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.
- philco28

I expect Shaw to be a force in the playoffs ; remember he missed 3 1/2 games against Phoenix last year , he'll be ready to go from the start of the tournament. Come on May 1st !!!!

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.
- philco28

I expect Shaw to be a force in the playoffs ; remember he missed 3 1/2 games against Phoenix last year , he'll be ready to go from the start of the tournament. Come on May 1st !!!!

So lets get this debate going....

Line 1: saad, toews, Hossa. I don't see how anyone argues that.
Line 2: carcillo, Sharp, Kane. I pray to GOD that it's not Bolland up here, and I could stomach a Frolik in Carcillo's spot
Line 3: bickell, Handzus, Stalberg....The key to the Hawks is when this line is contributing and right now it's contributing.
Line 4: Frolik, Bolland, Bolig. Honestly, I know it's hard to scratch Kruger, but as long as Carcillo is NOT taking stupid penatlies and looking out of place on line 2, and Bolig is being physical on line 4...I don't see a need to play Kruger. You make up for his PK with Handzus, who is extremely more valuable in the faceoff department...and honestly your only glaring faceoff hole would be BOlland on line 4....

I expect Shaw to be a force in the playoffs ; remember he missed 3 1/2 games against Phoenix last year , he'll be ready to go from the start of the tournament. Come on May 1st !!!!
- mrpaulish

Excellent point Mr. P


Hate to look too far ahead, but suppose we do make it to the Final. I'd love to have the iso cam on a Shaw/Marchand matchup.

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

It doesn't matter who's better between Kruger and Frolik. The best option is to have them both and have them playing together, they seem to click well with each other.

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...

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 ever figured out the drive-to-the-net move... he'd be top 6. Until then, he's not worth the 3 million he'll most likely command in the off-season.

Personally, I thought he was a great asset to move for some more physicality; Stan unfortunately did not agree with me.

Rockford signs to an ATO:

http://icehogs.com/news/?article_id=3780

So lets get this debate going....

Line 1: saad, toews, Hossa. I don't see how anyone argues that.
Line 2: carcillo, Sharp, Kane. I pray to GOD that it's not Bolland up here, and I could stomach a Frolik in Carcillo's spot
Line 3: bickell, Handzus, Stalberg....The key to the Hawks is when this line is contributing and right now it's contributing.
Line 4: Frolik, Bolland, Bolig. Honestly, I know it's hard to scratch Kruger, but as long as Carcillo is NOT taking stupid penatlies and looking out of place on line 2, and Bolig is being physical on line 4...I don't see a need to play Kruger. You make up for his PK with Handzus, who is extremely more valuable in the faceoff department...and honestly your only glaring faceoff hole would be BOlland on line 4....
- SteveRain

I love your 2nd line. I've suggested that trio myself. But cannot see Shaw being in the press box

The Canucks have ot fix the PP, and specifically the missing point shot that Garrison 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

We have deserved the hate.Most of it is generated from years past but there is still some.

I am surprised too about the team this year.I thought we were a lot weaker than what we are. But even after a rough start we are still # 6 in the league. That was with some big injuries. Everything is starting to fall in place now and people are getting back from injuries.

The PP is starting to come around .The thing about the Canucks is they are bigger this year than most teams realize.We can be just as big and mean as the Kings and the Blues and have matched up well against them this year.

I think if we meet again this year some Hawk fans might be in for a surprise.

Team defense at its best for awhile.

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

The commitment to team D: backcheck, zone coverage, shot blocking has been there most of the year, esp on the road. They are a machine on the road. Two straight 1-0 road shutouts where they controlled the pace and play...if not for very good net play by Rinne and Backstrom those are blowouts. Two of the more dominate 1-0 wins one is going to see.

Since losing to the Aves to end the strk they 6-1 on the road and have outscored the home team 26-9. The one gme they lost to the ducks 4-2 they were in control most of that gme until the final 5 minutes when they coughed up 3 to lose.

Rockford signs to an ATO:

http://icehogs.com/news/?article_id=3780
- DarthKane

Ross may be a left-handed Shaw in terms of hockey sense and temperament. But i'd wager he's nowhere near the skater that Shaw is.

