I meant to include in my page long post a page back.
Christian Ehrhoff

I wasn't looking for a fail, but I just remembered all the times with the canuck that when you catch him on the wall he loses it and had troubles when he was attacked in transition. I saw none of that so far.

Which begs the question:

Does StanBo ever acquire deadline defenders who are defensive oriented?

Past practice seems to say hardly....
Kimmo Timonen

David Rundblad
not really in Chris Campoli (late February I believe)
not necessarily maybe Nick Boynton

Johnny Oduya (late February I believe)
not necessarily Nick Boynton
Kim Johnsson <--- the real rental prize they were hoping he would fill
Nick Leddy

well,
certainly looks like Ehrhoff is going to fit the attack, and add an option at PP....

It's all about the run and gun sandwiched, around the globetrottin'...
- wiz1901

Good point Wiz but how about another.....when is the last time Hawks had a real "defense first" guy in the top 4? My mind is in neutral it seems today, I can't really come up with one, LOL.

Anyway, as JJ has pointed out before (others have too but since its his blog.....), the Hawks have problems when they have to dump and chase as before the TDL, they really didn't have the players to do that. Having said that, they have done ok (sarcasm noted please) the past 7 years come playoff time but it begs the question from someone who only played gym hockey (couldn't risk the failed golf career playing the real thing).....how hard is it to change the way you play the game while actually playing the game?

It would seem that a pro whose wired to play the way he's played it all his life would would find it difficult to change that up on a consistent basis as hockey to me anyway, is THE definition of the sport that if you think about what you're going to do before you do it.....its already too late. Kane in the past was guilty of this but he's gotten better over the years at dumping it in if need be. On the other side, Panarin hasn't learned that yet.

Thanks for the feedback in advance, always interested in getting others perspective on the "greatest game in the world".

Ok, I'll agree with that. Wasn't paying attention to the time in the game, but just the hit. Thought the hit was fine, but at that point in a game which was already decided, it makes sense why Domi would do what he did.
- howiehandles

It was, but with 2 1/2 minutes left in a blowout, I get what Domi did, too.

It was, but with 2 1/2 minutes left in a blowout, I get what Domi did, too.
- MartiniMan

Definitely know he's Tie's kid now. Certainly didn't inherit his offensive skills from the old man, but looks like he'd be a handful with the gloves off.

Old man was a tough s.o.b.

It was, but with 2 1/2 minutes left in a blowout, I get what Domi did, too.
- MartiniMan

2 1/2 minutes left and OEL is still trying to score while blowing out the other team sorry but expect to be checked! To think that you need to curtail your aggressiveness to fit the score is crazy as there are two sides. Should not be giving up when there is that much time remaining and since the hit by Garbutt was clean what is the issue?

The 1 game suspension for Domi is a joke, hasn't the league learned anything from Bertuzzi? What is worse is Duclair already engaged Garbutt, and then Domi jumps him from behind. Absolute terrible reporting by the announcers, and if the coach doesn't talk to him about them then shame on the coach also. Pu$$y move by Domi, just like his old man. Can't wait till he is carted off the ice (if his coach is too stupid to keep putting him out there). There is no place for butchers like that in the league.

MAX DOMI

(btw is this the Arizona blog?)

The rule about the last five minutes and taking major penalties si the rule.

So don't see any joke in the penalty, nor do I see anybody on the Coyotes thinking about that before engaging Garbutt. He wasn't the Hawks initial trade target

I liked that the hawks got Garbutt, because I figured he was quick enough and had in the past should some scoring, so i figured that we would have to take the good withe the bad. He wasn't the Hawks initial trade target (Roussel) in the Sharp dump, and now in retrospect we all can say maybe that they should have backed off on the Daley part and the Garbutt throw in, but let's remember no one was buying Sharp...he spends time on IR and the sunlight may be turning to twilight despite Sharpie's sniperablity you get contract and dings...
This next part is not some mad up thing - there are large numbers of NHL players who simply don't like Garbutt, because of the large canvass of cheap shots and stick work. Sure there are others. But it is fair to say Garbutt is not liked because he isn't new at this stuff.

Let's just change this scenario up into an imaginary one (we are good that in some quarters here): Let's say garbutt does the same thing to Toews, or Sequin...
now that isn't even deciding whether it is possibley a called penalty...

Don't you think a Hawk or Star is, without thinking, gonna answer that by going after Garbutt?
I don't think Garbutt will drop'em there. He isn't looking for an even out penalty, or a fight. He's looking to hurt your team's star, as a remembrance to their time together in the contest.

And I actually don't think this action by Domi should strike you as one that make's you like him more, or think he surprised an innocent guy from the behind.

Domi, the son has never been a kitty cat in junior, but he has skill so doesn't necessarily have to show that side during most contests. We certainly now know he is not worried about dropping 'em.
Actually might have been an even better thing if Duclair had not been afraid to drop em....THAT would have only added more cohesion to the Coyotes roster and strive to be a better team.

I am not sure how the game would police itself, and I like that fighting is still an option, and the one game for it happening in the last five minutes, just what you pay for the privilege of th late 5 minute major...

