Also, what's the deal with dressing 13 and then him getting 2-3 shifts all night?
- blackhawk24

well, i'm certain that somebody on the Blackhawks beat asked that question of Q, right?

I know I'll get riped for this but skill/finesse takes a slight backseat to physical play when the playoffs come around, especially against teams that have both skill and physicality. You can have the most skilled team in the league, but gueling, phsyical play wears that skill down. What starts to happen is guys aren't as eager to go into the corners, they start waiving at pucks, getting out of position, etc. Last night was a preview of what the combo a phsyical/skilled team (like the Ducks) can do. The Hawks are a great team. But they also have a lot of pretty faces...it's time to get some ugly guys to help with the playoffs.

Experienced, big and fast-Ducks are tough....It takes more than individual efforts to beat them.

Today's article.....
Speaking of top efforts there hasn't been many from Brent Seabrook this season. Normally Seabrook doesn't have many games where he seems off, but not so this year. Wednesday night was another outing when Seabrook appeared slow to react and a step behind.

Oddly, Seabrook left the bench for awhile again Wednesday night and there is no telling why that keeps happening. My guess would be Seabrook isn't 100 percent healthy, maybe it's a muscle strain or another issue but he isn't moving as crisply on the ice as he normally does. Also Seabrook may not have been in the same top shape as many Blackhawks were to start the season. Just trying to connect the dots, but Seabrook frequently leaving the bench during games and playing below his standards indicates something is going on.

Read more: http://www.myfoxchicago.c...aheim-ducks#ixzz2OBoiBr5m

Blackhawks give one away late but can learn from loss to Anaheim - FOX Chicago: http://bit.ly/ZWzogb
- Al

Al, thank you. Great piece today and hope you don't mind me copy/pasting the part I'd like to discuss here. I posted this at the end (naturally) of JJ's blog from yesterday/this am.

I did not know Seabrook left the bench again. Vomiting? Does this have anything to do with the just-posted comment about him having a serious drinking problem?

I cannot imagine, if this is the case, that it would be looked upon with benign neglect. Would have to think your teammates would get pretty ticked off. I mean, there are occasionally guys on my men's league team that show up smelling of alcohol and it shows up in their play. Really ticks me off to no end. Come to play and do your best and you cannot do your best if you are boozed up, Bobby Hull notwithstanding!

This year, Keith is better but I think we've been short-sheeted because Seabrook's play has been pretty abysmal overall this year.

Disinterested and slow, and because of this, puts Keith in a bad spot a lot.

If this guy is either hurt (hiding an injury or concussion symptoms) or it's because he's hitting the bottle, it needs to be taken care of -- FAST -- and he needs to see the pressbox for a while. He's been far from our #2 defender this year.

Carcillo played only 2:26 last night?

That's John Scott like minutes.

I'd rather not wait and see. I think the wise move would be to add some physicality now and render the point moot.
- John Jaeckel

Who do we get? Who goes the other way? Who is dropped from the roster? Let's try to answer these with changes that could actually happen. Otherwise this is all pointless mental masturbation.

Carcillo played only 2:26 last night?

That's John Scott like minutes.
- JoeHawks88

That's worse

Morin suspended one game; so have to wait until after Ice Hog game on Friday before calling him up.
- KingB

He only got one game?

So who is available that is willing to finish checks, is bigger than the current Hawks they would replace, AND can keep up speed wise with the Hawks system? Who will they replace and what will you pay to get them? And they should probably fit within the Hawks cap situation, too.
- mohel

Lots of guys. The Hawks aren't the only team that can skate. Lots of deals out there to be made. Bowman might have to overpay a bit in terms of picks or prospects, but I hear he knows that and is prepared to do so for the right guys.

I FIXED BOUDREAU, LOL.

Agreed on Q. The Carcillo thing was not good. If I give Saad a pass for that pathetic clearing attempt on the game winner, it's because he was obviously tired. The double shifting affected all of them. Kane's conditioning has really improved regardless.
- John Jaeckel

Toews and the rest of the Hawks were half way to the offensive zone letting Saad fend off two Ducks! WTF!!!

