Ya and what that get him One and Done ..
- oldduffman

That was Buddy Ryan's championship team. Dikka was just a side show, I hate that guy.

My point was that we are living in the now. I'm grateful for all of the joy and glory Tazer and Seabs helped bring to this franchise, but with the exception of a handful of well played periods this year, this Hawks team has been painful to watch.

Oldduffman used the word "gritty" earlier... great description for that win.

Moving forward, be prepared for most wins to be a battle. The Hawks better have plenty of "grit" because the overall talent has diminished and this league is too close now.

Last year, the Hawks came out more times than not in tight games. This year, it's been a struggle.

Their offence is coming around, but their defensive work is a train wreck still.

All aboard the roller coaster? It's going to be a wild ride for a while.

Be back in the AM with some quick thoughts.

JL
- Justin Lowe

The defense really stinks .... Keith is OK, not what he once was, but workable, Franson is OK, good in the OZ, suspect in DZ, but smart enough to make it work, Forsling is playing super.

NO ONE else is playing well on D. Rutta has regressed from early in the year, Murphy is very sheltered right now, Seabrook looks like he could be retired any day now, Kempny is in the press box nightly, Osterle gets no run. The D is a mess.

All this Toews and Seebs Hate makes me sick ,just a bunch of front runners . 2 weeks ago 1/2 this board wanted AA traded slow makes to much money ,now he's god .. What a bunch of band wagoner's.Great game by the HAWKS top to bottom AA FROSLING Debrincat the 3 stars in my book . With a few tweaks this line -up as Constructed can be very good . Drag Q into the present and we have a chance . GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- oldduffman

I was on the trade AA train. Right now he's playing well with 8 and 88. I'd still be ok with them trading him if they get something good in return. But, his net front presence is much needed!

I'm on the keep Toews wagon. I think he's playing better than he has for the past couple of years, losing a few pounds has helped. I can imagine improving more too, provided his back holds up and he doesn't get another concussion.

Seabrook I'm less sure about. I don't think anyone will take him in a trade. Maybe he gets better as the season progresses. Maybe a more rigorous off season regiment. Maybe he is never much better than this. I doubt he'd just play out his contract if that was the case. The team would probably buy him out if the CBA gets reopened in a couple of years.

DeBrincat has impressed in the last seven games. I hope he can keep it up, it seems like he belongs now. Good to see Forslng playing well.

It still seems like this team needs more talent.

Oldduffman used the word "gritty" earlier... great description for that win.

Moving forward, be prepared for most wins to be a battle. The Hawks better have plenty of "grit" because the overall talent has diminished and this league is too close now.

Last year, the Hawks came out more times than not in tight games. This year, it's been a struggle.

Their offence is coming around, but their defensive work is a train wreck still.

All aboard the roller coaster? It's going to be a wild ride for a while.

Be back in the AM with some quick thoughts.

JL
- Justin Lowe

That's the attitude the Blackhawks need to have day in and day out, with no quit. They need to understand that this team isn't going to be able to win with just a finesse perimeter skills game.

The defense really stinks .... Keith is OK, not what he once was, but workable, Franson is OK, good in the OZ, suspect in DZ, but smart enough to make it work, Forsling is playing super.

NO ONE else is playing well on D. Rutta has regressed from early in the year, Murphy is very sheltered right now, Seabrook looks like he could be retired any day now, Kempny is in the press box nightly, Osterle gets no run. The D is a mess.
- kwolf68

Will say it again. This is a trap team until they can really inject some new talent/speed on the back end. They get exposed way too easy. Great win tonight. The King had them stymied until the Cat snuck into the 4x6 with that seeing eye puck. Woke the whole team up. Very nice game by Bouma. He was solid all night playing a simple but effective north/south game.

No Pompom needed bin a fan since the sixties ,seen the good bad and ugly . I still criticize coaching and player personnel decisions . But what Toews and Seebs have brought this team, is the greatest glory in it's long history .And to listen to ungrateful fans slagging them makes me embarrassed to be a HAWKS fan ..
- oldduffman

I dont think there is a person in this room (well there might be one) who would disagree with you. Those two were big time, big play warriors of a team that was the class of the league for 6 years from 09-15. Now they are no longer that type of player. It takes nothing away from their personal and team accomplishments.Toews resume before the age of 27 is second to none. It is not being ungrateful to point out what is just obvious with these two players: the drop off in performance in any metric is just undeniable. And from a business POV there is 6 plus years and $111 million reasons to be concerned about that. And I don't begrudge any of their money. They earned it, hawks offered it and they signed it. This team will live or die with the consequences...end of story.

I remember when toews used to be able to create scoring opportunities for himself and his line rather than just grinding out shifts before I handed him $10.5 mil

I remember when toews used to be able to create scoring opportunities for himself and his line rather than just grinding out shifts before I handed him $10.5 mil
- Stan_Bowman

Hey hey don't be disrespectful youll get that oldman duff guy angry.

