Other than to troll this site, why are you here?
- paulr

Yeah, I don't get it.....

Bruins, Flyers, and Canucks fans......I never go trolling, and I could care less about those teams, but these guys bombard this thread like no other.

Still makes him look like the more mature person and makes you look kind of douchey. Especially when he has a point about the negative and defensive tone of JJ's message (despite the accuracy of its content).
- Sandus

Sandis Osilinch? Is that you?

Damn you and your OT goal in 1996.

People who are colour blind.
- DarthKane

Ah, thank you.

So red or green = sarcasm.

People who are colour blind.
- DarthKane

he must have played a little hockey at some point.
- Fountain-San

Yes, Hibbing should have some good pond hockey.

But - he doesn't look the athletic type, exactly.

Agreed...and the loss that will hurt the most: Frolik.

Stalberg, sorry TrueGrit, is a 1 dimensional pile. He'll be a free agent bust in Nashville and nobody will remember him in 10 years. He was fast, but his ability to finish was bad. He's the Asian kid from Mighty Ducks.....

Bolland....Shaw or Kruger can do what he does...and Shaw may end up being better being a Bolland clone, then Kruger.

Frolik: This is the one that hurts to me...Guy busted tail every shift. Great PK guy, great skill, and he scored some very large goals...hell, he was a millimeter away from being a Hawk folk hero on that redirection, that Bolland cleaned up off the post.

Smith will fill a role, but I'm not buying high on either Morin or Hayes. I've seen Hayes play live at the UC, and he looks out of place. Slow, inability to hit, and honestly...I'd trade him for any veteran with a proven NHL record who won't hurt you and fit Qs system.

Lets hope the drunken Russian is working on his legs/conditioning in between slamming shots of Vodka and driving mach 4 in his sports cars this offseason, because his signing still makes zero sense to me, and I'm just waiting to read the tweet: And Khabibulin just left practice/morning skate earlier....followed by Q: Nik is day to day with a lower body injury....and then I'm going to do shots of Vodka and pray Crawford doesn't melt down or get hurt.
- SteveRain

I agree, of the three Frolik will be missed the most. But $2.33 million for a 4th line PK specialist is a bit much, and Stan got a lot more for him now than he wold have in the summer of 2014 when he's an RFA. That will be an interesting contract negotiation. But I think Smith will do fine on the 4th line, he'll take some PK time as well as Saad to help fill Frolik's void.

Bolland will be missed in the playoffs, but Shaw and Kruger have shown they are big game players too. I don't expect to see a one-for-one replacement of Bolland, Frolik and Stalberg. It will be a replacement by committee were certain players get more and/or new responsibilities while some new blood is added to the roster.

Stacked isnt having 1 great line, a good 2nd line, and 1 great D Pairing, an average goalie, and the rest of the team as depth players. You my friend are delusional. Chicago won this cup with great team work and coaching and clutch plays by their star players. A stacked team is the Colorado teams that won the cup, the Detroit repeat cup winners in the 90's. Thats a stacked team, its almost impossible to have a stacked team in the salary cap era.
- GOA88

Its really starting to sound like ur just salty about 2010.....We had the deepest team in the league last year. U make it sound like we were top heavy, psh, iv yet to see someone so ignorant towards the 2013 Hawks 3rd and 4th lines and 2nd and 3rd defensive pairings. How much did u actually follow the NHL last year? Won the cup with "Great teamwork" ...and then u say we only had ONE good d pairing? and completely dismiss our bottom 2 lines? wat on earth is wrong with u? Again, our depth last year was something rarely seen in the cap era. If u looked up the definition of a "stacked hockey team" in the hypothetical "hockey dictionary", you'd see a picture of the 2013 hawks raising the cup. Again, im sure ur just salty....its ok.

Its really starting to sound like ur just salty about 2010.....We had the deepest team in the league last year. U make it sound like we were top heavy, psh, iv yet to see someone so ignorant towards the 2013 Hawks 3rd and 4th lines and 2nd and 3rd defensive pairings. How much did u actually follow the NHL last year? Won the cup with "Great teamwork" ...and then u say we only had ONE good d pairing? and completely dismiss our bottom 2 lines? wat on earth is wrong with u? Again, our depth last year was something rarely seen in the cap era. If u looked up the definition of a "stacked hockey team" in the hypothetical "hockey dictionary", you'd see a picture of the 2013 hawks raising the cup. Again, im sure ur just salty....its ok.
- SimpleJack

Our depth was (and still is) pretty damn impressive.

Stalberg will be a major contributor in Nashville, but here is was relegated to 10 - 12 minutes per game on the 3rd line with no special teams time (and a scratch in the playoffs). Bolland and Frolik were 4th liners here but will be at least 3rd liners on their new teams. Guys like Saad and Shaw could be 2nd liners on a lot of teams and Kruger could likely play a more prominent role elsewhere (i.e. more than 4C). Not to mention the crazy depth we have on defense, guys like Brookbank and Kostka were regulars before they came here.

