Keep drinking it!
- EKolb13

Yo!

What a beautiful day ... !! For going to lunch at the Kilt and seeing our favourite girl Josephine... Biscuit, biscuit, biscuit.
- blackhawk24

I wish I was going to Tilted Kilt. My wife usually doesn't let me into public unsupervised, especially to a place like that.

- mrpaulish

Good morning Matt!

Have you had your Kool-aid today?

Quadricorns.
- StLBravesFan

Are all the horns on the head on one of those things?

JJ's piece was well done and will give you guys something to chew on for awhile..

To be honest I have been waiting for something worthwhile to happen, I have one more piece to write before Camp.

Maybe next week...
- Al

You might have some booing at the convention to write about, Al.

You might have some booing at the convention to write about, Al.
- grinder10

Speaking of the convention, how many guys from this thread plan on going?

Don't be so sure of what you're saying w/o having some sources to back it up.

JJ is usually dead nuts on with these things. And while he doesn't profess to know all the inner-workings, guys like him, AlC and a couple others have had some comments the last year+ that tells us things are not all that rosey. This includes comments made by departing players like Brouwer and Soupy.

You're right that it may not be that bad. They may be a really good team this season. But as constructed, up and down the lineup, they will be hard pressed to take that roster deep into the playoffs.

I couldn't care less about making the 2nd round or either the 3rd. A successful season for any team is the season in which your last game is a victory. Anything other than that is some degree of fail.
- blackhawk24

If everything - ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING - that they are counting on happening - spinning that WILL happen - goes right and nothing goes wrong.

Are all the horns on the head on one of those things?
- EKolb13

According to the Geico commercials, yes.

I think it's Geico.

Great blog JJ. Hard to believe things could have come to this in just 2 years. Crazy. Oh well, with my expectation being lower, time to focus on my other favorite dysfunctional Chicago franchise.

Go Bears!

According to the Geico commercials, yes.

I think it's Geico.
- StLBravesFan

I'll take your word for it.

Don't feel bad.... things are just as bad if not worse in Hockeytown these days. Ken Holland (who is arguably the best GM in the NHL) was counting on signing several impact free agents as a stop-gap until our current bunch of prospects are ready to make the jump to Detroit. Didn't happen... To his credit he did go aggressively after them.

Well... our top talent core is aging and we just lost 2 top 4 defensmen (Lidstrom & Stuart) and a top 6 forward (Hudler) and have replaced them with basically nothing. Now that is disappointing... Holland put all his eggs in one basket by assuming he'd get some good free agents... problem is there are about 20 other teams who also want that talent. Wish he would have made some trades the last couple years, but he was a bit too conservative it appears. He's typically a GM who grooms his always late-round picks and develops them into bonafide NHL players (can't argue with his track record). He's not a fan of trading away his home grown talent that he's developed.

No Suter, Parise,... nada. Only hope is maybe sign Semin or Doan (not likely) and make a trade for a solid defenseman later. At least you guys still have a relatively young core (just gotta replace your goalie and get a second line center. The one similarity I see with the Hawks and Wings is they both need more size and sandpaper to help them go deep in the playoffs.

'Morning Southie!


I'll stick to coffee. That protein stuff tastes like poop.
- EKolb13

Good morning EK , blackhawk24 ,MrP its all lovely here at the Blackhawk hotel

Don't feel bad.... things are just as bad if not worse in Hockeytown these days. Ken Holland (who is arguably the best GM in the NHL) was counting on signing several impact free agents as a stop-gap until our current bunch of prospects are ready to make the jump to Detroit. Well... our top talent core is aging and we just lost 2 top 4 defensmen (Lidstrom & Stuart) and a top 6 forward (Hudler) and have replaced them with basically nothing. Now that is disappointing... Holland put all his eggs in one basket by assuming he'd get some good free agents... problem is there are about 20 other teams who also want that talent.

No Suter, Parise,... nada. Only hope is maybe sign Semin or Doan (not likely) and make a trade for a solid defenseman later. At least you guys still have a relatively young core (just gotta replace your goalie and get a second line center. The one similarity I see with the Hawks and Wings is not enough size and need more sandpaper to help go deep in the playoffs.
- Vladdie_Kon1

+1

Don't be so sure of what you're saying w/o having some sources to back it up.

JJ is usually dead nuts on with these things. And while he doesn't profess to know all the inner-workings, guys like him, AlC and a couple others have had some comments the last year+ that tells us things are not all that rosey. This includes comments made by departing players like Brouwer and Soupy.

You're right that it may not be that bad. They may be a really good team this season. But as constructed, up and down the lineup, they will be hard pressed to take that roster deep into the playoffs.

I couldn't care less about making the 2nd round or either the 3rd. A successful season for any team is the season in which your last game is a victory. Anything other than that is some degree of fail.
- blackhawk24

I agree with everything you say, but now we're talking about 2 guys who were sent packing by the Hawks.....again, maybe these guys didnt want to get shipped out so the comments arent going to be very positive. As far as "sources", all I have to say is that I talked to an un-named, former player who still talks to current players.....

Don't feel bad.... things are just as bad if not worse in Hockeytown these days. Ken Holland (who is arguably the best GM in the NHL) was counting on signing several impact free agents as a stop-gap until our current bunch of prospects are ready to make the jump to Detroit. Well... our top talent core is aging and we just lost 2 top 4 defensmen (Lidstrom & Stuart) and a top 6 forward (Hudler) and have replaced them with basically nothing. Now that is disappointing... Holland put all his eggs in one basket by assuming he'd get some good free agents... problem is there are about 20 other teams who also want that talent.

