I think Captain Stairwell's ( Kevin Hayes) numbers are a little misleading as he's on a line with the best player in college hockey. Gadreau is pretty much going straight to the Flames and Being on a line with him kind of inflates Hayes stats.

Another person whose stats are a little misleading is Adam Clendenning. Every report I read, from Chris Block to Mr Kolb here on the boards is that Clendenning's work in his own end is…..well…..let's just say behind the curve. He's still incredibly young. Another year at Rockford at least from everything I read and see.

McNeil has had a fairly good year from what I'm told but there are consistency issues. A week of looking like Rick Tocchet followed by a week of being invisible.

The good news is, like Pirri, there isn't a need right now for players. The cupboard is fairly full. So until, someone knocks the door down…. they remain "prospects"
- yahoodi

I think a big issue is the Ice Hogs don't have a steady veteran presence to help smooth things over on the blueline.

It's fun to watch Dahlback and Clendenning on the ice together but it can't happen all that often because there isn't a shut down pair that can come in a crucial situation. The vets on the team are about as shaky as the young guys.

People who want to compare Clendenning to Leddy are using a lot of imagination because from what I seen there isn't a comparison to be made for now.

One could argue at this point Dahlbeck is the better all around defender but not sure how much that means.

Talking to scouts and Block who watches closely....A lot of the young guys play well for a week or two and then are invisible. That happens all over...

There is a lot for most to assimilate to....The physical and mental demands, a different schedule and then the outside the rink stuff.

I think you are see that now with both McNeil and Danault.

The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo

Crosby has been one of the worst forwards for Canada. Him and Kunitz are highly over rated right now.

Team Canada is really effing with Toews and Sharp, they should keep them together and get them better linemates. I would like Duchene to play with them. I like Toews when it comes to the Olympics, he really doesnt change his play or tries to play nice or respectful for his wingers as they are stars too. This is his line and he is rolling with or without you
- DDM-Coga

Was kind of surprised to see Sharpie benched for game 2, but I'm sure Babcock was sending a message to the rest of the team. Sharp didn't have a shot in the first game and Bab wants guys to put it on net.

Been pretty impressed with Stastny's play as well for the US. I also hate to admit it, but Kesler has been a monster at the dot and thrown his body down to block shots.

If both win their QF game, USA-Canada in the semis.
- Elbows15

Yeah Elbows no sooner does NBCSN state that the US and Canada will meet in the finals in the post game does it change to the US-Canada in the Semis...think the host country might of had something to do with that? Total BS...meanwhile Sweden and Finland both look good as well.

Was kind of surprised to see Sharpie benched for game 2, but I'm sure Babcock was sending a message to the rest of the team. Sharp didn't have a shot in the first game and Bab wants guys to put it on net.

Been pretty impressed with Stastny's play as well for the US. I also hate to admit it, but Kesler has been a monster at the dot and thrown his body down to block shots.
- DK002

I'm about positive Sharp wasn't surprised at all he was benched and a few others could have been as well.

Biggest disappointment for Babcock so far probably isn't Sharp although he lost his spot with Toews.

Kunitz got moved off the Crosby line...He can play 3rd/4th line but didn't do much last game...pretty much the same with Sharp.

Both will compete for a bottom six role...I'm thinking Kunitz sits next but I wouldn't bet a penny on it.

Canada needs to get the puck off the perimeter...Sharp is one of the best scoring forwards along the wall....So far he hasn't done much to cement a lineup spot.


The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo

Yeah Elbows no sooner does NBCSN state that the US and Canada will meet in the finals in the post game does it change to the US-Canada in the Semis...think the host country might of had something to do with that? Total BS...meanwhile Sweden and Finland both look good as well.
- DK002

Had Canada won their last game in regulation, they would have been the top-seed because of goal differential, and a possible US - Canada finals would have been set up.

How did the host country affect that?

Had Canada won their last game in regulation, they would have been the top-seed because of goal differential, and a possible US - Canada finals would have been set up.

How did the host country affect that?
- StLBravesFan

Yes and I think most felt before the game that Canada would win in regulation.

