Good points, VANTEL. Burish could be serviceable for what the team needs. Still thinking the Eager-type guy is available in Rockford -- management seems to grooming him for the role. There's some dead weight to shed first.
- grinder10

Beech?

Beech?
- VANTEL

Bollig, but only as a 4th liner. They've had him on the PK too, so that's gotta help get him ready for the big league. Big & tough as nails. Some of the guys playing nightly for the Hawks is puzzling to say the least.

Like most aging males, I tend to be a broken record with things.

I want to float this pearl of wisdom with you all, so like many of my predictions, when this comes to pass, I will be on record...

That is the LA Kings will win the cup this year. Jonathon Quick will win Vezina and Conn Smythe.

Another pearl of wisdom is that DNA tests have confirmed that Dustin Penner is Brian Bickells dad...confirming what many of us thought.

As an outsider ,in the last couple of weeks I could see things unraveling for the Hawks. Truthfully I am suprised .The front end talent is off the charts. There is a very quick drop off once you get passed it.I said about a month and a half ago I like Canucks chances against the Hawks because of that reason .I felt the third and fourth lines need to be altered.As long as Captain Serious and Keith and Seabrook are on the team leading the way,you are never too far to repeat as cup champs.Last night maybe from the fans POV, it was rock bottom.

The good news is there is lot's of cap room and time to make it. Someone mentioned Burrish the other day. He is exactly what this team needs along with one of his other buddies like Earger .The reason the Hawks won two years ago was the front two lines were just better than anyone else and the bottom two lines would beat any spirit you had left,out of you.See what happens over the next couple of days.
- VANTEL

Good points. You have the advantage of not riding the emotional roller coaster while watching the Hawks the last two years.

For this year, adding a D who can play second pairing minutes is imperative. If Stan cannot accomplish that, I don't see this team going anywhere meaningful.

I don't view 2C as a need right now. Sharp and Hossa have both produced with Kruger between them. He may not be ideal, but he's fine for this year. With limited resources to move, they are better used elsewhere.

Another 4th liner along the lines of (if not the actual) Burish would be very good as well.

The key will be straightening out the team D. That's why I've been mentioning Havi in Q's spot for a while now. Installing something completely new at this point in the season wouldn't seem prudent. Putting Havi there would allow for tweaking of the defense and special teams.

Bollig, but only as a 4th liner. They've had him on the PK too, so that's gotta help get him ready for the big league. Big & tough as nails. Some of the guys playing nightly for the Hawks is puzzling to say the least.
- grinder10

I would hope that if Brunette is indeed out for a while either Bollig or Hayes is up here. Unless Frolik is moved or Morrison proves completely ineffective, there really is only one forward spot open. Then again, if Morrison is a total mistake, he probably still plays nightly so as not to admit a mistake by management.

Not to quibble, but have you looked at the team stats? No comparison...
The Wings bad game in Montreal? They won 7 straight before it, and have won 2 straight since.

Yeah...alot to complain about.
- ArlingtonRob

Well said....teams are going to have bad games....for god sakes there not robotons. They have lives with ups and downs to.

Yeah the weeks loss 5 or 6 straight early in the years and look at them since.

No comparison!!!

I think tonight is going to be a HUGE game for this crew. I think Hawks win 4-3. The Oil just have your number. Look at what the Canes have done against Boston. It's just hockey...
But, if the Hawks come out flat and lose this one then as a fan I would be very concerned.
Maybe the boyz are just disinterested and waiting for the playoffs.
- bloatedmosquito

disinterested my [email]a@$%$ss....they[/email] aren't that good....my God they have lost 4 straight and have looked pretty pathetic and then get wripped for 8 goals in 2 periods.

I suspect that will get their interest!!

I would hope that if Brunette is indeed out for a while either Bollig or Hayes is up here. Unless Frolik is moved or Morrison proves completely ineffective, there really is only one forward spot open. Then again, if Morrison is a total mistake, he probably still plays nightly so as not to admit a mistake by management.
- NewToHockey

Brunette was a big disappointment this year.I was hoping the Canucks gabbed him in the offseason.I think he has played one too many years now.

hahaha I secretly think this every post Nathan.. you'll be right more often this way. I used to check this blog everyday and its slowly fading with the amount of negativity that comes out of JJ's mouth(keyboard) yea yea realist bs.

complaining about a marketing campaign? really? didn't you used to be in marketing JJ? what do you expect it to be? the one goal for every team is to win a cup!..

out
- ge1002

Those who shoot the messenger can't refute the message.

just saw a tweet from Sassone that said some hawk players congratulated Gagner on the ice last night. Tim goes on to say that it should be addressed by Q and/or Stan.

There's the loveable, soft hawks.
- Dino_Sucks

I hope that not's true....I am all for sportmanship and tipping your cap to the guy.

But come on....they beat your brains in! that stuff can wait a few games or weeks

Beech?
- VANTEL

Beach in out...has been since early November. Messed up shoulder in a fight.

Just for grins . . . and I know Al will kick my a$$ for saying this . . . would like to see Denny Savard back behind the bench.

