With Petry still on the table. I just do not get that one...
- blackhawk24

I don't think most of us could tell Petry from Chris Campoli up till a few weeks ago.
Hindsight is 20/20.

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss Versteeg. If this series proves to be more than TT is ready for at this time, Versteeg is a pretty nice option to have to inset in the line-up.

Lets not forget how well Versteeg was playing before he was injured. Kane just needs to sit him down and tell him, don't try to do what I do. lol
- Elbows15

You're on fire. AGREED.

Rozy out 12-16 weeks after surgery today. Will make it difficult for him to get a new contract anywhere
- Cup-Bearer

Hey, the series might start in 12 weeks so he might be back in time.

>Thanks for the kind words
>But, thankfully, Q does not need any help from me
>Q is on his way to the HOF, and has been very, very good in this year's playoffs
>Loved how the Hawks carved up the Wild trap this year
>And with all this time off, Q will have some new things for BB to digest
- SnapitUpstairs

Brilliant is the word.

The Hawks form what I read and hear are in a good place mentally. They know it won't be easy. They also know how to beat Anaheim.

Just heard on the Score...Montador's autopsy is in - severe CTE throughout his brain and his family has joined the lawsuit against the NHL regarding concussions.

Don't know if anyone has read 'League of Denial' regarding the NFL...pretty disturbing to say the least.

RIP Monty...

What will Dozer say when this #17 shows back up?

Me too. Rosy has been held together with duck tape for the last couple years but despite declining capabilities he knew how to play the game. They will miss what a veteran defenceman who has been in the trenches before can provide.

Scotty always, always had an old fart defenceman like Rosy on his teams for the playoffs - Jimmy Roberts, Bob Rouse, Steve Duchesne, Mike Ramsey, Larry Murphy, Kjell Samuelsson. He always found a use for them.
- RickJ

Well then Rick, I guess you could say Stan's TDL acquisition was a smashing success!
We have the oldest of the old farts on D (and BTW, I am NOT a Kimmo hater as many others are, as it just makes me a bit sad the guys instinctively knows what to do and where to be but his body just won't cooperate. Note to Kimmo: if you are looking to get in some ice time, I can pretty much guarantee you a slot on our Over 40 team!).

Never thought I'd say this but I'm going to miss Rozsival the rest of the way out.
Now that the boys are so close to competing for the CUP, me thinks like many others they will again ramp up their compete level another notch or 3. I think last year left them with a bad taste and they want to get back to the Finals ASAP.

I see Toews and Kruger on Getzlaf, Vermette some
Boudreau will want Kesler on Toews or Richards

Another matchup advantage for the Hawks, Thompson probably can't shut down either of the Hawks' top lines. Kruger can (for stretches at least) shut down either of the Ducks.
- John Jaeckel

Kesler will be trying to shut down Kane. Getzlaf/Perry vs Toews/Hossa...

Hammer could be a number one d pairing guy in Chicago let alone some other team...

At this point? Petry is playing very well for the Habs. Also plays about as much as KT in one shift.
- Elbows15

Petry is also a right hander. Kimmo a lefty. I don't like the 2 2nd rounders for him but you have to pay to play. Hextall probably knew Kimmo wasn't anywhere near what he was last year and simply rolled Stan. It happens. The Bowmans will not forget it. Maybe with the added mins Kimmo will find something? I'm skeptical of both Kimmo and Rundblad but if anyone is capable of sheltering d men it is Q and Kitchen.

Petry is also a right hander. Kimmo a lefty. I don't like the 2 2nd rounders for him but you have to pay to play. Hextall probably knew Kimmo wasn't anywhere near what he was last year and simply rolled Stan. It happens. The Bowmans will not forget it. Maybe with the added mins Kimmo will find something? I'm skeptical of both Kimmo and Rundblad but if anyone is capable of sheltering d men it is Q and Kitchen.
- tredbrta

Bowman should have known what he was buying... Guy's coming off injuries plus age

Bowman should have known what he was buying... Guy's coming off injuries plus age
- kaptaan

I said the same thing - Sean O'Donnell 2.0. (edit)

But hey... if JJ thought it was a good gamble as did the Bowmans... I'm sure I'm wrong to dispute 99 times out of 100.

http://youtu.be/AaA7kPfC5Hk
- Ogilthorpe2

That was the definition of insanity.

I said the same thing - Sean O'Donnell 2.0. (edit)

But hey... if JJ thought it was a good gamble as did the Bowmans... I'm sure I'm wrong to dispute 99 times out of 100.
- busmaster

If the guy has to blow it up next season cuz of cap issues, he should have paid the price and got someone who doesn't need a chaperone on the ice to make sure he doesn't f up badly cuz of speed issues... Like petry or someone else who a team didn't trade cuz the price wasn't right. I'm sure he could have pried a serviceable guy like Stanton/ Weber or even Bieksa out of Vancouver for two seconds or less, which is what petry cost...

That was the definition of insanity.
- sgt1480

Andrew Ladd was playing with a hernia since January. Should have had surgery. That is insane.

