That's it? I miss the old JJ. That blog reeked of low effort.
- bloatedmosquito

I'm on vacation, pallie. Be happy with what ya got. And thanks I guess, for the backhanded compliment.

I see that Mark McNiel has been reassigned to Rockford.

He is 19. I thought a CHL player had to be 20 before they were able play in the AHL. Otherwise they had to play in the NHL.

If Mcniel has been called up, then I would expect Brandon Saad to be Reassigned as well when the opportunity is there. How is the club doing as far as roster spot availability.
- Fistafury17

When your season is over, you can play some games in the A. Then you will be back in Juniors the following year if you don't make the big club.

OK, but you keep arguing hit count when I'm not disagreeing. it's not about hit count, which is pretty much entirely subjective to whoever's doing the counting in a given buiding anyway.

I also am a believer in Corsi, for what it's worth. Believe it or not, even a neanderthal like myself delves into the stats now and then. To a limited extent, they are helpful.

So if you want to keep arguing about both, that's fine. Maybe you can find someone to disagree with you on that.

Where I think I disagree with you is on the importance of playing physical hockey (regardless of numbers of hits). Sure I talk about guys with 20 goals and 200 plus hits as the kinds of players you want, but the 200 plus hits are only generally indicative of a guy who makes a difference physically. Like Brouwer. And his hits, while not Byfuglien/Stevens/Marchment type stuff, leave marks occasionally.

Bottom line, when a team delivers big hits and the other team is not up to the challenge or capable of a response, there is an intimidation that happens—as has too often been the case with the Hawks since 2010. Ask anyone who has played the game at a level where hitting matters. If you disagree on that, I suggest talking to some players.

It especially matters in the playoffs. Again, please don't bring out the "hit count" argument. What I'm talking about is really not quantifiable by a stat or a study.

Just results—like games won or lost and opponents worn down or knocked out of series— and what's obvious on the ice. But if you insist, the 2010 team both outshot and often outhit their opponents. Especially in the playoffs.

Oh, and if Detroit is your example of a successful finesse team that outshoots but doesn't outhit their opponents, that's fine, but they also have two guys in Stuart and Kronwall who when they deliver the limber, do it like no one on Chicago does.

Again, and for the last time, I'm not arguing with you about hit counts.

I say a skilled physical team beats a skilled finesse team 7 times out of 10 and especially in the playoffs. Period.
- John Jaeckel

$$$$ GOLD JJ

I see that Mark McNiel has been reassigned to Rockford.

He is 19. I thought a CHL player had to be 20 before they were able play in the AHL. Otherwise they had to play in the NHL.

If Mcniel has been called up, then I would expect Brandon Saad to be Reassigned as well when the opportunity is there. How is the club doing as far as roster spot availability.
- Fistafury17

I am not sure on this. The CHL/AHL eligibility rules are fairly clear. I defer to someone who follows this more closely. . .

I'm on vacation, pallie. Be happy with what ya got. And thanks I guess, for the backhanded compliment.
- John Jaeckel

JJ,

Enjoy The V!

OK, but you keep arguing hit count when I'm not disagreeing. it's not about hit count, which is pretty much entirely subjective to whoever's doing the counting in a given buiding anyway.

I also am a believer in Corsi.

So if you want to keep arguing about both, that's fine. Maybe you can find someone to disagree with you on that.

Where I think I disagree with you is on the importance of playing physical hockey (regardless of numbers of hits). Sure I talk about guys with 20 goals and 200 plus hits as the kinds of players you want, but the 200 plus hits are only generally indicative of a guy who makes a difference physically.

Bottom line, when a team delivers big hits and the other team is not up to the challenge or capable of a response, there is an intimidation that happens—as has too often been the case with the Hawks since 2010—ask anyone who has played the game at a level where hitting matters. If you disagree on that, I suggest talking to some players.

