I'm not making an excuse for NHL officiating because more times than not it is at best inconsistent and often times awful. But it's not just the Hawks affected, the refs give fans from every team cause to complain - they are equal opportunity screwups.
- EbonyRaptor

I was originally commenting on a post about the need for red ass and was just saying that if the refs did their job there would be less of a need for enforcers.Sestito hit on Enstrom is the latest example of things being allowed to become out of control.

Any word on lines tonight and is CC or Glass in net?

Wings benching Mantha and plugging Howard in goal for his first NHL game since Dec 20. Light him up boys!

I was originally commenting on a post about the need for red ass and was just saying that if the refs did their job there would be less of a need for enforcers.Sestito hit on Enstrom is the latest example of things being allowed to become out of control.
- eagle50

If by the "ref's job" you mean the refs should call penalties based solely on the rule book - not influenced by score, how many penalties has been called against one team versus the other, or any other subjective reason to not call a penalty when the rule book calls it a penalty - then I ask you when was the last time you watched an NHL game where the refs "did their job"? And I say that realizing the sentiment that no one wants the refs to slow the game down and turn it into a never ending parade to the penalty box - so I get that it will never happen and don't disagree with the rationale for why it will never happen. So we're left with some subjective hybrid of ref'ing that every fan base rightly complains about. It's just the way it is.

Not trying to be a smart ass at all...how does Jurco go from a healthy scratch on a non-playoff team to a staple on line 3 with the 2nd best team in the Western Conference? Was he that bad in Detroit? I just don't understand how that happens....
- EnzoD

Classic case of a team trying to realize a players potential based on a change of scenery. Plus he was a cheap buy. Jurco has talent but I don't think he's an NHL player. The game seems too fast for him and I don't think he has good hockey IQ. He's used up all the excuses. Injuries, lack of ice time and lack of quality linemates. This is his last chance. Unless he ends up in Vegas next season. If he can't score tonight versus the Wings then he might never score. I hope he does well but I gave up on his potential 2 years ago.

Any word on lines tonight and is CC or Glass in net?

Wings benching Mantha and plugging Howard in goal for his first NHL game since Dec 20. Light him up boys!
- Assman22

Tank Nation baby!

Crawford starting and Hammer and Oduya not playing for precautionary reasons.

Crawford starting and Hammer and Oduya not playing for precautionary reasons.
- golfbard

Oh for crying out loud. If there was still something to be cautious about why did they play last night?

Oh for crying out loud. If there was still something to be cautious about why did they play last night?
- EbonyRaptor

Because the Hawks could ice a team of 8 players tonight and still win.

Oh for crying out loud. If there was still something to be cautious about why did they play last night?
- EbonyRaptor

I have no problem with Hammer and Oduya sitting tonight. I honestly wouldn't mind Hossa getting the night off with 3 games in 4 nights. IMO, rest the Vets as much as possible during this condensed schedule and have them healthy and as fresh as possible for Round 1.

Classic case of a team trying to realize a players potential based on a change of scenery. Plus he was a cheap buy. Jurco has talent but I don't think he's an NHL player. The game seems too fast for him and I don't think he has good hockey IQ. He's used up all the excuses. Injuries, lack of ice time and lack of quality linemates. This is his last chance. Unless he ends up in Vegas next season. If he can't score tonight versus the Wings then he might never score. I hope he does well but I gave up on his potential 2 years ago.
- gergeswillems

I thought he made some nice plays with the puck last night and had a couple SOG. He is not a Super-Star, but has the ability to play in this league as a depth scorer on a good team. TWT what Coach Q thinks of him.....

The league meeting saw all the GMs voting to fatten the Cap by three million.

Sure it helps the hawks too, but as I said over the course of the last year, as soon as the have not teams feel like they cant spend to find UFA and outside talent, they would start whinning to make it go higher...
- wiz1901

I'm with you wiz , I knew they would make concessions when a team like the Leafs started getting good young talent. Also want to make sure they have enough talent for the new showcase MCDAVID. They will want those teams going far every year. Hawks deserve a rebate for all the talent they have had discard because of the cap.

Oh ya I'm not a big fan of Olcyk whether its the nonsense babbling between him and Foley for Home Hawks' broadcasts or the National games where he tries SO hard to not come off as a Chicago Homer that he actually leans the other way and is almost anti-Hawks. Also, you'll maybe hear Olcyk question a NHL Referee 5 times in an entire season. Even a blatant check/cross-check from behind like Perry on Oduya he is extremely hesitant to question anyting the NHL does because they sign his paychecks and I'm sure they are LARGE checks every Friday.

I'd assume you have NHL.TV too? Have you or anyone else streaming NHL.TV had nightly issues with stream quality? I'll get maybe 5 minutes of HD then it goes to non-HD for the majority of my streams. I have 100mb internet speed and hard wire connection from modem to my PS4. I'm seriously considering calling NHL.TV and demanding a rebate bc the quality has been awful for much of the year.
- EnzoD

That's just one of my complaints about it, but its a big one. How about the repeated breaks suddenly in the stream? Or seeing, all game and all season, the same six or NHL eight highlights during commercial breaks, unless one of the very few sponsors on NHL.TV is having its commercial played. Or the fact that in addition to the 20 NBC/NBCSN games and 8 scheduled NHL Network games that are delayed before being shown on NHL.TV, the Hawks are frequently picked at the last minute for additional NHL Network games which then also are delayed before they're shown on NHL.TV.

All in all, like many things about the NHL, it's second rate. Could you see McDonough putting up with the way the league is run if he got Bettman's job? Not for a second. I really think he could and would improve the league.

anybody have those Sirius radio call in numbers?

They had a segement yesterday where fans call in and say who they think the dirtiest team is.

