John Jaeckel: Don't Bury Me Cuz I'm Not Dead Yet

1st !!!!!!!!!! YEaaaaaaaaaa Boyyyyyyyyy


Hawks do have some holes but like Ive said before in THIS season with THIS schedule its all about acquiring as many points as possible take no prisoners.

Hawks probably should have earned zero points for the games against Vancouver and Calgary but look they got 3. 2 more points on this trip and I will consider the trip a succuess no matter what else happens.

I couldnt believed Hossa tied it up. Unreal.

John Jaeckel: Don't Bury Me Cuz I'm Not Dead Yet
- John Jaeckel

Well said.

We have 4 of 6 points so far.

Did not get a chance to watch whole game last night, but wow, caught the last minute and OT.

The next week and a half or so will be the "dead arm" time for lots of teams and players. Hope we can keep gathering points and finding a way. Fans have to remember style points don't matter, points do.

Wait...have they lost a game?

16 out of 18 possible points?

Did anyone of YOU think this was gonna be the positive start to the season they wanted?
I sure didn't...so pick pick pick pick away at what is "wrong."

No.... the overtime LOSSES are Ties in my book.

Are they tired?

Sure.

Are they still playing hard?

They won a stinker didn't they?


And let's put to rest the Saad issue because he is staying, and no worse than any of the other rookies still around the league.

Clearly, Saad was their best option because he is so quick, strong on the pins, and strong on the puck and good on the wall...he fits the run and gun better than slugs like Hayes, Smith, Morin to play with the better skilled fast stars.

Not saying these guys can't play somewhere, just that they all start somewhere get chances in variuos pigeon holes, and you have to show upward progression, and that they don't get stuck in quicksand along the way, and he hasn't...his sin is he hasn't scored enough for you...

All yesterday convinced me of was Calgary needs scorers, and a bigger horseshoe.



The last three games have only further convinced me that the shoot out sucks balls, and that in each game the better on ice for 65 minutes team lost.

those should have been ties.

Or have a three on three for 5 minutes and there will be less shoot-outs.


I noticed the Hockey Night in Canada announcers had more respect for the way the Indianhead players go about business than their fans do.
Anybody want to make up 50 trade scenarios (that are NOt gonna happen at this juncture, b/c teams are not letting go of guys in a shrunken schedule, where you may need everybody with the injury issues...).

Well, I'm convinced.

Not that the Hawks don't have the flaws I think they do - but JJ, mrpaulsh, rickj and others.have convinced me the the short, absurdly compressed season will exaggerate those flaws for every team, and we should just enjoy the ride - it will affect every good team.

Should have remembered how bad basketball was with its condensed season last year - almost unwatchable. Of course, hockey is never unwatchable.

The Hawks ARE finding was to get points - as bad as they an look, there seems to e a "hockey integrity" there that keeps them in games.

Of course, I reserve the right to revert should they stink up the Shark Tank on Tuesday nite.

The booth talked about getting in from Vancouver at 3:30 AM, and they looked it. Not sure the connected on a pass the entire night.

Hossa is the best player on the team.

Tuesday in SJ should be a bit of fun.

Glad no one explained to Glenncross that sometimes you have to lift the puck in the air to get it over a goalie who is down.

Good teams find a way to win, bad teams find a way to lose; examples of both last night.

And yes, the shoot out does 'suck balls'.

John Jaeckel: Don't Bury Me Cuz I'm Not Dead Yet
- John Jaeckel

Hey JJ! Great write up...again
I agree with what you said the other day, water finding its level..The Hawks should have won against the Wild and should have lost last night,in the end, over the course of a season, everything pretty much evens out...And I disagree that the Hawks should have lost at Vancouver, the beginning of the game was all Vancouver but the Hawks outplayed them for most of the game..And games like these happen all the time all around the league, they are called goalie wins, and just because the Hawks had one doesn't mean it is a bad thing...Any news/rumors JJ? Hawks looking to add anybody? Wish the offense would step it up a bit.

Keep up the great work JJ!!

Awesome game by Emery. It's nice to be on the other end of a goalie win for a change. It seems like the Hawks are victimized by a hot goalie all to often. Look no further than last years playoffs and Mike Smith.

Wait...have they lost a game?

16 out of 18 possible points?

Did anyone of YOU think this was gonna be the positive start to the season they wanted?
I sure didn't...so pick pick pick pick away at what is "wrong."

No.... the overtime LOSSES are Ties in my book.

Are they tired?

Sure.

Are they still playing hard?

They won a stinker didn't they?


And let's put to rest the Saad issue because he is staying, and no worse than any of the other rookies still around the league.

