John Jaeckel: No captain, no problem?

First! Happy Hump Day everyone!

I didn't stay up to listen to any of the post game chatter. Were there any details on the Anisimov injury?

I didn't stay up to listen to any of the post game chatter. Were there any details on the Anisimov injury?
- biskit67

Got a look at it in the room. Will know more today. Typical Q, but didn't sound serious.

John Jaeckel: No captain, no problem?
- John Jaeckel

Wow JJ. A 2-1 game in a shootout loss against your Hawks and your take is the Panthers aren't a very good team? How many Panthers games have/do you watch?

Wow JJ. A 2-1 game in a shootout loss against your Hawks and your take is the Panthers aren't a very good team? How many Panthers games have/do you watch?
- BravePackCats27

I think they have a very good nucleus, would love to have a couple of those bigger guys that can skate like the wind! Our GM has A height requirement, if you are over 5"9, don't apply?No doubt Dale had something to do with those picks. Terrible what they or better yet how theydid Gerard Gallant, lot of negative response from commentators league wide ,Troy Murray was all over it last night . Hell get another job real fast. Back to Dale,what is his status and hope this coaching move bites Frick Stick Rowe right in the Ass!

Wow JJ. A 2-1 game in a shootout loss against your Hawks and your take is the Panthers aren't a very good team? How many Panthers games have/do you watch?
- BravePackCats27

Let me rephrase, I don't think they're terrible.

Just in their current state, without Huberdeau, some of their depth, not a top tier team. Sorry, I reserve "very good" for say top 8 in the league teams and I don't think they're there.

I didn't stay up to listen to any of the post game chatter. Were there any details on the Anisimov injury?
- biskit67

Yeah that was exactly why I came here this morn.

I guess will will know when we know.

It probably is a bit of a secret b/c of Toews being out, they don't want to alert teams that AA has a BAD injury, if he does, they will try and downplay it...

Wow JJ. A 2-1 game in a shootout loss against your Hawks and your take is the Panthers aren't a very good team? How many Panthers games have/do you watch?
- BravePackCats27

Barkov sweet mves, but simply playing weak n the puck...I thought Sasha could hold the puck and use his body to make space...new linemates he needs.

Wiz, what do you really think is wrong with Toews right now? Back giving problem or concussion syndrome or other issues.

Wiz, what do you really think is wrong with Toews right now? Back giving problem or concussion syndrome or other issues.
- spanky

Chris Kuc quoted a source (assuming from within the team or Toews himself) that it is a back injury. "Not serious."

Its quite impressive how well Corey Crawford has played. The Hawks didn't keep Florida to half the ice and boy did Corey stop some great chances. Last night there were some serious holes in our defense. It's also becoming evident to me when on the road there is glare or some kind of issues the home teams know about and takes advantage of. Several times Corey on the road and tough angles was a split second slower reacting to the shots on net or heard several times Foley say I don't think Corey ever saw that shot. At times Corey is screened but quite a few times he has an open look and still reacted late.

Wiz, what do you really think is wrong with Toews right now? Back giving problem or concussion syndrome or other issues.
- spanky

I fear its more mental - i.e. his personal health guru. Has anyone else noticed the abrupt change in his persona during interviews - still the gung-ho Blackhawk to the end, however a bit more snarkyness has entered the picture since he has found Nirvana. My wife is forced to watch Hockey when its on and made a comment last week wondering if Toews has joined Scientology or something. I believe it is the "or something". He would not be the first elite athlete ruined by an advisor.

Its quite impressive how well Corey Crawford has played. The Hawks didn't keep Florida to half the ice and boy did Corey stop some great chances. Last night there were some serious holes in our defense. It's also becoming evident to me when on the road there is glare or some kind of issues the home teams know about and takes advantage of. Several times Corey on the road and tough angles was a split second slower reacting to the shots on net or heard several times Foley say I don't think Corey ever saw that shot. At times Corey is screened but quite a few times he has an open look and still reacted late.
- BetweenTheDots

Some tin foil hat stuff right here

I fear its more mental - i.e. his personal health guru. Has anyone else noticed the abrupt change in his persona during interviews - still the gung-ho Blackhawk to the end, however a bit more snarkyness has entered the picture since he has found Nirvana. My wife is forced to watch Hockey when its on and made a comment last week wondering if Toews has joined Scientology or something. I believe it is the "or something". He would not be the first elite athlete ruined by an advisor.
- riozzo

Or his back really has been hurting for awhile. And as far as interviews, who the poop cares if he is snarky to reporters?

Lets see how he is after some rest and recovery time. If he performs on ice, I sincerely doubt anyone will give even half a crap about his snarky-ness

I'm beginning to also see the value of Toews, 3 out of 4 games the Hawks only score 1 goal.

Another concern is heavy defenseman equals no traffic in front of the net, this is actually my biggest concern, it sure seems if we don't get a breakaway, 2 on 1, or transition goal we can't score, kind explains our PP.

Or his back really has been hurting for awhile. And as far as interviews, who the poop cares if he is snarky to reporters?

Lets see how he is after some rest and recovery time. If he performs on ice, I sincerely doubt anyone will give even half a crap about his snarky-ness
- BlazinMike

That would explain having issues handling the puck a few times a game.

I thought the line of 38 81 48 looked fast all night.

Wow JJ. A 2-1 game in a shootout loss against your Hawks and your take is the Panthers aren't a very good team? How many Panthers games have/do you watch?
- BravePackCats27

The Panthers had the Hawks pinned in their own zone a lot and at times it looked like a fire drill. Crow is the only reason the Hawks got a win.

