For all you Americano's Eddie O is on Sportsnet here in Canada right now talking Blackhawks and saying that if Hawks play any other team in first round they would have lost and were lucky to win game one against Wings mostly because Wings played 7 games against Anaheim.

Was asked about possible changes if they lose and he said he doesn't know about rumblings but the expectations are extremely high with this team.

Nothing crazy but he didn't come off as the usual Hawks lonkey

>JJ, well put
>As mentioned yesterday, I am very curious to see how having only one day off affects the Wings -- cuts down on the time their older players have to rest and their younger players have to be "coached up" off the ice
>Hopefully the Hawks finally understand the level of effort needed in all phases of the game to beat a Babcock-led Wings team
>They finally reached that effort in puck retrieval on the PP in Game 5
- SnapitUpstairs

bingo

Kane took a WICKED slash from Ericsson late in Game 5. Hope he's o.k. .

Other than that TOMAHAWKS ACTIVATE !!!!!!!!
- philco28

Ericsson is very fond of using his stick instead of actually playing the body.... much like the rest of their team.

Jamal Mayers fined for shooting pucks by the Wings into their net during Game 5 warmups.

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130527,0,1031917.story

"I was trying to get under their skin, I'm not going to hide behind it or lie to you," Mayers said after the Hawks' morning skate before Game 6 on Monday at Joe Louis Arena. "The league fined me and took the appropriate action and I'll pay the piper.

"All of us in there will do anything to win. I don't want the focus to be me. I was just trying to get under their skin."
- Hemingways

I heard Cleary and some other Wings players were doing the same before Game 4. Kind of like interference calls, the league looks the other way when it comes to the Wangs.

First goal tonight, like any night, is HUGE. My fear is that they come out hard and have nothing to show for it and then revert back to 2011 Hawks. We saw it against PHX last year in the elim game. First period was neck and neck and then the dam started to leak and finished with a 4-0 loss.
- eburgio

That was caused by Crow giving up a bad goal. Not the same Crow this year so far.

1st goal may be important but sticking to the game plan from Game 5 is far more important.

That was caused by Crow giving up a bad goal. Not the same Crow this year so far.

1st goal may be important but sticking to the game plan from Game 5 is far more important.
- tredbrta

Crawford will need his A game tonight

For all you Americano's Eddie O is on Sportsnet here in Canada right now talking Blackhawks and saying that if Hawks play any other team in first round they would have lost and were lucky to win game one against Wings mostly because Wings played 7 games against Anaheim.

Was asked about possible changes if they lose and he said he doesn't know about rumblings but the expectations are extremely high with this team.

Nothing crazy but he didn't come off as the usual Hawks lonkey
- pri$ey

That's really interesting--so what that means is that game 5 was exceptional. Can they do that again? That's the big question, and from where I sit, they did many uncharacteristic (though good and necessary) things Saturday night. They have to hit, be feisty, be determined to outwork the other team, etc. As hard as it is to believe, perhaps, I think the Blackhawks just think they can show up sometimes--and all will be well. They didn't play like that the other night, and hopefully they don't again tonight.

For all you Americano's Eddie O is on Sportsnet here in Canada right now talking Blackhawks and saying that if Hawks play any other team in first round they would have lost and were lucky to win game one against Wings mostly because Wings played 7 games against Anaheim.

Was asked about possible changes if they lose and he said he doesn't know about rumblings but the expectations are extremely high with this team.

Nothing crazy but he didn't come off as the usual Hawks lonkey
- pri$ey

Really? He said the Hawks would have lost to any other team in round 1?

Sounds pretty opinionated for O. Though I am certain he and Foley both can see the obvious needs the FO fails to fill and it must frustrate them like the rest of us.

I think the team on the ice is still feeling it. Only 1 nights rest for wings.... Will outplay scum badly tonight. Only chance SCUM has is the officials and Howard - and that is a strong one. Match up issues closer to solved with 36-16-67 as 4th line. Kane needs to bring it again like the rest. He cannot spend a night on the periphery.

Only chance SCUM has is the officials and Howard - and that is a strong one.
- tredbrta

Howard has not looked human when the Hawks get traffic in front of the net - see games 1 and 5. Ray Charles would have looked good in games 2-4.

Really? He said the Hawks would have lost to any other team in round 1?

