I bring it up per game as it happens and I back it up with specifics

I'm not trolling another poster who at then end, stood up and "agreed to disagree" with your group

I'll now wait for the rest of your team to begin the pile on...
- PatShart

Shaw moved to LTIR today. Was recently in a fight obviously intended to fire up the team. Isn't that "as it happens"?

BTW, several posters have been discussing fighting lately. The Shaw situation is addressed to all of them, not just bonecrusher.

the cheap poop..nhl style. I caught this and so did scott powers..

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1203849665504055296

this stuff goes on way to much with out any call...why won't the nhl and refs not get their (frank)n act together and start penalizing guys...i do't care if it means double digit combined pens/game....eventually players will stop
- bogiedoc

Is it obvious yet that Bettman is tired of having the Arizona franchise suck, so the orders from above are "let them win at any cost"? It is a joke of a franchise, and that is too bad with all the Chicago guys on the roster. But the worst part is the UFC has a contract now with Fox sports.....so maybe fighting should be a bigger part of the game, not the Arizona market.....

Is it obvious yet that Bettman is tired of having the Arizona franchise suck, so the orders from above are "let them win at any cost"? It is a joke of a franchise, and that is too bad with all the Chicago guys on the roster. But the worst part is the UFC has a contract now with Fox sports.....so maybe fighting should be a bigger part of the game, not the Arizona market.....
- powerenforcer

I know, I was pissed as well when Bettman allowed them to win all those cups.

I think it is a weird coincidence that the Hawks start looking better without Marc Crawford. They are looking like they did near the end of last year before he was hired. I don't want to say he was THE factor or cause of the team struggles, what does anybody else think?

I think you were actually agreeing with me.
- mohel

I agree with you so tired of arguing about Nylander, Sikura, Entnothing, etc. WGAF! Not like any of them are going to lead us back to the top. I see Dach, Boquist, Mitchell, it ends about there. Dinky couldn't carry Sharp's jock...

I think it is a weird coincidence that the Hawks start looking better without Marc Crawford. They are looking like they did near the end of last year before he was hired. I don't want to say he was THE factor or cause of the team struggles, what does anybody else think?
- Googlyeyes

Have wondered about that, too. Putting aside the allegations and investigation and making assumption that's he's done nothing of the kind while with the Hawks, there are still impacts his hiring could have had on the other coaches and team dynamics:

1) What if the players viewed his hiring like many of us did? Another Q/Savvy situation - the FO wanting to have an insurance policy if they lost confidence in JC?

2) Did his influence lead to the defense-first scheme tried and failed in the first 20 games? If so, was he part of the publicly announced dressing down the FO gave JC?

3) What if he challenged JC's decisions, even during game, and made JC second guess himself in real time and impact the effectiveness of his coaching? Watching the bench in the broadcasts, it seemed Crawford might be doing that.

4) Did his presence (that of an experienced HC) make it hard for players to know who to answer to in practice and games if they were given contradictory direction?

Not saying any of this happened, but if it did, it could make both players and coaches tentative or confused during the games. It could also contribute to a players' loss of respect for JC. Neither of which will contribute to a winning culture.

wouldn't be fun to have this season ending scenario...

last game: hawks need 2 pts to get a playoff spot
hawks have 3 goal lead going into the 3rd
blow it...3-3 into a shoot out
lehner in goal...Now what???

Is this jab necessary to the guy you and your group argued with all day yesterday?
- PatShart

i thought it was a posse....

You say "what if they catch fire?"
I say what if they could not be outplayed and actually beat teams with obvious better skating and desire to win

Last night was not the first loss to e superior team. The Coyotes may not appear the better team if you consider.
certain stat's. But the eye test and the team"s radio announcers are not fooled

Of course occasionally a weaker team converts on its scoring chances early part of game + received outstanding goaltending.. St Louis lost to Toronto just last week. But that is the exception and even a Toronto with it's offense is not going to make playoffs.

For Chicago I still believe that their dman corps is very susceptible to being beat back regularly if deHahn or Murphy goes down.. Presently Keith is out and some fans feel like the team has been not too bad minus their best dmenan.

Keith stays out more than another week and you will be able to point to games where he could have made enough difference between a W or L. Just last week (one blogger pointed out) how we lost a three goal lead to New Jersey.

Well if the team gets on a victory run I expect that Gus and Toews must have their moments. As well DeBrincat and Strome need to garner points like they did last season.

