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.
- Sconnie

that just points to Canada's lack of goaltending depth right now.

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.
- TheTrob

Name a team who has the defensive depth and forward speed that the Hawks do out of this list:

San Jose Sharks
St. Louis Blues
Boston Bruins
New Jersey Devils
Phoenix Coyotes
St. Louis Blues (last year)
Vancouver Canucks

Hawks sign Anti Rantta......wow!

Hawks sign Anti Rantta......wow!
- UnnamedSource

Isn't this something else to read?!

Hawks sign Anti Rantta......wow!
- UnnamedSource

Juha Hiitelä‏@jhiitela13m
Per our sources Chicago has signed Finnish UFA goalie Antti Raanta. Playoffs MVP in Finnish league this year. #blackhawks #nhlfi

I love Andrew Shaw and what he brings to the lineup but the slash to Richardson's ankle was just a stupid/dirty/dangerous play that is inexcusable. It's one thing to give a guy a little whack with your stick, it's another thing to hit him so hard in the ankle/leg with your stick that you injure him. Shaw needs to learn to control his emotions before he does something stupid that gets called and costs the team.
- Ballam

I guess you don't watch him closely, or hadn't followed his OHL career.
That fierce competitve edge is part of why he is an NHL regular.
That wasn't any way an emotional outburst, Shaw being the "Little Ball of Hate" TM.

He has opened each game in each series with engagements akin to that one.

I really was hoping that the handshake against the Wings had showed him, as I was curious if he got the hugs and kisses everyone else seemed to be receiving and getting from the wings.

Yeah, what you are outraged about is why the kid is in the lineup, causing ahvoc and causing those pucks to unearth in the cycle.

Oh, and please, Brad Richardson isn't an altar boy over his career either....

and in closing, if you ever thought the Stanley Cup Finals wasn' about weakening the resolve, awakening penalized response, or about taking guys off the ice, you are incorrect.

one year EL contract per...

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie2m
As my Finnish pal @vrantanen suspected, CHI has agreed to terms with UFA G Anntti Raanta on a one-year entry level contract.

Holy umlat. My finnish is rusty. What does that article say?
- eburgio

It is a google translate but if you read it really fast you can get the gist.

Aces championship guarantor, World jäälläkin charmed Finnish goalkeeper Antti Raanta is the IS sport information, going to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Rumors around the Raannan are Vellonen fierce through the spring. A sensational season pelanneesta goalkeeper have been interested in a number of NHL clubs, but now that seems Chicago is bringing Rauma.

Chicago's season is still in progress. The team is headed to the Western Conference finals series against the Los Angeles voitoin 2-0 and is now only two victory away from the Stanley Cup Finals.

Raanta, 24, made ​​an agreement with HIFK, but not with these views against any spinner beast shirt.

Raanta refused to comment on the matter in any way. Raannan the new information in his first season seurastaan ​​be expected this week.

one year EL contract per...

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie2m
As my Finnish pal @vrantanen suspected, CHI has agreed to terms with UFA G Anntti Raanta on a one-year entry level contract.
- Sconnie

Which lends credence to my argument earlier...

Raanta:

- Wanted to play here
- Wanted to play in front of the best defensive unit in Chicago, who is still very young
- Wants a chance to play

one year EL contract per...

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie2m
As my Finnish pal @vrantanen suspected, CHI has agreed to terms with UFA G Anntti Raanta on a one-year entry level contract.
- Sconnie

Yeah, I was just about to ask which one of you guys called this addition WEEKS ago?

For any first time visitor here, you have joined the blog that is ahead of the rest....

Juha Hiitelä‏@jhiitela13m
Per our sources Chicago has signed Finnish UFA goalie Antti Raanta. Playoffs MVP in Finnish league this year. #blackhawks #nhlfi


- Sconnie

And he used to drive a Zamboni at his local arena.

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

The key also ....there isn't a Zetterbeg or Datsyuk on the Kings....Toews stirs the drink whether he scores or not now.

The other centers are also playing well too.

Going in I said if the defense for the Hawks plays well and can get out of their own end quickly that negates the LA forecheck....Which is the best part of their game., besides Quick.

LA played better but still is chasing the puck more often than not...

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj

one year EL contract per...

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie2m
As my Finnish pal @vrantanen suspected, CHI has agreed to terms with UFA G Anntti Raanta on a one-year entry level contract.
- Sconnie

Anyone know how the Hawks are signing these players, with respect to contracts limit? I know Broadhurst was just signed and now this dude. How are they making room for them given the 50-contract limit?

Great day to be a Hawks fan... as dark as it was 10 days ago, wow, have things turned around. I am sure there is more bumps in the road but nice to be on this end of things.

Anyone know how the Hawks are signing these players, with respect to contracts limit? I know Broadhurst was just signed and now this dude. How are they making room for them given the 50-contract limit?
- eburgio

I believe at some point in June there is flexibility....Draft is coming and on
July 1 some players won't be officially under contracts.


Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj

I guess you don't watch him closely, or hadn't followed his OHL career.
That fierce competitve edge is part of why he is an NHL regular.
That wasn't any way an emotional outburst, Shaw being the "Little Ball of Hate" TM.

He has opened each game in each series with engagements akin to that one.

I really was hoping that the handshake against the Wings had showed him, as I was curious if he got the hugs and kisses everyone else seemed to be receiving and getting from the wings.

