Didn't mean to be harsh below...

Yes - but - that's what separates us fanatics from casual fans - we see (and have at least informed opinions on, right or wrong) the contrarian position - not as good as the record shows, still need to fix this, let's make it better - the Tom Thibodeau approach.
- StLBravesFan

Fair enough, I like the Pat Riley approach, focus on what we need to do to win, how we want to play, and we will be more successful night in and night out. The obsession with reacting to matchups etc..is reacting. If you were Nashville or someone with lesser talent, may be smart, but when everyone is chasing us talent wise, to not showcase the talent and set the tone plays into the opponents hands.

Winning has allowed the hawks to be more patient then probably otherwise. The condensed schedule also has minimized practice time. No doubt they will be doing as you say system and accountability wise, but throwing 3 guys under the bus each game is nuts.

The idea you are not as good as record etc...is a fools game. It is weak. You are what you are right now. Do you think the other coaches prepare for Hawks saying, hey look they are dynamic and dangerous and can blow us out of the rink on a given night, but they are not as good as their record.

To think that SB, Q and others are not constantly evaluating guys and considering options is really naive. You can't be a boss/business owner and be heard talking about replacing guys etc every day and have a good work force. It is a given. But what also is a given is getting behind your people to get the most out of them, until you actually have to deal them. Because you may be stuck with them and need them.

Ouch

seems like an over the top reaction, but hey
he pointed out truths - lack of center depth, lack of physical play, easy to shut down with tight checking -same as it ever was
hey! the hawks are 7-0-2!!! it's all lollipos, rainbows, and unicorns
except neither unicorns nor the hawks chances of winning the cup with this lineup exist
- dpard

Dear Lollipops & Roses,
(No disrepect, but only have a second and don't wat to back pedal to get the correct apst post and quote it...)

As someone who has seen so so many games, seasons, teams, and starts...

It troubles me that someone would post abstract opinion after this many games, and a positive start.

Anyone saying the Blackhawks are not winning a Cup or ARE winning a Cup clearly doesn't understand the sport the history of the game, or when to say what.

But I am sure the year the Dirk Graham captained Hawks steamrolled their way through the standings, there was someone saying they definately were gonna win it all...then Minnesota came along in the first round.

Or the huge point totals by Vancouver over the last couple...there were probably people saying, It's all lollipops & roses for the Canucks, but when the playoffs come...

The truth of the matter is

a) There are a LOT of good teams.

b) Many MANY things must come together to win Lord Stanley's Cup...just a look back to LAST season where the final seed came together to make it so.

c) No one can, by judging the Hawks the competition, and the past weeks and determine who will win the crown...history has proven this countless times from the early days, through the 1960's when I started watching.

To starting making pooh-poohing statements just paints you as a naysayer...

It usually has me by-pass the post and moev on because there is no talking with that banter...the opinion is cast by you in stone. This

This is what many fail to recognize. This team is embracing its own identity. Starting with Q on down. He has let lines be stable, playing solid rotation. REALIZING THAT 9 OUT OF 10 NIGHTS IF NOT EVERY NIGHT, WE HAVE MORE TALENT AND HORSES THAN ANYONE WE PLAY AGAINST. So while it would be nice to have a full roster of all stars, that is not realistic. While you might like a little more of this or a little more of that, it does not change the bold print above. And so far sticking to our guns is winning games.

This team has matured in many ways and is playing poised from net on out, no matter the situation. So yes, beat the drum on 2C, Power forward..and on and on... Then you will miss out on enjoying one of the best teams in the league. It is assonine to think that some magic formula will guarantee a cup. So far Rangers have all that stuff you ask for, and where are they? We also beat them twice last year.

The obsession with comparing this team to the 27 Yankees, or the 2010 Hawks is PLLAAAYYYED OUT!

By the way, the demands for the 2C and power forward are only on the top priority lists of 28 other teams in the league. So add some perspective and stop the whining about Stan blowing off trades that don't exist.
- TrueGrit

+1

I think center depth in general is something every team covets and few have.

What's the stat? No team has repeated since the Wings team of the late nineties so the days of dynasties (Oilers, Islanders) are pretty much over.

I like some of the things I'm seeing like guys growing into their roles (Leddy, Krueger, Shaw) and Q actually learning new tricks like giving the 3rd pair D significant minutes and rolling four lines most nights.

I will be on XM in about 15 mins....12:45 CST.