I remember when toews used to be able to create scoring opportunities for himself and his line rather than just grinding out shifts before I handed him $10.5 mil
- Stan_Bowman

Shame on you for not knowing he was going to wear down and become a candidate for the glue factory before he was 30.

Oh give me a friggin break.
Yes those two players helped the Hawks regain glory.
Unfortunately its a business and even though we would like it to be gumdrops and lollipops all day long and we would like to sprinkle fairy dust every time Toews hits the ice that would be nice but that's not reality...Toews did well, he got the adulation, he got the fame, he got paid mega millions, he got he hot GF, etc. but guess what that was yesterday, today you need to produce cause you're getting paid like the best player in the league yet the last two years youre been playing like the 100th player in the league.....its not being ungrateful its being realistic, and like I said its a business so if you're not producing then you're going to get criticized, that's called life in the big city and it happens to all pro athletes at one time or another - cant have it both ways, sorry.
- Hawkster

Spin it anyway u want, your nothing but a front runner

Dude, what do you expect from Toews...Mats Zuccarello is 5'7 and 175 pounds making 3.5 million a year. You expect Toews to beat him?

I was not happy when Mats owned him once, but he did it again. That's (frank)ing lazy ass bullpoop. I have not bashed Toews ANY this year, but that period he should (frank)ing give up the C if he isn't going to play harder. There, that's tough love Tazer...now go make me eat my words.
- kwolf68

5 star comment

I dont think there is a person in this room (well there might be one) who would disagree with you. Those two were big time, big play warriors of a team that was the class of the league for 6 years from 09-15. Now they are no longer that type of player. It takes nothing away from their personal and team accomplishments.Toews resume before the age of 27 is second to none. It is not being ungrateful to point out what is just obvious with these two players: the drop off in performance in any metric is just undeniable. And from a business POV there is 6 plus years and $111 million reasons to be concerned about that. And I don't begrudge any of their money. They earned it, hawks offered it and they signed it. This team will live or die with the consequences...end of story.
- bogiedoc

Yeah, end of story but you didn't put down that nobody is taking those contracts in trade unless it is for another team's bad contract. Even if Seabs starts playing better, he is on the decline and has term plus dollars left much too huge to take on. Maybe next year, the year before a work stoppage someone takes the contract insofar as a playoff push and the fact playoffs is a marathon. Then that new team hopes it can do a buy out under new collective bargain agreement.

The defense really stinks .... Keith is OK, not what he once was, but workable, Franson is OK, good in the OZ, suspect in DZ, but smart enough to make it work, Forsling is playing super.

NO ONE else is playing well on D. Rutta has regressed from early in the year, Murphy is very sheltered right now, Seabrook looks like he could be retired any day now, Kempny is in the press box nightly, Osterle gets no run. The D is a mess.
- kwolf68

So Ruuta has to stay on his best side. Not so bad defense if that can be done. I don't think Kempny is going to get long stretch of games or improve much under Q handling of his gp.

That's the attitude the Blackhawks need to have day in and day out, with no quit. They need to understand that this team isn't going to be able to win with just a finesse perimeter skills game.
- matt_ahrens

Highmore intrigues as his motor and the entire package skill too he brings could be another tough player for our opponents to overcome.

I remember when toews used to be able to create scoring opportunities for himself and his line rather than just grinding out shifts before I handed him $10.5 mil
- Stan_Bowman

And right around that time some had thought he was better than Crosby. I think JT's head got as big as his wallet. Between that and how he eats that crap food...he fell off a cliff

Spin it anyway u want, your nothing but a front runner
- oldduffman

Well then Bowman has to be a pro active front runner too. It is the nature of the business climate. Only difference is that while a lot if business people wear their intensity even outside of work, Stan doesn't show it in obvious fashion.

I was on the trade AA train. Right now he's playing well with 8 and 88. I'd still be ok with them trading him if they get something good in return. But, his net front presence is much needed!

I'm on the keep Toews wagon. I think he's playing better than he has for the past couple of years, losing a few pounds has helped. I can imagine improving more too, provided his back holds up and he doesn't get another concussion.


Seabrook I'm less sure about. I don't think anyone will take him in a trade. Maybe he gets better as the season progresses. Maybe a more rigorous off season regiment. Maybe he is never much better than this. I doubt he'd just play out his contract if that was the case. The team would probably buy him out if the CBA gets reopened in a couple of years.

DeBrincat has impressed in the last seven games. I hope he can keep it up, it seems like he belongs now. Good to see Forslng playing well.

