The fact that I mentioned Justin Faulk of the Carolina hurricanes will be near keiths level in the future made you piss yourself? You must not have watched him this year.... I believe (I'm not gonna research it) I read at some point, that the only person who scored more than him in the second half was karlsson (for defensemen). Please, watch the kid. He's 23 and scored 49 points, and played solid defense all year. When keith was 26 years old, his highest point total at that point, was 44. I don't wanna make this about point totals, and I don't wanna make this a persuasive essay on why you should think Justin faulk is gonna be the next great dman.

My main point is, if you're gonna compare player ABC to player XYZ, you can't factor in team accomplishments when saying abc is better than xyz. Someone else said it, if weber and keith were on opposite teams all these years, would Nashville have 2 cups, and be in 5 wcf's in 7 years? No. That's my main point. We're gonna compare players, okay fine, but don't bring the players teams into especially if you were to compare say, Gio and keith. Flames have been bottom feeder poopty for the same amount of time that the hawks have been a powerhouse... See what I'm saying?
- benjichronic

The assumption that swapping players and maintaining the same level of success is flat out wrong and shows a lack of understanding of what teams are trying to do as a system. Its as weak as bringing teams into the conversation as you pointed out.

The assumption that swapping players and maintaining the same level of success is flat out wrong and shows a lack of understanding of what teams are trying to do as a system. Its as weak as bringing teams into the conversation as you pointed out.
- Elbows15

in any argument related to player attributes and ability, your writer ALWAYS brings up team accomplishments, and i dont see too many hawks fans saying that to him.

Justin Faulk is an abolute train wreck defensively

peddle your laughable comparisons elsewhere
- FourFeathers773

well.... with these comments I'll assume you don't know much about defensive positioning, taking away passing/ shooting lanes, disrupting offensive flow, etc.

I'll let ya in on one more secret.... Carolina is a poop team. They have poop players. They can't play d. Faulk is the only one who did play d on that team. It's gonna look like a (frank)ing train wreck when you have 4 dudes running out of position, and one (that one being faulk) playing d. Do some studying on how to play good defense in the nhl, do some research on how to pick out nuances in a players game (taking lanes away, positioning) that make them good defensive players.

The assumption that swapping players and maintaining the same level of success is flat out wrong and shows a lack of understanding of what teams are trying to do as a system. Its as weak as bringing teams into the conversation as you pointed out.
- Elbows15

Thank you sir for further reinforcing my point.

in any argument related to player attributes and ability, your writer ALWAYS brings up team accomplishments, and i dont see too many hawks fans saying that to him.
- flyershockey

What's your point here? I form my own opinions about players. As for whatever else you are trying to say, its best if I leave it alone.

well.... with these comments I'll assume you don't know much about defensive positioning, taking away passing/ shooting lanes, disrupting offensive flow, etc.

I'll let ya in on one more secret.... Carolina is a poop team. They have poop players. They can't play d. Faulk is the only one who did play d on that team. It's gonna look like a (frank)ing train wreck when you have 4 dudes running out of position, and one (that one being faulk) playing d. Do some studying on how to play good defense in the nhl, do some research on how to pick out nuances in a players game (taking lanes away, positioning) that make them good defensive players.
- benjichronic

I think I know more about it than you, which is why you would know Faulks positioning and gap control is TERRIBLE

His instincts in the defensive zone are ATROCIOUS

He just has good speed and a very good skill set for the offensive zone. He is a dumpster fire in his own zone

I dont care what kind of makeup you try to put on this ugly prom date

I'm pretty sure any complaining by Ducks fans about officiating is merely an attempt to get Hawks fans to acknowledge their constant whining about the officiating is ridiculous. i.e. The Hawks get away with a ton of crap too.
- yzermaneely

What an obnoxious and moronic statement. The oh so sophisticated quack fans like you can see past the ignorance of Hawks fans.