This is what many fail to recognize. This team is embracing its own identity. Starting with Q on down. He has let lines be stable, playing solid rotation. REALIZING THAT 9 OUT OF 10 NIGHTS IF NOT EVERY NIGHT, WE HAVE MORE TALENT AND HORSES THAN ANYONE WE PLAY AGAINST. So while it would be nice to have a full roster of all stars, that is not realistic. While you might like a little more of this or a little more of that, it does not change the bold print above. And so far sticking to our guns is winning games.

This team has matured in many ways and is playing poised from net on out, no matter the situation. So yes, beat the drum on 2C, Power forward..and on and on... Then you will miss out on enjoying one of the best teams in the league. It is assonine to think that some magic formula will guarantee a cup. So far Rangers have all that stuff you ask for, and where are they? We also beat them twice last year.

The obsession with comparing this team to the 27 Yankees, or the 2010 Hawks is PLLAAAYYYED OUT!

By the way, the demands for the 2C and power forward are only on the top priority lists of 28 other teams in the league. So add some perspective and stop the whining about Stan blowing off trades that don't exist.
- TrueGrit

Best post I have ever read

Nothing more to say
Well done you speak the truth

Dear Lollipops & Roses,
(No disrepect, but only have a second and don't wat to back pedal to get the correct apst post and quote it...)

As someone who has seen so so many games, seasons, teams, and starts...

It troubles me that someone would post abstract opinion after this many games, and a positive start.

Anyone saying the Blackhawks are not winning a Cup or ARE winning a Cup clearly doesn't understand the sport the history of the game, or when to say what.

But I am sure the year the Dirk Graham captained Hawks steamrolled their way through the standings, there was someone saying they definately were gonna win it all...then Minnesota came along in the first round.

Or the huge point totals by Vancouver over the last couple...there were probably people saying, It's all lollipops & roses for the Canucks, but when the playoffs come...

The truth of the matter is

a) There are a LOT of good teams.

b) Many MANY things must come together to win Lord Stanley's Cup...just a look back to LAST season where the final seed came together to make it so.

c) No one can, by judging the Hawks the competition, and the past weeks and determine who will win the crown...history has proven this countless times from the early days, through the 1960's when I started watching.

To starting making pooh-poohing statements just paints you as a naysayer...

It usually has me by-pass the post and moev on because there is no talking with that banter...the opinion is cast by you in stone. This
- wiz1901

Wiz always good to see your level headed thinking, which only a hand full of posters on this site do.
And I don't think there are to many casual fans posting on a hockey blog site. I just laugh at the post of people pulling out their hair and getting all crazy and were only 9 games in without a regulation loss.....lol

John,
Great title...I didn't think Emery had it in him.

Here is the last line from article...
I would like to think nothing can surprise me when it comes to the Blackhawks but Emery's performance was hard to believe

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

JJ/ Al great stuff...

unreal performance by Razor last night...count me among those who's been concerned about the goaltending, but for now it seems to be solid. What a sloppy game that was. What was with the ice last night? That puck was bouncing like a superball or was it just for the Hawks?

Al we've chatted about how many #5 dmen the Hawks had going into this season, pleasantly surprised Odyua seems to be hanging in quite well. However 2 & 7s minutes are up in the last couple of games.

Meanwhile the same problems are still there...the fading PP- no power forward/no bona fide #2 center and the lack of physicality...

Meanwhile why not give Pirri a shot?

On a non-Blackhawks note, the Caps are garbage. It's been quite the decline there. Just a few years ago you could pencil those guys in for 115 pts minimum. Crap now.

JJ/ Al great stuff...

unreal performance by Razor last night...count me among those who's been concerned about the goaltending, but for now it seems to be solid. What a sloppy game that was. What was with the ice last night? That puck was bouncing like a superball or was it just for the Hawks?

Al we've chatted about how many #5 dmen the Hawks had going into this season, pleasantly surprised Odyua seems to be hanging in quite well. However 2 & 7s minutes are up in the last couple of games.

Meanwhile the same problems are still there...the fading PP- no power forward/no bona fide #2 center and the lack of physicality...

Meanwhile why not give Pirri a shot?
- DK002

I just got done speaking on XM how Q. is reverting back to his old ways in close games..

As far as Pirri, wrote about that today..

Last season it was odd he wasn't called up...There were injuries and he was having a fine year.

From what I hear not a Q. favorite but for whatever reason he hasn't been able to get an audition in Chgo.

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Wiz always good to see your level headed thinking, which only a hand full of posters on this site do.
And I don't think there are to many casual fans posting on a hockey blog site. I just laugh at the post of people pulling out their hair and getting all crazy and were only 9 games in without a regulation loss.....lol
- moots

Someone asked that on an earlier blog. What would this board look like if we had actually lost a few games or say we had the Wings record? I can only imagine. Crazy huh?

