When you say DesJardin isn't here yet, do you mean that he had not reported to Chicago yet? If so, how can it be that Ben Smith played for the Sharks last night and DesJardin isn't even here yet? Any Chance DesJardin ends up in Rockford?
- TheJerk

You gain 2 hours flying from ORD to the west coast, and lose 2 hours the other way. So 2 hours net to WC, 6 hours from. And from the reports, Smith got there just before the game started. The earliest the new Hawk could had made it was during the 3rd period.

He is probably in Chicago right now. You forget, Smith gained two hours going West and Desjardins lost two hours going East yesterday
- John Jaeckel

Not to mention Smith made the game just in the nick of time. Sharks have another game tonight, how do the logistics of a trade work like this, did Smith just leave everything he owns in Chicago and hopped on a plane? If so I'm assuming he will need to come back to Chicago for the move

>Some good things that are happening:
>Toews starting to shoot upstairs more often -- think his SO goal against Howard showed he's been working on going roof when it's there -- JT's always been 5-hole money when it's open
>Sharp bursting without the puck at the right time -- at elite levels of play -- scorers know they can create an opportunity which "demands" the puck from their teammate -- Hossa was doing this every night during his "streak"
>Shaw's newfound freedom on the wing -- lo and behold the Hawks forecheck has re-emerged and it looks very good with #65 as a D-seeking missile
>Liked the speed of puck movement against the Panthers in Florida -- still another level of puck speed and "think-speed" the team can get to -- but trending in a very positive way
>Good moves by the FO -- good to see everyone in the room on the same page
>To JJ, Rainman, 66 -- gracias
- SnapitUpstairs

Any time, Snapper

JJ whats your opinion on the 5 headed center monster?...whos going to sit or maybe be moved to wing? Richards odd man out?

- imissroenick

Desjardins will play W and occasionally take some draws here and there

Well with a bit of break before the next game. Anyone have any thoughts on filling out the Center position after this year. Toews, TT, and then what?

Anyone ready in Rockford? Thoughts on resigning Krugs? Doubtful Vermette is signed as price tag will probably be to much.

Don't sleep on Desjardins trust me. Being a Hawk fan out here in No. Cal. I see a lot of sharks hockey and what the Hawks got in DJ is size and a player with a serious nasty streak. I do not think we will be hearing anybody complaining of the Hawks being pushed around any more. Can't wait for Saturday 3/14 to see the Hawks take on the sharks at the SAP center and a little payback for the shutout loss on 1/31.

The newest Blackhawk brings to mind one of my favorite net minders when I was young, Gerry Desjardins. Gerry wore the Kings Purple and Forum Gold, as well as the Indianhead. And I ended up with the same career ending eye injury that he suffered, back when the masks were cage-free and form fitting.

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ats/pdisplay.php?pid=1340

Well with a bit of break before the next game. Anyone have any thoughts on filling out the Center position after this year. Toews, TT, and then what?

Anyone ready in Rockford? Thoughts on resigning Krugs? Doubtful Vermette is signed as price tag will probably be to much.
- Vark37

You need to get out of the no cap room mindset. There will be cap room. Probably.

You need to get out of the no cap room mindset. There will be cap room. Probably.
- John Jaeckel

Well i get there will be room but you think the Hawks make Vermette a priority with everything that will transpire after the season? If it happens then great but just wondering what the other options are if it doesn't?

Also, would be nice to not enter into a season $500k under the cap to allow more flexibilty during the season. Just my opinion.

Still not thrilled about Timonen. Last night didn't calm my fears about him
- BlazinMike

Jesus. It was the guy's first game this season. Give him a few weeks.

Well i get there will be room but you think the Hawks make Vermette a priority with everything that will transpire after the season? If it happens then great but just wondering what the other options are if it doesn't?

Also, would be nice to not enter into a season $500k under the cap to allow more flexibilty during the season. Just my opinion.
- Vark37

Depends how he plays. They can probably sign him for less than what Bolland's making and he's a better player. They're also going to be down a C next year without Richards.

What a game by the Captain. TT is starting to look more confident. Have to put EDM away on Friday boys!!

Jesus. It was the guy's first game this season. Give him a few weeks.
- BreakoutHockey

For a guy hugging 40 and not having played for almost a year I thought he did fine. He had a couple of snipes at his own blue line.

Depends how he plays. They can probably sign him for less than what Bolland's making and he's a better player. They're also going to be down a C next year without Richards.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ.

Yeah, I always liked Vermette's game and would be nice to keep him around. He brings to the hawks some skills that are generally lacking. Hopefully, he gets going after getting comfortable with the new mates.

Looking forward to Friday and the arrival of the last trade piece. Watched a lot of Sharks games due to my old roomates love of the team. He certainly plays with an edge but seems more controlled than what I have seen out of Carcillo in his early career and the Carcillo that has come out again lately. That grit and toughness is certainly going to be a benfit if he can stay out of the box on bad penalties.

Just goes to show how much can change in a couple weeks. Kane goes down and frees up some money (only silver lining). And we go from weak at center to arguably a position of strength.

