As fans we are frustrated and we wish we could step in and be that player who smacks Jackman or Backes. So when you have a Shaw or Bolland - even Versteeg sometimes - who will agitate - we can revel in that. The only solace when the other team has those sort of players, is that they have one less skill guy, or one less skater playing up to his skill level. I know Philco really likes Ross, and McNeill is tough. Danault battles. Hartman another Bolland type. So,we will have our share of grit in the years ahead on bottom lines for sure. Just hope we have enough big boys like Bickel, playing , uh, like big mean bangers along the boards.
- jhawk59

Did you see him slap that kid in the face with his stick(hot-dogging in front of USA's bench) at the WJHC? Something 36 would do

Can't match the talent and have to equalise it by intimidation.
- reeder16

Toews has been lighting up the Blues for a few years now, probably time they try a different tactic

Toews has been lighting up the Blues for a few years now, probably time they try a different tactic
- rollpards19

For sure, always shows up big against the Blues. No better player in the league when it's ugly out there. He's got an ability to gut it out like I've never really seen before.

True, but PHX is only a year removed from a trip to the WCF, they have a good team and a goalie with a very high ceiling
- rollpards19

Mike Smith had one magical year. He hasn't come close to those numbers in any other season.

For sure, always shows up big against the Blues. No better player in the league when it's ugly out there. He's got an ability to gut it out like I've never really seen before.
- reeder16

Not taking anything away from Toews but you must be too young to have ever watched Mark Messier play.

Smith didn't get any regular season time, as far as I can tell. But the cap does make it a different scenario
- rollpards19

Smith came up for the last few games before the playoffs in 2011 and just stuck around and made a difference.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474727

Not taking anything away from Toews but you must be too young to have ever watched Mark Messier play.
- Elbows15

Very similar penchant for big plays in big games to the Moose. I meant more of this generation. Actually the only name that came to mind during that post. I guess being from Vancouver, I remember all the hype and more of what he couldn't do for the Nucks

With the way the cap sits, I would have to agree. It might be a different situation if Stan didn't have to make a roster move to allow TT to join the team. He could easily play in Rockford. Their regular season ends after the Hawks this year.

Also, Saad played in the playoffs in 2012 (granted on a less talented team) after spending his season in juniors. It would not be unprecedented for Stan and Q to roll out a high end rookie straight from juniors to the playoffs if the team struggles or needs a kick start.
- NewToHockey

Saad played on a less talented team and due to injury.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi

Smith came up for the last few games before the playoffs in 2011 and just stuck around and made a difference.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/player.htm?id=8474727
- NewToHockey

You could say that was my bad. I wouldn't say it, but you could

Miller is more consistent than Halak and less prone to injury so the Blues grabbed the very best available at the deadline so they won't have to watch Brian Elliott in the playoffs. But I 'd rather face Miller in a playoff series than Quick or Rask or even Mike Smith.
- RickJ

I don't disagree but matchups this year will be more important than ever in the playoffs.

Armstrong made the right move if the Blues finish 1st in the West...That could mean the Hawks will face the Av's.

The Bruins have an easier path to the President Trophy but finishing 1st in the West could mean a great deal.

Tarasenko's loss could matter quite a bit to the Blues.

Not taking anything away from Toews but you must be too young to have ever watched Mark Messier play.
- Elbows15

The only player I have seen as strong on his skates a Messier is Big Buff....And he is about 40 pounds heavier.

The only player I have seen as strong on his skates a Messier is Big Buff....And he is about 40 pounds heavier.
- Al

Mess came with a whole lot of nasty too.

"PHUCK U ASSHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOLE."


The REMIX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GABAvfWlt4w
- philco28

Yeah man.

Mess came with a whole lot of nasty too.
- Elbows15

Kind of like Gordie Howe in that regard.

Yeah man.
- Beaver-Warrior

Love it Beav

Love it Beav

- philco28

I finally stopped laughing.

I finally stopped laughing.
- Beaver-Warrior

One of my favorite moments in the Terminator. It consisted of a 3 word response by Arnie and these dudes turned into a REMIX gem

What you are about to read is inspired by insomnia. If boxscores and hit totals are all that matter to you, I'd suggest skipping my post:

I was thinking, being that I, and many others, weight 5v5 play very heavily in determining how good a team really is. OT and shootouts to me create a lot of noise, as neither (in the regular season variety) are ever played in the playoffs. So then I thought to myself, which team does the best in actual hockey, so the 60 minutes before the gimmicks. In parentheses is the teams rank in score-adjusted 5v5 Fenwick, so pretty much how a team is controlling play. In brackets is team SV% at 5v5, how much a team is really relying on goaltending. In these {} are the special teams ranks, determined by PP vs. PK goals for/against. Special teams is obviously important, so it'd be disingenuous to not consider them. Shorthanded goals are not considered for or against. I was also too lazy to subtract OT PP/SH numbers. The results:

