Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

So the Hawks are due?

Came here to offer congrats to the Hawks and to wish them well in their pursuit of the Cup. I told my Hawk friend (who used to live in Newport Beach, Calif.) I would come here to wish your team well if we lost. Went 7, so I know we gave you a good fight.

Driving home from the game, Duck commentator had an interesting thought that I'll share. Didn't really think about, and not going to do any research do verify, but interesting non the less. Anyway, much was made of us losing games 6 and 7 (I get that, absolutely), but he said the series was lost in game 2. That's the game the Hawks won in triple OT. The last 3 years the Ducks have had home ice (and lost the series), they've lost a game 2. Rational was there's huge pressure to win the first 2 home games. If you do, that pressure passes to the other team. Now they have to win their 2 home games just to make it a best of 3. Split and they're down 3-1. Anyway, food for thought. You're the road team for the final (and Tampa Bay hasn't exactly been a great home team), split the first two, and you should be on your way. Best of luck to the Hawks. For me, guess it's "wait till next year". In the meantime, I think I need a Bloody Mary. Peace out.

If those are the ONLY 3 we lose, no sweat. This team is moving on without them anyway.

But that won't be the only 3 players moved in my view.
- kwolf68

Oduya could be lost. Rosi is gone. AV gone. Who else do you see moved?

I could see Crow moved if they want to sell high and over address the cap but that would be a huge risk IMO.

I want to see Desi resigned for his current deal or less if possible. He gives them the regular season enforcer type and can play too.

I never said they'd play 4 D rookies. 2, 7 and 4 are SET. However, I could see 57 and Johns in there + a dependable veteran on D.

They will either play 6-7 young guys or 6-7 scrap heap veterans or a combination of the two.
- kwolf68

TVR and Johns- yes..very much likely to happen..I even think from opening night on they will be regulars

6-7 young guys - no - 6-7 vets - no - combination of some sort...yes

I think Panarin will play just because of the type of contract he signed...One of McNeil,Danault and Hartman/Ross....most likely Danault....And then something along the lines of cheap vet, Nordstrom

Good Lord, thanks for those painful memories. But you're absolutely right about the kids. However, despite the inevitable mistakes and growing pains you'll have with them, I think they'll be fine.
- TexasFlood

They are painful... but less so after 13 and last night. Now they just need to win 4 more and bring home #3 in 15. Then it's time for "DYNASTY" jerseys.

Came here to offer congrats to the Hawks and to wish them well in their pursuit of the Cup. I told my Hawk friend (who used to live in Newport Beach, Calif.) I would come here to wish your team well if we lost. Went 7, so I know we gave you a good fight.

Driving home from the game, Duck commentator had an interesting thought that I'll share. Didn't really think about, and not going to do any research do verify, but interesting non the less. Anyway, much was made of us losing games 6 and 7 (I get that, absolutely), but he said the series was lost in game 2. That's the game the Hawks won in triple OT. The last 3 years the Ducks have had home ice (and lost the series), they've lost a game 2. Rational was there's huge pressure to win the first 2 home games. If you do, that pressure passes to the other team. Now they have to win their 2 home games just to make it a best of 3. Split and they're down 3-1. Anyway, food for thought. You're the road team for the final (and Tampa Bay hasn't exactly been a great home team), split the first two, and you should be on your way. Best of luck to the Hawks. For me, guess it's "wait till next year". In the meantime, I think I need a Bloody Mary. Peace out.
- quackup

Appreciate the sportsmanship....Ducks gave one hell of a fight, and as a pretty young team will have quite a few more chances to win the West or a Cup....cheers

I guaranteed a Hawk win yesterday because Coach Q and the Hawks FINALLY chose to play their style in game 6. So I wouldn't label Q as "infallible" just yet. He is a winner, and a sure-fire HOF coach, but not without his prejudices and his faults. Game three, in hindsight, was a "giveaway" to the Ducks by removing Vermette and Teravanien from the lineup; both players have been key parts of the Hawk's success. Versteeg hasn't been the same player since injuring his hand, and Nordstrom has NEVER showed that he belongs in a playoff game.

