My reason for trading Keith is so Seabrook WILL be here long term. If you want soft d-men who are not a threat on the PP, keep Keith. But I am looking ahead, not now. If Keith can bring a good (or great) return, do it now. I don't want this team to be like Detroit the last few years, just ok.
- powerenforcer

I used to think you were crazy... Now I know.

My reason for trading Keith is so Seabrook WILL be here long term. If you want soft d-men who are not a threat on the PP, keep Keith. But I am looking ahead, not now. If Keith can bring a good (or great) return, do it now. I don't want this team to be like Detroit the last few years, just ok.
- powerenforcer

Keith is the most affordable top pairing D man in the game and also the best sooooooooooo

No

I understand the passion you guys have for your team but it's hard to read you guys complaining right now, having to deal with what the Leafs have been doing the last few years lol

I'd love to even watch the 'struggling' Hawks every night, (frank) man.

As an outsider, looking in you have:

- One of the best captains in NHL history
- One of the most purely skilled wingers of our generation
- Literally the best d-man in the league, in terms of overall play and advanced stats, on a 5.5m cap hit cause Tallon cheated
- A great group of players surrounding those 3 and some real nice prospects to boot
- Two cups and 4 conference finals in the last 6 seasons


Ups and downs will happen, the salary cap basically mandates that at this point. But, I have a feeling your team will figure it out LOL

Lookin forward watching them in another great playoff series with the Blues this year. Have a good one
- t_leafs21

This x 1000000

My reason for trading Keith is so Seabrook WILL be here long term. If you want soft d-men who are not a threat on the PP, keep Keith. But I am looking ahead, not now. If Keith can bring a good (or great) return, do it now. I don't want this team to be like Detroit the last few years, just ok.
- powerenforcer

If the Hawks trade Keith they will become "just OK, like Detroit" the second he is gone.

Not really. They certainly didn't "turn it on", Crow bailed them out against St. Louis + Miller playing like crap. Hawks played a decent game or two though. The Wild series was totally stolen by Crow (Wild outskated Hawks). Hawks played very good against Kings in 2 games....other games they were very inconsistent. Team NEVER was in control of ANY series/games. They got a good draw, played two crap goalies in round 1 and 2 (Miller isn't crap, but he played like it) and then it ran out against the Kings.

We went into off-season thinking this "one bounce away team" was the 80s Oilers...complacency, arrogance, whatever you want to call it, but the team didn't have far to fall.
- kwolf68

I'll agree with the take on the Wild series. Everyone up here was pumped and thought they could take the series in game seven. However, after game two against St Louis, I felt a sense of urgency with the team and they definitely played with more heart.

So, NOT to put words in your mouth, but judging by your response this team is just bad and not going through a funk that can be fixed with a few adjustments?

I understand the passion you guys have for your team but it's hard to read you guys complaining right now, having to deal with what the Leafs have been doing the last few years lol

I'd love to even watch the 'struggling' Hawks every night, (frank) man.

As an outsider looking in, you have:

- One of the best captains in NHL history
- One of the most purely skilled wingers of our generation
- Literally the best d-man in the league, in terms of overall play and advanced stats, on a 5.5m cap hit cause Tallon cheated
- A great group of players surrounding those 3 and some real nice prospects to boot
- Two cups and 4 conference finals in the last 6 seasons


Ups and downs will happen, the salary cap basically mandates that at this point. But, I have a feeling your team will figure it out LOL

Lookin forward to watching them in another great playoff series with the Blues this year. Have a good one
- t_leafs21

Nice to have some outside perspective around here. Thanks

I think it's clear that Patrick Sharp is the issue in the locker room. He has been demoted and is clearly frustrated and it's spilling over. There's a moment during one of the EPIX episodes where Bryan Bickell is sitting next to Hossa and asks "Is he ever going to be happy?" And Hossa wants to know who and Bickell just says "Him" and Hossa knew exactly who he was talking about. “Good thoughts make good
- Crawford[expletive] things happen.”

The best part about the segment is there is nothing that's shows what Patrick is doing to get this type of response from Bickell. Which probably means that it was too negative to show.

And that was when Patrick Sharp just came back from his injury and didn't score. I wonder what he's like now that he's been demoted and isn't playing the amount he wants to and with whom he wants to?

Trade Patrick Sharp and send a message to the rest of the team. 5.9 million dollars can get you some help.

Do you remember which episode this is? I'd like to rewatch it. I don't remember this exchange between Hossa and Bicks.