Shaw and Ross had a beauty of a tilly in junior. Note Shaw with the Jordanesque tongue at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEtxFLNxDwA

I love your 2nd line. I've suggested that trio myself. But cannot see Shaw being in the press box
- philco28

Yeah, I know....Shaw and Kruger won't sit, but dressing both of them, is a very dangerous task. Especially considering the matchup and giving away size.

I also know, that Bolland wont' drop below the 3rd line, but I would be 100% against that. As long as Handzus is showing he can log the minutes.

Ross may be a left-handed Shaw in terms of hockey sense and temperament. But i'd wager he's nowhere near the skater that Shaw is.

Shaw and Ross had a beauty of a tilly in junior. Note Shaw with the Jordanesque tongue at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEtxFLNxDwA
- philco28

lol...a couple mites going at it there...with their visors on

lol...a couple mites going at it there...with their visors on
- bogiedoc

Visors are mandatory in junior and pretty sure in the A as well.

What is interesting....is again...this team is NOT missing a beat without Bolland.
- SteveRain

I don't think it's a reach to say that the hawks are a better team without a half injured, slogging Bolland.

Just have to say, in all my years of watching hockey, I don't think I ever saw a better played defensive game fulled by the Blackhawks just always having the puck.
The way they closed getting the puck going backward and forwards while stopping the chances the wild had, well, I can't remember a game where a team snuffed out the other so convincingly with puck possession since the 1957-60's Canadiens who seemed to always have the biscuit too.

my new and extended 210 player NHL Draft mock is up:


http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2013/

click on the players name for the profile, click on the NHL team to see their picks and click on T if you want to see what trades changed the boards....
- wiz1901

Great read Wiz. I always enjoy reading about prospects. I am wondering if the Hawks might not take a look at Tyler Hill (6'6" 225 LW) ranked 46th playing with Chicago Steel. Scouting report has him as a big and aggresive power forward who does not shy away from traffic especially in frong of the net. Have you had a chance to see him play? Seems like the type of player we need.

So lets get this debate going....

Line 1: saad, toews, Hossa. I don't see how anyone argues that.
Line 2: carcillo, Sharp, Kane. I pray to GOD that it's not Bolland up here, and I could stomach a Frolik in Carcillo's spot
Line 3: bickell, Handzus, Stalberg....The key to the Hawks is when this line is contributing and right now it's contributing.
Line 4: Frolik, Bolland, Bolig. Honestly, I know it's hard to scratch Kruger, but as long as Carcillo is NOT taking stupid penatlies and looking out of place on line 2, and Bolig is being physical on line 4...I don't see a need to play Kruger. You make up for his PK with Handzus, who is extremely more valuable in the faceoff department...and honestly your only glaring faceoff hole would be BOlland on line 4....
- SteveRain

Unless Bolland is really hurting, and he could be, Handzus won't play ahead of him.

Today's article.......

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

Yeah, I know....Shaw and Kruger won't sit, but dressing both of them, is a very dangerous task. Especially considering the matchup and giving away size.

I also know, that Bolland wont' drop below the 3rd line, but I would be 100% against that. As long as Handzus is showing he can log the minutes.
- SteveRain

With the way Shaw and Kruger play...we're not giving up much in the HEART department.

Bolland should be on the 3rd...that's where he'd shine. Little less pressure playing with offensive guys and let him do his shutdown thing.

The commitment to team D: backcheck, zone coverage, shot blocking has been there most of the year, esp on the road. They are a machine on the road. Two straight 1-0 road shutouts where they controlled the pace and play...if not for very good net play by Rinne and Backstrom those are blowouts. Two of the more dominate 1-0 wins one is going to see.

Since losing to the Aves to end the strk they 6-1 on the road and have outscored the home team 26-9. The one gme they lost to the ducks 4-2 they were in control most of that gme until the final 5 minutes when they coughed up 3 to lose.
- bogiedoc

When on the road the Hawks ae better able to put "fancy" away...They play a simple game, more efficient.

Today's article.......