Yeah, what you are outraged about is why the kid is in the lineup, causing ahvoc and causing those pucks to unearth in the cycle.

Oh, and please, Brad Richardson isn't an altar boy over his career either....

and in closing, if you ever thought the Stanley Cup Finals wasn' about weakening the resolve, awakening penalized response, or about taking guys off the ice, you are incorrect.
- wiz1901

That's interesting. i dont disagree with you. I guess I am surprised-his offense isnt that impressive. and he DOES take some really stupid penalties. It seems like most winning teams wouldnt want to put up with that. Yet, you cant deny his presence and contributions to the Hawks.

one year EL contract per...

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie2m
As my Finnish pal @vrantanen suspected, CHI has agreed to terms with UFA G Anntti Raanta on a one-year entry level contract.
- Sconnie

yeah, the folks in Minnesota think he sigend there too:

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/209685101.html

Raanta is a late-maturing, late-blooming, undrafted European free agent that could potentially be a pretty good NHL goaler.

Raanta, 24, who represented Finland in the recent world championships, went 21-10-11 with a 1.85 goals against average and .943 save percentage during the regular season for Assat Pori. That earned him league MVP and Best goalie honors.

He then backstopped his team to the SM-liiga title with a 1.45 goals against average and .955 save percentage, which was good for the Jari Kurri Trophy – Finland’s equivalent to the Conn Smythe

He is six feet tall and just under 190 pounds.

yeah, the folks in Minnesota think he sigend there too:

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/209685101.html


- wiz1901

didn't read comments but had read that article and it states they know he had signed but had no confirmation as to who it was with. even said, if it were with the wild, they probably would've known.

The key also ....there isn't a Zetterbeg or Datsyuk on the Kings....Toews stirs the drink whether he scores or not now.

The other centers are also playing well too.

Going in I said if the defense for the Hawks plays well and can get out of their own end quickly that negates the LA forecheck....Which is the best part of their game., besides Quick.

LA played better but still is chasing the puck more often than not...

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj
- Al

Nice Article. I agree with the above also. In addition, I think Kane was effective this past weekend even though there is not much to show for it on the score sheet.

The 3rd and 4th lines are effective because so much energy is expended by the Kings to stop Toews, Hossa, Kane, etc. The matchups are very favorable for the lower lines and the Hawks have been exploiting that. While the 4th line of Bolland, Frolik, Kruger has not been on the scoreboard, they have generated plenty of o-zone time, which is taking the legs from the Kings and creating other matchup problems. It really doesn't matter who is putting the goals in the net (as long as someone is), and I think to a man the Hawks team would agree.

yeah, the folks in Minnesota think he sigend there too:

http://www.startribune.co...orts/blogs/209685101.html

Raanta is a late-maturing, late-blooming, undrafted European free agent that could potentially be a pretty good NHL goaler.

Raanta, 24, who represented Finland in the recent world championships, went 21-10-11 with a 1.85 goals against average and .943 save percentage during the regular season for Assat Pori. That earned him league MVP and Best goalie honors.

He then backstopped his team to the SM-liiga title with a 1.45 goals against average and .955 save percentage, which was good for the Jari Kurri Trophy – Finland’s equivalent to the Conn Smythe
- wiz1901

If he signed here on an ELC, does that mean, by definition that he will be a RFA at the end of the year? Or is there a possibility he will be a UFA?

The key also ....there isn't a Zetterbeg or Datsyuk on the Kings....Toews stirs the drink whether he scores or not now.

The other centers are also playing well too.

Going in I said if the defense for the Hawks plays well and can get out of their own end quickly that negates the LA forecheck....Which is the best part of their game., besides Quick.

LA played better but still is chasing the puck more often than not...

Hawks continue to roll with a 4-2 victory, Quick looks human - "Soft" Hawks taking care of tough Kings:FOX Chicago:http://bit.ly/15ynJtj
- Al

That's true I do remember you saying that, Al.

I just didn't believe it would actually work or seem that simple.

Facing the Kings at home will be chalked up as another huge test for the Hawks.

didn't read comments but had read that article and it states they know he had signed but had no confirmation as to who it was with. even said, if it were with the wild, they probably would've known.
- Sconnie

I am NOT doubting you....just showing they thought they had the inside track.

I am trying to contact Adam Kempenaar as I write this...

I am NOT doubting you....just showing they thought they had the inside track.

I am trying to contact Adam Kempenaar as I write this...
- wiz1901

Bob McKenzie‏@TSNBobMcKenzie1m
BTW, Raanta has not actually signed the contract with CHI but has agreed to terms with Hawks. Paperwork is in process of being finalized.

Bowman should have worked out an extension earlier in the season for Bickell when he would have been more apt to sign for less.
- EKolb13

He may have doubled his salary this playoff season. Earlier this year weren't we talking about signing him to a 1.5-2M/per extension? Now people are talking 3-3.5M range on these boards. I hope he'll take a hometown discount to stay so we can afford to keep Krugs/Leddy and fill some other holes.

That's interesting. i dont disagree with you. I guess I am surprised-his offense isnt that impressive. and he DOES take some really stupid penalties. It seems like most winning teams wouldnt want to put up with that. Yet, you cant deny his presence and contributions to the Hawks.
- miked23

Shaw offense is the wall work, his speed and and his skill-set, but that gets done because he is fearless...and a Little Ball of Hate TM

Before Stan Mikita reformed, he played along the same lines as Shaw does, unafraid and used his stick as the equalizer....