Interesting, all of those directives fall on Bowman or Q . . . except 1.
- John Jaeckel

Carter Hutton, suprise unsigned goalie in Rockford, has been more than good,> Guys like Jimmy Howard and others came from nowhere, why not bring Hutton up and at least give him a shot because there is no way Emery can play a full season and Crawford right now is toasted

I think we need to let Leddy play less time. He's a bit overplayed for a young kid. But if you move him down, who do you put in his place? I'm not a fan of shuffling lines, but it might be for the best if we did something like:

Seabs-Hammer
Monty-Keith
Leddy-OD

Hammer was absolutely horrendous last night. He did have a good hit, but for the rest of the night, he was frequently out of position and lost. No way him and Monty can run a second unit. 7-4 was pretty good at the beginning of the year so we could try that. 5-2 is worrying in that 5 sometimes thinks he is 2, maybe switch him and hammer. And Leddy-OD is what we are trying to achieve.

Definitely need to fill in the bottom 6 with more hitters, or at least guys willing to finish checks on people. That's actually something the entire team needs to work on being more consistent on.

Carter Hutton, suprise unsigned goalie in Rockford, has been more than good,> Guys like Jimmy Howard and others came from nowhere, why not bring Hutton up and at least give him a shot because there is no way Emery can play a full season and Crawford right now is toasted
- Maggie

Lee,

Howard was a first round choice, USNTDP guy. Very highly touted, but the Wings let him marinate in the minors for a long time.

I think Tim Thomas is a better example, or Hasek, of a guy who kind of came out of nowhere.

We don't know if Emery can't play a full season. Hip has not been an issue this year.

Question is, is Hutton that good or Salak and Richards that bad?

I will say this, I do enjoy this blog....I dont' always agree with everything that is said, but the thoughts/opinions are well thought out and bring things to my attention that I usually over look.

The core by itself is good enough for a run to the 2nd round. that's the sad part. They just need the RIGHT role players, and a defensive commitment.

Agreed on Emery. Time for Crawford to sit on his ass. I know you saw Sassone's tweet about comparing Crawford last night to Huet in Columbus 2 years ago. Dead nuts on....
- SteveRain

I was at that game. Crawford was worse last night.

K, im back. I just Dished out 20 buck to get back on here. First i would like to say JJ you are spot on , but i think you need to bring her down a little. I watched every game this year EVERY and last nights game was not even that terrible. Beside Keith and his f ing Drop passes and his unwillingness to carry the puck past the blue line. Yes we got Blown out but we did tons of good things. Edmonton was on fire plain and simple they wanted to beat us and that feeds motivation similar to how we play Van. We truly are 1 or 2 moves away from being a force.

I was at that game. Crawford was worse last night.
- John Jaeckel

I thought Huet's game was the worse I have seen a NHL goalie play...

I'm finally back in action!

For fun I took a look at the Hawks games they've played and when they've played against playoff teams and not.

Playoff teams: 26 points out of a possible 40 points (65%)
Non-Playoff Teams: 39 points out of a possible 64 points (61%)

Interesting data, eh?

This team as currently constituted probably will not get past the second round of the playoffs. we need a stud d-man bad. And I do agree that the front office first needs to quit the Jedi mind tricks and start looking at this team realistically. Remember... we were all so excited that we saved 7 mill on Campbell, but what good does it do if that money's not spent, as seems to be the case?

But.. does anyone think that the Oilers can give the Hawks a run for their money in a 7 game series right now? Remove those feelings of frustration and cynicism. Think carefully. Now relax. No firesale is necessary.
- busmaster

Well, they have won 3 of 4 already with 2 wins coming in a VERY convincing manner.

Kanner is gonna blow up soon i can see it.

K, im back. I just Dished out 20 buck to get back on here. First i would like to say JJ you are spot on , but i think you need to bring her down a little. I watched every game this year EVERY and last nights game was not even that terrible. Beside Keith and his f ing Drop passes and his unwillingness to carry the puck past the blue line. Yes we got Blown out but we did tons of good things. Edmonton was on fire plain and simple they wanted to beat us and that feeds motivation similar to how we play Van. We truly are 1 or 2 moves away from being a force.
- Dojodan

You might be right, but I'm more inclined to believe it will take two moves. And maybe internal changes.

Lee,

Howard was a first round choice, USNTDP guy. Very highly touted, but the Wings let him marinate in the minors for a long time.

I think Tim Thomas is a better example, or Hasek, of a guy who kind of came out of nowhere.

We don't know if Emery can't play a full season. Hip has not been an issue this year.

Question is, is Hutton that good or Salak and Richards that bad?
- John Jaeckel

Lee,

Howard was a first round choice, USNTDP guy. Very highly touted, but the Wings let him marinate in the minors for a long time.

I think Tim Thomas is a better example, or Hasek, of a guy who kind of came out of nowhere.

We don't know if Emery can't play a full season. Hip has not been an issue this year.

Question is, is Hutton that good or Salak and Richards that bad?
- John Jaeckel

Only one way to find out!!!

Stan may not have given Q the ideal roster, but Q and his staff must share blame for not making the most of what they do have to work with.

With a roster that includes the likes of Toews, Hossa, Kane, Sharp, Bolland, Keith, Seabrook, etc, it is inexcusable that the special teams play should be as bad as it's been. Coaching failure.

I am still waiting to see if Lepisto can be a legit NHL defenseman. We have plenty of evidence that Scott isn't, but has Lepisto ever been given a legit chance? Has he even played in consecutive games yet? Been given a string of 5-6 consecutive games to find his game, find his confidence? Why has O'D sat the last 2 after playing his best hockey of the year leading up to the all star break? Has Q actually fully explored all of the D options that Stan provided him with? Nope. Coaching failure.

