The Blues had to score at least 6 goals off high deflections which for the most part went off Hawks sticks.
- Al

lets be honest the only way you beat goalies today is off deflections and screens..
how many goals were scored off of skates, legs, opponents sticks or tips this series...

you see a huge number of goals from shots that tip the dmans blade and run high or knuckle past the goalie

Vancouver re-signed Granlund to a 2 year $900,000 AAV deal. I would expect something similar for Panik.

Hitchcock isn't safe unless he wins the next series....Stars goaltending is suspect and Seguin is not himself-Blues have no excuse. But neither team knows how to win at this level.
- Al

i expect the blues to have a let down after they just won their cup...i suspect a banner is already being made: Beat the 2015 Championship Hawks - Round 1 2016...

also looking at a goalie crap fest..stars will light up elliot and the stars goalies =

Damn salary cap!

Think of great teams after the Islanders and Oilers, when the league was expanding (too much) and the talent was spread more thinly.

The Colorado Avalanche from 1996-2002 went to 6 of 7 WCF and were 2-4, going on to be 2-0 in Cup Finals.

The New Jersey Devils from 1994-2003 went to 5 of 10 ECF and were 4-1, going on to be 3-1 in Cup Finals.

The Detroit Red Wings from 1995-2002 went to 5 of 8 WCF and were 4-1, going on to be 3-1 in Cup Finals. If you add in the 2007-2009 years, they went to 8 of 14 WCF, going 6-2, and ending up 4-2 in Cup Finals.

All this WITH NO SALARY CAP.

2009-2015 Blackhawks: 5 of 7 WCF, going 3-2, and winning all three Cups they played for!!! This is a better record than the three dominant teams of the late 90's and early 2000's regardless of salary cap. In the salary cap era, I think they deserve to be up there with the Oilers and Islanders.
- DMChi2010

Good argument, and a great point on the thinly spread talent of yesteryear. Today the league is flush with good players, and every team has their share. I think this is partly due to the salary cap, but also a team's ability to recruit players globally and the growing popularity of hockey as a college sport.

Gotta wonder if that isn't part of what is going around in Keith's head - part of his being a bit "off" this year as people have stated. He's watching the wonder twins and then his best bud get paid and paid well, when he is the fourth leg on that chair. This, after his Conn Smythe winning year and a costly divorce. Yeah, he signed his contract, but unfortunately, it's not usually human nature to think that way.

That said. . .he is still the kind of machine that I want on the team.
- pdx2ord

So True. The other part can be that he is a thoroughbred and to be saddled with Runblad probably changed his attitude on ice in Game 7... Idk I might way off my skates here.

Gotta wonder if that isn't part of what is going around in Keith's head - part of his being a bit "off" this year as people have stated. He's watching the wonder twins and then his best bud get paid and paid well, when he is the fourth leg on that chair. This, after his Conn Smythe winning year and a costly divorce. Yeah, he signed his contract, but unfortunately, it's not usually human nature to think that way.

That said. . .he is still the kind of machine that I want on the team.
- pdx2ord

Agreed
Keith is in the conversation as the most valuable Hawk since 2009 ....PP,PK, Minutes and results

Keith 5 Million
Toews 10 Million
Kane 10 million
Seabrook 7 million

Yikes

There's no wrong answer here. Both Shaw and Kruger have proved to be vital members of the team and it would hurt to lose either. If we lose Shaw he'll be right up there win one of the most painful salary cap loses for me (maybe next to Frolik).
- DarthKane

Common denominator
WTF did Bowman trade Danault for two players that didn't play and will not be here next year.

I think he and the Coach will be answering to the board when they do their Trade Deadline to year end results meeting....

Some really good comments on this blog today...looking back here...

Bowman is a caretaker not a builder. Several have mentioned if we still had Dale running the show it would be different. I'd like to think it would, but the problem still remains over Bowman as well in McD.

We've heard time and again from JJ and others that the Hawks operate in a weird way and other teams don't care to deal with them. Always trying to win a trade, arrogance, etc...and that there's layers to the decision making.