It's great people are so passionate but I still think there is way more to like than dislike about this team.

From some of the posts if I didn't know better I'd think I'd have stepped in the Way Back Machine and stepped off in the era when the ABC line (Arnason, Bell, Calder) was our top line; which sadly wasn't all that Way Back.

On a non-Blackhawks note, the Caps are garbage. It's been quite the decline there. Just a few years ago you could pencil those guys in for 115 pts minimum. Crap now.
- dan9189

Caps are an example of a team searching for an identity and consitent style of play...

This isn't the NBA where one or two players can almost always control a game.

Someone asked that on an earlier blog. What would this board look like if we had actually lost a few games or say we had the Wings record? I can only imagine. Crazy huh?

It's great people are so passionate but I still think there is way more to like than dislike about this team.

From some of the posts if I didn't know better I'd think I'd have stepped in the Way Back Machine and stepped off in the era when the ABC line (Arnason, Bell, Calder) was our top line; which sadly wasn't all that Way Back.
- HawkintheD

If it makes you feel any better I was just asked about the Hawks chances to win the Cup..

I said as long as no bad injuries and the goal tending stays decent they have as good a chance as anyone in the West but....

I would still like to a screen setter for the power play and for Q. to ration the ice time more consisitently.

I just got done speaking on XM how Q. is reverting back to his old ways in close games..

As far as Pirri, wrote about that today..

Last season it was odd he wasn't called up...There were injuries and he was having a fine year.

From what I hear not a Q. favorite but for whatever reason he hasn't been able to get an audition in Chgo.

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Al,

Do you think even though it is a short season that Q is on the hot seat and maybe even gone if this team has a quick playoff exit? I'm not sure if there is still friction between Q and the front office but there is that history and also in one of the other blogs, there was a story that at some of the Hawks exit interviews last year that a good amount of them wanted Kitchen gone. That message was relayed to Q and instead of doing that, he through it back in their faces and launched Havy. So there also might be friction between Q's staff and the players.

Personally I think this year is huge for Q. He never has been Bowman's guy from the start and the team should've went farther the last two years then they did. Furthermore when you see the same issues popping up this year as the past two years I have wonder how the coaching staff isn't responsible for some of this by not correcting this. Just look at the Blues, they were a bunch of undisciplined hacks with Payne as their coach. Hitch comes in and they're Cup contenders.

Not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but your TOI leaders last night:


Oduya and Hammer

Caps are an example of a team searching for an identity and consitent style of play...

This isn't the NBA where one or two players can almost always control a game.
- Al

It is interesting to watch Ovechkin play now when many a defenceman knows his moves. He's got 3 points so far this year, 2 of them goals from the same spot on the pp.

A few seasons ago the guy would knife bowl through 5 players like a bull in a china shop and turn then turn a goalie inside out on a regular basis, but I just don't see the same snarl anymore. Seemed relatively disinterested last year and looks the same this year. Certainly doesn't deserve the C either.

Caps are an example of a team searching for an identity and consitent style of play...

This isn't the NBA where one or two players can almost always control a game.
- Al

Eklund even posted a story on the main page about Ovechkin possibly being available. No way the Hawks are able to get him, but would love to see him in Chicago. Sharp and Hjalmarrson/Leddy would have to be the beginning pieces going back IMO. I follow that by saying the cap hit, and unwillingness for Stan to do blockbuster trades makes it a 0.01% chance the Hawks would try to get Ovie in Chicago

If it makes you feel any better I was just asked about the Hawks chances to win the Cup..

I said as long as no bad injuries and the goal tending stays decent they have as good a chance as anyone in the West but....

I would still like to a screen setter for the power play and for Q. to ration the ice time more consisitently.
- Al

Thanks Al!

Enjoyed your column today; great read!

Toward the end of the game I was having a hard time watching as CGY just kept pouring it on as I waited for impending doom.

Emery was amazing! I thought he might lose it in the shootout as he wasn't very good in those last year but he stopped all 3.

Agree on your last comment about Q rationing ice time. There are no Pisani's, Brunette's, Morrison's, Scott's on the team this year really so there is no reason he shouldn't keep rationing ice time.

I do see our guys in front of the net more consistently than the past few years so maybe a big body on the current team develops into one. Would be nice. It wasn't necessarily a screen but Shaw was standing in front disrupting on Kane's goal; I think he is showing last year was no fluke and he belongs here.

