Nashville missing arguably the best D in the league probAbly didn't have anything to do with the outcome of this series

True, but given Bowman has not made a single trade that has really benefited this team since Leddy (Desi is solid) underscores my concern and I worry about the coming summer. He gave up MORE to get Timonen than Montreal gave up to get a far more serviceable player in Petry. There is a perfect case study in his competence. The core players (none of which he really had anything to do with) are the stars of the show, seemingly overcoming whatever front office shenanigans take place.

I have no hope for the off-season. I expect high level players to be given away at the 11th hour under the gun for little next to nothing and lets hope the core players continue to remain healthy and a player or 5 from the farm are ready for prime time.
- kwolf68

I put SB in the middle of the pack. Some moves not so good. By he did plug JO in there and after '12, he's played the shutdown role with Hammer. Zus helped in '13 as well as Rozy. We'll see about Danault from The Brouwer '11 deal. I'm not pessimistic....yet. SB and the FO have work to do come June 15th.

Nashville missing arguably the best D in the league probAbly didn't have anything to do with the outcome of this series
- sfrizz

Yeah, especially since he plays for Minny now...

Pilotte was pretty good - several Norrisses and a Cup - but that was more than 50 years ago.

But it was a much different game then - and there were only about 30 defensemen in the league then.
- StLBravesFan

Pilotte was outstanding and one of the best open ice hitters I have ever seen. In many ways, Keith and Pilotte are very similar players. I think Keith is just a tad better. Could be because I have seen more of Keith though.

I wasn't here for Larmer's years in Chicago. Would you include Doug Wilson, also? Always bugged me how he was shipped away at the end like that.
- 333inthe3rd

I would have, IF he didn't assbag it post-Savvy for Cheli trade, force his way out a year later, then holding a grudge like a 6-yr old who didn't get what he wanted for Christmas. Too bad, cuz he was my all time favorite player. His 39 goals one season will likely never be broken by a 'Hawks D-man.

Nashville missing arguably the best D in the league probAbly didn't have anything to do with the outcome of this series
- sfrizz

Keith plays for the Hawks.

Pilotte was outstanding and one of the best open ice hitters I have ever seen. In many ways, Keith and Pilotte are very similar players. I think Keith is just a tad better. Could be because I have seen more of Keith though.
- Elbows15

Pilote was outstanding and in many ways comparable to Keith, to me they play the same type of game. I'm still unable to determine which one was/is better.IMHO

No question that's his strength. How bout he position himself between the opposing player and the goalie at the very least when his partner is chasing a guy behind the net. I've seen him reaching for the guy who just scored too many times for my liking. To be fair, that goes for the rest of them as well.

We must be around the same age as I've seen them all in the last 50 years as well. I remember the 61 cup as a kid.
- 6628

You must have seen Bobby Orr play. A clip of all of his defensive gaffes could be made too. There never has been a defenceman in the world that hasn't been made to look bad occasionally and that includes Orr, Harvey, Weber, Keith, McDonagh, Chara, Seabrook, Doughty, Robinson, Savard and even the great David Rundblad.

Today's game is played faster than ever and defenceman have little or no protection from forecheckers getting on top of them at a mile a minute.

Keith gives you a combination of speed, endurance, great competitiveness and most importantly the ability to raise his playing level when the games count most. Name me somebody better on all of those counts.

>Wonderful to see a champion step up and get it done
>On that GWG, so many great plays by all 5 Hawks
>Most importantly, whoever had the puck made sure they put it in a place another Hawk could retrieve from or get a great scoring chance -- everybody had their head up when they had the puck -- no dumb puck management
>We're indeed very lucky to see some special players at their best -- throughout the Hawks lineup
>The next level of champion experience the Hawks can use is knowing what it takes to win round 2 -- something that the Wild or Blues have not done (recently)

Two Norris, perhaps one-two more. You bet. Especially if he ends up with a Conn Smythe too.
- blackhawk24

Absolute STUD last night when it mattered most.

You must have seen Bobby Orr play. A clip of all of his defensive gaffes could be made too. There never has been a defenceman in the world that hasn't been made to look bad occasionally and that includes Orr, Harvey, Weber, Keith, McDonagh, Chara, Seabrook, Doughty, Robinson, Savard and even the great David Rundblad.

Today's game is played faster than ever and defenceman have little or no protection from forecheckers getting on top of them at a mile a minute.

Keith gives you a combination of speed, endurance, great competitiveness and most importantly the ability to raise his playing level when the games count most. Name me somebody better on all of those counts.
- RickJ

Keith's number will hang from the rafters someday and for all those reason you just pointed out.