How many bad games does Crawford have to have before Q tries the other goalie option that Stan provided him? Once he does start C2, how many soft goals does he allow before making a change? At least 2 too many last night by my count. Coaching failure.

Why does Keith play regular minutes on the PP? He's not good at it, never as been. He's overplayed as it is and yet Q keeps trotting him out there in situations where he's bound to fail. He could be resting up to do what he does best...defend. Is there no other option to play the point on the PP? Coaching failure.

Play Bickell and sit Frolik. I know Frolik isn't setting the world ablaze but at least he competes. Bickell's a non-contributing zero who's neither scored, or done any of the little things that make teams better. Best use of the options available? Nope. Coaching failure.

When I hear players say things like, and I'm paraphrasing some comments I heard earlier ths season, "we were just feeling them out, waiting for the other team to show us how they want to play so we can adjust.... ", WTF is that? Q should be coaching up this team to go out there and dictate the pace of play, to impose their will, their style on the opposition. Make the other team adapt to the Hawks style of play. Sadly the Hawks under Q either have no distinct style, or Q is forcing a style that doesn't fit the personnel he's got. Either way...Coaching failure.

Until Q proves that he's doing everything he can, exhausted every option, tried everything...I can't put the majority of the blame on anyone else. Stan has been far from perfect, but Q has been brutal. No more tick - tock, the clock has wound down, the alarm is sounding. Will Stan wake up? Or will he just keep hitting snooze?

Like Pri$ey said on the last thread, sometimes the coach is the answer...just ask STL.
- Ogilthorpe2

Nice post, very true. Could you send this to Coach Q with a copy to SB, thanks.

It would be nice if management would read what some of us fans are thinking on this blog as we may help them confirm what they already know.

Kanner is gonna blow up soon i can see it.
- Dojodan

In the immortal words of Judge Smales:

"Well . . . We're WAITING!"

I think we need to let Leddy play less time. He's a bit overplayed for a young kid. But if you move him down, who do you put in his place? I'm not a fan of shuffling lines, but it might be for the best if we did something like:

Seabs-Hammer
Monty-Keith
Leddy-OD

Hammer was absolutely horrendous last night. He did have a good hit, but for the rest of the night, he was frequently out of position and lost. No way him and Monty can run a second unit. 7-4 was pretty good at the beginning of the year so we could try that. 5-2 is worrying in that 5 sometimes thinks he is 2, maybe switch him and hammer. And Leddy-OD is what we are trying to achieve.

Definitely need to fill in the bottom 6 with more hitters, or at least guys willing to finish checks on people. That's actually something the entire team needs to work on being more consistent on.
- Walky

O'D, Scott combined this year:
57 GP, 0 G, 8 A, -3

Sami Lepisto 2010-11 PHX/CBJ
70 GP, 4 G, 12A, +10

2011-12
11 GP, 0G, 0A, +4

Why can't Lepisto get on the ice? Did he boink Q's wife or daughter...or both? The fact that Scott keeps getting chances and Lepisto doesn't is beyond baffling.

Lee,

Howard was a first round choice, USNTDP guy. Very highly touted, but the Wings let him marinate in the minors for a long time.

I think Tim Thomas is a better example, or Hasek, of a guy who kind of came out of nowhere.

We don't know if Emery can't play a full season. Hip has not been an issue this year.

Question is, is Hutton that good or Salak and Richards that bad?
- John Jaeckel

Also don't know about Salak as he's been hurt more than he's played. they play the Wolves tonight on TV

Carter Hutton, suprise unsigned goalie in Rockford, has been more than good,> Guys like Jimmy Howard and others came from nowhere, why not bring Hutton up and at least give him a shot because there is no way Emery can play a full season and Crawford right now is toasted
- Maggie

How do you know Emery cannot carry the load? He has carred it so far but then gets benched becasue CC has a three year deal and they want him to succeed. Time for Hawks to wake up and focus on what is really going on.

I would have to say Sutton looked pretty good last night. Every time the oilers were scoring he was on the ice. Had 2 assists and was a +3. Ill take him so we never have to watch 32 in an Indian Head ever again.

I watched every game this year EVERY and last nights game was not even that terrible. Yes we got Blown out but we did tons of good things. Edmonton was on fire plain and simple they wanted to beat us and that feeds motivation similar to how we play Van. We truly are 1 or 2 moves away from being a force.
- Dojodan

Delusional.

Also don't know about Salak as he's been hurt more than he's played. they play the Wolves tonight on TV
- Maggie

High ankle sprain I hear..Tough injury but wasn't anything special before.

I wonder if any Red Wings bloggers wrote anything like this when they lost 7-2 to the Canadiens...wow.

Dude come on. you guys are so negative.

K, im back. I just Dished out 20 buck to get back on here. First i would like to say JJ you are spot on , but i think you need to bring her down a little. I watched every game this year EVERY and last nights game was not even that terrible. Beside Keith and his f ing Drop passes and his unwillingness to carry the puck past the blue line. Yes we got Blown out but we did tons of good things. Edmonton was on fire plain and simple they wanted to beat us and that feeds motivation similar to how we play Van. We truly are 1 or 2 moves away from being a force.
- Dojodan

Pass the Koolaid

I would have to say Sutton looked pretty good last night. Every time the oilers were scoring he was on the ice. Had 2 assists and was a +3. Ill take him so we never have to watch 32 in an Indian Head ever again.
- nickmo2699

Nick32 was no worse last night than Keith or Leddy, everyone wants to make sh!t out of him but give me a break the other D men suck just as bad lately

Boston 49 32 15 2 66 175 108

Chicago 52 29 16 7 65 168 155

pretty F ing close to the top. Minus GA but not everyone can a have top 10 Goalie