Hawks: 34-15 (1) [22] {+4}
Blues: 36-14 (5) [13] {+17}
Avs: 33-19 (26) [5] {+4}
Ducks: 38-16 (11) [9] {-4}
Sharks: 31-17 (3) [12] {+11}
Kings: 28-25 (2) [2] {-7}
Wild: 26-23 (22) [3] {-2}
Stars: 27-24 (9) [23] {-3}
Phoenix: 25-25 (18) [6] {-1}

Pens: 36-19 (14) [21] {+26}
Bruins: 40-17 (4) [1] {+3}
NYR: 31-29 (7) [11] {+12}
LOLeafs: 23-25 (29) [4] {-6}
Montreal: 26-25 (23) [8] {+8}
Tampa: 26-24 (8) [7] {-8}
Philly: 30-25 (20) [18] {+7}
#Lumbus: 29-26 (16) [15] {-1}

Conclusions: 1) The East sucks. 2) Boston has won 9 straight, and 8 of those in regulation, at this very moment, they're the best team in the NHL. But worth noting that they've play 8 of the 9 games against the East, Western teams don't get that luxury. But as of now the Bruins are very much separate from the rest of the pack in the East. 3) The Blues and Hawks have been pretty much the same team during regulation this season, the difference is the 3rd game of the year when StL beat Chi in regulation. The Blues superior at special teams, the Hawks superior at 5v5. It would behoove Sharp and Shaw to stop taking idiotic penalties. 4) The Avs, along with the Leafs, Montreal, and the Wild, are getting outplayed 5v5 but their goaltending has been carrying the team. History tells us these teams fair very poorly in the playoffs. 5) The Sharks record is fairly inflated by after 60 minute games. 6) Special teams are carrying what is a fairly average Penguins team. Crosby and Malkin will do that I guess. 7) Tampa is definitely a sleeper in the East, but I'm not sure how the St. Louis trade has effected them. In the West, the Stars are a very good 5v5 on team, which can be problematic for higher seeded teams, but goal tending is an issue with Lehtonen's injuries. 8) Overall, the East seems to be the Bruins for the taking, but a rash of penalties against Pitt or the Rags could sink them. The West, the Blues, Hawks, and Ducks are the best teams playing in regulation, and of those teams, the Blackhawks aren't riding a shooting percentage that blows the rest of the league out of the water. So, get ready for a rematch of the finals.

Bulin was clearly a miss by Stan. That's gonna happen to all GM's (for proof, see what happened to Shero after he won the TDL last season). I think Raanta's been fine in the back-up role, though. Thank goodness he had the decency to get injured or Crow would be near death by now. And Bulin's cap hit doesn't hurt because of LTIR - and Stan has used it to the max. But that was a bewildering signing, and many here said it at the time.
- mohel

i didn't mine the signing, but not for 2mil. Just stupid. often injured and projected for a backup role. CC has been relatively healthy. Raanta possibly as a true #2 down the road. Or bring some other cheap alternative. That move basically cost us Frolik. We basically gave away Frolik for a 4th round pick a year earlier then we had too.

Saad played on a less talented team and due to injury.

Hossa returns & Hawks regain form with a 4-1 over Detroit. On the Blackhawks-My Fox Chicago: http://bit.ly/1kC6eQi
- Al

Still think injury is a reason he will play. Injuries happen. I certainly don't think he's a savior but the reaction of some just giving him a couple season ending games to see how he does befuddles me.

I don't remember this reaction when Krugman came over at the end of the season. He wasn't great, but he didn't get killed. I don't think their size was much different, and you would be hard pressed to make the argument that Marcus was more talented than TT.

Just don't see the downside to have him come over, practice with the team, and if and injury happens he gets less than 10 games. I guess if the argument is that Danault of McNeill would be better than him and help the hawks more, I'll listen to that argument.

Think part of it to is good for him to get up with the organization and away from his situation in Finland, sounds like it wasn't a great environment.

Here's a stat to be proud about: how many NHL teams this season will have three 30 goal scorers? Doesn't look like Saad could make for an increase to our triumvirate!

The only player I have seen as strong on his skates a Messier is Big Buff....And he is about 40 pounds heavier.
- Al

Probert was, too, and an underrated hockey players by some

Here's a stat to be proud about: how many NHL teams this season will have three 30 goal scorers? Doesn't look like Saad could make for an increase to our triumvirate!
- jhawk59

It could be 4 actually. Hossa, Sharp, Kane and Toews.

There is always that hope that when we play STL that someone finally wipes that dung eating grin off Jackman's face...
- Sundevil

You know I have to agree,as I think once riled this guy gets away with so much after the whistle garbage you wonder if he's related to the refs....

You know I have to agree,as I think once riled this guy gets away with so much after the whistle garbage you wonder if he's related to the refs....
- wiz1901

Someone needs to launch a shot at his face right after on off-side whistle or something like that. He is one player I would not mind seeing taken off the ice on a backboard. His play after the whistles shows no respect for the officials or the game.