Well this rivalry sure went downhill.
- VANTEL

A rival is based on competition.

Most of these are not do-able from a cap perspective unless you are sending back a bunch of salary. Legwand, Jokinen, Moulson are all in the 3-4.5 mil range. Zidlicky is too old and is at 3 mil. McDonald is the only one that makes some sense, definitely an upgrade over Kostka and Brookbank, but would they value him more than Leddy? Do you swap Leddy for him?
- TheTrob

Hence the statement of "early morning bathroom reading". I pass on all of them

Well, it's good to see that they can still win a game every once and a while. And seems like the Hawks won pretty soundly, despite giving up a goal first. And wow, Hossa continues to be a monster.

Most of these are not do-able from a cap perspective unless you are sending back a bunch of salary. Legwand, Jokinen, Moulson are all in the 3-4.5 mil range. Zidlicky is too old and is at 3 mil. McDonald is the only one that makes some sense, definitely an upgrade over Kostka and Brookbank, but would they value him more than Leddy? Do you swap Leddy for him?
- TheTrob

No.

I think the idea here would be to acquire another defenseman to play with Leddy, not to trade him.

A rival is based on competition.
- paulr

Are you forgetting '11 ?

No.

I think the impetus here would be to acquire another defenseman to play with Leddy, not to trade him.
- EKolb13

Personally, I thought Brookbank looked fine last night. Not like a top-liner, but like a solid bottom pairing guy. The three player rotation in that spot is one too many, imo, and keeps each of them rusty (small 'r') and jacks up Leddy. I get the defensive depth idea, but I think it works best when the 8th guy can get playing time in the minors.

Edit - also, why is it the Rozy needs so much rest. He's a couple months older than Hossa; 35, not 40. Why can't he play 2 of every 3 games, with Brookbank getting the rest?

Good to see the Hawks playing a little more like the Hawks. Kind of figured they would bounce back against the Canucks, who appear to be running on fumes.

That might have been Ben Smith's best game this year. He was everywhere. I love the new drop-the-shoulder and head straight for the net move with the puck. More please. It also helped that Q didn't match them up against any top line. Just rotated lines. More please.

Steeger has been awfully turnover happy ( his one wonderful pass notwithstanding) and that line is still a bit of a work in progress. But they were better than in Calgary. And they're more interesting with Pirri than they have been with either 65 or 26 centering that line. Hopefully, Pirri gets some patience from Q......but I doubt it.

Onwards.

Personally, I thought Brookbank looked fine last night. Not like a top-liner, but like a solid bottom pairing guy. The three player rotation in that spot is one too many, imo, and keeps each of them rusty (small 'r') and jacks up Leddy. I get the defensive depth idea, but I think it works best when the 8th guy can get playing time in the minors.
- mohel

Agreed with the highlighted.

After Stanton got claimed off waivers (and maybe even a little before that) there seems to be a fear of losing "competent" (...and I'm using that term loosely with Kostka) depth to waivers.

Lose one guy to waivers, hold onto another guy in fear of a waiver claim and don't trust the depth in the system. I guess it's how it just shook out this season.

Edit - also, why is it the Rozy needs so much rest. He's a couple months older than Hossa; 35, not 40. Why can't he play 2 of every 3 games, with Brookbank getting the rest?
- mohel

Age is a factor, but you have to figure in wear and tear and conditioning. I know that JJ has said it many times - Hossa is an animal in the gym. Perhaps Roszival isn't as disciplined in his own conditioning?

Edit - also, why is it the Rozy needs so much rest. He's a couple months older than Hossa; 35, not 40. Why can't he play 2 of every 3 games, with Brookbank getting the rest?
- mohel

I bet he is the #6 starter pegged for the playoffs. They want him well rested and as healthy as possible.

Today's article...


Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

The Bi-Polar board
Won a few puck battles and the passing was better
Yesterday the board was trading everyone and today all is well with the world
Too funny
- PEIHawkFan

The Sharks haven't scored a goal in 2 games. If they notch one against the Hawks on Saturday this board will be sending Q and his assistants to the gallows.

Nice teaser from '17 SECONDS'

http://my.socialtoaster.com/splash/2j768/

Last night was fun. I always like seeing the Hawks beat up on the Nucks' (scoreboard-wise), and the fact that it MIGHT have busted the slump is even better.

The 4th line was monterous again last night, can we just call them the 3rd line now? They played more than the 3rd line did.

I said it yesterday that the team looked better than they have in awhile against Calgary, hopefully this continues.

Nice teaser from '17 SECONDS'

http://my.socialtoaster.com/splash/2j768/
- philco28

I wanna watch the whole thing now

Last night was fun. I always like seeing the Hawks beat up on the Nucks' (scoreboard-wise), and the fact that it MIGHT have busted the slump is even better.

The 4th line was monterous again last night, can we just call them the 3rd line now? They played more than the 3rd line did.

I said it yesterday that the team looked better than they have in awhile against Calgary, hopefully this continues.
- BlazinMike

It was nice to have the TSN crew giving the 4th line, and specifically Bollig, credit. He has really improved his all around game from two years ago and that 4th line has been a Godsend. Imagine if the Hawks didn't have that safety net to throw out there.

I wanna watch the whole thing now
- BlazinMike

There's a lot of McD and Jay Blount patting themselves on the back in the movie. You would almost think that they scored the goals to win the cup...

There's a lot of McD and Jay Blount patting themselves on the back in the movie. You would almost think that they scored the goals to win the cup...
- Tanuki

You wouldn't want McCub to change now would you?

You wouldn't want McCub to change now would you?
- Beaver-Warrior

Haha!

I wanna watch the whole thing now
- BlazinMike

Only if it's for free.

Nice game from the Hawks last night. Aside from the 1st shift of the game and Versteeg's 2nd period brain fart, I thought it was a solid outing. If they can get 4 of 6 pts in the next 3 games, I'd consider that acceptable.

The Bickell situation is getting a bit concerning though. Regardless of the situation, it doesn't look good at all that your scratching a guy who you just signed to a $16 mil extension. Personally I'd hold on to Bickell but if the Hawks are going to continually scratch him and Q loses all confidence then maybe Bickell can use a fresh start elsewhere. Hawks would be able to get something for him regardless of how his year has been this year.

Today's article...


Blackhawks explode with 4 goals in 2nd period and top Canucks 5-2. On The Blackhawks-Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1eiPyeH

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Next goal the Hawks score puts them at 200 for the season already. 3.5 per game average.

Only if it's for free.
- Beaver-Warrior

Nice game from the Hawks last night. Aside from the 1st shift of the game and Versteeg's 2nd period brain fart, I thought it was a solid outing. If they can get 4 of 6 pts in the next 3 games, I'd consider that acceptable.

The Bickell situation is getting a bit concerning though. Regardless of the situation, it doesn't look good at all that your scratching a guy who you just signed to a $16 mil extension. Personally I'd hold on to Bickell but if the Hawks are going to continually scratch him and Q loses all confidence then maybe Bickell can use a fresh start elsewhere. Hawks would be able to get something for him regardless of how his year has been this year.
- dan9189

Bickell isn't healthy, and I concur with Phil when he says Bickell shouldn't be in the lineup if he's not capable of playing, but I for one am not ready to write him off just yet. Give him some time to get over his knee injury(s) and then let's reassess.

Next goal the Hawks score puts them at 200 for the season already. 3.5 per game average.
- RickJ

3.5 goals for is nice and all but that 2.8 Goals Against Average is what I find worrisome.