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
- TyCamScore

I'd take the Coyle contract right now. Long term for 3.2 seems like a good deal. Going to need some top guys at that number after this year. Think he'll definitely be outperforming that number through a good chunk of that 5 yr term.

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
- BlazinMike

I don't know why they didn't just call someone up from Rockford to begin with. All the talk of the talent that's down there, but they rarley bring guys up. I guess I get it: veteran free agent that can come in for relativly cheap and is low risk, potential high reward. But at some point, you have to start developing the guys in the minors.

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.
- TyCamScore

Kruger's ice time was waaaay down last night...did I miss something? Did he get injured?

Also Q is still playing only 3 lines...and it is starting to piss me off....Kruger 9 minutes and change and Carcillo 6 minutes and change....this isn't helping...Q is as good at messing this poop up as he is making a genius move..I don't care about 2 Cups anymore, that was then, this is now

Donno what to say about Richards yet, I'm going to give him about 20-30 games and then I think we'll know what we have still hoping he can turn this thing around

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do next year with the cap. I don't see ANY situation where they keep both Sharp and Bickell. I think the Hawks will be forced to part with Sharp even though Bickell is the biggest offender for underacheiving.

Could it be that he was just asking that question from a fan's point of view?
- powerenforcer

No actually. He believed - or wants us to believe - what he said. He doubled down a minute later when questioned about it.

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.
- TommyHawk

And what you see is what you will get this year with the make up of this team. Obviously, they're all in for the Cup this year. With salary cap implications, there is only room for minor tweaks, nothing truly roster changing.

However, with the mega contracts of the marketing twins kicking in next year, it will be truly interesting to see how Bowman remakes this team. He has no choice but to ice a grittier team next year. Barring any major trades (which is certainly not his track record) the only finesse player to be added will be TT. Speculate all you want on who leaves, (most likely Sharp, and a few others) many Rockford players will have to make the varsity.

A big mean crease clearing defenseman would be nice. (Can Johns fill this role?) Also, a true power forward has been needed seemingly forever.

So as you lament the lack of physical play, for various factors, I don't see that changing at all this year. However, next year should be different.

I don't know why they didn't just call someone up from Rockford to begin with. All the talk of the talent that's down there, but they rarley bring guys up. I guess I get it: veteran free agent that can come in for relativly cheap and is low risk, potential high reward. But at some point, you have to start developing the guys in the minors.
- Hank3Henshaw

They brought Richards in primarily to be the 2C, as I recall - and have read. They would have preferred (I'm guessing) that Richards be at 2C, and Shaw be at 3C. Hasn't worked out.

Other than perhaps TT, they apparently don't have any one on the farm that is considered a top-6 forward.

Im done with Bickel....ship him out...im sure any number of eastern teams would take him....my love affair with our supposed power forward is over (frank) him ......so I hear Malone is available...lol

Bicks has a monster game vs Philly....and id a female dog vs Nashville......wtFFFFFFFF

They brought Richards in primarily to be the 2C, as I recall - and have read. They would have preferred (I'm guessing) that Richards be at 2C, and Shaw be at 3C. Hasn't worked out.

Other than perhaps TT, they apparently don't have any one on the farm that is considered a top-6 forward.
- StLBravesFan

Yep, you're correct. That's why they brought him in. And that's also my point. For years, the 2C was an issue. They always moved guys around, tried converting wingers into Centers, etc. I'm not sure why they just never really brought up a natural Center from the Rock. The irony is that they talk about all the talent down there, but it's rarley brought up.
I also think it's cool that Carcillo has been far more productive than Richards. For all the bashing he takes from his past antics, Carcillo has turned things around (thus far) and been a great addition at a low cost and can be a healthy scratch to bring up a young guy, if the rigis front office/coaching staff will allow it. Haha.

Im done with Bickel....ship him out...im sure any number of eastern teams would take him....my love affair with our supposed power forward is over (frank) him ......so I hear Malone is available...lol
- southernhawk

Malone was available over the summer and could have been had for close to the league minimum then. He's with the Rangers now.

At this point, I don't see how Malone is anywhere near an improvement over Bickell.

A couple observations from last night:

-The throwing of hats when a home player gets 3 goals is stupid. It takes all the momentum away from the team. Nashville wasn't the same after that.

-This team is WAY too soft. They do not finish checks, even when they are available.

-Maybe a way to counteract all the speed is to get back to a physical game. Most things are cyclical, maybe since most teams have caught the Blackhawks speed, it is time to jump the curve on the physical game.

-Who should be held responsible for this team only playing 20 minutes (if that)?

I see the whining about Backes has started early.

Im done with Bickel....ship him out...im sure any number of eastern teams would take him....my love affair with our supposed power forward is over (frank) him ......so I hear Malone is available...lol
- southernhawk

Malone is not available.

Im done with Bickel....ship him out...im sure any number of eastern teams would take him....my love affair with our supposed power forward is over (frank) him ......so I hear Malone is available...lol
- southernhawk

I've been the same way for a couple years now. He's so over-paid for the extreme lack of production during the regular season. Big-bodied guy that never uses it...such a bummer. I'm hoping that Mashinter can prove something while at the Rock, come up and will be willing to use his frame. I think he has the ability. I know people say that the game is more finesse now, but there's still a place for the physical portion. It provides a spark and makes teams think twice when they come over the blue line. Hawks need a guy or two that is willing to play physical.

