I'd agree with you there, but it's obvious Bolland is on his death bed this year. It's a combination of back/foot, and honestly....if he didn't get a shot earlier, they better have given him one now and get him as close to 100% possible for the playoff run. I dont' care about these last 9 games, but what Bowman can't do, is rely on Bolland to center that 2nd line. You do that and Sharp and Kane will suffer.

Handzus has plenty left. He rarely played with the sharks, and being a role guy, he looks very comfortable and still flashes some skill.
- SteveRain

Agreed. I believe he sat the last 6 games while a Shark. He should be well rested in this short season. I would give him a game off tho in those 3 in 4 night sets. He might have burnt out in those in SJ resulting in his benching so it could happen here too. Throw Mayers out there in place of Handzus occasionally.

The Canucks have ot fix the PP, and specifically the missing point shot that Garriosn hasn't been able to seamlessly fill.

The Canucks now will finally have the personel that trading Cody Hodgson would have filled, but they seem to be two good forwards short up front.

I have always liked Roy, but in context to what he salary is, I thought he needed to be a better player all around. There is no denying he loves the game and will go hard.

and ...the other part is...you gotta have the goalie play big in the post season dance.

And vantel, for your sake, I want to know I have trouble with how it seems all of Canada hates the canucks outside the area...it is as if the are the New York Yankess of hockey to part of Canada that is Boston and everywhere NOT New York.
- wiz1901

The Canucks are one of only a few teams that can sit back and counter the Hawks effectively..

If healthy they won't be easy....I would rather not have to face them.

Today's article.......

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

Exactly and only 2 shots....

That's a reason why he isn't a top six player. He can't create enough space even though he is fast to get into position to score....And when he does not enough happens. Fun to watch but not productive enough yet...
- Al

well, don't go printing that, Al.

I want every team in the league to value his terrific upside and come calling with draft pick to be the first to get hs rights to sign him and start him on his way to be big time player we know he is (sic).

That speed IS a reason to have him on the ice.
and there are teams that want to fix their issues.

JJ,

Kane was trying too hard offensively, but I thought he had a great game defensively. I would sit Carcillo over Frolik or Shaw come playoff time- Frolik is on the PK unit and Carcillo isnt. With the season winding down and the schedule has the Hawk playing 3 games in 4 nights and then 6 in 9 (with 3 back to backs in there), how do you see the goaltending situation playing out.

I would worry that Hanzdus begins to wear down if he regularly plays more than 4th line minutes.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agreed...Q has to be careful to limit his minutes and use him for he was brought here for: WIN KEY FACEOFFS. Any thing else is a bonus, but Zeus needs to be kept FRESH.

Following him know....thanks!
- DarthKane

it's a parody account. not really him, but worth following

Thought Duncs looked relaxed back there last night as well. Zeus appeared to be a step slow all night but Sharpie played with some fire. Hope he gets it going as he will be needed in the playoffs. Also liked seeing Sharp take a majority of draws when his line was out there...

I hope Bolland gets healthy and the lines looks something like this:
20-19-81
10-16-88
29-36-25
13-26-67

Q has done a good job switching things up this year while not overdoing it with the random line generator from years past. Kudos to him!
- Kentxo

I would actually keep Handzus on the third line, and have Bolland center the fourth line.

JJ,

Kane was trying too hard offensively, but I thought he had a great game defensively. I would sit Carcillo over Frolik or Shaw come playoff time- Frolik is on the PK unit and Carcillo isnt. With the season winding down and the schedule has the Hawk playing 3 games in 4 nights and then 6 in 9 (with 3 back to backs in there), how do you see the goaltending situation playing out.
- ksilvy58

Those damn PK's scare me. More players get broken fingers and toes than in any other situation. You don't want to expose your best players to that. In the Hawk's case I especially don't like the room they give shooters at the points. That's recipe for disaster because a broken bone this time of year basically puts us down a player for the year.

Are you guys concerned about the Canucks?

We have been each others biggest rivals over the last few years. Is everyone comfortable or looking over the shoulders to see if we are coming up. We are starting to fix some holes and our goaltending has been coming to form.