Clearly, Saad was their best option because he is so quick, strong on the pins, and strong on the puck and good on the wall...he fits the run and gun better than slugs like Hayes, Smith, Morin to play with the better skilled fast stars.

Not saying these guys can't play somewhere, just that they all start somewhere get chances in variuos pigeon holes, and you have to show upward progression, and that they don't get stuck in quicksand along the way, and he hasn't...his sin is he hasn't scored enough for you...

All yesterday convinced me of was Clagary needs scorers, and a bigger horseshoe.



The last three games have only further convinced me that the shoot out sucks balls, and that in each game the better on ice for 65 minutes team lost.

those should have been ties.

Or have a three on three for 5 minutes and there will be less shoot-outs.


I noticed the Hockey Night in Canada announcers had more respect for the way the Indianhead players go about business than their fans do.
Anybody want to make up 50 trade scenarios (that are NOt gonna happen at this juncture, b/c teams are not letting go of guys in a shrunken schedule, where you may need everybody with the injury issues...).
- wiz1901

Hey there Wiz! Love reading your stuff! Been meaning to ask you, what is up with Kevin Hayes? How is he looking at BC? Do you think we can expect to see him in Rockford next year? Does he play more physical than his brother?

What has this gruelling road trip shown us so far?

I think it has shown us goaltending, at this point, is not a concern, so stop the Luongo trade rumours which would do more harm than good, long term, for the Hawks.

It has shown us that while the Hawks have decent depth they need to get a couple of big forwards who can play with some physicality and dictate the flow of the game when finesse alone can’t.

It has shown us that the defense is solid enough to allow minutes to be spread out a little more evenly. A big bruiser who can play the Hawks style and eat up some minutes would be a, nice to have, addition.

It has shown us that Leddy, Shaw and Kruger benefitted from their time on the Hawks last year when they weren’t really ready and why Saad’s inclusion in the line-up this season may be a blessing going forward.

It has shown us that the Hawks can compete in the one goal games, something they haven’t done well the last 2 years.

It has shown us that maybe we should give SB some credit for not making panic moves and for allowing him and the coaching staff to assess the team before making moves prematurely that they may come to regret. After the road trip they should have a very good idea of what they need to round out this team to make it even better for a long playoff run.

I think the best thing about this road trip is that so far it has shown us that after 2 years and at great upheaval to the cup winning roster the Hawks are again a team that can again, if injuries aren’t an issue and after some tweaking, be a serious contender for the cup this year.

That game was hard to gauge much of anything other than Emery played out of his mind which was great to see and the team was dead tired. There were points in the game last night where guys looked frozen and couldn't get to a puck 5 feet away.

Ugly game, tough to watch.

On the other hand great game Ray! Take the two points and move on.

Awesome game by Emery. It's nice to be on the other end of a goalie win for a change. It seems like the Hawks are victimized by a hot goalie all to often. Look no further than last years playoffs and Mike Smith.
- jhawk159

And while it is nice to have a goalie steal a win, all you can ask for is a goalie not to be the reason for a loss. Goaltending, much to my surprise, has not been a concern at all this year.

i was listening to the game on xm radio last nite and the Calgary announcers couldn't believe how emery was stoning the flames.have to disagree with hawks fans who say the team was disinterested in the Canucks game.the players look forward to playing against certain teams and that rivalry is one that is still on.players get up to play elite teams.this has emotion and two to teams with talent going had to head.

glad that jj doesn't just spout the company line verbatim like a lot o of fans and announcers.he said the Canucks could take that game and they did.

also i didn't get a chance to post after the Canucks game but figured a post Calgary game thread could use a few more comments considering that the post Nux thread got 444 plus comments.

Great game by Emery. Only reason the Hawks won. That said, they won in spite of him in his only other start this year - and I can't remember a game last season where his play blew my mind, so I'm not holding my breath just yet.

Again, great game Razer, you deserved it.

Oduya /Hjalmarsson - most TOI (26+ minutes).

Keith/Seabrook at about 23.

Hey there Wiz! Love reading your stuff! Been meaning to ask you, what is up with Kevin Hayes? How is he looking at BC? Do you think we can expect to see him in Rockford next year? Does he play more physical than his brother?
- captainserious

I don 't think he has shown develoment as bigtime scorer, and I think he takes bigger looping strides to go back up ice in transistion, but I think there is plenty to like, and significant upside, passion, and serious desire to get better, be a pro.

Let me say I don't think big brother Kevin is not physical and skilled, just needs to figure it out, hit the pedal when it's needed. Last year, there were really plenty of times his girth surprised the opposition.