Sounds pretty opinionated for O. Though I am certain he and Foley both can see the obvious needs the FO fails to fill and it must frustrate them like the rest of us.

I think the team on the ice is still feeling it. Only 1 nights rest for wings.... Will outplay scum badly tonight. Only chance SCUM has is the officials and Howard - and that is a strong one. Match up issues closer to solved with 36-16-67 as 4th line. Kane needs to bring it again like the rest again.
- tredbrta

Well, Q is getting teed up like a Top Flite Balata right now.

It is/would be so much easier to replace the staff than improve the roster meaningfully, especially with the current structure of the front office.

I'm not saying Q hasn't put his own head in the noose, but to assume that solves the problem and Bowman does his usual "garbage in, garbage out" over the summer will change anything for the positive is just insane. But if enough fans believe it, that's exactly what the Hawks will do.

Great blog JJ !!!

I know I am nervous but hell I have been for every possible elimination game over the past few years I have quite the WANG........fan base around me living an hour from the Joe & some friends posting on Facebook that are going tonight. Play the same game as Saturday boys and punish their defense & things will come together....GO HAWKS!

Hawks shoud start the game by dumping and chasing so they can get their hits in on kromwell and the other defenseman. Speed can also be used to deliver checks and force turnovers in the offensive end

start the ame by playing old time dump and chase and then change when detroit is missing a few defensemen

That was caused by Crow giving up a bad goal. Not the same Crow this year so far.

1st goal may be important but sticking to the game plan from Game 5 is far more important.
- tredbrta

As much as I go after Crawford for bad goals given up agaonst Phoenix, 4 - 0 in an elimination cannot be blamed on one bad goal given up.

Not to pick on you, but do you see the Texas-sized contradiction in what you just said. You can't trade Keith, Seabrook or Kane—because they can't be replaced. But you can buy out Hossa (assuming he would be replaced)?

The reason I am going to sort of tear this apart is because you are not alone—there is a cross-section of Hawk fans who think the same way.

First, what do you think the Hawks would get back in a deal for Patrick Kane? A box of tape and a couple of minor leaguers? But let's just say you dealt him to Florida for the #2 overall pick (Nathan McKinnon or Jonathan Drouin) and Dmitry Kulikov. The return for Kane would be closer to that than a bag of pucks. Trust me. Does that make the Hawks a worse team? I don't think so. Maybe even a better team, even if the kids in the bars can't oooh and ahhh anymore over "Kaner" lighting up Colorado for 4 points in February.

If you buy out Hossa, what do you get back—and please don't say "cap relief" because that's now been proven to be basically false. Answer, nothing.

The only guy, today, I put an untouchable tag on is Toews and that is because of both his ability and his intangibles on and off the ice.

After that, Keith (even though the Hawks probably use him in too many situations), Hossa, Sharp and Hjalmarsson would be my next tier. That is not to say they are better players than Kane (well, I think Hossa actually is a better player all around), but because they contribute on so many levels, where Kane, while he's fun to watch at times, doesn't.

My next tier would be Kane, Seabrook, Leddy.

Even though Kane likely brings you back more in trade than any of the above except Toews, he might not be worth more to your franchise. Kane is an exciting, marquee player who will sell tickets. I'm not sure he's all that great of an all around hockey player.
- John Jaeckel

kane needs to get his nose dirty tonight and play with some grit

For all you Americano's Eddie O is on Sportsnet here in Canada right now talking Blackhawks and saying that if Hawks play any other team in first round they would have lost and were lucky to win game one against Wings mostly because Wings played 7 games against Anaheim.

Was asked about possible changes if they lose and he said he doesn't know about rumblings but the expectations are extremely high with this team.

Nothing crazy but he didn't come off as the usual Hawks lonkey
- pri$ey

I don't know how someone who takes emotion out of evaluation and doesn't rely on analytics to solely interpret the game, can think the Hawks played well vs Minny.

As I said earlier there has been only 1 complete game thus far...Game 5.

My mind goes to 2-7-10-19-36-81-88.
- Al

I would have to thi nk you can really touch all the top six defenders either...

Not to pick on you, but do you see the Texas-sized contradiction in what you just said. You can't trade Keith, Seabrook or Kane—because they can't be replaced. But you can buy out Hossa (assuming he would be replaced)?

