per the Score, Emery to start tomorrow night vs the Sharks and Q says Hossa will be one of the shooters in the next shootout..

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN
Good news, boys and girls: next shootout, Marian Hossa will be one of the contestants on the Shot is Right. #Blackhawks

Hope he proves me wrong...but Hoss is a mail in specialist in the shootout...it looked like a chore to him. Hope he proves me wrong.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc
Ray Emery will start in goal for #Blackhawks tomorrow vs. Sharks.
- philco28

I'm ok with that (not that it matters what I think), Emery deserves a start and the Sharks are struggling. While Razor is playing well Q might as well take advantage of that and let Crawford get some rest.

I really wanted to insert some quotes from this scene, but i risked being edited, told i was not politically correct and likely banned.
- eburgio

HA!

I did type it, and then remembered the mods are always lurking.....

If you look at their overall game I'd rather have Bolland over O'Reilly, for me there's no question about it. Bolland brings experience and results, O'Reilly is good but at this point he's all potential. Danault could easily develop into what O'Reilly is (or more) so I'd rather give him a chance next season. I like O'Reilly, I was really hoping the Hawks drafted him in 2009, he would have been a better choice than Olsen. But he's not the type of player you break the bank for.
- DarthKane

The problem with Bolland is that atm he’s not being good enough for the 2nd line roll and he’s probably expensive for a team like Chicago to have as a 3C. O’Reilly on the other hand is a young, strong, tough and hardworking C that can win draws and plays the PK and the PP.
I see Kruger as this team’s 3rd line center in the near future with Shaw going back to a wing.
So I say again that if trading Bolland to clear space and money would get O’Reilly it would be an easy decision to make.

In my opinion Bolland’s days as a Blackhawk will never go further than his actual contract… and this comes from a hockey fan that really likes “The Rat’s” game.

Would you put your money on Kruger to check Thornton, Getzlaf, or Sedin for seven games? IDK if I would, JUST YET. Possibly in a couple years.
- nickmo2699

Q stopped matching up our 3rd line to other teams' first lines, so your point is completely moot.

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN
Good news, boys and girls: next shootout, Marian Hossa will be one of the contestants on the Shot is Right. #Blackhawks

Hope he proves me wrong...but Hoss is a mail in specialist in the shootout...it looked like a chore to him. Hope he proves me wrong.
- philco28

He has that extremely quick release and that is a serious weapon. He has the skill to fake shot and go backhand.

The Blues have hit on many Euros in the last few drafts, I doubt Kekalainen will preferentially lean that way because of his own nationality, but I also doubt he will hesitate to grab a top Euro (or more) based on any ingrained North American biases or fears
- John Jaeckel

My point is more he is going to get THREE top picks in the draft in a year when all three can turn out to be really REALLY excellent players, and not just possibly be NHLers...that he can take Barkov with the first pick, no matter who else is there, because by the time the 'jackets have to step to the podium to make the second first round pick, there will still be plenty of excellent choices....and the same with that third number one they have. Kekalainen will be under NO pressure to be forced into any organization leanings away from Barkov.
You all have heard about the rest of the early possibles, Barkov looks and plays like the real deal too.

From some of the stuff I've read O'Reilly wants move than that ($5.5).
- DarthKane

Its called a negotiation. Theres a delta between what hes asking for in the media and what he'll sign on the dotted line for. Additionally, he would have extra incentive to play between two of the better players in the league on the Hawks and put up nice numbers prior to going UFA as opposed to playing for the sputtering Avs.

I know I am going to get burned, but if Stan is talking to colorado, he should offer Keith and Bolland for Statsney and Downie.

Yes, I know Keith has a NMC.

Hawks offersheet O'Reilly for 4.6-5 million per year give up picks 1, 2, 3. Have two fully functional face off winning top lines. A reliable hard hitting veteran presence and become very very difficult to play against.

Not difficult.
- fattybeef

Winnipeg has our 2nd and 3rd picks in the 2013 draft.
- DarthKane

...and the RFA signing rules state you can only trade your teams 1st, 2nd, 3rd round picks, etc. NOT go out and get some new ones.

This was why Burke came to Bowman to reacquire a Toronto draft pick he needed to sign Kessel (when he thought he was just going to outwardly sign Kessel as opposed to the trade he finally made...

He has that extremely quick release and that is a serious weapon. He has the skill to fake shot and go backhand.
- nickmo2699

Hoss has mad skills...but in tight, if he tries to deke...haven't seen him pull it off. Last few s/o chances i recall him taking...i was pretty sour when i saw him come in with NO SPEED and flip a weak arse shot straight at the goalie.