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

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

Equals? I wouldn't go that far. A threat? Most definitely. Even though we got bounced, I feel like everyone forgot about the 2011 series. The Hawks took the best team in the league to game 7. No other team did that besides Boston during the playoffs. And the Hawks did that with a horribly dismantled team that was gassed from the year before.

If we meet in the playoffs it will certainly be exciting, but I believe the Hawks will come out on top this time. The two teams are trending in different directions at this point.

So lets get this debate going....

Line 1: saad, toews, Hossa. I don't see how anyone argues that.
Line 2: carcillo, Sharp, Kane. I pray to GOD that it's not Bolland up here, and I could stomach a Frolik in Carcillo's spot
Line 3: bickell, Handzus, Stalberg....The key to the Hawks is when this line is contributing and right now it's contributing.Line 4: Frolik, Bolland, Bolig. Honestly, I know it's hard to scratch Kruger, but as long as Carcillo is NOT taking stupid penatlies and looking out of place on line 2, and Bolig is being physical on line 4...I don't see a need to play Kruger. You make up for his PK with Handzus, who is extremely more valuable in the faceoff department...and honestly your only glaring faceoff hole would be BOlland on line 4....
- SteveRain

If he's healthy, I'd go with Bolland centering the third line, Bolland has decent speed, very good hands and scoring potential and can shutdown top players on the other teams. Handzus is a faceoff guy with limited skating ability, limited scoring potential and can't keep up with top centers on other teams.

If he's healthy, I'd go with Bolland centering the third line, Bolland has decent speed, very good hands and scoring potential and can shutdown top players on the other teams. Handzus is a faceoff guy with limited skating ability, limited scoring potential and can't keep up with top centers on other teams.
- paulr

If Bolland is healthy he is a much better player than Handzus...

I like the Handzus pick up but....Let's keep him on the 4th line, on the ice for important faceoffs and as a PK player.

Today's article.......

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

The Hawks have got to fix the PP, and specifically the missing point shot and net presence that this team hasn't had since Byfuglien left town.
- wiz1901

Fixed.

The Hawks biggest fear should be their own anemic PP.

Equals? I wouldn't go that far. A threat? Most definitely. Even though we got bounced, I feel like everyone forgot about the 2011 series. The Hawks took the best team in the league to game 7. No other team did that besides Boston during the playoffs. And the Hawks did that with a horribly dismantled team that was gassed from the year before.

If we meet in the playoffs it will certainly be exciting, but I believe the Hawks will come out on top this time. The two teams are trending in different directions at this point.
- teh_HAWKZ

2 games this year, one win each, both won by one goal . That would be equal IMO.

Like I said we had a very tough year and we are still in #6 . We have been fixing the holes in the last two weeks .

Ross may be a left-handed Shaw in terms of hockey sense and temperament. But i'd wager he's nowhere near the skater that Shaw is.

Shaw and Ross had a beauty of a tilly in junior. Note Shaw with the Jordanesque tongue at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEtxFLNxDwA
- philco28

Ross has a really good left hand. I loved that they acknowledge each other after the fight is over too.
That is a marvelous video.

A Dearborn Heights native, Ross signed with the Spirit as a free agent in August of 2009 and worked his way up to become a 2012 draft choice of the Blackhawks and team captain in his final OHL season.
(My daughters old roommate in our second floor Chicago home was the actress Judy (Evans) "Greer" she is from Dearborn too....just name droppin')

Ross finished his career with the Spirit as the No. 8 point producer in team history with 82 goals and 88 assists for 170 points in 217 games.

He was named the Most Underrated Player in the 2011-12 OHL Western Conference Coaches Poll.

This season he scored 44 goals and had 46 assists, becoming just the third Spirit player to reach 90 points in a season.

Ross is a good passer and shooter and he captains his team.

I think there is a whole lot more he has got to do, the littel

le things that Shaw excels in, to put him on the radar as a near-ready add.

But it is ll about being well-stocked with guys like this so when you need Cap space or make moves they do start to be close to ready to get their space wet.

Oh, and I guess now the people so hypnotized by the Negotiation list should be worried....it is at 50 players again. (boooha-ha!!!! in a scarybthreathening tone.)

http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=47390