I dont get it . Why have him on the bench then ?
- mrpaulish

Cause he is obviously the best guy on the Hawks to open and close the bench door

Good Morning John

Any updates on the rumors you were hearing yesterday? Definitely there needs to be a few upgrades. What is up with Carcillo??? What do you know about this situation? Mayers should also be off the roster, he basically offers nothing at this point of his career.


Read this morning, that Miikka Kiprusoff is on the Hawks radar. Have you heard this lately? In your opinion would he be an upgrade over Emery?

Also read Bozak has been rumored to be shopped as part of a package to the Canucks for Luongo.The blogger thinks that this has a great chance of happening. Instead of Bozak, I would rather the Hawks get Brassard or Eller somehow for that second line center position.

Disagree. Even if those TO's weren't actually caused by "hits," the Hawks were tired and they were pulling up short to avoid contact all night. Saad just got outworked on his.

The forecheck had them flustered. If you don't agree, maybe you were actually watching a Vancouver game. Dunno.

Also, the Hawks "held" the lead because Crawford stood on his head—they were generally outplayed except for about 15 minutes. The puck was in their end for most of the night.
- John Jaeckel

And in a 7 game series against this same team the fatigue would increase. I dont understand why people dont ee this. When the Hawks won the cup their forecheck was very physical and the oppositions defense turned the puck over to the Hawks a lot. The Hawks do need a more physical presence if they are going to contend for the cup , its that simple.

Maybe we're not talking about any of this if Kane had buried that loose puck off the Saad shot and in the 3rd he was allowed to walk right in point blank and appeared to look 5-hole but was denied.

But the whole Carcillo soap opera is really baffling. Guy busts his butt twice to rehab from knee issues...sits out a bunch of games, then dresses and plays a couple shifts.

WHAT THE PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUCK ?
- philco28

I would hope most of us can see the forest for the trees. A win last night wouldn't have hidden the fact the Hawks made a ton of forced errors due to rushing play because they were being hit. It also wouldn't have hidden the fact the Ducks did what they wanted to do with impunity because they were comfortable knowing they wouldn't be hit.

Cause he is obviously the best guy on the Hawks to open and close the bench door
- waitforawhistle

What a laughable assessment.

That was a great hockey game to watch. The flow of play was dictated by both sides during different points of the game for a fairly equal share. Unfortunately the Hawks were not able to capitalize on their chances as well as the Ducks did.

Yes Saad made an awful play for the third goal. He also had two potentially game breaking plays earlier in the game. Kane had another stellar game but was caught watching along with Dave Bolland on the second and not covering the middle on the third. It happens. Expecting perfection night in and night out is pretty delusional.

There were few bone crunching hits if any that night. It was a fast up and down game of momentum and the Ducks had better finish when it mattered. End of story and bottom line.

Aside from Bolland's and Seabrook's continuing nightmare performances there is little to complain about, it was a great game to watch and hopefully Hossa is back in the mix come Monday.

Disagree. Even if those TO's weren't actually caused by "hits," the Hawks were tired and they were pulling up short to avoid contact all night. Saad just got outworked on his.

The forecheck had them flustered. If you don't agree, maybe you were actually watching a Vancouver game. Dunno.

Also, the Hawks "held" the lead because Crawford stood on his head—they were generally outplayed except for about 15 minutes. The puck was in their end for most of the night.
- John Jaeckel

Saad wasn't out worked. He was trying to hit Kane with a backhand pass in the middle of the ice. The pass was weak and behind Kane - Ducks go the other way. If Saad goes up the ice near the boards he probably finds Toews and the goal doesn't happen.

Crawford stood on his head in the first, Hawks owned the second - where Toews and Kane respectively missed two open nets. It's not as though Hiller played like a chump either. The saves he made on Saad in tight were huge - not to mention the shoulder save that created the rebound Kane couldn't put home.

Why the tone JJ?

Bollig played quite well but we need someone who can play better than him but can also bring some physicality .... Matt Martin anyone?
- paulr

Look, not gonna argue the point of adding a little size/physicality, but when the board starts with the Matt Martin and suggest adding 50 guys who will not go anywhere unless you trade them Kane, then the whole conversation stalls.

I do not discount JJ's caution and concern with playoff hockey; I am more concerned with the Carcillo thing as described. You signed him to play and have a role in these kind of games.

Assuming you have Sharp and Hossa back, I still like our chances vs Ducks, Kings or Blues. Slow plodding defenses, outside of Fowler, who looked great last night.

Will see next week when we play at home.

I would hope most of us can see the forest for the trees. A win last night wouldn't have hidden the fact the Hawks made a ton of forced errors due to rushing play because they were being hit. It also wouldn't have hidden the fact the Ducks did what they wanted to do with impunity because they were comfortable knowing they wouldn't be hit.
- paulr

Every team every game has a ton of unforced errors due to pressure. It is the same in every sport. The Ducks had their share of mistakes but the Hawks were not able to convert as many chances.

great insight....that was a playoff type game against a team that looks like it's built for the playoffs. That's not to say that we aren't terrific and can't be a 100 point + team every year---it is to say that the Blackhawks are not properly constructed for the along the wall grind and pounding of the nhl playoffs. Of course we will be better with Hossa and Sharp and they will be better with Perry, but simply put, really good big guys will beat really good small guys. When the smart Bowman put together the championship Red Wing's teams, they had guys that could really play along the wall and in the slot..........which is not to say we don't have lots of heart and talent...we are just not built for the playoffs.

