With all the heat on Bickell lately I'm hoping he comes out skating like the wind tomorrow. Last year against the Ducks he laid Getzlaf out with a HUGE hit! I wanna see a repat of that. When he plays more physically he plays far better.
- paulr

I remember Wendell Clark saying he would break out of slumps by focusing on one thing in his game - checking - and that he would set a goal for hits in a period or game and worry about that and the rest would eventually fall in line. Seemed to work for him. Maybe it would work for Bickell.

Isn't that what some people are arguing? Whether it's better or worse?

Stan said all off and pre-season was that the plan was to have the kids play. Just one kid is playing. And Q is riding his veterans. And that would be fine if e was playing ALL his veterans. Kris Versteeg played all of 8 minutes despite being 100% Corsi. 100 percent! While Kris Versteeg was on the ice the Blackhawks shot 12 shots on Varlarmov and not a single shot was registered against Crawford, and yet he rides the pine. Same with Bickell. Which is strange because if you're at these games ( And I've been fortunate to be...) Bickell has been really good on the forecheck. But that hasn't prevented him from going into Q's doghouse.

I think overriding the veterans might prove harmful come April. Of course, I can't prove that until the playoffs.

There was a unanimous feeling among this board that Q should pick some players and stick with them. We argued over who those players should be....Nordstrom, Pirri, Morin.. but they're all in Rockford. Morin is still one of the best hawks in CORSI and drawing penalties, which you think a team based on puck possession and a good PP might want.....Nope. Patrick Kane had his best stretch this year with Pirri as his centerman......nope. Nordstrom had a deer in the headlights look with the Hawks, but from all reports he seem to be excelling at the Rock. But they sit while Handzus wheezes and Bickell and Steeger's ice time melts faster than ice in the sun.

Yes, of course it's not all on Q. But I think we're allowed to have an opinion on whether they're the right moves or not....
- yahoodi

You're going to wake the Pirri haters.....he's the devil. Just wait...

Great post. Couldn't agree more.
- steelhead

Yahoodi did make a good argument for his point of view, and you guys could be right that Q is screwing up. For me (and it is only my opinion), I'm going to assume that he's got good reasons for what he does, even when I can't identify those reasons. This doesn't mean I can't or won't disagree with him and Stan, but I'll have to admit they know more than I do AND have access to all the information. As an example, I don't get why there's not a forward here from Rockford to rotate into games for Zues. Anyway, good points by both you guys....

I remember Wendell Clark saying he would break out of slumps by focusing on one thing in his game - checking - and that he would set a goal for hits in a period or game and worry about that and the rest would eventually fall in line. Seemed to work for him. Maybe it would work for Bickell.
- steelhead

I thought you were going to finish that first sentence with something about an ugly girl.

Love Ladd back on Hawks roster 'multi cup winner". Move two bad contracts Bickel and Crawford get Buff back as well? Very close dollar swap? Toss the 40 year old goalie with the expiring deal at the end of the year too just for salary relief for the cap. Winnipeg can think like the Cubs again.
- artlarson

I just started this thread, but this on the first page means it probably didn't go well. The Jets would literally laugh Bowman off the phone if he offered this

Crow still sits too deep in his net. He could learn a thing or two from Raanta about being more aggressive in coming out to challenge.
- philco28

When he isn't at the top of his game Crawford sits back and seems to go down quickly.

When he is very good like vs Montreal the opposite is true.

Next stop for Bickell a scratch?
From 1/16-On The Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/LdEw

Yahoodi did make a good argument for his point of view, and you guys could be right that Q is screwing up. For me (and it is only my opinion), I'm going to assume that he's got good reasons for what he does, even when I can't identify those reasons. This doesn't mean I can't or won't disagree with him and Stan, but I'll have to admit they know more than I do AND have access to all the information. As an example, I don't get why there's not a forward here from Rockford to rotate into games for Zues. Anyway, good points by both you guys....
- mohel

I agreed earlier Q usually deserves the benefit of the doubt and I agree with you here on the rotating forward. Rockford isn't far. Maybe they have another reason for not bringing Morin back up more often? How many games before you have to clear waivers?

Think we need a Darth photo shop special on this

- philco28

Bicks isn't ready to take off the braces yet.

I thought you were going to finish that first sentence with something about an ugly girl.
- mohel

We call them obtainable not ugly. After several shots of course.

I browsed here for a long time and I started posting here a few months back while I am working from home dealing with a critically ill wife. The Hawks are a great distraction. I have learned from a few years in and out of hospitals with her to leave that negative stuff alone. I treat people with respect AND I CHALLENGE YOU TO FIND A SINGLE POST WHERE I AM INSULTING OR MEAN TO ANOTHER POSTER here.

