So how many hawks fans are out on the ledge today?

Jeebus A. Christ!

I knew that some panic birds would be out. But I sure as heck didn't expect a full force lemming sprint to the ledge. Chill the eff out.

The Hawks are 3 points out of first. Panic all you want. But out play the Red Wings ( Who are old and will not play as well down the stretch as they are currently playing.) And the Blues ( Who have even less home games than the Hawks and who aren't as good and should experience a fall towards the mean...) by two freakin games and this team finds itself on top. Oh right, the first half Hart Trophy candidate comes back as well as our best offensive sniper.

When did Hawk fans become such mice? We've been smarter than this. I know it. I know there's a lot of bandwagon fans and some that are new to this. But they're not on this blog. Or at least I thought.

The Hawks tried to play a close game with a team that's better prepared and better built to play a close game. So when the 4 or five opportunities to score came up, the Preds cashed on theirs and the Hawks didn't. C'est La Vie.

Shaw was our best player tonight. Which is good. The kid has smarts way beyond what anyone drafted in the 5th round should have. And he's relentless. But it's also bad. You're best player shouldn't be a fourth callup from your AHL affiliate who's an overachieving checking winger. Just shouldn't.

Nick and Nick are having some issues. I have no idea what D switch you make because Neither #5 or #6 can handle top 4 load and splitting up Marlboro 72 isn't an answer either.

But I saw effort. But they also ran into a team that's going great guns while playing 5 rookies.

As they say in the great Lebowski, nothing is f*cked here dude. It's certainly a rough patch but every season has them. 3 points out of 1st. 3 points out of first.
- yahoodi

I admit it...I am man on the ledge...and will be there for the rest of this season!

our core other than seabrook does not hit anyone. trading kane for a more physical player would add balance to the lineup
once again kane has been a noshow for half the season so i just dont think he is a player that the hawks would miss that much. there are alot of guys on this team that can do similar things that kane does. maybe not as well but similar
- molly2522

First and foremost, trying to move Kane with a NMC will be a tall order in itself.

As for being a no show, you've got a guy who's put up 3/4 of a point a game and has played out of position for half the season. Sure, he's in a funk at the moment, but does that really support the idea of tossing him on the trash heap?

As for players with similar skill, seriously, how do you replace the skill Kane has internally with what the Hawks have in the system? I think you're fooling yourself if you're thinking that there is someone there who has the skills to replace Kane. Sure, he's no banger, and at his size he's not going to be the physical type.

It makes alot more sense to bring in physical players who can chip in on the scoresheet rather than trying to flip Kane for equal talent.

So how many hawks fans are out on the ledge today?
- captainserious

I'm starting to trend that way.

I'm starting to trend that way.
- EKolb13

Been there all season. They have not put forth any type of consistent effort that would make me think otherwise.

Leddy didn't cough the puck up.. The Nashville player made a great play getting the puck to the front of the net with his feet... Also, Pirri and Hammer were both 4 feet away from the open man in front of the net..

Leddy had the guy contained, but he kicked the puck out front.

I'll give Crawford the benefit of the doubt on that goal because the Nashville player also got the puck up high in a hurry. Hard to make that save.

What I didn't like was Crawfords reaction.. Everyone raved about him being calm under pressure last season and we haven't seen that at all this year.

The first goal was soft. The 2nd was a series of a couple of nice plays where they other team needs to get some credit.

Leddy tried to clear and shot it RIGHT into the shin pads of the Preds player who adroitly kicked a centering pass to Fish. Dozy Nick has made these types of errors all to often this season.

One thing I find funny here is that nobody ever gives the other team any credit, they always say the Hawk players blew the play..
- pri$ey

I mentioned earlier in this thread that there are young goalies who seem ready to take the next step.

Jonathon Bernier
Corey Schneider
Ben Bishop
Anders Lindback

Problem is.. Grouping Chicago into the teams that might be looking for a goalie.

Tampa Bay
Columbus
Toronto

Not to mention Bishop and Lindback being in the Blues and Preds organizations and the other two are also Western Conference rivals..

