Can we please allow Sharpie to relax and take in the remainder of the season from the press box? ‘Cause he’s not contributing anything down there on the ice. Perhaps he can be replaced by a faster, younger, hungrier Ice Hog?
- scottak

He's working hard to play golf in April!

http://www.chicagotribune...-0417-20160416-story.html

My stance on Toews is that he is probably playing hurt, it's probably affecting how he plays, and he's still trying to figure out how he is going to play, now that he is not going to be a force down low in the cycle. It doesn't do any good to slag on him for it. These guys are human, not indestructible robots.

If he's truly diminishing before our eyes, not a damn thing we can do about it. If any of you really want him gone, maybe they buy out him and Seabrook, the other current whipping boy on here, when the owners are likely to opt out of the CBA in the summer of 2019.

The bigger debate is how their contracts should have been handled. Kane and Toews have theirs negotiated simultaneously, giving them far more leverage than if they negotiated separately. We can talk about how easy it would have been to make them do $8.5 mill apiece for four years, but we all know that it's easier to make these proclamations from our armchairs than when dealing face to face with their agent(s), who make what they make for a reason.

Even with Seabrook, he had enormous leverage in those negotiations because the Hawks had nobody in their pipeline anytime soon who could step up in a top 4 role had he walked. It's the same reason Bickell got that contract, because they didn't have any big forwards who could shoulder the load he was carrying. And it's why they paid Crow, because who was going to be the guy if he walked?

Anyway, context is very important in any of these deals. Not very often could they tell agents at the negotiating table that they had plenty of prospects waiting in the wings to take their guys' spots in the lineup should they walk. And yes, their drafting record is fair game in this discussion, but it's not a reason to take it out on these guys for the overpays.
- 333inthe3rd

Maybe what is happening with Toews is that he's trying to play a different style game in order to avoid re-injuring himself (back, head, ????) and he hasn't figured it out yet. Maybe he is not physically able to play like his old self anymore, that's possible, or maybe he knows that he's one head injury away from hanging them up and he's trying to avoid that. If it is the latter, he'll need to figure something out quick. And, he i a streaky player so maybe he puts it all together again for a while.

It's clear you have a hate for this guy like a lot of people, but to say he's always been overhyped is insane, and didn't make people around him better? You must have missed Babcock's comment about which line in Van Olympics was their best, any line that Toews was on. It's easy to pile on him because his game is gone but to say he was always overhyped is ridiculous, and he was a star in the making before Hossa showed up, you sure you're a Hawks fan?

It's clear you have a hate for this guy like a lot of people, but to say he's always been overhyped is insane, and didn't make people around him better? You must have missed Babcock's comment about which line in Van Olympics was their best, any line that Toews was on. It's easy to pile on him because his game is gone but to say he was always overhyped is ridiculous, and he was a star in the making before Hossa showed up, you sure you're a Hawks fan?
- Butcherboy66

Sorry, I screwed up on the post, too tired to fix it, this response was to Pat Shart's comment earlier..

Justin or whoever wants to chime in: I would say the next 10 game could possibly define the hawk's season. So what do the hawks need, d man but what team is going to give the hawks a top 4 d man without sacrifice are future d cat Hartman skirau etc... So now that we are down a center do smaltz moving the wing now we need 2 centers now so that should be the focus or a power forward but what and who would we target?

It's clear you have a hate for this guy like a lot of people, but to say he's always been overhyped is insane, and didn't make people around him better? You must have missed Babcock's comment about which line in Van Olympics was their best, any line that Toews was on. It's easy to pile on him because his game is gone but to say he was always overhyped is ridiculous, and he was a star in the making before Hossa showed up, you sure you're a Hawks fan?
- Butcherboy66

Toews was a GREAT player from 2007-2015. Its mind boggling to see the drop off in his play since then. I have a 19 Home jersey hanging on my wall as it was the first jersey I got during the Championship run. Praying to the hockey gods he can get at least close to his previous level of play.

