Darling was assigned to Rockford as per my sources.
- DarthKane

As expected. He made the most of his time and should feel good about himself going forward.

Respectfully disagree. IMO, if centering Kane, Kruger gives you what Shaw does, undersized guy, playing hard, but not dynamic enough. IMO Kane needs to play on line with Sharp, a shooter, and then the center will not be as important. You could get away with Shaw or Kruger there.

Don't get me wrong, I love Kruger's game. Bicks with Toews and Hossa is nice too.
- TrueGrit

They're kind of different players actually, starting with Kruger being lefty, Shaw righty, Kruger more of a pass first guy, etc.

Darling was assigned to Rockford as per my sources.
- DarthKane

Surprised I thought Raanta would go and play a few games. I think they could rotate the two and keep them both active.

They're kind of different players actually, starting with Kruger being lefty, Shaw righty, Kruger more of a pass first guy, etc.
- John Jaeckel

I guess I just see Kane as a facilitator. He has the puck most of the time. He needs finishers....just how I see it.

Surprised I thought Raanta would go and play a few games. I think they could rotate the two and keep them both active.
- Al

once again what we see as the expected and obvious does not fit the hwk organ-i-zation view...

definately thought they would go with Darling as back-up and allow Ranta to get some gmes in...but per usual what do I (we) know

Surprised I thought Raanta would go and play a few games. I think they could rotate the two and keep them both active.
- Al

Both could be capable back-ups, but Raanta has more skins on the wall so he stays. The biggest benefit in keeping Darling would be the additional cap space, but only if Stan uses it. I just hope that Raanta plays more than he did to start the season.

Surprised I thought Raanta would go and play a few games. I think they could rotate the two and keep them both active.
- Al

I agree, I thought they would send Raanta down to give him some of the minutes they were hoping he would get last year in the A.

Do you think they like what they see in Darling more and would prefer see how he develops?

Congrats to Hossa. I've always enjoyed watching him play.

Both could be capable back-ups, but Raanta has more skins on the wall so he stays. The biggest benefit in keeping Darling would be the additional cap space, but only if Stan uses it. I just hope that Raanta plays more than he did to start the season.
- DarthKane

not going to happen...only 1 BTB (this weekend) followed by 6 gmes over 2 weeks before the western swing...which is why I thought he would go down.

best chance for him to play is vs Jets or Habs

not going to happen...only 1 BTB (this weekend) followed by 6 gmes over 2 weeks before the western swing...which is why I thought he would go down.

best chance for him to play is vs Jets or Habs
- bogiedoc

I'd bet on Jets. Crawford would be monumentally pissed if they sat him in Montreal.

Like I posted last night - the team has 2 centers and neither one of them are named Richards or Shaw.

I watched the game on TSN last night. At the end on the 4 on 3 PP in OT that ended the game, the camera immediately shot to Q and it picked up him saying "F$ck me' with a distressed look on his face.

On a lighter note of interesting and useless information - Kevin Dineen's nickname is "Guido". Apparently picked up when Q and him got lost driving around Hartford in a bad part of town. They stopped and asked a large black man for directions and the guy said to Dineen "sure Guido, where you looking to go"? True story.
- RickJ

>Rick, I could not agree more -- once again, this year, the Hawks have 2 Centers -- Toews and Kruger
>Love a lot of what Shaw does, BUT, how many more times is he going to go below the goal line to make a meaningless late check on an opponent who has already headmanned the puck up the ice?
>Shaw creates odd man breaks shift after shift -- for the other team -- oh and Kane is supposed to be one of the backchecking wingers
>There are only 4 Hawk forwards that have consistent "stop and start" in their skating: Toews, Hossa, Kruger, Smith -- you need to be able to start and stop all over the ice to play good defense -- especially in your own zone
>Bickell and Shaw are the leaders of the "glide and reach club" which Saad has now joined
>As a team, when the Hawks "stop and start" all over the ice, they almost always win
>On D, the Dmen are slowing the game down too much in their own zone, get the puck up the ice either with a quick pass or skating it yourself -- see Flyers game
>This Sens game was one of the worst Kane has had in a long time -- especially on the power play
>Glad Q and his cronies had a good summer -- how about doing some F*ing coaching

As expected. He made the most of his time and should feel good about himself going forward.
- TrueGrit

Darling made his statement thru his play. Be warned Anti and Corey your replacement is ready and waiting. Looking forward to updates from our rockford ticket holders

Hopefully the pretty hockey stays only for the regular season. The goalies get way too many clear looks on the PP with the way they play the PK now. And people complain about Richards, but Bickell has done nothing, and Shaw should not be a center on any line, much less a second line for a contender. Love Shaw's effort, but he's stifling the scorers on that line.