For the first five games of the series, Q and the rest of the Hawk coaches spent too much of their time fussing over what the Ducks did so well, and not enough on what the Hawks needed to do. With game 6 a must-win situation, Q had his team simply play their game and take it to the Ducks for as long as they could, he repeated the plan last night and the rest is history. Joel Queneville and the Chicago Blackhawks became a match made in heaven because Q applied his no nonsense, defence first attitude to a team of young, talented players. At the same time, Q allowed these young players to maintain their identities and their own unique gifts, but in a way that put team defence first. Thus, Q is largely responsible for the Hawks being in 3 Cup Finals in 6 years, a truly remarkable feat considering the ridiculous salary cap system imposed upon this league! However, he could not have done it without the Hawk's team core.

Further, Q and the Hawk's core have achieved all of this without truly exceptional goaltending. I like Niemi, but he was just coming into his own during the 2009/10 season, and was the only reason many of those playoff games were even close (think Philly in particular). Niemi had to take over the net because Cristobal Huet and Khabibulin both forgot how to play goal. Corey Crawford has been a work in process, and as a credit to Corey, he has become a good NHL goaltender. BUT, last night's game was the POSTER CHILD of Q's success in Chicago. If there was ever a game that proved that a Q-led Blackhawks team can win with most any goalie, last night was it! While Crawford faced a lot of shots, most were from the outside and most of the rebounds that he gave up were controlled by Hawk skaters, the trademark of Q's team defence when it is working. With a minute left in the 2nd period, and the Hawks leading 4-0, Crawford GAVE ANA hope and a chance by giving up a brutal goal by once again playing off of his knees instead of up on his skates. There is no way that goal from the corner could have gone in if Corey simply stood up and hugged his post, as he is taught to do. This is exactly why Crawford has his detractors, he competes well, can make the big save, but continues to allow SOFT goals, often at the most unfortunate times (first/last minute of periods). He is what he is, which is a good goalie and a competitor, but not the focus of our team, let alone our team defence.

The centre of this team, its heart and soul, is the core of Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Hammer and Seabrook who possess not only elite talent, but elite HEARTS that want to win and know how to! Players who spend their careers with these guys, take on their qualities, just look at Brandon Saad, Andrew Shaw, Marcus Kruger, Patrick Sharp (who would probably be a high scoring prima donna on other teams), Johnny Oduya and Bryan Bickell. Bowman did a wonderful job of going out and getting this core players like Scott Darling, Teuvo Teravanien, Brad Richards, Antoine Vermette, and Andrew Desjardins to fill in the gaps and bring a combination of talent and CHARACTER! Brad Richards is now 8-0 in game 7's in his career. He had two key assists last night...do you think that is a coincidence? Desjardins skated 19 minutes last night making smart play after another, and how good will Teuvo be next year with this experience under his belt? Sure Bowman missed on Timmonen badly, but he shouldn't have been put into this brutal situation by a league that only cares about preserving the number of teams (or adding more) and profits!

Rocky Wirtz is a great owner, perhaps the best in all of professional sports. John McDonough and team run the business of Blackhawk hockey very well. Stan and Scotty Bowman lead a top notch front office, and Coach Q leads an excellent coaching staff, operating in a dream location. But its the combination of Q as coach and Toews as Captain that make this ship sail so well. Q has taught the Hawk's core how to win, the Hawk's core do everything to win hockey games, which every other player on the team picks up on. It's a symbiotic relationship that features strength from the top right down to the best 4th line in hockey, perhaps in hockey history!?!

If Bowman had enough money to add two more average Defensemen to this team, they might not have lost a single playoff game this season, and certainly would have won another Cup last year! So, as it always is, it's a team effort from the best "team" in all of professional sports! So off to the Cup finals against a VERY GOOD and very young/fast Tampa team put together by Steve Yzerman, so you know that they possess character as well. Its going to be another tough, great series of hockey where the Hawks are going to have to rely heavily on their core and a certain 4 defensemen to win.

One last thought, how about Andrew Shaw last night. His "box score" doesn't show much, but what an important game he played. He's become such an integral part of the Hawk's overall success! Here's to a young man who no one wanted for the longest time and now the Hawks simply can't let him get away...CHARACTER!

