Crawford was very good for much of this playoffs. i think it is a little hyperbolic to say that he, in isolation, outplayed all those goalies. And I'm not sure even in isolation you could say he outplayed Howard, who was unbeatable at times in round 2. Crawford also struggled for part of the Boston series. He was very good overall, playing behind a great team. I would not have given him the Smythe. Bickell was a beast, he would have gotten my vote.
- John Jaeckel

Ah, to dream again...

Crawford was very good for much of this playoffs. i think it is a little hyperbolic to say that he, in isolation, outplayed all those goalies. And I'm not sure even in isolation you could say he outplayed Howard, who was unbeatable at times in round 2. Crawford also struggled for part of the Boston series. He was very good overall, playing behind a great team. I would not have given him the Smythe. Bickell was a beast, he would have gotten my vote.
- John Jaeckel

The only vote I give BB not is to trade him 1st . If there are any takers.

Would.love to see a great return for Sharp as well

Ah, to dream again...
- FourFeathers773

Those were the days

Ah, to dream again...
- FourFeathers773

I could only wish that would happen again starting game #83 again. But like my Grandfather used to say, "wish in one hand, poop in the other. Which one weighs more?"

Careful what you post people. Just drove home and TSN radio was having a good laugh at Blackhawk fans who are acting like Leaf fans posting all kinds of "crazy stuff", and "absurd nonsense".

Careful what you post people. Just drove home and TSN radio was having a good laugh at Blackhawk fans who are acting like Leaf fans posting all kinds of "crazy stuff", and "absurd nonsense".
- paulr

I'm not too concerned with what TSN radio has to say about Blackhawk fans. anyone who says the Hawks are "OK" have not watched them since the calendar turned to 2015...

Careful what you post people. Just drove home and TSN radio was having a good laugh at Blackhawk fans who are acting like Leaf fans posting all kinds of "crazy stuff", and "absurd nonsense".
- paulr

Trade Kane! He's all used up!

I just hit on your link. Then hit on one that said 15 richest hockey players ever. Hossa was about 11 or 12. Who is the 7th richest player ever? Brad Richards! And I'm not drunk.
- 6628

Let me add this, from today's Crain's:

"SeatGeek, which pulls ticket listings from major resale sites like StubHub, RazorGator and TicketNetwork.com, reports that only the Toronto Maple Leafs ($189) have had a higher home average resale price this season. Here are the top five most expensive teams to see, based on the site's data through yesterday:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $189
2. Chicago Blackhawks: $176
3. New York Rangers: $156
4. Montreal Canadiens: $144
5. Boston Bruins: $126"

Guess if you hold tickets, you have made out OK. However, don't know how long that will last given the piss-poor on-ice performances since 1/1. I know I would have really been pissed to spend big coin yesterday. Not so much the fact they lost, the simple fact that it was clear they didn't give a poop about it.

His level of play dictates what he "deserves" and right now that dictates that he deserves to be on the fourth line or the press box.
- furso27

Maybe that's true in the short run, but in the long run, Sharp is still a top 6 player. It's one thing if he's playing hurt and they keep him there until he gets better, which I doubt is the case given how hard he's shooting the puck lately, but until I hear otherwise, he appears to be the odd man out, and/or there's some deeper issue we don't know about.

My larger point is that he should be traded to a team that has a need for his services if his services aren't really needed here. You don't keep a guy like this around just as an insurance policy for the next inevitable injury. It's a horrible allocation of ever so scarce cap dollars to do that, and denying him the chance to prove himself elsewhere does nothing for a locker room.

I'm not too concerned with what TSN radio has to say about Blackhawk fans. anyone who says the Hawks are "OK" have not watched them since the calendar turned to 2015...
- EnzoD

These are the things they were laughing at. As the radio Host said, who doesn't think the Hawks can turn it around and be a force in the playoffs. If Chicago and LA can't then no one can. He was surprised that Hawk fans were as crazy as Leaf fans when there is adversity.

Let me add this, from today's Crain's:

"SeatGeek, which pulls ticket listings from major resale sites like StubHub, RazorGator and TicketNetwork.com, reports that only the Toronto Maple Leafs ($189) have had a higher home average resale price this season. Here are the top five most expensive teams to see, based on the site's data through yesterday:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $189
2. Chicago Blackhawks: $176
3. New York Rangers: $156
4. Montreal Canadiens: $144
5. Boston Bruins: $126"

Guess if you hold tickets, you have made out OK. However, don't know how long that will last given the piss-poor on-ice performances since 1/1. I know I would have really been pissed to spend big coin yesterday. Not so much the fact they lost, the simple fact that it was clear they didn't give a poop about it.
- savvyone-1

Hence my point about the coaching staff. Sure, they are paid professionals but the coaching staff bears some responsibility for a team's preparation, both mentally and physically.

