Make Q watch it. The Pens aren't more talented than the Hawks, but they continually cycle players to the slot while the puck is on the perimeter or below the goal line, and they usually try to get it to the guy cutting in.

Hawks play perimeter hockey.

It's about system and will. Pretty boy players who don't want to go to high traffic areas won't get it done in the playoffs.
- RollingPuck

BINGO!

I'm interested to see an Oilers v Penguins Finals - and I'd be rooting for the Oilers. They have some flaws - but all-in-all I like the combination of skill and grit they have with their forward core. Sure would be nice if the Hawks could roll with Lucic and Maroon.

Ducks already relinquished the first goal - really hope they crap the bed in yet another game 7.
- Chief4Feathers

Only reason I think a Pens win would be good: if our boys have an ounce of competitive spirit left in them, the Pens getting 3rd Cup with their same core and repeat, no less, will light a fire under our team.

For bragging rights, I don't want them to win, but if that's what it takes. . .

- TommyHawk

Hey Tommy,

priceless....meanwhile roll out that Blues beat Hawks banner from last year...

Valid points - some analysts on the NHL network (XM radio) were actually agreeing with the 7 defensemen line up.

I respect Trotz - always thought he got more out of a cash-strapped roster Poile would hand him.
- Chief4Feathers

I'd ask these expert analysts this - the Pens are dressing an AHL/ECHL defence every night, if you have an extra forward with some speed and skill why not dress him to put even more pressure on that weak D? Not for good ol' Barry though, he prefers to dress Orpik instead - must really think that useless plyon is going to shut Crosby and Malkin down.

Pens are a better 'team' because they know how to win, Caps with the superior roster 1-20 don't know how to win.

Hey Rick, you don't like Trotz and I do. We know that. But this isn't on Trotz. That game should be in OT right now. I can't wait to hear Bill Waters to go off on OV yet again when he's on XM again with Scott Laughlin.

Just like you can't win the cup in November but you can lose it, one guy can't win the cup but one guy lost this one. The only slacker on the ice.
- 6628

Anyone else catch Trotz in the presser after on NHL network...wowsa...he said he was too emotional to comment about #8 at that point. He also said you never know with a certain group how far you'll go or how many shots you'll get at it and then pointed out that Ron Hainsy has played a long time and this was the first time he'd gotten this far... one of the reporters questioned him about Ovy's icetime and he responded saying he played as much as the other top guys, but doesn't play PK...it was an interesting joust between Trotz and the reporters at that point...
meanwhile the Great 8 with two turnovers..

Would love to see the Hawks get Oshie, but there's no way that's happening...

Hey Tommy,

priceless....meanwhile roll out that Blues beat Hawks banner from last year...
- DK002

The Preds trolls already have their "Beat Chicago" banner hanging in their "Trophy Room". It's on the wall next to the award for worst Jersey & Color Scheme in Pro Sports.

Hey Tommy,

priceless....meanwhile roll out that Blues beat Hawks banner from last year...
- DK002

If Anaheim somehow has no choice but to expose Josh Manson, I would do everything in my power if I was Stan to call George McPhee and have him draft and trade him to us.

What a fantastic defensive d-man this kid is. He's also got very good size, is young, and has another year left on his rookie contract before he's eligible for free agency. He would easily slide into a top-four role here in Chicago. Not to mention, he was born and raised here, and his dad was a 'Hawk.

It would make moving Hammer much easier. Clearing that $4 mil, and Kruger's $3 mil would give the team a lot more breathing room to improve.

If Anaheim somehow has no choice but to expose Josh Manson, I would do everything in my power if I was Stan to call George McPhee and have him draft and trade him to us.

What a fantastic defensive d-man this kid is. He's also got very good size, is young, and has another year left on his rookie contract before he's eligible for free agency. He would easily slide into a top-four role here in Chicago. Not to mention, he was born and raised here, and his dad was a 'Hawk.

It would make moving Hammer much easier. Clearing that $4 mil, and Kruger's $3 mil would give the team a lot more breathing room to improve.
- TommyHawk

And drafted in the 6th round.... after the Hawks had taken d men Paliotta, Klas Dalbeck and the great Sam Jardine. Mark Kelly and the brain trust ignored Dave Manson's son.

Simply ignore 1st round picks and compare the Ducks drafting to the Hawks since 2010 on defense. In fact, do the same (not counting 1st rounders) and compare dman picks for FL, LA, SL, NYR and Nashville to the Hawks in the same period. Mark Kelly and the amateur scouting department for the Blackhawks deserve a serious job review... On Dmen - they get a D... if you compare results since 2012 it maybe an F. Just terrible.

Maybe Q has something to do with that too.... or maybe Yawney has something to do with those young d excelling in ANA? How about throwing some $$$ at Yawney? It wouldn't even count against the cap.

Make Q watch it. The Pens aren't more talented than the Hawks, but they continually cycle players to the slot while the puck is on the perimeter or below the goal line, and they usually try to get it to the guy cutting in.

Hawks play perimeter hockey.

It's about system and will. Pretty boy players who don't want to go to high traffic areas won't get it done in the playoffs.
- RollingPuck

And drafted in the 6th round.... after the Hawks had taken d men Paliotta, Klas Dalbeck and the great Sam Jardine. Mark Kelly and the brain trust ignored Dave Manson's son.

Simply ignore 1st round picks and compare the Ducks drafting to the Hawks since 2010 on defense. In fact, do the same (not counting 1st rounders) and compare dman picks for FL, LA, SL, NYR and Nashville to the Hawks in the same period. Mark Kelly and the amateur scouting department for the Blackhawks deserve a serious job review... On Dmen - they get a D... if you compare results since 2012 it maybe an F. Just terrible.

