Carryovers from the last blog’s conversation about bands:

I use to hangout and watch theses guys practice in their garage back in the day. Their name at the time was TW4. Funny thing is when they first started playing their own music at high school concert people weren’t all that receptive.

People really loved how they began their concert/sock hops with the finale from the William Tell Overture.

They later changed their name and it took a bit but they did make it to the bigs, so let’s play name that band.

I guess I am aging myself lol.
- walleyeb1

I also used to watch them practice in DD's parents garage in Dolton

I've never quite understood why players are supposed to be in control of their sticks at all times - incidental and accidental blades to the head are punished with two (or four) minutes "time out"....

...but they don't have to in control with other pointed areas of the their bodies - shoulders, knees, elbows.

I don't know if Hartman deliberately stuck out his elbow or not - he knew Kruger was coming and (as Olczyk said) deliberately moved back for a "reverse hit" - but with his elbow dangerously extended into Kruger's path.

Should have been at least a two minute penalty (maybe four - Kruger was bleeding, I think).

Three concussions in two weeks to Hawks - something is wrong.
- StLBravesFan

Kruger was leaking blood like a sieve. I would have no problem if they had called an elbow, though I don't think I have ever seen a double minor called for drawing blood. Hartman may have been backing up and knew the hit was coming, but he didn't raise or change the position of his elbow, follow thru, etc. Kruger in effect impaled his own face on Hartmans elbow.

Do I think this team is a playoff team? No.

Watching last night, I saw a lot of good things. When our back end plays a simple game they benefit and the 60 minute product is there. The PP was simple and effective getting the puck to the net. If the Hawks had one more solidified NHL Dman, it would make a huge different on the consistency for longer periods as opposed to the 2 games on, 2 games off.

With Krugs out AA moves back to 3C which I like!

I was off posting in the last blog like a drunken Wiz not realizing the pub crawl had moved along...

He's one of my favorites!!!! Rip. I would have loved to have been alive for Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.
- I Am The Breadman


Minus Dio, you still likely can. He’s the original lineup shuffler...Q ain’t got nuthin’ on him.
- HawkintheD

Oh that is a perfect description. How many line-ups of Deep Purple (the original color of the L.A. Kings sweaters just to keep it hockey related) were there? 6-8?

They only scored on the PP (not to demean the achievement - it should be wildly celebrated) - and were on the ice for the Preds lone goal - but that line had 16 SAT and 13 SOG (all strengths).
- StLBravesFan

Line lacks a sniper.

Kruger was leaking blood like a sieve. I would have no problem if they had called an elbow, though I don't think I have ever seen a double minor called for drawing blood. Hartman may have been backing up and knew the hit was coming, but he didn't raise or change the position of his elbow, follow thru, etc. Kruger in effect impaled his own face on Hartmans elbow.
- TheTrob

And a player - skating by a defender with his skates out into his path - trips over them - not a penalty?

Seems to me you get the space around your body - but if your elbow is sticking out - and moving into a skater's path - even if not intentional - should be a penalty.

Oh that is a perfect description. How many line-ups of Deep Purple (the original color of the L.A. Kings sweaters just to keep it hockey related) were there? 6-8?
- Rota's Rooter

Was Q their manager? (More hockey relativity.)

Kruger was leaking blood like a sieve. I would have no problem if they had called an elbow, though I don't think I have ever seen a double minor called for drawing blood. Hartman may have been backing up and knew the hit was coming, but he didn't raise or change the position of his elbow, follow thru, etc. Kruger in effect impaled his own face on Hartmans elbow.
- TheTrob

And Hartman did change the position of his extended elbow by backing up into Kruger's path.

So Justin comes in with: Lastly, how good was Cam Ward? This is why he was signed and I think Colin Delia is going to have to wait his turn to get in there. Ward stepped up huge and was the 1st star of the game with his 30 save performance.

And I step up with:

Ward was really good last nite - he can have his moments - but they don't seem to last for more than a game or two.

That aside - he will not be a part of the next Cup run - or probably the next run to the tournament - he needs to remain as the backup goalie - with Delia getting the majority of the remaining 46 starts this season.

It does no good to have Delia not get the playing experience - either here or in Rockfish - to get maybe a couple more wins with Ward.
- StLBravesFan

That was my reading too - that let’s really give Delia a long, fair audition. See where he is. Makes no sense to just sit him.

Great piece, JL. It's a lot better to talk about good hockey. I don't care that Nash is without key players. A win is a win. We were without Crow and Joki, who's been one of our best defenders. I'm glad for him to play for Team Finn, but wanted to be selfish and have him stay here. Now we're without Krugs, not a huge piece, but he helps out with his role.

Do you see us remaining quiet before the freeze?
- I Am The Breadman

Unless Stan connects with a GM looking to take a D off his hands, I don't anticipate a move today. I have been wrong before though!

👍Styx Started out as a garage band from Roseland, used to play a lot at Mendel high school back in the 70s
- wonthecup10

I believe they played at Gordon Tech too.

Okay, thanks. Chuck has HIV, right?
- I Am The Breadman

Yeah, and as far I know is still playing with the band.