JJ, you are absolutley spot on about the lack of physical play by the Hawks. Unless they have incredible puck support and outnumber the opposition along the boards and in the scrums, they have liitle chance of beating the skilled AND more physical teams - IMO.

Please. And by the way, rumor has it his middle name is (fittingly) "Meathead"
- John Jaeckel

Marty "meathead" McSorley! I knew he would make a come back

I know I'll get riped for this but skill/finesse takes a slight backseat to physical play when the playoffs come around, especially against teams that have both skill and physicality. You can have the most skilled team in the league, but gueling, phsyical play wears that skill down. What starts to happen is guys aren't as eager to go into the corners, they start waiving at pucks, getting out of position, etc. Last night was a preview of what the combo a phsyical/skilled team (like the Ducks) can do. The Hawks are a great team. But they also have a lot of pretty faces...it's time to get some ugly guys to help with the playoffs.
- Hank3Henshaw

How'd that work against the Wings over most of the past 15 years?

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

It's mystifying.

JJ you nailed it with this review
Hope the kids learn from this wake up call to how playoff hockey is played

Stan go do your job and get the one or two players this team needs

Who do we get? Who goes the other way? Who is dropped from the roster? Let's try to answer these with changes that could actually happen. Otherwise this is all pointless mental masturbation.
- mohel

Certain names and teams I'm not dropping today.

Hawks could deal Frolik, possibly Carcillo. Any of a number of prospects including Hayes (either one), Morin, Smith, Lalonde, Stanton, Carruth, Nordstrom, possibly even McNeill.

There could be bigge rname "ristered" player sont he Hawks dealt, for "bigger" name rostere dplayers form other teams.

You seem to be in the "this team is beyond perfection" mindset, as though any deal will hurt the team. I think you're wroing. And I don't think, more importantly, the Hawks are thinking that way.

I did not know Seabrook left the bench again. Vomiting? Does this have anything to do with the just-posted comment about him having a serious drinking problem?

- savvyone-1

can't say anything about the drinking, but wouldn't it also fit the narrative of him being concussed? i mean, that first punch he took on Saturday night was vicious. i was shocked to see him return to that game. it really was a stupid decision by him to drop the gloves with that guy.

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

This has been the most aggravating aspect of this team, post Cup.

Al, thank you. Great piece today and hope you don't mind me copy/pasting the part I'd like to discuss here. I posted this at the end (naturally) of JJ's blog from yesterday/this am.

I did not know Seabrook left the bench again. Vomiting? Does this have anything to do with the just-posted comment about him having a serious drinking problem?

I cannot imagine, if this is the case, that it would be looked upon with benign neglect. Would have to think your teammates would get pretty ticked off. I mean, there are occasionally guys on my men's league team that show up smelling of alcohol and it shows up in their play. Really ticks me off to no end. Come to play and do your best and you cannot do your best if you are boozed up, Bobby Hull notwithstanding!

This year, Keith is better but I think we've been short-sheeted because Seabrook's play has been pretty abysmal overall this year.

Disinterested and slow, and because of this, puts Keith in a bad spot a lot.

If this guy is either hurt (hiding an injury or concussion symptoms) or it's because he's hitting the bottle, it needs to be taken care of -- FAST -- and he needs to see the pressbox for a while. He's been far from our #2 defender this year.
- savvyone-1

There could be many reasons and certainly Seabrook isn't hiding anything.

In my view he didn't come in as good as shape as many others....I don't like the way he is skating/turning so maybe he has a pulled muscle and has been trying to play through it???

All I know is his play hasn't been nearly as good as it has been in the past.
Almost seems to lack concentration....Like on 1st goal and during his fight the other day.

Not a recipe for success in double shifting Kane....Advantage Ducks... Hoosa + Sharp > Perry.

Saad made a poor decison at a bad time too....Ducks have a lot of experience.

Best news is there aren't many teams like Ducks...