How about the ignorance of the NHLPA and THW? Both have written about the drop in obstruction/interference calls and the flaws in officiating. The trends are dangerous and getting worse. The data is indisputable.

http://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-fatal-flaw/

http://prohockeytalk.nbcs...the-lack-of-goal-scoring/

That's why I said "could be" brother. I think keith might take the cake as the hawks best dman ever. He is in my book at least.
- benjichronic

Agreed

I'm pretty sure any complaining by Ducks fans about officiating is merely an attempt to get Hawks fans to acknowledge their constant whining about the officiating is ridiculous. i.e. The Hawks get away with a ton of crap too.
- yzermaneely

But tell me . . . one time a hawk player delivered a cross check after already being penalized, or a shot to a Ducks face, and it got overlooked.

Tell me one goal the Hawks scored that was on an illegal play. I can tell you TWO of the Ducks. Last night AND the OT game winner in Game 5 (too many men, visual proof).

So you know what, no, the Ducks, if anything have gotten the better of the officiating. Provide facts or please save it.

Thank you sir for further reinforcing my point.
- benjichronic

I compare it to Leaf fans saying Kessel and Kane are the same players. I don't even discuss it with them because they still think Kane and Toews play together. At times? Yes. That really hasn't been the case since 2012 and even when they did it was half the time.

But tell me . . . one time a hawk player delivered a cross check after already being penalized, or a shot to a Ducks face, and it got overlooked.

Tell me one goal the Hawks scored that was on an illegal play. I can tell you TWO of the Ducks. Last night AND the OT game winner in Game 5 (too many men, visual proof).

So you know what, no, the Ducks, if anything have gotten the better of the officiating. Provide facts or please save it.
- John Jaeckel

Here is the way I looks at it. Fine. Call every penalty in the game and lets see where the totals end up. I'll take my chances in that situation.

within reason, but mercy..........this JFK conspiracy thing you have going on needs to take a break. The NHL is NOT out to get the Chicago Blackhawks. If they were, the Hawks would have been out long a go, and probably not have 2 championships and 7 wcf appearances.

The refs aren't perfect and their up/down tolerance of what should/is called is BS. I agree but it does happen to both teams. This isn't an inside job going on. It's power hungry morons puffing out their egos.
- SteveRain

This!

Conspiracy theories simply distract from the fact that this is simply a bad management decision by the NHL. They have allowed officiating to trend back towards pre 1st lockout levels and it is a drag on the game. It hurts teams employing an emphasis on skill and speed. That said, the good teams adjust their styles to competes so we do see fast, skilled teams in the CFs this year. What is unfortunate is ONE of those 4 teams is benefiting the most from the non calls and we are seeing a lot more slop in all of the POs because of this flawed management.

What's your point here? I form my own opinions about players. As for whatever else you are trying to say, its best if I leave it alone.
- Elbows15

im saying there are plenty of people in your camp using team statistics because of the blackhawks success in backing up their arguments (and more than just JJ) and no blackhawks fans ever say its a weak argument. someone else brings up team things and its a weak argument. thats all im saying.

That is the King's locker room. Though I'm sure several ducks are partying with the Kings regularly. Kesler for one is a well know club kid.

Also, you apparently have missed all but 2-3 periods of this series if you haven't seen the Hawks dominating possession. I will say the Ducks have cycled better against the Hawks than I have seen any team in some time.
- tredbrta

Must be nice to sit up on that pedistal and talk down on someone for having off ice issues. I'm pretty sure there is only one player in the Blackhawks Ducks series that was ever charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and theft of services.

But lets rip on a guy for being rumored for being a "club kid"

I'm curious to see if the Hawks open it up and push the play instead of sitting back and let the play come to them as they did to start game 5.
- paulr

I think the answer is in your question.

Same thing as game 6: tight, smart breakouts, forward help. Look for the stretch pass.

If there's one thing I would like to see them do more or different than last night is tie up the ever-present Duck forward parked in front of Crawford. They are just throwing the puck at that guy looking for a redirect, and it works. Tie up his stick and keep him off balance at ALL times and that strategy becomes a lot tougher to execute.

The lines are perfect, IMO. Even if Hoss, Richards, Bickell was sort of by default, they were pretty good last night. The matchup pressure now really is on Boudreau. if his best option for Getzlaf, Perry and Moron is 91/81/29, rotsa ruck. that is not a terrible matchup for the Hawks.

