I wouldn't disagree at this point.

Split the first two in Denver and you've got home ice back.
- StLBravesFan

And those two in Denver would be the first playoff game ever for a lot of the Avs.

Versteeg-50GP 8G 16A 24Points
Brookbank- 36GP 1G 4A 5 Points

Jimmy Hayes- 39GP 9G 4A 13Points
Dylan Olson- 30GP 3G 8A 11 Points

i was extremely excited to get Versteeg back but he has been a huge disappointment. Hayes and Dylan Olson (2 young players) have more goals than both the veterans combined... Bowman trades away a 6'6" power forward who can wheel for a tiny finesse player who lost all his finesse...Brookbank still brings the physical presence and i know he isnt there to score, but he is on the #1 offense in the league and you would think he would have touched the puck more than 4 times before the hawks scored a goal this year...Olson was a first rounder and can be a very physical Dman with obviously more offense than our current bottom pair Dman sheldon....all in all it appears that bowman made a pretttty awful trade with our old buddy dale...and Raanta needs to rekindle that December form bc he has been quite unreliable since Crow got back..lucky to get a point and hopefully they come out with some energy and intensity tm and take it to the st. louis blues and their 12,000 fans for the #1 team in the league lol

You should check in more often.
- EKolb13

thanks. been super busy with 2 kids now and only have time to follow one team. I was at the Flyers game in Chicago (regretably) so it was really nice to see a rebound win tonight after all the crap my buddies gave me after that last game.

Good to see Hoss back in the line up. Good luck down the stretch fellas!

I have to agree with you...could the Runblad deal been made during the offseason??? I don't know but carrying 8 dmen does not allow for a lot of flexibility. I would rather Regin and Morin or Nordstrom....as my extra. They didn't carry 8 dmen last year.....
- UnnamedSource

The Rundblad move was a move Stan didn't need to make.

Giroux with 27mins of ice time, and still with some pep and zip on his shot.
- Topshelf2010

He also hasn't played nearly as much hockey in the last year and had 3 weeks off.

I understand your point, but I don't think it is that big of a game, standings-wise. They aren't going to catch the Blues, and are going to play the Avs in round one. It is a measuring stick for ME, but I'm not sure it is for them - I think they know what they can and can't do against STL. That said, I want to see desperation tomorrow.
- mohel

Its more for the response and 60 minute effort....if they come out flat against the Blues, whom they have not beaten this year then the expectations have to be tempered going into the playoffs.....

The Rundblad move was a move Stan didn't need to make.
- EKolb13

especially if Q isnt even going to give him a real chance at playing

The Rundblad move was a move Stan didn't need to make.
- EKolb13

I agree.

Yeah, they have been mailing in in for a while this year. I think they realized a bit back that it's going to be Colorado in the first round and they have been coasting. Gotta hope they can turn it on once the playoffs come,
- TheTrob

Yeah I hope. I'm sure they are drained both physically and mentally. A lot of these guys played a lot of hockey the last 5 years. The only thing left to determine is who gets home ice against the Avs

Having guys like Regin and rundblad on the roster is crippling this team. I won't even get into whether they suck or not, its not my point. If they aren't going to get any ice time, they are putting more of a burden on the rest of the forwards. They are already dragging Handzus around. Two guys from Rockford like Morin and Nordstrom would inject some life and energy into this team. And at this point, bot are more useful and better players thatn those 2.
- Elbows15

Agreed........... that's our "cap genius" Mr.Bowman at work. We will see this summer what kind of GM he is. Many changes coming if they get beat by Colorado.
At least, I would hope so.

