Yep Yep Yep.

Q is right more than he is wrong.

Go look at the history of the Hawks with him...he made huge lineup decisions in 2010, 2013, and even last year that either aided the Hawks in winning the Cup or go em close.

I still go back to his 2010 decision to SPLIT UP Kane and Toews and move Ladd up from line 3 to the top 6 that basically took that Philly series from a big question mark to a quick close out.

We also have to remember the Saad/Shaw/Kane move after the Dings got up 3-1 last year...that move damn near got us another Cup. The cynic would say, "why didn't he do it sooner?".... the optimist says most don't even make that move and that's why Q is doing what he's doing and I'm doing what I'm doing.
- kwolf68

The Wings were up 3-1 in 2013 and we did win another Cup.

Agree TT is not the answer he scares no one. Versteeg has been throwing his body and chirping a lot with the Preds.
- fourfeathers

The lineup card on Tuesday will be the same as it was Sunday.

Saad is due a healthy salary increase this year - my spidey senses tell me that he isn't going anywhere.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Yeah, I've crunched the numbers a bunch of times. With Saad at $4mil or so, and another $3 for another second line center or so, puts a huge crunch on the rest of the roster (think 6-7 current AHL salary level players to fill spots).

Sending Cory to, say, Buffalo (just an example as they will need to get to the cap floor next year) gives Bowman another $6 mil to add a defenseman and a few veterans instead of turning the Blackhawks into half Icehog players.

And no offense to Icehog players. I can totally see a good five of them fighting for a spot next year (Danault, McNeil, Hartman, Pokka, Johns). But Q may have a heart attack forcing that much inexperience on him...

Yeah, I've crunched the numbers a bunch of times. With Saad at $4mil or so, and another $3 for another second line center or so, puts a huge crunch on the rest of the roster (think 6-7 current AHL salary level players to fill spots).

Sending Cory to, say, Buffalo (just an example as they will need to get to the cap floor next year) gives Bowman another $6 mil to add a defenseman and a few veterans instead of turning the Blackhawks into half Icehog players.

And no offense to Icehog players. I can totally see a good five of them fighting for a spot next year (Danault, McNeil, Hartman, Pokka, Johns). But Q may have a heart attack forcing that much inexperience on him...
- MNHawk

Ross may draw some consideration as well
Edit: And Baun could probably be penciled in

Ross may draw some consideration as well
- grinder10

Been noodling on that and could see it as well. Read some interviews that Bowman said, or was quoted, that Denault, McNeil and Ross could someday play on the same line with the big club so should stay together in Rockford.

Been noodling on that and could see it as well. Read some interviews that Bowman said, or was quoted, that Denault, McNeil and Ross could someday play on the same line with the big club so should stay together in Rockford.
- MNHawk

Ross could use a little more size, but like Shaw is a mean SOB to play against. He's developing a bit more scoring touch too

McLellan is an excellent coach. He will have his choice of numerous NHL teams to go to. In fact, some teams would fire their current coach if they can get him.
- RickJ

He's a good coach but he hasn't done squat in the playoffs. That said, before Q became the Hawks coach, he never really did much as a head coach in the postseason.

I could see him resurfacing in Boston or Toronto - the latter considering Shanahan's similar ties to Detroit.

Yeah, I've crunched the numbers a bunch of times. With Saad at $4mil or so, and another $3 for another second line center or so, puts a huge crunch on the rest of the roster (think 6-7 current AHL salary level players to fill spots).

Sending Cory to, say, Buffalo (just an example as they will need to get to the cap floor next year) gives Bowman another $6 mil to add a defenseman and a few veterans instead of turning the Blackhawks into half Icehog players.

And no offense to Icehog players. I can totally see a good five of them fighting for a spot next year (Danault, McNeil, Hartman, Pokka, Johns). But Q may have a heart attack forcing that much inexperience on him...
- MNHawk

No, I wouldn't say that many. Definitely not that many.

2-3? Possibly/probably.

It is pretty clear Shaw grabbed Ribeiro's left arm in the play. Shaw hardly reacted to the incident which pretty much sums it up that he knew what he was doing. Good for him to try and get an edge and honestly he should have drawn the penalty.

http://fansided.com/2015/...bench-gets-punched-video/
- nikoli1206

not obvious at all....a dangerous play by the asshat ribeiro...punching with his stick in hand into a bench of supecting players....should be fined/suspended for that...

are ever vigilant refs let it go....

my thinking he gets lined up a few times next game....

Been noodling on that and could see it as well. Read some interviews that Bowman said, or was quoted, that Denault, McNeil and Ross could someday play on the same line with the big club so should stay together in Rockford.
- MNHawk

In 2 years may be a hell of a third line. Next year it will be growing pains for each of them likely, let alone pushing all 3. but given the cap situation I could see all 3 of these guys (as well as Baun) as 4 new forwards next year (maybe not full time). That's not even thinking of Ryan Hartman who will also be in the mix. So that's 5 players right there getting very close. I can't imagine 3 won't be pretty big parts of the team next year, with 2 on the shuttle or even in the A.

not obvious at all....a dangerous play by the asshat ribeiro...punching with his stick in hand into a bench of supecting players....should be fined/suspended for that...

are ever vigilant refs let it go....

my thinking he gets lined up a few times next game....
- bogiedoc

Yep, I've looked for it and can't see it, nor even an observable indication (like the insect's jersey moving/tightening, as he started to pull away etc). Can't say Shaw did nothing with his left hand with any certainty, but I couldn't see a hold either after multiple views. Shaw could have just as easily being chirping as a prelude to the punch.

