JJ long time follower first time responder. # 4 got hit pretty hard along the boards late in the previous game . I think they knew he had some back problems . dressing 7 D men for yotes game. Now on with my points . I think the present team will get knocked around in playoffs.They need to add a physical presence to the team .

Last night was moronic. No way should Hammer have played .None. That's on Terry....that's on Q.......If you can't beat Arizona without 4, you have bigger issues.

The guy is always going to try and play, but the coach and doctors need to step in and stop him.....

Agreed.....rest 2/4/7/19/81 for sure. 88 for whatever reason never gets tired or beat up as badly. Those 5 guys you will need flying high....

And here's the other thing.....hawks JUST had a break....and even after that break Hammer's back is still jacked up.......what does that tell us?
- SteveRain

Rest 72 while you're at it so he doesn't get his damn bonuses. He's not far out of the top 10

My guess is that it isn't that serious, or he never would have dressed in the first place. Why jump to speculation re LTIR?
- BMWChiFan

Ever hurt your back? It's not an issue that goes away in a snap of a finger. It lingers.

Guy missed the warm up. hawks just had a LONG break and had played all of 2 games since it.

19 tried playing through it earlier this year and some were ready to burn his contract and ship him off..............

2 is hurt for sure. He has ZERO acceleration vs what he used to. 7 is beat to hell trying to pick up 4s blocked shots.

Q is playing a VERY dangerous game not resting his top guys and while the Hawks can pimp Terry like he's some medical marvel, maybe the playboy doctor should do his job and realize a Feb game against Arz doesn't mean crap vs a healthier #4 come spring time.........

When does the weekend officially begin???

TSN: Pierre LeBrun thinks the Arizona Coyotes would like to move center Martin Hanzal by the weekend, though that could change depending upon the offers. Hanzal’s getting interest from Western Conference teams, though the Montreal Canadiens are among the few Eastern clubs still looking at him.

- DarthKane

Are we saying that CC standing on his head earlier this year doesn't skew those stats and hide a very shaky D that almost EVERYONE on this board was alluding to early on?

This team never looks as bad as it does when it loses, but it's also not as good as it is when it's on a hot streak.

There is a LOT to worry about on that back end. Lots of blown assignments and a pattern that hasn't stopped since before CC was under the knife.

Funny.....I thought scoring gets harder in the playoffs, so getting your back end in order is probably more important.....maybe that's just crazy talk....

When does the weekend officially begin???

TSN: Pierre LeBrun thinks the Arizona Coyotes would like to move center Martin Hanzal by the weekend, though that could change depending upon the offers. Hanzal’s getting interest from Western Conference teams, though the Montreal Canadiens are among the few Eastern clubs still looking at him.
- walleyeb1

Reading some of these posts....I'm hunting for liquor to pour in my drink here at work.......my goodness......

I guess I'll see STLBravesFan in Hawks hell since I dare question the flaws of this team and think they aren't a shoe in for the cup..........

JJ long time follower first time responder. # 4 got hit pretty hard along the boards late in the previous game . I think they knew he had some back problems . dressing 7 D men for yotes game. Now on with my points . I think the present team will get knocked around in playoffs.They need to add a physical presence to the team .
- hawk66

How did Luke Schenn look last night?

Ever hurt your back? It's not an issue that goes away in a snap of a finger. It lingers.

Guy missed the warm up. hawks just had a LONG break and had played all of 2 games since it.

19 tried playing through it earlier this year and some were ready to burn his contract and ship him off..............

2 is hurt for sure. He has ZERO acceleration vs what he used to. 7 is beat to hell trying to pick up 4s blocked shots.

Q is playing a VERY dangerous game not resting his top guys and while the Hawks can pimp Terry like he's some medical marvel, maybe the playboy doctor should do his job and realize a Feb game against Arz doesn't mean crap vs a healthier #4 come spring time.........
- SteveRain

Of all the injuries; excepting catastrophic ones, the back is the worst for knowing when its going to get better. I've had bad backs as almost all golfers do who played professionally or high amateur level and I know on a couple of occasions I couldn't touch a club for 4-6 weeks. My wife was run off the road by a truck in Jan 2010 and will walk with a cane the rest of her life due to back issues that technically weren't catastrophic. We've all been there, just to me it made no sense to see if he could "go" last night.

Reading some of these posts....I'm hunting for liquor to pour in my drink here at work.......my goodness......

I guess I'll see STLBravesFan in Hawks hell since I dare question the flaws of this team and think they aren't a shoe in for the cup..........
- SteveRain

May I suggest a little Espolon Tequila Reposado....it will help cure what ails you or you'll forget about it for a bit at worst.

