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?
- 67hawks

You mean Anaheim right? I sort of like what Murray did yesterday. Wiz is an upgrade from Brewer and Lovejoy. Despres is solid and young. Holzer and Despres give them depth. Still not the best D group but it looked better after the trades.

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
No, No, No - Rundblad, Erixon, etal have been red herrings. The real problem is Oduya (-9) and Seabs (-4, worst since 2006-2007) have had poor years.

Q made #4-#27 the shutdown pairing last year for a reason, and it wasn't Duncan Keith. This year, Oduya has struggled and after a great 2-3 week stretch during the Hawks streak earlier this year, Seabs has struggled.

But go ahead and keep blaming the #7 & #8 Dmen.

For all the so called experts, please explain why #7 is so slow to recover when he gets caught behind the net or near the circles. Also, when he falls, see how long it takes him to get up. Often, Seabs floats back into position instead of hustling back. 'Tis a reason why so many opponents can sit in or near the crease.

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

Yeah why do we have that bum on the team. Absolutely no offensive production.

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
- scottak

Now there's a blast from the past. Remember Desjardins quite well, extremely acrobatic a la the Dminator as I recall. What an embarrassment of riches in the nets from the early 1970's, tony, Dejardins and Gary Smith wasn't too shabby either.

Didn't Ovechkin bust Campbell's collarbone and didn't Campbell come back way early? If I remember the story correctly they had him drinking some crap that made him wanna puke but supposedly helped the bone heal quicker. If the Hawks locker room is anything like our kitchen I bet that stuff's still kickin' around the back of the fridge.
- Hal9000y2k

Yes but Campbell didn't get surgrey, right?

No, No, No - Rundblad, Erixon, etal have been red herrings. The real problem is Oduya (-9) and Seabs (-4, worst since 2006-2007) have had poor years.

Q made #4-#27 the shutdown pairing last year for a reason, and it wasn't Duncan Keith. This year, Oduya has struggled and after a great 2-3 week stretch during the Hawks streak earlier this year, Seabs has struggled.

But go ahead and keep blaming the #7 & #8 Dmen.

For all the so called experts, please explain why #7 is so slow to recover when he gets caught behind the net or near the circles. Also, when he falls, see how long it takes him to get up. Often, Seabs floats back into position instead of hustling back. 'Tis a reason why so many opponents can sit in or near the crease.
- KingB

Last night oddly enough Rosie played his best game this year and maybe best ever as a Hawk
Rudbland who we have all been hard on actually played a very good game as well. Moved the puck and no give aways and was not pushed off the puck. Will this continue....probably not ....but one can dream

Now there's a blast from the past. Remember Desjardins quite well, extremely acrobatic a la the Dminator as I recall. What an embarrassment of riches in the nets from the early 1970's, tony, Dejardins and Gary Smith wasn't too shabby either.
- TexasFlood

Do you remember Gary Smith catching the puck in his crease dropping it to his stick and stickhandling halfway to the blue line before passing it up ice?

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

haha well played...#80*

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

Great insight JJ. Very good assessment.

Last night oddly enough Rosie played his best game this year and maybe best ever as a Hawk
Rudbland who we have all been hard on actually played a very good game as well. Moved the puck and no give aways and was not pushed off the puck. Will this continue....probably not ....but one can dream
- Colbyboy

only because Alexander Semin was "forechecking" or at least his version of it...Also, did anyone else notice how TERRIBLE both Staal brothers were last night?? omg how far has Eric Staal fallen...

Do you remember Gary Smith catching the puck in his crease dropping it to his stick and stickhandling halfway to the blue line before passing it up ice?
- paulr

Not off hand. Back in those days if you weren't in attendance you pretty much had to listen to Lloyd Petit's call on WMAQ if memory serves. AndmI don't think they even broadcast the first period, you had to pick it up at the start of the first intermission.

Dollar Bill's great theory on marketing and creating future fans . God bless NHL center ice package!

Yeah why do we have that bum on the team. Absolutely no offensive production.
- Vark37

We need goal scoring from that position ASAP. Is Mike Smith available? He has a great shot!

That said, agree that Vermette should find some offense once he settles in.... Sort of an upgrade in offensive talent around him from AZ. He looked pretty gassed last night too - maybe the travel?

only because Alexander Semin was "forechecking" or at least his version of it...Also, did anyone else notice how TERRIBLE both Staal brothers were last night?? omg how far has Eric Staal fallen...
- EnzoD

First game after the TDL, no help, another lost season, rest of the team is journeyman/has beens/never will bes...they were probably demoralized. Hey, no excuse, they are professionals and paid like it. But, as you saw, the Hawks were lifted by the additions. Toews looked noticeably happier after the game. You can say the same thing about getting the crap kicked out of you too.

pls take care of Kimmo

First game after the TDL, no help, another lost season, rest of the team is journeyman/has beens/never will bes...they were probably demoralized. Hey, no excuse, they are professionals and paid like it. But, as you saw, the Hawks were lifted by the additions. Toews looked noticeably happier after the game. You can say the same thing about getting the crap kicked out of you too.
- MNHawk

Ya but we're talking about a former MVP candidate and arguably a top 5 Center in the NHL even 2 years ago....just an atrocious effort from both Staals last night. Also, Toews and Hossa make a lot of guys look bad when they are dialed in like last night

Yes but Campbell didn't get surgrey, right?
- Bjm84

Not that I remember. If he did, that was one quick return (5-6 wks).