It especially matters in the playoffs. Again, please don't bring out the "hit count" argument. What I'm talking about is really not quantifiable by a stat or a study. Just results—like games won or lost and opponents worn down or knocked out of series— and what's obvious on the ice. But if you insist, the 2010 team both outshot and often outhit their opponents. Especially in the playoffs.

Oh, and if Detroit is your example of a successful finesse team that outshoots but doesn't outhit their opponents, that's fine, but they also have two guys in Stuart and Kronwall who when they deliver the limber, they do it like no one on Chicago does.

Again, and for the last time, I'm not arguing with you about hit counts. I say a skilled physical team beats a skilled finesse team 7 times out of 10 and especially in the playoffs. Period.
- John Jaeckel

Then you need to be more clear in what you say.

You can get grossly outhit by a team like Dallas and win a regular season game, but over the course of a 6-7 game playoff series, the odds are against you.

I've heard the well-worn argument that "puck possession teams always get outhit by chasing opponents." It just doesn't hold water in the physical grind that is the playoffs—where tougher teams tend to win the wars of attrition.

Dallas outhit the Hawks but the Hawks won most of the puck battles in that game. Which like one of your posters mentioned, is where physical play really matters.

$$$$ GOLD JJ

- philco28

Thx, Philco

Seeding question: Dallas finished with 3 seed because they win their division - Chicago finishes 6th with more points - Dallas gets home ice in the first round.

Do they reseed after the first round without taking into account the division winners? In other words, Chicago finishes 8th with more ponts than Dallas: do they have a higher seed in the second round?

It seems to me they do re-seed but I don't exactly remember.

Then you need to be more clear in what you say.



Dallas outhit the Hawks but the Hawks won most of the puck battles in that game. Which like one of your posters mentioned, is where physical play really matters.
- DaleHalas

Fine, whatever. Thought I made this clear last week or whenever it was. In fact, I pretty clearly recall saying abut ten times in a post that I am not arguing about hit counts. Maybe that wasn't clear enough. Dunno.

On the second point, again, you say "outhit." By hit count? Regardless, getting outhit like that adds up, especially in a long series. But the Hawks played really well in that game, I will not argue with you about that.

JJ,

Enjoy The V!
- Beaver-Warrior

Thx man, been about as nice as it can be as a single dad with three kids (2 of em under 10) driving a thousand miles each way. Great weather, happy kids.

Thx man, been about as nice as it can be as a single dad with three kids (2 of em under 10) driving a thousand miles each way. Great weather, happy kids.
- John Jaeckel

Wow!

You might need a vacation to recover from the vacation.

I'm on vacation, pallie. Be happy with what ya got. And thanks I guess, for the backhanded compliment.
- John Jaeckel

Sorry JJ. Didn't know. It's just that I remember the great blogs leading up to CHI vs VAN games in the past. I'll be honest, as a casual reader, it seems that this year has taken a toll on you. Such an up and down year for the hawks.

What was that?

nice start, welcome back crappy corey

What was that?
- Beaver-Warrior

C2 BLOWS the angle and first shot he sees

Teams really starting to target the Mojo Man Johnny O....he absorbs the hits mind you.

What was that?
- Beaver-Warrior

This is a very important game for the canucks. It could be a catalyst to a strong playoff run. The hawks always seem to have an effect on the canucks, good and bad.

I hailed Bollig's discipline on the prior blog and he takes a dumb penalty for a facewash on Kassian. PHUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK.

So - unlike the past several games:

Slow start

Bad GA by Crawford early

Penalties - 2 in 7 minutes

Let's turn it around, boys.

Bollig 2 minutes for facewashing...........wtf

I hailed Bollig's discipline on the prior blog and he takes a dumb penalty for a facewash on Kassian. PHUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK.
- philco28

Stupid, stupid, stupid....

Bollig 2 minutes for facewashing...........wtf
- Smithwicks

After the Devil and Ranger BS, what ya expect?

Stupid, stupid, stupid....
- StLBravesFan

I jinxed him.

Lift the puck Boys

Lift the puck Boys
- mvp0207

I was thinking the same.