No! Not the dreaded sternly worded letter to the billionaire owner?
- dpard

Yeah...ya think I was being facetious? I think I was...

Rundblad had to of been forced down Q's throat by the FO. Game 1 told most of us that Rundblad was very RundBAD
- EnzoD

Maybe. But I don't think you could make that argument with any of the others.

Maybe. But I don't think you could make that argument with any of the others.
- HawkintheD

Only the ORACLE knows for sure.

These go to 11... That's one louder.

Quenneville has autonomy to run his team the way he sees fit and while the FO can suggest things, it is Q's team. If he plays Rundblad or doesn't play Pirri or whatever, it's because there is something in their game he likes or doesn't like.
- paulr

I can't believe that Rundblad got 40 games this year to prove he can play without interference from StanBo. It was obvious to anyone watcing that he is not an NHL dman...well, he could play for the Oilers or Canes and fit right in.

I can't believe that Rundblad got 40 games this year to prove he can play without interference from StanBo. It was obvious to anyone watcing that he is not an NHL dman...well, he could play for the Oilers or Canes and fit right in.
- EnzoD

When the Hawks were playing well in December there wasn't once complaint about him. As soon as the forwards stopped supporting the defense he along with the other defensemen have looked ordinary to bad, with Rundblad fitting into the bad catagory. Also factor in that Rundblad is an injury replacement and then tell me what other team has a better 7th defenseman, there are some but not many. He's an easy target if you wish to overlook the real issue, that the Hawks forwards and best players have not been playing to their standards.

When the Hawks were playing well in December there wasn't once complaint about him. As soon as the forwards stopped supporting the defense he along with the other defensemen have looked ordinary to bad, with Rundblad fitting into the bad catagory. Also factor in that Rundblad is an injury replacement and then tell me what other team has a better 7th defenseman, there are some but not many. He's an easy target if you wish to overlook the real issue, that the Hawks forwards and best players have not been playing to their standards.
- paulr

I dont disagree with the last sentence. However, Rundblad was being carried by Keith for most of the season. Keith can make a lot of AHL quality Dmen look adequate lol

When the Hawks were playing well in December there wasn't once complaint about him. As soon as the forwards stopped supporting the defense he along with the other defensemen have looked ordinary to bad, with Rundblad fitting into the bad catagory. Also factor in that Rundblad is an injury replacement and then tell me what other team has a better 7th defenseman, there are some but not many. He's an easy target if you wish to overlook the real issue, that the Hawks forwards and best players have not been playing to their standards.
- paulr

Yes forwards have been poor. But Rundblad is pretty awful in his own zone and no bueno when he has to try to hold the blue line. Bomb of a shot and can make a pass if there is a 20 foot radius of space around him but otherwise meh.

John,

I have given a lot of thought to the Hawks woes this year.

Is it possible that two thing are converging on this team at the same time:

1) They have played a lot of hockey over the past seven years - playoffs included - and the core may just simply be burned out?

2) They have had a lot of success with the same system for a long time and maybe teams have figured out how to take away what has made them so successful? That maybe the Hawks have become stagnant?

Your thoughts...
- dahawks8819

1) Yes, and look at the Kings. That said, guys like Vermette and Kimmo and TT and Versteeg and Oduya haven't. I think that is a small factor. The thing I think driving fatigue for the Hawks is the load that's been put on top players because Bowman did very little the last two off seasons to fill holes with veterans. The "play the kids" crowd needs to take note. when these kids aren't fully ready, when there's a learning curve, it puts more pressure on the vets in all situations.

YOU WANT TT TO PLAY CENTER? He's a major liability in the dot right now. So is Danault. That puts more pressure on Toews (especially) and Kruger.

YOU WANT TO EXPERIMENT WITH RUNDBLAD? Now you have a depth problem on D, further exposing Rozsival, putting more pressure on the top 3-4.

Cause and effect.

2) Teams have ALWAYS known how to play against the Hawks—it's just that the Hawks have typically been too talented and too well-coached to stop.

Yes forwards have been poor. But Rundblad is pretty awful in his own zone and no bueno when he has to try to hold the blue line. Bomb of a shot and can make a pass if there is a 20 foot radius of space around him but otherwise meh.
- fattybeef

He's better than Timonen, and it's really not even close.

>Once again, right you are
>Remember him well -- had the chance to see him quite a bit at the old barn when he was in his prime -- and I was a "wee one"
- SnapitUpstairs

Me and you both.

He's better than Timonen, and it's really not even close.
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks for the laugh. That is one of the funniest things I've read in years.

I mean let's see you or anyone play great hockey,in a new system, 10 games in after being out for a year with blood clots. Timonen's body of work, including big minutes just last year in Philly, say otherwise. Strongly.

Rundblad is Andy Delmore 2.0. Remember him? Maybe not.

1) Yes, and look at the Kings. That said, guys like Vermette and Kimmo and TT and Versteeg and Oduya haven't. I think that is a small factor. The thing I think driving fatigue for the Hawks is the load that's been put on top players because Bowman did very little the last two off seasons to fill holes with veterans. The "play the kids" crowd needs to take note. when these kids aren't fully ready, when there's a learning curve, it puts more pressure on the vets in all situations.

YOU WANT TT TO PLAY CENTER? He's a major liability in the dot right now. So is Danault. That puts more pressure on Toews (especially) and Kruger.

