And looked like crap last season. Bickell is not a top line player. He may do well in spurts but over the long haul? Nothing I have seen from him has shown me he can do it.
- Elbows15

Bows, I almost agree with you but optimist in me says he was pretty consistent in 2013 and with such a play he could be force on that top line. Plus Philly game this year. But it's hard to figure what he needs to play like that Maybe redass Blues game wakes him up

- DarthKane

I personally want a team of grinders with little to no skill just just hits everything that moves.

I personally want a team of grinders with little to no skill just just hits everything that moves.
- Elbows15

Any plans to trade Q for maximum surprise?

Bows, I almost agree with you but optimist in me says he was pretty consistent in 2013 and with such a play he could be force on that top line. Plus Philly game this year. But it's hard to figure what he needs to play like that Maybe redass Blues game wakes him up
- Uncheckable21

To be fair and serious for a moment. The inconsistent ice time isn't doing him any favors to find his groove.

Any plans to trade Q for maximum surprise?
- Uncheckable21

Q for Babcock? GENIUS.

Which broke up the top line. And the Hawks dominate the 3rd period.
- Elbows15

I see what you're saying. Yea, once Q finally let go of his infatuation with 19 10 81, guys had more jump

There is enough talent on this team to not need to load up one line

As great as that line is, they have no physicality and they are always going to get the top defensive matchups that will be hard on them

Unless sharp starts throwing big hits, teams will keep them to the outside

I'd like to see

Toews Kane shaw
Saad Richards hossa
Sharp Kruger bickell
Smith carcillo morin versteeg combo

Q for Babcock? GENIUS.
- Elbows15

Maximum surprise i think would be Q fo Kompon.

I see what you're saying. Yea, once Q finally let go of his infatuation with 19 10 81, guys had more jump

There is enough talent on this team to not need to load up one line

As great as that line is, they have no physicality and they are always going to get the top defensive matchups that will be hard on them

Unless sharp starts throwing big hits, teams will keep them to the outside

I'd like to see

Toews Kane shaw
Saad Richards hossa
Sharp Kruger bickell
Smith carcillo morin versteeg combo
- FourFeathers773

They get the top defensive match up because they both shut the other teams' best players down and dominate possession. And you want to change that?

And you have no center on your bottom line.

Maximum surprise i think would be Q fo Kompon.
- Uncheckable21

Oh.

FWIW- I too thought Raanta was fine, but he was the 2nd best goalie on the ice last night which is true for most opposing goalies when Rinne plays.
- predswilrule

That is a cute homery thing to say b/c until he actually wins you something it isn't ever a valid point.

I thought Nashville was very smart to try and attack the front of the net early. It may not have put riled Raanta as much as causing another issue he had to think about when seting up a bit further outside. These Euro goalies have grown up playing a bit further in the net.

Ah I remember getting criticized for this exact notion a couple games back

For this being a "dominant" line, they sure aren't doing much outside special teams

The stubbornness to break up this line is coming at the cost of finding a spark on the other three lines.

Hawks have talent all over the place, but it's safe to say the lines arent quite living up to expectations. Hossa is still looking for his first even strength or pp point, Richards is getting a cast of second string talent to try. and find chemistry with, saad has already been demoted off that miracle chemistry second line with Kane and shaw, and bickell had another step back game last night IMO
- FourFeathers773

You are right. But I think the push back at the time was, give them a while, they're proven.

They ARE proven. They're just bnot clicking right now.

Further, just because I'm saying Q, being Q, might want to switch things up, doesn't mean I think he should.

But, point taken.

As a Preds fan I was at he game last night. Midway through the 3rd period I asked my son "who is 91" ? I looked in my program to see that it was Brad Richards. First time I noticed him last night.
- wrister

When I first read this (I am at work) I thought you said your son was 91.

You are right. But I think the push back at the time was, give them a while, they're proven.

They ARE proven. They're just bnot clicking right now.

Further, just because I'm saying Q, being Q, might want to switch things up, doesn't mean I think he should.

But, point taken.
- John Jaeckel

They are doing everything but score. Looking at their advanced stats supports that. they are generating chances just not finishing. They will.

That is a cute homery thing to say b/c until he actually wins you something it isn't ever a valid point.

I thought Nashville was very smart to try and attack the front of the net early. It may not have put riled Raanta as much as causing another issue he had to think about when seting up a bit further outside. These Euro goalies have grown up playing a bit further in the net.
- wiz1901

The 1st one is the only one I felt is questionable. The 2nd no one in the league stops. The 3rd he directed toward the corner. Neal was right place right time for that one. It happens.

