shown me absolutely NOTHING, so i think i might agree with this.

I know its early, but Richards has shown me absolutely NOTHING, so i think i might agree with this.
- BlazinMike

Richards is a shell and will be centering your 4th line by thanksgiving.

I know its early, but Richards has shown me absolutely NOTHING, so i think i might agree with this.
- BlazinMike

Richards has been disappointing for sure. I'm still hoping that he will pan out, but I'm starting to have my doubts.

Richards is a shell and will be centering your 4th line by thanksgiving.
- rangerdanger94

I honestly dont know if i even want him there. He's a pro and I'm sure he'll get some sort of production going but if he doesnt then I'm all in favor of sitting his ass and calling up someone from the Rock

Just show him this beauty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSNtMDkRjBA
- philco28

Still love that moment , can't lose Seebs he is all heart

So Q already playing favourites with some of his wingers; Saad completely gaffs and cause the 2nd goal directly and Bickell gets benched. Hmmm... maybe Q needs those peepers checked.

Not saying Bickell was playing well but there was a lot of dead weight out there.

I know its early, but Richards has shown me absolutely NOTHING, so i think i might agree with this.
- BlazinMike

Patience grasshoppers.

Only a few games in, still learning the system, the players etc. Has he played with the same two linemates for even one game????

I know one thing, he doesn't look at slow at a.) Zeus, or b.) I thought he would. so I think he should be given some time.

I don't think anyone with the exception of Hammer and TVR(and this is compared to the expectations) have looked all that great to this point, so I'm not ready to make a judgement just yet on Richards.

Not ready to give up on Richards yet , still think the new baby and new team are working against him right now ..His talent will soon be realized

Now that NHL Center Ice is having a free preview, did any of you see the Islanders-Bruins game? I was flipping between The Hawks game and that one. Paying particular attention to Leddy, he reminded me of another defenseman. Coffey? No. Orr? No. Chelios? No. Oh, now I remember - "Billy Charlebois". The guy in Slapshot (#5).

Seriously, Leddy is defensively timid and his dis-interested habit of skating from side to side of the crease is Chalrebois in a nutshell.

Patience grasshoppers.

Only a few games in, still learning the system, the players etc. Has he played with the same two linemates for even one game????

I know one thing, he doesn't look at slow at a.) Zeus, or b.) I thought he would. so I think he should be given some time.

I don't think anyone with the exception of Hammer and TVR(and this is compared to the expectations) have looked all that great to this point, so I'm not ready to make a judgement just yet on Richards.
- vabeachbear

My problem with Richards is that he looks timid, and slow to make decisions. He's had a few moments where he made a play but for the most part he seems like he isnt trying to protect the puck if theres a check coming his way. I'll wait a bit before completely writing him off. Like i said in another post I'm sure he'll get some points eventually, I'm just not expecting much

So Q already playing favourites with some of his wingers; Saad completely gaffs and cause the 2nd goal directly and Bickell gets benched. Hmmm... maybe Q needs those peepers checked.

Not saying Bickell was playing well but there was a lot of dead weight out there.
- TyCamScore

And Saad constantly is out of whack off balance on the rush.

He reminds of my son at 5 years old, he mind was working faster than he could speak the words. I have to tell him to slow down and get under control.

Now that NHL Center Ice is having a free preview, did any of you see the Islanders-Bruins game? I was flipping between The Hawks game and that one. Paying particular attention to Leddy, he reminded me of another defenseman. Coffey? No. Orr? No. Chelios? No. Oh, now I remember - "Billy Charlebois". The guy in Slapshot (#5).

Seriously, Leddy is defensively timid and his dis-interested habit of skating from side to side of the crease is Chalrebois in a nutshell.
- Tanuki

Did, he was getting #1 pair minutes with Boychuck, thought we'd hear a lot about that this morning on the board.

My problem with Richards is that he looks timid, and slow to make decisions. He's had a few moments where he made a play but for the most part he seems like he isnt trying to protect the puck if theres a check coming his way. I'll wait a bit before completely writing him off. Like i said in another post I'm sure he'll get some points eventually, I'm just not expecting much
- BlazinMike

He should get about 40 points when its all said and done this year but after the year you're gonna sit there and be like "how the (frank) did he get 40 points?"

He's just too slow and has lost literally all of his playmaking ability.

So Q already playing favourites with some of his wingers; Saad completely gaffs and cause the 2nd goal directly and Bickell gets benched. Hmmm... maybe Q needs those peepers checked.

Not saying Bickell was playing well but there was a lot of dead weight out there.
- TyCamScore

Maybe it's less punishment than Q thinking that Saad is more likely to do something special on the ice than Bickell is.

And Saad constantly is out of whack off balance on the rush.

He reminds of my son at 5 years old, he mind was working faster than he could speak the words. I have to tell him to slow down and get under control.
- vabeachbear

He definitely seems off. He's gone through stretches before where he's been inconsistent, just thought he'd come out ready at the start of the season.


Speaking of Saad, what are we thinking for contract? Shorter bridge contract? Or more like a 5-year Charlie Coyle type deal?


A Finn, A Saad & A Hog
http://bit.ly/1ytP1Pq

Maybe it's less punishment than Q thinking that Saad is more likely to do something special on the ice than Bickell is.
- StLBravesFan

3rd least amount of ice time for the team smells like punishment to me.

Especially after Bickell just said "Q slapped him on the rest" before the Flyers game.