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.
- SteveRain

I wouldn't call it a "model." I believe it's a general disinterest in the regular season that results from contending year in and year out, and I think the Hawks/Bruins are experiencing much of the same.

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.
- SteveRain

So the Hawks had a break when they won in OT and LA beat the Hawks in OT and exposed them? It'll take more than Scotty Bowman to explain that logic to me.
We're at an impasse, neither of us see the other's side. Let's hope as Hawk fans I'm right and you're wrong.

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

Who? Please don't say David Savard. Please don't.

Answering the earlier question re: expecting Stanley to deal with teams he has in the past:

Yes and no.

The majority of his deals have been with former colleagues: Tallon and Cheveldayoff in particular.

So maybe you therefore have to factor Bergevin in (and Chevy out, because the Jets are now a likely playoff opponent).

He also likes to deal with Feaster (Calgary) and Murray (Ottawa).

But he has dealt—at least once— with Cliff Fletcher, Jim Benning, George McPhee (now retired), Bob Murray, Chiarelli, Garth Snow, Doug Wilson.

You can pretty much cross Wilson, Fletcher and Murray off the list: potential playoff opponents.

If I had to bet, I would again, say look at playoff or playoff contending teams in the East, or teams out of the playoffs looking to move $ one way or the other.

Florida
Tampa (Scotty talks to Yzerman—often)
Montreal
Islanders
Columbus

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.
- powerenforcer

So since our defending Norris Trophy winner is struggling a little bit this year we should jettison him and look towards the future. Got it.

Thank the lord you aren't this teams GM.

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".
- MNHawk

well that didn't happen....

Who? Please don't say David Savard. Please don't.
- John Jaeckel

David Savard.

Who? Please don't say David Savard. Please don't.
- John Jaeckel

Lol. You read my mind.

Right now I would talk to Edm for Nurse. That may be a start..... (but would Keith go there, that is the hurdle)
- powerenforcer

Without a doubt talking about getting rid of Keith is border line insanity

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

Can't see moving either one. However, the first order is the next week and 90 minutes. SB make a couple wholesale moves and let's see what happens. I think we can all agree some grit down low and a 5D are the easier things to do; coupled with TVR coming back (let's not discount that) unless he's really too damaged to make a comeback this season.

THEN, let's see what the cap really is (Loonie is worth 79.6¢ US) in a couple months and the shaping trade market late June. I get your point on DK. I don't agree but I get it. If anything big happens it won't be until just before the draft.

Trending up? They're 12-8-3 since January 1st, barely over .500. Only slightly better than the Hawks' 10-10-3.


- CBHawks88

man the hawks 12-8-3...i would take that and the 4 points they don't have which would put them 1 behind the blues more importantly 8-10 behind the wild card chasers...and yeah the aves are playing better, they had an awful first 3 months...

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

perspective...get some!!!

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.
- L_B_R

I'm not defending Bickell's attitude, I'm just pointing out that other players should know that your frustrated, they shouldn't become frustrated because of your own frustration. It comes down to a negative attitude and I think it's clear that Patrick Sharp is the issue in the locker room. I wouldn't be surprised if people were/are tired of hearing him female dog that he isn't on the right line or isn't playing enough. Instead of trying to earn it, he continues to complain about it. You can only listen to that for so long before you start getting frustrated.

In order to fix that negative attitude, they give Sharp what he wants and hasn't deserved.. like being back on the 2nd line. What message does that send to the rest of the team? Why doesn't 10 take a night off?

man the hawks 12-8-3...i would take that and the 4 points they don't have which would put them 1 behind the blues more importantly 8-10 behind the wild card chasers...and yeah the aves are playing better, they had an awful first 3 months...
- bogiedoc

Yeah.. I'd take those 4 points too.

The Avs are playing better, but to say they are going to surpass the Hawks is ridiculous.

Without a doubt talking about getting rid of Keith is border line insanity
- Maggie

There's been some discussion in recent threads about why some posters are gone or post much less frequently than they used to. This is a good example why I fit into the latter.

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.

Epix episodes are leading into the WC, correct? So this was an issue before Jan 1? The 'Hawks were hot right before a thumping by the PEG on Dec 23rd.

Not sure how many of you guys get the exclusive articles on Chicago Tribune or even follow/respect Steve Rosenbloom, but he had a great piece in the Trib today about the state of the team.
- TommyHawk

rosenbloom commentary makes this room look like like all sunshine and roses...

i consider him one of the most smug, negative, sarcastic smart ass no nothing columnists around...rarely anything this guy writes or says is constructive or interesting

Epix episodes are leading into the WC, correct? So this was an issue before Jan 1? The 'Hawks were hot right before a thumping by the PEG on Dec 23rd.
- blackhawk24

I wouldn't put much stock into the exchange.. It's no different than the "fights" during training camp in the NFL. Ultra-competitive, elite athletes are bound to clash at some point.

So the Hawks had a break when they won in OT and LA beat the Hawks in OT and exposed them? It'll take more than Scotty Bowman to explain that logic to me.
We're at an impasse, neither of us see the other's side. Let's hope as Hawk fans I'm right and you're wrong.
- paulr

I hope you are right.

I just can't stay aboard the optimistic express right now. Earlier I was as I thought it was a fluke. I just see a growing trend here and a team on the ice that isn't following the direction of what is being said by it's leaders or coach.

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

You're not supposed to know / remember this.

It's all relative right? And about expectations. Yeah, I'll envoke the 'one bounce away from another cup' this past spring. But just for last season. By no means IMO does that automatically transfer to the following season.

There's been some discussion in recent threads about why some posters are gone or post much less frequently than they used to. This is a good example why I fit into the latter.
- MartiniMan

Please explain your comment!!

I wouldn't put much stock into the exchange.. It's no different than the "fights" during training camp in the NFL. Ultra-competitive, elite athletes are bound to clash at some point.
- CBHawks88

Did you notice who was missing from Sharp's X mas wishes that was shown there and on the Hawks site?

I heard Darling played both games Fri/Sat for the Hogs this weekend, which is not typical...
This call-up may have been in the works for awhile as he has been primed to start the next game.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

i think you are right...craw sits tomorrow maybe spare him another mental wipe out, his last 3 periods have been brutal and not all on him...

Please explain your comment!!
- Maggie

They aren't trading Keith. Period. Has he been bad? Yeah, he has. Same as Toews. Are they trading Toews? No. So it's a moot point. No point even bringing it up.

This team has a bunch of crap and unknown on D after 2, 4, 7.....

Epix episodes are leading into the WC, correct? So this was an issue before Jan 1? The 'Hawks were hot right before a thumping by the PEG on Dec 23rd.
- blackhawk24

Yep and Patrick Sharp came back the 9th and was demoted to the fourth line on 29th.