I so wanted to call in and say the Diriest Team is the NHL managemant team and their refereeing core which is dirty because after an entire season of using the three count as a determination on a late hit letting anybody be hit five seconds after not having possession as a commonality of the "let them play philosophy."
- wiz1901

Here you go Wiz.....Sirius XM call in number......877-645-6696

If the Hawks were allowed to buyout Hossa without penalty, then they could resign him for shorter term (maybe year to year) at a lower cap hit. That would be huge in the long run. It also would be great for Hossa because even though his current contract carries a cap hit of $5.275 mil for the next 4 years, starting next year his salary is just $1 mil per year. If he is bought out he could then re-sign for $2 mil per year and it would be like he would be getting a 100% increase in salary and the Hawks would get $3.275 mil in extra cap space.
- -Doh-

that would be huge. Obviously more then a $3 million cap increase. Plus, like you said, it would be a contract that would Hoss would like a lot more.

Here you go Wiz.....Sirius XM call in number......877-645-6696
- ILGolfer

Hey Golf let's hope we get two points tonight...meanwhile how bout that fantastic start to the Bears free agency period...yup just threw up in my mouth...what a clown show up there at Halas Hall. These guys can only look up at the Hawks and pray someday they'll be that good a franchise. Who am I kidding it'll never happen.

Here you go Wiz.....Sirius XM call in number......877-645-6696
- ILGolfer

I may sign up just to listen to Wiz call people out Are you planning on calling often Wiz?

Has there been a game this year where the Hawks blew somebody away?I just can't recall.I don't see it happening tonight either.Lets just WIN.Go Hawks go.

Any word on lines tonight and is CC or Glass in net?

Wings benching Mantha and plugging Howard in goal for his first NHL game since Dec 20. Light him up boys!
- Assman22

I think the only time we see Glass, Jimmy Waite or one of the our season ticket holders here on the board in net will be in the only remaining back to back game.....at home against the Avs on Sunday March 19.

Hey Golf let's hope we get two points tonight...meanwhile how bout that fantastic start to the Bears free agency period...yup just threw up in my mouth...what a clown show up there at Halas Hall. These guys can only look up at the Hawks and pray someday they'll be that good a franchise. Who am I kidding it'll never happen.
- DK002

I think Pace will be ok but with Phillips running things at the behest of the family, I don't think he gets a long leash regarding money. And lets face it, they still have a way to go to get down to the ineptitude of the Dollar Bill/Pully lead Hawks but damn DK, the boys in Lake Forest are giving it their best shot!!!

Not saying he is soft, I am a fan of his, it's not his game, hockey still has ,and always will have ruff stuff incorporated into it, which is why you need players like , I hate to keep beating the drum, the Secords and Manson's on every team, guys who can play and police , Icant for the life of me figure out why Stan Bowman absolutely refuses to go after players with some of that to their game.Should Toews be fighting? Absolutely not, But when Getzlaf and even though I love the kid and remember his daddy bringing him to the rink when he was a tike, at-the originalJohnny's Ice house, Josh Manson, we should have players that take exception to that. Panik is a nice big young strong kid, Fighting when necessary is not his game. Give mea kid or 2like Antoine Roussell for example also on my team to curtail some of the school yard bully crap is all we are saying.
- wonthecup10

Panik is not out there to fight, but he takes care of himself and teammates. I haven't seen him back down from anyone.

Speaking of physical players, I think Tootoo will be a regular 4th liner once the playoffs start. He can skate, gives 100% every time he's on the ice, and usually makes good decisions. Like it or not, for now he's the Hawks' "policeman." IMO he's a better hockey player than former cops John Scott, Bollig, or Mashinter. Maybe next year Latta, if he skates well enough, can be added to the CPD.

that would be huge. Obviously more then a $3 million cap increase. Plus, like you said, it would be a contract that would Hoss would like a lot more.
- Lido_Shuffle

I don't think you're allowed to re-sign a player right after you buy him out. I think you have to wait a year. I could be wrong though.

- DarthKane

Thanks! I'm too computer illiterate to do that.

I don't think you're allowed to re-sign a player right after you buy him out. I think you have to wait a year. I could be wrong though.
- gergeswillems

Makes sense Gerges......but who started all this talk about buyouts, etc? I would think the owners can't unilaterally do anything regarding compliance buyouts and the such without the union's permission and vice versa. The CBA governs all this I would guess. Maybe Wiz's ownership buddy can figure out what's allowed and what's not. T

A few observations
- It does not look like Panik or Hartmann will shrink during the playoffs. Like Shaw they might even play larger.
- The D 1 through 9 (including Forsling) is as good as I ever remember it (following the Hawks since early 60's).
- The Hawks had a 4 or 5 solid scoring chances last night and normally at least 1 or 2 would end up in the back of the opponents net. It wasn't Bernier's goaltending as much as it was the Hawks missing the net, not elevating the puck, or getting in their own way.

- The Ducks strategy is:
A - have the keeper hold the puck at every opportunity and win the ensuing faceoff.
B - see how many cheap shots they can get away with. Behind the play, after the whistle, holding and interfering with wingers during faceoffs.
C - use their size and be physical, because they have very little offensive skills individually or as a team.
D - Get a goal or two and hope your goalie is hot.
- -Doh-

Good post.

Makes sense Gerges......but who started all this talk about buyouts, etc? I would think the owners can't unilaterally do anything regarding compliance buyouts and the such without the union's permission and vice versa. The CBA governs all this I would guess. Maybe Wiz's ownership buddy can figure out what's allowed and what's not. T
- ILGolfer

I can't see the Hawks buying out Hossa anyway. He's still a top player plus they'd be hit with a huge recapture penalty.