The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo

Had Canada won their last game in regulation, they would have been the top-seed because of goal differential, and a possible US - Canada finals would have been set up.

How did the host country affect that?
- StLBravesFan

Russia had nothing to do with the whole thing blowing up.

Sweden was at worst the #2 seed with 9 points. If Finland or Canada would have won in regulation, they would have been the #1 seed due to goal differential. As soon as that game reached OT, Sweden was #1, the USA was #2 due to a higher goal differential, and Canada and Finland were left to battle who could avoid the Russians in the quarterfinals.

There is no conspiracy. IF NBCSN alluded to any sort of Canada-USA gold medal game, then they didn't do their homework because this scenario was alive all day Sunday.

Honestly, I don't know if playing Canada is worse then having to play Russia or Finland in the semis. All these teams are that close. I wasn't very impressed with Canada yesterday. For a team loaded with all that skill, they are riding the D train very hard to generate offense and that is going to blow up in their face very soon unless all world Sidney finds the back of the net.

I think part of the problem was that Bowman wasn't expecting another GM to put in a waiver claim on Stanton. When it comes down to it, I believe the organization was looking at either one of Kostka or Stanton to help provide at least one more adequate defenseman in Rockford. Also, Svedberg has missed some time do to injury this season, and that doesn't help either.

Beyond that, the veterans that the organization brought in to start the season haven't worked out the way they thought they would have. Nightingale is next to useless, and the way Peckham has played, I'd be shocked if he ever got another two-way deal from an NHL club ever again. Also, college grads Gleason and Shea were sub-par to start the season and have since settled in at the ECHL level, probably never to be heard from again. In season add-ons Skinner and Miskovic have been sub par as well. Then there is Wade Brookbank, who has been filling in on the blueline due to injury or when one of these so called vets ends up in Dent's dog house.

In all, watching the defensemen outside of Clendening and Dahlbeck this season has been a comedy of errors. I don't expect that to change all that much, and I'm not holding my breath waiting for the organization to bring in someone else to improve the situation, unless Bowman makes another deal before the deadline with some defenseman as a throw in.
- EKolb13

Miss me yet?

I'm about positive Sharp wasn't surprised at all he was benched and a few others could have been as well.

Biggest disappointment for Babcock so far probably isn't Sharp although he lost his spot with Toews.

Kunitz got moved off the Crosby line...He can play 3rd/4th line but didn't do much last game...pretty much the same with Sharp.

Both will compete for a bottom six role...I'm thinking Kunitz sits next but I wouldn't bet a penny on it.

Canada needs to get the puck off the perimeter...Sharp is one of the best scoring forwards along the wall....So far he hasn't done much to cement a lineup spot.


The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo
- Al

Kunitz is or will be looked at as a mistake selection unless he finds a way to park himself at the crease and score himself or set Crosby up from there. Otherwise he has little or no value on this team. Eric Staal would have been a better choice except he had a terrible first half of the season.

Looking for something out of Sharp, St.Louis, Duchesne and Perry. Team Canada is in trouble if one or more of these guys don't contribute something offensively.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Swiss beat Canada on Wednesday. Canada has played down to every opponent so far, and if the Swiss can play their tight system, and stay out of the box.....Very well could see Canada get frustrated.

I'm sick of the arrogance that resonates from the Canadian players and media. Some sort of entitlement that they are destined to win. Well, you should win and if they dont' then it's a colossal choke job given that roster. Nobody is even close to as deep and talented as the Canadians.

Too bad Rask let in that soft goal, because Canada-Russia on Wednesday was going to be fantastic.

I'll also add that I believe the winner of Russia and Finland will be in the gold medal game. Sweden is banged up and the Fins will just beat the crap out of them...physically, and the Russians will just pepper Henrik until he breaks.

USA has no gimmee game against the Slovaks or Czechs.

I think Captain Stairwell's ( Kevin Hayes) numbers are a little misleading as he's on a line with the best player in college hockey. Gadreau is pretty much going straight to the Flames and Being on a line with him kind of inflates Hayes stats.