YOU WANT TO EXPERIMENT WITH RUNDBLAD? Now you have a depth problem on D, further exposing Rozsival, putting more pressure on the top 3-4.

Cause and effect.

2) Teams have ALWAYS known how to play against the Hawks—it's just that the Hawks have typically been too talented and too well-coached to stop.
- John Jaeckel

And I'll add a #3 to this. EVERY team gets up for the 'Hawks. I don't care if LA is the defending borderline going on reigning cup champions, the 'Hawks have a bullseye on them and they have to know every other team is gunning for them. These teams out of it, especially recently? Games against the 'Hawks ARE their PLAYOFF games.

When the Hawks were playing well in December there wasn't once complaint about him. As soon as the forwards stopped supporting the defense he along with the other defensemen have looked ordinary to bad, with Rundblad fitting into the bad catagory. Also factor in that Rundblad is an injury replacement and then tell me what other team has a better 7th defenseman, there are some but not many. He's an easy target if you wish to overlook the real issue, that the Hawks forwards and best players have not been playing to their standards.
- paulr

(In Art Fleming voice)

Ooooooh, no, I'm sorry that's wrong.

Thanks for the laugh. That is one of the funniest things I've read in years.
- John Jaeckel

Glad you got a chuckle from what I wrote, nice to able to return the favor every once in a while.

Timonen has been God awful. Horrendous. But because he comes with a well known name and reputation, nobody is talking about it. He's been brutal. And if you and other Stan Bowman bashers would take the blinders off you'd realize that Runblad hasn't been all that bad, and has steadily improved with increased playing time. Since he hasn't played all year, I suppose it's possible that Timonen might also improve enough in the remaining games to actually deserve the ice time he's getting, but as of right now Runblad > Grandpa Timonen. No joke.

I can't believe that Rundblad got 40 games this year to prove he can play without interference from StanBo. It was obvious to anyone watcing that he is not an NHL dman...well, he could play for the Oilers or Canes and fit right in.
- EnzoD

Not sure he's any better than Cam Barker, FWIW, he just hasn't played as many Get Out Of Jail Free cards yet

I can't believe that Rundblad got 40 games this year to prove he can play without interference from StanBo. It was obvious to anyone watcing that he is not an NHL dman...well, he could play for the Oilers or Canes and fit right in.
- EnzoD

And Roszival is?

I dont disagree with the last sentence. However, Rundblad was being carried by Keith for most of the season. Keith can make a lot of AHL quality Dmen look adequate lol
- EnzoD

Not Roszival though

Glad you got a chuckle from what I wrote, nice to able to return the favor every once in a while.

Timonen has been God awful. Horrendous. But because he comes with a well known name and reputation, nobody is talking about it. He's been brutal. And if you and other Stan Bowman bashers would take the blinders off you'd realize that Runblad hasn't been all that bad, and has steadily improved with increased playing time. Since he hasn't played all year, I suppose it's possible that Timonen might also improve enough in the remaining games to actually deserve the ice time he's getting, but as of right now Runblad > Grandpa Timonen. No joke.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's just not worth responding to. But when you untwist yourself from your own logic, ask your self, who traded for Timonen?

The narrative is imploding.

You keep laughing, Stranger. Life goes on without ya!

He's better than Timonen, and it's really not even close.
- Ogilthorpe2

He's better than Timonen, and it's really not even close.
- Ogilthorpe2

Can you PM me your dealer's beeper number, cause he must have the good poop

Really big one for the team tonight. Going into April the most important thing obviously is making the playoffs, but a close second is getting on track on home ice. Idk about anyone else but I have gone to quite a few games this year and the hunger and electricity in the UC was just not as prominent as it has been in past years. Get the real hawks fans back in the barn on madison and get these stuffed shirt, martini drinking stiffs out of the building.

That's just not worth responding to. But when you untwist yourself from your own logic, ask your self, who traded for Timonen?

The narrative is imploding.

You keep laughing, Stranger. Life goes on without ya!
- John Jaeckel

Yeah, my narrative is the one imploding

Maybe McD made Stan do it?

Wash, rinse, repeat.

He's better than Timonen, and it's really not even close.
- Ogilthorpe2

Not at all. For a guy who hasn't played hockey in a year Timonen at least has a sense of what to do even if he isn't reacting fast enough to get there all the time which is better than Rundblad looking clueless. And Timonen looked much better the other night especially stepping forward into the zone and chasing guys down low.

Another hand full of games and they should have a very solid 5th option to eat some minutes and push the play.

Glad you got a chuckle from what I wrote, nice to able to return the favor every once in a while.

Timonen has been God awful. Horrendous. But because he comes with a well known name and reputation, nobody is talking about it. He's been brutal. And if you and other Stan Bowman bashers would take the blinders off you'd realize that Runblad hasn't been all that bad, and has steadily improved with increased playing time. Since he hasn't played all year, I suppose it's possible that Timonen might also improve enough in the remaining games to actually deserve the ice time he's getting, but as of right now Runblad > Grandpa Timonen. No joke.
- Ogilthorpe2

No. Keith has covered his deficiencies, he rarely starts in his own zone, sucks at gap coverage, has no sense of how to read the play, gets torched to the outside pretty much every time he has to stand on his blue line.

Physical gifts are there but he is a terrible hockey player.