Nashville missing arguably the best D in the league probAbly didn't have anything to do with the outcome of this series
- sfrizz

Chicago having Patrick Kane (at the time of injury on his way to winning a Hart Trophy) not playing at remotely 100% in this series probably didn't have anything to do with the Hawks not playing at a higher level.

Two can play at this game....

Then the players who are assigned them should make them "unlame" by having HOF careers.
- StLBravesFan

A lame number will always be lame, no matter who wears it. Hossa may be in the HOF one day, but 81 is still a lame number.

You must have seen Bobby Orr play. A clip of all of his defensive gaffes could be made too. There never has been a defenceman in the world that hasn't been made to look bad occasionally and that includes Orr, Harvey, Weber, Keith, McDonagh, Chara, Seabrook, Doughty, Robinson, Savard and even the great David Rundblad.

Today's game is played faster than ever and defenceman have little or no protection from forecheckers getting on top of them at a mile a minute.

Keith gives you a combination of speed, endurance, great competitiveness and most importantly the ability to raise his playing level when the games count most. Name me somebody better on all of those counts.
- RickJ

Sure did see Bobby Orr play. Best player ever, just too short of a career. Also saw him sadly end his playinig days with the hawks.

A lame number will always be lame, no matter who wears it. Hossa may be in the HOF one day, but 81 is still a lame number.
- Ogilthorpe2

I once had a mens league jersey with the number 4Q on the back. Just curious, was that a lame number?

Chelios didn't play long enough as a Hawk to have the number retired as a Hawk. His success was with other organizations.

Seabrook will retire as a Blackhawk, hopefully, with well over a 1000 games in that sweater. A key member of 2 Cup winning team. If 7 is retired it should be for Seabrook and ONLY Seabrook. imo.
- Elbows15

What success? If you're talking cups, then yes, but he did spend the prime of his career in Chicago. Won 2 of his 3 Norris Trophies in Chicago.

You must have seen Bobby Orr play. A clip of all of his defensive gaffes could be made too. There never has been a defenceman in the world that hasn't been made to look bad occasionally and that includes Orr, Harvey, Weber, Keith, McDonagh, Chara, Seabrook, Doughty, Robinson, Savard and even the great David Rundblad.

Today's game is played faster than ever and defenceman have little or no protection from forecheckers getting on top of them at a mile a minute.

Keith gives you a combination of speed, endurance, great competitiveness and most importantly the ability to raise his playing level when the games count most. Name me somebody better on all of those counts.
- RickJ

"That's a trick question."

"Why is it a trick question?"

"Because Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55. The 327 didn't come out until '62, and it wasn't offered in a Bel Air until '64. However, in 1964 the correct ignition timing would be 4 degrees before top dead center."

Oops, movie-lapse. There is no one in the league better than DK in all those traits.

What success? If you're talking cups, then yes, but he did spend the prime of his career in Chicago. Won 2 of his 3 Norris Trophies in Chicago.
- Ogilthorpe2

You have another way to define success in a team sport?

"That's a trick question."

"Why is it a trick question?"

"Because Chevy didn't make a 327 in '55. The 327 didn't come out until '62, and it wasn't offered in a Bel Air until '64. However, in 1964 the correct ignition timing would be 4 degrees before top dead center."

Oops, movie-lapse. There is no one in the league better than DK in all those traits.
- blackhawk24

Marisa Tomei

True, but given Bowman has not made a single trade that has really benefited this team since Leddy (Desi is solid) underscores my concern and I worry about the coming summer. He gave up MORE to get Timonen than Montreal gave up to get a far more serviceable player in Petry. There is a perfect case study in his competence. The core players (none of which he really had anything to do with) are the stars of the show, seemingly overcoming whatever front office shenanigans take place.

I have no hope for the off-season. I expect high level players to be given away at the 11th hour under the gun for little next to nothing and lets hope the core players continue to remain healthy and a player or 5 from the farm are ready for prime time.
- kwolf68

When you're already one of the best teams in the league, how many trades could he possibly make that would make the team definitively better?

Either you're trading a really good player, and not likely getting fair value in return, or you're trading lower end talent for a vet to help down the stretch.

Ugly, soft SHG allowed by Allen

I once had a mens league jersey with the number 4Q on the back. Just curious, was that a lame number?
- 6628

Extremely.

You have another way to define success in a team sport?
- Elbows15

Savard never won a Cup in Chicago...his number is retired.

It's a dumb argument about a dumb tradition anyways.

Ugly, soft SHG allowed by Allen
- CBHawks88

That was brutal

Ugly, soft SHG allowed by Allen
- CBHawks88

Shocking. lol