Would you take Lui Erikson back for Sharp?
- RickJ

Loui is not what this team needs, and besides, he's one bad hit away from being Karl in Slingblade.

The middle of the ice was exposed, and Scotty Bowman himself flat out said it in a post series interview with ESPN. What did Stand do to replace that? Nothing. They still roll out the same 2 smaller guys on the bottom lines, and it will hurt them again. The Hawks were VERY easy to play against yesterday.

And here is where we differ. I hope you are right because that would be fantastic, but until they go on a LA or Minny type run that proves to me that this so called switch you seem to think they can flip on, just isn't there this year.
- SteveRain

If the Hawks were "exposed" whydid the series go 7 games? I get that they were not as strong up the missle but that were stronger in other areas. At the end of the day LA won in overtime.

As for this switch. Why is it LA can turn it on but the Blackhawks cannot?

It's fair to be frustrated with their recent play, but anyone already counting this team out is foolish. This is the same roster (minus TVR) that dismantled nearly every "elite" team earlier in the season.

Also, to say the team was "exposed" by LA is hyperbolic. It took a full 7 game series to decide the winner. The Hawks have always been weaker up the middle, nothing new.
- CBHawks88

Ugh, I disagree.

Toews, Sharp, Bolland, Madden or Toews, Handzus, Bolland, Kruger are all better options and were harder to play against then Toews, Handzus, SHaw, and Kruger OR the same 3 with Richards in for Handzus this year.

LA was bigger up the middle, and wore down the hawks. yes that series went 7 games and yes it went to OT, but again....this year so far is proving again that last year was more of the statistical anomaly then what is probable.

Paper champions dont' mean a thing. Yes, this team ON paper is loaded but that isnt' transpiring to the ice. So it's hard for me to sit here and watch for the past 2 months a very up and down team and assume it will correct itself. For a 10 game stretch? Sure....but we are well over 25% of the season here in this sample size. That isn't a fluke, that's a trend.

For the conspiracy theorists:

Greg Boysen reported earlier that Bill Zito (Columbus Assistant GM, former agent) was in the UC the last two games. Aside from the fact Zito is, I believe a Chicago guy, it is interesting.

1) Stanley has dealt with Kekalainen (Columbus GM) recently
2) Kekalainen is a Finn, Zito was the “official agent” of Finnish NHL players, sort of like Alan Walsh is with Czechs
3) Antti Raanta is a Finn, and would certainly upgrade Columbus’ backup goalie spot

For the conspiracy theorists:

Greg Boysen reported earlier that Bill Zito (Columbus Assistant GM, former agent) was in the UC the last two games. Aside from the fact Zito is, I believe a Chicago guy, it is interesting.

1) Stanley has dealt with Kekalainen (Columbus GM) recently
2) Kekalainen is a Finn, Zito was the “official agent” of Finnish NHL players, sort of like Alan Walsh is with Czechs
3) Antti Raanta is a Finn, and would certainly upgrade Columbus’ backup goalie spot
- John Jaeckel

for Wisniewski ?

for Wisniewski ?
- mrpaulish

Two years left after this year at his cap hit = non-starter

Ugh, I disagree.

Toews, Sharp, Bolland, Madden or Toews, Handzus, Bolland, Kruger are all better options and were harder to play against then Toews, Handzus, SHaw, and Kruger OR the same 3 with Richards in for Handzus this year.

LA was bigger up the middle, and wore down the hawks. yes that series went 7 games and yes it went to OT, but again....this year so far is proving again that last year was more of the statistical anomaly then what is probable.

Paper champions dont' mean a thing. Yes, this team ON paper is loaded but that isnt' transpiring to the ice. So it's hard for me to sit here and watch for the past 2 months a very up and down team and assume it will correct itself. For a 10 game stretch? Sure....but we are well over 25% of the season here in this sample size. That isn't a fluke, that's a trend.
- SteveRain

So, is it fair then to say the Kings were also a statistical anomaly last year given their regular season this year has been even worse than the Hawks?

Or does one 7 game winning streak within a season of mediocrity erase all doubts?

Do you remember which episode this is? I'd like to rewatch it. I don't remember this exchange between Hossa and Bicks.
- MNHawk

2nd episode.

2nd episode.
- Crawford

Thanks.

For the conspiracy theorists:

Greg Boysen reported earlier that Bill Zito (Columbus Assistant GM, former agent) was in the UC the last two games. Aside from the fact Zito is, I believe a Chicago guy, it is interesting.

