The Nucks rivalry was amazing. So was the reg season comeback against I believe Calgary. 4 game sweep of San Jose. 17 seconds. The rat....fun times!!!
- glennjpawlak22

Yes. Down 0-5 and come back to win 6-5. Beginning of our amazing 6-7 year run. Also the Nashvill playoff series. Hossa's 5 minute major....Kane scores late to tie....Hossa exit penalty box in overtime and buries the winner. Great stuff!

No Saad, Anisimov or Quenneville at the morning skate today.

No Saad, Anisimov or Quenneville at the morning skate today.


- DarthKane

Things that make you go “hmm?”

The Nucks rivalry was amazing. So was the reg season comeback against I believe Calgary. 4 game sweep of San Jose. 17 seconds. The rat....fun times!!!
- glennjpawlak22

The "2 goals in 17 seconds" was so amazing, I was almost in tears. That was the season where we started out with a 24 game unbeaten streak I believe it was... then in the playoffs fell behind the Dead Wings before rallying to win that series in 7 games (game 7 Hjalmmerson scored with like 2 minutes remaining with what was thought to be the game winner, but it was called back due to a quick whistle blowing the play dead because of a scrum in front of the Detroit bench... but then Seabs scored in overtime to win the series)... then in the Finals, we go to Boston up 3 games to 2, but the Ruins have a 2-1 lead late in the 3rd and it looks like we are headed back to Chicago for game 7... until Bicks puts home a pass from Tazer to tie it, then 17 seconds later Bolland pokes home an Oduya shot from the point that hits the post and caroms right to #36 for the game winner.

I still get goose bumps from that video!

Yes. Down 0-5 and come back to win 6-5. Beginning of our amazing 6-7 year run. Also the Nashvill playoff series. Hossa's 5 minute major....Kane scores late to tie....Hossa exit penalty box in overtime and buries the winner. Great stuff!
- hawk35

i forgot the Hossa 5 minute major - wow, that was amazing - Sat afternoon game?

Good thoughts.

I think the other thing that's killing the Hawks--and has been for a long time--is the cute/forced passing.

Dude. When you're not scoring, your mindset should be get anything to the net. Monday's game against the Lightning was maddening at some points. Guys with prime shooting opportunities and just looking to force a pass instead.

Brutal...
- Hank3Henshaw

You cannot become too predictable because then you become easier to defend against. When you gain the reputation for being a "pass first" team, defencemen position themselves for the pass.
And those sweet soft drop passes into the middle of the ice absolutely need to stop. Opposing teams are now being coached to position themselves for those as well and are burning us on those every game.

Looking forward to a loose start from the boys tonight. Things are looking bleak, but the best thing to do is just get back to having fun playing hockey. Everyone is holding their sticks too tight and mistakes are snowballing. Just get two points. Find some way to get two points.

The Blue Jackets signed Nathan Gerbe and had to put him on waivers.

Stan needs to make this claim ASAP, he'd fit perfectly into the Hawks plans.

http://www.hockeydb.com/i...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=69846

No Saad, Anisimov or Quenneville at the morning skate today.


- DarthKane

Where'd you see this?

Well Justin, you are correct about the chatter surrounding the Maple Leafs and the 'expectation' of them becoming a true Cup contender. In reading your post, it sounds like you either believe the local media hype or want to, which is really not a bad thing I guess. But I watch that team a lot, and IMO they are a long way from achieving 1X what the Hawks pulled off 3X. Let's go on the basis of what I've seen this season:

1) Without Frederick Anderson in goal this year, this team has nowhere close to the # of standings points they have now. He is their MVP easily. He is doing for the Leafs what Crawford has done for the Hawks these past few seasons - mask some very ugly acne on the rest of the squad.

2) Leafs are in by far the weakest division of the NHL - 2 very good teams in Tampa and Boston, then a decent team in the Leafs followed by some abominably horrible squads like Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa. With a schedule skewed to playing those teams more often, the standings points make the Buds look better than they are. Put them in the Central or Metro, they are totally life and death to make the playoffs. Move the Hawks or Penguins into the Atlantic, either one qualifies easily just like the Leafs are doing.