I doubt that Stan is the GM if his daddy isn't wooed here. Meanwhile he shot this team in the foot pretty darn good this last summer. Bickell not bought out and Oduya left to twist in the wind while he resigns a defenseman who had no business being on this roster. But Stan was still trying to justify losing a 2nd rounder for Runny when he should have cut bait.

And then the delayed Sharp deal as Stan tried to get more than he could and as we've come to expect hold his cards too long...we've seen this movie before with Leddy the previous summer. Sadly that non draft day trade cost them Johns and cap space as well. Take a look at Daley's defense in the next series...yikes.

We saw last spring that instead of trying to actually trade for a defenseman like Petry, Stan targeted a guy in Timonen who couldn't play. And overpaid to boot.
And now with the go for it deals here at the TDL he mortgaged even more of the future. But he didn't get what he needed - help for his defense.


The reality is there are holes to fill, a stagnate cap and two players making a ton of cash. A major piece or two needs to be moved for them to start to even the balance sheet out and get younger/stronger on the back end. Shaw is a guy who can't be replaced in the lineup. So now some really hard choices...Crawford, Seabs, Kruger...down the line. If not you're looking at the same core guys plus college FAs and some from the Rock.

The toughest summer of Bowman's tenure awaits...and like several on here I don't have a lot of faith in him based on past results.
- DK002

some good points here....Bowman may not be the genius that some thought he was last year

lets be honest the only way you beat goalies today is off deflections and screens..
how many goals were scored off of skates, legs, opponents sticks or tips this series...

you see a huge number of goals from shots that tip the dmans blade and run high or knuckle past the goalie
- bogiedoc

True but this was more than in the past and almost everyone off a Hawk stick...Not an excuse just a fact and they weren't good enough to overcome the puck luck.

In the past at least one of the double post shots would have went in...Hawks won basically with 4 dmen last year but that was a rare occurrence. Rundblade and Gus didn't belong on the ice, even Kimo on one leg was more reliable.

Maybe best it ended now rather than in 2 or 4 weeks, at least there will be more time to recharge. Hawks needs a couple of pleasant surprises to surface...

Common denominator
WTF did Bowman trade Danault for two players that didn't play and will not be here next year.

I think he and the Coach will be answering to the board when they do their Trade Deadline to year end results meeting....
- Colbyboy

Because the 3rd and 4th line wasn't great the entire year and there were holes. Danault is a nice player but those types--4th line maybe 3rd liners can be found but Cups are not as easy to get.

Best 3rd and 4th lines win the Cup...Hawks didn't find the right mix until late in
Game 5, maybe if they changed things earlier there would have been a different outcome. But in the end their shelf life was limited with the shallow blueline.

True but this was more than in the past and almost everyone off a Hawk stick...Not an excuse just a fact and they weren't good enough to overcome the puck luck.

In the past at least one of the double post shots would have went in...Hawks won basically with 4 dmen last year but that was a rare occurrence. Rundblade and Gus didn't belong on the ice, even Kimo on one leg was more reliable.

Maybe best it ended now rather than in 2 or 4 weeks, at least there will be more time to recharge. Hawks needs a couple of pleasant surprises to surface...
- Al

want more goals or have those posts hit go in...shave an inch off the pipe diameter from 2 3/8 inch to 1.5 inches...

want more goals or have those posts hit go in...shave an inch off the pipe diameter from 2 3/8 inch to 1.5 inches...
- bogiedoc

Could be but I would shrink the trapper down by 25-30%.

True but this was more than in the past and almost everyone off a Hawk stick...Not an excuse just a fact and they weren't good enough to overcome the puck luck.

In the past at least one of the double post shots would have went in...Hawks won basically with 4 dmen last year but that was a rare occurrence. Rundblade and Gus didn't belong on the ice, even Kimo on one leg was more reliable.

Maybe best it ended now rather than in 2 or 4 weeks, at least there will be more time to recharge. Hawks needs a couple of pleasant surprises to surface...
- Al

For sure Al

True but this was more than in the past and almost everyone off a Hawk stick...Not an excuse just a fact and they weren't good enough to overcome the puck luck.

In the past at least one of the double post shots would have went in...Hawks won basically with 4 dmen last year but that was a rare occurrence. Rundblade and Gus didn't belong on the ice, even Kimo on one leg was more reliable.