- yahoodi

Kid is a pure goal scorer. I remember him scoring some beautiful goals few years back in the World Juniors...think that's where. He's small....5'7 150 ??????... but he's a LAMP LIGHTER.

Jan Laco for backup! Unlike some of the defense in Chicago, at least he throws hits:

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.clo.../839385081.gif?1392557601

Kunitz is or will be looked at as a mistake selection unless he finds a way to park himself at the crease and score himself or set Crosby up from there. Otherwise he has little or no value on this team. Eric Staal would have been a better choice except he had a terrible first half of the season.

Looking for something out of Sharp, St.Louis, Duchesne and Perry. Team Canada is in trouble if one or more of these guys don't contribute something offensively.
- RickJ

Yesterday was the 1st game I watched of Team Canada, and

Not impressed. Their D support and D men joining the rush has been fantastic, but as you say...for all that skill....they have 5 goals from Fs and 2 of those from Carter.

So you can point to the role guys, but were are guys like Crosby, Tavares, Toews, etc at?

Yesterday was the 1st game I watched of Team Canada, and

Not impressed. Their D support and D men joining the rush has been fantastic, but as you say...for all that skill....they have 5 goals from Fs and 2 of those from Carter.

So you can point to the role guys, but were are guys like Crosby, Tavares, Toews, etc at?
- SteveRain

Actually Carter has 3 goals - in 8 minutes of TOI against the ECHL team from Austria.

I think part of the problem is the 15 second shifts Babcock wants the forwards to take, B.S. in my mind. I think he will start shortening his bench and start giving his better forwards more TOI. No sense sinking trying to prove a point with Kunitz, Nash and a few others.

Not impressed either with Team Canada but I did think Toews was very good yesterday.

Frankly I'm suprised anyone on that Rockford team is +. I try to catch their updates on twitter and it seems like they've won one game in the past month. Especially surprised at Clendenning. Is he getting a boost playing with Dahlbeck? Caught a game there earlier this year and got the impression that Danault is a good 2-way player. Ross very much another shaw. McNeil seemed like Saad (big body but used for possession and board battles, not checking) w/ less top end skill. Oh and the broadhursts are fast.

Miss me yet?
- Ogilthorpe2

You successfully used a reference to Lalonde without a trade proposal.

Frankly I'm suprised anyone on that Rockford team is +. I try to catch their updates on twitter and it seems like they've won one game in the past month. Especially surprised at Clendenning. Is he getting a boost playing with Dahlbeck? Caught a game there earlier this year and got the impression that Danault is a good 2-way player. Ross very much another shaw. McNeil seemed like Saad (big body but used for possession and board battles, not checking) w/ less top end skill. Oh and the broadhursts are fast.
- Walky

The Hogs have been 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Clendening and Dahlbeck are rarely paired together to start a game.

Actually Carter has 3 goals - in 8 minutes of TOI against the ECHL team from Austria.

I think part of the problem is the 15 second shifts Babcock wants the forwards to take, B.S. in my mind. I think he will start shortening his bench and start giving his better forwards more TOI. No sense sinking trying to prove a point with Kunitz, Nash and a few others.

Not impressed either with Team Canada but I did think Toews was very good yesterday.
- RickJ

Here's my other beef....why is it Babcock's responsibility to find somebody to play with Crosby? That's all I am seeing on twitter feed.....shouldn't Crosby make whoever is on his wing BETTER? Isn't that what great players do?

I think the only team 100% guaranteed at a shot at a medal is Sweden. I don't see them losing to Slovenia or Austria unless they don't show up.

The other 3...Finland, USA, Canada.....don't have easy games lurking. Especially USA and Canada. Swiss or Slovakia/Czech aren't push overs. Yes, I am assuming the Swiss beat Latvia.

Here's my other beef....why is it Babcock's responsibility to find somebody to play with Crosby? That's all I am seeing on twitter feed.....shouldn't Crosby make whoever is on his wing BETTER? Isn't that what great players do?

I think the only team 100% guaranteed at a shot at a medal is Sweden. I don't see them losing to Slovenia or Austria unless they don't show up.