Heard Rackell just gave Steeger a tune up

Heard Rackell just gave Steeger a tune up
- philco28

Mash should be traded to protect him ASAP.

Heard Rackell just gave Steeger a tune up
- philco28

Oh it was more than a tune up, Rackell got the jersey over Steegs head and crushed him.

Mash should be traded to protect him ASAP.
- eagle50

too late for that now

Oh it was more than a tune up, Rackell got the jersey over Steegs head and crushed him.
- yobwoc03

Got a good shot in for sure with the jersey pulled over

Looks like at least one more game with Mashinter

Now, Colby - the Hawks have faced 3 different teams in the SC Final - 4, if the get there this year against the Caps.

That's enuf variety for me.
- StLBravesFan

and 4 different teams in the WC Final. Definitely enough variety. In fact, I would rather see rivalries from seeing the same team multiple years in a row. It feels so much better when you beat them! For instance, I would like to see Hawks v Kings WC final again.

Blackhawks taking three of top awards per this analysis: http://www.si.com/nhl/201...orris-vezina-calder-adams

Just when you thought the University of Illinois athletics department couldn't screw up worse...apparently they're bringing in Lovie as the football coach...no word yet on whether Rex Grossman will be named the starting QB at Illinois for the Fall...

http://chicago.suntimes.c...ill-be-next-illini-coach/

Heard Rackell just gave Steeger a tune up
- philco28

Here ya go Phil...

http://sportsmockery.com/...versteeg-gets-ass-kicked/

Just when you thought the University of Illinois athletics department couldn't screw up worse...apparently they're bringing in Lovie as the football coach...no word yet on whether Rex Grossman will be named the starting QB at Illinois for the Fall...

http://chicago.suntimes.c...ill-be-next-illini-coach/
- DK002

They just signed the now-fired coach to a two-year contract: now it's going to cost the school $1,000,000 to buy him out - in a time of dramatic cut-backs in funding for universities by the state because of the Rauner-Madigan stand-off.

How many scholarships could $1,000,000 continue to fund?

They just signed the now-fired coach to a two-year contract: now it's going to cost the school $1,000,000 to buy him out - in a time of dramatic cut-backs in funding for universities by the state because of the Rauner-Madigan stand-off.

How many scholarships could $1,000,000 continue to fund?
- StLBravesFan

I hear ya St. Lou...what is it...4 football coaches since 2011 and 2 basketball coaches...and the funding which should be going to students...well...

I was surprised they allowed the Cubit extension before a new AD was hired. The clown car show continues at U of I.

Here ya go Phil...

http://sportsmockery.com/...versteeg-gets-ass-kicked/
- DK002

Thx DK

They just signed the now-fired coach to a two-year contract: now it's going to cost the school $1,000,000 to buy him out - in a time of dramatic cut-backs in funding for universities by the state because of the Rauner-Madigan stand-off.

How many scholarships could $1,000,000 continue to fund?
- StLBravesFan

For future athletes or legitimate students?

Colleges have lost their way. Student first and athlete second has been a misnomer for how many years now?

Just saying and throwing it out there.

Thx DK

- philco28

I know Steeger has a famous dive play, but at the end there it looked as if he dived for the ice away from the fist....

Just when you thought the University of Illinois athletics department couldn't screw up worse...apparently they're bringing in Lovie as the football coach...no word yet on whether Rex Grossman will be named the starting QB at Illinois for the Fall...

http://chicago.suntimes.c...ill-be-next-illini-coach/
- DK002

I'd be more worried if the McCaskeys were running the athletic department. They are the NFL equivalent of Dollar Bill Wirtz. It's pointless to blame the players and coaches for what ails them. Bad management causes far more damage to a franchise than anything else.

Just when you thought the University of Illinois athletics department couldn't screw up worse...apparently they're bringing in Lovie as the football coach...no word yet on whether Rex Grossman will be named the starting QB at Illinois for the Fall...

http://chicago.suntimes.c...ill-be-next-illini-coach/
- DK002

They can do a LOT worse than Lovie.

Good point Wiz but how about another.....
- ILGolfer

when is the last time Hawks had a real "defense first" guy in the top 4

? My mind is in neutral it seems today, I can't really come up with one, LOL.

Anyway, as JJ has pointed out before (others have too but since its his blog.....), the Hawks have problems when they have to dump and chase as before the TDL, they really didn't have the players to do that. Having said that, they have done ok (sarcasm noted please) the past 7 years come playoff time but it begs the question from someone who only played gym hockey (couldn't risk the failed golf career playing the real thing).....how hard is it to change the way you play the game while actually playing the game?

It would seem that a pro whose wired to play the way he's played it all his life would would find it difficult to change that up on a consistent basis as hockey to me anyway, is THE definition of the sport that if you think about what you're going to do before you do it.....its already too late. Kane in the past was guilty of this but he's gotten better over the years at dumping it in if need be. On the other side, Panarin hasn't learned that yet.

Thanks for the feedback in advance, always interested in getting others perspective on the "greatest game in the world".

Did you forget Hjalmarsson??

They can do a LOT worse than Lovie.
- busmaster

There's already enough gauze in Champaign. No need to bring in Mummy Smith.