Maybe best it ended now rather than in 2 or 4 weeks, at least there will be more time to recharge. Hawks needs a couple of pleasant surprises to surface...
- Al

It will be difficult to watch the remainder of the playoffs knowing what could have been, no?

i would luv this net...increase scoring...damn right

It will be difficult to watch the remainder of the playoffs knowing what could have been, no?
- etchtech

i have no interest in the remaining playoffs...check in maybe watch the end of games but no way i am watching a full game live....

want more goals or have those posts hit go in...shave an inch off the pipe diameter from 2 3/8 inch to 1.5 inches...
- bogiedoc

Or - angle the posts so more pucks deflect into the net.

I prefer Al's solution - shrink the trapper.

But - I don't care about more goals - I want better flow - call the interfering grabs and holds, the very late hits - eventually the interferences will stop, the flow will be better, and we'll be able to enjoy the speed and grace and skill that these world class athletes are capable of.

There were several 1-0 games this week (including the double OT Isles-Panthers game 6) - great games, great action - I enjoyed them completely.

I agree that, all things considered, he looked pretty good. The knocks he suffered at the end of the season are no easy task to play through, especially at his age. That being said, this is why I think there will be a market for him after next season if he can play at the level he did this season (to a select group of teams)... When he carries a $1 million salary (with a $4-$5 mil cap hit) that would be a tremendous value for someone with an internal cap (Winnipeg, amongst others) or a team looking to be cap floor compliant. Hossa looked great playing 3rd line, but a team with the cap issues of the Hawks can't justify a $4.5 mil cap hit playing third line wing; however, if cap is not a concern for your franchise he becomes a very solid 3rd line future hall of fame player who is owed $1 mil-ish in real dollars... Very justifiable on a roster at that point
- Frenchy4488

Do you think he's going to play out the contract only making 1 mil a year?

He might prefer to retire well before it. He's done everything and it may not be worth it to him to put his body through all these seasons

i have no interest in the remaining playoffs...check in maybe watch the end of games but no way i am watching a full game live....
- bogiedoc

It's hockey, man - it's the Cup....

I'm going to watch as many as I can.

Best two months in sports - better with the Hawks, still terrific without them.

It's hockey, man - it's the Cup....

I'm going to watch as many as I can.

Best two months in sports - better with the Hawks, still terrific without them.
- StLBravesFan

Right on

It's hockey, man - it's the Cup....

I'm going to watch as many as I can.

Best two months in sports - better with the Hawks, still terrific without them.
- StLBravesFan

Nicely put!

Or - angle the posts so more pucks deflect into the net.

I prefer Al's solution - shrink the trapper.

But - I don't care about more goals - I want better flow - call the interfering grabs and holds, the very late hits - eventually the interferences will stop, the flow will be better, and we'll be able to enjoy the speed and grace and skill that these world class athletes are capable of.

There were several 1-0 games this week (including the double OT Isles-Panthers game 6) - great games, great action - I enjoyed them completely.
- StLBravesFan

agreed!

Am trying to figure out how many players from the IceHogs will most likely be on the roster for the Hawks next season? To me , the Hogs roster is not loaded with future top 3 line players. Motte looks like a sure bet but behind him is slim picking. Maybe Hartmann will finally make the jump. It would help if Pokka can help shore up our third line on defense... But that might be to optimistic. Kero might be another player that can make the jump, he played some games last year with the Hawks.. Than again why was not called up at the end of the regular season? McNeil has the built of a pro...the problem I see with him is a lack of consistency. Unless we find a quality Defensemen from the KHL or a unrestrictive high end defensman.. The Hawks will again have a hard time getting out of the first round because of the killer cap squeeze
Who knows, maybe Stand and his boys will make this year for retooling by selling some major assets such as Seabrook or and Crawford time will tell...this will be Stan's biggest test during his tenure with the Hawks. I wouln't want to be in his shoes!

Common denominator
WTF did Bowman trade Danault for two players that didn't play and will not be here next year.

I think he and the Coach will be answering to the board when they do their Trade Deadline to year end results meeting....
- Colbyboy

You need to ask Q that. Stan made those trades to fill out the bottom 6. Q then decided to not use them much. HC problem.