he is a huge wild card...he was never great defensively when he was with the nucks and got the big contract with the sabres...yes he does bring dman push the puck offensive game...

are his physical/concussion problems behind him or has that become to much to overcome...

I would also be careful to get overly excited or disappointed with his play after 1 game tonight...tough position to be in...
- bogiedoc

I guess it's all how you look at it...I think he's in a GREAT position...exactly what he wanted...and that's a great positive.

"If Erhoff is here to replace Gus they should send the kid down to Rockford for mins and confidence. Bring him back before the playoffs IMO." (quotes not working again)

I've said this previously: too late.

Q's already mind-(frank)ed Gustafsson. Doesn't matter whether he is sent down and plays his ass off or not because when he comes back, he'll have the same doubts in the back of his mind. Those doubts = hesitation on the ice instead of reacting to the play.

Once you're in the mindset of questioning your decision making each time, wondering whether you're going to be relegated to Q's doghouse (maybe never to escape), it's over.

I know no one wants to think this -- but Gus is done in Chicago. He will never regain (if he ever had his trust to begin with) and won't be part of Q's circle of trust. Book it.
- savvyone-1

I think the Hawks should have left him alone, and let him work out his inconsistencies. He did a great job demonstrating he understood the system. He just needed (needs) to work on being a Pro and doing it every game.

OK ... now I see a tweet from Myers that Ehrhoff will be with TvR, which should mean Ehrhoff lines up on the left which would put TvR on his natural right side. I assume that means Rozy sits with Gus paired with Seabs.

True but fluke things happen. Hawks have just been on the right side of the fence as of late.
- Gerk

Pretty long history of being on the right side of the fence.

They have had their share of injuries, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Bolland, Campbell, Toews, etc. All managed to get back in time for the playoffs (or a good percentage of it). That comes from being in peak shape, and from mgmt allowing players to heal properly and not forcing players back too early.

There is some luck involved, but also a lot of them being in the proper shape, and maybe the biggest factor, for all the crap the Hawks take about not being physical and hitting for the sake of hitting, this plays a huge role in their overall health.

When I look at that lineup Mexico, I can't help but be intrigued by the matchup problem a 3rd line of Weiss-TT-Shaw could create. Grit on the wings. playmaker at center and the two gritty guys can bury the puck. A real, real problem for teams in a 7 game series when they already have two stellar lines to worry about!!!!
- hawk35

Exactly, this is why the Hawks were going to do everything they could to resolve the 1st line LW issue...it gets Shaw back into a bottom 6 role...and now by adding players like Fleisch and Weiss, HUGE matchup problems for any other team come playoff time.

No big deal.....just a pet peeve.

The Hawks traded for: WEISE not WEISS

DALE WEISE not Stephen Weiss

When referring to him in posts can we please use the correct name......it's not that hard.

I like ehoff with TVR more then Seabs. Seabs has been pinching too much late and erhoff would not be someone I would like tyring to cover for each other. TVR is more conservative which makes more sense. with Back to backs Roz should get a day off.

In regard to Panik or Moose being out, you could also have shaw or Desi center the 4th line with Panik. Assuming the hawks get rolling Panik is a good guy to give guys days off, he can play L or R and 1-4 at some level.

No big deal.....just a pet peeve.

The Hawks traded for: WEISE not WEISS

DALE WEISE not Stephen Weiss

When referring to him in posts can we please use the correct name......it's not that hard.
- TheTrob

Actually, every time I try to type Weise the computer automatically changes it to Weiss. Talk to the gremlins.

Weise is on his way to Detroit but wont play tonight..will play tomorrow in Boston..

No big deal.....just a pet peeve.

The Hawks traded for: WEISE not WEISS

DALE WEISE not Stephen Weiss

When referring to him in posts can we please use the correct name......it's not that hard.
- TheTrob

Would it be OK if we referred to him playing with Jonathon Taves????

No big deal.....just a pet peeve.