I can see the comparison,
Anybody remember Angotti being checked through the glass next to the visitors bench by iirc Brad Gasoff of the Blues? He wound up in the third row. Funny as hell until we realized a couple of women in the first row had bits of the tempered glass inbedded in their faces. Took the funny out of it immediately.
- 6628

It was Bob Gassoff. He was the toughest player I ever saw. AIR, the Blues traded Battleship Bob Kelly, Steve Durbano and Bugsy Watson for a scorer in a mid-season trade, and their fans bemoaned the loss of the team's toughness (required in that fight-laden mid 70s era), especially with their upcoming game at Boston the next night. The 22-year old Gasser was called up from the minors, and in his first game, took on the entire Bruins team in at least three fights, winning them all. For the rest of his short (3 yr?) career (ended by a tragic motorcycle accident), he fought often, and other than being decisioned by Clark Gillies, he won them all.

Hi Justin...Great article....my TEN:

1..I was one of the first to mention Franson as a good 5-6 addition in the off-season. He has proven to be even more. Has fit in well in the Top 4 the last few games. Love his shot from the point.

2. Schmaltz made that second line tick last night. Great game.

3. Toews is not what he was 3-4 years ago, not even close. But, I think he will improve as the season goes on. Remember, the last 20 games last years was his best stretch in several years.

4. Hawks need to stop easing off on their pressing once they build a lead. Almost like the Leafs or Jets, no Hawks lead ever seems safe.

5. The defense, as a whole, seems to be becoming more and more solid as the season goes on.

6. The forwards are still a work in progress as far as "gelling". Still not playing as a group as I would like.

7. Net presence of Anisimov and Hayden is something we need more of. THAT is the way to score more consistently.

8. Hawks often come up BIG in BIG situations (playing a team on 6 game run). But often lay an egg against trash (ie, the Hab game)

9. Despite a couple of outings lately where he has let in a few too many, Crawford is elite. A Top 5 goalie in the league.

10. Justin did a great review of the game.



- hawk35

I think we should all be grateful that JJ's successor is such an excellent and involved blogger.

It was Bob Gassoff. He was the toughest player I ever saw. AIR, the Blues traded Battleship Bob Kelly, Steve Durbano and Bugsy Watson for a scorer in a mid-season trade, and their fans bemoaned the loss of the team's toughness (required in that fight-laden mid 70s era), especially with their upcoming game at Boston the next night. The 22-year old Gasser was called up from the minors, and in his first game, took on the entire Bruins team in at least three fights, winning them all. For the rest of his short (3 yr?) career (ended by a tragic motorcycle accident), he fought often, and other than being decisioned by Clark Gillies, he won them all.
- BMWChiFan

Thanks for the tune up. Guy was tough and crazy. I remember his accident and how sad it was.

LOL your posts are always a treat. If you had better reading ability, you would have seen my follow-up comment addressing your "condescension" concerns and the overall point of the comment being that the eye test is, IMO, a better way to assess a hockey player. I actually sell Solar Energy in Denver, CO. Come out here and say hello, big guy. I'll PM you my address. BTW, for someone so concerned with "condescending" posts, you sure as hell love to throw out nonsensical personal attacks towards other contributors on the blog.
- EnzoD

I didn't read your follow ups cause ur initial "I played AA/AAA, therefore I'm an expert" told me all I needed to know. Solar energy tells me even more
Go ahead, PM me ur address Maynard, maybe I'll send ya an Xmas card mr. AAA

It was Bob Gassoff. He was the toughest player I ever saw. AIR, the Blues traded Battleship Bob Kelly, Steve Durbano and Bugsy Watson for a scorer in a mid-season trade, and their fans bemoaned the loss of the team's toughness (required in that fight-laden mid 70s era), especially with their upcoming game at Boston the next night. The 22-year old Gasser was called up from the minors, and in his first game, took on the entire Bruins team in at least three fights, winning them all. For the rest of his short (3 yr?) career (ended by a tragic motorcycle accident), he fought often, and other than being decisioned by Clark Gillies, he won them all.
- BMWChiFan

When he played for the junior Medicine Hat Tigers in the early 70's he had 2 brothers on the team (all born a year apart). They were an intimidating team to play against and referred to as the Gassoff Gang.

He's working hard to play golf in April!
- Slofire94

Yup, Sharpie is part of that Ol Core that is under performing. I'm waiting for somebody here to throw out the consistent " he must be playing with an injury" scenario. I loved him in his prime as we all did but yes he is one of the reasons why Hinestroza is in Rockford.
A few more losses with him not scoring might force management to make a change.