Would love to see him fly in full speed and wire a well placed shot to one of the four corners or go fin hole.

If regular season success equated to championships, San Jose would be a dynasty. Fact is, regular season is all well and fine for seeding purposes, but the whistles disappear in the spring, the pace picks up, and EVERYONE is throwing bodies around and expending every ounce of energy to win. Guys don't do that on a Tuesday night in February in Minneapolis.

Nothing is 100% certain and we all know that. Fact is, iginla improves those chances to win. He's a power forward. Another weapon to compliment your core. A leader. A guy who has captained a conference championship team, and knows what it takes to win, and plays an all around game. The guy is having a down year...no question. Is it age? Maybe. I also can logically argue with you he has NOTHNG around him and 99% of the "stars" in this league would suffer, regardless of age, with that same supporting cast.

I never said you resign him. That's all dependent upon what he wants, for how long, and how he performs. however, if the price is, and realistically speaking, a Brandon Saad, you make that call and go ALL IN.

There are no certainties that Saad will be any better moving forward. HE may be, but he also could plateau. Nobody knows...He could be the next Bryan Bickell. or Tommo Ruutu. How long did it take Ladd to live up to his draft status? A LONG time. Including 2 changes of scenery.

Your core is becoming more and more expensive to maintain, and getting older. 3 have injury issues in Hossa, Toews, and Bolland. Your supposed top notch D man has declined tremondously since his norris win. Right now, all things are clicking, and you can't bank that will be the case next year, the year after, or the year after that.

Pittsburgh made a move similar in giving up what was considered a ton for Hossa. He got them to the cup finals. Granted he was younger, but he was a rental. Carter was moved and LA paid a steep price and won a cup.

Point is, you can't have enough PROVEN weapons. History shows iginla is a top notch NHL power forward. Saad can only wish he gets to that level somebody, but as of today...he's a flash, an unknown.

The object is to win, and win consistently, and nobody here can say that since the parade in June of 2010 they are happy with the results of this team. Cap Hell in 2011, fine. What was the excuse last year? This team should be hanging a minimum of a banner (division) each year in the UC with the talent they possess, but so far that's only happened...one time.

Inexcusable. This fan base needs to hold this team to the accountability level that this team portrays itself to be at.....championship calliber. 1st round blow outs aren't acceptable, and holding on to a could be/might be and playnig the woulda/shoulda/coulda game....will lead to their continue spiral downwards.

What did Mr. Wolf say in Pulp Fiction? "lets not start sucking...." That's exactly how I feel about a 10-0-3 start.
- SteveRain

I agree pretty much with what you said above. No qualms with it.

My disagreement with your position is your reference to first round blowouts and this idea that there is some quantum leap to get to the cup.

First, there was no first round blow out last year, or the year before. So the idea that they lost because they were cowering children is hyperbole. The fact is they actually showed a lot of heart coming back vs Van in 2011 and forced a game 7. And were a PP goal away from moving on there.

Second, last year, you were 2 or 3 PP goals over a series from winning. Sure it is cool to say that if we were this or that (this tough physical team) that it would all have been different. But there is no promise that 10 hits = 1 goal. Last year you lost Hossa and Shaw was suspended for most of the series.

I do get it, no matter how you skin it losing is losing. And I do not doubt that some moves will be done to help give the team a little more toughness and depth. I prefer to be more measured and less emotional in evaluating the situation. More so than in any other sport, chemistry in hockey trumps talent. That is, the marginal efforts of one guy can be mitigated often by lesser talent. We have more talent then anyone, getting the team to have chemistry is more of a key to success then looking for answers outside the room.

From your lips to John McDonough's (or Scotty Bowman's) ears.

You could move Hossa (or Kane actually) easily to the left side to accommodate Iggy. Price, as you say, would be high.
- John Jaeckel

I question whether Iginla can skate with the Hawks, and I KNOW that Patrick Kane is less effective on the left side, period.

He has that extremely quick release and that is a serious weapon. He has the skill to fake shot and go backhand.
- nickmo2699

Let me know how other guys who are for the most part "shooters" do in the shootout. Stamkos? Sharp? Yea...it isn't pretty.

Hoss has mad skills...but in tight, if he tries to deke...haven't seen him pull it off. Last few s/o chances i recall him taking...i was pretty sour when i saw him come in with NO SPEED and flip a weak arse shot straight at the goalie.