3) They have a stud in Auston Mathews. He's going to get Connor McDavid money after next season. I don't think its a big deal but things will change a bit when the money has to be re-allocated to accommodate him, Nylander and maybe Marner. A couple of guys will have to be sacrificed - maybe JVR but there's no great loss in dumping the likes of Jake Gardiner or Bozak. So far,the Leafs have managed their contracts and cap budget much better than Stanbo & Co. have.

4) You touched on it - no Stanley Cup for the Leafs with that defence group. There's no stud there. Morgan Rielly is very good but not great. Gardiner, Polak, Borgman, Hainsey just won't make it happen. Very difficult to make that group better without giving up young assets in trade.

So I've got a trade for you to consider Justin - Duncan Keith to Toronto for Timothy Liljegren, Kasperi Kaponen and your #1 pick in this year's draft. You know Coach Babcock would be all over that one and get Dunc's attitude re-adjusted and get him back on track. With him on the roster playing 26 minutes a night, now your Maple Leafs are a contender this year without removing a current roster player.

Should be a good game tonight assuming the Hawks haven't chosen to attend a pity party for themselves.
- RickJ

i'd kick the tires on keith with leafs. but with all the term left on that contract, a NMC and at 34, i would be surprised if you could get that.

Once in a GENERATION talent JR. Except in this case there's 2 of them...McDavid will be and has been a great player, same with Matthews, but i agree on the 2nd contract thing.

There should be some kind of protection from that stuff. But i don't know how you could force players to do like mandatory bridge deals or something like that so it would never happen but its possible (NOT probable) the McDavids and Matthews' tail off and don't go on to have hall of fame careers.
- BlazinMike

I get the McDavid contract as he's already arguably the best player in the world. Matthews though... time will tell. Is he really better than Kane? Can we say that already? I mean, Kane had more points his rookie year.

Where'd you see this?
- ObeseOprah

@MarkLazerus

Sounds like Q will be talking with reporters as usual after the dressing room closes. So stand down.

I get the McDavid contract as he's already arguably the best player in the world. Matthews though... time will tell. Is he really better than Kane? Can we say that already? I mean, Kane had more points his rookie year.
- JRoenick97

Matthews plays Center, is a goal scoring center (rarer) and is physically a little bigger.
Centers get paid more than wingers
They both won the Calder
Sure, Kane scored more, but there were questions about Kanes defensive game
I think they're different players but both are incredible in their own right. And its a damn shame that they don't have the chance to skate on the same line representing the US at the winter Olympics this year.

i'd kick the tires on keith with leafs. but with all the term left on that contract, a NMC and at 34, i would be surprised if you could get that.
- Tumbleweed

It's called a market for a reason, sometimes its a buyer's market, sometimes a seller's. The shopper will decide what they need and how much to pay.

I hear 'experts' talk about Buffalo requesting 4 pieces for Evander Kane. If they get that, some G.M. is nuts or not scared to be fired.

Nobody would get Keith for cheap, that's for sure. His contract is no hindrance whatsoever.

i'd kick the tires on keith with leafs. but with all the term left on that contract, a NMC and at 34, i would be surprised if you could get that.
- Tumbleweed

I'm sorry but Keith is the second to last guy on this team that I'd trade behind Kane. Even at 75% he is by far our best defender. Yes he's gotten cocky and made bonehead moves this season, but he is leaps and bounds ahead of all of our other middling dmen.

Teams win with elite talent, if the Hawks are to return to relevancy in the next 3-4 years it will be with Keith on his sweetheart of a deal.

Jeff Marek still thinks that Keith or Tavares has the best team-friendly deal in hockey. And Tavares is due for a new deal after this year. No chance am I giving up the best dollar-for-value guy in the league who isn't on an ELC.

Missing the playoffs isn't the end of the world people, only one team wins the cup. And the teams that don't win but come close only get a worse draft pick, nothing more. Unless you're the Caps and raise a banner for the winter classic. HA, pathetic.