Do you remember Gary Smith catching the puck in his crease dropping it to his stick and stickhandling halfway to the blue line before passing it up ice?
- paulr

Oh, the great Gary "Suitcase" Smith.

There was actually one occasion he skated out of the net with the puck on his stick and actually crossed the centerline which is a penalty. I think he was playing for the Oakland Seals at the time.

Can't remember what th penalty for doing that is - do you know?

Not that I remember. If he did, that was one quick return (5-6 wks).
- blackhawk24

Broke it on March 14th and returned to play on April 20th - Just over 5 weeks.

First .... Wanna bet Kane plays game 1 ... Round 1 ...

No mention of TT last night , might of been his best game all around ... Is it me or does TT look to be a better passer than Kaner ????
- HurriKane

Its you. It would be the worst decision they could make to play Kane then.

Maybe TT was a little more aggressive and willing to go to the other areas of the ice because he didn't have to worry about the center responsibilities? I liked what I saw too, but I have to wonder how often he could do that against Winnipeg or St Louis in a playoff series.
- MNHawk

When TT was playing with Shaw, Shaw was taking the center's defensive responsibilities.

Broke it on March 14th and returned to play on April 20th - Just over 5 weeks.
- Tanuki

He came back for game 4 on the 22nd - so 39 days= almost 6 weeks.

He was expected to be our 6-8 weeks from what I've read - don't know why it's less than Kane's projection.

I wouldn't count on him until round 3 - but that's just a non-medical opinion.

Ya but we're talking about a former MVP candidate and arguably a top 5 Center in the NHL even 2 years ago....just an atrocious effort from both Staals last night. Also, Toews and Hossa make a lot of guys look bad when they are dialed in like last night
- EnzoD

Eric Staal hasn't been the same since Alex Edler wrecked his knee in the world championships a few years ago.

EDIT - last year.

Not that I remember. If he did, that was one quick return (5-6 wks).
- blackhawk24

Checked on that surgury only occurs in 10% of cases usually for shoulder side of bone or protruding fractures. Better to have it right even if it costs you a cup. Kane is a special player tied up for a long time.

No, No, No - Rundblad, Erixon, etal have been red herrings. The real problem is Oduya (-9) and Seabs (-4, worst since 2006-2007) have had poor years.

Q made #4-#27 the shutdown pairing last year for a reason, and it wasn't Duncan Keith. This year, Oduya has struggled and after a great 2-3 week stretch during the Hawks streak earlier this year, Seabs has struggled.

But go ahead and keep blaming the #7 & #8 Dmen.

For all the so called experts, please explain why #7 is so slow to recover when he gets caught behind the net or near the circles. Also, when he falls, see how long it takes him to get up. Often, Seabs floats back into position instead of hustling back. 'Tis a reason why so many opponents can sit in or near the crease.
- KingB

You wanna blame Seabrook and Oduya, fine....But part of the reason they have such poor +/-(if we are going to look at that stat only) is because of the revolving doors at 5th and 6th D...Q has been juggling his D pairs as much as his forwards...Keith playing with Rundblad, then Keith plays with Rozy....There is a reason Keith and Seabs work together so good as a pair, they compliment each other, and that is what you want from your D men..Oduya was playing much better before he got injured, par of the reason is because he was paired back with Hammer....Besides, their bad +/- has a lot to do with the entire team playing average hockey

No, No, No - Rundblad, Erixon, etal have been red herrings. The real problem is Oduya (-9) and Seabs (-4, worst since 2006-2007) have had poor years.

Q made #4-#27 the shutdown pairing last year for a reason, and it wasn't Duncan Keith. This year, Oduya has struggled and after a great 2-3 week stretch during the Hawks streak earlier this year, Seabs has struggled.

But go ahead and keep blaming the #7 & #8 Dmen.

For all the so called experts, please explain why #7 is so slow to recover when he gets caught behind the net or near the circles. Also, when he falls, see how long it takes him to get up. Often, Seabs floats back into position instead of hustling back. 'Tis a reason why so many opponents can sit in or near the crease.
- KingB

Q used Oduya and Hammer as a shut down pair because its what they are best suited for. It also put Seabrook and Keith in position to utilize their much better offensive abilities.