R.I.P

That ship has looooooooong sailed.
- DarthKane

I don't necessarily believe that. Q will probably not put him there any time soon. However, if wiz is right, and Teravainen is a wing rather then a center, we could see Sharp moved there when Teravainen is "ready."

R.I.P


- BlazinMike

That sucks.

Or Sharp at 2C....just sayin'. TT has too much upside (potentially) to mishandle. I just don't think we see him until next year. In Rockford.
- Return of the Roar

You and Eli nail it.

We might also see TT for one gp just to whet his appetite and let him realize what aspects of his game needs to improve. Then too, with the crammed scheduling of games there is greater risk of injury as well as players need a rest now and then prior to playoffs. So yet another reason for a cup of coffee for TT?

I will go to another subject now......how can we know if Handzus and or Rozy are as capable in the playoffs as they were last year? Another year older, more mileage on their wheels! The answer may very well be, do we really know or can ascertain?

Playoff match ups will be critical. If St Louis and LA do not match in the first round, then possibly two good teams may get knocked out early by the Blues and Kings. FWIW I cannot fathom the Kings going too far with their lack of team speed showing they could not keep up with their opponent later in the playoffs. We do not want to play the Kings, too, since the winner emerges banged up and resembling a MASH unit. I will add that I do not fear the Avalanche. Their dman crew is improved this year but still suspect. They advance if their system with Roy and the goaltending is able to steal a round.

Which one is possibly the worst? If you say Big Bang - I'd agree.

Modern Family is closest to the great sit-coms of the not too distant past: Frazier, Cheers, Taxi, WKRP, Barney Miller, Bob Newhart, Richard vanDyke; not to mention the sit-coms of long ago: Honemooners, Phil Silvers/Bilko/You'll Never Get Rich, Burns and Allen - don't think I've missed many that I thought were classics - that made me laugh every show.

That's not many for 60+ years of TV.
- StLBravesFan

Late to the party on this discussion, but how can we not include The Simpsons (pre-2007) in any conversation about sitcoms? Unless its strictly non-animated sitcoms. Either way i think cartoons like the Simpsons, Family Guy, and a lot of stuff on Adult Swim are far more creative and entertaining than anything on any network channel.

The level of acting ability in even the "very best" show today is garbage compared to the greats that were on Honeymooners and Seinfeld and such. Thats why instead of suffering through some of these shows that are on now, i stick to sports or Adult Swim mainly, where they arent trying to be the next big thing, they're just creative and funny.

Theyre dropping like flies:

Harold Ramis - Animal House, Ghostbusters, Stripes, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack - died this morning.
- StLBravesFan

Really a shame he was rehabbing at Joy Of the Game in Deerfield and then I saw him at the Sachs Center in Deerfield. I though he had a stroke but after reading about what he died from it was some other type of illness. Really to bad he was a real nice guy and a fraternity brother of mine at Washington U

I will go to another subject now......how can we know if Handzus and or Rozy are as capable in the playoffs as they were last year? Another year older, more mileage on their wheels! The answer may very well be, do we really know or can ascertain?
- jhawk59

There is no definite answer to this. Hope for the best, but prepare for them to poop the bed too.

Ramis had more talent in his toenail clippings than Bill Murray could ever fantasize to have. RIP.

Really a shame he was rehabbing at Joy Of the Game in Deerfield and then I saw him at the Sachs Center in Deerfield. I though he had a stroke but after reading about what he died from it was some other type of illness. Really to bad he was a real nice guy and a fraternity brother of mine at Washington U
- Maggie

My brother and my best friend both went to Wash u. Great school. Ramis always seemed like a great guy. We did lose another great one. The 1st Vacation movie was great, as welll

There is no definite answer to this. Hope for the best, but prepare for them to poop the bed too.
- EKolb13

Not even Depends can save Zus. They squeezed the life force out of him last POs. He's been the death knell of every line that's been cursed with him this season. They just don't have the depth they had last year. Hopefully, Bowman can pull off a miracle and get a good forward.

R.I.P


- BlazinMike

Nice obit from the Tribune

http://www.chicagotribune...-20140224,0,2259309.story

I watched the Junior tourney. He took a ton of draws but seemed to play RW when he got into the offensive zone.
- eburgio

I would call it playing centre...
he set up at the half wall like Kane does.

