Meh, I eat "hate" for breakfast.
- John Jaeckel

You should be careful with that, I heard "hate" is high in cholesterol.

Yes, and he didn't have a "job" on this team. He's a center, better than a 4th line center. the other three center jobs were taken.

I know some get all gushy over his points, but Danault is not nearly in Kruger's class as a shutdown guy—to play against Getzlaf, Carter, Kopitar and guys like that. Like it or not, that is a "job" on this team, and has been in good years and bad as this team has won 3 Cups.

So the team made a decision and dealt him. Did it work out in terms of a Cup last year? No, but I will not fault the GM for going all in and dealing a guy who was not going to be a 2nd line center on this team. And was probably too good to be a 4th line guy playing 6 minutes a night. Again, please don't tell me "he's better than Kruger' because he scores more points. That is still, still, not the job they pay Kruger to do.
- John Jaeckel

How is acquiring a player that was routinely scratched for their team "going all in"? Bergivin basically gave up junk to get NOT ONLY Philly, but a #2.

I know you have a love for Kruger that borders on obsession JJ but I don't see why Danault couldn't have been spared in a trade. The idea he "had no job" I simply don't agree with. Our team was getting wrecked depth wise because of the cap. Better to KEEP players on the cusp instead of dealing them for a players who gave you very little and would not be returning.

I would have BEEN FINE had Danault been moved in a Hamhuis trade as that made more sense at the time---to get a veteran and very capable D-man so we didn't have to run a kid (or worse, Rundblad) onto the playoff ice against St. Louis.

Face it, Bowman blew it last year. Garbutt, Daley, Scuderi, doubling down on Rundblad, the canadian trade...weirdest year of trades I've ever seen. Made no sense. Maybe moving the clump Morin for a servicable Panik shows Stan has his mojo back from when he made nice trades (Oduya, Leddy, etc)

Got to be honest I missed Fridays' game due to taking the daughter to skate lessons, and can't say I am upset about it. Watched some of the game on DVR.....

Was hoping to see a strong response yesterday and what we saw is/what kills this team. They just dont' have enough horses. Period.

When this team feels they are a LEGIT cup contenders 19/88 others use the term "special group" in the locker room. They haven't said that one time this year, and kudos to 88 for calling it like it is after getting 0 out of 4 vs 2 of the top teams....maybe they aren't as good as they think.

You can dig up Corsi, puck luck, or whatever else but fact is after 20 minutes, the Wild owned them, out skated them, and wanted it more. Simple. The last 40 minutes the Hawks treid to hang on and got the result they deserved.

IN my world, prospects are assets and assets are used to improve the NOW, so if having a boat load of picks at your home town draft means you sacrifice making a move to acquire a guy or two to give you the best chance to win "one goal" then you are essentially about "one show" instead.

This team doesn't have the depth to separate itself late in games and burry opponents and their margin for error is very small.

Based on the news this weekend on Kruger, I woudlnt' expect him back any time soon. Sounds like his wrist is giving him a lot of problems.....2 bad wrists, makes it hard for a center to do his job.

How is acquiring a player that was routinely scratched for their team "going all in"? Bergivin basically gave up junk to get NOT ONLY Philly, but a #2.

I know you have a love for Kruger that borders on obsession JJ but I don't see why Danault couldn't have been spared in a trade. The idea he "had no job" I simply don't agree with. Our team was getting wrecked depth wise because of the cap. Better to KEEP players on the cusp instead of dealing them for a players who gave you very little and would not be returning.

I would have BEEN FINE had Danault been moved in a Hamhuis trade as that made more sense at the time---to get a veteran and very capable D-man so we didn't have to run a kid (or worse, Rundblad) onto the playoff ice against St. Louis.

Face it, Bowman blew it last year. Garbutt, Daley, Scuderi, doubling down on Rundblad, the canadian trade...weirdest year of trades I've ever seen. Made no sense. Maybe moving the clump Morin for a servicable Panik shows Stan has his mojo back from when he made nice trades (Oduya, Leddy, etc)
- kwolf68

Trades won't work out all the time, but I think Stan has done well in non-salary dump trades (overall).

As much as the Danault trade didn't work out I highly doubt that he would have been the missing link this season. At best Danault would have been a decent depth forward, but how many additional wins to people think he would give the team? 1 maybe 2?