Let's just hope it doesn't come to that
- pri$ey

Lindback and Schneider are both RFA's at the end of the season and I would think both are in line for big pay raises. I'd be willing to bet both of those two are traded by July 1st. In all, to trade for either one and them sign them to a contract is going to cost the Hawks more than I would think Bowman is willing to spend or give up.

Bernier is signed through next year at a reasonable cap hit. Same with Quick. Bernier is a RFA and Quick is a UFA after next season. I have my doubts LA moves either one until sometime next season or after.

Bishop is a RFA at the end of the season. I would think he could be resigned for a resonable price given is lack of time in the NHL. If St. Louis can do that, he's either a good trade chip or insurance in the minors for them.

I think the Hawks will still have Crawford and will sign a veteran to tandem with him for next season.

I'm starting to trend that way.
- EKolb13

I have to admit that even though i am not on the ledge i am leaning toward it if something isn't done soon...trade any prospect you have to,as JJ once said,the only thing i am thinking of right now is the prize they hand out in June,I can worry about Saad or someone else becoming a great player later on

I have to admit that even though i am not on the ledge i am leaning toward it if something isn't done soon...trade any prospect you have to,as JJ once said,the only thing i am thinking of right now is the prize they hand out in June,I can worry about Saad or someone else becoming a great player later on
- captainserious

Agreed. Bowman is not going to gut the whole farm to get a couple of players. I can live with losing a few good prospects as long as it gets the Hawks a bonafide shot at the cup.

Had to laugh when Chimera started getting into a shoving match with Chara. You could almost see Chara thinking "you don't want any of this" as McQuaid stepped in. I like Chimera, guys an all heart player, but I didn't want to see his head caved in on the ice.

Agreed. Bowman is not going to gut the whole farm to get a couple of players. I can live with losing a few good prospects as long as it gets the Hawks a bonafide shot at the cup.
- EKolb13

Exactly...Imo Pirri Saad etc..should all be made available for the right package coming back,that will tilt this team from 2nd round playoff team,to cup contender...and with the west the way it is,making the right moves could easily vault this team above every other team in the west,granted their core players remain healthy

I have to admit that even though i am not on the ledge i am leaning toward it if something isn't done soon...trade any prospect you have to,as JJ once said,the only thing i am thinking of right now is the prize they hand out in June,I can worry about Saad or someone else becoming a great player later on
- captainserious

Yikes, you aren't a CEO of a company somewhere are you?

Good management practice starts with evaluating the performances of what you already have in the organization and doing what it takes to improve them.

There are quite a few players on this team performing well below expectation. Improvement has to start there first. And then go out and see if you can acquire the help needed in the positions of weakness, using the assets management has identified as disposable/willing to give up. I suspect that has been done already and now it's a matter of negotiating with other GM's.

BTW, there is no one magic fix via trade that will look after current players not performing at their best. All of our guys have to flat out play better.

Yikes, you aren't a CEO of a company somewhere are you?

Good management practice starts with evaluating the performances of what you already have in the organization and doing what it takes to improve them.

There are quite a few players on this team performing well below expectation. Improvement has to start there first. And then go out and see if you can acquire the help needed in the positions of weakness, using the assets management has identified as disposable/willing to give up. I suspect that has been done already and now it's a matter of negotiating with other GM's.

BTW, there is no one magic fix via trade that will look after current players not performing at their best. All of our guys have to flat out play better.
- RickJ

you gotta be like the Atlanta Braves in their heyday. Never overvalue your own prospects. Trade them for value now before everyone realizes they are not as good as they think they are now.

you gotta be like the Atlanta Braves in their heyday. Never overvalue your own prospects. Trade them for value now before everyone realizes they are not as good as they think they are now.
- furso27

Good rule of thumb, yes.

So as an example, lets say the Hawks are willing to move their prospect / high draft pick Dylan Olsen. Who do you expect to get back for him?

Relax, take a gulp of Kool Aid and here's something to read.

Blackhawks Loss, the Toews Injury and Some Trade Misconceptions:http://bit.ly/yH8Rnt

Translation of Q. speak and StanBo's tough task.

Yikes, you aren't a CEO of a company somewhere are you?

