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.
- SteveRain

Lots of politics in coaching at the top levels. I don't know what qualified Bylsma in this case except that they wanted an American to coach that team. Is there nobody better?

Teddy Nolan basically had been blackballed out of the NHL until Pat Lafontaine picked him off the scrap heap. The guy always could coach but the only thing he will ever be offered is jobs with cellar dwellers. That's what happens when you are an Indian off the reservation near Sault Ste. Marie, you get to coach Latvia. But I guarantee the U.S. team would have played better in the last 2 games than what they did under Blysma.

The is Cup or bust for the Blues. They will be tough but I'm not convinced they have enough true talent to win the West.

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

Part of the problem is that Pirri is in the last year of his deal, where as most of the players who have "gotten some rope to learn from their mistakes" were in the first or second. Very hard to make the team in the last year of the deal. Since Pirri has no negotiating leverage, It won't surprise me if he's resigned for cheap and used as a stop gap center for next year. He also could be dealt, but Stan will ask for a pretty high pick, multiple teams have supposedly called, so Stan can ask. I don't think we're at the endgame with Brandon Pirri that everyone seems to think we're at….

As for 2C, I'm pretty sure they'll give Regin mrs than the one game he's had. And I don't see what the options are at what little money the Hawks have to spend. What does Scott Gomez do that Handzus doesn't?

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..
- SteveRain

The Hawks have now won 2 cups without that elusive 2C and while it would be a nice to have I don't see a top 6 player with the right cap hit suddenly materializing. What I would prefer the Hawks to aquire is a defenceman who can skate and fit in with Leddy on a more or less full time basis.

Theyre dropping like flies:

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

Analyze This i believe was his as well........He will be missed....

Right now TT is too frail to survive in the NHL. If Bowman and or Q are so concerned about what Pirri does not bring, how the heck are they going to explain playing an untrained rookie in crucial late regular season and or playoff games? He has to be given on the job NHL training! He is a detriment now. With his talent he might be an offensive force down the road.

Also, while Elbows has a keen knowledge and insight, he is bashing TT unfairly. Wait until TT gains some strength, some North American experience and then you can start evaluating him. That men's league is a good primer but is far from the finished product that is playing in the NHL. Let us just say for now that TT is not yet a "Finnish -Ed" product.

Not that RealWiz evaluation is an end all of discussion, but for me I do highly respect his years of studying and breaking down film and his accurate prognosis of the projection and ability of junior level players. He has said that TT would best serve his and Chicago's interest by playing for a while in Rockford. When TT arrives we hope he can be inserted in short order into a top six role. Until that time, preparation in the AHL is proper. Now if you want to ask if Dent is the best coach for him, perhaps Eli or someone else can answer that.
- jhawk59

In no way am I advocating that TT can play now in the NHL and be effective...But....he is not too frail to survive in the NHL....If Kane made it...If The Nuge could make it....TT could too

The Hawks have now won 2 cups without that elusive 2C and while it would be a nice to have I don't see a top 6 player with the right cap hit suddenly materializing. What I would prefer the Hawks to aquire is a defenceman who can skate and fit in with Leddy on a more or less full time basis.
- paulr

Al mentioned over the weekend that it could be a defenseman that the Hawks are shopping for.

Part of the problem is that Pirri is in the last year of his deal, where as most of the players who have "gotten some rope to learn from their mistakes" were in the first or second. Very hard to make the team in the last year of the deal. Since Pirri has no negotiating leverage, It won't surprise me if he's resigned for cheap and used as a stop gap center for next year. He also could be dealt, but Stan will ask for a pretty high pick, multiple teams have supposedly called, so Stan can ask. I don't think we're at the endgame with Brandon Pirri that everyone seems to think we're at….

As for 2C, I'm pretty sure they'll give Regin mrs than the one game he's had. And I don't see what the options are at what little money the Hawks have to spend. What does Scott Gomez do that Handzus doesn't?
- yahoodi

The Hawks could bring in another "stop gap" center through free agency this summer.

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

Are we really going to do this again....just read through the blog over the past several months...there are multiple answers to your question.