The other 3...Finland, USA, Canada.....don't have easy games lurking. Especially USA and Canada. Swiss or Slovakia/Czech aren't push overs. Yes, I am assuming the Swiss beat Latvia.
- SteveRain

It's always been the case with Team Canada..but there's TOO MUCH PHUCK'N ANALYSIS internally...just find some guys that play well together and GO GET IT.

Bab'dink phuck'n with every Tom, Dic'k and Harry line combo....
Phhhhhhhhhhhh offffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff with that shhhhhhhhhit already.

The Hogs have been 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Clendening and Dahlbeck are rarely paired together to start a game.
- EKolb13

I must only catch the bad days then! Every time I get an update I see 2-2 late in the third and then the other team scores with like 2 minutes left. Didn't they name Nightingale captain or something? Suprised me since I thought he was pretty poor. Thought they would try to give one of the young guys more responsibility. Specifically Clendenning or Danault since they were projected as leadership guys. Guess it might be a bit much for Danault this year though.

Here's my other beef....why is it Babcock's responsibility to find somebody to play with Crosby? That's all I am seeing on twitter feed.....shouldn't Crosby make whoever is on his wing BETTER? Isn't that what great players do?

I think the only team 100% guaranteed at a shot at a medal is Sweden. I don't see them losing to Slovenia or Austria unless they don't show up.

The other 3...Finland, USA, Canada.....don't have easy games lurking. Especially USA and Canada. Swiss or Slovakia/Czech aren't push overs. Yes, I am assuming the Swiss beat Latvia.
- SteveRain

My beef is that the Olympics suck, and I want real hockey back.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the Swiss beat Canada on Wednesday. Canada has played down to every opponent so far, and if the Swiss can play their tight system, and stay out of the box.....Very well could see Canada get frustrated.

I'm sick of the arrogance that resonates from the Canadian players and media. Some sort of entitlement that they are destined to win. Well, you should win and if they dont' then it's a colossal choke job given that roster. Nobody is even close to as deep and talented as the Canadians.

Too bad Rask let in that soft goal, because Canada-Russia on Wednesday was going to be fantastic.

I'll also add that I believe the winner of Russia and Finland will be in the gold medal game. Sweden is banged up and the Fins will just beat the crap out of them...physically, and the Russians will just pepper Henrik until he breaks.

USA has no gimmee game against the Slovaks or Czechs.
- SteveRain

Canada could lose to the Swiss and the US could go down as well if not very patient.

For all those who still believe Olympic hockey is like watching the Oilers of the 80's isn't watching what I'm seeing.

The Slovaks and others retreat to the blue line and wait...They are the worst to watch as they don't play in the neutral zone at all. Players like Chara and Hossa are elite and can play great defense.

The other Countries who play a solid structure defend the neutral zone and keep things on the perimeter.

One bad turnover, or bad line change and those clubs pounce...

Both the US and Canada need to be careful.

That said the US would have been better off not playing Canada before the medal round but under the circumstances I wouldn't want to play Russia until the Gold Medal game.

The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo

I must only catch the bad days then! Every time I get an update I see 2-2 late in the third and then the other team scores with like 2 minutes left. Didn't they name Nightingale captain or something? Suprised me since I thought he was pretty poor. Thought they would try to give one of the young guys more responsibility. Specifically Clendenning or Danault since they were projected as leadership guys. Guess it might be a bit much for Danault this year though.
- Walky

I believe that they settled on Nightingale being the captain because Mills had been out for a long stretch due to injury. Mills would have been my choice as captain.

As for the other guys wear letters, most of the veterans (Winchester, Brookbank, Mills) usually get that honor. Dahlbeck has been sporting an "A" on his sweater for a while now. Morin even wore one for a few games.

The young guys usually don't get the honor of the leadership role. Not unless they pay their dues first.

My beef is that the Olympics suck, and I want real hockey back.
- Ogilthorpe2

Amen!

The Hogs have been 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Clendening and Dahlbeck are rarely paired together to start a game.
- EKolb13

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/team/New-York-Islanders

Had a very good weekend as well...

The road to Gold for Team USA and Team Canada:My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eGCLyo