Trades won't work out all the time, but I think Stan has done well in non-salary dump trades (overall).

As much as the Danault trade didn't work out I highly doubt that he would have been the missing link this season. At best Danault would have been a decent depth forward, but how many additional wins to people think he would give the team? 1 maybe 2?
- DarthKane

100% agreed.

I have no issues with any of the in season trades hes made. Very few has he lost on, if any.

Look Danault is skating with skill, maybe he has that role in Chicago, and maybe he doesn't. Fact they viewed him as replaceable in dealing him tells us what we need to know.

Weisse should have made more of an impact but for whatever reason found himself buried in Qs doghouse. Fleischman was a decent role player.

On Weisse....I really wonder if Q played his favorite in Shaw, and protected him by limiting the impact a similar player and potential replacement in Weisse could have had......

My fairly strong belief is he is playing through a back injury. You don't just wear down at age 28, especially not a guy like him.

I also think it's gonna be a long year because his back and whatever is plaguing Keith don't look like something that magically heals during the course of a hockey season.

Without those two guys at 100% or close to it, this team is going to struggle.
- John Jaeckel

That must influence the FO's decision-making about what to do with the trade deadline. Adding one or two or three rental players for the rest of the year probably isn't going to put them over the top so maybe they use it to retool for the next couple of years instead; move some salary, add some cheaper pieces who are cost contained but who aren't rookies, etc.

I also wonder if Seabrook is still recovering from his back issues of last season.

You know. I can actually live with last night's game.
Yes. We lost. Yes. Minny now top our division....but....

I was beginning to think we were not even in the same league as the top 5-6 in the league. After the Caps horrific debacle I thought we be lucky to hang on for a wild card spot.

But, even in a losing effort I liked the game we played. Finally saw some pace, some effort, some girt, some heart.
Kane was on fire out there. 10 or 12 shots, couple of goals and dangerous all night. Goalies on both teams played well. Shots were fairly even, face-offs even as well.
It was a game that could have gone to either team, and Minny just happens to be that smidge better than the Hawks right now.

For a lose. It was acceptable if for no other reason that it was good to see a proper effort brought by our guys tonight. Play that kind of game against the rest of the league and we win 70% of them. Minny is good. REAL good. Dubnyk is good. REAL good. Hawks showed they CAN play with the league's upper teams. Now, to bottle that effort and bring it to the next few games to see if we can put together another little winning streak!


- hawk35

Yes, yes, yes. This core has the very best pedigree of any hockey team on earth........... And come playoff time this kind of effort will become consistent and it is then we'll see if the core has enough tread left on the tires.

Got to be honest I missed Fridays' game due to taking the daughter to skate lessons, and can't say I am upset about it. Watched some of the game on DVR.....

Was hoping to see a strong response yesterday and what we saw is/what kills this team. They just dont' have enough horses. Period.

When this team feels they are a LEGIT cup contenders 19/88 others use the term "special group" in the locker room. They haven't said that one time this year, and kudos to 88 for calling it like it is after getting 0 out of 4 vs 2 of the top teams....maybe they aren't as good as they think.

You can dig up Corsi, puck luck, or whatever else but fact is after 20 minutes, the Wild owned them, out skated them, and wanted it more. Simple. The last 40 minutes the Hawks treid to hang on and got the result they deserved.

IN my world, prospects are assets and assets are used to improve the NOW, so if having a boat load of picks at your home town draft means you sacrifice making a move to acquire a guy or two to give you the best chance to win "one goal" then you are essentially about "one show" instead.

This team doesn't have the depth to separate itself late in games and burry opponents and their margin for error is very small.

Based on the news this weekend on Kruger, I woudlnt' expect him back any time soon. Sounds like his wrist is giving him a lot of problems.....2 bad wrists, makes it hard for a center to do his job.
- SteveRain

that was my take also...once wild got that gimme pp goal...i thought they would lose and it looks like the hawks did to...with the here we go...

you could see a pull the plug vortex down with this team in short order given the problems and issues...

Agreed---maybe it's best we look at this as smart as possible: the years that brought the 'Hawks 3 Cups were REMARKABLY major injury-free. And the broken Kane collarbone suffered in 2015 provided them cap space for Vermette.
The eye test should now tell us all Keith, Toews, Seabrook and Hammer (#4 is now playing like he's recovered) are all playing with some major injuries.
I choose to continue to bleed IndianHead red!

