No doubt the Achilles heel of the 2013-2014 Hawks

1. Not playing 60 minutes is an obvious issue

2. Soft goals

3. Bad, inopportune penalties

4. Dumb dumb turnovers

When they do incur the odd loss, the Hawks beat themselves more often than not.
- philco28

Speaking of issue #3

Kruger has been garbage lately

Speaking of issue #3
- Beaver-Warrior

Speaking of which...Kruger...

So I see the Buff worshippers are back because he managed to shove Barrett Jackman after doing absolutely nothing for 60 minutes to defeat the Blues when it counted. What good did his "toughness" really do….? I'll always like Buff for the 2 1/2 series of good hockey he gave the Hawks in 2010. But I see a player who could have been ( and maybe could still be….) so much more.

And are people still under the illusion that the Versteeg trade has been a good trade? I understand the Hawks gave up two prospects they weren't going to use. And for some reason people are championing the fact that Stan got Versteeg for half his contract when the truth was that was the ONLY money Stan had and the deal couldn't have been made. He has 8 goals and 16 assists in 49 games. By comparison, Viktor Stalberg had 9 goals and 14 assists in 47 games last year in the same role. And Stalberg was more disruptive on the forecheck thanks to his speed. Versteeg hasn't been aggravating enough to be a checker and hasn't scored enough to be in
the top 6. And while I've been a Steeger guy and I love yelling "Steeger", even I admit his play has been spotty at best and disappointing at worst.
- yahoodi

.

But Versteeg is not playing at 100% all season. Also Versteeg will be a real threat in playoffs probably even if still not fully recovered from the achillies, whereas Stalberg cannot do as many things as Versteeg can do. I would not want to count on Stalberg in a playoff role. Versteeg can throw 'em and be dirty although he isn't really usually aggressive. In playoffs Versteeg skill is a good bet on a third line. I agree he does annoy with brain farts and other things as have been mentioned. But playoff time you expect he will deliver and Stallberg does little more than skate fast.

As for Buff, it has been mentioned that he would be more focused, more involved in plays when he plays on the blueline. I know sometimes players will avoid coming down his side or decide not to hang out near the net when they see Buff is stationed there. You should ask Winnipeg hockeybuzz or other posters here who see a lot of NHL, how Buff looks on defense. You do know he has about 20 goals this season! Not too shabby and you just do use him on your top pair. You live and die with what you get from him. Like Versteeg, Bolland and Ladd, he can be a force in playoffs. But in front of net and insurance as a dman.

Kruger making a habit of the bad penalty since the olympics.

Kruger has been garbage lately
- CBHawks88

Ugggh

Hard to say. What players do they get for him?
- Elbows15

Same in player value.............maybe a few mil less

Been banging this drum the whole season.....but others think it Zus, the pp, etc
- UnnamedSource

Kruger's a chronic hold the stick guy. Somebody has to get in his ear and tell to PHUCK OFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF with that stupidity.

Great Kill........

For phucks sakes.

BBanks gotta win that battle....

Scored two and let up. Tie game, broken record....

As the Hawks piss away another nice start.

2-0 lead PHUCKED UP

I wouldn't be upset if Leddy and Brookbank never wore a Hawk uniform again.

Not a good shift for 8

Raanta is terrible.

2-0 lead PHUCKED UP
- philco28

It would help is Raanta could make the big save.

I know, a laser: they're all plucking lasers.

Make a save.

Brookbank and Leddy holding a nice -2 each.

A Bickell sighting!

Leddy needs his ass stapled to the bench

Leddy and Brookbank can't get out of their zone. Their asses have been pinned the whole game.

Scored two and let up. Tie game, broken record....
- mohel

It would help is Raanta could make the big save.

I know, a laser: they're all plucking lasers.

Make a save.
- StLBravesFan

He hasn't had a clue all game.

- EKolb13

Need a penny?