3rd line has looked great in many of the games unfortunately none of them are from Finland =P

"Does this fuel the argument—an argument that, like internet conspiracy theories, is out there—that the Hawks are fine or even better without Toews?"

- excerpt from the blog



It is not really a case of whether or not they are fine or better without Toews. It is more of a question of, with 10.5 million dollars to work with, would they be better with the players they could get to replace Toews with. I am not suggesting that the Blackhawks should consider this, I am merely stating that Toews on ice production (and the leadership that is understandably considered in the equation) is not currently fair value to the amount of Cap space that he is occupying. That assessment in it of it self can be answered yes without then assuming the team is better off trading him. However, if you take the small sample of games he has missed, add 2 top tier players that cost 5 mil each (or some combination thereof), it becomes more than just a bonehead internet conspiracy theory... it may actually have some merit.

For the record, I love Toews and everything he brings, which in my book the leadership and on ice production are both considered. And also understand that the contract he is currently under is a reward for past performance and accolades, both individual and team related. That does not change the fact that when analyzing how this current year's team could be better, it must do so knowing that his contract in particular is hindering the ability to make improvements that are - agreed upon by most - needed to really contend for a Cup.

When you have 2 guys on your roster taking up approximately 29% of a hard salary cap, it leaves very little margin for error in regards to filling roster spots with guys who can make up for a lack of statistical production by either of the 2 big guns. I know a lot of fans don't want to equate dollars to point production, but in a league that restricts compensation of the total roster, contract value cannot be ignored. This isn't baseball, where a team can afford to give its right fielder a 8 year / 184 million dollar contract and win a championship despite his horrendous offensive output.

Once again, I love Tazer. Love him for what he has meant to us in the past; love him now; love him for what he can still accomplish in the future; would love to see him retire in the Indian head sweater and enter the HOF as a career Chicago Blackhawk. Not suggesting the team should trade him, just saying that some of the "internet theories" out there may not be that far off base when considering all options with and without any player.

Thank you for your time. I will not be back to read the mass criticism that is sure to follow this post, as I have learned just how snotty and clicky this group can be when an "outsider" expresses his/her thoughts. Enjoy cutting this post up.

Go Hawks!

I fear its more mental - i.e. his personal health guru. Has anyone else noticed the abrupt change in his persona during interviews - still the gung-ho Blackhawk to the end, however a bit more snarkyness has entered the picture since he has found Nirvana. My wife is forced to watch Hockey when its on and made a comment last week wondering if Toews has joined Scientology or something. I believe it is the "or something". He would not be the first elite athlete ruined by an advisor.
- riozzo

My gang that watches many of the games together, one of whom is a massive Toews fan, has seen and remarked on both a difference in his interactions with the local media and increased aggression on the ice. Whether because he is/was just burnt out or another influence, who knows. If it were the guru connection, I'd say we could look for the same changes in Keith, but he has always had a hate-hate relationship with the media.

The way the team is playing/constructed, Crawford will have to stand on his head in the playoffs for us to win any series, for now

"Does this fuel the argument—an argument that, like internet conspiracy theories, is out there—that the Hawks are fine or even better without Toews?"

- excerpt from the blog



It is not really a case of whether or not they are fine or better without Toews. It is more of a question of, with 10.5 million dollars to work with, would they be better with the players they could get to replace Toews with. I am not suggesting that the Blackhawks should consider this, I am merely stating that Toews on ice production (and the leadership that is understandably considered in the equation) is not currently fair value to the amount of Cap space that he is occupying. That assessment in it of it self can be answered yes without then assuming the team is better off trading him. However, if you take the small sample of games he has missed, add 2 top tier players that cost 5 mil each (or some combination thereof), it becomes more than just a bonehead internet conspiracy theory... it may actually have some merit.

For the record, I love Toews and everything he brings, which in my book the leadership and on ice production are both considered. And also understand that the contract he is currently under is a reward for past performance and accolades, both individual and team related. That does not change the fact that when analyzing how this current year's team could be better, it must do so knowing that his contract in particular is hindering the ability to make improvements that are - agreed upon by most - needed to really contend for a Cup.

When you have 2 guys on your roster taking up approximately 29% of a hard salary cap, it leaves very little margin for error in regards to filling roster spots with guys who can make up for a lack of statistical production by either of the 2 big guns. I know a lot of fans don't want to equate dollars to point production, but in a league that restricts compensation of the total roster, contract value cannot be ignored. This isn't baseball, where a team can afford to give its right fielder a 8 year / 184 million dollar contract and win a championship despite his horrendous offensive output.

Once again, I love Tazer. Love him for what he has meant to us in the past; love him now; love him for what he can still accomplish in the future; would love to see him retire in the Indian head sweater and enter the HOF as a career Chicago Blackhawk. Not suggesting the team should trade him, just saying that some of the "internet theories" out there may not be that far off base when considering all options with and without any player.

Thank you for your time. I will not be back to read the mass criticism that is sure to follow this post, as I have learned just how snotty and clicky this group can be when an "outsider" expresses his/her thoughts. Enjoy cutting this post up.

Go Hawks!
- Katana777

I'm with ya! Cap space, glorious cap space. Get 're done Stan!

I fear its more mental
- riozzo

yeah, he was secretly diagnosed as bi-polar and he is currently in an asylum for treatment...much like all who post here.

(Q: anybody here suddenly get a girlfriend after not having one for a long time (or ever) and suddenly have a cheerier way about them?