I hope we develop some interesting rivalries with minn and dal.. The nashville one has always bored me and winnipeg doesnt excite me. boo blues (I guess) until another rival develops.
- miked23

I'm looking forward to a Wild/Hawks rivalry.

Don't forget, realignment makes the Pacific Coast teams just like the rest of the Eastern Conference. You'll only seem them for two games in the regular season and not again until the Conference Finals.

In essence, San Jose is just like an Eastern Conference team after this season.
- EKolb13

Good point....so let's have Wilson overpay!

As much as I like Stalberg I don't see him re-signing unless he's ready to take a much smaller contract. I know most people won't agree with me, but at this point I think Frolik is more valuable than Stalberg (and I'm not trying to short change Stalberg). Frolik has been a beast on the PK and he's done well as a filler in the top 6 (not saying he should permanently be a top 6). If Stalberg goes then I think his spot on the 3rd line could easily be taken by Frolik.

I'd put Kane up there with St. Louis, Crosby and Datsyuk in play making ability. If Kane played in Tampa he might have twice the assists.

It's all about the system.... and, sometimes, the hangover.
- tredbrta

Crosby plays with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis and leads the NHL in assists despite missing some time recently. If he hadn't scored one goal all year his assist total would place him 11th in the league in scoring playing with two third liners. Lets be real Kane is not in Crosby's stratosphere in terms of playmaking (because no one is)

I'm sorry but Kane is not the best playmaker in the league.
- rollpards19

Name a better one. The percentage of the Hawks good scoring chances that are set up directly by Kane is scary high. If he ever played with an elite finisher his stats would be ridiculous.

Frolik had two 20 goal seasons in Florida. What happened there?

Just because Stalberg put up a 20 goal season doesn't mean that he'll do it again. It possible that he could, but there is no guarantee.

Corey Perry has hands. Stalberg, not so much.
- EKolb13

Top six minutes and linemates, and first PP unit time. That's what happened in Florida. Makes a big difference (see his audition in Hossa's spot).

Surprised they were so easy to sweep? Is that what you mean? No way the Nucks win a series against Chi town. Let's try to keep things in perspective here. Chicago is doing the whole best team in the league thing in a much tougher divison. Canucks play in arguably the weakest division in the West, and maybe in the NHL for that matter. Not trying to say Vancouver isn't good, but they are not in the same class as Chicago.
- MnGump

Eh, like it or not if Vancouver goes off 2 games and puts up 4-6 goals and 2 other games are (not those two) are stolen by either goalie that could spell upset.

Still a lot of fire power and some game changers in goal.

Bunch of chatchy mental midgets and their D pairings do not impress me but dangerous none the less.

Good point....so let's have Wilson overpay!

As much as I like Stalberg I don't see him re-signing unless he's ready to take a much smaller contract. I know most people won't agree with me, but at this point I think Frolik is more valuable than Stalberg (and I'm not trying to short change Stalberg). Frolik has been a beast on the PK and he's done well as a filler in the top 6 (not saying he should permanently be a top 6). If Stalberg goes then I think his spot on the 3rd line could easily be taken by Frolik.
- DarthKane

Some GM in the league is going to pay Stalberg stupid money. No doubt about it.

I'm looking forward to a Wild/Hawks rivalry.
- EKolb13

Me too, but I will miss the Wild beating up on the Canucks.

It's okay to say that Vancouver is not a good team. In fact, we here prefer that you say they suck.

It's kind of a prerequisite here.
- EKolb13

Right on! I think Nuck fans still think they have a contending team just because they're first in a cupcake division. I know they don't suck per se, even though they do suck, but they are not good enough this year to make a cup run. Hell, half the reason they're in first in this god awful division is because 8 of their last 10 have all been against Edmonton, Colorado, Calgary and Columbus.

Me too, but I will miss the Wild beating up on the Canucks.
- DarthKane

It's alright, the Canucks will have the Kings and the Ducks to knock the stuffing out of them on a regular basis.



Change is good sometimes.

Right on! I think Nuck fans still think they have a contending team just because they're first in a cupcake division. I know they don't suck per se, even though they do suck, but they are not good enough this year to make a cup run. Hell, half the reason they're in first in this god awful division is because 8 of their last 10 have all been against Edmonton, Colorado, Calgary and Columbus.
- MnGump

It will be interesting to see how the Canucks fare in a division that actually has competitive teams.