Good management practice starts with evaluating the performances of what you already have in the organization and doing what it takes to improve them.

There are quite a few players on this team performing well below expectation. Improvement has to start there first. And then go out and see if you can acquire the help needed in the positions of weakness, using the assets management has identified as disposable/willing to give up. I suspect that has been done already and now it's a matter of negotiating with other GM's.

BTW, there is no one magic fix via trade that will look after current players not performing at their best. All of our guys have to flat out play better.
- RickJ

And you have precisely hit the nail on the head. Nobody is going to come in and turn this team around and make it a cup contender. Unless, a blockbuster deal is made. It's on the players that are here, and the coaches and management to make this thing work. Somewhere along the line there is a disconnect.

Good rule of thumb, yes.

So as an example, lets say the Hawks are willing to move their prospect / high draft pick Dylan Olsen. Who do you expect to get back for him?
- RickJ

By himself? Perhaps a 6th defenseman who could pair with O'Donnell and play the bulk of the games over O'Donnell. Someone who could help out on the PK and either hit or block shots. Someone who's been in the NHL for a number of years, but isn't nearly as old and creeky as O'Donnell.

Leddy didn't cough the puck up.. The Nashville player made a great play getting the puck to the front of the net with his feet... Also, Pirri and Hammer were both 4 feet away from the open man in front of the net..

Leddy had the guy contained, but he kicked the puck out front.

- pri$ey

Everyone (Philco, I'm looking at you!) can blame Leddy on the 2nd goal. Fact is, he had his guy contained and the kicking of the puck out front was a nice play. The f-up on that play was in fact O'D's -- #6 was in front and decided, based on how these guys are practicing and are coached, that it LOOKED like Leddy would control the puck and push it in back of our net.

So what does old #6 decide to do, with the Nashville player in the high slot at the time? Yep, he VACATES the front of the net to get a puck that never gets there. Now you and I know that you CANNOT score from behind the net (unless of course, you have old Cristobal Huet in between the pipes).

Regardless, #6 leaves his spot in front of Crawford, where he clearly could have either deflected that kicked puck, intercepted it or at the very least, blocked the shot. Instead, #6 ends up behind the net where no one is going to score from, and the Nashville player is left wide open.

Everyone (Philco, I'm looking at you!) can blame Leddy on the 2nd goal. Fact is, he had his guy contained and the kicking of the puck out front was a nice play. The f-up on that play was in fact O'D's -- #6 was in front and decided, based on how these guys are practicing and are coached, that it LOOKED like Leddy would control the puck and push it in back of our net.

So what does old #6 decide to do, with the Nashville player in the high slot at the time? Yep, he VACATES the front of the net to get a puck that never gets there. Now you and I know that you CANNOT score from behind the net (unless of course, you have old Cristobal Huet in between the pipes).

Regardless, #6 leaves his spot in front of Crawford, where he clearly could have either deflected that kicked puck, intercepted it or at the very least, blocked the shot. Instead, #6 ends up behind the net where no one is going to score from, and the Nashville player is left wide open.
- savvyone-1

Wouldn't blame OD. He was anticipating the play as he should have, and only an outstanding kick play by Hornquist prevented it from happening. If OD stays in front and the puck makes it way behind the net and into a corner, its most likely still a turnover.

Yikes, you aren't a CEO of a company somewhere are you?

Good management practice starts with evaluating the performances of what you already have in the organization and doing what it takes to improve them.

There are quite a few players on this team performing well below expectation. Improvement has to start there first. And then go out and see if you can acquire the help needed in the positions of weakness, using the assets management has identified as disposable/willing to give up. I suspect that has been done already and now it's a matter of negotiating with other GM's.

BTW, there is no one magic fix via trade that will look after current players not performing at their best. All of our guys have to flat out play better.
- RickJ

Of those playing regularly:

Kane - Absolutely performing less than expected, he has to get himself out of it
Crawford- Yes, but he is what he is
Bickel - Absolutely, apparently not improveable
Montador / O'Donnell / Brunette - Possibly, depending on expectations, but they've been serviceable
Leddy - Not really, based on the fact that he is 20

Who else?
Frolik - doing everything well except scoring, so no

I'd guess most of the competition has similar under-performing issues.