Truly there is only two positives in my discernment with this team. First is that they are not collectively a marshmellow of a team. The second point is that prospects are a year closer

I am rooting for Koekkoek as well.

but do we have six legitimate top 6 NHL players who are currently healthy? or, at all?
- pdx2ord

On a good team, Saad would be on a 4th line energy unit. Think Strome is the guy to keep an eye on in terms of uncertain future. Could potentially garner a fair return in assets, on a packaged deal. Team in desperate need of both speed and defensive capability in our own end. One of a few reasons why we remain perpetually trapped in our own end for extended periods of time. Wonder out loud if the Hawks are completely sold on him.

wouldn't be fun to have this season ending scenario...

last game: hawks need 2 pts to get a playoff spot
hawks have 3 goal lead going into the 3rd
blow it...3-3 into a shoot out
lehner in goal...Now what???
- bogiedoc

That kind of happened in '12 I think? Needed to win last game, lost but so did Dallas?

On a good team, Saad would be on a 4th line energy unit. Think Strome is the guy to keep an eye on in terms of uncertain future. Could potentially garner a fair return in assets, on a packaged deal. Team in desperate need of both speed and defensive capability in our own end. One of a few reasons why we remain perpetually trapped in our own end for extended periods of time. Wonder out loud if the Hawks are completely sold on him.
- gabriel

I look at it this way,
Bolland > Strome
At least right now. That makes Strome a 3/4. Hasn't shown ability to play with anybody but DeBrinkat. I don't count Kane he could play with my grandmother.

I think it is a weird coincidence that the Hawks start looking better without Marc Crawford. They are looking like they did near the end of last year before he was hired. I don't want to say he was THE factor or cause of the team struggles, what does anybody else think?
- Googlyeyes

Hawks 2-2-1 without Crawford. 10-10-5 with him.

Both losses one sided, great effort against Boston, NJ one of the worst teams in the league took them to OT, lost a close one to ARI.

Looks like a snapshot of the season... mediocrity and inconsistency, not playing better.

Toews and Cat have been scoring more in Crawford's absence though if that is what you are referring to. Hope that continues.

I look at it this way,
Bolland > Strome
At least right now. That makes Strome a 3/4. Hasn't shown ability to play with anybody but DeBrinkat. I don't count Kane he could play with my grandmother.
- rpeters01

Handzus is your grandmother?

Handzus is your grandmother?
- mohel

My grandmother was quicker.

Handzus is your grandmother?
- mohel

I’m still surprised at how well Handzus held his own at 2C during the 2013 Cup run.

Tyler Cameron: "What If" the Blackhawks catch fire?

This headline would have worked out better for me had the Hawks finished off the Coyotes on Sunday night.

However, they did not. They started off hot and then the 'Yotes took over the majority of the play.

Part one of the "What If" series is the hypothetical situation of what will happen if the Blackhawks continue to win… a lot from now until the trade deadline.
- Tyler Cameron

All this adulation for Gilbert is nice but if you watched the Lehner save, it was his man that was left wide open and almost cost us a goal. Not so good if you ask me.

My grandmother was quicker.
- rpeters01

All this adulation for Gilbert is nice but if you watched the Lehner save, it was his man that was left wide open and almost cost us a goal. Not so good if you ask me.
- gifman

Anyone know Gilbert's age off the top of their head?

I’m still surprised at how well Handzus held his own at 2C during the 2013 Cup run.
- SimpleJack

He was a good acquisition by Stan. Not that many here could admit it......

I think it is a weird coincidence that the Hawks start looking better without Marc Crawford. They are looking like they did near the end of last year before he was hired. I don't want to say he was THE factor or cause of the team struggles, what does anybody else think?
- Googlyeyes

He should puck-off and retire. It has McDumbshyt hire written all over it.

Anyone know Gilbert's age off the top of their head?
- gabriel

Born October 30, 1996. Buffalo New York.

It's not of popular opinion, but I could see the Hawks trading Strome and DeBrincat. ADB is at his most valued when the team has speed and grease around him and he can do what he does best in the O zone.

Strome sees the play well on offense but his lack of skating, defense and physicality do not scream "sign me as a second line C" at $6mm + per year.

It's not of popular opinion, but I could see the Hawks trading Strome and DeBrincat. ADB is at his most valued when the team has speed and grease around him and he can do what he does best in the O zone.

Strome sees the play well on offense but his lack of skating, defense and physicality do not scream "sign me as a second line C" at $6mm + per year.
- phantasmo

When has the truth of any matter, matched up with popular opinion? Glad you had the stones and desire to post it. Something to reflect upon. Enjoyed it.

Born October 30, 1996. Buffalo New York.
- boilermaker100

Thanks, Boiler! Has a little experience under his belt. Good to know.