So much for the quacks handling the Jets at 100%. Really was surprised to see Kesler skating free like he was... now we know why. A healthy Ladd would have put him down. Bickell seemed to let up on the hits the last game IMO. Hope he is ready to be physical with this group.

If the guy has to blow it up next season cuz of cap issues, he should have paid the price and got someone who doesn't need a chaperone on the ice to make sure he doesn't f up badly cuz of speed issues... Like petry or someone else who a team didn't trade cuz the price wasn't right. I'm sure he could have pried a serviceable guy like Stanton/ Weber or even Bieksa out of Vancouver for two seconds or less, which is what petry cost...
- kaptaan

Blow it up? Kimmo looks bad so far but TDL deals for injured players who are not playing really don't allow for an eye test. If he was any semblance of the player that played in 13-14 the deal would have looked ok. I see the Bowman's logic.

There may also be the respect factor. Bowman's giving a respected vet a shot at a cup. Another marketing detail that makes players think highly of Chicago. It's a possibility.

It has also been discussed here that they may have wanted Kimmo to mentor TT. TTs play did pick up after Kimmo was brought in. Another possibility.

That 2nd second rounder is what I do not get. Should have made the condition more significant - like mins rather than games. There may have been other interested teams though too.

Also, cup final experience. Kimmo was there - even though they lost that was a solidly fought series. Bieksa has multiple years on his deal too and his cup experience is sort of the kind you may not want. Sort of like adding someone because they have experience in throwing tantrums at crucial moments.....

Rumor is Hawks/Ducks won't start until Sunday...one would think there'll be some rust at that point. One would also think they'll shake it off quickly.

As several have alluded too...this team knows how close they were last season and haven't forgotten what happened in game 7 against the Kings. I would say this team is plenty motivated to get it done.

Rumor is Hawks/Ducks won't start until Sunday...one would think there'll be some rust at that point. One would also think they'll shake it off quickly.

As several have alluded too...this team knows how close they were last season and haven't forgotten what happened in game 7 against the Kings. I would say this team is plenty motivated to get it done.
- DK002

Was just gonna say I saw a tweet that said Boudreau said something alluding to the fact the series will start Sunday. Why the enteral wait?

Was just gonna say I saw a tweet that said Boudreau said something alluding to the fact the series will start Sunday. Why the enteral wait?
- ehawk

Have to wait for all 2nd round series to be complete, and the arena is in use the other days.

Have to wait for all 2nd round series to be complete, and the arena is in use the other days.
- TheTrob

I'm not very patient

If the guy has to blow it up next season cuz of cap issues, he should have paid the price and got someone who doesn't need a chaperone on the ice to make sure he doesn't f up badly cuz of speed issues... Like petry or someone else who a team didn't trade cuz the price wasn't right. I'm sure he could have pried a serviceable guy like Stanton/ Weber or even Bieksa out of Vancouver for two seconds or less, which is what petry cost...
- kaptaan

Other than Petry to Montreal and Desjardins to the Hawks I can't think of any TDL deals that did much for the acquiring team. If Vermette plays well for the balance of the playoffs he will be deemed to be worth the expense.

But just like Timonen is doing, Chris Stewart, Zidlicky, Leopold, Bortuzzo and Neuvirth did next to nothing for the teams they went to.

Goes to prove that your own farm system is the best place to pull from most of the time when help is needed.

>While hockey is obviously an adrenaline-fueled game, I think the Ducks rely on that "adrenaline-pump" more than most after scoring -- they ride that wave well and longer than most teams -- and helped them get their comeback wins
>Hence the importance for the Hawks to use their experience and championship pedigree to "wear-down" the Ducks mentally by putting together solid shift after solid shift -- and force Duck Dmen to make decisions
>Flames lacked the total team skill to move the puck lightning fast to players who were open and available to make plays -- Hawks will make those plays
- SnapitUpstairs

Exactly what I saw with the Flames. Hawks should fare much better.

I'm not very patient
- ehawk

It fits my schedule pretty well.

Hogs tomorrow and Thursday, and the Hawks on Sunday. Unless the Hogs win one of the next two...

Andrew Ladd was playing with a hernia since January. Should have had surgery. That is insane.

So much for the quacks handling the Jets at 100%. Really was surprised to see Kesler skating free like he was... now we know why. A healthy Ladd would have put him down. Bickell seemed to let up on the hits the last game IMO. Hope he is ready to be physical with this group.
- tredbrta

Noticed that too...didn't make much of it as I'd figured he was preserving himself for the next round since it looked like the series was ending that night--early on...before it got a little uncomfortable for us

It fits my schedule pretty well.

Hogs tomorrow and Thursday, and the Hawks on Sunday. Unless the Hogs win one of the next two...
- EKolb13

When Hogs get the axe is Johns on his way to Chicago ?

Noticed that too...didn't make much of it as I'd figured he was preserving himself for the next round since it looked like the series was ending that night--early on...before it got a little uncomfortable for us
- grinder10

Hawks were playing positional hockey in Minny. I'll take the Bickell that was in good position defensively over the one going for hits and being behind the play. Asking him to accomplish both may be a bit out of his ken.