I just got done speaking on XM how Q. is reverting back to his old ways in close games..

As far as Pirri, wrote about that today..

Last season it was odd he wasn't called up...There were injuries and he was having a fine year.

From what I hear not a Q. favorite but for whatever reason he hasn't been able to get an audition in Chgo.

Emery couldn't play better, carries Blackhawks to 3-2 SO victory - FOX 32 News http://bit.ly/11i64r2

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Thought the same, Al. For a tired team, as I suspect was the case for last night's brutal display, getting the bottom 6 on the ice a little more may have helped...particularly if fatigue was the biggest problem. Can't say it enough, rolling 4 lines with this schedule is a requirement for success, and perhaps the formula for keeping the roster healthier at the end.

Eklund even posted a story on the main page about Ovechkin possibly being available. No way the Hawks are able to get him, but would love to see him in Chicago. Sharp and Hjalmarrson/Leddy would have to be the beginning pieces going back IMO. I follow that by saying the cap hit, and unwillingness for Stan to do blockbuster trades makes it a 0.01% chance the Hawks would try to get Ovie in Chicago
- ikeane

I'll pass on Ovechkin, he's not what the team needs, not to mention his contract would be a killer.

Washington needs help that's for sure, that's why I think they'll be the prime suitor for one of Vancouver's goalies.

This is what many fail to recognize. This team is embracing its own identity. Starting with Q on down. He has let lines be stable, playing solid rotation. REALIZING THAT 9 OUT OF 10 NIGHTS IF NOT EVERY NIGHT, WE HAVE MORE TALENT AND HORSES THAN ANYONE WE PLAY AGAINST. So while it would be nice to have a full roster of all stars, that is not realistic. While you might like a little more of this or a little more of that, it does not change the bold print above. And so far sticking to our guns is winning games.

This team has matured in many ways and is playing poised from net on out, no matter the situation. So yes, beat the drum on 2C, Power forward..and on and on... Then you will miss out on enjoying one of the best teams in the league. It is assonine to think that some magic formula will guarantee a cup. So far Rangers have all that stuff you ask for, and where are they? We also beat them twice last year.

The obsession with comparing this team to the 27 Yankees, or the 2010 Hawks is PLLAAAYYYED OUT!

By the way, the demands for the 2C and power forward are only on the top priority lists of 28 other teams in the league. So add some perspective and stop the whining about Stan blowing off trades that don't exist.
- TrueGrit

true grit
Hows this i enjoy watching the hawks are want to see them win the cup
That said i think the lines would be better balanced with a more skilled version of carcillo
I think this is something that can be accomplished by stan and not cost alot

It is interesting to watch Ovechkin play now when many a defenceman knows his moves. He's got 3 points so far this year, 2 of them goals from the same spot on the pp.

A few seasons ago the guy would knife bowl through 5 players like a bull in a china shop and turn then turn a goalie inside out on a regular basis, but I just don't see the same snarl anymore. Seemed relatively disinterested last year and looks the same this year. Certainly doesn't deserve the C either.
- prd797

Ovi is WASHED UP! Finished as the 1-2 superstar in the NHL. An overpaid salary cap anchor with a thousand years left on his contract.

The beginning of the end for the Great 8 was when Jacques Martin stifled the Caps with that collapse to the net crap and Halak played out of his mind in goal.

Somebody told Ovi he deserved a Stanley Cup and would win one. They forgot to tell him that he would have to work his ass off and earn it as a team player. Instead, unfortunately now he's more focused on how much his escrow payments are.

I'll pass on Ovechkin, he's not what the team needs, not to mention his contract would be a killer.

Washington needs help that's for sure, that's why I think they'll be the prime suitor for one of Vancouver's goalies.
- DarthKane

He's interesting. When I watch the caps its not like he has lost the desire to play/compete, or even lost a step.... Yet somehow his #s are in steady decline. I can't figure it out. Maybe a change of scenery is indeed needed for ovi.

Ovi is WASHED UP! Finished as the 1-2 superstar in the NHL. An overpaid salary cap anchor with a thousand years left on his contract.

The beginning of the end for the Great 8 was when Jacques Martin stifled the Caps with that collapse to the net crap and Halak played out of his mind in goal.

Somebody told Ovi he deserved a Stanley Cup and would win one. They forgot to tell him that he would have to work his ass off and earn it as a team player. Instead, unfortunately now he's more focused on how much his escrow payments are.
- RickJ

I'd take Ovi if Washington was willing to pay for a majority of his contract
(not gonna happen)