Remember when Stan traded for him, they tried converting him to Center to play with Kane?
- LAHawk

game 6 vs Vancouver rivals game 6 vs Detroit

That penalty shot is burned in my head....and then seeing the light go in the tunnel behind Vancouver's bench and seeing Luongo come out.....was out of the movies.

He had one season in Chicago where he was useful.
- Elbows15

The stuff legends are made from.

Honestly.....88 is their most offensive consistent player year in and year out. This team goes as he goes, and even then.....its not enough.

its remarkable he can still produce at such a high level given the team's glaring lack of offensive depth, and him being the single focus by every team night in and night out.

he's on pace for 40+ goals and 100+ points.....and this team just is wasting that production and that has to be frustrating to him. Would be to me.
- SteveRain

What will begin to get tough on 88 is playing with Sikura and Carpenter

Neither have the ability to score (until they prove they can), so teams with good coaches/structure (like Torts did), will completely take Kane out of the game and frustrate him.

While people love Sikura and hate Nylander, Nylander has shown he han put the puck in the net at times....just needs consistency (which he may/may not ever get)

But it's great that Sikura hustles his 160lbs around...but on 88's line - someone has to put the puck in the net. Playing Kane with a 4th line center and AHL winger is going to neutralize Kane's

The trade that befuddles me was Zach Smith for AA. We didn't get much cap relief, and boy would AA look good in that #3 center slot. Ryan Carpenter is a nice 4th line player/PK guy, but is overslotted in the top 9.

Although supposedly he is a favorite of Marc Crawford.
- LAHawk

Last I saw AA has been out most of the season.

Last I saw AA has been out most of the season.
- rpeters01

Wonder when Saad comes back if they try Quenville with Kane

Remember when Stan traded for him, they tried converting him to Center to play with Kane?
- LAHawk

That and he couldn't score on a breakaway to save his life.

I'm not disagreeing. My point was there isn't one specific dman who is playing perfectly. Gilbert got dogpiled on because of one game. One puck bounced off of his foot. How many times has that happened to Maatta? Every dman has their flaws, & I just talked about Boq's. I never said he wouldn't grow out of them or that I didn't like him. I think the Ahl would have been better, but 2 big injuries on d played into that.
- I Am The Breadman

I’m with you Breadman, but the reality is that Gilbert belongs in the AHL, not because a goal deflected off his skate in one game, but because his coverage sucks. I hope that one day he can be a good #5 on a good team, but his current attributes are that he hits and fights, we need better defensive coverage from him.

Koekkoek should be playing over Gilbert regularly

Instead a they sit Maata for Koekkoek when they play him.

But its foolish to have Boqvist, Gus and Gilbert all in the lineup - when all 3 have to learn how to play D in the NHL

Wonder when Saad comes back if they try Quenville with Kane
- LAHawk

Was thinking about this myself. I think they move him straight to the 4th line and he rotates with Smith. I think they would try caggiula on the 2nd line before giving Q a look. He doesn't have silky mitts, seems to have a hard time finishing.

Is Shaw done for the year?

Is Shaw done for the year?
- z1990z

Last report was that Shaw still has concussion symptoms and they have not improved. Doesn't look good for this year.

Wonder when Saad comes back if they try Quenville with Kane
- LAHawk

Kane needs a guy on the left who can hit the one-timer to make passing a threat. Panarin got more than half his goals that way.

Koekkoek should be playing over Gilbert regularly

Instead a they sit Maata for Koekkoek when they play him.

But its foolish to have Boqvist, Gus and Gilbert all in the lineup - when all 3 have to learn how to play D in the NHL
- PatShart

Gilbert has appointed himself the enforcer which will keep him in the lineup.

The Blackhawks are one of only 5 teams not to earn more than 50% of their possible points in their home games.

DET .309
NJD .450
MTL .475
ARI .500
CHI .500
- scottak

Fire Cornelison!!

Fire Cornelison!!
- powerenforcer

I’d be on board even if they were undefeated at home.

I’d be on board even if they were undefeated at home.
- StLBravesFan

Good point!

The trade that befuddles me was Zach Smith for AA. We didn't get much cap relief, and boy would AA look good in that #3 center slot. Ryan Carpenter is a nice 4th line player/PK guy, but is overslotted in the top 9.

Although supposedly he is a favorite of Marc Crawford.
- LAHawk

HIGH COMEDY here. I know Anisimov is tracking at a brisk 25 point clip for the year (when extrapolated for games missed), but he wouldn't look good anywhere on this team.

Is Shaw done for the year?
- z1990z

he might be done period.

With his history and now has a young family. He has made some $$$ and won two cups. Yes he is a highly competive guy and for sure loves the game but the way he plays and the hits he gives and sustains...**yikes** he really should give serious thought to leaving the ice.

Gilbert has appointed himself the enforcer which will keep him in the lineup.
- rpeters01

woo hoo...to bad he can't enforce goals against and high danger chances...

Would you pay a 4th round pick for Zack Smith? because that is pretty much what Frolik is these days. With a higher cap hit.
- Elbows15

I haven't paid attention to how well Frolik had performed this season. He is not too 9ld to have slipped although he certainly has tread wear and tear of mid career or even past that point. I have noticed too 5hst Calgary has brought along a couple of young guys. That player iwith the long long name loks like he might be pretty good - Mangiiapane. So if someone has taken Frol8k's jjob because he is not playing as well this season a quick scan of their roster last night does not reveal whom . B I will take your word 5hat Frolik may not be quite as valuable in his role as he once was. Just wait and see if he is better in Buffalio

Well Reider is in Calgary now. But would need to study TOI for a few games to guess whom takes FrolicTOI in Calgary

Koekkoek should be playing over Gilbert regularly

Instead a they sit Maata for Koekkoek when they play him.

But its foolish to have Boqvist, Gus and Gilbert all in the lineup - when all 3 have to learn how to play D in the NHL
- PatShart

You are sounding more sensible here than Colliton. He has his reasons and we do not concur.with Colliton . I really do wish Gilbert was learning practicing how to play better defensive coverage in the AHL but I can see his value in toughness with us as helpful. We might be wishing for him in limited minutes and miss his toughness.

The stuff legends are made from.
- Beaver-Warrior

Keith would have missed the net or shot puck into the goalie pads....

You are sounding more sensible here than Colliton. He has his reasons and we do not concur.with Colliton . I really do wish Gilbert was learning practicing how to play better defensive coverage in the AHL but I can see his value in toughness with us as helpful. We might be wishing for him in limited minutes and miss his toughness.
- jhawk59

So tough that he just stood off to the side of Miller at the crease on Van’s first goal last nite - instead of engaging him and making it tougher to get a good deflection on Horvat’s shot.

There’s “toughness” for show (and there might be a place for that at times) and there’s “toughness” for play and protecting your goalie with the clock running.

Keith would have missed the net or shot puck into the goalie pads....
- glennjpawlak22

Keith scored the GWG against TBL in game 6 - on a drive and follow-up on the rebound.

Keith scored the GWG against TBL in game 6 - on a drive and follow-up on the rebound.
- StLBravesFan

Thats the exception, not the rule.