Stacked isnt having 1 great line, a good 2nd line, and 1 great D Pairing, an average goalie, and the rest of the team as depth players. You my friend are delusional. Chicago won this cup with great team work and coaching and clutch plays by their star players. A stacked team is the Colorado teams that won the cup, the Detroit repeat cup winners in the 90's. Thats a stacked team, its almost impossible to have a stacked team in the salary cap era.
- GOA88

Don't forget: with 1:15 left in regulation - after Bickell's tying goal - the most important 1:15 of the season, maybe - Q put the 4th line out there to make sure they got to overtime.

4th line, NOT Toews, Hossa, whoever else - 4th LINE.

They failed - didn't GET to overtime.

Our depth was (and still is) pretty damn impressive.

Stalberg will be a major contributor in Nashville, but here is was relegated to 10 - 12 minutes per game on the 3rd line with no special teams time (and a scratch in the playoffs). Bolland and Frolik were 4th liners here but will be at least 3rd liners on their new teams. Guys like Saad and Shaw could be 2nd liners on a lot of teams and Kruger could likely play a more prominent role elsewhere (i.e. more than 4C). Not to mention the crazy depth we have on defense, guys like Brookbank and Kostka were regulars before they came here.
- DarthKane

I totally agree. Just like in 2010, we just offloaded a handful of guys that were probly having their true potentials held back by our elite depth. Thankfully, UNLIKE 2010, we also kept a bunch of those players who will hopefully flourish with bigger roles. Id be shocked if Fro and Stalberg didnt produce on their new teams. Bolland as well. Id be shocked if Shaw, Saad, Leddy, and Kruger dont continue to elevate their level of play also.

[quote=resqmed99]For me, IMHO, a repeat is contingent on two things:

2) We have to start clicking on our Power Play. Kompon is a lucky SOB. Maybe Yanic Perrault will be able to help on the face-off skills and help us win more pucks.

>Agree -- a top-producing PP cuts down on the opposition cheap shots and creates an occassional "easy" regular season win -- reducing fatigue
>Agree -- YP could be the most impactful "under the radar" move the FO made this off-season -- starting most shifts after a faceoff with the puck could be huge for the puck possession Hawks -- makes them that much tougher to play and -- again -- reduces the fatigue of having to chase
>Returning all 6-Dmen instantly makes the Hawks a contender -- if healthy -- teams will have a very tough time scoring against the Hawks
>The Q factor -- few coaches know the right balance of rest and intensity-training for their players
>Olympics -- actually think this helps the Hawks -- having so many players even considered will make our players that much better -- by rubbing elbows with the best hockey players in the world -- Olympic fatigue is overrated -- actual games played are very few -- players who participate get a mental break from the NHL grind -- players that don't get a break, too
>Trade deadline -- if Stan can "hit a Handzus" again -- making the perfect veteran acquisition -- it could be parade time -- if the team stays healthy

Still makes him look like the more mature person and makes you look kind of douchey. Especially when he has a point about the negative and defensive tone of JJ's message (despite the accuracy of its content).
- Sandus

Well, he seemed to be getting that "not so fresh feeling", so I figured he needed a good douche. He's welcome, no charge.

I totally agree. Just like in 2010, we just offloaded a handful of guys that were probly having their true potentials held back by our elite depth. Thankfully, UNLIKE 2010, we also kept a bunch of those players who will hopefully flourish with bigger roles. Id be shocked if Fro and Stalberg didnt produce on their new teams. Bolland as well. Id be shocked if Shaw, Saad, Leddy, and Kruger dont continue to elevate their level of play also.
- SimpleJack

I don't expect these guys will impact their new teams the way Ladd, Byfuglien and Versteeg did. I think Frolik could have the biggest impact, the Jets were terrible on the PK (24th I think) and he'll definitely improve that.

[quote=resqmed99]For me, IMHO, a repeat is contingent on two things:

2) We have to start clicking on our Power Play. Kompon is a lucky SOB. Maybe Yanic Perrault will be able to help on the face-off skills and help us win more pucks.

