While I agree that has been impressive, the Hawks have shown the ability at home to be as physical as any opponent when they want to be. I think it will be a challenge to maintain that level out in L.A. They can still win though if they continue to get the amount of open ice they're getting. That has been the biggest impression to me over the first 2 games. Detroit had us in a straight jacket compared to what we're seeing from L.A. You give these guys that much room and you're gonna get burned, I don't care how good Quick is.
- Sconnie

They're getting that much room from a slower D corp than Detroit and the way the Hawks have been playing in the Kings zone.

Lots of clean, fast breakouts and drop passing to the point once they enter the zone. That's opening a lot of room for our guys to capitalize and the evidence is there that it has been effective.

Let's see how that holds up on the road. I think it's going to come down to pure effort by the Kings to stop the Hawks.

This is a strong rumour and when they published this in Finnish media there must be some truth. Vesa Rantanen from IS Urheilu says that Chicago is winning the Antti Raanta race : http://www.iltasanomat.fi...hl/art-1288570638184.html

If true, this is a good news! Low risk/high reward type of signing but not a sure bet. Potential is there but how things work out is to be determinated. Still a rumour though, could be heading elsewhere too..
- MjulQvist

wow, that would be huge news... I read the Wild were considered the favorites so if we stole him away from our 'new' division rival, it would be a big get.

Amen!
- eburgio

I hear ya, but I am interested to hear what the board thinks about the pending offseason...

I, like everyone else, LOVES the play of the Hawks...just seems like Q might be weeding out Bolland from the lineup in preparation for next year... he barely played last night....

wow, that would be huge news... I read the Wild were considered the favorites so if we stole him away from our 'new' division rival, it would be a big get.
- Sconnie

There were multiple teams going after this guy. I've read reports on him that have him as a better Niemi. I'll take that!

IF true (about Raanta) he'd be Crawford's backup next season and Emery would not be back. I'd be very curious to see what his cap hit would be as he was heavily wooed by many teams in the NHL.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Per capgeek: Players younger than 25 as of Sept. 15 in the calendar year their first NHL contract is signed are subject to the terms of Article 9 of the CBA and must sign an entry-level contract (ELC). This means the amount of salary and team-paid performance bonuses is capped, depending on his draft year or the year he signs. The length of the ELC is also specified based on the player's age

All ELCs are two-way contracts and can be extended by as many as two seasons (see "How does a contract slide?" in this FAQ). The maximum allowable salaries for players selected in each entry draft are as follows:

2001: $858,800
2002: $900,600
2003: $942,400
2004: $984,200
2005: $850,000
2006: $850,000
2007: $875,000
2008: $875,000
2009: $900,000
2010: $900,000
2011 and beyond: $925,000

ELCs can contain two types of bonuses: signing bonuses and performance bonuses.

Signing bonuses cannot exceed 10 percent of the contract's total compensation. They are typically paid out annually.

Raanta is 24 years old.

They're getting that much room from a slower D corp than Detroit and the way the Hawks have been playing in the Kings zone.

Lots of clean, fast breakouts and drop passing to the point once they enter the zone. That's opening a lot of room for our guys to capitalize and the evidence is there that it has been effective.

Let's see how that holds up on the road. I think it's going to come down to pure effort by the Kings to stop the Hawks.
- teh_HAWKZ

yes, that is part of it but the Kings forwards do not backcheck or play the 2 way game that Dats and Zetterberg do... have to tip my cap to them, even though it likely dimished their effectiveness in the offensive zone.

Yup - it would have been announced. No doubt IF he's coming here to Chicago the org-an-EYE-zation doesn't want a distraction of.. "Why did you sign him with how well Crawford has played these playoffs?"

And.. if true... this 100% confirms my notion that the Hawks STILL don't see Crawford as their long-term solution. Or they simply realize they have zero organization goalie depth.. but then.. you wouldn't sign this guy to accomplish that.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I disagree with that statement. Signing Raanta is a low risk move and the Blackhawks don't have too many goalie prospects in the pipeline. Maybe he ends up in Rockford or maybe he's Crawford's back-up next season, either way he gives Stan some options. As exciting as this news may be I wouldn't read too much into it and wouldn't expect him to unseat Crawford next season.

I hear ya, but I am interested to hear what the board thinks about the pending offseason...

I, like everyone else, LOVES the play of the Hawks...just seems like Q might be weeding out Bolland from the lineup in preparation for next year... he barely played last night....
- ChicagoDave

we can only hope thats the case... Hopefully SB can find some suitors

Like anything else...it comes down to matchups...WE saw what Q prefers and they dominated LA.

Now we get to see what Sutter prefers....I also hate to say it, but the refs calling the clutching/grabbing/crap will also be BIG. Figure LA will aim to slow down the Hawks, and if they can get away with it at home, they could extend this series...
- SteveRain

It comes down to executing. Just like the Detroit series. Twine in stead of iron wins games. Ask Pittsburgh about that.

