John Jaeckel: Is Fatigue A Factor?

gonna say it...1st

not thrilled with so many players going to the olympics for the same reason...they will proabably play a lot of games and not get the rest they do seem to need for the final push into the playoffs.
it looks like more than just fatigue with this team. There has to be injuries that aren't being talked about beyond normal bumps and bruises. Beyond the first and 4th lines, chemistry isnt that great.
I think it was mentioned last year theat the Hawks were interested in Eller....no clue if he is available or what it would take to get him but he could be a 2C that could settle that line???

Tree!

Good morning JJ!! Nice blog brother. Fatigue of the heart I would say.

Jets are suddenly no soft touch either...gonna require a FULL 60 me thinks vs Winterpeg

Jets are suddenly no soft touch either...gonna require a FULL 60 me thinks vs Winterpeg
- philco28

I'm hoping the Jets humble the Maple Loafs tonight and come into Chicago ready to donate 2 points and get out of town real fast.

Given the fatigue factor, I hope Kane and Toews cut down on their hard partying ways till the summer. Unfortunately, I know that won't happen.

not thrilled with so many players going to the olympics for the same reason...they will proabably play a lot of games and not get the rest they do seem to need for the final push into the playoffs.
it looks like more than just fatigue with this team. There has to be injuries that aren't being talked about beyond normal bumps and bruises. Beyond the first and 4th lines, chemistry isnt that great.
I think it was mentioned last year theat the Hawks were interested in Eller....no clue if he is available or what it would take to get him but he could be a 2C that could settle that line???
- dpard

I doubt Eller is available at all, unless you are parting with another solid roster player.

The quick answer is finding some AHL help for a game here and there. There is no competition for ice time and dressing right now.

I'm hoping the Jets humble the Maple Loafs tonight and come into Chicago ready to donate 2 points and get out of town real fast.
- RickJ

That would be a quality scenario

I doubt Eller is available at all, unless you are parting with another solid roster player.

The quick answer is finding some AHL help for a game here and there. There is no competition for ice time and dressing right now.
- TrueGrit

Exactamundo.

(frank) the Olympics, Russia sucks anyways.

(frank) the Olympics, Russia sucks anyways.
- SotaPopinski

Seems a bit scary over there - a terrorism hotbed is a great place for the Olympics. Makes Vancouver look safe, ffs. Things are looking up for the Wild, eh?

Jets are suddenly no soft touch either...gonna require a FULL 60 me thinks vs Winterpeg
- philco28

The Jets have been impressive since Maurice took over. This isn't a game the boys should take lightly, even considering the Jets are playing tonight. I like that Trouba kid on Winnipeg's blue line, that kid has a bright future.

Seems a bit scary over there - a terrorism hotbed is a great place for the Olympics. Makes Vancouver look safe, ffs. Things are looking up for the Wild, eh?
- mohel

Sochi seems quite nice actually but yeah...surrounded by a poopstorm of hate and violence. From all accounts, there will be so much security and military presence that the town will resemble a concentration camp for a couple weeks. Horrible idea
A hot young goalie is keeping us in it, but this team is going nowhere until it can score some goals.

Sochi seems quite nice actually but yeah...surrounded by a poopstorm of hate and violence. From all accounts, there will be so much security and military presence that the town will resemble a concentration camp for a couple weeks. Horrible idea
A hot young goalie is keeping us in it, but this team is going nowhere until it can score some goals.
- SotaPopinski

Ohh my

Ohh my
- Rally_Shots

He's dreamy....so what?

I doubt Eller is available at all, unless you are parting with another solid roster player.

The quick answer is finding some AHL help for a game here and there. There is no competition for ice time and dressing right now.
- TrueGrit

If the Hawks are re-tooling for a run next Year or the year after I agree 100%.

If the Hawks want to repeat this year, I disagree 100%.

Basically to repeat the Hawks have to be as good as or better then they were last season, meaning they need three players who were equal to or better than Bolland, Frolik and Stallberg, not only in tangible talent but also in what they brought to the team. Then the depth is needed to replace Zus (who, you, more than anyone rail against) and to compensate for the slide Bickell is having.

TG, not even you can spin a yarn that tells us that Rockford can supply 3 to 5 players who can replace the aforementioned players .... or can you?

The Jets have been impressive since Maurice took over. This isn't a game the boys should take lightly, even considering the Jets are playing tonight. I like that Trouba kid on Winnipeg's blue line, that kid has a bright future.
- DarthKane

Winnipeg's run is pure adrenaline and has very little to do with a decent but not great coach. The pin to pr!ck the balloon inflated with equal parts adrenaline and momentum is just around the corner as it is when all teams get ona roll with a new coach. Hopefully the Jets lose tonight to kill the momentum and so they play the same as they did before Maurice arrived.