- MexicoHawk

Andrew Shaw - I think most would agree he was one of the Hawks best 5 players in this series. He just brings so many differ elements to the table. In his case, heart and guts trump size and high skill.

Wonder what Andrew Desjardins is thinking after playing so many years with the choke donkeys in San Jose?

Q - he has his detractors but who can argue with his numbers and desire to win. This guy hates to lose as much as Johnny T and Keith. When his career is over he will be held in the same regard as Al Arbour. And I'm tired of listening about how great a coach Babcock is - Q is easily his equal.

Oduya could be lost. Rosi is gone. AV gone. Who else do you see moved?

I could see Crow moved if they want to sell high and over address the cap but that would be a huge risk IMO.

I want to see Desi resigned for his current deal or less if possible. He gives them the regular season enforcer type and can play too.
- tredbrta

I could see Crow moved yes, I could see Saad offered (as we've discussed), I could even see Kruger offered, I could see Johnny gone. In addition to Sharp, Bicekll and Steeg.

Bickell and Versteeg, ho hum. But remove some combination of Saad and/or Crow, Oduya, Sharp then things get dicey.

So when you ask me "who do I see moved". I am not seeing ANYONE moved, I am just considering the possibility. There is NO WAY to predict what Stan is going to do. Him going out to get Timonen told me to never project what this GM is going to do.

That horrible trade aside, his move for Desi and AV are playing a HUGE part in this run. So he gets credit for those indeed.

For a case book study, one only has to look back a the previous two purges

2010-Hawks did not ably "reload" and while they did make playoffs next two years, they were quickly dispatched both years

2013-The purge not as bad as 2010 and for the most part the Hawks came through unscathed. However, bringing back Handzus, who was well done, was a result of not being able to manage the 'reload" properly. Hawks lost to Kings mainly because of terrible center play

I think the purge coming up with be closer to what 2010 was an not 2013. The Hawks won't be losing just a couple bottom 6 wingers. They will be losing far more and what they lose will be similar in a lot of ways to 2010.

In the end, I do think the Hawks WILL rely on kids, that's going to be trying but also a lot of fun...Danault, Hartmann, Baun, Johns, TVR, Pokka, Panarin, Palliotta, McNeill, etc. And I am fine with that. However, I hope us Hawks fans let them develop and not throw them under the bus after the first 4 game losing streak.
- kwolf68

GREAT post, and so true! It is reloading, not rebuilding, and it needs to be done with care. In 2013 Bowman made two crucial errors, the resigning of Zus AND a 2 year deal with Rozy which handicapped his ability to address the #6 D spot properly (it even cost us a 2nd round pick with the trade for Rumblad). The difference for this coming off season is this, Bowman has now made this HIS organization, and he will be able to fill almost every spot from within. He has built a good "farm system" in both Rockford and Indy, but its his aggressiveness with both US College and International Free Agents that has separated his work from other GMs. As such, we are (I believe) the leading contenders to sign defence man Mike Reilly after the season is completed. Panarin, Baun, Gufstasson, Kero, Paliotta all have chances of making the 2016 Hawk lineup! I too am looking forward to this change towards more youth, and think the Hawks might just be an even better team NEXT year because of it.

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

The Hawks should forfeit the Final and accept what is apparently inevitable.

Yes. That's the ONE thing keeping an offer out, but if a team has extra picks, then they may make a run. If a team expects to be good (and thus giving up a low #1) then a move on Saad is an absolutely possibility.

You could easily get back a #2...just trade a guy on your roster like Kimo Timmonen. ...3rd can be easy and ANYONE would give up a low 1 for Saad.

A low 1, 2 and 3 is not THAT high a price to pay for a player like Saad.

I am not voting him off the island...just saying that's one angle that has to be considered (losing Saader).
- kwolf68

That is what would worry me most. A GM like Poile or Murray trying to get better and hurt the Hawks at the same time (like Lil Willy). Poile came out yesterday and said he had no interest in free agent signings this year. Wants to sign his free agents. Murray is sort of a wild card but I'd lean towards a no there. Also, other RFAs out there too like Nyquist, Toffoli, and don't forget Tarasenko.