Savvy was nothing if not passionate -- his teams always had heart and soul. He wore his on his sleeve and if nothing else, you might expect 100% effort. And at least he had some better feel for line combinations and did not play wheel--of-forward with the lines every period of every game.

I know it won't happen.
- savvyone-1

Havvy not Savvy.

Savvy is a good guy, maybe even a pretty good assistant running the PP, but you don't want him to be a head coach, for the same reasons no one has hired him since he was reassigned by the Hawks

Beach in out...has been since early November. Messed up shoulder in a fight.
- ArlingtonRob

ahh

Bowman just told Jesse Rogers "There is no help on the way." Could that mean that there is help on the way ??? GMS are liars ! haha

JJ,

I find the criticism of your "negative" posts hilarious. For goodness sake, what is there to be positive about at this point in the season?

The point total means little when the play is this bad. If the trend since the new year continues the Hawks will be desperate trying to stay in the top 8.

It's assumed the Hawks make the playoffs, but I am not convinced. The schedule is hell, and I'm not only thinking of the next 7 consecutive road games.

30 games remain and I wouldn't be shocked if the Hawks only grab 15 points.

Where are your sermons on how all of us silly hockey neanderthals don't understand the refined brilliance of Corey Crawford?

- John Jaeckel

The performance against the Oilers marked the 11th time in 38 games that Crawford has allowed at least four goals in a game. His 2.94 goals-against average ranks 41st out of 45 qualifying goalies and his .900 save percentage is 39th. No shutouts only won 1 game with less than 3 goals scored.

Not the stuff of season let alone playoff success....the ever dreaded sophmore jinx or is that all he is now? That is the Hawks "One Goal" question of the year!

Oilers have scored 133 goals this yr with 24 vs the Hawks in 4 games.

6 gls/gm vs Hawks. 2.3 vs the rest of the league. Something really wrong with this picture!!

Bowman just told Jesse Rogers "There is no help on the way." Could that mean that there is help on the way ??? GMS are liars ! haha
- mrpaulish

If that is true...hang on boyz, it's gonna be bumpy ride as we tumble down the standings.

Screw it....lock em out till they cry.

JJ,

I find the criticism of your "negative" posts hilarious. For goodness sake, what is there to be positive about at this point in the season?

The point total means little when the play is this bad. If the trend since the new year continues the Hawks will be desperate trying to stay in the top 8.

It's assumed the Hawks make the playoffs, but I am not convinced. The schedule is hell, and I'm not only thinking of the next 7 consecutive road games.

30 games remain and I wouldn't be shocked if the Hawks only grab 15 points.
- ArlingtonRob[/quote]

That would be a complete and major disaster.....bye bye coaching staff

Beat reporters reporting that SB said there are no trades on the horizon, team must work through it.

Also JJ I love your work and was probably more disgusted then you were last night. However the comment about the grit and glue of Brouwer and Kopy is a bit silly. Let's be honest, both were on the team last year and both were invisible come playoff time (I know Kopy was hurt in game 1 but still). Brouwer was (and still is) an enigma and Kopy lead the league in falling down and delay of game penalties. Both were on last year's team that was one and done and if either had any great impact on last year's team, I think they'd still be here. Regardless I'm not trying to start a p!ssing match, just my opinion. It's time to let all the "Cup" guys go.

My biggest concern after watching this team all year is now Crawford. He's simply not as good this year and you have to wonder if the Sam Gagner show even happens if not for that awful first goal he gave up. He's just been too inconsistant. I think it's time to give Emery a fair chance to win this job for good.

My prediction for tonight. Hawks 4 Flems 2

My biggest concern after watching this team all year is now Crawford. He's simply not as good this year and you have to wonder if the Sam Gagner show even happens if not for that awful first goal he gave up. He's just been too inconsistant. I think it's time to give Emery a fair chance to win this job for good.

My prediction for tonight. Hawks 4 Flems 2
- dan9189

Agree on Crawford, but can't agree with your prediction. The slump likely continues...but I hope I'm mistaken.

Wow, either SB is playing a serious game of poker, or we're throwing in the towel this year.

Any chance we sign burish next year? Not sure what other teams would offer him, but he is exactly the type of forward we need. Gritty, has heart, leadership, skates well, and most of all is smart enough to know how to use those things.

Brunette was a big disappointment this year.I was hoping the Canucks gabbed him in the offseason.I think he has played one too many years now.
- VANTEL

Really just too slow for the style both our teams play. Probably still pretty good on the PP.

Agree on Crawford, but can't agree with your prediction. The slump likely continues...but I hope I'm mistaken.
- ArlingtonRob

I hope you're mistaken too.

This quote from an article on Paul Coffey last year. Loved this quote.

Coffey says today’s NHL is over-coached, that not enough trust is given to the players to use their own instincts, to let their talent loose.

“Everyone is trying to reinvent the wheel. It’s a simple game. The rink has always been this big.” Coffey outlines a rectangle with his fingers. The imaginary rink is not to scale, but his point is clear. If his argument were an end-to-end rush, Coffey is just rounding his own net, puck on the tape, building a head of steam.

stan better be playing poker with the statement of no help on the way. if that is true the hawks should us the left over cap space to eat stans contract and fire him immediately

i want a larger form of burish but first a big sob defenseman.