Funniest thing ever. Sure, a multi-million dollar, contracted for life NHL defenseman can't play right because the folks at Bauer couldn't make his custom skates. Good lord, I skate with guys who've bought new blades and literally play with them the same night they've had 'em baked -- and play just as, if not more effectively. But your NHL star D man who has skated all his life can't play right because Bauer didn't make his custom skates quick enough. Boo hoo. Yeah, Eddie, f'ing right.


Spot on. Why can't anyone else see this?
- savvyone-1

See Bollus got his ankle tendon cut? Yikes.....

I will also add, that outside of you, not many other people share that view of Keith. I have turned a few people on who I sit by to watch closely of Keith on the PP for missed shots that clear the zone or shots fired directly into the shin pads of the opponent.

The other odd thing is how weak of a shot does Keith have if the entire NHL isn't afraid to charge him at the point and take one off the top of the skate?

Leddy waits too long to make a pass. He always is indecisive with puck. He just skates fast with it. No one can get in position because no one, including himself, knows wtf he is going. I know you love Leddy cause he can skate, but he will never be more than a 5th or 6th D-man. Hjalmarrson creates more opportunities than Leddy does. Oh, and it would be nice if a D-man knew what he was doing in his own zone.
- Elbows15

Leddy isn't the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr, but a 5ht or 6th d man? Come on.....He's far better then that.

All I heard for years is how the Hammer didn't have any offensive game.
Now it's Leddy is a bottom pair NHL d man? Oduya will be moved this summer when cap hell part deux breaks loose, and Leddy will slide into that pairing with Hammer. Leddy's ability to skate and force the play in the offensive zone is similar to Hammer's original partner.....Brian Campbell.

See Bollus got his ankle tendon cut? Yikes.....

I will also add, that outside of you, not many other people share that view of Keith. I have turned a few people on who I sit by to watch closely of Keith on the PP for missed shots that clear the zone or shots fired directly into the shin pads of the opponent.

The other odd thing is how weak of a shot does Keith have if the entire NHL isn't afraid to charge him at the point and take one off the top of the skate?
- SteveRain

I cant stand to see Keith on the PP anymore. Would love to see #4 on that 5-3. With his cannon... look the phuck out!!!

Leddy isn't the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr, but a 5ht or 6th d man? Come on.....He's far better then that.

All I heard for years is how the Hammer didn't have any offensive game.
Now it's Leddy is a bottom pair NHL d man? Oduya will be moved this summer when cap hell part deux breaks loose, and Leddy will slide into that pairing with Hammer. Leddy's ability to skate and force the play in the offensive zone is similar to Hammer's original partner.....Brian Campbell.
- SteveRain

Oduya is a far better D-man than Leddy will ever be. Poor Hammer. He will never see the end of his contract if that happens. If I am wrong I will gladly admit it. FWIW, I was glad to see Campbell gone. Him and Leddy both share the same aimless rush into the O zone with no results. Oh, and funny about both of them, watch them skate back into their own zone for a puck. They don't skate too fast then. Leddy makes the same mistakes over and over again in his own end. Never covers the man in front and often gets caught in no man's land when the puck goes below the goal line on his side.

Leddy isn't the 2nd coming of Bobby Orr, but a 5ht or 6th d man? Come on.....He's far better then that.

All I heard for years is how the Hammer didn't have any offensive game.
Now it's Leddy is a bottom pair NHL d man? Oduya will be moved this summer when cap hell part deux breaks loose, and Leddy will slide into that pairing with Hammer. Leddy's ability to skate and force the play in the offensive zone is similar to Hammer's original partner.....Brian Campbell.
- SteveRain

You may have heard female doging about Hammer from others. I have been a fan of his from day 1. IMO, the best 3rd D in the league.

There is a better chance of True Grit taking down his Victor Stalberg poster, then Eklund breaking a Hawks trade.......
- SteveRain

Does this mean the Hawks aren't signing Ronnie Woo Woo to be the backup goalie?

You may have heard female doging about Hammer from others. I have been a fan of his from day 1. IMO, the best 3rd D in the league.
- Elbows15

Hammer could be a top pairing D man on other teams. I firmly believe that

per Bob Mac...NJ puts Rostislav Olesz on waivers
- Al

Maybe some smirk over that news development. I find that Martin St Pierre recalled by Canadiens more relevant. He is in all likelihood reappearance in NHL only due to injuries. He is the grandson of a former great Canadiens player.....I forget whom that is.

What I like about St Pierre is that if you had him on your farm club, this means he would probably help make one of their lines a productive scoring unit. If you have a top prospect, it is a good thing to develop by way of being on a scoring line.

Actually I see that Orlov is recalled again by Washington and I find seeing a real prospect like Orlov more exciting when he gets an opportunity to show he belongs, that he is ready.

Anyway, hope St Pierre can get in a few games and bring continuation of his blood line story to the annals of NHL history.

As for Olesz....maybe he turns up in Russia KHL again. Maybe he will face off one time against a Beach and or even a Lalonde.

