Esplen has placed 4:1 odds on Vancouver winning the cup. He also gives the Hawks even less of a chance to win the cup. No surprise there.

Why do they let this guy post a blog?


- EKolb13

Do you think he's willing to put his money where his mouth is? Because I could use some cash

what a game in NY

Do you think he's willing to put his money where his mouth is? Because I could use some cash
- rollpards19

Go ask him on his thread.

That Vancouver blog is the worst. That guy has no objectivity whatsoever. At least JJ calls it like he sees it and will give credit were credit is due. Keep up the great work JJ

what a game in NY
- UnnamedSource

Rangers have a Nordic god in net tonight.

Go ask him on his thread.
- EKolb13

I actually went after the guy who said they should be 20-1. I'm praying he responds those are fantastic odds

Go ask him on his thread.
- EKolb13

Yeah, do that, if you want to feel the wrath of Micah555.

Yeah, do that, if you want to feel the wrath of Micah555.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah, that's never a good thing.

I actually went after the guy who said they should be 20-1. I'm praying he responds those are fantastic odds
- rollpards19

Good luck to you then.

Yeah, do that, if you want to feel the wrath of Micah555.
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm already mad at myself for saying anything to those clowns

Rangers have a Nordic god in net tonight.
- Beaver-Warrior

best goalie in the league....

So Bowman wants to get a look at Olecz in the NHL. We may perceive that Olecz also is ushered to the prime time stage in order to provide rest for a regular rostered player(s).

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.

Well Olecz was a descent NHL player who by the way did not score much.

Yet he put up some points albeit in a brief skate just lately in Rockford. A veteran NHL and former #1 round selection accomplished this. So what. It matters how he looked, what he showed. His skill. His skating after returning from knee injury

Someone on this board within the past couple days or so, described their observation of Olecz playing for Rockford recently as "floating."

Now I ask, what kind of player do we need for support on our #3 & #4 lines in the playoffs? Someone who skates well enough, competes physically in finishing checks, and who is responsible defensively. In other words, the style Olecz approached if you want to color it nicely as far as his highlight of NHL tenure.

So someone who has seen Olecz as an Icehog, is floating how he appeared all the games while in Rockford. If yes, maybe he is not floating should he be inserted into CHG lineup.

It is possible although I would say many on this board did not see or believe this NHL retread at the trade deadline could, indeed, become a depth player.

I'm already mad at myself for saying anything to those clowns
- rollpards19

You can always go back and delete it.

Esplen has placed 4:1 odds on Vancouver winning the cup. He also gives the Hawks even less of a chance to win the cup. No surprise there.

Why do they let this guy post a blog?


- EKolb13

Just read his blog (always good for a laugh) and was going to post. I think it's one of the reasons most of us are on here and the difference between Ian's blog and John's: unbridled homerism vs tempered enthusiasm (with a pinch of skepticism). Oh and we're Hawk fans.

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.
- jhawk59

Again, if you're going to say that I said something, PHUCKING QUOTE ME!!!

This is a piss poor job of trying to regurgitate what I said. This isn't what I said at all. For chris'sakes, at least paraphrase it.

While you're at it, learn how to spell. It's Olesz, with an "s," not a "c."

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 is a great talent in a very offense oriented system. In my post I said he would rank up there with Crosby as a play maker. Otherwise, he doesn't hold his jock.

Now, go put on your Crosby jersey and dance in front of the mirror.

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

Suter had a pretty sneaky dirty hit on Sharp. That stuff can build over 8 games.

How many do they play against each other next year?

So Bowman wants to get a look at Olecz in the NHL. We may perceive that Olecz also is ushered to the prime time stage in order to provide rest for a regular rostered player(s).

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.

Well Olecz was a descent NHL player who by the way did not score much.

Yet he put up some points albeit in a brief skate just lately in Rockford. A veteran NHL and former #1 round selection accomplished this. So what. It matters how he looked, what he showed. His skill. His skating after returning from knee injury

Someone on this board within the past couple days or so, described their observation of Olecz playing for Rockford recently as "floating."

Now I ask, what kind of player do we need for support on our #3 & #4 lines in the playoffs? Someone who skates well enough, competes physically in finishing checks, and who is responsible defensively. In other words, the style Olecz approached if you want to color it nicely as far as his highlight of NHL tenure.

So someone who has seen Olecz as an Icehog, is floating how he appeared all the games while in Rockford. If yes, maybe he is not floating should he be inserted into CHG lineup.

It is possible although I would say many on this board did not see or believe this NHL retread at the trade deadline could, indeed, become a depth player.
- jhawk59

Didn't you just say this morning that he shouldn't be playing?

Olecz: scoring in the AHL does not mean you are a tremendously skilled player. Those who saw him play would admit and be exciting if they thought he could help Chicago. Watch a few games on a feed or attend, then tell the board you've changed your mind. He helps Chicago best by not playing and risking injury. Therefore he qualifies as an amortized buyout.
- jhawk59

Why all the love for "Olecz" all the sudden?

So Bowman wants to get a look at Olecz in the NHL. We may perceive that Olecz also is ushered to the prime time stage in order to provide rest for a regular rostered player(s).

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.

Well Olecz was a descent NHL player who by the way did not score much.

Yet he put up some points albeit in a brief skate just lately in Rockford. A veteran NHL and former #1 round selection accomplished this. So what. It matters how he looked, what he showed. His skill. His skating after returning from knee injury

Someone on this board within the past couple days or so, described their observation of Olecz playing for Rockford recently as "floating."