Maybe Q has something to do with that too.... or maybe Yawney has something to do with those young d excelling in ANA? How about throwing some $$$ at Yawney? It wouldn't even count against the cap.
- tredbrta

You'd give them a D? How about an F. Who was the last 'Hawk d-man to make it with the team? Actually, scratch that. Not make it with, but rather make it TO the team.

Here is a list of every single d-man the 'Hawks have drafted since 2005 (the year Hammer was picked, who is the "youngest" of the core d-men):

Simon Danis-Pepin
Ben Shutron
Joseph Lavin
Shawn Lalonde
Teigan Zahn
Jonathan Carlsson
Braden Birch
Dylan Olsen
Paul Phillips
Justin Holl
Stephen Johns
Nick Mattson
Adam Clendening
Michael Paliotta
Klas Dahlbeck
Sam Jardine
Travis Brown
Carl Dahlstrom
Robin Norell
Robin Press
Luc Snuggerud
Andreas Soderberg
Dennis Gilbert
Ryan Shea
Joni Tuulola
Chad Krys
Lucas Carlsson
Blake Hillman
Jake Ryczek

That's approximately 30 names. Not one of them has made it on to the 'Hawks. Johns, Clendening, Dahlbeck, and Olsen I think are the only ones who even MADE it to the NHL at some level, but none of them have had any kind of success in the league.

To say that this is EMBARRASSING defensive scouting would be understatement.

So to me, giving them a "D" is quite generous. This is absolutely an F. Someone needs to be held accountable.

I'm hoping for the Sens to win the Cup
Over the Preds
because it's nice to see one of the lower cap hit teams doing well
and mainly because I don't want the Pens to win another

the list of former Blackhawks still playing is like a best of Q's doghouse: Stalberg, Daley, and Vermette.

And drafted in the 6th round.... after the Hawks had taken d men Paliotta, Klas Dalbeck and the great Sam Jardine. Mark Kelly and the brain trust ignored Dave Manson's son.

- tredbrta

If he's so awesome sauce, why did everyone in the league including the Ducks pass on him 5 times?

This is the ridiculous Tom Brady argument.

Wasn't Brad Richards over the hill and slow too? Handzus?
- PatShart

Yeah, and the Hawks won largely in spite of them. I'm seeing calls for Boyle, Thornton, Justin Williams.

The Hawks don't need to get older and slower. They need the core to play like it and the young guys to grow into roles.

If Anaheim somehow has no choice but to expose Josh Manson, I would do everything in my power if I was Stan to call George McPhee and have him draft and trade him to us.

What a fantastic defensive d-man this kid is. He's also got very good size, is young, and has another year left on his rookie contract before he's eligible for free agency. He would easily slide into a top-four role here in Chicago. Not to mention, he was born and raised here, and his dad was a 'Hawk.

It would make moving Hammer much easier. Clearing that $4 mil, and Kruger's $3 mil would give the team a lot more breathing room to improve.
- TommyHawk

GREAT idea ..... but I fear that is way too complicated for Bowman.

Anyone else catch Trotz in the presser after on NHL network...wowsa...he said he was too emotional to comment about #8 at that point. He also said you never know with a certain group how far you'll go or how many shots you'll get at it and then pointed out that Ron Hainsy has played a long time and this was the first time he'd gotten this far... one of the reporters questioned him about Ovy's icetime and he responded saying he played as much as the other top guys, but doesn't play PK...it was an interesting joust between Trotz and the reporters at that point...
meanwhile the Great 8 with two turnovers..

Would love to see the Hawks get Oshie, but there's no way that's happening...
- DK002

Oshie is just another finesse, soft forward............ we have enough of those already..... we need youth and grit a la the Pens.

I'm a big Sens fan now...

...but I can't imagine how they beat the frigg'n Pens.

The thought of Pens vs. Ducks makes me a little sick to my stomach...

Now let's see if the Ducks gag up another one, just like the Caps.

Never thought I'd say this either, but go Oil? That doesn't feel right either.


Just get this crap over with and get on to the expansion draft.
- ArlingtonRob

A whole lot of trapping, Karlsson and Anderson stands on his head. Tall order for sure, but they could do it.

Yeah, and the Hawks won largely in spite of them. I'm seeing calls for Boyle, Thornton, Justin Williams.

The Hawks don't need to get older and slower. They need the core to play like it and the young guys to grow into roles.
- RollingPuck

All due respect, haven't they tried this?

I'd ask these expert analysts this - the Pens are dressing an AHL/ECHL defence every night, if you have an extra forward with some speed and skill why not dress him to put even more pressure on that weak D? Not for good ol' Barry though, he prefers to dress Orpik instead - must really think that useless plyon is going to shut Crosby and Malkin down.

Pens are a better 'team' because they know how to win, Caps with the superior roster 1-20 don't know how to win.
- RickJ

And the Pens have Crosby. Otherwise, your point is proven.

Panik extended for two more years!!!

Panik 2 year extension

Panik extended for two more years!!!
- breadbag

All depends on the $$. Hopefully team friendly. That would be a nice bit of news. Hawks need more of what Panik brings, not less.

Panik extended for two more years!!!
- breadbag

Glad he is staying, but...

Pierre LeBrun‏
@PierreVLeBrun

Panik signs for $2.8 million per season

Glad he is staying, but...

Pierre LeBrun‏
@PierreVLeBrun

Panik signs for $2.8 million per season
- pdx2ord

Ugh.

Ugh.
- John Jaeckel

Let me just reiterate something said here many times. The more you pay to retain talent, the less you have to improve your team.