Hopefully the pretty hockey stays only for the regular season. The goalies get way too many clear looks on the PP with the way they play the PK now. And people complain about Richards, but Bickell has done nothing, and Shaw should not be a center on any line, much less a second line for a contender. Love Shaw's effort, but he's stifling the scorers on that line.
- howiehandles

I thought the PK has been pretty good this season so far. More aggressive exceot the one kill last night where there were passive for some reason

Both could be capable back-ups, but Raanta has more skins on the wall so he stays. The biggest benefit in keeping Darling would be the additional cap space, but only if Stan uses it. I just hope that Raanta plays more than he did to start the season.
- DarthKane

Reading tea leaves here....

Raanta's contract is up after this season. Hawks want to see a bit more of Darling to see if the guy can be Crow's backup next season.

Darling made his statement thru his play. Be warned Anti and Corey your replacement is ready and waiting. Looking forward to updates from our rockford ticket holders
- Cup-Bearer

He's not replacing Crow....

Darling made his statement thru his play. Be warned Anti and Corey your replacement is ready and waiting. Looking forward to updates from our rockford ticket holders
- Cup-Bearer

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. He looked good for the few games he played in. I don't think CC should be warned or could give a poop.

Reading tea leaves here....

Raanta's contract is up after this season. Hawks want to see a bit more of Darling to see if the guy can be Crow's backup next season.
- CaptainBlackhawk

You are reading some damaged tea leaves. Raanta is signed for $750k/yr through 2015-16.
http://www.capgeek.com/player/2521

You are reading some damaged tea leaves. Raanta is signed for $750k/yr through 2015-16.
http://www.capgeek.com/player/2521
- BreakoutHockey

VERY damaged tea leaves LOL! Don't know why I thought they had signed him to a one year deal? It's the early onset I tell ya!

VERY damaged tea leaves LOL! Don't know why I thought they had signed him to a one year deal? It's the early onset I tell ya!
- CaptainBlackhawk

Haha no problem! I still think there is a chance that they at least explore the possibility of trading Crawford in the offseason. As much as I like him, removing his $6mil goes a long way to putting a dent in next year's cap crunch without sacrificing more of the skating core.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. He looked good for the few games he played in. I don't think CC should be warned or could give a poop.
- Dannyboy

Maybe I did, but the added competition can only help. But I will throw out that
CC $6,000,000
SD $ 570,000
What could you do with $5,430,000?
I know, not this year but it is interesting

Shaw out of the top 6 and back at 3rd line wing where he belongs...

Richards up at 2C and let him figure it out and get it going...

Stop with Sharp/Richards on the point....

Somebody light a fire under Kane; he looks bored and lazy

Retire Rosy....

Stick Bicks in drawer until 4/15 and get rid of him over the summer....tired of the same tune yr after yr
- bogiedoc

Your post is Bang on.

Happy for Hossa
Happy for two points
Horrible game

Maybe I did, but the added competition can only help. But I will throw out that
CC $6,000,000
SD $ 570,000
What could you do with $5,430,000?
I know, not this year but it is interesting
- Cup-Bearer

Lose more often.

>Rick, I could not agree more -- once again, this year, the Hawks have 2 Centers -- Toews and Kruger
>Love a lot of what Shaw does, BUT, how many more times is he going to go below the goal line to make a meaningless late check on an opponent who has already headmanned the puck up the ice?
>Shaw creates odd man breaks shift after shift -- for the other team -- oh and Kane is supposed to be one of the backchecking wingers
>There are only 4 Hawk forwards that have consistent "stop and start" in their skating: Toews, Hossa, Kruger, Smith -- you need to be able to start and stop all over the ice to play good defense -- especially in your own zone
>Bickell and Shaw are the leaders of the "glide and reach club" which Saad has now joined
>As a team, when the Hawks "stop and start" all over the ice, they almost always win
>On D, the Dmen are slowing the game down too much in their own zone, get the puck up the ice either with a quick pass or skating it yourself -- see Flyers game
>This Sens game was one of the worst Kane has had in a long time -- especially on the power play
>Glad Q and his cronies had a good summer -- how about doing some F*ing coaching
- SnapitUpstairs

This made me laugh and cry at the same time. Great post.

Hopefully the pretty hockey stays only for the regular season. The goalies get way too many clear looks on the PP with the way they play the PK now. And people complain about Richards, but Bickell has done nothing, and Shaw should not be a center on any line, much less a second line for a contender. Love Shaw's effort, but he's stifling the scorers on that line.
- howiehandles

Wow, there was some dude here yesterday who might be having an aneurysm right now over statements like these. You guys are the best.