Stan should come out and say he will match any offer under $6.8....

GREAT post, and so true! It is reloading, not rebuilding, and it needs to be done with care. In 2013 Bowman made two crucial errors, the resigning of Zus AND a 2 year deal with Rozy which handicapped his ability to address the #6 D spot properly (it even cost us a 2nd round pick with the trade for Rumblad). The difference for this coming off season is this, Bowman has now made this HIS organization, and he will be able to fill almost every spot from within. He has built a good "farm system" in both Rockford and Indy, but its his aggressiveness with both US College and International Free Agents that has separated his work from other GMs. As such, we are (I believe) the leading contenders to sign defence man Mike Reilly after the season is completed. Panarin, Baun, Gufstasson, Kero, Paliotta all have chances of making the 2016 Hawk lineup! I too am looking forward to this change towards more youth, and think the Hawks might just be an even better team NEXT year because of it.
- MexicoHawk

I have heard a lot about Reilly. I don't know much about him but these aggressive moves by Bowman and brass are telling me two things-one good, one bad

1 (bad)- we're not so sure of our kids, so we need to go get better talent
2 (good) -we're the Blackhawks, we expect to win and we'll put the finest players around our core guys to remain a yearly contender

Lets face it, the Hawks have been in the Stanley Cup convo EVERY year since 2009....yea I didn't see it in 2011, that team just wasn't good enough, but damn if they almost rallied from 0-3 to take down a VERY good Canucks team. Win that series? Who the hell knows.

The Coyotes series was just a farce. Crow was out to lunch, dirt bags putting Hossa out, and that ridiculous asshat in goal for the Yotes, though I admit he played better than ANY goalie I've ever seen play against the Hawks.

Stan should come out and say he will match any offer under $6.8....
- tredbrta

Haha. That's a little too poker-y for Stan's taste I think

Came here to offer congrats to the Hawks and to wish them well in their pursuit of the Cup. I told my Hawk friend (who used to live in Newport Beach, Calif.) I would come here to wish your team well if we lost. Went 7, so I know we gave you a good fight.

Driving home from the game, Duck commentator had an interesting thought that I'll share. Didn't really think about, and not going to do any research do verify, but interesting non the less. Anyway, much was made of us losing games 6 and 7 (I get that, absolutely), but he said the series was lost in game 2. That's the game the Hawks won in triple OT. The last 3 years the Ducks have had home ice (and lost the series), they've lost a game 2. Rational was there's huge pressure to win the first 2 home games. If you do, that pressure passes to the other team. Now they have to win their 2 home games just to make it a best of 3. Split and they're down 3-1. Anyway, food for thought. You're the road team for the final (and Tampa Bay hasn't exactly been a great home team), split the first two, and you should be on your way. Best of luck to the Hawks. For me, guess it's "wait till next year". In the meantime, I think I need a Bloody Mary. Peace out.
- quackup

I've thought that about home-ice advantage for a long time - except for game 7 at home - and most series don't go 7 - and game 7 at home doesn't seem to matter that much in hockey - home ice advantage really means a lot of pressure to win those first two at home.

I'd rather open with the first two on the road.

But I don't know what the stats would say....

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

If that is true we have found the new media meme. This will be repeated over and over until the Hawks win a game. Then it will be back to Keith's mins as the top issue.

I could see Crow moved yes, I could see Saad offered (as we've discussed), I could even see Kruger offered, I could see Johnny gone. In addition to Sharp, Bicekll and Steeg.

Bickell and Versteeg, ho hum. But remove some combination of Saad and/or Crow, Oduya, Sharp then things get dicey.

So when you ask me "who do I see moved". I am not seeing ANYONE moved, I am just considering the possibility. There is NO WAY to predict what Stan is going to do. Him going out to get Timonen told me to never project what this GM is going to do.

That horrible trade aside, his move for Desi and AV are playing a HUGE part in this run. So he gets credit for those indeed.
- kwolf68

Agree it is tough to predict but we knew Campbell would be the cap shed. I think we can bet the shed starts with Bickell/Sharp/Versteeg.

