This year it might take 45 points to make the playoffs. Not sure if Hawks can do it!!!!!!!...................oh wait........never mind.
- robhawks

Projecting off of last year (95 to get in) and with the shortened schedule (roughly 60% of a season) it will take around 57 this year. They still have some work to do there.

The Oilers have seemingly had the Hawks number in recent games, but there is no reason that the Hawks shouldn't be able to run the Oilers out of the building tonight.

So what is it you want Q and Bowman to fix other than the Powerplay? They've given up the fewest goals in the West and only Boston and Ottawa have given up fewer across the whole league. And only one or 2 teams have scored more goals than the Hawks even with their crappy PP.

It ain't broken so I'm not fixin it is my attitude.
- RickJ[/quote]

And based on that premise maybe you're right. But after a few losses will you still think 'it ain't broken?'

I don't sit in the stands and keep track of numbers. From what I've observed of Pirri at the dot, he's average. I wouldn't think of him as some sort of face-off specialist, nor do I ever think he's going to become that. I don't think Pirri is any better or worse then Frolik.
- EKolb13

Frolik should get a shot as Sharp's replacement. Keep the 3rd line intact, 29-65-25 have been great together.

Frolik should get a shot as Sharp's replacement. Keep the 3rd line intact, 29-65-25 have been great together.
- DarthKane

I agree. I think he's earned a look.

So what is it you want Q and Bowman to fix other than the Powerplay? They've given up the fewest goals in the West and only Boston and Ottawa have given up fewer across the whole league. And only one or 2 teams have scored more goals than the Hawks even with their crappy PP.

It ain't broken so I'm not fixin it is my attitude.
- RickJ

Face offs, and maybe one more big body, both of which fall on Stan not Q. If he can kill both those birds with one stone, even better.

I agree. I think he's earned a look.
- EKolb13

Afternoon Eli

Afternoon Eli
- Ogilthorpe2

Hi Ogie!

I agree. I think he's earned a look.
- EKolb13

Knowing how Q is I think it's unlikely that Frolik sees anything but action on the 4th line

The Oilers have seemingly had the Hawks number in recent games, but there is no reason that the Hawks shouldn't be able to run the Oilers out of the building tonight.
- Ben37

A large part of the problem the Hawks have with the Oilers is the fact that they can't skate them out of the building. On the other hand, the Oilers showed the ability last year to be able to skate the Hawks out of the building if they don't come ready to play. It should be a good game.

A large part of the problem the Hawks have with the Oilers is the fact that they can't skate them out of the building. On the other hand, the Oilers showed the ability last year to be able to skate the Hawks out of the building if they don't come ready to play. It should be a good game.
- NewToHockey

4-2 Oil, including an empty netter.

Prove me wrong boys.

4-2 Oil, including an empty netter.

Prove me wrong boys.
- Ogilthorpe2

At least with the choppy ice at the UC, I don't see another 9-2. I'm seeing 3-2 Hawks.

Oil are due to break out in a big way...

Another drubbing of the Hawks coming???
- Iggysbff

I do not share your optimism.

4-1 Hawks.

A large part of the problem the Hawks have with the Oilers is the fact that they can't skate them out of the building. On the other hand, the Oilers showed the ability last year to be able to skate the Hawks out of the building if they don't come ready to play. It should be a good game.
- NewToHockey

Have you seen how the Oilers have been playing recently? It's not just losses but they've looked utterly disinterested in the losing. ffs the (frank)in Preds lit them up for 6.

Blues are the next team to pass on Arnott. Hopefully he's not Stan's move for a big depth center.

[quote=RickJ]So what is it you want Q and Bowman to fix other than the Powerplay? They've given up the fewest goals in the West and only Boston and Ottawa have given up fewer across the whole league. And only one or 2 teams have scored more goals than the Hawks even with their crappy PP.

It ain't broken so I'm not fixin it is my attitude.
- paulr[/quote]

And based on that premise maybe you're right. But after a few losses will you still think 'it ain't broken?'

You still haven't stated what you want or think needs to be fixed right now. If my horse goes into the far turn with a 17 length lead I don't start fretting about whether he may fall down and break his leg. It can happen but so can a snowfall in June.

So what is it you want Q and Bowman to fix other than the Powerplay? They've given up the fewest goals in the West and only Boston and Ottawa have given up fewer across the whole league. And only one or 2 teams have scored more goals than the Hawks even with their crappy PP.

It ain't broken so I'm not fixin it is my attitude.
- RickJ

Faceoff depth after Toews on both special teams, if the guy can hit some defensemen and leave some marks, all the better

Blues are the next team to pass on Arnott. Hopefully he's not Stan's move for a big depth center.
- prd797

I wouldn't mind if Stan signed him...as depth in Rockford. I'm about sick to death of watching Jimmy Hayes lose face-offs.

I wouldn't mind if Stan signed him...as depth in Rockford. I'm about sick to death of Jimmy Hayes lose face-offs.
- EKolb13

Yeah I suppose that wouldn't be the worst thing. Speaking of depth, what exactly happened to Brett Lebda? I know he wasn't really great in Rockford, but where did he end up?

Frolik should get a shot as Sharp's replacement. Keep the 3rd line intact, 29-65-25 have been great together.
- DarthKane

>Not sure why Q feels the need to reconstruct 3 lines with the loss of one player when he could just leave lines 1 and 3 intact
>Game winner the other night aside, Carbomb is a 4th liner -- with an occasional policeman cameo with Toews & Hossa
>#29 is playing well, but with #36 already Kane's center -- collectively they are too slow to play with Kane -- need someone with speed on Kane's wing if Bolland is the center
>It will be very interesting to see how line 2 plays tonight -- though the whole team was gassed in Colorado -- Kane was often "alone" with the puck on his shifts -- with no forward available as an outlet and no one opening a lane for him

Yeah I suppose that wouldn't be the worst thing. Speaking of depth, what exactly happened to Brett Lebda? I know he wasn't really great in Rockford, but where did he end up?
- prd797

Binghamton. Ottawa's farm team.

#29 is playing well, but with #36 already Kane's center -- collectively they are too slow to play with Kane -- need someone with speed on Kane's wing if Bolland is the center
- SnapitUpstairs

Maybe Frolik would bring enough speed to make that line interesting?

Concensus was that Saad doesn't belong on the top line. Put Carcillo there and let Saad drag down the Kane, Bolland line.

Maybe Frolik would bring enough speed to make that line interesting?
- EKolb13

He'd bring a lot of not putting the puck in the net too. I like Frolik, but I think he should stay on the 4th line.

You still haven't stated what you want or think needs to be fixed right now. If my horse goes into the far turn with a 17 length lead I don't start fretting about whether he may fall down and break his leg. It can happen but so can a snowfall in June.
- RickJ

But if your horse has a 1 length lead you do worry that you trained him to cover the last furlong or that you have the right jockey who can get the most out of your horse no? (Sorry if my horse racing terminology is incorrect or poorly used, but the wealth of my knowledge of horses can be tied to the movie Secretariat).

What I would like is to add some size and grit, along with skating ability and some skill to the bottom six to allow us to play a more physical game if required. Others would like to see a faceoff guy, a power play specialist etc. What you or I or any other poster wants or thinks we need is really irrelevant compared to what Management thinks we need. So all I am saying is a few losses don’t allow that streak to hide the Hawks weaknesses and also put some urgency into whatever Management decide. The Hawks are a legit contender to win it all. I’d hate to see the decision for the playoffs be decided by a streak that had a large element of luck to go along with the effort and skill