After watching more NHL teams on the tube lately, I see no reason that the Hawks will not make a strong run at the Playoffs.
There are issues here but if the injury bug does not bite too hard the Hawks should get better as the season goes on.
The only wrinkle could be that if things don’t go well the youth factor may mean more self imposed pressure. When in a losing skid the boys will have to not let the pressure build. I guess a younger team has to learn how to win but also how to not losing destroy confidence.
Speaking of confidence, Toews needs to score now. You can see it on his face…he puts a lot of pressure on himself. Although that probably is why he is so good he needs to score and then relax. He has taken the same amount of shots as Kane (30) but has only five assists to show for his efforts.
Khabibulin back in goal tonight as he should be.
I watched the replays of last night’s Av’s- Jackets game. Andrew Raycroft….wow that was one brutal performance.
I wonder how long the Av’s will stay patient with the tandem of Budaj, .891 Sv%, 2.86 GAA. and Raycroft, .839 Sv%, .375 GAA.
By the numbers Budaj doesn’t appear too bad. Realistically are either good enough to help get Colorado to the Playoffs?
I think that the same question could be asked here in Chicago.
I realize there is a big difference between AHL talent and that found in the NHL. When a player really excels in the AHL one does have take notice.
Anti Niemi has hit the local scene in fine fashion. After five games played for the IceHogs Niemi has recorded four wins. He has a .951 Sv% with a 1.56 GAA both of which are very impressive.
I don’t know how it will happen but someway Niemi will be playing for the Hawks this season. He appears to have adjusted to the North American game just fine. It also has to be realized Hawk Management has made a decent investment in the 25 year old Finnish goal keeper.
Niemi signed a one year 1.5 million dollar contract last summer. He becomes an RFA after this season and I have a feeling he is not just destined to be an IceHog.
I hear the Mike Comrie to the Hawk rumors and I still don’t believe it is going to happen. Comrie is a 4 million dollar 40 point a season player. He brings some grit and is a center but is not good defensively. I don’t see the need to trade a Barker or Khabibulin for someone bearing that type of talent.
I still believe if Barker does not fit in here as a top four defender the Hawks should look to deal him sooner than later. Right now he has the opportunity to play top four minutes because Hendry and Hjalmarrson are in Rockford while Wisniewki is still on IR. This is a perfect time to evaluate the progress of Barker.
Top four minutes for defender here so far has been somewhat of a stretch. Keith and Campbell are always on the ice and Seabrook plays about 20-23 minutes a game. After that the ice time drops way down for the last defensive pairing.
According to Quenneville the ice time for defenders will be more spread out…so we will when that starts to happen.
I will be watching the Ladd-Bolland-Byfuglien line tonight.
Quenneville praised their defensive efforts and now all they have to do is chip in some offensively. They did perform well last game and hopefully they can be rewarded with a few goals.
If in fact Sundin signs with a team soon there will be off shoot deals as a result.
The Hawks performed fairly well against Dallas last season.
Avery is coming off his two best games but he still only has six points on the year. He has never scored a goal against the Hawks in 13 outings.
Burish, Fraser and Eager will have to not allow Avery to help his team by creating Power Play opportunities.
Fraser quietly has been getting more ice time. Burish did not spend that much time on the penalty kill last game and was on the ice for 8:31. Fraser was a -1 but did play 10:08 against the Wild.
It appears the atmosphere surrounding the Hawks has been calmer of late.
It is time for everyone to relax and play good hockey, although that is easier said than done.
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