In 2 years may be a hell of a third line. Next year it will be growing pains for each of them likely, let alone pushing all 3. but given the cap situation I could see all 3 of these guys (as well as Baun) as 4 new forwards next year (maybe not full time). That's not even thinking of Ryan Hartman who will also be in the mix. So that's 5 players right there getting very close. I can't imagine 3 won't be pretty big parts of the team next year, with 2 on the shuttle or even in the A.
- kwolf68

I think that's why the post-season is so invaluable to the Hogs this year. Some prospects are finally getting some important seasoning for the next step. Should be a good test...and reveal a lot to the Hawks.

I think that's why the post-season is so invaluable to the Hogs this year. Some prospects are finally getting some important seasoning for the next step. Should be a good test...and reveal a lot to the Hawks.
- grinder10

Solid point.

I think the Sharks will regret this
- grinder10

Should have fired Wilson instead.

He's a good coach but he hasn't done squat in the playoffs. That said, before Q became the Hawks coach, he never really did much as a head coach in the postseason.

I could see him resurfacing in Boston or Toronto - the latter considering Shanahan's similar ties to Detroit.
- golfbard

I'm not going to look it up but I think he got to the conference finals twice with SJ and beat his old boss Mike Babcock both times in doing that.

Compare that record to Hitchcock who is considered a very good coach. Or the great Dan Bylsma, Barry Trotz, Dave Tippett, Lindy Ruff.

Nobody that is managing their coaching career properly wants the job in Toronto no matter what they pay. McLellan will have a choice to work with teams with some talent in the system - Edmonton, Buffalo or get a big ticket in Philly

Should have fired Wilson instead.
- Ogilthorpe2

True

not obvious at all....a dangerous play by the asshat ribeiro...punching with his stick in hand into a bench of supecting players....should be fined/suspended for that...

are ever vigilant refs let it go....

my thinking he gets lined up a few times next game....
- bogiedoc

I say line up Wilson instead. Losing Ribeiro most likely helps the Preds, taking Wilson out of his game hurts them more.

Should have fired Wilson instead.
- Ogilthorpe2

Kind of surprised he wasn't with all that public back and forth with Jumbo Joe in addition to everything else.

Two best lines yesterday were Toews and Kruger’s. Vermette’s and Richards were fine, working hard, good forecheck. Hossa was amazing all game. Saad was causing problems with his speed. I thought Oduya was very strong. Keith and Seabs did a nice job sheltering Rozy and Kimmo.
- John Jaeckel

JJ I would have to say my "best" line was Sharp-Vermette-Bickell. They hit *everybody*. Bickell and Vermette in particular pounded those D men all day yesterday, Sharp had his wheels going, and I think that wore on them being able to get the puck out. Don't get me wrong Toews' line was unbelievable and all 3 were in beast-mode and Kruger's line shut everyone down I just think that the Vermette line set the tone and paved the way for the rest of the team IMO.

As for modifications for Game 4 with regards to Brad Richards I think of the scene from Christmas Vacation where Clark Griswold is standing in front of his boss and he goes: "Get me somebody. Anybody. And get me someone while I am waiting." Richards is the shell of his former self and its apparent we might need the defibulators when we go into Round 2 (Yes when not if). I agree with you Kane looks 85% as his jump isn't there, but he has also no room to go anywhere. Nobody is creating any room for him. Versuck is Spazzway all up and down the ice. You can't have a guy that hands over the biscuit to the opposing team constantly at the blue lines on the same line with Richards as the guy has nothing left to back check with.

I am all for getting Vermette a little more action. Still not sure why he hasn't at least seen PK duties as well as some PP#2.

Should have fired Wilson instead.
- Ogilthorpe2

That guy has a leash of Kris Versteeg proportions

No, I wouldn't say that many. Definitely not that many.

2-3? Possibly/probably.
- TommyHawk

With 12 players signed to contracts for next season, how do you get to only 2-3? Not being a bag, I'm honestly curious if I'm missing something.

I love how Q gets all the credit for playing all the right guys in game 3, those same guys that should have been playing in games 1 and 2 and didn't. Vermette and Desjardins never should have been scratched to begin with, but what a great job he did inserting them now in game 3.

Solid win yesterday.

Loved the energy Desjardin brought to the lineup. Thought Vermette was OK, nothing to really notice. Versteeg is playing with an edge which I like. Nordstrom wasn't much to warrant staying in the lineup.

I'll keep saying it, but Timonen needs to be sat. He had a nice cycle play on the Seabrook goal, but teams are going to watch video and see him cough that puck up at the blue line and then have to hang on for dear life to keep the Preds from scoring. Got himself a horrible penalty out of it less then 3 minutes into game and easily could have cost this team a goal. I know the choices in the press box aren't the best, but I still don't see this guy improving....at all. He has no jump in his step and will be exposed badly IF the Hawks can get by Nashville. Blues and Wild have some damn good forwards who skate fast......

I love how Q gets all the credit for playing all the right guys in game 3, those same guys that should have been playing in games 1 and 2 and didn't. Vermette and Desjardins never should have been scratched to begin with, but what a great job he did inserting them now in game 3.
- JohnnyHockey19

Give Q credit. He played the goaltending situation perfectly. Pulled Crawford when he needed to in game 1.......and gave CC a chance to earn back the job in game 2......

With 12 players signed to contracts for next season, how do you get to only 2-3? Not being a bag, I'm honestly curious if I'm missing something.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I think he saw AHL and thought I said all AHL players. I'm not saying all of those spots being current AHL players next year, just a similar salary level (less than/around $1mil). It's gotta be just a misunderstanding, because the math don't lie.