I predict lots of people will owe Mr. Runblad an apology in about 3-4 weeks. The unwarranted hate of this guy is absurd.

It's not like he's Kimonen bad.
- Ogilthorpe2

Every team has to have their defensive whipping boy. It's not his fault Stanbo gave up what he did for him.

I was going to post a comparative but then realized you said "star" player.


Captain does not equal star.
- stljam

No, otherwise Backes and Brown would also be contenders.

I was going to post a comparative but then realized you said "star" player.


Captain does not equal star.
- stljam

You are correct.

Hawks will have to really play lights out to win this series. Ducks are big/fast/nasty. Take nothing for granted. On paper yes Hawks have the edge... but I could be wrong and the Hawks roll in 5. The key will be to really support the D moving the puck out.

No, otherwise Backes and Brown would also be contenders.
- tredbrta

Along with a bunch of non-captains like Lucic, Doan, Roussel, Prust, Cooke, etc...

Shaw would be in the team photo too.

Hawks will have to really play lights out to win this series. Ducks are big/fast/nasty. Take nothing for granted. On paper yes Hawks have the edge... but I could be wrong and the Hawks roll in 5. The key will be to really support the D moving the puck out.
- z1990z

You are wrong. Hawks roll in 5.

Every team has to have their defensive whipping boy. It's not his fault Stanbo gave up what he did for him.
- stljam

An extra 2nd rounder on a team with a lot of prospects is what it cost. Stan then went out and signed TVR as a college free agent - who made the team his rookie season.

What did it cost again? Not much.

What Stan paid was his choice... but, in the player development scheme we are slowly learning they employ, it really wasn't much at all. Just like the picks they lost in the Vermette trades were replaced (indirectly) by the free agent signings of Kero, Baun, Panarin and Gustafson.

Every team has to have their defensive whipping boy. It's not his fault Stanbo gave up what he did for him.
- stljam

We have as many as 5 most days. Hjalmarsson is the only good one.

Along with a bunch of non-captains like Lucic, Doan, Roussel, Prust, Cooke, etc...

Shaw would be in the team photo too.
- Ogilthorpe2

shaw is chippy. The guys you mentioned are trying to end careers. Plus Shaw doesn't go after players smaller than he is like those asshats.

shaw is chippy. The guys you mentioned are trying to end careers. Plus Shaw doesn't go after players smaller than he is like those asshats.
- Elbows15

Well yeah, but he's not exactly a giant. There's not a ton if guys much smaller than he is, so it's kind of hard to judge that one.

Well yeah, but he's not exactly a giant. There's not a ton if guys much smaller than he is, so it's kind of hard to judge that one.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well yeah, but he's not exactly a giant. There's not a ton if guys much smaller than he is, so it's kind of hard to judge that one.
- Ogilthorpe2

I don't see the dirty aspect to Shaw of a player like Cooke. He crosses the line occasionally but he isn't trying to hurt people. A little head butt here and there in the heat of the moment < knee on knee garbage or even some of the Lucic or Carcillo stuff.

I predict lots of people will owe Mr. Runblad an apology in about 3-4 weeks. The unwarranted hate of this guy is absurd.

It's not like he's Kimonen bad.
- Ogilthorpe2

I have to admit, there was times through the playoffs, where I almost typed "Hell, put Runblad in there, he isn't as bad as Kimmo"

I have to admit, there was times through the playoffs, where I almost typed "Hell, put Runblad in there, he isn't as bad as Kimmo"
- vabeachbear

There's a future HOF coach/former NHL defenseman who disagrees.

We have as many as 5 most days. Hjalmarsson is the only good one.
- Elbows15

Two at all times for sure, especially now

There's a future HOF coach/former NHL defenseman who disagrees.
- Ogilthorpe2

and his is the only opinion that really counts.

There's a future HOF coach/former NHL defenseman who disagrees.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well, yeah, why wasn't your hero from Abba in there in the first two rounds, then? Oh, right . . .

Hawks will have to really play lights out to win this series. Ducks are big/fast/nasty. Take nothing for granted. On paper yes Hawks have the edge... but I could be wrong and the Hawks roll in 5. The key will be to really support the D moving the puck out.
- z1990z

I was under the impression that the ducks are big and physical but a slow skating team ... We all know how that will turn out ...

Well, yeah, why wasn't your hero from Abba in there in the first two rounds, then? Oh, right . . .
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, hero.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

I have to admit, there was times through the playoffs, where I almost typed "Hell, put Runblad in there, he isn't as bad as Kimmo"
- vabeachbear

Tell me one time Timonen has wilted like a flower, and turned a puck over below the circles to one guy's pressure, leading to an easy goal? Because I can name at least a few times Rundblad has done that.

Give it up. He sucks. He's playing because if they play Cumiskey, it forces Oduya out of his better side and makes him a liability too. That's it. And the Great Rundblad might force that by Game 2 anyway.

Yeah, hero.

Wash, rinse, repeat.
- Ogilthorpe2

He sucks. Period. I would love to have him prove me wrong, i really would.

Tell me one time Timonen has wilted like a flower, and turned a puck over below the circles to one guy's pressure, leading to an easy goal? Because I can name at least a few times Rundblad has done that.

Give it up. He sucks. He's playing because if they play Cumiskey, it forces Oduya out of his better side and makes him a liability too. That's it. And the Great Rundblad might force that by Game 2 anyway.
- John Jaeckel

June, 2010.

He sucks. Period. I would love to have him prove me wrong, i really would.
- John Jaeckel

Yeah John but it's not going to happen...I think we'd all love Runny to prove us wrong but as soon as a Ducks player gets near him in his own zone the puck will be in the back of our net. I'm praying I'm wrong...

Meanwhile why didn't Bowman go out and get at least one quality depth defensemen at the TDL because KT isn't any better. He's been another huge ? at best and Bowman targeted this guy when several guys were out there... Actually Bowman's had since last spring and this is what we've got going into the final 2 rounds for the 5th and 6th dmen? Yikes Scooby.

June, 2010.
- Elbows15

Two at all times for sure, especially now
- vabeachbear

Meh. KT is just done. He was at the end of last season. Nothing I have seen changes that opinion of him.

I don't have a hate for Rundblad. Do I wish he was better? Sure. He is going to put in the best situation Q can find for him to succeed. Its up to him now.