If there are 3 players on this team who have showed up every night. Its those 3.
- Elbows15

Forgot who it was that pointed this out the other night, but someone on here mentioned that because Bollig and Smith didnt exactly get to taste that Cup run in the way that the regulars who played during the playoffs did, its left them with more hunger and motivation than most the guys. Maybe thats why they've stood out, and Kruger has kept right up with them.

Hockey isn't a hard game. Some players make it harder than it is. It is about WORK. Well you need skill too. But those 3 play it easy. Just work hard
- tomcat24

They aren't afraid to put it in and get after it. Some times its your best option. Make that D turn and chase. When Saad does it, he even more effective.

Frolik was incredible during the reg season on the PK....but I do get the essence of your point.....Smith gets better every game.
- UnnamedSource

Yes he was thats very true. I shouldnt leave that out cuz it was important, but i was mainly speaking on the fact that i believe he only had like 3 or 4 goals in 48 games.

Versteeg thinks he has Kane skills when it comes to handling the puck.....needs to keep it simple.
- UnnamedSource

He has a lot of confidence. Needs to make his move and let it go. He has a pretty good shot. And he isn't afraid of the dirty areas. He is still getting strength back in his leg. You can still see it at times.

Frolik was incredible during the reg season on the PK....but I do get the essence of your point.....Smith gets better every game.
- UnnamedSource

The Smith/Saad combo on the PK has been very effective.

People say the PK starting falling apart at the start of the season because we lost Frolik. But the PK actually started to slip before that. I don't have be stats but our PK wasn't good in the Final.

Forgot who it was that pointed this out the other night, but someone on here mentioned that because Bollig and Smith didnt exactly get to taste that Cup run in the way that the regulars who played during the playoffs did, its left them with more hunger and motivation than most the guys. Maybe thats why they've stood out, and Kruger has kept right up with them.
- SimpleJack

They're 4th liners. And fringe NHl'ers SJ. The Have to work hard if they want to stay in the show. Kruger is just a red ass.

Box score shows the Hawks with two PP goals...I guess Saad's empty netter was officially a PP tally.

He has a lot of confidence. Needs to make his move and let it go. He has a pretty good shot. And he isn't afraid of the dirty areas. He is still getting strength back in his leg. You can still see it at times.
- Elbows15

Agreed. Speaking of injuries I really hope the olympic break gives Bickell a chance to heal and get stronger. As much as we female dog him we will need him and if anyone thinks he is an asset right now.....based on his play.....and the money we are paying him....no one will want him in a trade.

Box score shows the Hawks with two PP goals...I guess Saad's empty netter was officially a PP tally.
- Ogilthorpe2

It was.

They aren't afraid to put it in and get after it. Some times its your best option. Make that D turn and chase. When Saad does it, he even more effective.
- Elbows15

And just wearing their D down. Then here comes our 1st line right after to wear them down more with the skill players. We just need to get this "3rd line" going and we should be fine.

Their 4th liners. And fringe NHl'ers SJ. The Have to work hard if they want to stay in the show. Kruger is just a red ass.
- Elbows15

Ur point is taken, but Smith and Kruger are both easily 3rd line caliber players from what iv seen this year, and most likely wont ever have to worry bout losing their NHL job anytime soon. Bollig might be too if he continues to improve.

The Smith/Saad combo on the PK has been very effective.

People say the PK starting falling apart at the start of the season because we lost Frolik. But the PK actually started to slip before that. I don't have be stats but our PK wasn't good in the Final.
- DarthKane

Great point....and this is what drives me nuts when people say Bowman didn't want to keep him or didn't evaluate him properly. Yes he was great on the PK but in a hard cap year you can't keep a guy who scored 4 goals and makes 2.3 million. It's not smart to do so....

Agreed. Speaking of injuries I really hope the olympic break gives Bickell a chance to heal and get stronger. As much as we female dog him we will need him and if anyone thinks he is an asset right now.....based on his play.....and the money we are paying him....no one will want him in a trade.
- UnnamedSource

I hope they speed up the process and LTIR him. He has not been right all year. While never the greatest skater. He is a much better skater than he has shown. And like just about everyone else who gets a big contract, they always seem to struggle that first year.