Just give Hoss a double espresso washed down with a Monster Lo-Carb before the game.

Bickell just needs to be physical and smart. Shaw, more of the same, Kruger and XDesi, ditto.

Crawford needs to be good. A big game for him would be well-timed.

Here is the way I looks at it. Fine. Call every penalty in the game and lets see where the totals end up. I'll take my chances in that situation.
- Elbows15

AGREED! Call them as the rulebook states. I think it would have been a quite different series.

so the blackhawks havent gotten away with anything, just the ducks?

yes, anaheim has big players, but they also have a lot of speed and skill, dont act like they are just a bunch of lugs out there on the ice. theyve proven through 6 games they are equals with the hawks, deal with it. its been a great series, both teams are really (frank)ing good.
- flyershockey

You debate like a grade school student. The point is the non calls will always favor 1 style over time. As soon as you prove the trend that is an absolute conclusion. The trend since 2013 has been proven repeatedly. At the end of the 2nd round this year there were over 100 less penalties called than last year. I think the number was actually greater than 150.

Saying "the Hawks have gotten away with it too" is really just dense.

Can't remember if heard this from Mike Ditka or Dan Hampton... "If you can't bark with the big dogs - don't lay on the porch."

You debate like a grade school student. The point is the non calls will always favor 1 style over time. As soon as you prove the trend that is an absolute conclusion. The trend since 2013 has been proven repeatedly. At the end of the 2nd round this year there were over 100 less penalties called than last year. I think the number was actually greater than 150.

Saying "the Hawks have gotten away with it too" is really just dense.

Can't remember if heard this from Mike Ditka or Dan Hampton... "If you can't bark with the big dogs - don't lay on the porch."
- tredbrta

its not dense. there have been plenty of things let go on the hawks. multiple seabrook crosschecks, a slash to keslers wrist last night come to mind just off the top of my head. lets not act like the blackhawks are saints out on the ice.

im saying there are plenty of people in your camp using team statistics because of the blackhawks success in backing up their arguments (and more than just JJ) and no blackhawks fans ever say its a weak argument. someone else brings up team things and its a weak argument. thats all im saying.
- flyershockey

My camp? I guess you missed where I said I form my OWN opinions. And truthfully, you are coming off as a bit of a whiner here.

Hey. newsflash. You're in a Hawks' thread. WTF did you expect? People to agree with you?

Must be nice to sit up on that pedistal and talk down on someone for having off ice issues. I'm pretty sure there is only one player in the Blackhawks Ducks series that was ever charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and theft of services.

But lets rip on a guy for being rumored for being a "club kid"
- nurk

And there's a player on the Ducks who tried to start a bar fight in a foreign country, and another who attempted to grab a policeman's tazer (not Jonathan Toews) while resisting arrest. For the record, neither of those players was convicted on those charges, nor was the player you're referring to convicted on any of the charges you name.

Everyone I think is as good, if not better than keith (no specific order)

doughty
karlsson (offensively)
weber
Giordano
Subban
Hedman


Players I think could be at keith's level in the not too distant future

OEL
Carlson
Josi
Ekblad
Faulk
- benjichronic

Good list. I actually forgot about Faulk. He can look Keith like at times in the IIHFs (so qualifying). His D needs to catch up but he has similar physical tools. He and Ekblad could be the next Keiths - if that is possible.

And there's a player on the Ducks who tried to start a bar fight in a foreign country, and another who attempted to grab a policeman's tazer (not Jonathan Toews) while resisting arrest. For the record, neither of those players was convicted on those charges, nor was the player you're referring to convicted on any of the charges you name.
- Sandus

And I'm sure if OJ Simpson played for the Blackhawks you'd think he was innocent as well.

Good list. I actually forgot about Faulk. He can look Keith like at times. Has the physical tools. He and Ekblad could be the next Keiths - if that is possible.
- tredbrta

ekblad is going to be insane if this year is a small sample of what the kid can do

And I'm sure if OJ Simpson played for the Blackhawks you'd think he was innocent as well.
- nurk

I'm sure you know better than to use such logical fallacy and think it will have any effect.

youre absurd.
- flyershockey

Absurd, accurate...tomato, tomahto.