Would love to see him fly in full speed and wire a well placed shot to one of the four corners or go fin hole.
- philco28

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D7rNqbMes8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D7rNqbMes8
- nickmo2699

That would do...notice though how he didn't take a skating start before touching the puck...he's got great speed...he should use it to try to put more pressure on the goalie...

this would do too


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9bsm1M0Y0

And why would someone necessarily be looking to deal that player? Contract? Rebuild? Who is it?

Leddy and Saad, IMO and BTW, would definitely get you Iginla.
- John Jaeckel

In my opinion, I see that as a mistake if that deal was done. I wouldn't be upset if they traded those players for a Bobby Ryan or maybe a Paul Stasney.

If it was Iggy even 2 or three years ago, yes, I could live with that. But Leddy will be an all star in my opinion. Saad, very very high on him, and would hate to see him go. I know its early, but what ive seen of him, which Ive been following for a while, I believe he'll be a star.

That would do...notice though how he didn't take a skating start before touching the puck...he's got great speed...he should use it to try to put more pressure on the goalie...

this would do too


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG9bsm1M0Y0
- philco28

Bombs away!!!!!

Bombs away!!!!!
- nickmo2699

Wished he took more slap shots

I question whether Iginla can skate with the Hawks, and I KNOW that Patrick Kane is less effective on the left side, period.
- wiz1901

Should this scenario present itself, why would Kaner or Hoss have to move? Just because Iginla has more seniority, doesn't ultimately say he would be the one to stay at RW.

EDIT: Before TrueGrit comes after me, I don't think Iginla to Hawks happens.

Even though I really like the kind of player Bolland is… If trading him could get you O’Reilly it would be a no-brainer. People can’t forget there is still McNeill, Danault, Hayes or Nordstrom.
- fathermerrin

No-BRAINER??????

You actually THINK O'Reilly is THAT good a player all around?

Really .... ?

Those 39 goals O'relly has scored in three seasons, and those 18 last year must have sold you. Bolland had 40, and 19 lasy year. Granted the point totals of last year when OReilly played top two line minutes.

And you actually believe O'Reilly is quick enough afoot to do all the things Bolland does ?

I think that if they were on the same club O'Reilly plays behind Bolland, unless you actually DO have pay him 2nd line centre money, because then the team is sorta forced to play him where he is paid.

I just think this is another no-brainer reaction to a possible available player that the home town fans want to make into a better player than he is...it is Evander Kane all over...It is Kyle Burris all over.

If you TRADE for him, you are telling his agent, we are gonna pay him.

Tell you what I love bubblebutt(OReilly) too, but NOT for Bolland, not as Bolland' replacement.

Getting O'reilly is a real long shot especially being in the same Conference, but it would definitely be an upgrade over Bolland offensively. Defensively probably not.
Who would you rather have as your second line center JJ? O'Reilly or Bolland?
- Greek7

O'Reilly

In my opinion, I see that as a mistake if that deal was done. I wouldn't be upset if they traded those players for a Bobby Ryan or maybe a Paul Stasney.

If it was Iggy even 2 or three years ago, yes, I could live with that. But Leddy will be an all star in my opinion. Saad, very very high on him, and would hate to see him go. I know its early, but what ive seen of him, which Ive been following for a while, I believe he'll be a star.
- rwilliams88

You might be right about him being a star. But you also can't assume his being a star will guarantee the Hawks are ever this close again. There are those who want to believe—and have said as much—that the prospects including Saad will automatically replace this core.

IMO, the only guy who has shown that promise is Teravainen. Saad has 2 points in 12 games, playing alongside two likely Hall of Famers. Doesn't mean he's a bad prospect. Lots to like, making some pretty outstanding athletic plays, but there are some gaps in his game (in spite of all the ridiculous hype that's out there—he is not a complete NHL top 6 PF yet by any stretch). I will also tell you that he has had 10, 20, 30 game spurts in his career that blow people's doors off, then suddenly he gets "complacent." How many games, honestly, have you actually seen him play?

Promising young players get dealt for older stars all the time.

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN
Good news, boys and girls: next shootout, Marian Hossa will be one of the contestants on the Shot is Right. #Blackhawks

Hope he proves me wrong...but Hoss is a mail in specialist in the shootout...it looked like a chore to him. Hope he proves me wrong.
- philco28

Well, if there's a guy on the team who could put together a move for the SO, it's him. I'm guessing, since the Hawks practice it at the end of every practice, he has done so. Doubt Q is doing it to disprove the doubters at the cost of a point. Boy, would that be stupid.