The Hawks traded for: WEISE not WEISS

DALE WEISE not Stephen Weiss

When referring to him in posts can we please use the correct name......it's not that hard.
- TheTrob

Where you an English teacher?.....

Q said Hossa might play Sunday. He's getting closer.

Let's remember with Dano that deservedly or not, he's been through a lot of experiences this season that have undermined his confidence, not boosted it. How would you be feeling right now in his shoes? 3 teams in 6 months, 2 concussions, the minors, playing exclusively on your wrong side, consumed by trade talks...yikes.

Dano had a good first game in WPG, but his last one was invisible...what a shocker. What this young man needs is for the season to end, to get away for awhile, clear his head and then work on his skating style. Dano has a low skating style and he keeps his head down...and by going into areas where there is a lot of contact, that's a dangerous style of skating. He needs to adjust and the Jet need to be patient with him. But in my mind, there is zero doubt that once he begins to experience some confidence again, it will grow, and when it does, he will begin to produce in a manner consistent with his skills and abilities. Those that are judging him right now, are holding a stacked deck of cards.
- MexicoHawk

Also, going from a cup contender to a team that is not.

Weise is on his way to Detroit but wont play tonight..will play tomorrow in Boston..
- Glenman12

Would it be OK if we referred to him playing with Jonathon Taves????

- hawk35

Or as my son refers to him, Jonathan Toes.

For everyone who was asking about wild card matchups at the end of the last thread:

If the season ended today this would be round 1 in the west:



Not bad

Where you an English teacher?.....
- BGKarras

With Wiz being a retired math teacher, we can help people get their GEDs too.

Where you an English teacher?.....
- BGKarras

Far from it.......but my Mother was.

For everyone who was asking about wild card matchups at the end of the last thread:

If the season ended today this would be round 1 in the west:



Not bad
- maria_wyeth

Some fun matchups

Actually, every time I try to type Weise the computer automatically changes it to Weiss. Talk to the gremlins.
- MexicoHawk

F'n autocorrect.

Yeah, at that point you would have Rasmussen and Panik pushing for playing time. Talk about quality depth at forward...
- MexicoHawk

Good to see you back Mex. I missed your input the past week or so.

Some fun matchups
- howiehandles

Right? I would be really happy if it stayed just like this - Blues and Stars wear one another out, Kings would probably beat the Preds but be tired and then have to face either the Ducks or SJS. I like those odds for the Hawks

Right? I would be really happy if it stayed just like this - Blues and Stars wear one another out, Kings would probably beat the Preds but be tired and then have to face either the Ducks or SJS. I like those odds for the Hawks
- maria_wyeth

I think Anaheim winds up finishing first in that division.

Let's remember with Dano that deservedly or not, he's been through a lot of experiences this season that have undermined his confidence, not boosted it. How would you be feeling right now in his shoes? 3 teams in 6 months, 2 concussions, the minors, playing exclusively on your wrong side, consumed by trade talks...yikes.

Dano had a good first game in WPG, but his last one was invisible...what a shocker. What this young man needs is for the season to end, to get away for awhile, clear his head and then work on his skating style. Dano has a low skating style and he keeps his head down...and by going into areas where there is a lot of contact, that's a dangerous style of skating. He needs to adjust and the Jet need to be patient with him. But in my mind, there is zero doubt that once he begins to experience some confidence again, it will grow, and when it does, he will begin to produce in a manner consistent with his skills and abilities. Those that are judging him right now, are holding a stacked deck of cards.
- MexicoHawk

I watched most of the game last night. It looks like he is fighting himself each shift to stay in position. He still seems to have no fear going to the net and when he has the chance, his shot is pretty strong. The skating thing and the puck control/stick handling needs to be improved. I think next year (especially if they put him on the right) he will be legitimately above average.

Gus is not Runblad, so I hope you're wrong. But I'm not betting either way.
- 6628

Gustafsson is definitely not Rundblad - at least in the sense of toughness. Watching him in Rockford, Gustafsson had a bit of a mean streak in the aspect of sticking up for himself when getting pushed around by bigger opposing players.

Rundblad had no spine to speak of.