That's what a 3rd period looks like when you've been pounded all night.

Look, not gonna argue the point of adding a little size/physicality, but when the board starts with the Matt Martin and suggest adding 50 guys who will not go anywhere unless you trade them Kane, then the whole conversation stalls.

I do not discount JJ's caution and concern with playoff hockey; I am more concerned with the Carcillo thing as described. You signed him to play and have a role in these kind of games.

Assuming you have Sharp and Hossa back, I still like our chances vs Ducks, Kings or Blues. Slow plodding defenses, outside of Fowler, who looked great last night.

Will see next week when we play at home.
- TrueGrit

Slow plodding defences work well when your game plan is to take a fast team to the outside walls and hit them slowing them down to the same speed of the slow plodding defence. Don't cha think?

Maybe we're not talking about any of this if Kane had buried that loose puck off the Saad shot and in the 3rd he was allowed to walk right in point blank and appeared to look 5-hole but was denied.

But the whole Carcillo soap opera is really baffling. Guy busts his butt twice to rehab from knee issues...sits out a bunch of games, then dresses and plays a couple shifts.

WHAT THE PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUCK ?
- philco28

Agree on this 100%. I would obviously like to see a little more production out of Carcillo in terms of hits and gettting the other team off their game but from what I have seen he isn't playing "bad" or hurting the Hawks when he is out there. Plus the Carcillo of the past who used to take dumb penalties and abuse officials seems to be gone. Just don't understand why this guy can't get on the ice.....

What a laughable assessment.

That was a great hockey game to watch. The flow of play was dictated by both sides during different points of the game for a fairly equal share. Unfortunately the Hawks were not able to capitalize on their chances as well as the Ducks did.

Yes Saad made an awful play for the third goal. He also had two potentially game breaking plays earlier in the game. Kane had another stellar game but was caught watching along with Dave Bolland on the second and not covering the middle on the third. It happens. Expecting perfection night in and night out is pretty delusional.

There were few bone crunching hits if any that night. It was a fast up and down game of momentum and the Ducks had better finish when it mattered. End of story and bottom line.

Aside from Bolland's and Seabrook's continuing nightmare performances there is little to complain about, it was a great game to watch and hopefully Hossa is back in the mix come Monday.
- fattybeef

Glad it brought a smile to your face. Seems like otherwise you're having a tough time of late?

Every team every game has a ton of unforced errors due to pressure. It is the same in every sport. The Ducks had their share of mistakes but the Hawks were not able to convert as many chances.
- fattybeef

Here's what's laughable. Your implication that the Hawks applied as much pressure as the Ducks did. The Ducks applied more generally and certainly more when it counted. Go back and watch the Phoenix series again. I'm certain Boudreau (and others) have.

0-1-1

Every team every game has a ton of unforced errors due to pressure. It is the same in every sport. The Ducks had their share of mistakes but the Hawks were not able to convert as many chances.
- fattybeef

Well said, there is a balance to be had in all this, just tired of debating the sky is falling crowd, who expects perfection and some 70's Soviet domination of every team and game.

So when the Blues, Kings, Sharks and a few others have set their goal to supposedly run the Hawks out of the building, Hawks 7 - 0 in those games, and in this one, you fall short it proves everything is a fraud? I know I am engaging hyperbole with hyperbole, but doesn't anyone think there was not any baptism by fire with some of the young guys last night?

Moreover, you kept them off the score sheet, except the flukey board bounce goal, for almost 50 minutes of game. Yes I know they lost, but really, there is nothing in that which is positive? No Rosival, Hossa, or Sharp. I know they were without Perry.

I am glad Ducks are getting most of the hype now. They are good, well deserved, keeps away that distraction.

Every team every game has a ton of unforced errors due to pressure. It is the same in every sport. The Ducks had their share of mistakes but the Hawks were not able to convert as many chances.
- fattybeef

True, but look at the film again. How many times this year have you seen the Hawks make such bad passes, icings, defensive zone dumpouts and giveaways? I'd be hardpressed to find that many in five of their worst games.

Look, not gonna argue the point of adding a little size/physicality, but when the board starts with the Matt Martin and suggest adding 50 guys who will not go anywhere unless you trade them Kane, then the whole conversation stalls.

I do not discount JJ's caution and concern with playoff hockey; I am more concerned with the Carcillo thing as described. You signed him to play and have a role in these kind of games.

Assuming you have Sharp and Hossa back, I still like our chances vs Ducks, Kings or Blues. Slow plodding defenses, outside of Fowler, who looked great last night.

Will see next week when we play at home.
- TrueGrit

He's a good hockey player.

What a laughable assessment.

That was a great hockey game to watch. The flow of play was dictated by both sides during different points of the game for a fairly equal share. Unfortunately the Hawks were not able to capitalize on their chances as well as the Ducks did.