He also was the guy on the PP who was given the puck to supply entrance into the zone, which we all know is really important for PP...getting in there To make chances.

I know I may the guy whose two year evaluations can be taken as Jekyll Hyde towards TT, but I just try to write down what i see, watch to see if it is truly a "behavior", skill or strength.

TT came to the World's to win and to play...he might have looked to some like he was in different places because he seeme dto take full responsibilty as a total defender and on offense was pure set up guy.

In the pros especially the hawks I think we could say (when he is ready) he is gonna see a lot more pucks coming abck to him after setting players up.

But it is unfair to say he didn't take care of business from the centre position at the World Junior.
(Spoken from the guy who has been the loudest to project him as a pro wing and not a top two NHL centre. Believe me I would love to be incorrect!)

Not even Depends can save Zus. They squeezed the life force out of him last POs. He's been the death knell of every line that's been cursed with him this season. They just don't have the depth they had last year. Hopefully, Bowman can pull off a miracle and get a good forward.
- Q...argh

Maybe? Maybe Handzus gives the team a little more come playoff time?

Not even Depends can save Zus. They squeezed the life force out of him last POs. He's been the death knell of every line that's been cursed with him this season. They just don't have the depth they had last year. Hopefully, Bowman can pull off a miracle and get a good forward.
- Q...argh

I donno -Zeus didn't look bad in the Olympics...

Really a shame he was rehabbing at Joy Of the Game in Deerfield and then I saw him at the Sachs Center in Deerfield. I though he had a stroke but after reading about what he died from it was some other type of illness. Really to bad he was a real nice guy and a fraternity brother of mine at Washington U
- Maggie

YOU were a ZBT?

I donno -Zeus didn't look bad in the Olympics...
- wiz1901

Good point.

Not even Depends can save Zus. They squeezed the life force out of him last POs. He's been the death knell of every line that's been cursed with him this season. They just don't have the depth they had last year. Hopefully, Bowman can pull off a miracle and get a good forward.
- Q...argh

Kane in Sochi.

Kane with Handzus.

Kane in the playoffs?

Other: saw this: Backes and Oshie return with no medal but return with puppies instead. Dog lovers. Many out there. Myself included. Anyone name their dog after a Blackhawk?

I know the Committed Indian touched on it, but I have to ask as well.....how the hell is Brandon Pirri continually in the dog house and given very little room to learn on the job? Yet others are?

Are the Hawks REALLY going to roll out this P.O.S from the Islanders as their 2C and expect Kane to carry all the weight on the 2nd line? Or Kane and Saad? It's baffling to me.

I can only hope that Handzus didn't get back on the plane heading to Chicago. People can say he looked "good" in Sochi but dear god....the Slovaks were so bad anyone who gave an effort looked good. So I'm not buying that argument. Against the US, Handzus was a ghost. Against, the Czechs, I rarely noticed him.

The Kositak waiver move smells of a veteran add IF Bowman can get somebody to retain part of their salary. Will he give up a draft pick or send a guy like Pirri packing?

Just glad nobody got hurt over there. In the end the holes on the USA's defense were glaring, and I'm sorry...Dan Blysma may be the most overrated coach I have seen. Very limit in game adjustments and didn't seem to have a feel for the game at all.

Good point.
- EKolb13

Anyone who tried stood out on that Slovak team that was a major disappointment. Against better talent...I rarely noticed Handzus.

YOU were a ZBT?
- StLBravesFan

Yup!

I know the Committed Indian touched on it, but I have to ask as well.....how the hell is Brandon Pirri continually in the dog house and given very little room to learn on the job? Yet others are?

Are the Hawks REALLY going to roll out this P.O.S from the Islanders as their 2C and expect Kane to carry all the weight on the 2nd line? Or Kane and Saad? It's baffling to me.

I can only hope that Handzus didn't get back on the plane heading to Chicago. People can say he looked "good" in Sochi but dear god....the Slovaks were so bad anyone who gave an effort looked good. So I'm not buying that argument. Against the US, Handzus was a ghost. Against, the Czechs, I rarely noticed him.

The Kositak waiver move smells of a veteran add IF Bowman can get somebody to retain part of their salary. Will he give up a draft pick or send a guy like Pirri packing?