What a game by the Captain. TT is starting to look more confident. Have to put EDM away on Friday boys!!
- tboucher77

Fels over at TCI wrote a nice piece after the Hawks acquired Vermette...Now you basically have 2 C's that will take care of checking duties, Krugman and Vermy...which will allow Toews and his line to feast on opposing teams....When or if Kane comes back this team will be much deeper than the last time he played...Also, this team will go as far as the D will take it...Timonen should be fine by the playoffs, and let us not forget Oduya was starting to play much better with Hammer before he got injured...The whole problem with the D was that you had Rundblad and Rozy out there trying to play, with Timonen and Oduya back and hopefully a TVR that will get some time before the playoffs you are looking at a much better and improved D corps

Fels over at TCI wrote a nice piece after the Hawks acquired Vermette...Now you basically have 2 C's that will take care of checking duties, Krugman and Vermy...which will allow Toews and his line to feast on opposing teams....When or if Kane comes back this team will be much deeper than the last time he played...Also, this team will go as far as the D will take it...Timonen should be fine by the playoffs, and let us not forget Oduya was starting to play much better with Hammer before he got injured...The whole problem with the D was that you had Rundblad and Rozy out there trying to play, with Timonen and Oduya back and hopefully a TVR that will get some time before the playoffs you are looking at a much better and improved D corps
- captainserious

Looking at the fallout after the TD yesterday, one move really puzzles me. What is it about Wisniewski that would make Columbus take on a sizeable bad contract that extends beyond this season for him? And would he have been available to us at half price?

here's the thing I keep getting back to......I don't know if TT is worth having up for the playoffs.

Hear me out...baring an injury where do you slot this kid?

23-19-81
10-80-20
65-91-29
11-16-13/42

Figure depending upon the matchup, Q will throw Bickell up with Toews/Hossa to offer the protection and hoping playoff Bryan Bickell comes out. that moves Versteeg down with Richards, who he has had a LOT of success with this season, and Shaw. This team will need Sharp to get going to have any chance of winning 8 games.

So again...I just don't see a spot for Teuvo come playoff time. As good as he looked last night, he looked very bad on Friday night against a playoff team he was pressured into a bad turnover and knocked off the puck. I just see more of the same coming against the Blues or Preds or whomever. Tons of potential but his body has to catch up to where his skill and mind are at. Unlike Kane, he hasn't been able to display the ability of avoiding checks or being able to contribute lacking physical immaturity.

Nordstrom or Carcillo on the bottom line would help this team IMO.
- SteveRain

I wasn't suggesting TT should be on the playoff roster, unless he does something superhuman between now and the start of the playoffs. I was just commenting on his play last night. The previous game he played he looked less than ordinary, last night he looked OK with a couple of outstanding plays. I also liked how he went into the tough areas to engage in puck battles. TT has a ways to go developmentally before he secures himself a roster spot.

#50's offense will come with more time and familiarity with the Hawks 5 man offensive zone cycle game. The biggest takeaway for me was his defensive play. Several nice steals and great puck support in the defensive and neutral zones. We now have 3 lockdown Centers in Toews, Kruger and vermette. It just got a bit more difficult to score on the Hawks

Chef Bowman created a fine trade deadline meal, even without time to add dessert.

Jesus. It was the guy's first game this season. Give him a few weeks.
- BreakoutHockey

As I said in another post...Ive never been a fan of Kimmo. I realize it was his first game back. Not making a decision based on last night alone. For me, its overall with him, I just personally don't like watching him play hockey. That's all.

Don't sleep on Desjardins trust me. Being a Hawk fan out here in No. Cal. I see a lot of sharks hockey and what the Hawks got in DJ is size and a player with a serious nasty streak. I do not think we will be hearing anybody complaining of the Hawks being pushed around any more. Can't wait for Saturday 3/14 to see the Hawks take on the sharks at the SAP center and a little payback for the shutout loss on 1/31.
- jvanda

Thanks for the insight. This is what we need for the POs. Controlled nasty as opposed to Carbomb. Desjardins can skate and plays better D than Bollig. Upgrade from last year POs to the bottom 6 already.

Chef Bowman created a fine trade deadline meal, even without time to add dessert.
- stanleyhawk

Dessert comes in the 3rd round (hopefully 2nd)...or sooner

#50's offense will come with more time and familiarity with the Hawks 5 man offensive zone cycle game. The biggest takeaway for me was his defensive play. Several nice steals and great puck support in the defensive and neutral zones. We now have 3 lockdown Centers in Toews, Kruger and vermette. It just got a bit more difficult to score on the Hawks
- EnzoD

I was hoping Crow's offense would come around eventually. It would really provide an element the rest of the NHL lacks.

Not to mention Smith made the game just in the nick of time. Sharks have another game tonight, how do the logistics of a trade work like this, did Smith just leave everything he owns in Chicago and hopped on a plane? If so I'm assuming he will need to come back to Chicago for the move
- ehawk

Im assuming he's got movers or something. Maybe the Sharks pay for it or something? Who knows