Yes Saad made an awful play for the third goal. He also had two potentially game breaking plays earlier in the game. Kane had another stellar game but was caught watching along with Dave Bolland on the second and not covering the middle on the third. It happens. Expecting perfection night in and night out is pretty delusional.

There were few bone crunching hits if any that night. It was a fast up and down game of momentum and the Ducks had better finish when it mattered. End of story and bottom line.

Aside from Bolland's and Seabrook's continuing nightmare performances there is little to complain about, it was a great game to watch and hopefully Hossa is back in the mix come Monday.
- fattybeef

Not even close. Give the Hawks the second half of the 2nd and the first half of the 3rd...the rest (2/3 of the game) was Duck domination.

Well said, there is a balance to be had in all this, just tired of debating the sky is falling crowd, who expects perfection and some 70's Soviet domination of every team and game.

So when the Blues, Kings, Sharks and a few others have set their goal to supposedly run the Hawks out of the building, Hawks 7 - 0 in those games, and in this one, you fall short it proves everything is a fraud? I know I am engaging hyperbole with hyperbole, but doesn't anyone think there was not any baptism by fire with some of the young guys last night?

Moreover, you kept them off the score sheet, except the flukey board bounce goal, for almost 50 minutes of game. Yes I know they lost, but really, there is nothing in that which is positive? No Rosival, Hossa, or Sharp. I know they were without Perry.

I am glad Ducks are getting most of the hype now. They are good, well deserved, keeps away that distraction.
- TrueGrit

Nice post

Saad wasn't out worked. He was trying to hit Kane with a backhand pass in the middle of the ice. The pass was weak and behind Kane - Ducks go the other way. If Saad goes up the ice near the boards he probably finds Toews and the goal doesn't happen.

Crawford stood on his head in the first, Hawks owned the second - where Toews and Kane respectively missed two open nets. It's not as though Hiller played like a chump either. The saves he made on Saad in tight were huge - not to mention the shoulder save that created the rebound Kane couldn't put home.

Why the tone JJ?
- nathanjf

Half of the 2nd.

Look, not gonna argue the point of adding a little size/physicality, but when the board starts with the Matt Martin and suggest adding 50 guys who will not go anywhere unless you trade them Kane, then the whole conversation stalls.

I do not discount JJ's caution and concern with playoff hockey; I am more concerned with the Carcillo thing as described. You signed him to play and have a role in these kind of games.

Assuming you have Sharp and Hossa back, I still like our chances vs Ducks, Kings or Blues. Slow plodding defenses, outside of Fowler, who looked great last night.

Will see next week when we play at home.
- TrueGrit

Why be concerned about Carcillo? He's a mediocre player who's role has been usurped by Bollig. It's not like he was Bobby Hull or Steve Larmer and his skills have deteriorated in a shockingly short period of time.

He probably has a knee problem or another ailment and wouldn't have competed well in a game with that type of pace. And if that is true, put him on IR and bring up Smith, Morin et al.

Look, not gonna argue the point of adding a little size/physicality, but when the board starts with the Matt Martin and suggest adding 50 guys who will not go anywhere unless you trade them Kane, then the whole conversation stalls.

I do not discount JJ's caution and concern with playoff hockey; I am more concerned with the Carcillo thing as described. You signed him to play and have a role in these kind of games.

Assuming you have Sharp and Hossa back, I still like our chances vs Ducks, Kings or Blues. Slow plodding defenses, outside of Fowler, who looked great last night.

Will see next week when we play at home.
- TrueGrit

Why be concerned about Carcillo? He's a mediocre player who's role has been usurped by Bollig. It's not like he was Bobby Hull or Steve Larmer and his skills have deteriorated in a shockingly short period of time.

He probably has a knee problem or another ailment and wouldn't have competed well in a game with that type of pace. And if that is true, put him on IR and bring up Smith, Morin et al.

JJ,

At one point in the game, Anaheim center Steckel, who they recently traded for, was winning 70% of his faceoffs....Anaheim controlled the pace of that game except for a few spurts by Captain Serious and Kaner Coffee....the defense seemed to be on their heels all night, especially some poor turnovers by Oduya and Brookbank....

When is Stan going to get a dot winning center and get some more depth???

I have to disagree. You cannot overlook the absences of Sharp and Hossa. But I thought last night's loss was less about Anaheim's physical presence and more about the Hawks sloppy 3rd period play. Bad passes, turnovers in their own end. They better clean that up now. Anaheim is not going away.

Slow plodding defences work well when your game plan is to take a fast team to the outside walls and hit them slowing them down to the same speed of the slow plodding defence. Don't cha think?
- paulr

Worked really well for Blues, Kings, Sharks versus Hawks. Hawks 7 and 0 in those games, but I am sure that and the other 24 wins were all luck.

To think that all of a sudden the Hawks are 2 or 3 rungs behind the Ducks is a bit of an exaggeration. And to think that they got blown out last night is another.

In the end they lost, I get it, but to think that they wilted and were outmatched all game is not accurate in my view.

Still looking for that website or source to explain what a good loss looks like. You know, the right way to lose a game. I just think it happens.