LA would need to dramatically alter their style of play to adjust to what the Hawks are doing in terms of letting their mobile defenders run wild. They go into a shell and let the Hawks rip 40 shots on Quick every night it will still favor the Hawks.

I hear ya, but I am interested to hear what the board thinks about the pending offseason...

I, like everyone else, LOVES the play of the Hawks...just seems like Q might be weeding out Bolland from the lineup in preparation for next year... he barely played last night....
- ChicagoDave

He barely played because of rustiness or injury or whatever he has been terrible while Zeus and Shaw have been effective.

I disagree with that statement. Signing Raanta is a low risk move and the Blackhawks don't have too many goalie prospects in the pipeline. Maybe he ends up in Rockford or maybe he's Crawford's back-up next season, either way he gives Stan some options. As exciting as this news may be I wouldn't read too much into it and wouldn't expect him to unseat Crawford next season.
- DarthKane

Never said he'd unseat Crawford next year - I think there's a better chance of the North Korean leader coming to the United States and dancing with President Obama's wife during a State Dinner than that happening.

However.. this guy was heavily recruited by numerous teams because he IS an NHL-starting-goalie caliber player. Crawford's contract is up after next season. He continues to play like THIS and he's going to get big time money - that's when you see someone else starting in the 2014-2015 season for Chicago.

You are insinuating I am a kook for this theory, which as a former athlete, I know exists and is true, regarding coaches effing with a teams karma. Additionally, you justify the move based upon hearsay of what happened, or just as likely did not happen, between Q and 25. The screaming match probably occurred, when 25 said, why am I not on my line and q told him he had a hunch about something.

For the last time, and it amazes me that people do not see this, I do not care if Detroit had guys driving Zamboni's on the ice and whatever stunt or scheme they wanted to use. Chicago was far and away the best team in the league, especially vs Detroit. Until Detroit PROVED, they could stop or stymie the hawks and the way they beat them 10 plus times in a row, you don't go changing things in anticipation. If you are correct and they still get flustered, then yes you make the adjustment. But you don't alter what you do, and do well and best, because you MIGHT have trouble with something. Just a horrible mindset in battle.

Lastly, I will argue in the end I was right, because Q backed off and went with his starting line up he used all year...and they won.
- TrueGrit

I didn't know Bolland played on the 4th line all season? I didn't know Handzeus played on the second line all season? I didn't know Bickell played on the top line all season? I didn't know Seabrook and Keith were paired all season? I didn't know Oduya and Hjalmersson were paired all season? So other than the fact I didn't know all that you musta been right huh!

Nice write up. Can't disagree with a word.

It will be interesting to see tomorrow how quick reacts to being pulled the previous game. In any event, I expect the kings to bring their full game so this is not going to be any cakewalk I wouldn't think. In any event, the Hawks really played well this series and if they keep that up, I can't see them losing it.

Never said he'd unseat Crawford next year - I think there's a better chance of the North Korean leader coming to the United States and dancing with President Obama's wife during a State Dinner than that happening.

However.. this guy was heavily recruited by numerous teams because he IS an NHL-starting-goalie caliber player. Crawford's contract is up after next season. He continues to play like THIS and he's going to get big time money - that's when you see someone else starting in the 2014-2015 season for Chicago.
- CaptainBlackhawk

Potential to be one but definitely not there yet. Let´s not get too far ahead of ourselves here.

Never said he'd unseat Crawford next year - I think there's a better chance of the North Korean leader coming to the United States and dancing with President Obama's wife during a State Dinner than that happening.

However.. this guy was heavily recruited by numerous teams because he IS an NHL-starting-goalie caliber player. Crawford's contract is up after next season. He continues to play like THIS and he's going to get big time money - that's when you see someone else starting in the 2014-2015 season for Chicago.
- CaptainBlackhawk

and if--and i know its a big "if"-we win a cup with crawford and then have success with raanta. all after jettisoning niemi. The goalie payscale will go by way of the nfl runningback-that is to say DIMINISH!

just saying

Potential to be one but definitely not there yet. Let´s not get too far ahead of ourselves here.
- MjulQvist

Again - I'm not getting ahead of myself.

Perhaps I need to be more clear:

- It's fun to see my home town team be active/aggressive/looking into the future like some great teams are.

- It's fun to see them (possibly) get a goalie who has quite a bit of skill when others were considered the "lead dog"

- It's fun to see my home team's front office know that Corey Crawford's stock is only rising. The orgainzation's mantra all along has been .. don't pay goalies big money. Crawford is going to make substantially more than what he currently is.

