Speaking of Crawford, I know it’s the norm for teams to be tight lipped about injuries, but something just feels different about this.

When is the last time he’s been seen, I don’t recall any reporters talking to him since the injury.

Just seems strange to me.
- walleyeb1

Saw just one report (unverified) on Twitter that he was on a commercial flight just after the new year. Where? Why? Who knows. But, yes, the silence is deafening.

Speaking of Crawford, I know it’s the norm for teams to be tight lipped about injuries, but something just feels different about this.

When is the last time he’s been seen, I don’t recall any reporters talking to him since the injury.

Just seems strange to me.
- walleyeb1

In yesterday's presser someone asked Stan about Crawford and his response was "status quo" - but the problem is that there has never been a status! We don't know what the "quo" was in the first play. Aggravating. "Upper body" - it makes me think it is either concussion type stuff or it is a bigger physical issue (not muscular, not skeletal.) But that is purely speculation. It just seems like if he broke something or pulled something or tore something, they'd have more of a clue about recovery time.

Saw just one report (unverified) on Twitter that he was on a commercial flight just after the new year. Where? Why? Who knows. But, yes, the silence is deafening.
- pdx2ord

players on IR rarely if ever are seen or talk with reporters...

only time you get any info is if surgery is involved...

Saw just one report (unverified) on Twitter that he was on a commercial flight just after the new year. Where? Why? Who knows. But, yes, the silence is deafening.
- pdx2ord

The Crawford injury is a mystery. I have not heard anything and I've been asking everyone. It's all hush-hush.

The Crawford injury is a mystery. I have not heard anything and I've been asking everyone. It's all hush-hush.
- Justin Lowe

And for those pining for his imminent return, I get it.

Just don't expect 50 to be the savior when/if he returns this year.
After all this time off w/an undisclosed issue, I wouldn't expect him to return at the same level of play. It's Forsberg or bust. And the guy played well enough to win last night. You don't win any games scoring 0 and not many more scoring 1. That's a fact.

goaltending has been the problem for this team accept in maybe 5-6 games...

the hawks abs SUCK vs the teams in the WC not named AZ, Min and EDM.

leaky poor defense and shot suppression; and those teams know how to force the hawks to perimeter...if i had to guess the pp against the WC teams they are chasing is around 10%

that's why they are in the position they are in...stan may like his team as a bottom 8 but they have shown very little ability to compete with the better teams in the WC
- bogiedoc

You can say shot suppression on both ends of the ice. What DeBrincat did last night is typical especially on the part of Smaltz.

And for those pining for his imminent return, I get it.

Just don't expect 50 to be the savior when/if he returns this year.
After all this time off w/an undisclosed issue, I wouldn't expect him to return at the same level of play. It's Forsberg or bust. And the guy played well enough to win last night. You don't win any games scoring 0 and not many more scoring 1. That's a fact.
- savvyone-1

Yeah, took him quite a while to get back to form after the appendicitis last year.

BRAD RICHARDS!
- Justin Lowe

Dennis Rodman!

And for those pining for his imminent return, I get it.

Just don't expect 50 to be the savior when/if he returns this year.
After all this time off w/an undisclosed issue, I wouldn't expect him to return at the same level of play. It's Forsberg or bust. And the guy played well enough to win last night. You don't win any games scoring 0 and not many more scoring 1. That's a fact.
- savvyone-1

the hawks were filling the net in thier previous 5 or 6 games with 3 plus in each of those...last night with the big push 1st needed at least 2 and got 1 and then wild pushed themselves back into the game...

BTW hawks lead the league in post and crossbar hits...

And for those pining for his imminent return, I get it.

Just don't expect 50 to be the savior when/if he returns this year.
After all this time off w/an undisclosed issue, I wouldn't expect him to return at the same level of play. It's Forsberg or bust. And the guy played well enough to win last night. You don't win any games scoring 0 and not many more scoring 1. That's a fact.
- savvyone-1

also craw kept this team from being just north of AZ...and as you say savvy..THATSA FACT...

forsberg or bust?? i'll take the bust...

The Crawford injury is a mystery. I have not heard anything and I've been asking everyone. It's all hush-hush.
- Justin Lowe

Hope it's not a substance abuse thing. That would be really disappointing.

Dennis Rodman!
- bogiedoc

that's the fear.

Hope it's not a substance abuse thing. That would be really disappointing.
- 6628

And here I was thinking it was another "Rage Against the Machine" concert.
Those damn steps . . .