In no way am I advocating that TT can play now in the NHL and be effective...But....he is not too frail to survive in the NHL....If Kane made it...If The Nuge could make it....TT could too
- captainserious

Agreed.

The Hawks could bring in another "stop gap" center through free agency this summer.
- EKolb13

They could ( Probably even should.) Doesn't strike me as Stan's MO however.

They could ( Probably even should.) Doesn't strike me as Stan's MO however.
- yahoodi

If Snow feels he can't re-sign MacDonald then he'd be a great target for Stan. The Islanders need some depth at forward and we have plenty in Rockford. I'm sure there would be a lot of interest in MacDonald but Stan has the assets if he wants to acquire him. Plus, Stan did Snow a favour by taking PMB off his hands.

Right now TT is too frail to survive in the NHL.
- jhawk59

I don't know if frail is a correct description.
Like Kane who was actually smaller, you survive by how you get people to miss.


I think it isn't an easy process adjusting to the North American ice and all the things you are expected to do, be in position TO do, and still have time to use your natural vision to create.

Kane went first overall for a reason.

Teams passed on TT for a reason.

All means little if he manages the transition.

What I liked when TT was playing against his own age group was how he was so responsible, and even keeled.

Not sure the skill and speed of the NHL is something TT can quick study.

They could ( Probably even should.) Doesn't strike me as Stan's MO however.
- yahoodi

Not at the going rate for 2nd line centre CAP salary that teams pay for UFAs....

$837K in cap space per cap geek after losing Kostka. Not a good spot to be in, and not much out there to be had for that kind of money.

If TT's NHL cap hit is $925K, they couldn't even call him up could they? Or would they be able to if Handzus is healthy scratched?

$837K in cap space per cap geek after losing Kostka. Not a good spot to be in, and not much out there to be had for that kind of money.

If TT's NHL cap hit is $925K, they couldn't even call him up could they? Or would they be able to if Handzus is healthy scratched?
- Return of the Roar

Nope. Can't call him up. Somebody has to be sent down, waived, or placed on LTIR.

So yeah, not going to be a lot of activity around the trade deadline...

$837K in cap space per cap geek after losing Kostka. Not a good spot to be in, and not much out there to be had for that kind of money.

If TT's NHL cap hit is $925K, they couldn't even call him up could they? Or would they be able to if Handzus is healthy scratched?
- Return of the Roar

He'd have to be in the IR or somebody would have to go to Rockford.

$837,000 is more than enough cap space for MacDonald!!

Are we really going to do this again....just read through the blog over the past several months...there are multiple answers to your question.
- UnnamedSource

Don't disagree...just stating a question.

I also will be shocked to see Handzus give the super-human effort he did last spring. Why? He has won already.....this may be his last year before he heads home and coaches.

Nope. Can't call him up. Somebody has to be sent down, waived, or placed on LTIR.

So yeah, not going to be a lot of activity around the trade deadline...
- SteveRain

So that also means Danault, McNeill (maybe not that big a deal) and Hartman all also unable to be called up.

So it's prospects for prospects/picks, a sub $837K contract coming back, or nothing.

Or, highly unlikely, a roster for roster deal.

I don't know if frail is a correct description.
Like Kane who was actually smaller, you survive by how you get people to miss.


I think it isn't an easy process adjusting to the North American ice and all the things you are expected to do, be in position TO do, and still have time to use your natural vision to create.

Kane went first overall for a reason.

Teams passed on TT for a reason.

All means little if he manages the transition.

What I liked when TT was playing against his own age group was how he was so responsible, and even keeled.

Not sure the skill and speed of the NHL is something TT can quick study.
- wiz1901

Wiz buddy I love reading your stuff...And I really like your insight....but until TT shows me that 17 other GM's were right, and there was something wrong with him, I don't buy it...Teams passed on Saad for a reason...Teams passed on Shaw for a reason...Teams passed on Giroux for a reason too....9 times outta 10 I'm going to take the: Let's wait and see route....and that is exactly what I am doing this time...If he turns into a nice 2nd line player...great! If not....well, at least we've got....