Now I ask, what kind of player do we need for support on our #3 & #4 lines in the playoffs? Someone who skates well enough, competes physically in finishing checks, and who is responsible defensively. In other words, the style Olecz approached if you want to color it nicely as far as his highlight of NHL tenure.

So someone who has seen Olecz as an Icehog, is floating how he appeared all the games while in Rockford. If yes, maybe he is not floating should he be inserted into CHG lineup.

It is possible although I would say many on this board did not see or believe this NHL retread at the trade deadline could, indeed, become a depth player.
- jhawk59

Interesting points I suppose. I for one have said on previous blogs that Olesz should be called up if he plays well enough to warrant the FO making that move. To suggest that Rostislav is the player that puts the Hawks over the top as far as where he plays is in itself ridiculous.

In addition to injuries and his salary, there are other reasons why a former 1st round pick is earning his ridiculous paycheck in the minors and not in Chicago where the Bowmans and co are not trying to squeeze as many points and NHL minutes as possible out of the overpaid Czech.

The thing to remember too is that Olesz is hardly the worst performing former first rounder in Rockford anyway. Kendall Mcardle and Beach are some more first round busts earning money in the minors.

As much as I think Olesz should get a shot if deserved, I also think he should stay right where he is otherwise if management don't feel he's worth their time and effort in Chicago.

Interesting points I suppose. I for one have said on previous blogs that Olesz should be called up if he plays well enough to warrant the FO making that move. To suggest that Rostislav is the player that puts the Hawks over the top as far as where he plays is in itself ridiculous.

In addition to injuries and his salary, there are other reasons why a former 1st round pick is earning his ridiculous paycheck in the minors and not in Chicago where the Bowmans and co are not trying to squeeze as many points and NHL minutes as possible out of the overpaid Czech.

The thing to remember too is that Olesz is hardly the worst performing former first rounder in Rockford anyway. Kendall Mcardle and Beach are some more first round busts earning money in the minors.

As much as I think Olesz should get a shot if deserved, I also think he should stay right where he is otherwise if management don't feel he's worth their time and effort in Chicago.
- prd797

Beach makes $65,000 on the AHL side of his deal. McArdle is on an AHL deal, so he's probably making about the same as Beach.

Those two are not making all that much.

Crosby is a great talent in a very offense oriented system. In my post I said he would rank up there with Crosby as a play maker. Otherwise, he doesn't hold his jock.

Now, go put on your Crosby jersey and dance in front of the mirror.
- tredbrta

Crosby is a way better playmaker, but agree to disagree I guess. To answer your other question, in the West you play the teams in your division 5 times each (and one team 4) so less than the current system.

So Bowman wants to get a look at Olecz in the NHL. We may perceive that Olecz also is ushered to the prime time stage in order to provide rest for a regular rostered player(s).

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.

Well Olecz was a descent NHL player who by the way did not score much.

Yet he put up some points albeit in a brief skate just lately in Rockford. A veteran NHL and former #1 round selection accomplished this. So what. It matters how he looked, what he showed. His skill. His skating after returning from knee injury

Someone on this board within the past couple days or so, described their observation of Olecz playing for Rockford recently as "floating."

Now I ask, what kind of player do we need for support on our #3 & #4 lines in the playoffs? Someone who skates well enough, competes physically in finishing checks, and who is responsible defensively. In other words, the style Olecz approached if you want to color it nicely as far as his highlight of NHL tenure.

So someone who has seen Olecz as an Icehog, is floating how he appeared all the games while in Rockford. If yes, maybe he is not floating should he be inserted into CHG lineup.

It is possible although I would say many on this board did not see or believe this NHL retread at the trade deadline could, indeed, become a depth player.
- jhawk59

It won't stop.......

Beach makes $65,000 on the AHL side of his deal. McArdle is on an AHL deal, so he's probably making about the same as Beach.

Those two are not making all that much.
- EKolb13

Very true. Those guys are hardly the "caliber" of player that Olesz is, although that I suppose says pretty much nothing.

I'm saying Olesz is making NHL money and hypothetically should be an NHL player based on where he was drafted and his experience so far in his career, yet he is entrenched in the minors for more than just his injury history and paycheck (neither of which are any reasonable inhibitor at this point if management intended to call him up).

It won't stop.......

- UnnamedSource

I know it.

You obviously did something wrong in a past life in order to be tortured with this, and now it's spilled onto the thread and we have to suffer too.

Thanks for nothing!

So Bowman wants to get a look at Olecz in the NHL. We may perceive that Olecz also is ushered to the prime time stage in order to provide rest for a regular rostered player(s).

Well EKolb spells out how Olecz may not be a bad option.

Well Olecz was a descent NHL player who by the way did not score much.

Yet he put up some points albeit in a brief skate just lately in Rockford. A veteran NHL and former #1 round selection accomplished this. So what. It matters how he looked, what he showed. His skill. His skating after returning from knee injury

Someone on this board within the past couple days or so, described their observation of Olecz playing for Rockford recently as "floating."

Now I ask, what kind of player do we need for support on our #3 & #4 lines in the playoffs? Someone who skates well enough, competes physically in finishing checks, and who is responsible defensively. In other words, the style Olecz approached if you want to color it nicely as far as his highlight of NHL tenure.

So someone who has seen Olecz as an Icehog, is floating how he appeared all the games while in Rockford. If yes, maybe he is not floating should he be inserted into CHG lineup.

It is possible although I would say many on this board did not see or believe this NHL retread at the trade deadline could, indeed, become a depth player.
- jhawk59

I read this in yoda voice so I at least would be mildly entertained......

Um.....where did u read Bowman wants to get a look at Olesz and where have you seen him ever be responsible defensively and finish his checks?