They are doing everything but score. Looking at their advanced stats supports that. they are generating chances just not finishing. They will.
- Elbows15

See, the smith Kruger bollig line last year was doing the same. Their stats line on the tough d matchups were why Q never broke them up all season long

A line that makes ~$18 mil in cap hit needs to do more than just hold on to the puck and be defensively responsible, because that's essentially the same thing our fourth. line did last year at a fraction of the price

These guys all need to be scoring too and they can't go handfuls of games at a time of doing nothing even strength while at the same time Q is. trying to find chemistry on the other three lines

All just my opinion of course

See, the smith Kruger bollig line last year was doing the same. Their stats line on the tough d matchups were why Q never broke them up all season long

A line that makes ~$18 mil in cap hit needs to do more than just hold on to the puck and be defensively responsible, because that's essentially the same thing our fourth. line did last year at a fraction of the price

These guys all need to be scoring too and they can't go handfuls of games at a time of doing nothing even strength while at the same time Q is. trying to find chemistry on the other three lines

All just my opinion of course
- FourFeathers773

6 games.

4-1-1.

I say give Richards a shot with Hossa and Sharp....and put Johhny with Kaner and Shaw.....then make them the #1 line.

Hossa will be the puck possession guy on line #2 with Richards and Sharpie. Worth a look........... ....I know Shaw is playing a great center right now.....but hes just as good or better on the wing and he will be in front of the net anyway

I think you get Bickel with Shaw and someone . He always seemed to play well when he is with a s=it disturber like Shaw ..

5'10 and +200 is a fire hydrant. Not the best skater but very good on the boards and seems to be in the right place more than not.

My biggest issue with the Hawks is the same system with basically the same players for the last few years are not surprising anyone. And with prominence of video analysis and advanced metrics I think most of the decent teams are going to find ways to at least slow down the hawks and steal points.

Hot goaltender in the playoffs could ruin hopes and dreams. See Detroit a few years ago (though that was more Babcock being Babcock), Phoenix (going to WCF), nearly giving a series away to Nashville in 2010 and running out of gas against LA.

Containing Toews and Kane and Hossa and Sharp and Saad for 60 minutes is a chore. But since there are ZERO surprises in terms of scheme, game plan and line up adjustments, the opposition has a better chance to effectively plan and steal a point or two as Nashville has taken 3.

A team this talented, that has experienced minimal turnover, should be able to string 60 minute performances together better than this IMO. And it all starts with the guy with the stashe.
- fattybeef

Smith is a solid skater. He's only got average speed but he's got excellent agility, just watch him by the net.

Shaw is better than Smith. And not by a little.
- Elbows15

I'm not saying he is or isn't. What I am saying is that SMITH is the better long term investment. That's all.

I say give Richards a shot with Hossa and Sharp....and put Johhny with Kaner and Shaw.....then make them the #1 line.

Hossa will be the puck possession guy on line #2 with Richards and Sharpie. Worth a look...........
- imissroenick

I like the 10/91/81 line but have 29/19/88 and see what happens with 1L. And FWIW, 20/65/23 and finally keep 13/16/28. Give that line juggling a shot.

I like the 10/91/81 line but have 29/19/88 and see what happens with 1L. And FWIW, 20/65/23 and finally keep 13/16/28. Give that line juggling a shot.
- blackhawk24

Agreed...Bics would be a good choice too. The third with Shaw would definitely need to get more playing time then....Shaw needs 17-18 minutes of ice time

I like the 10/91/81 line but have 29/19/88 and see what happens with 1L. And FWIW, 20/65/23 and finally keep 13/16/28. Give that line juggling a shot.
- blackhawk24

Either way, 91 needs to be paired with a legit 25+ goal or 60+ point guy to truly assess if he is going to be a guy we need come playoff time. Don't expect him to pick up production if he continues to sit bottom six with other bottom 6 players

You give him an extended look with hossa/Kane/saad/sharp and he still does nothing, then you know a move needs to be made at the tdl

I'm not saying he is or isn't. What I am saying is that SMITH is the better long term investment. That's all.
- Bjm84

Smith has a concussion history. Shaw doesn't. Shaw can play center. Smith really can't.
I will take the better player. Shaw is the better player.

Smith has a concussion history. Shaw doesn't. Shaw can play center. Smith really can't.
I will take the better player. Shaw is the better player.
- Elbows15

Again, we are talking about different things.