Of all the injuries; excepting catastrophic ones, the back is the worst for knowing when its going to get better. I've had bad backs as almost all golfers do who played professionally or high amateur level and I know on a couple of occasions I couldn't touch a club for 4-6 weeks. My wife was run off the road by a truck in Jan 2010 and will walk with a cane the rest of her life due to back issues that technically weren't catastrophic. We've all been there, just to me it made no sense to see if he could "go" last night.
- ILGolfer

Sorry to hear about your wife. My professional life has me do quite a bit of driving.....in the past 10 years I'm well over 550K miles....luckily, knock on wood, no major accidents. Few close calls, and it's scary as hell.

Agreed....made no sense. NONE. If a guy is bad enough to miss the morning skate to 99.9% sure to get treatment, then he probably can miss a Feb game against a bad Arizona team.

This isn't 2011 when they are fighting for a spot. They have some room to air on the side of caution.

Yet, you will never see anyone question that in the media........I'm sure Myers got her hand slapped for tweeting about the wrap on Hammer's back.

Are we saying that CC standing on his head earlier this year doesn't skew those stats and hide a very shaky D that almost EVERYONE on this board was alluding to early on?

This team never looks as bad as it does when it loses, but it's also not as good as it is when it's on a hot streak.

There is a LOT to worry about on that back end. Lots of blown assignments and a pattern that hasn't stopped since before CC was under the knife.

Funny.....I thought scoring gets harder in the playoffs, so getting your back end in order is probably more important.....maybe that's just crazy talk....
- SteveRain

I was just posting a funny gif.

JJ long time follower first time responder. # 4 got hit pretty hard along the boards late in the previous game . I think they knew he had some back problems . dressing 7 D men for yotes game. Now on with my points . I think the present team will get knocked around in playoffs.They need to add a physical presence to the team .
- hawk66

Valid point. That guy has a pain tolerance unhuman like. Rivals Keith's stamina or Kane's.

So for him to miss a skate and pull himself out........it's serious and Q looked worried "hoping" he would be OK today......of course we wont' hear until tomorrow as I believe Hawks are OFF today.

By the same logic, they should pass on Jack Eichel.

And based on what I heard about ten minutes ago, the Hawks are not "turned off" by the AZ loser mentality. Talks progressed yesterday re: Hanzal. Not a done deal, but may happen.
- John Jaeckel

No, I see a big difference between now 20-yr-old Jack Eichel, who played a leading role and meaningful, winning hockey for Boston University's 2014-15 team that lost the Frozen Four championship game before his past two years as a Sabre, and Boedker and Hanzal, who each have 7-10 years of losing hockey and haven't been in a playoff game for 5 years.

I was just posting a funny gif.
- DarthKane

Ok....wasn't sure and you are Mr. Red Font so I can never tell.

I think they are 2 bodies away, assuming everyone is close to 100% as 1 can be come spring time 2/4/7/19/15/72/88.....

they need a versatile F and a veteran D man who can shore up the bottom pair. Take a hit, not be a turnstyle, and calm down chaos at times back there. If he can kill penalties even better.....but 32 is Old Yeller right now.....give him the puck from his goal and send him to Kim Johnsson island.

Ok....wasn't sure and you are Mr. Red Font so I can never tell.

I think they are 2 bodies away, assuming everyone is close to 100% as 1 can be come spring time 2/4/7/19/15/72/88.....

they need a versatile F and a veteran D man who can shore up the bottom pair. Take a hit, not be a turnstyle, and calm down chaos at times back there. If he can kill penalties even better.....but 32 is Old Yeller right now.....give him the puck from his goal and send him to Kim Johnsson island.
- SteveRain

I can't speak to his availability, but I'll bring up his name again - Brian Boyle.

Ok....wasn't sure and you are Mr. Red Font so I can never tell.

I think they are 2 bodies away, assuming everyone is close to 100% as 1 can be come spring time 2/4/7/19/15/72/88.....

they need a versatile F and a veteran D man who can shore up the bottom pair. Take a hit, not be a turnstyle, and calm down chaos at times back there. If he can kill penalties even better.....but 32 is Old Yeller right now.....give him the puck from his goal and send him to Kim Johnsson island.
- SteveRain

Hanzel and Canaughton?

Reading some of these posts....I'm hunting for liquor to pour in my drink here at work.......my goodness......

I guess I'll see STLBravesFan in Hawks hell since I dare question the flaws of this team and think they aren't a shoe in for the cup..........
- SteveRain

You a scotch or bourbon drinker? I'll see you down there only for different reasons.

I'm not sure where you read any posts of the people questioning Sage, me included, where it was suggested that the Hawks didn't have flaws or that you can rubber stamp this year's impending Cup win.

No, I see a big difference between now 20-yr-old Jack Eichel, who played a leading role and meaningful, winning hockey for Boston University's 2014-15 team that lost the Frozen Four championship game before his past two years as a Sabre, and Boedker and Hanzal, who have 7-10 years of losing hockey and haven't been in a playoff game for 5 years.
- BMWChiFan

You realize Trevor Daley also hadn't played a playoff game for quite some time....and was arguably the Pens BEST D man in the playoffs last year.....so how do we explain that?