It still seems like this team needs more talent.
- matt_ahrens

Yes and they need at least two solid set of dmen then a playoff push could be realistic

http://windycitychronicle...-blackhawks-over-rangers/

Yeah, end of story but you didn't put down that nobody is taking those contracts in trade unless it is for another team's bad contract. Even if Seabs starts playing better, he is on the decline and has term plus dollars left much too huge to take on. Maybe next year, the year before a work stoppage someone takes the contract insofar as a playoff push and the fact playoffs is a marathon. Then that new team hopes it can do a buy out under new collective bargain agreement.
- jhawk59

agree but I have made those comments in other posts...toews will retire a hawk just like hossa...never going to be traded..unless he asks to be. seabs is a totally different situation...he could be moved but the hawks will have to eat half that contract; as you say the only reasonable solution is a buyout after the next lockout and CBA in two years...

Well Toews wasn't great tonight as has been the case for quite a few games over the last 2 years. But if you were watching with your coaching eye, you also probably made note of Matt Zuccharello's extra effort and hard work. Or do you only coach with a Blackhawks jersey on?

And while we are all so worried about Toews' salary, do you think AV went into the dressing room after the game and blew up at Lundqvist because he stunk and makes too much money and hopes the GM will trade him for draft picks so they can rebuild?
- RickJ

Lol zuccharello is 5'7 170lbs he should never beat 19 in a physical puck battle, much less twice in a row on key plays. Kudos to Zucc for actually battling, something 19 either cannot or will not do consistently anymore.

When Schmaltz plays like that....I am liking the future for the hawks. I think a lot of the problem this year is NOT the actual roster....but the "gelling" of these guys to play together as a group. Schmaltz played great, but it is the consistency that is missing. If Hartman plays the high energy, hitting, digging type game he is a great 3rd/4th liner. Schmaltz will be a solid 2nd liner, just needs seasoning. DeBrincat is showing he is the real-deal as a 2nd line winger. The third period was a glimpse of what the Hawks CAN do. Now, the hard part is to get them playing that way 80-90% of the time, instead of the 30-40% of the time that we have been seeing lately.

A good game. Hopefully one that propels them to a nice 8-10 game stretch where they can rack up some points!!!

When Schmaltz plays like that....I am liking the future for the hawks. I think a lot of the problem this year is NOT the actual roster....but the "gelling" of these guys to play together as a group. Schmaltz played great, but it is the consistency that is missing. If Hartman plays the high energy, hitting, digging type game he is a great 3rd/4th liner. Schmaltz will be a solid 2nd liner, just needs seasoning. DeBrincat is showing he is the real-deal as a 2nd line winger. The third period was a glimpse of what the Hawks CAN do. Now, the hard part is to get them playing that way 80-90% of the time, instead of the 30-40% of the time that we have been seeing lately.

A good game. Hopefully one that propels them to a nice 8-10 game stretch where they can rack up some points!!!


- hawk35

That would be nice. Agree with your statement above too. I was looking last night and if you don't include Sharp and Saad due to having previoulsly played with the Hawks you still have 6 new faces in the lineup (Dinky, Bouma, Wingels, Murphy, Franson, Rutta).

Add to that the half dozen new guys in the lineup from last year and the constant line switching...

Hopefully after last night Q's settled on some line combinations and the lineup continues to develop chemistry.

Defense too. Last night was their best defensive effort so far allowing a season-low 19 shots on goal in 5-on-5 play and had their highest shot percentage at 64.15 (34-19).

No Pompom needed bin a fan since the sixties ,seen the good bad and ugly . I still criticize coaching and player personnel decisions . But what Toews and Seebs have brought this team, is the greatest glory in it's long history .And to listen to ungrateful fans slagging them makes me embarrassed to be a HAWKS fan ..
- oldduffman

Hey, Willie Mays got old. Michael Jordan got old. It happens.

And right around that time some had thought he was better than Crosby. I think JT's head got as big as his wallet. Between that and how he eats that crap food...he fell off a cliff
- PatShart

As I recall you were the first to call out 19 for his performance a while back.

Lazy and pathetic? You missed the plays when he carried the puck up ice himself, gained the zone and put the puck on his teammates stick for a chance. He did it multiple times. You missed when he nearly put the Hawks on the board early in the game?

I'm not saying he had a great game, but it wasn't so bad. Like most of the Hawks best players, he has been cold. (his wingers aren't doing a thing either)

Seabrook had one of his better games in a while, which was a good turn of events.
- breadbag

Thank you. I thought I was going insane reading this board. Toews was skating all over chasing guys, pinning it deep in their zone, and he had great possession in the 3rd while the other team had the lead and people are all over him for not winning every battle. here's a hint, nobody wins every battle, especially not a 29 year old guy who focused his training on skill and speed over playing a heavy game. Guys age, they change styles and adapt. They have to. Oh, and he was 65% in the FO circle. He drew top competition on a team that hadn't lost in 8 games. Probably his hardest assignment all season.