Let me add this, from today's Crain's:

"SeatGeek, which pulls ticket listings from major resale sites like StubHub, RazorGator and TicketNetwork.com, reports that only the Toronto Maple Leafs ($189) have had a higher home average resale price this season. Here are the top five most expensive teams to see, based on the site's data through yesterday:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $189
2. Chicago Blackhawks: $176
3. New York Rangers: $156
4. Montreal Canadiens: $144
5. Boston Bruins: $126"

Guess if you hold tickets, you have made out OK. However, don't know how long that will last given the piss-poor on-ice performances since 1/1. I know I would have really been pissed to spend big coin yesterday. Not so much the fact they lost, the simple fact that it was clear they didn't give a poop about it.
- savvyone-1

Not just in Chicago either. I spent a bundle to go see them a few weeks ago here in MN. Seats weren't that great but the ROIC was about as good as it was going to get. The next day I found out they spent two days partying in Vegas. I'm not poor by any means but when I shell out that kind of cash I'd like to see a good product on the ice.

These are the things they were laughing at. As the radio Host said, who doesn't think the Hawks can turn it around and be a force in the playoffs. If Chicago and LA can't then no one can. He was surprised that Hawk fans were as crazy as Leaf fans when there is adversity.
- paulr

What exactly is crazy about saying a sub .500 team is not "OK"...if your aspirations are a playoff birth and nothing beyond it, the Hawks are FANTASTIC! If your goal is Stanley Cup Championship, or bust, the Hawks are not OK...if Leafs fans cant relate, so be it.

A couple of months ago when the hawks were rolling there was a blog saying this team is the best in the league. Everyone seemed to mimic that thought over the course of, i dont know, a couple of months or so. The difference between that team then and this team now....is absolutely nothing. The personnel is exactly the same. Minus the fact that now we have gotten a larger dose of Rundblad now and back then it was more a tryout of that 6th spot with Erixon/Clendening/Rundblad etc.

So, my question is...Why was it then that this team, as currently constructed, was arguably the best team in the league..when they played to their potential but that same team right now is in danger of missing the playoffs or a one and done team if they make it? Which are both statements that a few posters have been saying as of late..

I too think this team needs to make some moves. A 5th dman. An upgrade to their bottom 6. etc etc.

But, Im not sure why everyone is saying this roster, that once played like the best team in the league, is now not even capable of a decent playoff run?

And I know this post is going to get criticized by 99% of posters here, which always seems to be the case when you dont say how awful this team is after every loss, so I will say this again...I dont think this team right now is perfect. WE do have glaring weaknesses. But, I also felt that when we were winning. And yes, obviously something is going on (albeit inside the locker room, team chemistry, fatigue..whatever) to have this team playing the way its been since the new year. So something does need to be addressed. However, I dont get how the personnel, that once was playing like the best team in the league for a decent period of time, is now a team that has no chance of doing anything in the playoffs...if they make it.

Let me add this, from today's Crain's:

"SeatGeek, which pulls ticket listings from major resale sites like StubHub, RazorGator and TicketNetwork.com, reports that only the Toronto Maple Leafs ($189) have had a higher home average resale price this season. Here are the top five most expensive teams to see, based on the site's data through yesterday:

1. Toronto Maple Leafs: $189
2. Chicago Blackhawks: $176
3. New York Rangers: $156
4. Montreal Canadiens: $144
5. Boston Bruins: $126"

Guess if you hold tickets, you have made out OK. However, don't know how long that will last given the piss-poor on-ice performances since 1/1. I know I would have really been pissed to spend big coin yesterday. Not so much the fact they lost, the simple fact that it was clear they didn't give a poop about it.
- savvyone-1

I'm like you, I'd buy Harlem Globe Trotter tickets, that way I know I'd never see a loss.

What exactly is crazy about saying a sub .500 team is not "OK"...if your aspirations are a playoff birth and nothing beyond it, the Hawks are FANTASTIC! If your goal is Stanley Cup Championship, or bust, the Hawks are not OK...if Leafs fans cant relate, so be it.
- EnzoD

He was laughing at the silly trade proposals, the idea of trading Sharp, Keith, Toews, Kane and Seabrook and of firing Quenneville and Bowman. He didn't name sites but I wouldn't be surprised it if this was one.

no....toews and kanes cap hit next year are the problem
- bogiedoc

lol, I have been told by the great media, toews and kane took a home town team discount.