Today's article.....Blackhawks give one away late but can learn from loss to Anaheim - FOX Chicago: http://bit.ly/ZWzogb

WANTED: 2 Big Wingers
Good skating ability a must
Able to play bottom 6 duty but have enough skill if needed on the top 6
Physicality is vital
Able to make life uncomfortable for the opposition
Make the opposition hurry their plays or make plays they don't want to make
Energize the team with some solid hits
Must be able to retrieve loose pucks along the boards
Some net front duty required
Dropping gloves may be required on occasion
Able to ply trade for minimum wage
No commitment for next year

GOONS NEED NOT APPLY
- paulr

keep reposting this every every 15 minutes on all blackhawk blogs and put a big banner up at the united center so stan gets the message

How'd that work against the Wings over most of the past 15 years?
- mohel

Last three Stanley Cup Champs.

2010 . . . a much more physical Hawk team
2011 . . . Bruins
2012 . . . Kings

And the 2009 Wings had three guys named Helm, Stuart and Kronwall who could throw some hits, especially the latter two, who are bigger hitters than ANYONE on your great 2012-13 Hawk club. So, bad example I'm afraid.

As much as I've been a nay-sayer on the possibility, is Steve Ott really available in Buffalo?

As much as I've been a nay-sayer on the possibility, is Steve Ott really available in Buffalo?
- FredoXV

If he is I would say he should be Stan's number 1 target, he checks all the boxes regarding what we need.

Last three Stanley Cup Champs.

2010 . . . a much more physical Hawk team
2011 . . . Bruins
2012 . . . Kings

And the 2009 Wings had three guys named Helm, Stuart and Kronwall who could throw some hits, especially the latter two, who are bigger hitters than ANYONE on your great 2012-13 Hawk club. So, bad example I'm afraid.
- John Jaeckel

Interesting developement of late with Carcillo....Unless he is hurting-hasn't skated as well since last knee injury BUT....

Bowman didn't rush out to sign him for two more yrs to sit, maybe Q' values Carcillo a lot less than Bowman.....

Either way can't afford any player on the ice for only 3 shifts when playing better teams.

Today's article.....Blackhawks give one away late but can learn from loss to Anaheim - FOX Chicago: http://bit.ly/ZWzogb

Al, thank you. Great piece today and hope you don't mind me copy/pasting the part I'd like to discuss here. I posted this at the end (naturally) of JJ's blog from yesterday/this am.

I did not know Seabrook left the bench again. Vomiting? Does this have anything to do with the just-posted comment about him having a serious drinking problem?

I cannot imagine, if this is the case, that it would be looked upon with benign neglect. Would have to think your teammates would get pretty ticked off. I mean, there are occasionally guys on my men's league team that show up smelling of alcohol and it shows up in their play. Really ticks me off to no end. Come to play and do your best and you cannot do your best if you are boozed up, Bobby Hull notwithstanding!

This year, Keith is better but I think we've been short-sheeted because Seabrook's play has been pretty abysmal overall this year.

Disinterested and slow, and because of this, puts Keith in a bad spot a lot.

If this guy is either hurt (hiding an injury or concussion symptoms) or it's because he's hitting the bottle, it needs to be taken care of -- FAST -- and he needs to see the pressbox for a while. He's been far from our #2 defender this year.
- savvyone-1

If what's going on w Seabrook was due to overindulgence, I suspect I would have heard something about it.

Concussion symptoms? maybe. He's played "through" them before (which is a medical no-no) but I would bet he had some after the Roussel fight.

Toews and the rest of the Hawks were half way to the offensive zone letting Saad fend off two Ducks! WTF!!!

JJ, you are absolutley spot on about the lack of physical play by the Hawks. Unless they have incredible puck support and outnumber the opposition along the boards and in the scrums, they have liitle chance of beating the skilled AND more physical teams - IMO.
- FourOrr

True, but Saad was guilty of the same earlier as well. Lots of waving at pucks last night.

They don't need a total overhaul by any stretch. One or two tweaks is all it would take.

Get a big, physical, fast, face off winning, playmaking, penalty killing, 2nd line center and call it a day. Should be easy right?
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes; Last night I made a trade in NHL 13; The Hawks got Jeff Carter/Quick for CC and Bolland. I mean Stan why isn't this getting done?!