Toews is not the same player. Everyone can see that. One of the greatest winners and leaders the Hawks have ever had didn't suddenly lose his competitive fire. He has to be injured -- in all likelihood it's his back. Hopefully, it's not a chronic condition. If it is and his play continues at the current diminished level, the only way the Hawks will lose that contract is if he retires.
- BMWChiFan

Agree. The eye test as well as the fancy stats show Johnny ain't right. But even if he was his contract in the flat (earth) cap NHL is immovable.

The CBA will have to chance dramatically for Johnny's cap hit to be moved, if of course the Hawks ever entertained such an idea.

Rosenbloom: http://www.chicagotribune...loom-20170116-column.html

We’re a half-season into the grandest salary-cap test of the Hawks’ young talent drafted and developed during championship seasons, but the script hasn’t changed much. It’s impressive that the Hawks have done this well without playing great as a team, but at this point, you have to think this group can produce only what it has and only in this dicey manner.

that was my take also...once wild got that gimme pp goal...i thought they would lose and it looks like the hawks did to...with the here we go...

you could see a pull the plug vortex down with this team in short order given the problems and issues...
- bogiedoc

I wasn't overly impressed with Minnesota no matter how badly Pierre McGuire wants to pimp Suter for the Norris Trophy.

I really think the minutes, hard minutes with lack of decent depth, is truly catching up to 15/19/81,4/2/7 The only one who seems to thrive in going out after a 30 second break is Kane, who absolutely dominated each and every shift. Cant question his effort, at any time.

19 tried to walk 2-3 guys early in the 3rd and got shut down. 81 had a great chance to shoot late in the 2nd from the slot but mishandled it and had to take a lower quality chance from the circle instead.

2 and 19 looked gassed and hurt to me. 4 we know is banged up in some capacity and 7 is feeling the effects of the hard minutes he plays.

To JJs point, they have close to a half season but they truly need some of these role guys to step up and take some of these heavier minutes away from the top guys or else they will be on fumes by the time April rolls around.

JT's point are relative...should really look at points per game.

2010-11 80 games played...76 points
2011-12 injuries cut him off at 59 games...57 points
2012-13 lockout shortened season. 47 games...48 points
2013-14 76 games played...68 points
2014-15 81 games played...66 points

Last year he hit 58 points and this year he may not reach 40.

The trend is downward.
- ArlingtonRob

Good point, Rob. Tried to find career PPG stats but can't. I'd also add durability needs factored in to a players value. ... No matter the metric used there is no doubt Johnny is regressing.

Agree. The eye test as well as the fancy stats show Johnny ain't right. But even if he was his contract in the flat (earth) cap NHL is immovable.

The CBA will have to chance dramatically for Johnny's cap hit to be moved, if of course the Hawks ever entertained such an idea.
- Mr Ricochet

No question he's not right. #2 isn't right as well. he doesn't have the jump he usually does which tells me that knee isn't 100%. Yet, it s humorous to me how blogs and fans can lead the crusade for 7 to be dealt yet give so many passes to a 2/19 when they play like dog $hit regardless the reason.

2 had a lot of unforced giveaways last night.

The question we will never know is truly how bad is 19s back. We know he sat out for a long period of time trying to get it right, but I don't think its even close to 100%. Id'say more like 80% and he's grinding through it. Have to think he's going to need an operation to get it better again, which long term should help, but 19s cycle game is going to suffer in the short term until that happens.

I wasn't overly impressed with Minnesota no matter how badly Pierre McGuire wants to pimp Suter for the Norris Trophy.
- SteveRain

It was just before the Wild went on their run that Budreau publicly stated (to paraphrase) we have 4 4th lines.

They remind me a lot of STL of the last few years. Taresenko aside it's elite scoring that hurts them come playoff time as they play great defensively with excellent goaltending.

100% agreed.

I have no issues with any of the in season trades hes made. Very few has he lost on, if any.

Look Danault is skating with skill, maybe he has that role in Chicago, and maybe he doesn't. Fact they viewed him as replaceable in dealing him tells us what we need to know.

Weisse should have made more of an impact but for whatever reason found himself buried in Qs doghouse. Fleischman was a decent role player.