He's dreamy....so what?
- SotaPopinski

Winnipeg's run is pure adrenaline and has very little to do with a decent but not great coach. The pin to pr!ck the balloon inflated with equal parts adrenaline and momentum is just around the corner as it is when all teams get ona roll with a new coach. Hopefully the Jets lose tonight to kill the momentum and so they play the same as they did before Maurice arrived.
- paulr

I wouldn't call Maurice a great coach either but he really never has had great teams to coach either. The Jets played well below their capabilities under Noel - a minor league coach at best; Maurice at least has them playing with a chance to win some games and is utilizing his players in proper roles.

I think it was mentioned last year theat the Hawks were interested in Eller....no clue if he is available or what it would take to get him but he could be a 2C that could settle that line???
- dpard

Thoughts on Konopka? Cheap ($925k and soon to be UFA) and stout at the dot.

When has fatigue NOT been a factor? Everyone knew with the short off season that the Hawks were going to hit some kind of wall. It's actually surprising it's happening this late.

Part of the reason I wish Q would have worked a couple more of the rookie forwards into the lineup. But Q is point chasing, which is his right and what he does, so he plays his 9 forwards while shortening his third line, even though the third line has been dominating in puck possession while it's been on the ice. ( 29-26-23 has been the leading Corsi CF 5-0n-5 the past two weeks.....I know, I know, Corsi is a relative stat blah blah....)

Hopefully the three weeks is exactly what Bicks needs to mend his knee.

If the Hawks are re-tooling for a run next Year or the year after I agree 100%.

If the Hawks want to repeat this year, I disagree 100%.

Basically to repeat the Hawks have to be as good as or better then they were last season, meaning they need three players who were equal to or better than Bolland, Frolik and Stallberg, not only in tangible talent but also in what they brought to the team. Then the depth is needed to replace Zus (who, you, more than anyone rail against) and to compensate for the slide Bickell is having.

TG, not even you can spin a yarn that tells us that Rockford can supply 3 to 5 players who can replace the aforementioned players .... or can you?
- paulr

Um, not really. Kane is much improved. Even Hossa and Sharp are better than they were last year. Part of the loss has been taken up by Smith. I'll also take Versteeg over StAHLberg any day of the week.

Realistically, they need one player to staple Handzus to the bench, playoff Bickell to be the one from past springs, and to play focused D. When they have done that this year, they have rolled through the league. Pirri finally got back on the ice last night. Is a recall in the offing?

So, of the players you say they need, Smith replaces Frolik at a slight loss, Versteeg replaces StAHLberg at a gain. Shaw moves to the Bolland role at a slight loss, IMO, but that is countered by the improvement from Kane and others.

They need 3 things, as I see it:
1) Bickell to regain his form for the playoffs.
2) Someone to force Handzus off the ice.
3) A better focus on defense.

Say what you want about the players' ability to "flip the switch" but I think last weekend showed that they can beat anybody when they're fully engaged.

The Jets have been impressive since Maurice took over. This isn't a game the boys should take lightly, even considering the Jets are playing tonight. I like that Trouba kid on Winnipeg's blue line, that kid has a bright future.
- DarthKane

Meh. Post coaching change surge is to be expected. They'll cool off again, soon hopefully.

If the Hawks are re-tooling for a run next Year or the year after I agree 100%.

If the Hawks want to repeat this year, I disagree 100%.

Basically to repeat the Hawks have to be as good as or better then they were last season, meaning they need three players who were equal to or better than Bolland, Frolik and Stallberg, not only in tangible talent but also in what they brought to the team. Then the depth is needed to replace Zus (who, you, more than anyone rail against) and to compensate for the slide Bickell is having.

TG, not even you can spin a yarn that tells us that Rockford can supply 3 to 5 players who can replace the aforementioned players .... or can you?
- paulr

Perhaps my math is wrong, but I do not see the issue as you have described.

1. Versteeg replaces Stalberg = Advantage Versteeg
2. Smith replaces Frolik = push
3. Bollig has replaced Bollands roster spot (not saying they are similar players) Factoring in injuries and actual on ice time....push to advantage Bolland

As for Bickell and Handzuis, you just need to have a few of your AHL guys (not unlike every other team) come and go, here and there, to spot guys time. Bickell will come around or it is next man up. If the team and organization can not handle that, then that is how it goes.

And if Handzuis is part of the win now strategy, count me out as a believer. No need to debate it, just my position, will be happy to be proven wrong in May.