Hahaha that's awesome! My dad is a huge Styx fan. I've gone with him at least four or five times to see them live. They're awesome. Love their music. Sucks that Dennis DeYoung isn't performing with them anymore
- Savetheembers33

Saw Styx once. Fun to see. Gowan who has been in Styx for a while now once played the Southern Ontario circuit - humble beginnings. Interesting factoid - Peter Gabriel’s band including Tony Levin (King Crimson) thought so highly of Gowan they’d appear on his albums. Check out Criminal Minds - cool song.

Unless Stan connects with a GM looking to take a D off his hands, I don't anticipate a move today. I have been wrong before though!
- Justin Lowe

Okay, thanks. I'm sure there are a lot of conversations going on. It's been relatively quiet all around the league.

Saw Styx once. Fun to see. Gowan who has been in Styx for a while now once played the Southern Ontario circuit - humble beginnings. Interesting factoid - Peter Gabriel’s band including Tony Levin (King Crimson) thought so highly of Gowan they’d appear on his albums. Check out Criminal Minds - cool song.
- Z3Hawk

For my 16th (I think) birthday, I saw .38 Special, Styx, and REO at Northerly Island. It was a great show. Levin is such a cool guy.

Yeah, and as far I know is still playing with the band.
- walleyeb1

I thought so.

So once AA is traded Reunite the Cat Strome Kane line and Move Sikura to the Toews line Perlini Kampf Kahun as the third line
- SoftServe

Definitely down for this for the rest of the year. Then leave Hayden, Martinsen, Johnson or some combo like that for the fourth line to bring some grit to the team

So the are fielding an ahl team and not an nhl team wow, I'm sure the core is happy with that. Remember this is not a developmental league. Good win last night yes but still gave up ton of shot plus preds were without 3 big stars and still almost won. Going forward its obvious bowman needs to go whether its shortly or at the end of the season he needs to go. The lack of depth and talent is very evident and he continues to make the same mistakes, now not every gm is not without mistakes but he imo make same blunders sign the wrong guys or sign players to bad contracts then has to fix them later on same song and dance. As hawks fans do we really want him to make anyone more decisions regarding this team, I say no.

TRade proposals:

AA 4th to Columbus for Anderson 3rd
AA to montreal for 2nd and 3rd

Keith to Toronto for 1st Kappean rosen
Kieth to buffalo for nylander and st.louis 1st
Keith to phily for robsov / frost morin and 1st

At some point some hard decisions have to be made. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that Gus will ever figure it out - he just doesn’t seem to have the requisite hockey IQ - or if he does have it he refuses to use it. Regardless of what Colliton says a team can’t live with one players’ constant turnovers that find there way into the net. If Gus wasn’t producing offensively his shortcomings would be even more noticeable. Colliton seems to believe he is the next Bobby Orr though. I would trade him right now getting some team to bite at his offence because if his offence dries up he will be untradeable. His play and pass at the end of the first period was as dumb as it gets.

Kahun must produce some points or play him down the order as he is morphing into Fortin 2.0. As well I don’t know what kind of player Hayden believes he is but unless he starts playing physically he shouldn’t be playing. Same thinking for Martinsen if he gets back in.

Seemed that players were more cognizant of what zone responsibilities they have based on position last night. There was still a lot of overly aggressive puck chasing in the D-Zone but less. Whether the D-System is called “Man to Man” or “Golden Zone Attack” it doesn’t change the fact that players have positional responsibilities based on the positions they play.

It was a nice game to watch but coming so soon after the San Jose debacle I am hopeful but guarded. Hopefully, the goaltending will be good moving forward as that can make a huge difference.
- Z3Hawk

I agree on Gus. I like they guy. He has some talent, but some downside. But we aren't winning this year, and he's not some true offensive wonderkid. Hes good, not game-changing. Sell him now, before he dries up. He's replaceable, and if we can get something back i'd take it. Use him as part of sweetener package that gets Seabrook moved. Or ship him as the 2nd piece with Anisimov that could get us back something that is "more than just a pick".

Murphy and Dahlstrom might be the making of a 2nd pair, but I don't think they have the ability to be a #1 shut down pair. Not even a #2 on a SC contender.

As a comp, the Hawks 2nd pair was Hammer & Johnny O. Murph/Dahl aren't even in the same league, talent wise.

I think Kampf is Krugs replacement.
- I Am The Breadman

He is.

Murphy and Dahlstrom might be the making of a 2nd pair, but I don't think they have the ability to be a #1 shut down pair. Not even a #2 on a SC contender.

As a comp, the Hawks 2nd pair was Hammer & Johnny O. Murph/Dahl aren't even in the same league, talent wise.
- scottak

Not yet. but Murphy and Dahl are also much younger... they could be there for the 20-21 season...

How was Strome on the wing and that Cat Sikura line? I missed the game?
- SoftServe

It actually ended up with Strome at C and AA on the wing. They had some chances...mostly AA and Strome going to the net looking for second chances.

John ultimately lost his battle with the bottle and died as a result.
- walleyeb1

I believe they are from the Chicago Heights area, their family owns a Funeral Home.

Oh that is a perfect description. How many line-ups of Deep Purple (the original color of the L.A. Kings sweaters just to keep it hockey related) were there? 6-8?
- Rota's Rooter

The Kings original sweater color was 'Forum Blue'.