He was laughing at the silly trade proposals, the idea of trading Sharp, Keith, Toews, Kane and Seabrook and of firing Quenneville and Bowman. He didn't name sites but I wouldn't be surprised it if this was one.
- paulr

Trading of any name you just listed is craziness and should be mocked by TSN. lol\

EDIT: minus Sharp

Good discussion today. thank you for helping my workday fly by Hockebuzz and specifically, my fellow Hawks fans.

A couple of months ago when the hawks were rolling there was a blog saying this team is the best in the league. Everyone seemed to mimic that thought over the course of, i dont know, a couple of months or so. The difference between that team then and this team now....is absolutely nothing. The personnel is exactly the same. Minus the fact that now we have gotten a larger dose of Rundblad now and back then it was more a tryout of that 6th spot with Erixon/Clendening/Rundblad etc.

So, my question is...Why was it then that this team, as currently constructed, was arguably the best team in the league..when they played to their potential but that same team right now is in danger of missing the playoffs or a one and done team if they make it? Which are both statements that a few posters have been saying as of late..

I too think this team needs to make some moves. A 5th dman. An upgrade to their bottom 6. etc etc.

But, Im not sure why everyone is saying this roster, that once played like the best team in the league, is now not even capable of a decent playoff run?

And I know this post is going to get criticized by 99% of posters here, which always seems to be the case when you dont say how awful this team is after every loss, so I will say this again...I dont think this team right now is perfect. WE do have glaring weaknesses. But, I also felt that when we were winning. And yes, obviously something is going on (albeit inside the locker room, team chemistry, fatigue..whatever) to have this team playing the way its been since the new year. So something does need to be addressed. However, I dont get how the personnel, that once was playing like the best team in the league for a decent period of time, is now a team that has no chance of doing anything in the playoffs...if they make it.
- Bhawks35

After every loss? Even during the winning streak because they weren't putting teams away 10-1.

What exactly is crazy about saying a sub .500 team is not "OK"...if your aspirations are a playoff birth and nothing beyond it, the Hawks are FANTASTIC! If your goal is Stanley Cup Championship, or bust, the Hawks are not OK...if Leafs fans cant relate, so be it.
- EnzoD

Kings are below .500 (even after a 7 game win streak) - what does that mean?

After every loss? Even during the winning streak because they weren't putting teams away 10-1.
- HawkintheD

People were even female doging in 2013 during the record streak.

Hence my point about the coaching staff. Sure, they are paid professionals but the coaching staff bears some responsibility for a team's preparation, both mentally and physically.
- EnzoD

Yes, they do. Few want to recognize that either.

Bad tendencies and losing can and do become habits. Anyone that has played ANY sport at a competitive level knows this -- those cycles become hard to break the longer they continue because the individual things done to get you to that place are repeated over and over again.

There have been some very good posts about zone exits, coverage in our zone, forechecking scheme, etc. When another club KNOWS what you are going to do and have practiced defending or attacking those tendencies, you get what we are seeing now.

IMO, the "road back" to success will be much harder than most think it will be. It's not just a certain player or 2 or 4 but an entire group-think including the coaching staff and how the team is handled. Right now I don't see much of anything that tells me Q and his staff know what to do to pull this team out of its death spiral. (Yes, death spiral -- they will likely make the playoffs as I originally said was possible as a 6-8 seed -- but will not go far if they reinforce and continue these same ways.)

It's possible if there is dissension in the clubhouse for whatever reason (if due to a player or 2), a move or 2 by Stanley could be what is necessary to get the ship back on-track. I see some selfish play out on the ice (and selfish play doesn't always imply holding the puck or shooting instead of passing -- it can be exhibited in a multitude of ways) and that more than anything can be like poison to a lineup.
Certainly there are players who have the "I'll do whatever is necessary to help this team win" attitude -- but all you need is 1 or more that don't buy in to cause problems.

>When players stop playing for each other, it's over -- until it isn't (said the Yogi Berra of hockey)
>Hawks have been #1 in heart and skill for quite awhile -- this team with no heart is really not much of a team at all
>Time for the FO to fix this -- should have been fixed back in the summer

Kings are below .500 (even after a 7 game win streak) - what does that mean?
- CBHawks88

No worries, even if they miss the playoffs they'll flip the switch...only team that can.