Frolik had two 20 goal seasons in Florida. What happened there?

Just because Stalberg put up a 20 goal season doesn't mean that he'll do it again. It possible that he could, but there is no guarantee.

Corey Perry has hands. Stalberg, not so much.
- EKolb13

Frolik had really lucky PDO (puck luck, as in high team shooting percentage when on the ice) and he got PP time in FLA with more minutes. As his PDO regressed to the mean, and eventually below, the goal totals plummeted. Stalberg had below average puck luck, with no PP time and third line minutes, all while scoring more goals than any other player who didn't have a PPG. Stalberg also is one of the 5 fastest forwards in the league, which is a skill that doesn't appear to be leaving anytime soon. There is a lot more data that Stals can continue to get better, while Frolik's goal total was guaranteed to decrease. And I know, I said he's not Corey Perry

Name a better one. The percentage of the Hawks good scoring chances that are set up directly by Kane is scary high. If he ever played with an elite finisher his stats would be ridiculous.
- Hal9000y2k

You're right, its not like he plays with Patrick Sharp (averaged 32 goals per season over the last 5) or Jonathan Toews or Marian Hossa ever. Imagine if he got to play with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, then we could really see what he could do

Name a better one. The percentage of the Hawks good scoring chances that are set up directly by Kane is scary high. If he ever played with an elite finisher his stats would be ridiculous.
- Hal9000y2k

Like the first 4 years he played with Toews?

Not to be nit picky and I do agree he is probably the best perimeter player in the league and way the hell up there in terms of play making. But he has played with one of the best and I don't think point production is always the best metric.

With what looks like a nice head start, Kane should have a solid 5-6 year window (maybe more) where he can string some 85-100 point seasons together like St Louis regardless of who he is playing with.

Polarizing + Entertaining brand of hockey + high skill level + being born in the US of A is a pretty good combo so hopefully he can keep this level up for a while.

I'm looking forward to a Wild/Hawks rivalry.
- EKolb13

I wonder if an intense one will ever exist. Last night I noticed Toews and Parise give each other a little tap on the pads after an awkward whistle. Both SSM so I don't see hatred brewing there. Suter is kind of laid back, and we all know the Hawks don't start things very often. I think some animosity will be fun, but it might not come as the two teams are constructed

Good point....so let's have Wilson overpay!

As much as I like Stalberg I don't see him re-signing unless he's ready to take a much smaller contract. I know most people won't agree with me, but at this point I think Frolik is more valuable than Stalberg (and I'm not trying to short change Stalberg). Frolik has been a beast on the PK and he's done well as a filler in the top 6 (not saying he should permanently be a top 6). If Stalberg goes then I think his spot on the 3rd line could easily be taken by Frolik.
- DarthKane

This has been what, 3 seasons now of finding reasons to bash Stalberg? Now the reason to let him walk is because he doesn't finish offensively. Last year it was because he was a defensive mistake waiting to happen and a big woosy.

Michael Frolik may have found a role on the PK he's good at but he couldn't finish a ham sandwich if you ate half of it for him. Stalberg can really make defenceman work hard in their own zone and they are very leery of him catching them cheating up ice in the offensive zone. And he is a big body, which Luca Sbisa found out when he stepped up to hit #25 in open ice.

If all it took to resign Stalberg was to give him Frolik's bloated contract, Baby Jagr would be on a plane back to Prague real fast.

Crosby plays with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis and leads the NHL in assists despite missing some time recently. If he hadn't scored one goal all year his assist total would place him 11th in the league in scoring playing with two third liners. Lets be real Kane is not in Crosby's stratosphere in terms of playmaking (because no one is)
- rollpards19

I always like how everyone keeps bringing up edzo's comments about the Hawks only having 4 top 6 players. How many do the Pens really have? And they are also a top team. Teams do not have 6 legitimate top 6 players anymore. Not in a cap era

I always like how everyone keeps bringing up edzo's comments about the Hawks only having 4 top 6 players. How many do the Pens really have? And they are also a top team. Teams do not have 6 legitimate top 6 players anymore. Not in a cap era
- tomcat24

The Pens are an exception because they are blessed with two "once-in-a-generation" players. (frank), even if my dead grandmother played on a line with Crosby/Malkin she would probably put up sick numbers too.