NHL veterans who are proven NHL caliber players, are quite fine.

I'm confused by all this....

Last night was moronic. No way should Hammer have played .None. That's on Terry....that's on Q.......If you can't beat Arizona without 4, you have bigger issues.

The guy is always going to try and play, but the coach and doctors need to step in and stop him.....

Agreed.....rest 2/4/7/19/81 for sure. 88 for whatever reason never gets tired or beat up as badly. Those 5 guys you will need flying high....

And here's the other thing.....hawks JUST had a break....and even after that break Hammer's back is still jacked up.......what does that tell us?
- SteveRain

Maybe that he hurt it after the break?

You a scotch or bourbon drinker? I'll see you down there only for different reasons.

I'm not sure where you read any posts of the people questioning Sage, me included, where it was suggested that the Hawks didn't have flaws or that you can rubber stamp this year's impending Cup win.
- HawkintheD

I'm both.....

We all love the hawks. Some of us go to negative town a little easier then others, myself included. However, I am in group for that..........

But for all the pointing on negativity there are some guys that just refuse to see the flaws. Numbers can be skewed any way you want them......

The overall picture still looks good for GA, just as the overall PK looks horrid thanks to a BAD start. However, in both cases you could say the overall picture doesn't match the recent body of work....

hawks PK has been better....
Hawks GA is alarming. They give up some VERY bad goals, and a lot in bunches. They gave up 3 to bad ARZ team last night. 2 and 3 especially. I don't expect perfection......but come playoff time you rarely win cups giving up close to 3 goals a game. We all know the clutching and grabbing comes out and the Hawks really need to tighten the back end, and fast.

You a scotch or bourbon drinker? I'll see you down there only for different reasons.

I'm not sure where you read any posts of the people questioning Sage, me included, where it was suggested that the Hawks didn't have flaws or that you can rubber stamp this year's impending Cup win.
- HawkintheD

Edit - Sorry I thought you just meant regular hell...

Maybe that he hurt it after the break?
- BMWChiFan

I don't disagree.......but again.....why is he playing in FEB against a bad ARZ team when Hawks have a comfortable point lead for playoff spot, and he missed the morning skate for the same issue.

There was nothing to gain by playing him. nothing. Even at best if it was tweaked, let him sit and get the extra rest before the STL game IF he's OK to play then....

Just moronic he was out there.......and he lasted all of half a period.

I don't disagree.......but again.....why is he playing in FEB against a bad ARZ team when Hawks have a comfortable point lead for playoff spot, and he missed the morning skate for the same issue.

There was nothing to gain by playing him. nothing. Even at best if it was tweaked, let him sit and get the extra rest before the STL game IF he's OK to play then....

Just moronic he was out there.......and he lasted all of half a period.
- SteveRain

This x 1000000

Just no reason to risk him in February versus AZ. Just a dumb decision.

I'm both.....

We all love the hawks. Some of us go to negative town a little easier then others, myself included. However, I am in group for that..........

But for all the pointing on negativity there are some guys that just refuse to see the flaws. Numbers can be skewed any way you want them......

The overall picture still looks good for GA, just as the overall PK looks horrid thanks to a BAD start. However, in both cases you could say the overall picture doesn't match the recent body of work....

hawks PK has been better....
Hawks GA is alarming. They give up some VERY bad goals, and a lot in bunches. They gave up 3 to bad ARZ team last night. 2 and 3 especially. I don't expect perfection......but come playoff time you rarely win cups giving up close to 3 goals a game. We all know the clutching and grabbing comes out and the Hawks really need to tighten the back end, and fast.
- SteveRain

Whatever happens happens (obviously)...but if you told me that with about 75% of the season completed they'd be in the position they're in starting 5-7 new faces (mostly rookies), I'd have said, "Hell yeah, I'll take it".

I'm enjoying the ride even with the warts and while not shoe ins think they are a legit contender. Would I love a defensive addition if the price isn't crazy? You bet.

And when I say defensive addition that could be a defensive minded forward too wth a bit of scoring touch for the third or fourth line.

Not even sure you can understand me right now, I know you're still high on the buzz you were working on for Kruger's 100th point.

JJ long time follower first time responder. # 4 got hit pretty hard along the boards late in the previous game . I think they knew he had some back problems . dressing 7 D men for yotes game. Now on with my points . I think the present team will get knocked around in playoffs.They need to add a physical presence to the team .
- hawk66

Saw that. Believe it was right at the end of the period. He was clearly shaken up whether it was then or earlier. Backs are tricky. Adrenalin with get through it at first but then it will eventually stiffen and/ or seize. Gets progressively worse before starting to get better. Ice, rest, stretch, repeat. Marcus Foligno comes to mind as a big physical presence who can play the bottom lines.