UND man handled Michigan. http://www.ncaa.com/video...nal-michigan-north-dakota I can't remember the last time I've seen a player get laid out by the ref like Caggiula was on that first goal

Agreed Al Might even be time to split up 88-15-72. Lot of tape out there for opposing coaches to break down. Hard to do given the success they have enjoyed, but they've become somewhat predictable.
- philco28

I was thinking that was going to happen about 10 days ago..

Teams can talk about systems all they want. Game is SIMPLE. Get it the phuck out. Get it DEEP. GO GET IT. Dump and chase ain't sexy, but it works....IF a team has the heart and balls to WIN.
- philco28

Phil, this has been a Hawk problem since the first cup and purge. Remember getting knocked out by Vancouver just how bad this was. The most novice of fans could see 4 Canucks lined up across the blueline but the Hawks simply refused to dump. REFUSED.

Fast forward 5 years later and the core is beat to a pulp. This group, and I'm not sure I can blame them, are simply not gonna take any other path but the least resistant one late in the regular season. We'll soon find out if they are willing to pay the price come playoff time, the flipping of the switch so to speak.

Eddie O brought up a good point yesterday in between riveting "cookie" banter. Indeed teams' D are dive bombing and it's a problem. To counter that possession has to be gotten cleanly, which they don't seem able to do, and stretch pass (haven't noticed much of that although it's rare I can sit through 60 minutes of Hawk hockey) or cleanly exit for an odd man break.

As is always said, and it's true, the Hawk offense is triggered from their D in their zone.

Svedberg is not the answer. It becomes clear every time he gets called up.
- breadbag

Curious Bread considering the Hawks' options what it is that you see as Sved not being an answer as compared to Gus and/or TVR?

THIS 100%, although I disagree that Sved is afraid to hit.......

I think Gus plays not to make a mistake. He's far from fast and loose which he was a bit when he came up.

I think the same is true of TVR but to a much lesser extent.

A lot I like about Sved and right up there is he seems unafraid of Q, his game seems the same as it did when he started the year except during his second call up he played more physical. He's predictabe much more so than TVR, although I'm a TVR fan but don't know if he has a 4 or 5 ceiling, and especially Gus. His game is simple a
And quite frankly at this stage and options available I'll settle for unafraid simple.
- Mr Ricochet

So far this time Sved looks to not engage contact..We will see.

As far as an upside prediction for any of them-Until they all see the same amount of time on the ice vs the opposition's top 2 lines it's a coin toss as far as upside goes for me.

Darling again or Leighton tn?

UND man handled Michigan. http://www.ncaa.com/video...nal-michigan-north-dakota I can't remember the last time I've seen a player get laid out by the ref like Caggiula was on that first goal
- Dabearshawks

Did you notice Schmaltz at all last night? I had to look hard to find the guy. Reminded me of his junior days.....Interesting to note both goalies played in the USHL, Steve Racine could only last 7 games in the league with two teams and Cam Johnson could never win a starting spot in 3 years.

Johnson looks real good though. Square, quiet body and quick.

So far this time Sved looks to not engage contact..We will see.

As far as an upside prediction for any of them-Until they all see the same amount of time on the ice vs the opposition's top 2 lines it's a coin toss as far as upside goes for me.
- Al

Next year is for upside and ceilings, Al. This club is way down the raging river and only so many paddles to choose from at 4D this year.

Will it get to the point this year that the best option at 4D is the one that does the least amount of harm, Erhoff included?

Darling again or Leighton tn?
- EnzoD

Was wondering the same thing, Zo. If Leighton didn't play well in relief of Darling a couple back I'd say Darling for sure. Now I don't know. Has Darling played back to back at the NHL level?

"Too bad"- There probably is some remedial English courses you can take online.

What most Hawk fans can't admit is that they caught a break playing the Preds without their best player last spring and despite not having him played the series pretty evenly.
And had they came back here for Game 7 I think the Preds would have won.
- predsfan97

What about 2010? Did they catch a break then TOO?