Hammer could be a top pairing D man on other teams. I firmly believe that
- BlazinMike

For sure. At his cap hit? Look what the Habs just signed Emelin at. Pretty much the same. Emelin is a much needed player for them, but Hammer has more time in the league.

Leddy waits too long to make a pass. He always is indecisive with puck. He just skates fast with it. No one can get in position because no one, including himself, knows wtf he is going. I know you love Leddy cause he can skate, but he will never be more than a 5th or 6th D-man. Hjalmarrson creates more opportunities than Leddy does. Oh, and it would be nice if a D-man knew what he was doing in his own zone.
- Elbows15

Good god, man, exactly what are you watching???
I watch all the D very closely to see how quickly they outlet or make the decision to skate the puck out and what they do with it after that decision is made. Given the limited minutes Q has given Leddy until recently, I'd say he's done just fine.

There is no other game breaker we have back there, Keith included. None of those guys have the ability to skate the puck end-to-end other than #8. Does he need work on finishing? Yes. I'd like to see him go to the net Bobby Orr style because I think he does have some of that ability. Whether he ever will remains to be seen. Much of the game is mental and it could very well be his ability to do this will be limited because of what's between his ears (and what the coaches are telling him as well).

Me thinks we're seeing a bit more better play out of him, and he's getting more minutes because the staff is trusting him more to do these things.

Hammer could be a top pairing D man on other teams. I firmly believe that
- BlazinMike

Well John Wideman, the radio play-by-play Blackhawks voice, has continued his support for hammer as the best defenseman (Norris Trophy is it).

I do recall when hammer was the man on a bad Rockford team. Wondered back then if he could eventually be even close to that in the NHL. Edit: specifically, there were a couple ECHL dman playing for Rockford - their blueline corp was bad. Havilad was the bench boss at that time.

Well add Stan Bowman to Hjalmarsson fan club as well.

Since I do not attend many games, I do not see first hand whether his passing has improved. I recall Steve from Chicago used to complain that hammer couldn't complete a pass and was not good offensively. Late last year and especially this season we see a more willing, daring to contribute by having an offensive game in hammer's performance. I just wonder how his passing has been THIS season.

Oduya is a far better D-man than Leddy will ever be. Poor Hammer. He will never see the end of his contract if that happens. If I am wrong I will gladly admit it. FWIW, I was glad to see Campbell gone. Him and Leddy both share the same aimless rush into the O zone with no results. Oh, and funny about both of them, watch them skate back into their own zone for a puck. They don't skate too fast then. Leddy makes the same mistakes over and over again in his own end. Never covers the man in front and often gets caught in no man's land when the puck goes below the goal line on his side.
- Elbows15

Oduya is a turnover machine...that is why he is the Pizza man. Go back and watch the Phoenix series. He was serving up pies all day long.

Yeah, Leddy had a very rough playoff season. That will change with age and physically maturing.

I'll take your bet on Leddy. He is vastly underrated and a steal for Bowman. He's not a bottom pair D man. that is for sure.

Good god, man, exactly what are you watching???
I watch all the D very closely to see how quickly they outlet or make the decision to skate the puck out and what they do with it after that decision is made. Given the limited minutes Q has given Leddy until recently, I'd say he's done just fine.

There is no other game breaker we have back there, Keith included. None of those guys have the ability to skate the puck end-to-end other than #8. Does he need work on finishing? Yes. I'd like to see him go to the net Bobby Orr style because I think he does have some of that ability. Whether he ever will remains to be seen. Much of the game is mental and it could very well be his ability to do this will be limited because of what's between his ears (and what the coaches are telling him as well).

Me thinks we're seeing a bit more better play out of him, and he's getting more minutes because the staff is trusting him more to do these things.
- savvyone-1

The games. What are you watching beside Leddy. He is not a game breaker. Jesus. He skates pretty. He gets limited minutes because he is not very decisive in his own zone. You know, a D-man's first responsibility. He doesn't block shots. He will never get any bigger. His hockey IQ isn't very good. Better play? I am not sure about that, he was walked by the same move in 4 straigh games. Truthfully, I hope someone can take his spot next year so we can fleece someone for a high draft pick. Its my opinion. Like I said, if I am wrong I will gladly admit it.

Oduya is a turnover machine...that is why he is the Pizza man. Go back and watch the Phoenix series. He was serving up pies all day long.

Yeah, Leddy had a very rough playoff season. That will change with age and physically maturing.

I'll take your bet on Leddy. He is vastly underrated and a steal for Bowman. He's not a bottom pair D man. that is for sure.
- SteveRain

Just FYI: Giveaways this season:
Hammer - 20
Seabrook - 14
Oduya - 11
Keith - 10
Leddy - 5

The games. What are you watching beside Leddy. He is not a game breaker. Jesus. He skates pretty. He gets limited minutes because he is not very decisive in his own zone. You know, a D-man's first responsibility. He doesn't block shots. He will never get any bigger. His hockey IQ isn't very good. Better play? I am not sure about that, he was walked by the same move in 4 straigh games. Truthfully, I hope someone can take his spot next year so we can fleece someone for a high draft pick. Its my opinion. Like I said, if I am wrong I will gladly admit it.
- Elbows15

Funny you should mention that. It seemed like he played a lot last night. I could be wrong, didnt check the stats as far as minutes are concerned. I just remember saying to myself over and over again last night "why are Brookbank and Leddy out there SO much tonight!?" Like i said, i could be wrong though.