A couple observations from last night:

-The throwing of hats when a home player gets 3 goals is stupid. It takes all the momentum away from the team. Nashville wasn't the same after that.

-This team is WAY too soft. They do not finish checks, even when they are available.

-Maybe a way to counteract all the speed is to get back to a physical game. Most things are cyclical, maybe since most teams have caught the Blackhawks speed, it is time to jump the curve on the physical game.

-Who should be held responsible for this team only playing 20 minutes (if that)?
- powerenforcer

I notice that too. It's frustrating. It's not like the Hawks need to throw the hardest checks but come on, when the check is available then for the love of God, LAY THE BODY. It's HOCKEY.

I've been the same way for a couple years now. He's so over-paid for the extreme lack of production during the regular season. Big-bodied guy that never uses it...such a bummer. I'm hoping that Mashinter can prove something while at the Rock, come up and will be willing to use his frame. I think he has the ability. I know people say that the game is more finesse now, but there's still a place for the physical portion. It provides a spark and makes teams think twice when they come over the blue line. Hawks need a guy or two that is willing to play physical.
- Hank3Henshaw

I hear this. I watched Bickell exclusively last night. He passes and dishes the puck off too much instead of using his big body to maintain possession. He doesn't bull-rush the net enough either. I would think guys like McNeil or Rasmussen in Rockford could serve as good or better than Bickell at 1/4 the cost.

Also, Ben Smith. WOW. Love the guy. He reminds me of a stronger Kruger. Skates really well even if he's not a burner, has decent hands, is very strong for his size, and plays heady. The Hawks need to lock this guy up for the long term over Shaw, Versteeg et el.

A couple observations from last night:

-The throwing of hats when a home player gets 3 goals is stupid. It takes all the momentum away from the team. Nashville wasn't the same after that.

-This team is WAY too soft. They do not finish checks, even when they are available.

-Maybe a way to counteract all the speed is to get back to a physical game. Most things are cyclical, maybe since most teams have caught the Blackhawks speed, it is time to jump the curve on the physical game.

-Who should be held responsible for this team only playing 20 minutes (if that)?
- powerenforcer

Why can't we wait until a quarter of the season has gone before we break up this team?

They are 4-1-1 through 6 games - against bad competition? Well....

Their opponents are 16-14-7=39 points - take away Buffalo and the opponents in five other games (in which the Hawks are 3-1-1) are 15-7-7.

Their opponents have scored 96 goals in 37 games = 2.6 per game (3.1 per game without Buffalo). Hawks have given up to them only 10 goals in 6 games.

Bad teams, maybe, but playing well before and after the Hawks played them.

Corsi numbers favored the Hawks in all but the Dallas games, I think (Rolly, LBR - am I correct?), which means they have won the possession battles. PK has been solid (only given up 2 out of 19), PP has been better than last year (5 out of 26, I think).

And - that's without some things that should turn around: only 4 first-line goals - non even-strength; only 5 second-line goals, only 3 even strength; in fact, only 10 even-strength goals total in six games. And - only 2 games with more than 2 goals scored.

Richards - nothing - maybe be permanent; Bickell - not much - may be permanent. But: TVR - major surprise; Roszival - very good in two games.

Accuse me of drinking Kool-Aid if you must - altho please, let's be a little more artistically creative than that - but let's give things some more time before busting it all up.

Are we seriously starting with the "we're not physical enough" BS again?

All these things im reading that people are female doging about(Richards, Bickell and lack of physical play, not rolling 4 lines, etc).....its like everyone is forgetting that just 2 games all of those areas were covered.

The point is, during an 82 game season not everything is gonna go smoothly every night. There will be plenty of games im sure where Richards is a ghost, and where we get out hit, beat up, looks slow, or whatever. The key is to try and get as many points as possible anyways, and to save the best play for the playoffs.

I have complete confidence that this team knows how to lock in when it needs to. Give us a meaningful game where the pressure is on and i guarantee you'll see tons of hits, Bickell flying around, all 12 forwards being used, and the Hawks looking like the fastest team on the ice.

But if you're expecting "playoff Bickell" to show up all regular season long, or if you're expecting Richards to score 50-60 pts, you'll wind up asking yourself most nights, "oh no, what are we gonna do!?!, im not liking the way this team looks...".

Leddy

Just show him this beauty

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

That was a bonehead play by Seabrook at the time, but I can't say I feel bad about watching it now.

Queue all the Backes apologists from the Blues thread (do the Blues still have a thread here?).

Leddy
- Vukota

Just wait until all his defensive flaws rear their head. Patience, Grasshoppah.

Just wait until all his defensive flaws rear their head. Patience, Grasshoppah.
- MartiniMan

He has had a few already but he really has fit in well and I think he might have found a home. He is off to a great start. Now what do you guys want for Sharp?

Bicks has a monster game vs Philly....and id a female dog vs Nashville......wtFFFFFFFF
- southernhawk

Bicks is Bryan at home and Brianna on the road

He has had a few already but he really has fit in well and I think he might have found a home. He is off to a great start. Now what do you guys want for Sharp?
- Vukota

We can talk NEXT year on Sharp...Sharp is part of a Cup team this year. But next year a purge is coming.