The reason I am going to sort of tear this apart is because you are not alone—there is a cross-section of Hawk fans who think the same way.

First, what do you think the Hawks would get back in a deal for Patrick Kane? A box of tape and a couple of minor leaguers? But let's just say you dealt him to Florida for the #2 overall pick (Nathan McKinnon or Jonathan Drouin) and Dmitry Kulikov. The return for Kane would be closer to that than a bag of pucks. Trust me. Does that make the Hawks a worse team? I don't think so. Maybe even a better team, even if the kids in the bars can't oooh and ahhh anymore over "Kaner" lighting up Colorado for 4 points in February.
I would do that deal in a heartbeat, Kaner for Florida,s 1st and Kulikov
If you buy out Hossa, what do you get back—and please don't say "cap relief" because that's now been proven to be basically false. Answer, nothing.

The only guy, today, I put an untouchable tag on is Toews and that is because of both his ability and his intangibles on and off the ice.

After that, Keith (even though the Hawks probably use him in too many situations), Hossa, Sharp and Hjalmarsson would be my next tier. That is not to say they are better players than Kane (well, I think Hossa actually is a better player all around), but because they contribute on so many levels, where Kane, while he's fun to watch at times, doesn't.

My next tier would be Kane, Seabrook, Leddy.

Even though Kane likely brings you back more in trade than any of the above except Toews, he might not be worth more to your franchise. Kane is an exciting, marquee player who will sell tickets. I'm not sure he's all that great of an all around hockey player.
- John Jaeckel

I would have to thi nk you can really touch all the top six defenders either...
- wiz1901

They are a fine group but cap space comes into it....Johnny Oduya is a nice player....But as 3rd pairing player he is expensive and his trade value has probably never been higher.

I would do the Kane for Florida,s 1st and Kulikov trade ,no questions asked. If Colorado takes Jones then we would get Mckinnon who is going to be a great centre in the NHL . A one-two punch of Toews and Mckinnon would be awesome , very much like Crosby and Malkin. Tallon would love to have Kaner to sell tickets in Florida.

I would do the Kane for Florida,s 1st and Kulikov trade ,no questions asked. If Colorado takes Jones then we would get Mckinnon who is going to be a great centre in the NHL . A one-two punch of Toews and Mckinnon would be awesome , very much like Crosby and Malkin. Tallon would love to have Kaner to sell tickets in Florida.
- HawkfaninBC

It also would take the pressure off of Danault and/or McNeil to become the next 2C. I could see one or both of those being destroyed by the team forcing them into a slot they can't handle. As much as I hope for the best with them, recent reports seem to indicate that 3C/4C might be much better places for them.

It also would take the pressure off of Danault and/or McNeil to become the next 2C. I could see one or both of those being destroyed by the team forcing them into a slot they can't handle. As much as I hope for the best with them, recent reports seem to indicate that 3C/4C might be much better places for them.
- NewToHockey

One or both of them could end up playing on the wing.

Mine's a tad bit shorter 19 & 81. The rest could be had for the right price.
- Beaver-Warrior

19 & 81 are the only two numbers my top tier list also.

But not far behind are 10, 29, 65, 2, 4 and possibly even 8...

... 88, considering his perceived value, I would consider dealing, but only if the offer were truly too good to refuse: A top-flight 2C plus a Corry Perry type?

For all you Americano's Eddie O is on Sportsnet here in Canada right now talking Blackhawks and saying that if Hawks play any other team in first round they would have lost and were lucky to win game one against Wings mostly because Wings played 7 games against Anaheim.

Was asked about possible changes if they lose and he said he doesn't know about rumblings but the expectations are extremely high with this team.

Nothing crazy but he didn't come off as the usual Hawks lonkey
- pri$ey

As far as first round goes, I wonder how he would have evaluated the Penguins, who had a much stiffer test from a similar type team?

One or both of them could end up playing on the wing.
- EKolb13

Danault won EVERY draw I watched him take in WJC last fall. Granted I only saw parts of 2 games, but still. He had the reputation as a draw wizard when we drafted him. For that reason alone, I hope he stays at center.

Danault won EVERY draw I watched him take in WJC last fall. Granted I only saw parts of 2 games, but still. He had the reputation as a draw wizard when we drafted him. For that reason alone, I hope he stays at center.
- NewToHockey

I hope he does too.