No Suter, Parise,... nada. Only hope is maybe sign Semin or Doan (not likely) and make a trade for a solid defenseman later. At least you guys still have a relatively young core (just gotta replace your goalie and get a second line center. The one similarity I see with the Hawks and Wings is not enough size and need more sandpaper to help go deep in the playoffs.
- Vladdie_Kon1

As shoddy as Detroit's blueline corps are now, I don't see Detroit making the playoffs.

I wish I was going to Tilted Kilt. My wife usually doesn't let me into public unsupervised, especially to a place like that.
- EKolb13

Marriage of course is built on trust and after well over 20 years and 4 kids, if she can't handle that, well then it'll be a problem.

I don't hide it and she knows each time I go. Though I have to say the Kilt is most tolerated by her. Maybe her Irish heritage has a little to do with that.

The girl whose section we're at every time is totally grounded. Good head on her shoulders, starting her Jr year next month @ NIU and looking to go into law. Doesn't hurt that the face is as enjoyable to look at as the body. Not all of them at these places can say that. And she plays the role well, very well. Outstanding personality to boot. One of those BBB types: Beautiful, Brainy and Built.

When I told my wife about Twin Peaks (Scottsdale, AZ spring training trip every March), she asked if they could be more obvious than Hooters. I told her she should see the sign. Nice joint. I expect them to land in ChiTown in a couple years when they grow, just like the Kilt did.

http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/

Was just reading this on ESPN. Made me feel a bit better. It's so hollow though like the garbage heard for years coming from the Northside when they stood pat in an offseason or at the TDL.

ttp://insider.espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8176800/nhl-losing-jiri-hudler-nicklas-lidstrom-brad-stuart-detroit-red-wings-need-pieces

It echoes not only the Detroit poster but what JJ's been saying about there not being another Datsyuk or Zetterberg expected among their current group of prospects.

Good morning EK , blackhawk24 ,MrP its all lovely here at the Blackhawk hotel
- southernhawk

SH, how's it goin' ?!

Blackhawk hotel... Hope it doesn't turn into the Tower of Terror, like one of the theme parks, FLA or CA ... can't remember which one.

Speaking of the convention, how many guys from this thread plan on going?
- EKolb13

EK, I'm no longer within reasonable road trip distance to Chicago. Not sure I'd want to go this year anyway...

Marriage of course is built on trust and after well over 20 years and 4 kids, if she can't handle that, well then it'll be a problem.

I don't hide it and she knows each time I go. Though I have to say the Kilt is most tolerated by her. Maybe her Irish heritage has a little to do with that.

The girl whose section we're at every time is totally grounded. Good head on her shoulders, starting her Jr year next month @ NIU and looking to go into law. Doesn't hurt that the face is as enjoyable to look at as the body. Not all of them at these places can say that. And she plays the role well, very well. Outstanding personality to boot. One of those BBB types: Beautiful, Brainy and Built.

When I told my wife about Twin Peaks (Scottsdale, AZ spring training trip every March), she asked if they could be more obvious than Hooters. I told her she should see the sign. Nice joint. I expect them to land in ChiTown in a couple years when they grow, just like the Kilt did.

http://www.twinpeaksrestaurant.com/
- blackhawk24

Hey Now!

Thanks for the link.

EK, I'm no longer within reasonable road trip distance to Chicago. Not sure I'd want to go this year anyway...
- grinder10

Me neither. Whoever's going could you throw in some boos for me please?

Me neither. Whoever's going could you throw in some boos for me please?

- HawkintheD

I've got better things to spend my money on.

As shoddy as Detroit's blueline corps are now, I don't see Detroit making the playoffs.
- EKolb13

There is no doubt their 21-year playoff run is in jeopardy this coming season. You just can't lose 2 top 4 defensemen and a top 6 forward and automatically expect a playoff bid. Holland is going to have to work some kind of magic and/or Mike Babcock will have to get Brendan Smith and Jacob Kindle on D to really step up and play to their full potential (they will get a lot more ice time). I think in the future the Wings will start giving their top prospects more of a chance to crack the lineup to see what they can do earlier in their development. In the past Holland made them earn their spot in the lineup by paying their dues in Grand Rapids. We'll see....

Do you really believe JJ that things are that bad in Hawknation? WOW He "found" ONE, yes ONE un-named "source" who hates Kompon!!! Yeah, that's enough for me, one "source"....JJ has hardly anymore access to information coming out of the Hawks than you or I. You need to read these blogs on hockeybuzz like you're reading the weekly world news, very rarely does anything any of these guys print come true.

This is a team coming off a 101 point season, while suffering a 9 game losing streak, losing their best player to a concussion, and having crappy special teams.
The way this blog is written, you'd think they had 85 points and missed the playoffs.
- Htppr

JJ is very good at spotting trends and seeing where they are heading.... a lot of other writers (and fans) ignore those trends. The Hawks in reality are a playoff bubble team now. Truth is, had they lost 2 more games may have been out completely last season. You say the 9 game losing streak like it was an anomaly ... and maybe it was.... but couldnt the first 50 games or so going injury free at home be an anomaly as well. 101 points was good for 11th in the NHL last season. The hawks have not improved and while some teams may have gotten worse in the west others should do better in the standings (LA, SJ, Minny for example). You might not agree with JJ now but one day if you suck up your pride you'll be back saying 'JJ made some valid points'.

Unbelievable...

...so we now have Wings fans joining Hawks fans to bytch about the offseason. Didn't think I'd see that happen...ever.

So...the division belongs to the Blues now?

Well I'm not ready to anoint them with anything...F' the Blues!