On Weisse....I really wonder if Q played his favorite in Shaw, and protected him by limiting the impact a similar player and potential replacement in Weisse could have had......
- SteveRain

Weise didn't play well and obviously didn't fit well or want to earn his ice time. He had some success with Montreal, but has not replicated that success anywhere else. Not in Vancouver, Not in Chicago and not this year in Philly. Dale Weise = a bit overrated IMO.

It was just before the Wild went on their run that Budreau publicly stated (to paraphrase) we have 4 4th lines.

They remind me a lot of STL of the last few years. Taresenko aside it's elite scoring that hurts them come playoff time as they play great defensively with excellent goaltending.
- Mr Ricochet

The wild are just playing very good D and they are getting outstanding goaltending. They are the NJD of the west in a lot of ways.

No question he's not right. #2 isn't right as well. he doesn't have the jump he usually does which tells me that knee isn't 100%. Yet, it s humorous to me how blogs and fans can lead the crusade for 7 to be dealt yet give so many passes to a 2/19 when they play like dog $hit regardless the reason.

2 had a lot of unforced giveaways last night.

The question we will never know is truly how bad is 19s back. We know he sat out for a long period of time trying to get it right, but I don't think its even close to 100%. Id'say more like 80% and he's grinding through it. Have to think he's going to need an operation to get it better again, which long term should help, but 19s cycle game is going to suffer in the short term until that happens.
- SteveRain

There will come a time when we all find out what was, hopefully we can speak in past tense, physically wrong with Toews. Same way we did with Bickell.

But as a person with a bad back and who used to bowl there are very few things you can do that is worse for a back than bowling. Once I read he was bowling I have to wonder if it is indeed his back that is his problem.

At this point calling the Toews situation a conundrum is an understatement.

The only one who seems to thrive in going out after a 30 second break is Kane, who absolutely dominated each and every shift. Cant question his effort, at any time.
- SteveRain

While Kane is not noted to be the genetic freak like Keith, he is one of the guys that impresses me every year with his effort over the off-season to make himself a better/stronger player.

Unlike others that will remain nameless . . . you know who they are

The wild are just playing very good D and they are getting outstanding goaltending. They are the NJD of the west in a lot of ways.
- breadbag

They have been in a defensive scheme for years. The additions of Staal and Budreau, improvement of Coyle, have moved this group up a couple notches. Their ability to score will determine how far they go as we know they are first rate defensively.

Dubnyk was the difference tonight. Crawford should not have gotten beat short side by Stewart.
- etchtech

Exactly right. The Hawks were the better team in terms of skaters, but the Wild had the edge in net. I don't get all the moaning around here about the Wild being such a better team than the Hawks. The Wild weren't that impressive but when Dubnyk is on, he is on.

The wild are just playing very good D and they are getting outstanding goaltending. They are the NJD of the west in a lot of ways.
- breadbag

might want to look up goals per game.. only thing more satisfying than beating the hawks in the UC in 2nd night on a back to back is reading the excuses on here the next day. don't feel to bad wild are 4-1-1 in back to backs all on the road. hawks, habs, rangers, pens the 4 w's

They have been in a defensive scheme for years. The additions of Staal and Budreau, improvement of Coyle, have moved this group up a couple notches. Their ability to score will determine how far they go as we know they are first rate defensively.
- Mr Ricochet

You are right, they have been D first for so long, which is why most people I know hate watching them.

To me, it also comes down to how hard the team is pushing. Some teams/coaches are motivated (by their own career situation) to go hard in the regular season and push and they don't have another level left to take it to come playoffs. This Wild team have never shown the ability to step it up really come playoff time.

My fairly strong belief is he is playing through a back injury. You don't just wear down at age 28, especially not a guy like him.

I also think it's gonna be a long year because his back and whatever is plaguing Keith don't look like something that magically heals during the course of a hockey season.

Without those two guys at 100% or close to it, this team is going to struggle.
- John Jaeckel

JJ, IIRC you have spoken of having back troubles. I'd also assume you've bowled too....... If so would you even think of bowling if your back was giving you trouble?

might want to look up goals per game.. only thing more satisfying than beating the hawks in the UC in 2nd night on a back to back is reading the excuses on here the next day. don't feel to bad wild are 4-1-1 in back to backs all on the road. hawks, habs, rangers, pens the 4 w's
- gopherwildfan

You guys might just win the Stanely Cup for back to back games in the regular season. The Wild are still a D first team, even if they have managed to score a few goals along the way. Not a team that has many of those elite goal scoring players.