1) Stanley has dealt with Kekalainen (Columbus GM) recently
2) Kekalainen is a Finn, Zito was the “official agent” of Finnish NHL players, sort of like Alan Walsh is with Czechs
3) Antti Raanta is a Finn, and would certainly upgrade Columbus’ backup goalie spot
- John Jaeckel

Jeff Carter?

If the Hawks were "exposed" whydid the series go 7 games? I get that they were not as strong up the missle but that were stronger in other areas. At the end of the day LA won in overtime.

As for this switch. Why is it LA can turn it on but the Blackhawks cannot?
- paulr

The Hawks went 7 games because they got some breaks, won a game in OT ,etc. Those same flaws were there....if they weren't, then WHY did the Hawks blow 2, 2 goal leads in that game at home? For Bowman SR to come out and admit that is all I need to know.

As for the switch....look, I don't disagree with you. For the most part this team ON paper is very, very good. However, for the past 25%+ of the season this team has been mediocre. There is something going on here that is beyond just a bad D man or a lack of grit upfront. There is something at the core of this that is being overlooked and is causing this team to lose games. it has to be a dressing room issue and a lack of chemistry. They aren't battling for each other and are giving up way too many EASY goals.

LA to me just seems to NOT give a hell about he regular season until about January 1. The past 3+ years have proven that. It's a different philosophy vs the Hawks being hell bent on burning out players by overloading minutes for 2 pts in November.

IF the Hawks go on a roll here late and show signs of a team that can win the cup, I'll agree with you. If we get more of the same until the playoffs, you'll be hard pressed to convince me they can 4 series. They may win 1, but the gap in talent in the west from 1 to 8 isn't as large as it used to be.

2nd episode.
- Crawford

IIRC, didn't Sharp say "(frank) you" and Bickell said "(frank) you too.." Sharp came off as a Richard, but I actually like the seriousness and competitiveness..

2nd episode.
- Crawford

Now that I think about it, Kane's post game interview after Sharp hit that last shootout goal to win the game last week and Kane mentioned something along the lines of Sharp "Hopefully this will help him get his confidence back".

So, is it fair then to say the Kings were also a statistical anomaly last year given their regular season this year has been even worse than the Hawks?

Or does one 7 game winning streak within a season of mediocrity erase all doubts?
- CBHawks88

The kings have followed the same model the past 3+ years. Won the cup as an 8 seed. Had a cup hangover made conference finals in 13. Turned it on late last year and won the cup again.....and don't look now but they are.....getting HOT again.

So no, they aren't an anomaly. If this was a 1 time thing, I'd agree. But this team has followed the same model the past 3+ years.

Keith is the most affordable top pairing D man in the game and also the best sooooooooooo

No
- fattybeef

I do think his deal is great for the club, but in my view this team needs some difference makers. Q's system starts in the defensive zone. Tighten up the defense, and with the winger skill it has, the offense will follow. There are many offensive defensemen that can start a rush. Get someone who can separate the puck from a body. Seabs is that guy right now.

I think it's clear that Patrick Sharp is the issue in the locker room. He has been demoted and is clearly frustrated and it's spilling over. There's a moment during one of the EPIX episodes where Bryan Bickell is sitting next to Hossa and asks "Is he ever going to be happy?" And Hossa wants to know who and Bickell just says "Him" and Hossa knew exactly who he was talking about. “Good thoughts make good
- Crawford[expletive] things happen.”

The best part about the segment is there is nothing that's shows what Patrick is doing to get this type of response from Bickell. Which probably means that it was too negative to show.

And that was when Patrick Sharp just came back from his injury and didn't score. I wonder what he's like now that he's been demoted and isn't playing the amount he wants to and with whom he wants to?

Trade Patrick Sharp and send a message to the rest of the team. 5.9 million dollars can get you some help.

Sharp is back on the 2nd line per line rushes today. Also, I like a little anger when players know they're either playing badly or their teammates are. Some emotion is a good thing vs Bickell's general lackadaisical attitude through the regular season.

For the conspiracy theorists:

Greg Boysen reported earlier that Bill Zito (Columbus Assistant GM, former agent) was in the UC the last two games. Aside from the fact Zito is, I believe a Chicago guy, it is interesting.

1) Stanley has dealt with Kekalainen (Columbus GM) recently
2) Kekalainen is a Finn, Zito was the “official agent” of Finnish NHL players, sort of like Alan Walsh is with Czechs
3) Antti Raanta is a Finn, and would certainly upgrade Columbus’ backup goalie spot
- John Jaeckel

Brian Hedger reported the same thing last night on Twitter. Columbus has some young defensemen that could fit in well on this team.

Darling to start vs Panthers!