John Jaeckel: Hawks At Canucks GameDay Preview

I'm not sold on CC yet either. Sure, he looks better, but it's still early.

Also not sold on 'hawks as SC contender. Playoff team, yeah, but I can't get over that the 'hawks still play mostly a pretty game. Most of their points are scored off cross crease passes or one timers. I don't see enough goals like the ones Bickell contributed vs Minny. Also seems like every other team has a guy to harass our goalie, but we don't' return the favor. One of the big reasons they won in '10, besides a stacked team, was they rushed the net, aggravated/blocked the goalie, and were a physical team. Don't get me wrong, I like their start, but seeing signs of last year, although not as bad, the last few games.

Funny, I was about to mention in the last thread about how this upcoming game against the Canucks just wasn't doin' it for me the way it used to. Guess it's not just me. Check back with me about 10 minutes into the game though and see if I'm yelling at the TV yet. It won't take long to rekindle this rivalry for those of us who feel it waning a bit. First cheap shot directed at Keith outta do it.

Maybe Crawford has matured and spent his down time practicing and honing his craft? I know he didn’t practice how to handle the puck, which in my opinion is a lost art. Man he stinks at that.
JJ still has that man-crush on Anderson

I think with this being Keith's first game back since the Sedin hit, the rivalry will heat up pretty quickly.

Interested to hear who you think is in the race for Western conference supremacy if the Hawks and the Canucks aren't in it. I'm sure you'll say the Blues. And that's fair. Although they're offense is certainly no great shakes. The Kings offense is worse than the Hawks. Edmonton looks good but they're young and have some blue line holes......Anyone else? I certainly don't see a team the Hawks can't compete with and win in a 7 game series.

I think with this being Keith's first game back since the Sedin hit, the rivalry will heat up pretty quickly.

Interested to hear who you think is in the race for Western conference supremacy if the Hawks and the Canucks aren't in it. I'm sure you'll say the Blues. And that's fair. Although they're offense is certainly no great shakes. The Kings offense is worse than the Hawks. Edmonton looks good but they're young and have some blue line holes......Anyone else? I certainly don't see a team the Hawks can't compete with and win in a 7 game series.

Would really like to see where this team's MOJO would be at with a healthy, productive, SMART CarBomb in the lineup night in, night out.

The 2008 team that lost to Detroit in 09 was a pretty team that played the perimeter. They lost. The Cup team crashed the net and won. This team plays the perimeter so far. They can be pretty all they want, but they need someone to emerge as a grit man in front of the net. they need more than one, too.

Finally StanBo makes the deal to bring us to the promised land again. Welcome Mathieu Beaudoin

The key to me, is simple commitment and determination. 3 years later some of these guys seem to get awed by their own success and revert back to an entitlement mentality. Not just Kane BTW.

All is not lost, but really believe this is the next step in the evolution of a being a champion. Not sure if any of you read Gretzkys book waayyy back, about how they learned to win from playing Islanders, but was very telling.

I am hoping they come out with a little more jump and the lines start clicking a little more. I would like to see Q's patience rewarded a bit. (plus it would vindicate my main criticism of him).

Should be a fun game. Feels like a Hawk 4-1 win to me.

The key to me, is simple commitment and determination. 3 years later some of these guys seem to get awed by their own success and revert back to an entitlement mentality. Not just Kane BTW.

All is not lost, but really believe this is the next step in the evolution of a being a champion. Not sure if any of you read Gretzkys book waayyy back, about how they learned to win from playing Islanders, but was very telling.

I am hoping they come out with a little more jump and the lines start clicking a little more. I would like to see Q's patience rewarded a bit. (plus it would vindicate my main criticism of him).

Should be a fun game. Feels like a Hawk 4-1 win to me.

yahoodi:

"Interested to hear who you think is in the race for Western conference supremacy if the Hawks and the Canucks aren't in it. I'm sure you'll say the Blues. And that's fair. Although they're offense is certainly no great shakes. The Kings offense is worse than the Hawks. Edmonton looks good but they're young and have some blue line holes......Anyone else? I certainly don't see a team the Hawks can't compete with and win in a 7 game series."

SJ, St. Louis, possibly LA. Didn't say the Hawks aren't in it. Not racing out to watch the parade just yet, either, like some apparently are.

Water always finds its level. And the playoffs start I believe in late April. Lots can happen—like injuries— or other teams' GMs getting aggressive and improving their teams (see: Lombardi, Dean, 2012)

A few possibly glaring issues for the Hawks: center depth, team faceoffs at 50.6%, without Toews it's abysmal. Almost zero net front presence. Including Wonder Boy. Lack thereof likely to hurt power play among other things. Pretty much zero physicality/snarl in the top 6 outside of Toews and maybe Hossa.

It's been 7 games!

I shouldnt be surprised that a biased Chicago "writer" is already considering the Hawks as contenders.

Let's wait until the halfway point before we start separating contenders from pretenders. By then, we should have our second line healthy again and the Nucks will be playing their usual "Presidents Trophy" type of hockey.

By the way, I'd like to see the two cowards you mention pull the same BS with Kassian on that line. I can't wait to see Zack use Bolland's head like a punching bag.

Always enjoy watching a hawks nucks game. I'm more excited to watch the hawks game tonight than the flyers, sadly.

Nice blog JJ.