Maybe if Sharp, Seabrook, and Toews all took a few games off due to "injuries", and Vinnie, Gustoffson, and Kampf were brought up, we just might see a different jump in the team. Then when the "injuries" are healed, we might see a different effort from these core superstars of the past.
Accountability ????

So now Toews is the most popular guy to rag doll and he has been far from great for sure but to say everything is weak and bad is ridiculous. Sit him out and put Hinostroza or Kero in his place and then you will see what your missing.

And how about that play last night when he and Saad were breaking over Ranger blue line 2 on 1 and #20 inexplicably dumped the puck to Toews as they crossed the line totally ruining the chance. What was he supposed to do with that, get himself an assist or score a goal?

No doubt he can play better but he's not the only one - you and I can name quite a few more who haven't been too terrific either.
- RickJ

Agreed, but they aren't making $10.5 million.

You can cherry pick advanced stats to paint whatever narrative you desire. If you have never played the game then I guess that's a way for some people to feel like "experts" bc you can find some obscure possession stat to support nearly any hypothesis.

I've played AAA/AA hockey my entire youth in Chicago, have been an IHOA referee since age 12 and I coach the young kids now. I watch Toews and every high salary Hawk player very closely and regardless of your Corsi BS, Toews is NOT an elite player right now. Slow feet/legs and unable to create separation from defenders with speed or dangles with the puck. Falling all over the ice losing puck battles to 5'7" 170 pounders, and last night he was chasing the play in the defensive zone and pretty much coasting. He has two of the fastest skaters in the NHL in 14 and 20 on his wings and that line has been producing crap lately. Jonathan Toews is the 2nd highest paid player in the league, but looks like he should be the 200th.
- EnzoD

Come on guys, stop dogging Toews. If we give 19 a couple more wingers in addition to Saad and Panik, they'll score more. Is 7 on 5 in the rules?

Shartie, if you didn't see this last night, I'll post it again so we can get some more agitation going on Toews:

I am tired of the Toews apologists.
- faces top QOC
- has played more hockey than any human being in the Milky Way galaxy
- short summer
- diet
- weight
- weight training
- speed/quickness training
- when the Moon is in the 7th house and Jupiter aligns with Mars

Let's face it - there is something wrong with the guy. Either lost his love of the game and desire to compete or there is something seriously wrong physically we don't know about.

Really, what other excuses can there be?
I happen to like the astrological ones.
Maybe Toews was seeing TV's Miss Cleo and her passing in 2016 threw him off?

- savvyone-1

I'm telling you guys, its a broad in his life. He has the dough and has had success, now he is getting some good tail.
My only advise to him is that she wouldn't look twice at him if it wasn't for the money. She loves the $$$$$ and not the person.

I think we should all be grateful that JJ's successor is such an excellent and involved blogger.
- BMWChiFan

Absolutely without a doubt on that one.. fantastic up to this point and I’m sure there is more on the way...

Maybe he can shed some light on what blowman is doing?

Completely condescending....AAA in your youth???? Ooooooooo, impressive, your parents had money. AA? I head coached a AA team to NIHL championship....big deal..doesn't qualify me to talk down to others cause they haven't coached or played....before you ask, yes, I played too.
IHOA ref....explains the condescending attitude
All your glorious background qualifies you for......???? Stock boy at the local Jewels
- dpard

If you can't deal with someone giving you a condescending attitude in a debate on a hockey blog without freaking out like this, that's on YOU. Too sensitive.

I like when the debates get heated and people take the banter to another level. But i guess some would prefer getting upset....its really a shame...

Throughout his Blackhawk career Sharp has been a sniper. He would find an open space near the left circle, someone would find him and he would hit the back of the net. Of course he did other things like win some board battles and make some nice passes. But at the end of the day he was/is a shooter. Playing on the 3rd line without players that can find him he is going to look bad.

I like:
Saad Toews Panik
Schmaltz Anisimov Kane
Sharp ________ ADB
Hartman Wingels Hayden

What a difference Hossa would have made.

Not too crazy about Kero or Wingels as the 3rd line center on a line with scorers playing the wings. I might give Hino a chance.

Is Highmore playing a wing in Rockford? I thought he looked good at center during camp.