TWT.

That is what would worry me most. A GM like Poile or Murray trying to get better and hurt the Hawks at the same time (like Lil Willy). Poile came out yesterday and said he had no interest in free agent signings this year. Wants to sign his free agents. Murray is sort of a wild card but I'd lean towards a no there. Also, other RFAs out there too like Nyquist, Toffoli, and don't forget Tarasenko.

Stan should come out and say he will match any offer under $6.8....
- tredbrta

If I'm a GM that has the picks and cap space to do an offer sheet, Tarasenko is the guy I'm looking at.

Also, wouldn't saying that you would match any offer sheet under 6.8 put stan in position to actually pay Saad close to that amount?

Before the season started, I had the Lightning coming out of the East.

The Lightning will present the Hawks with some real challenges here folks. They are a VERY fast, VERY athletic team with scoring across all four lines (significantly more so than the Ducks). Many people were saying that this Ducks/Hawks series was for the Cup. I actually disagree - I think the Lightning will be the Hawks hardest challenge so far this postseason.

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

Well that´s just in regular season. Who cares about that? You can´t compare regular season and postseason Hawks. Not saying that Tampa will be easy for Hawks but those numbers doesn´t mean a thing right now.

Chris Boden retweeted
Matt Sammon ‏@SammonSez 14h14 hours ago
In case you were wondering, and I know you were, since 2010-11 the @TBLightning are 6-0-1 against the Blackhawks. Mostly high-scoring games.



yikes!!
- captainserious

Regular season....
Let's see how the game plays out with Hawks playoff hockey. Not saying it's a cake walk, but I think the way they are playing right now puts them in good position to have success.

If I'm a GM that has the picks and cap space to do an offer sheet, Tarasenko is the guy I'm looking at.

Also, wouldn't saying that you would match any offer sheet under 6.8 put stan in position to actually pay Saad close to that amount?
- Lido_Shuffle

Only if an actual offer sheet sets his "market value" at that - if his comment would dissuade other GMs from proffering an offer sheet, market value would be back down.

Of course - the PA might cry "foul", complaining about collusion or unfair practices.

I am going to speak in absolutes. There's no way that Stan Bowman let's Brandon Saad walk on his RFA contract. That simply will not happen.

Before the season started, I had the Lightning coming out of the East.

The Lightning will present the Hawks with some real challenges here folks. They are a VERY fast, VERY athletic team with scoring across all four lines (significantly more so than the Ducks). Many people were saying that this Ducks/Hawks series was for the Cup. I actually disagree - I think the Lightning will be the Hawks hardest challenge so far this postseason.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I have watched all Lightning playoff games. I agree on the skill and speed, but VERY MUCH disagree on the depth of 4 lines. Their 3rd and 4th lines have been extremely ineffective. Morrow looks lost, all their goals come from top 2 lines. This is an area hawks can exploit, as Shaw and the rest of the 3rd and 4th liners should be much better than the TB group.

If I'm a GM that has the picks and cap space to do an offer sheet, Tarasenko is the guy I'm looking at.

Also, wouldn't saying that you would match any offer sheet under 6.8 put stan in position to actually pay Saad close to that amount?
- Lido_Shuffle

I thought of that too but I don't think it does. Jarmo and Armstrong did it and it didn't stop them from playing hardball. Armstrong said it again about Tarasenko and he will probably still take a hard stance. I think if Stan warned the league it would simply be viewed as that, a warning.

The parallel OS sheet thing could happen with Krueger and Saad but who wants to do that in this cap environment? I guess anything is possible.

I have watched all Duck playoff games. I agree on the skill and speed, but VERY MUCH disagree on the depth of 4 lines. Their 3rd and 4th lines have been extremely ineffective. Morrow looks lost, all their goals come from top 2 lines. This is an area hawks can exploit, as Shaw and the rest of the 3rd and 4th liners should be much better than the TB group.
- hawk35

Hey Hawk: I really hope you're right. As my buddy continues to say: I think we can Bop The Bishop.