Oduya is a turnover machine...that is why he is the Pizza man. Go back and watch the Phoenix series. He was serving up pies all day long.

Yeah, Leddy had a very rough playoff season. That will change with age and physically maturing.

I'll take your bet on Leddy. He is vastly underrated and a steal for Bowman. He's not a bottom pair D man. that is for sure.
- SteveRain

Watch the King and Bruin series. I am not interested in two years ago. the whole team shat the bed against Phoenix. Oh and seems the coaching staff felt the same way about Leddy. His ass was stapled to the bench. Please, His age is no longer an excuse. Hammer was younger and playing bigger minutes in 2010. At the moment, Leddy IS a bottom pairing D-man.

Oduya is a turnover machine...that is why he is the Pizza man. Go back and watch the Phoenix series. He was serving up pies all day long.

Yeah, Leddy had a very rough playoff season. That will change with age and physically maturing.

I'll take your bet on Leddy. He is vastly underrated and a steal for Bowman. He's not a bottom pair D man. that is for sure.
- SteveRain

Sometimes a young dman prospect needs repitition at one or more areas of the game, be that to have confidence to automaticly know where to go with the puck when retrieval and facing forecheckers. Moving their feet, covering a forward coming out of a cycle from boards to the net ....other things you see as common problems for young dman.

Just wondering if Leddy improves soon had he more AHL practice or a veteran solid dman in his pairing. Could it be Leddy will not blossom until he has played a few more years?

Funny thing about that Al. If I am not mistaken, I believe Toews, Hossa and Sharp were on the ice when Calgary broke out with puck on Glencross' goal. All of them were below the dots. Not to mention Brookbank giving Glencross way too much space.
- Elbows15

3rd line was on ...and then Brookbank gave him some space...

Calgary surprises Hawks 3-2. Goalie Reto Berra was vg but Flames caught the Hawks at the right time. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/Hwurcf

Just FYI: Giveaways this season:
Hammer - 20
Seabrook - 14
Oduya - 11
Keith - 10
Leddy - 5
- CBHawks88

Hammer has been adventurous but he has racked up some points.

Calgary surprises Hawks 3-2. Goalie Reto Berra was vg but Flames caught the Hawks at the right time. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/Hwurcf

Funny you should mention that. It seemed like he played a lot last night. I could be wrong, didnt check the stats as far as minutes are concerned. I just remember saying to myself over and over again last night "why are Brookbank and Leddy out there SO much tonight!?" Like i said, i could be wrong though.
- BlazinMike

I am a Hawk fan first and foremost. If keeping the minutes down for the other 4 is the plan, I am all for it. Keith and Seabrook especially play better when under 25 minutes a night.

3rd line was on ...and then Brookbank gave him some space...

Calgary surprises Hawks 3-2. Goalie Reto Berra was vg but Flames caught the Hawks at the right time. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/Hwurcf
- Al

Yeah I made another post where I said I was wrong about that Al.

Just FYI: Giveaways this season:
Hammer - 20
Seabrook - 14
Oduya - 11
Keith - 10
Leddy - 5
- CBHawks88

Was Oduya bad against Phoenix? Sure. He was stellar in the playoff last year.

Does this mean the Hawks aren't signing Ronnie Woo Woo to be the backup goalie?
- faustus1500

Ha...ha....NO.

A certain major Canadian network on trade deadline day a few years back threw out this gem about the creator of this site:

"IF you want to go read about trades that will not happen...go read _"

Gotta be careful. I don't want to end up serving time.

Better than I stated it.

You know if you are a young player making your way, you can understand/accept benching as is reflected by your play. When it is not. it is baffling.

Q likes to play hot hand stuff. Pirri has a handful of good looks during the first part of the game yesterday. Puck was following him.

Oh and for the bi polar crowd, questioning/criticizing Q does not = Fire Q or win in spite etc.
- TrueGrit

I think it is hard to criticize Q's record in back to backs since he has been here but...

I felt the game turn after the opening 5 mins of the 2nd and immediately those who watch shots totals were all over me but...

Q. gave his big guys time off in Winn. and as soon as the team struggled he goes back to the big guns.

And once Morin caught his eye in a bad way I knew what he was going to do.

That said after the middle of this month the schedule turns so points need to be taken in the next two weeks.

Calgary surprises Hawks 3-2. Goalie Reto Berra was vg but Flames caught the Hawks at the right time. My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/Hwurcf

Just FYI: Giveaways this season:
Hammer - 20
Seabrook - 14
Oduya - 11
Keith - 10
Leddy - 5
- CBHawks88

Ok, but consider all circumstances. For example, how much TOI each dman? Did each dman face equally tough, or challenge from other teams best players? Were some turnovers in games the team was sleepwalking through? Did many turnovers occur in one game or a stretch of a few games played, meaning that dman was basically much better the majority of gp?

That is a great stat you provide. I just would like to know if we could break it down farther.