I think our two teams are more equal than people will give credit to.
- VANTEL

Even though the Canucks will likely win their division I think they'll go into the playoffs flying under the radar. With Kesler back and the additions of Garrison and Roy they can certainly be a dangerous team. Your top 3 lines are solid, but your 4th line if pretty weak (aside from Max). Vancouver's issue could be special teams, the PP is near the bottom of the league and the PK is average. For the Canucks it will be about the team they match-up against.

This is going to happen from time to time. The big thing is the guys look to have a trust with Emery in the net, bad thing is I think Q will go with Crow. Something about Emery that puts the Hawks at ease out there, they play better on D when he is playing. It's been that way for the last 2 years. Same thing happened with Huet and Neimi, Hawks just looked like they trusted Niemi and were scared to make a mistake with Huet.
- droe411

Razor possesses a mental toughness that IMO has been fortified greatly but his medical travails.

Those damn PK's scare me. More players get broken fingers and toes than in any other situation. You don't want to expose your best players to that. In the Hawk's case I especially don't like the room they give shooters at the points. That's recipe for disaster because a broken bone this time of year basically puts us down a player for the year.
- 67hawks

True, but the PK has been pretty damn successful so far. With our depth this year we can have guys dedicated to the PK, namely Kruger and Frolik. This takes a tremendous amount pressure off Toews and Hossa, they're both great on the OK, but they don't have to be relied on anymore. Heck, even Saad sees time on the PK and he's been effective too.

Hawks are in a great position up front if they are healthy....

Guys like Shaw, Carcillo, and Kruger really have to bring it every night. Frolik is a little more valuable then Kruger. Stalberg's speed is such a weapon on the dump and chase, as long as he's not turning it over at the blue line.

This will force everyone to do their job and play hard/smart. Can't be complacent. It's no surprise we have seen a different Shaw since he was sent to the 4th line...

I really hope we never see Brookbank in the playoffs. He seems to take a stupid penalty every game and as soon as he steps on the ice I'm counting down until his shift is over.

Who should the Hawks fear?

Momentum.

Sometimes an errant goal by deflection,a blown easy goal from the perimeter by Crawford, or a miscue along the wall, an over the glass, an emery kick out pad save that lands on an attacker's stick, or a unlucky bounce.

Then a series of strong forays and hits of the hawks.

Loss of confindence after that, a liitle bit of impatience, it happens again.

This is the playoffs and in West, there doesn't look to be any new girls coming to the dance, so there will be lots of players and teams that know what they have to do, and will try and do what they have to do in the best of seven.
Don't think anyone is gonna lose confidence two games down in a series to the hawks.

I have watched far too many years where the unlikely team dug deep and held out to victory.

No team player can be counted out...
No Hawk player should be counted in, until they do all possible to insure victories...

Hawks are in a great position up front if they are healthy....

Guys like Shaw, Carcillo, and Kruger really have to bring it every night. Frolik is a little more valuable then Kruger. Stalberg's speed is such a weapon on the dump and chase, as long as he's not turning it over at the blue line.

This will force everyone to do their job and play hard/smart. Can't be complacent. It's no surprise we have seen a different Shaw since he was sent to the 4th line...

I really hope we never see Brookbank in the playoffs. He seems to take a stupid penalty every game and as soon as he steps on the ice I'm counting down until his shift is over.
- SteveRain

Brookbank could be a very useful player against some teams in the playoffs that can manhandle our smaller defencemen.

Brookbank could be a very useful player against some teams in the playoffs that can manhandle our smaller defencemen.
- 67hawks

so many people are frightend that the hawks dee is gonna get hit....haven't they been hit their entire careers????

That is no reason to think the hawks play their number six guy in a more prominent role, especially when he again displayed some very questionable passes, decisions and there is no way one big sized defender cahnges any teams plan against the hawks.

Now if you wanna say well brookbank will provide some push abck on the other teams attackers, that I will agree on, but no more.