I really don't know why you are even on this thread. As far as being an internet tough guy, you define the term. You are always giving people grief here for their opinions. You didn't invent the game and you do not know management so stop pretending you know any more than any other fan.

I am in the West Suburbs. Feel free to PM me and we can have a friendly, adult discussion any time you would like (OR NOT). Since I am sure you would not be alive treating people in person how you treat people on this thread I am sure it would be civil internet tough guy. Throwing in a post about your kid or how you love dogs does not change the way you treat people here. Maybe your being a D!ck because you're having a bad day. Based on your treatment of many here you have a lot of those.

Do not post to me or about me again unless it is an apology.
- steelhead

I accept the challenge....page 30 I believe when you called me a POS....or did you mean point of sale?

What do I have to apologize for? Where did I insult you??? I challenge you to find when I've insulted or threatened anyone .....words are words pal.....they have no emotion. Unless you hear them spoken from my mouth you have no idea how to interpret them.....the only emotion they have is when the reader chooses the emotion to put behind them...I don't want an apology though don't worry.....

I appreciate the pm challenging me to a confrontation......


That being said....I hope your wife gets better and my fingers are crossed that she does....

Isn't that what some people are arguing? Whether it's better or worse?

Stan said all off and pre-season was that the plan was to have the kids play. Just one kid is playing. And Q is riding his veterans. And that would be fine if e was playing ALL his veterans. Kris Versteeg played all of 8 minutes despite being 100% Corsi. 100 percent! While Kris Versteeg was on the ice the Blackhawks shot 12 shots on Varlarmov and not a single shot was registered against Crawford, and yet he rides the pine. Same with Bickell. Which is strange because if you're at these games ( And I've been fortunate to be...) Bickell has been really good on the forecheck. But that hasn't prevented him from going into Q's doghouse.

I think overriding the veterans might prove harmful come April. Of course, I can't prove that until the playoffs.

There was a unanimous feeling among this board that Q should pick some players and stick with them. We argued over who those players should be....Nordstrom, Pirri, Morin.. but they're all in Rockford. Morin is still one of the best hawks in CORSI and drawing penalties, which you think a team based on puck possession and a good PP might want.....Nope. Patrick Kane had his best stretch this year with Pirri as his centerman......nope. Nordstrom had a deer in the headlights look with the Hawks, but from all reports he seem to be excelling at the Rock. But they sit while Handzus wheezes and Bickell and Steeger's ice time melts faster than ice in the sun.

Yes, of course it's not all on Q. But I think we're allowed to have an opinion on whether they're the right moves or not....
- yahoodi

Brandon Pirri factored in like 3 points for Kane all year. Kane's longer point streak was with Handzus, but ignore that. And you realize Stan is in charge of the roster right? Q has never and will never send anyone down to Rockford

You're going to wake the Pirri haters.....he's the devil. Just wait...
- SteveRain

Im on a self imposed ban....two days now...shakes are over.

Brandon Pirri factored in like 3 points for Kane all year. Kane's longer point streak was with Handzus, but ignore that. And you realize Stan is in charge of the roster right? Q has never and will never send anyone down to Rockford
- rollpards19

Rollpards...armed with facts again....doesn't get any better

Brandon Pirri factored in like 3 points for Kane all year. Kane's longer point streak was with Handzus, but ignore that. And you realize Stan is in charge of the roster right? Q has never and will never send anyone down to Rockford
- rollpards19

Certainly hope they talk about these things, tho.

Hope their relationship is better than what seems to be the relationship between GarPax and Thibodeau.

Between the state of airline safety in Russia and the recent lack of security I'd have some real concerns about going over there.
- Return of the Roar

Wasn't there a big shootout the other day and a bunch of people got killed? ....during a security check?

- Ogilthorpe2

I agreed earlier Q usually deserves the benefit of the doubt and I agree with you here on the rotating forward. Rockford isn't far. Maybe they have another reason for not bringing Morin back up more often? How many games before you have to clear waivers?
- steelhead

I know for sure there's no waivers on their Entry Level Contract, so that's not why no forward is up here. I'd love to know the real reason, but I doubt we will...

Wasn't there a big shootout the other day and a bunch of people got killed? ....during a security check?
- UnnamedSource

Yes. And the recent terrorist attacks. Not the safest place in the world these days.

Bicks isn't ready to take off the braces yet.


- DarthKane

Excellent!

Bollig?...Who in Rockford can replace his skill set for small dollars?
- Al

No one I can think of. In an extreme emergency maybe Winchester or Mashinter, but that's really stretching it.

- Ogilthorpe2

Good thing you did or you would have been History...
- mohel

...I got nothing.

Rollpards...armed with facts again....doesn't get any better
- UnnamedSource

Yeah, he's damn good with those facts! And I'm glad he's here to provide them, even when it goes against what I'm thinking at the moment.

- EKolb13

I've made a new friend Eli