And here I was thinking it was another "Rage Against the Machine" concert.
Those damn steps . . .
- savvyone-1

Rise Against. Rage hasn't been together for a long time.

Rise Against. Rage hasn't been together for a long time.
- JRoenick97

I blame Coach Q for this loss. That power play by the Hawks was sickening to watching the last 5 minutes. Toews, Keith and Sharp once again showed nothing. When will the coach learn? Having Toews and Kane playing together and double shifting screwed up the other lines on the ice. IMO the Hawks need a coaching change ...this team needs a new head coach who is not afraid to hurt the feelings of our core and is willing to come up with a new and more creative game plan. The Hawks presently are a bubble team with a head coach that Father Time has swallowed.
- spanky

ABSOLUTELY IN TOTAL AGREEMENT !!!
How many points is Q p.... issing away by sticking with Toews and Keith on that horrible PP. Once Anisimov gets healthy, park his butt in front...... or has been mentioned by many, Saad. He should never be playing the half board role. He does not have the hands to handle the puck.....put him in front or on the bench !!
Also........ Hayden was never given the chance to play that role either. Who knows if his size and toughness could have helped bang in some rebounds in front.
Nowhere near enough net front presence with the current group.

Q's just plain stubborn !!

Rise Against. Rage hasn't been together for a long time.
- JRoenick97

Rise, Rage - what's in a name?
Now those damn venue steps, can you do anything about those?

The Crawford injury is a mystery. I have not heard anything and I've been asking everyone. It's all hush-hush.
- Justin Lowe

Crawford has been out two times this year. The first was shorter than many of us expected and the second is, well, a mystery. For those of us holding out for a decent conclusion to his season — playoffs, advancing at least one round, and not getting Nashvilled again — I think we are losing sight of the fact that even if he does come back, Crawford might only be a shell of himself and actually might only be the third best goalie on the roster right now if he is not completely healed. Holding out hope for 50 to get us to the playoffs is akin to retirement planning being based upon however many lottery tickets you buy.

Not that Hayden is untouchable but he's a guy I'd like to see stay.
- HawkintheD

I would definitely put Hayden in the untouchable mode !!
He's exactly what this team has lacked for years..... youth, size, grit, speed and
has pretty good hands and a top 6 winger down the road. Kind of a Cam Neely type IMO. No he is not a superstar but I wouldn't want him moved period.

So you trade from a position of weakness (center) by moving AA for a position of strength.

This team DOES NOT NEED wingers, period. We aren't collecting sports cards here, trying to build a team to contend. You either need a Center or a D-man to do that with this team.
- kwolf68

Agreed......... now if Berge wants to include Danault in something, let's talk !!

Agreed.

Forsberg was not the problem in my opinion. He had some key saves.

Like Walleye said, when you score 1 goal, hard to win.

I call it a lack-of-finishing-in-the-1st-period loss by the Blackhawks.
- Justin Lowe

Wingels hit the post/crossbar in the first 5 minutes. That's never a good sign for us.
Do we still lead the league in goal posts ??

I would definitely put Hayden in the untouchable mode !!
He's exactly what this team has lacked for years..... youth, size, grit, speed and
has pretty good hands and a top 6 winger down the road. Kind of a Cam Neely type IMO. No he is not a superstar but I wouldn't want him moved period.
- Hawkytalk

HT, Blowman's got it covered.
Word is, he's going to acquire a few more smurfs and has already suggested the following structure to Q for a few of them:

When I see this, it makes me giggle and think of JJ.

StanBo: “Right now, I like this group, I really like our team,” Bowman said. “Obviously, I wish we had a few more wins under our belt, but I’m very excited about this group.”

https://chicago.suntimes....nger-anthony-duclair/amp/
- pdx2ord

Ah, the good old days. I remember that , the “We like our team” days. I also remember Bowman being ripped in a large number of posts and people losing their minds every time a middling talent was picked up via trade or waiver wire because Stan wasn’t as active as people liked.

Then a funny thing happened and the Hawks won two more Cups. Not saying it will happen again but I wouldn’t mind that trip down Memory Lane.

HT, Blowman's got it covered.
Word is, he's going to acquire a few more smurfs and has already suggested the following structure to Q for a few of them:

- savvyone-1

Fantastic !!! Great episode too.

Fantastic !!! Great episode too.
- Hawkytalk

Is that McD standing on top of Stan and Q ???