Everyone (Philco, I'm looking at you!) can blame Leddy on the 2nd goal. Fact is, he had his guy contained and the kicking of the puck out front was a nice play. The f-up on that play was in fact O'D's -- #6 was in front and decided, based on how these guys are practicing and are coached, that it LOOKED like Leddy would control the puck and push it in back of our net.

So what does old #6 decide to do, with the Nashville player in the high slot at the time? Yep, he VACATES the front of the net to get a puck that never gets there. Now you and I know that you CANNOT score from behind the net (unless of course, you have old Cristobal Huet in between the pipes).

Regardless, #6 leaves his spot in front of Crawford, where he clearly could have either deflected that kicked puck, intercepted it or at the very least, blocked the shot. Instead, #6 ends up behind the net where no one is going to score from, and the Nashville player is left wide open.
- savvyone-1

The problem on the goal was Leddy passing it into the Nashville player - after that, the Pred made a good kick, and Crawford had no chance on the goal. O'D did what was expected.

Relax, take a gulp of Kool Aid and here's something to read.

Blackhawks Loss, the Toews Injury and Some Trade Misconceptions:http://bit.ly/yH8Rnt

Translation of Q. speak and StanBo's tough task.
- Al

I just gagged up the Kool Aid after reading it....

Yikes, you aren't a CEO of a company somewhere are you?

Good management practice starts with evaluating the performances of what you already have in the organization and doing what it takes to improve them.

There are quite a few players on this team performing well below expectation. Improvement has to start there first. And then go out and see if you can acquire the help needed in the positions of weakness, using the assets management has identified as disposable/willing to give up. I suspect that has been done already and now it's a matter of negotiating with other GM's.

BTW, there is no one magic fix via trade that will look after current players not performing at their best. All of our guys have to flat out play better.
- RickJ

You are right,one move probably wont fix everything,but 2 or 3 moves can..it can have a trickle doen effect,if you find someone to play on the pk you can reduce toews or hossa's pk minutes,which will be huge..if you can grab a 2nd pairing dman you can play leddy on the third pairing etc...however i do agree with you,our current players need to step up a bit

Lindback and Schneider are both RFA's at the end of the season and I would think both are in line for big pay raises. I'd be willing to bet both of those two are traded by July 1st. In all, to trade for either one and them sign them to a contract is going to cost the Hawks more than I would think Bowman is willing to spend or give up.

Bernier is signed through next year at a reasonable cap hit. Same with Quick. Bernier is a RFA and Quick is a UFA after next season. I have my doubts LA moves either one until sometime next season or after.

Bishop is a RFA at the end of the season. I would think he could be resigned for a resonable price given is lack of time in the NHL. If St. Louis can do that, he's either a good trade chip or insurance in the minors for them.

I think the Hawks will still have Crawford and will sign a veteran to tandem with him for next season.
- EKolb13

You're probably right on the goalies. Like I say, hopefully it doesn't come to that at all. The best thing for this team and organization is Crawford getting back to what we seen last season.

The interesting thing about Ben Bishop in St. Louis is that he is in a weird RFA spot where if he doesn't play 15 games in the NHL this season, he becomes a UFA this summer but if he does, he gets one more year of RFA.

I doubt that happens in St. Louis. If another team can take him (Tampa Bay is my guess) they can play him for the remainder of the season and get another year of RFA out of him

Bob Mckenzie wrote about it the other day and he said he is NHL ready. 6'7" athletic and apparently outplayed both Halak and Elliot in camp this season.

By himself? Perhaps a 6th defenseman who could pair with O'Donnell and play the bulk of the games over O'Donnell. Someone who could help out on the PK and either hit or block shots. Someone who's been in the NHL for a number of years, but isn't nearly as old and creeky as O'Donnell.
- EKolb13

So, in essence that isn't a trade you would want/expect Bowman to make for your #1 draft choice of a couple years ago, right? The kind of player you describe sounds like Sami Lepisto, who at any time can be found on the waiver wire or via trade for a 7th round pick.