This has been what, 3 seasons now of finding reasons to bash Stalberg? Now the reason to let him walk is because he doesn't finish offensively. Last year it was because he was a defensive mistake waiting to happen and a big woosy.

Michael Frolik may have found a role on the PK he's good at but he couldn't finish a ham sandwich if you ate half of it for him. Stalberg can really make defenceman work hard in their own zone and they are very leery of him catching them cheating up ice in the offensive zone. And he is a big body, which Luca Sbisa found out when he stepped up to hit #25 in open ice.

If all it took to resign Stalberg was to give him Frolik's bloated contract, Baby Jagr would be on a plane back to Prague real fast.
- RickJ

It will take a lot more than $2.33/yr to re-sign Stalberg. I would guess at least $3.5 million and maybe even $4 million. I wasn't trying to bash Stalberg, there are a lot of good aspects to his game. But if he wants $4 million (which he could get on the open market) he doesn't fit in here.

You're right, its not like he plays with Patrick Sharp (averaged 32 goals per season over the last 5) or Jonathan Toews or Marian Hossa ever. Imagine if he got to play with Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, then we could really see what he could do
- rollpards19

Crosby has spent significant time with Malkin during his career. Kunitz is a legit 20-25 goals per year player when healthy.

Those guys are banging in tap ins for the most part. It is hilarious to watch if you have seen any of the Penguins games. Crosby has puck, team runs to him, automatic 2v1 and secondary assist how are you doing today. Guys a great talent but it is absolutely comical to watch.

I agree they need one of Bollig or Carcillo. I just think the guy should be Carcillo. He can slide up and down, he can play with our top 6, or in our bottom 6. He just needs to stay at that line, keep away from crossing it.
- droe411

Despite all the hype that he's a given on line1/2 I have yet to see Carcillo earn a roster spot all year...

Like the first 4 years he played with Toews?

Not to be nit picky and I do agree he is probably the best perimeter player in the league and way the hell up there in terms of play making. But he has played with one of the best and I don't think point production is always the best metric.

With what looks like a nice head start, Kane should have a solid 5-6 year window (maybe more) where he can string some 85-100 point seasons together like St Louis regardless of who he is playing with.

Polarizing + Entertaining brand of hockey + high skill level + being born in the US of A is a pretty good combo so hopefully he can keep this level up for a while.
- fattybeef

Playing Toews helped assists wise but he wasn't an elite passer....

Both players are just beginning to be men and aren't in their prime yet.

Kane is stronger than ever by a lot and Toews looks like he has more speed and a better shot then in previous years.

Emery posts another shutout in efficient win over the Wild - No Goalie Controversy...YET: FOX 32 Chicago: http://bit.ly/Zhi5Xv

I wonder if an intense one will ever exist. Last night I noticed Toews and Parise give each other a little tap on the pads after an awkward whistle. Both SSM so I don't see hatred brewing there. Suter is kind of laid back, and we all know the Hawks don't start things very often. I think some animosity will be fun, but it might not come as the two teams are constructed
- rollpards19

The rivalries will come in the playoffs. Arent the first 2 rounds against div opponents? That will lead to year after year playoff battles against (possibly) the same 1 or 2 teams. That could get pretty intense

It's okay to say that Vancouver is not a good team. In fact, we here prefer that you say they suck.

It's kind of a prerequisite here.
- EKolb13

Vancouver sucks!

Hey, do I wish the Hawks had Cam Neely and Milan Lucic? Or even Troy Brouwer and Ben Eager (circa 2010)? Yes.

But they don't. If they just blaze past everyone all the way tot he Cup, no one will be happier than I will.

But I still see a team that struggles against a physical forecheck and can be checked hard into timid play up and down the ice. And their power play doesn't exactly make opponents pay for misdeeds.

All I'm saying is, like them or not, Bollig and/or Carcillo could have roles with this team in certain part of the playoffs.
- John Jaeckel

Preaching to the choir JJ. Preaching to the choir!