Suck it up this year, deal at the deadline, hope for the best with the lottery, deal more at the draft. Let your tops picks marinate in Junior or AHL, probably deal with another year of suck. By that point we have more cap room, and plenty of young guns to fill the cupboards (ala the Bruins this year).

We're in a poopty spot, but at least we're not Detroit (worst contracts), Arizona (worst talent), Edmonton (worst GM), or Buffalo (everything). Plenty of fans would be happy to be in our spot. We won't go down like Vancouver, clinging to relevancy. We will not go quietly into the night...

It's called a market for a reason, sometimes its a buyer's market, sometimes a seller's. The shopper will decide what they need and how much to pay.

I hear 'experts' talk about Buffalo requesting 4 pieces for Evander Kane. If they get that, some G.M. is nuts or not scared to be fired.

Nobody would get Keith for cheap, that's for sure. His contract is no hindrance whatsoever.
- RickJ

but there is no market when you give a guy a NMC. keith dictates it. E.Kane doesn't have a trade restriction, so it's a free market - even then, he only gets a 1st, b-prospect and conditional 2nd.

bowman basically decided years ago that he would never get a lot in a trade for him, and that you rather have the player.

and for that package, i think you get close to getting OEL. at 26, it's a no-brainer as to which player you go after.

I'm sorry but Keith is the second to last guy on this team that I'd trade behind Kane. Even at 75% he is by far our best defender. Yes he's gotten cocky and made bonehead moves this season, but he is leaps and bounds ahead of all of our other middling dmen.

Teams win with elite talent, if the Hawks are to return to relevancy in the next 3-4 years it will be with Keith on his sweetheart of a deal.

Jeff Marek still thinks that Keith or Tavares has the best team-friendly deal in hockey. And Tavares is due for a new deal after this year. No chance am I giving up the best dollar-for-value guy in the league who isn't on an ELC.

Missing the playoffs isn't the end of the world people, only one team wins the cup. And the teams that don't win but come close only get a worse draft pick, nothing more. Unless you're the Caps and raise a banner for the winter classic. HA, pathetic.

Suck it up this year, deal at the deadline, hope for the best with the lottery, deal more at the draft. Let your tops picks marinate in Junior or AHL, probably deal with another year of suck. By that point we have more cap room, and plenty of young guns to fill the cupboards (ala the Bruins this year).

We're in a poopty spot, but at least we're not Detroit (worst contracts), Arizona (worst talent), Edmonton (worst GM), or Buffalo (everything). Plenty of fans would be happy to be in our spot. We won't go down like Vancouver, clinging to relevancy. We will not go quietly into the night...
- ObeseOprah

if he's not available, that's fine. somone else suggested the idea of trading him. i think it would be worth exploring for the leafs, but not at the cost of our 2 best prospects and a 1st.

but there is no market when you give a guy a NMC. keith dictates it. E.Kane doesn't have a trade restriction, so it's a free market - even then, he only gets a 1st, b-prospect and conditional 2nd.

bowman basically decided years ago that he would never get a lot in a trade for him, and that you rather have the player.

and for that package, i think you get close to getting OEL. at 26, it's a no-brainer as to which player you go after.
- Tumbleweed

Sure you can get Ekman Larsson who's (-61) over the last 2 seasons. He isn't minus 61 only because all of his teammates stink, he's been terrible too. And think he's going to play for $5.5M/yr on a new deal?

Like I said, the marketplace always decides trade value and compensation. I don't expect Keith to be traded and he holds all the cards as to where he would agree to go anyway. I prefer him as a Blackhawk.

Did you think the Leafs would pony up and pay a 38 year old forward $6.3M per for 3 years? They did because Babcock heavily influenced the decision. A guy like Keith brings similar attributes - plays every game, never injured, won pretty much everything you can win in hockey. What's OEL ever won other than a $5 Nassau with his buddies at a Phoenix golf course?

@CRoumeliotis

Mike Babcock on Matthews vs. Toews: "He's gonna play against 19 all night long and 19's gonna do everything he can to make sure you don't notice Matty." #Blackhawks

Sure you can get Ekman Larsson who's (-61) over the last 2 seasons. He isn't minus 61 only because all of his teammates stink, he's been terrible too. And think he's going to play for $5.5M/yr on a new deal?