As far as the other teams in the west go:

2. Anaheim--Scares me. For obvious reasons. Large, physical, solid D, depth scoring, and 2 solid goalies.
3. Vancouver--Always a factor. May even make a run as for the 1st time in 2 years they won't be the #1 seed. Has to be this group's last chance at glory before being blown up?
4. LA--This team scares the hell out of me. Big, physical, lots of scoring...Quick can wins games by himself. Phoenix on steroids. I'm pulling for WHOEVER plays them in round 1...
5. San Jose---The Niemi factor, but this team exerted a lot to get back in solid position. Could be this core's last chance.
6. Minnesota--i don't know what to make of that team. Backstrom isn't an elite goalie. Would be a little more frightening if Speed Racer wasn't out for the year.
7. ST. Louis--ugh...another large, physical, defensive minded team. Have to think they'll go as far as Halak who is held together with duct tape.
8. Detroit--may be the most favorable round 1 matchup. They like to skate with teh Hawks, and they can't.
9.Dallas--Lehotinen is a factor, but no Jagr, Morrow, or Roy..should be beatable
10. Columbus---I know the Hawks swept them in season, but something about this team gets me uneasy. they play a very Nashville like game...
11. Edmonton--when they are eliminated from the playoff race, I'll be ecstatic. They can skate, and they can score. this would be a shoot out series. No thank you....

ideally, I'd love to see STL and LA hammer at each other in round 1. Get 1 of those knocked out. Have Anaheim battle Minnesota or San Jose. Hawks get Detroit or Dallas.

Would love to see Minnesota surprise Vancouver and Anaheim have to deal with the winner of LA-STL. The longer the Hawks can avoid the large, physical teams, the more I like their chances.....

Big win last night. Impressive against a tight checking Wild team. I was very happy to see the Hawks attacking in the 3rd and not sitting back in a conservative, passive 1-2-2. Great sign.

Emery made big stops when he had to, and the difference between Emery and Crawford is that Emery doesn't let in those questionable goals that take the wind out of the team's sails. This job is his to lose over the next 9 games.

Sharp looked fantastic for a guy missing over 14 games. He even won a few draws, and I dont' see any reason why he's not the #2 center heading into the real season. I'd honestly throw Carcillo up there with him and Kane, to create room. Carcillo has a done a fairly decent job at picking his spots this year and is very good at drawing penalties.

The last 6 slots.....is a great problem to have. Handzus, Bickell, and stalberg seem to have some magic and I'm not sure it would be wise to plug Bolland in there. The whole point of a shut down line is to control the play, and if Handzus is winning draws and allowing Stalberg to chip the puck in deep and attack with his speed...well....why mess with that?

The 4th line is Bolland, Frolik and some combination of Kruger/Mayers/Shaw/Bolig.Somebody can sub for Carcillo if he's not playing a controlled physical game, but this is going to be a good problem for Q to have.

I'd be open to throwing Frolk up with Sharp and kane...and putting Carcillo on a line with Bolland and Shaw....Or kruger....Depending upon who is producing....
- SteveRain

I think this is essentially it—if he keeps the job.

well, don't go printing that, Al.

I want every team in the league to value his terrific upside and come calling with draft pick to be the first to get hs rights to sign him and start him on his way to be big time player we know he is (sic).

That speed IS a reason to have him on the ice.
and there are teams that want to fix their issues.
- wiz1901

I came close!

Stalberg is a useful player and he has value but there are reasons why he doesn't score more and last night was a perfect example.

Today's article.......

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

so many people are frightend that the hawks dee is gonna get hit....haven't they been hit their entire careers????

That is no reason to think the hawks play their number six guy in a more prominent role, especially when he again displayed some very questionable passes, decisions and there is no way one big sized defender cahnges any teams plan against the hawks.

Now if you wanna say well brookbank will provide some push abck on the other teams attackers, that I will agree on, but no more.
- wiz1901

I think Seabrook and Rozsival can do that just fine...push back on opponents.

I don't want Brookbank anywhere near the ice unless there is an injury. in fact, I'd also consider playing Montador if 1 of the top 6 went down OVER Brookbank. I hear Montador has looked pretty good down in Rockford.