Younger Hayes is having his best season, but clearly Boston College midgets John Gaudreau, Steve Whitney and under six footer Pat Mulhane have taken up the scoring.

Let's see if Kevin Hayes sticks around another year and starts scoring instead of assisting.
I think there is a lot to like and he isn't necessarily a physical force but can and will be a mucker. He is quicker than big bro...

I just wonder if the sluggishness might be a sign, that Rockford sends a banger to San Jose just to liven things up.

I just wonder if the sluggishness might be a sign, that Rockford sends a banger to San Jose just to liven things up.
- wiz1901

Which one ?

Can't judge the team too much.

3rd straight 3 in 4 nights with crazy travel and no practice vs. a team playing it's 6th!! game in 2 weeks. Chicago was only Calgary's second game this week (which included a break of 4 days!). This schedule is completely messed up. Really looking forward to this line-up getting some rest, practice time and home cooking; only hoping they won't be completely burned out by then.

"well, let's not start sucking each others d***ks quite yet"

the hawks are 7-0-2.....anyone remember the Bears 7-1 start?

as a TEAM, they are not playing well - a few heroic efforts by Hossa has saved their bacon.

Q is slipping back into his stubborn mode and not rolling 4 lines - can't work long term in this condensed season.

Enjoying them winning, just not convinced they have what it takes based on how they are playing

old problems still exist...face offs, PP, net presence, refusing to dump puck in,etc.

detroit is a shell of its former self, vancouver has no 2nd line, calgary...well, is calgary

Hossa needs to play with Kane, I think I've mentioned this twice and I'll continue to bring it up. They look so good out there together and Kane has been finding Hossa constantly.

I like how Saad is playing, it hasn't translated into points thus far, but he definitely has the intensity and has been playing smart for the most part.

Somethings happened with Sharp, not too sure what is going on. Hopefully he'll turn something around.

Emery got us the 2 points last night and Crawford has been making big saves (minus his 5-hole). We don't have a dominant goalie, but this combination could put together a good year.

"well, let's not start sucking each others d***ks quite yet"

the hawks are 7-0-2.....anyone remember the Bears 7-1 start?

as a TEAM, they are not playing well - a few heroic efforts by Hossa has saved their bacon.

Q is slipping back into his stubborn mode and not rolling 4 lines - can't work long term in this condensed season.

Enjoying them winning, just not convinced they have what it takes based on how they are playing

old problems still exist...face offs, PP, net presence, refusing to dump puck in,etc.

detroit is a shell of its former self, vancouver has no 2nd line, calgary...well, is calgary
- dpard

Kaner!!

I was dumbfounded that a team that gassed wasn't playing a dump and (attempted) chase game - especially in the third.

"well, let's not start sucking each others d***ks quite yet"

the hawks are 7-0-2.....anyone remember the Bears 7-1 start?

as a TEAM, they are not playing well - a few heroic efforts by Hossa has saved their bacon.

Q is slipping back into his stubborn mode and not rolling 4 lines - can't work long term in this condensed season.

Enjoying them winning, just not convinced they have what it takes based on how they are playing

old problems still exist...face offs, PP, net presence, refusing to dump puck in,etc.

detroit is a shell of its former self, vancouver has no 2nd line, calgary...well, is calgary
- dpard

Hawks will need about 59 points for home ice. They already have 16. They are 1/4 of the way to home ice already and the season just started.

I think its obvious this is the same team as last year and all the problems you mentioned FO% , PP (o for last 13??) big body or any body in front of the net but this is a different type of season. I really dont think the Hawks will come out flat on Tuesday night. This is the Hawks first 3 day rest since the season started. Tuesdays game should be fantastic.

Also want to comment on the last 15 seconds of regulation. To make the passes and be patient was fun to watch.

Well, I'm convinced.

Not that the Hawks don't have the flaws I think they do - but JJ, mrpaulsh, rickj and others.have convinced me the the short, absurdly compressed season will exaggerate those flaws for every team, and we should just enjoy the ride - it will affect every good team.

Should have remembered how bad basketball was with its condensed season last year - almost unwatchable. Of course, hockey is never unwatchable.

The Hawks ARE finding was to get points - as bad as they an look, there seems to e a "hockey integrity" there that keeps them in games.

Of course, I reserve the right to revert should they stink up the Shark Tank on Tuesday nite.
- StLBravesFan

It's great that you have come over from the Dark Side of the Moon - at least for a couple of days. But that's OK, even I think Loss 1 is just around the corner. But after it happens, they will repay the Sharks twice at the UC in mid February. If the team can stay relatively healthy thru this ridiculous schedule to start the season, they will be in great shape. (And they have already sewn up a playoff spot).