I like what I have seen of Kempny, Rutta & Forsling. I am willing to give Franson, Murphy, and Oesterle a little more time. We all wanted Ulfie to make some changes in the scheme and to be more aggressive. Now Seabs and Keith are playing in a new scheme for the first time in 8+ years. They have not looked great. But some of that could be attributed to getting comfortable in the new scheme (playing with no one else who is that familiar with that scheme either).

Since the Summer this blog has said Schmaltz, ADB, Hartman and Hayden are AHL lifers (or just a little better). Anisimov is slow and awful. Seabs & Toews are old, worn out and awful. But as we have seen with ADB, Anisimov and Schmaltz a few good games and they will be praised wildly.

This team is interesting to watch and see it develop. I am not sure what the future holds. But it is still exciting to watch them play, even though some of their play looks like beer league hockey or a Chinese fire drill (no slight to the Chinese).
- -Doh-

It is interesting when you are sitting on your couch, but not when you are shelling out the big money to attend the games.

I didn't read your follow ups cause ur initial "I played AA/AAA, therefore I'm an expert" told me all I needed to know. Solar energy tells me even more
Go ahead, PM me ur address Maynard, maybe I'll send ya an Xmas card mr. AAA
- dpard

Woah woah woah....you can't cry like a baby one post and then come back and try to play internet tough guy the very next one. Who do you think you're fooling with this BS anyways? You're making an ass of yourself its quite pathetic actually...

Regarding Debrincat:

The guy came with the reputation as a sniper, so that part of his game did not surprise me. But what has surprised me though is his ability to handle the puck and the speed at which he plays the game.

As he is gaining confidence, he
- is handling the puck more
- is throwing the puck away less
- has learned to avoid the big hits he was taking earlier (in fact he is dishing out more than he is receiving)

He looks like a guy who loves what he is doing.
- 67hawks

And, they should play him whenever the other teams net is empty.

So now Toews is the most popular guy to rag doll and he has been far from great for sure but to say everything is weak and bad is ridiculous. Sit him out and put Hinostroza or Kero in his place and then you will see what your missing.

And how about that play last night when he and Saad were breaking over Ranger blue line 2 on 1 and #20 inexplicably dumped the puck to Toews as they crossed the line totally ruining the chance. What was he supposed to do with that, get himself an assist or score a goal?

No doubt he can play better but he's not the only one - you and I can name quite a few more who haven't been too terrific either.
- RickJ

I will grant that "everything" was an overstatement. Let me restate: by most metrics he is weaker player than he was 2-3 years ago. The qualitative eye test reveals things that you rarely saw 3-4 years ago. Does he still make plays...does he have good games...sure. But the head scratchers persist.

Not terrific either: seabs (he is the new bickell), keith, sharp...saad was a hot flare to start the year and flamed out and came back to earth..

It's clear you have a hate for this guy like a lot of people, but to say he's always been overhyped is insane, and didn't make people around him better? You must have missed Babcock's comment about which line in Van Olympics was their best, any line that Toews was on. It's easy to pile on him because his game is gone but to say he was always overhyped is ridiculous, and he was a star in the making before Hossa showed up, you sure you're a Hawks fan?
- Butcherboy66

Well I guess if Babcock said it, it's true.

Tell me, any other good players on that Canadian team he was playing with or was he asked to be the star in that team?

If only Stan were smart enough to think like this maybe the team wouldn’t be carrying all this dead weight with Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith and Crawford. Toronto has themselves a REAL GM, not like the pretender Chicago has.

BREAKING NEWS: Incredible though it sounds, the #Leafs have considered trading Auston Matthews. My Thursday blog... https://t.co/dqxsmvPNQ2

— Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) November 16, 2017

If only Stan were smart enough to think like this maybe the team wouldn’t be carrying all this dead weight with Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith and Crawford. Toronto has themselves a REAL GM, not like the pretender Chicago has.

BREAKING NEWS: Incredible though it sounds, the #Leafs have considered trading Auston Matthews. My Thursday blog... https://t.co/dqxsmvPNQ2

— Howard Berger (@Berger_BYTES) November 16, 2017

- DarthKane

The Leafs have waited for a player like Matthews for decades, trading him would be insane.

I can see the Leafs trading Nylander, Marner and Rielly in a deal before #34.

Me thinks Howard is looking for some pageviews.