Like I said, the marketplace always decides trade value and compensation. I don't expect Keith to be traded and he holds all the cards as to where he would agree to go anyway. I prefer him as a Blackhawk.

Did you think the Leafs would pony up and pay a 38 year old forward $6.3M per for 3 years? They did because Babcock heavily influenced the decision. A guy like Keith brings similar attributes - plays every game, never injured, won pretty much everything you can win in hockey. What's OEL ever won other than a $5 Nassau with his buddies at a Phoenix golf course?
- RickJ

i've seen OEL live enough. he's still a good player, but looks like he's checked out this year.

no i didn't see the marleau signing coming. but allocating cap space vs. trading our 2 best prospects and a 1st are not comparable scenarios.

I’m trying to think of similar players traded, under similar scenarios.

Lu was in his mid-thirties, had a MNC and could still goalie. Nucks got a bag of pucks and retained salary.

Campbell was younger and more expensive – and he brought back nothing.

Kesler – less expensive, but was looking for a big deal and had a full NMC. He got some ok pieces, but nothing special.

Not direct comparables, but these are the best examples I could think. Gives you a ballpark for value imo. I would think you guys do a little better than the kesler deal, but not much.

If you have better examples of what the market could be, I’m open to hearing them.

i forgot the Hossa 5 minute major - wow, that was amazing - Sat afternoon game?
- glennjpawlak22

It was on a Sunday at dinner time here on the East Coast. I think my girls changed the channel for a second, and when I got the remote back, the game was over and the Hawks had won!

It's called a market for a reason, sometimes its a buyer's market, sometimes a seller's. The shopper will decide what they need and how much to pay.

I hear 'experts' talk about Buffalo requesting 4 pieces for Evander Kane. If they get that, some G.M. is nuts or not scared to be fired.

Nobody would get Keith for cheap, that's for sure. His contract is no hindrance whatsoever.
- RickJ

With the standings so tight and with so few definite sellers, it is beginning to look like a sellers market at the TDL. In fact, it is looking like a good time to be a seller. The Oilers are currently well positioned considering where they are in the standings coupled with several attractive free agents.

It was on a Sunday at dinner time here on the East Coast. I think my girls changed the channel for a second, and when I got the remote back, the game was over and the Hawks had won!
- hpk90

i think you are correct a Sunday - regardless, that was more than amazing!! back in the day, when we needed / wanted a goal, we got it!!!

Good thoughts.

I think the other thing that's killing the Hawks--and has been for a long time--is the cute/forced passing.

Dude. When you're not scoring, your mindset should be get anything to the net. Monday's game against the Lightning was maddening at some points. Guys with prime shooting opportunities and just looking to force a pass instead.

Brutal...
- Hank3Henshaw

Arguably overpassing is the Number 1 thing absolutely killing the Hawks. It was absolutely insane against the Lightning. The Hawks give up open point blank opportunities to shoot to make difficult passes. These passes often end up with no shot being taken - or if a shot is taken it is a very poor one.

So many great things can happen if an open point/blank shot is just taken. One - the goalie let’s the puck in. Two - the goalie makes a save and there is a rebound. Three - the goalie overplays the puck (see Forsberg). Four - the goalie makes a save and there is an offensive zone face-off. Etc Etc. Instead we end up with nothing. I was basically screaming in my head “ SHOOT THE PUCK!”

When this is combined with the Hawks propensity to get many shots blocked and to shoot many shots wide it is a freakin’ nightmare. The lack of offence has almost nothing to do with the opposing teams - it is self-inflicted.

I was listening to a TSN talk show this morning where they were discussing the Hawks and Q. They felt that it was an even chance that Q will go. They also noted that Bowman is higher on the chain.

If only one of Q or Bowman goes, I personally feel that it should be Q. If a new GM is not on the same wave length as Q or his hands are tied by Q in player transactions, then we are right back where we started from. Bowman would hire a coach loyal to him.