- This only helps with organizational goalie depth, gives them a backup option next season while getting real NHL time while Crawford continues to man the pipes here in Chicago.

and if--and i know its a big "if"-we win a cup with crawford and then have success with raanta. all after jettisoning niemi. The goalie payscale will go by way of the nfl runningback-that is to say DIMINISH!

just saying
- miked23

Hell will freeze over before this FO gives a goalie a $5-8 mil/year contract.

Potential to be one but definitely not there yet. Let´s not get too far ahead of ourselves here.
- MjulQvist

Yeah, and since he's gonna get some dough-Why would we want to committ $ to a guy that wont even effect our NHL roster? Gotta figure he'll go where he can at least share time with someone at the nhl level.

Andrew Shaw = The Little Ball of Hate. I love it.
- furso27

I trademarked prior to posting it last night in the last blog, JJ, so expect to hear from my lawyers before noon today.
Unless we agree on that post draft podcast at my usual pay rate....

Hell will freeze over before this FO gives a goalie a $5-8 mil/year contract.
- CaptainBlackhawk

yep, and pretty soon hell might freeze over before ANYONE gives a goalie $5-8 mi/year

Again - I'm not getting ahead of myself.

Perhaps I need to be more clear:

- It's fun to see my home town team be active/aggressive like all great teams are.

- It's fun to see them (possibly) get a goalie who has quite a bit of skill when others were considered the "lead dog"

- It's fun to see my home team's front office know that Corey Crawford's stock is only rising. The orgainzation's mantra all along has been .. don't pay goalies big money. Crawford is going to make substantially more than what he currently is.

- This only helps with organizational goalie depth, gives them a backup option next season while getting real NHL time while Crawford continues to man the pipes here in Chicago.
- CaptainBlackhawk

I agree!

Yeah, and since he's gonna get some dough-Why would we want to committ $ to a guy that wont even effect our NHL roster? Gotta figure he'll go where he can at least share time with someone at the nhl level.
- miked23

- His entry level deal won't be big money

- He very well could be playing here, Chicago, next season as a backup to Crawford.... behind the best defensive team in hockey, with ridiculous depth who are still young/potential of winning a few more Cups.

... IF This story is true.

Again - I'm not getting ahead of myself.

Perhaps I need to be more clear:

- It's fun to see my home town team be active/aggressive/looking into the future like some great teams are.

- It's fun to see them (possibly) get a goalie who has quite a bit of skill when others were considered the "lead dog"

- It's fun to see my home team's front office know that Corey Crawford's stock is only rising. The orgainzation's mantra all along has been .. don't pay goalies big money. Crawford is going to make substantially more than what he currently is.

- This only helps with organizational goalie depth, gives them a backup option next season while getting real NHL time while Crawford continues to man the pipes here in Chicago.
- CaptainBlackhawk

all good points

- It's fun to see my home team's front office know that Corey Crawford's stock is only rising. The orgainzation's mantra all along has been .. don't pay goalies big money. Crawford is going to make substantially more than what he currently is.


- CaptainBlackhawk

Steve Konroyd was on 670 this morning and stated Crawford is the front runner for starting netminder on Team Canada in the Russia olympics. This was shocking to me. Long way to go... probably will be based off next season more than anything.

At a certain point everyone is just going to have to realize that the Blackhawks create some matchup problems for the Kings that other teams do not. They are also going to have to stop with the excuses about why the Kings have not been as advertised yet. Sure, Kopitar, Richards, Carter, Doughty, Williams, etc are all hurt.. at this point in the season so are Hossa, Sharp, Kane, Toews, etc. Very few players out there are not feeling the effects of a compressed season and then the playoffs.

The time-zone excuse also has to go. Did I miss something? Didn't the Kings have an extra day after their series with SJ to rest? Didnt they play that series in the same time zone with very minimal travel? Just asking.

Lastly lets look at Quick. Yes, he is an outstanding goaltender. BUT and it's a huge BUT, his numbers against the Hawks are not great. In the regular season, He lost 5-2 and 3-2, and won 5-4. In the 2 playoff games he has lost 2-1 and 4-2. In 5 games he has given up 18 goals. Thats 3.6 GA by my math, his save percentage in those games is .869, pretty pedestrian. You were up 4-0 and 3-0 on him in the first 2 games and then he prevailed in a slop fest but gave up 4 goals on 25 shots. He was very good in the first game, but lost nonetheless, failing to hold the lead, and gave up 4 goals on 17 shots yeaterday, arguably all stoppable.

The Kings are very good at home, and may very well win a game there, but at this point the "eye" test says the Hawks are outplaying them and their all-world goalie.

Finally, for a supposedly physical team, the Hawks have had the edge over the Kings in terms of hits that are "leaving marks". Hits by Bickell, Stalberg, Shaw, Seabrook have been much more effective than anything the Kings have dished out to this point. Not to say that wont change.