>Agree -- a top-producing PP cuts down on the opposition cheap shots and creates an occassional "easy" regular season win -- reducing fatigue
>Agree -- YP could be the most impactful "under the radar" move the FO made this off-season -- starting most shifts after a faceoff with the puck could be huge for the puck possession Hawks -- makes them that much tougher to play and -- again -- reduces the fatigue of having to chase
>Returning all 6-Dmen instantly makes the Hawks a contender -- if healthy -- teams will have a very tough time scoring against the Hawks
>The Q factor -- few coaches know the right balance of rest and intensity-training for their players
>Olympics -- actually think this helps the Hawks -- having so many players even considered will make our players that much better -- by rubbing elbows with the best hockey players in the world -- Olympic fatigue is overrated -- actual games played are very few -- players who participate get a mental break from the NHL grind -- players that don't get a break, too
>Trade deadline -- if Stan can "hit a Handzus" again -- making the perfect veteran acquisition -- it could be parade time -- if the team stays healthy
- SnapitUpstairs

That maybe be a once in a lifetime trade. Seriously, a 4th round pick for a guy who becomes your 2nd line centre and plays on the PK.

I guess the Preds don't want to fill the seats...

http://espn.go.com/chicag...t-chicago-blackhawks-fans

Well, he seemed to be getting that "not so fresh feeling", so I figured he needed a good douche. He's welcome, no charge.
- Ogilthorpe2

it's really hard to compete with clever material like this.

why not take the high road and not get so unbelievably defensive if someone disagrees? holy crap.
- Fountain-San

Because I don't like being called delusional for posing a plausible what if argument. That's why.

Why not take a shot when you really legitmately have one to take?

I don't expect these guys will impact their new teams the way Ladd, Byfuglien and Versteeg did. I think Frolik could have the biggest impact, the Jets were terrible on the PK (24th I think) and he'll definitely improve that.
- DarthKane

Yeah not quite on that level. Those 3 have all star potential, and i dont think Bolland, Frolik, or Stalberg do. But they will still take on larger roles than what they had with Chicago. The Jets definitely are gonna LOVE Fro on that PK.

he's supposed to be this respected blogger. and he acts like a little boy who's ball has been stolen if someone goes against the grain.
- Fountain-San

No, he pulled out delusional, that's why. And you still have a little axe to grind.

I'm not mad, but I'm also not letting you put words in my mouth or make me the bad guy if/when I quite justifiably fire back.

All good. Water will find it's level.

That maybe be a once in a lifetime trade. Seriously, a 4th round pick for a guy who becomes your 2nd line centre and plays on the PK.
- DarthKane

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Handzus is an over the hill slowpoke whose potential was maximized by amazing depth and a masterful strategist in Q. On paper he projected no different then the twenty other aging vets Stanbo got off the scrapheap for pennies.

He will be a part timer during the season in hopes of having a little gas left for the playoffs and also to let some of the kids get a little more icetime.

not really. i think it's a valid point.
- Fountain-San

No, it's not a valid point.

You got booted off this board a while back. You still want to fight with me. Some guy calls me delusional for stating what is to most a fairly reasonable point. I fire back. You want to make me the bad guy.

So, it is really your problem. No one's fooled. Care to continue?

Other than to troll this site, why are you here?
- paulr

how am i trolling? i like to keep up with the other top teams in the league. the hawks are certainly one of those. the only downfall in following the resulting discussion is JJ gets all bent when someone disagrees and talks down to them like they're completely stupid. his "i know everything, i'm an insider" stuff can get a bit much from a neutral perspective.

that said i really like the hawks and always have. fans too.

Still makes him look like the more mature person and makes you look kind of douchey. Especially when he has a point about the negative and defensive tone of JJ's message (despite the accuracy of its content).
- Sandus

Again, why are posters (trolls) allowed to take personal shots ("delusional") and the blogger is not allowed to fire back by saying you don't rely on facts (to this point)?

Why?

You, also, need to go back and read the thread. Then comment.

Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Handzus is an over the hill slowpoke whose potential was maximized by amazing depth and a masterful strategist in Q. On paper he projected no different then the twenty other aging vets Stanbo got off the scrapheap for pennies.

He will be a part timer during the season in hopes of having a little gas left for the playoffs and also to let some of the kids get a little more icetime.
- busmaster

Handzus was the 2C in the playoffs, will he be going forward? No, he'll be the 4C. Stan didn't expect Handzus centre the second line, but all the stars aligned and everything fell into place and Handzus filled that role. That's why this is a one in a lifetime trade, you can trade for 10 other players in Handzus's situation and it's very unlikely that they'll perform at that level. I wouldn't expect it again.

how am i trolling? i like to keep up with the other top teams in the league. the hawks are certainly one of those. the only downfall in following the resulting discussion is JJ gets all bent when someone disagrees and talks down to them like they're completely stupid. his "i know everything, i'm an insider" stuff can get a bit much from a neutral perspective.

that said i really like the hawks and always have. fans too.
- Fountain-San

Well, see, you're wrong. The guy called me delusional. I told him (after that) that he needed to present facts for his argument.

Now it's your turn. You tell me how what I have stated above is inaccurate. Using facts Not your obviously biased opinion on how I respond to people like you on my board.

Ok, facts please.