It was.
- Elbows15

Great special teams tonight then

2-3 on the PP
3-3 on the PK

Ur point is taken, but Smith and Kruger are both easily 3rd line caliber players from what iv seen this year, and most likely wont ever have to worry bout losing their NHL job anytime soon. Bollig might be too if he continues to improve.
- SimpleJack

IMO, Based on his skating Bollig will always be a fourth liner.....and a good one. I think he would be more effective if he was in a solid rotation with a Morin type and played 40-50 games a year.

Great point....and this is what drives me nuts when people say Bowman didn't want to keep him or didn't evaluate him properly. Yes he was great on the PK but in a hard cap year you can't keep a guy who scored 4 goals and makes 2.3 million. It's not smart to do so....
- UnnamedSource

You will get an argument from some about how wisely Stan spent the $2.3M he saved by moving Frolik out.

Agreed. Speaking of injuries I really hope the olympic break gives Bickell a chance to heal and get stronger. As much as we female dog him we will need him and if anyone thinks he is an asset right now.....based on his play.....and the money we are paying him....no one will want him in a trade.
- UnnamedSource

I hope the Olympic Break gives me a chance to heal (mentally) and get stronger.

Ur point is taken, but Smith and Kruger are both easily 3rd line caliber players from what iv seen this year, and most likely wont ever have to worry bout losing their NHL job anytime soon. Bollig might be too if he continues to improve.
- SimpleJack

If that line wasn't playing so well, Smith would be on the 3rd line now. Maybe Kruger too. Bollig just needs to remember the physical play and he will have a spot somewhere. I have been saying it all season. Watch him positionally. He is very smart positionally.

Great special teams tonight then

2-3 on the PP
3-3 on the PK
- Ogilthorpe2

Good night overall and excellent night for the special teams units (love that Saad/Smith PK unit).

We need to string together a few more games like this.

I hope they speed up the process and LTIR him. He has not been right all year. While never the greatest skater. He is a much better skater than he has shown. And like just about everyone else who gets a big contract, they always seem to struggle that first year.
- Elbows15

I think there is something to that....the pressure of getting paid when you've been a league minimum guy your whole career. As far as LTIR I would be surprised if they do it before the olympics.....I think they will give him a chance to get stronger over the 3 week break and see how he does when they reconvene.

IMO, Based on his skating Bollig will always be a fourth liner.....and a good one. I think he would be more effective if he was in a solid rotation with a Morin type and played 40-50 games a year.
- UnnamedSource

That will depend on him and how much he is willing to work on his skating. He made a lot of improvements this offseason. Still a lot of room there. He is losing a lot of speed by not finishing his stride.

I hope the Olympic Break gives me a chance to heal (mentally) and get stronger.
- Ogilthorpe2

So do we.

Yes he was thats very true. I shouldnt leave that out cuz it was important, but i was mainly speaking on the fact that i believe he only had like 3 or 4 goals in 48 games.
- SimpleJack

But that is the whole point.....the production didn't equal the pay. Yes he was great on special teams but compared to the rest of the league.....is there another guy getting paid that much to kill penalties and not produce points? I would be surprised if there is....

And some will continue to say Bicks was overpaid....hard argument to make against that considering his production this year.....but based on his post season performance and what others were given.....he would've been paid over 5 on the open market.

Ur point is taken, but Smith and Kruger are both easily 3rd line caliber players from what iv seen this year, and most likely wont ever have to worry bout losing their NHL job anytime soon. Bollig might be too if he continues to improve.
- SimpleJack

The whole Hawk philosophy depends on rolling 4 lines. They need something out that 3rd line.

But that is the whole point.....the production didn't equal the pay. Yes he was great on special teams but compared to the rest of the league.....is there another guy getting paid that much to kill penalties and not produce points? I would be surprised if there is....

And some will continue to say Bicks was overpaid....hard argument to make against that considering his production this year.....but based on his post season performance and what others were given.....he would've been paid over 5 on the open market.
- UnnamedSource

I made this point earlier. Frolik and Bolland will eventually cost more than Bicks 4 mill.