They only scored 8 buy they have only given up 7 goals over that same 4 (3-0-1) stretch. I take that as a massive positive for this line-up. I'm sure I could (won't) pull up a blog and message thread from late last season where we collectively piss and moan about how the Hawks need to win 2-1, 3-2 rather than 4-3 and 7-4. The team is finding ways to get it done as a team right now. That is what is dangerous about this years Blackhawks (to date).

oh and since this is a Van/Chicago thread for the next 48 or so hours I should mention.....

Don't feed the trolls.

JJ - Nice mention about shaking up the lines. I am not sold on Bolland being the 2nd line center nor am I sold on Saad being on the 1st line. Right now the Hawk are proof that you are never as good as you look when winning. That being said, it again appears to me that the GM needs to step up big time and realize what other are seeing and not just see the early season fast start.

"It's been 7 games!

I shouldnt be surprised that a biased Chicago "writer" is already considering the Hawks as contenders.

Let's wait until the halfway point before we start separating contenders from pretenders. By then, we should have our second line healthy again and the Nucks will be playing their usual "Presidents Trophy" type of hockey.

By the way, I'd like to see the two cowards you mention pull the same BS with Kassian on that line. I can't wait to see Zack use Bolland's head like a punching bag. "



Dutch, San Jose is looking pretty tough they just may be the team to beat and they will give both our teams fits.

yahoodi:

"Interested to hear who you think is in the race for Western conference supremacy if the Hawks and the Canucks aren't in it. I'm sure you'll say the Blues. And that's fair. Although they're offense is certainly no great shakes. The Kings offense is worse than the Hawks. Edmonton looks good but they're young and have some blue line holes......Anyone else? I certainly don't see a team the Hawks can't compete with and win in a 7 game series."

SJ, St. Louis, possibly LA. Didn't say the Hawks aren't in it. Not racing out to watch the parade just yet, either, like some apparently are.

Water always finds its level. And the playoffs start I believe in late April. Lots can happen—like injuries— or other teams' GMs getting aggressive and improving their teams (see: Lombardi, Dean, 2012)

A few possibly glaring issues for the Hawks: center depth, team faceoffs at 50.6%, without Toews it's abysmal. Almost zero net front presence. Including Wonder Boy. Lack thereof likely to hurt power play among other things. Pretty much zero physicality/snarl in the top 6 outside of Toews and maybe Hossa.

Wow, this site is (frank)ed today!

Looking forward to the game tonight. Should be a good one. I haven't watched many Hawks games this year, but there can't be much wrong with them given their record...

I'll be at the game, hope it's a good one.

San Jose if injury free or mitigated is the top team in the west IMO. Solid write up today btw.

I could see LA imploding and I really really really dislike STL but I suppose they will be in it as well. Here's to hoping for a crash there...

The Hawks are going to be up and down this year. If the penalty kill stays sharp and Crawford doesn't have a conniption fit then I feel like they will be in a good position to get home ice going into the playoffs.

With the role players playing as well as they are (Kruger, Stalberg, Bickell, Shaw, Frolik, Bollig was useful the other night) and getting recognized for that and the D really showing well... It was eluded to earlier but any chance egos for some of these 1, 2 line guys start to rear an angry head?

Yeh JJ , it seems the good ole rivalry with the canucks may have taken a step back , at least on chicagos end , the canuck fans still seem to hate us proper ....
I am not sold on CC either , but I like the way hes playing and making me think twice
about his real capability . And dont hope for a any line changes just yet , they were playing with some real speed and intensity against the wild , let em Gel and see what happens . I kinda agree that the canucks don't look as powerful as they once did , there window is closing but they can beat us , expeccially if LU is on his game .
Too bad we still didn't have Big Buff , he made it fun .....

Good morning everyone.

I wouldnt say the rivalry is dead. Im sure Bieksa or Kassian will do something dumb because of Keith's hit on the little sister last year. SO we'll see what happens. Also the Hawks and Nucks are just a play off series away from being a bitter rival again.

Also , the Hawks should be very excited to face Luongo tonight , with Vancouver in disarray if the Hawks can put up a large # on Luongo (Im not sure thats going to happen but if they can) the Canucks' dressing room problems could become more compounded. Schneider is suppose to be #1 but is flailing with Luongo looking over his shoulder.

It should be a good one tonight !
Lets go Hawks !

@mrploves33

"It's been 7 games!

I shouldnt be surprised that a biased Chicago "writer" is already considering the Hawks as contenders.

Let's wait until the halfway point before we start separating contenders from pretenders. By then, we should have our second line healthy again and the Nucks will be playing their usual "Presidents Trophy" type of hockey.

By the way, I'd like to see the two cowards you mention pull the same BS with Kassian on that line. I can't wait to see Zack use Bolland's head like a punching bag."

Wow. Go back and read the blog. I think the pretty strong implication there is that I am not sold on either club as elite teams in the West, though the Hawks are closer. Tell you what. Use that mouse thingy and scroll down and look at the stats. And look at the standings. Yes, it's only 7 games. But 7 games are all we have to go by. You might also see throughout the blog that I feel the Hawks will have a very stiff challenge tonight.

I'll be impressed if Big Boy Kassian actually takes on another Big Boy, Bollig. But if so, he better duck. Or turtle.

BTW, just cuz I've had a bad week, your post was reported.