Just glad nobody got hurt over there. In the end the holes on the USA's defense were glaring, and I'm sorry...Dan Blysma may be the most overrated coach I have seen. Very limit in game adjustments and didn't seem to have a feel for the game at all.
- SteveRain

Bylsma is simply a re-creation of Mike Yeo/Ron Roulston/Claude Noel/Terry Murray/John Stevens or anybody else you want to name. He just happens to have Malkin and Crosby suit up for his team every night. Overrated is too kind a description; bench door opener in a suit might be more accurate.

I know the Committed Indian touched on it, but I have to ask as well.....how the hell is Brandon Pirri continually in the dog house and given very little room to learn on the job? Yet others are?

Are the Hawks REALLY going to roll out this P.O.S from the Islanders as their 2C and expect Kane to carry all the weight on the 2nd line? Or Kane and Saad? It's baffling to me.

I can only hope that Handzus didn't get back on the plane heading to Chicago. People can say he looked "good" in Sochi but dear god....the Slovaks were so bad anyone who gave an effort looked good. So I'm not buying that argument. Against the US, Handzus was a ghost. Against, the Czechs, I rarely noticed him.

The Kositak waiver move smells of a veteran add IF Bowman can get somebody to retain part of their salary. Will he give up a draft pick or send a guy like Pirri packing?

Just glad nobody got hurt over there. In the end the holes on the USA's defense were glaring, and I'm sorry...Dan Blysma may be the most overrated coach I have seen. Very limit in game adjustments and didn't seem to have a feel for the game at all.
- SteveRain

The players who are given the opportunity to 'learn on the job' are those players Q can trust when they don't have the puck. I will give Pirri credit for improving that aspect of his game but his average skating ability along with his average defensive awareness totally overshadow the offensive game he is reasonably good at.

And while Handzus may not have been close to the best player for Slovakia, do you think Pirri would have made the Slovak team had he been of Slovakian birth? I think we both know the answer to that is 'Not a chance'! The Pirri experiment is over in Chicago, I think he will catch on somewhere else where offense is prized ahead of the attributes that win Championships, speed and defensive skill.

Bylsma is simply a re-creation of Mike Yeo/Ron Roulston/Claude Noel/Terry Murray/John Stevens or anybody else you want to name. He just happens to have Malkin and Crosby suit up for his team every night. Overrated is too kind a description; bench door opener in a suit might be more accurate.
- RickJ

Ha ha. Very true and very accurate. I was disgusted with his coaching. It was pathetic. The roster was flawed but my god...this guy couldn't shake anything up and only scoring 2 goals in 9+ periods of hockey against the superior teams is a crime. Oh but they scored 10 against the mighty Slovenians and Slovakians. Please.

I'll tell you what...people can write off the Blues all they want, but come April....David Backes is going to be a bear. If STL adds a goalie....who can make the routine save, and be solid when the BLues are on the PK...look out. That's all Hitchcock needs. He won with the Eagle and Marty Turco following that recipe for years.

The Pirri experiment is over in Chicago
- paulr

The fat lady hasn't sung yet. However, she's off in the corner, stage left, warming up her voice...

The players who are given the opportunity to 'learn on the job' are those players Q can trust when they don't have the puck. I will give Pirri credit for improving that aspect of his game but his average skating ability along with his average defensive awareness totally overshadow the offensive game he is reasonably good at.

And while Handzus may not have been close to the best player for Slovakia, do you think Pirri would have made the Slovak team had he been of Slovakian birth? I think we both know the answer to that is 'Not a chance'! The Pirri experiment is over in Chicago, I think he will catch on somewhere else where offense is prized ahead of the attributes that win Championships, speed and defensive skill.
- paulr

Well that still doesn't answer the question about 2C. last year was the exception not the rule by adding Handzus and having him be somewhat productive on the 2c. Lets not also forget the guy was HELL BENT to win a cup, so that little variable can't be measured. Will he be THAT motivated again...this year? Doubtful.

Those thinking Sharp will just slide over to 2c are kidding themselves. The guy is not a center. Out of sheer need he can do it, but given the choice he will stay at wing...just like Kane will.

The depth of this team is going to need to big over the next few weeks. They'll have to contribute and have to score. I'm looking at guys like Bickell, Shaw, Versteeg, Bickell....all have to show up. Especially, Bickell. He had another slate of time off....so the excuses of being hurt should be long gone..