Next year is for upside and ceilings, Al. This club is way down the raging river and only so many paddles to choose from at 4D this year.

Will it get to the point this year that the best option at 4D is the one that does the least amount of harm, Erhoff included?
- Mr Ricochet

Will it get to the point this year that the best option at 4D is the one that does the least amount of harm, Erhoff included?

Seems that way now...

Chris Block tweeted today all of the young guys playing Sweden have completed their season. I wonder if any touch the ice in Chicago this season??

Darling starts tonight and that may mean Crawford will be back soon...

Chris Block tweeted today all of the young guys playing Sweden have completed their season. I wonder if any touch the ice in Chicago this season??
- Al

ChrisBlock ‏@ChrisBlock 5h5 hours ago

Sweden Hockey League seasons for #Blackhawks prospects Gustav Forsling, Carl Dahlstrom, Robin Norell & Robin Press are now all over #IceHogs


Forsling is a 96, Dahlstrom and Norell are 95's and Press is a 94.

If the playoffs started today:

ChrisBlock ‏@ChrisBlock 5h5 hours ago

Sweden Hockey League seasons for #Blackhawks prospects Gustav Forsling, Carl Dahlstrom, Robin Norell & Robin Press are now all over #IceHogs


Forsling is a 96, Dahlstrom and Norell are 95's and Press is a 94.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm reaching.. I know.

"Too bad"- There probably is some remedial English courses you can take online.

What most Hawk fans can't admit is that they caught a break playing the Preds without their best player last spring and despite not having him played the series pretty evenly.
And had they came back here for Game 7 I think the Preds would have won.
- predsfan97

See if he can sign you up for a 1st grade grammar refresher while he is at it.

You lost. Deal with it. The weekly trolling forays to other threads aren't helping your butt hurt either. Do you think losing in the 1st round is bothering JeJo Ribeiro as much as you? Does he ask himself "If only we had Weber last spring?" every few days?

Tyler Johnson's injury may have influenced the outcome even more in the SCF. Big deal. News flash - Stanley Cup winners usually catch breaks along the way. Weber didn't factor in much. Neither did the Preds.

Weber has been healthy in other playoff series since 09-10 as well. How did they work out?

The bigger break was the Preds peaking in the regular season.... Deja vu anyone?

Darling in net and Erhoff and Weise are in..

I'm reaching.. I know.
- Al

Actually, looks like the Hawks were reaching. The only one of that group that may make it is Forlsing. Press, Norrell and Dalstrom would be huge surprises at this stage to develop into anything. Block is right in questioning the thought process. In fact, there are a lot of questions to be asked about this organization's development and drafting models. Block has asked some solid ones. Without the NCAA and off shore free agent signings this team would have serious problems.

Darling in net and Erhoff and Weise are in..
- Glenman12

Finally...

Darling in net and Erhoff and Weise are in..
- Glenman12

Who's out - Panik?

If the playoffs started today:


- etchtech

I love those match ups.

"Too bad"- There probably is some remedial English courses you can take online.

What most Hawk fans can't admit is that they caught a break playing the Preds without their best player last spring and despite not having him played the series pretty evenly.
And had they came back here for Game 7 I think the Preds would have won.
- predsfan97

"You can wish in one hand and crap in the other then see which one fills up first".

The woulda, coulda, shoulda bullpoop you spew is that of losers, hence your position. If this, if that and blah blah blah. That's all you have and that's all you'll ever have with your team. In playoffs, you either win or lose. The rest doesn't (frank)ing matter. You lost and you will again this year. Nothing new. Goodbye.

I love those match ups.
- ItHossaGood

Too bad we can't matchup with SJ in the first but I'll take STL as a consolation.

Who's out - Panik?
- StLBravesFan

Q said someone else would be in that wasnt yesterday but was being coy with the writers and wouldnt say..theyre guessing Rasmussen for Anisimov..