The Hawks have now won 2 cups without that elusive 2C and while it would be a nice to have I don't see a top 6 player with the right cap hit suddenly materializing. What I would prefer the Hawks to aquire is a defenceman who can skate and fit in with Leddy on a more or less full time basis.
- paulr

I hear you on the 2c argument. They may keep playing with fire, and ultimate expect their core guys to carry them in the playoffs. I'm just pointing out that the Handzus miracle of 2013 shouldn't be counted on as a given for this playoff season. Guy is older, more beat up, and....he won his elusive cup.

As far as D goes.....doubtful. That's why they'll platoon Rozsival and Brookbank and then ride Rozsival in the palyoffs and have Brookbank sit in the box unless somebody gets hurt, or swings a stick at an opponent's head again....

I hear you on the 2c argument. They may keep playing with fire, and ultimate expect their core guys to carry them in the playoffs. I'm just pointing out that the Handzus miracle of 2013 shouldn't be counted on as a given for this playoff season. Guy is older, more beat up, and....he won his elusive cup.

As far as D goes.....doubtful. That's why they'll platoon Rozsival and Brookbank and then ride Rozsival in the palyoffs and have Brookbank sit in the box unless somebody gets hurt, or swings a stick at an opponent's head again....
- SteveRain

This is where strong play from a guy like....BICKELL....helps the 2C situation a lot. If they can roll four solid lines, they can get by easier without a decent 2C. But I am of the opinion the clock has run out on keeping that position filled with people who don't fit.

So that also means Danault, McNeill (maybe not that big a deal) and Hartman all also unable to be called up.

So it's prospects for prospects/picks, a sub $837K contract coming back, or nothing.

Or, highly unlikely, a roster for roster deal.
- Return of the Roar

Unless Bowman can find somebody to retain salary in a trade.

The bag of pucks they got from the islanders should be waived this week. Guy is hopeless.

I don't see them trading a roster player. So like many said.....this trade deadline will be a yawn fest for the Hawks unless an injury happens between now and March 5th.

Looking at the comparable deals for Bickell....... that deal sucks more and more each day.

Wiz buddy I love reading your stuff...And I really like your insight....but until TT shows me that 17 other GM's were right, and there was something wrong with him, I don't buy it...Teams passed on Saad for a reason...Teams passed on Shaw for a reason...Teams passed on Giroux for a reason too....9 times outta 10 I'm going to take the: Let's wait and see route....and that is exactly what I am doing this time...If he turns into a nice 2nd line player...great! If not....well, at least we've got....
- captainserious

yeah, I go the other way....prospects are nice to look at it and google over, but until they show up in the NHL and prove to be worth a damn.....they are just prospects. So while TT may prove out to be a nice player, he also could bomb.

I hear you on the 2c argument. They may keep playing with fire, and ultimate expect their core guys to carry them in the playoffs. I'm just pointing out that the Handzus miracle of 2013 shouldn't be counted on as a given for this playoff season. Guy is older, more beat up, and....he won his elusive cup.

As far as D goes.....doubtful. That's why they'll platoon Rozsival and Brookbank and then ride Rozsival in the palyoffs and have Brookbank sit in the box unless somebody gets hurt, or swings a stick at an opponent's head again....
- SteveRain

Zus was a great pickup....he made some great plays....tied game 6 vs Detroit in the 3rd period...his shorty against Boston and then sliding into the boards...great stuff....But...there was also Brendan Morisson...so...I don't think Hawks management thinks this will be the case every year...Honestly, Stan is either loved or hated by Hawks fans....In my opinion, the guy made some bad moves(Khabby) and some nice ones...but where I do give him credit, is cleaning up his messes rather quickly...so I give Stan props for that

Zus was a great pickup....he made some great plays....tied game 6 vs Detroit in the 3rd period...his shorty against Boston and then sliding into the boards...great stuff....But...there was also Brendan Morisson...so...I don't think Hawks management thinks this will be the case every year...Honestly, Stan is either loved or hated by Hawks fans....In my opinion, the guy made some bad moves(Khabby) and some nice ones...but where I do give him credit, is cleaning up his messes rather quickly...so I give Stan props for that
- captainserious

Correct....but so many people are just assuming because Hadnzus did that last year, that he can be counted on to do it again. Sorry. Not happening. At this point in time he should be a 4th line player.