Hawks are in a great position up front if they are healthy....

Guys like Shaw, Carcillo, and Kruger really have to bring it every night. Frolik is a little more valuable then Kruger. Stalberg's speed is such a weapon on the dump and chase, as long as he's not turning it over at the blue line.

This will force everyone to do their job and play hard/smart. Can't be complacent. It's no surprise we have seen a different Shaw since he was sent to the 4th line...

I really hope we never see Brookbank in the playoffs. He seems to take a stupid penalty every game and as soon as he steps on the ice I'm counting down until his shift is over.
- SteveRain

You wouldn't see Brookbank as much if Roszival could dress every game...

Q. could be trying to save some gas but my bet is he will have a tough time dressing every other day in the playoffs...

Today's article.......

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

Wiz...you PHUCKING NAILED IT.

- philco28

thaks...last night when in the box against that Konopka, a Hawk blob man-love favorite, I don't thnk they were discussing their summer plans together.

I don't exactly know what Shaw's shelf life will be from all this, but he just makes me laugh with joy almost every game.

Hey and if I was gonna a add a class act from Minny to Hawks it would be Kyle Brodziak, after he used the bear hug last night to make sure he didn't injury a hawk at the benches...

I came close!

Stalberg is a useful player and he has value but there are reasons why he doesn't score more and last night was a perfect example.

Today's article.......

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

If Stalberg could learn a power forward move, coming in off the off wing, he'd be a 30 a year goal scorer. No joke...that's how fast he is....His hands in tight and his finish are maddening.......

Hawks are in a great position up front if they are healthy....

Guys like Shaw, Carcillo, and Kruger really have to bring it every night. Frolik is a little more valuable then Kruger. Stalberg's speed is such a weapon on the dump and chase, as long as he's not turning it over at the blue line.

This will force everyone to do their job and play hard/smart. Can't be complacent. It's no surprise we have seen a different Shaw since he was sent to the 4th line...

I really hope we never see Brookbank in the playoffs. He seems to take a stupid penalty every game and as soon as he steps on the ice I'm counting down until his shift is over.
- SteveRain

Not sure I agree. When does Kruger EVER lose a puck along the boards? Frolik gets to more pucks and creates more havoc. But it is an interesting debate. Kruger also has that center's ability to find a teammate.

thaks...last night when in the box against that Konopka, a Hawk blob man-love favorite, I don't thnk they were discussing their summer plans together.

I don't exactly know what Shaw's shelf life will be from all this, but he just makes me laugh with joy almost every game.

Hey and if I was gonna a add a class act from Minny to Hawks it would be Kyle Brodziak, after he used the bear hug last night to make sure he didn't injury a hawk at the benches...
- wiz1901

Z looked old enough to be Shawzer's Pops


Shaw LOVES playing hockey and it's reflected in his dedication and relatively quick ascent to the NHL. I follow him on Twitter and you get the sense the kid simply loves life too. And why wouldn't he. A young up and comer, playing on a juggernaut of a hockey team.

Not sure I agree. When does Kruger EVER lose a puck along the boards? Frolik gets to more pucks and creates more havoc. But it is an interesting debate. Kruger also has that center's ability to find a teammate.
- John Jaeckel

Kruger is a battler, but Frolik is very versatile. Arguably their most versatile player. Can be plugged in on top 6, is a matchup nightmare on the 4th line, great PK player, and has been VERY clutch in the postseason the past 2 years. Guy goes to the nasty spots and gets some big goals.

I like kruger, but if it comes down to 1 spot to play and it's between Frolik and Kruger I'd play Frolik.

What is interesting....is again...this team is NOT missing a beat without Bolland. Handzus has breathed new life in that 3rd line, and Shaw and Frolik are dangerous on line 4.

The only problem I see is, is that I would play Bolig in the playoffs on line 4 and tell him to hit EVERYONE or he sits. No stupid penalties, no fights unless completely necessary. Carcillo has showed the ability to play with Kane in the past, and I think he has to get serious consideration to play with Kane and Sharp.