Versteeg-50GP 8G 16A 24Points
Brookbank- 36GP 1G 4A 5 Points

Jimmy Hayes- 39GP 9G 4A 13Points
Dylan Olson- 30GP 3G 8A 11 Points

i was extremely excited to get Versteeg back but he has been a huge disappointment. Hayes and Dylan Olson (2 young players) have more goals than both the veterans combined... Bowman trades away a 6'6" power forward who can wheel for a tiny finesse player who lost all his finesse...Brookbank still brings the physical presence and i know he isnt there to score, but he is on the #1 offense in the league and you would think he would have touched the puck more than 4 times before the hawks scored a goal this year...Olson was a first rounder and can be a very physical Dman with obviously more offense than our current bottom pair Dman sheldon....all in all it appears that bowman made a pretttty awful trade with our old buddy dale...and Raanta needs to rekindle that December form bc he has been quite unreliable since Crow got back..lucky to get a point and hopefully they come out with some energy and intensity tm and take it to the st. louis blues and their 12,000 fans for the #1 team in the league lol
- EnzoD

You can't compare.....Bad teams have to score and yes they are doing well but no way would I rather have Olsen than BBank....and Hayes is Shrek on skates. C'mon now.....

Yeah, you guys are right - bad pass 190 feet away means Raanta doesn't have to make a save.

This team should have been able to get five or six on Emery: offensive struggles continue, especially for core-men not named Toews or Hossa. (I know Shaw scored one tonite - my point stands).

But Raanta easily could have given up 7 or 8 tonite: 4 posts (which would have been two goals), three times lucky when he couldn't get from post-to-post on wraparounds.
- StLBravesFan

Not arguing with this at all. You're absolutely correct too. Plenty of blame to go around.................again

Versteeg-50GP 8G 16A 24Points
Brookbank- 36GP 1G 4A 5 Points

Jimmy Hayes- 39GP 9G 4A 13Points
Dylan Olson- 30GP 3G 8A 11 Points

i was extremely excited to get Versteeg back but he has been a huge disappointment. Hayes and Dylan Olson (2 young players) have more goals than both the veterans combined... Bowman trades away a 6'6" power forward who can wheel for a tiny finesse player who lost all his finesse...Brookbank still brings the physical presence and i know he isnt there to score, but he is on the #1 offense in the league and you would think he would have touched the puck more than 4 times before the hawks scored a goal this year...Olson was a first rounder and can be a very physical Dman with obviously more offense than our current bottom pair Dman sheldon....all in all it appears that bowman made a pretttty awful trade with our old buddy dale...and Raanta needs to rekindle that December form bc he has been quite unreliable since Crow got back..lucky to get a point and hopefully they come out with some energy and intensity tm and take it to the st. louis blues and their 12,000 fans for the #1 team in the league lol
- EnzoD

You forgot the red font...

Keep grinding out those stats from the box scores. It noble work you're doing there.

It was until they signed Crow to a huge deal. But really can you imagine that this is how every game for Colorado and Toronto goes and they win?
- rollpards19

Are you losing faith in the advanced metrics? They say that COL and TOR will flame out, and the Hawks will prosper. BTW, Crow's deal ain't huge now (especially since it doesn't go into effect until next season) and will be much less so within a year or two.

I have to agree with you...could the Runblad deal been made during the offseason??? I don't know but carrying 8 dmen does not allow for a lot of flexibility. I would rather Regin and Morin or Nordstrom....as my extra. They didn't carry 8 dmen last year.....
- UnnamedSource

Seriously US. Regin's ice time tell you all you need to know. It doesn't matter whether I think he is useless. Q does.

I have to agree with you...could the Runblad deal been made during the offseason??? I don't know but carrying 8 dmen does not allow for a lot of flexibility. I would rather Regin and Morin or Nordstrom....as my extra. They didn't carry 8 dmen last year.....
- UnnamedSource

Is Runblad even going to be on the opening roster next year - a few years down the road? aren't a few of the Hogs ready? i am only thinking bbank gone for sure. but who knows, do you keep them if you sign them for less.

It's a must win because if the Hawks cannot gain any traction or momentum heading towards the playoffs, it's going to end up being a real short post season.
- EKolb13

I agree that they need to gain some consistent play before the playoffs start, but this game is no more important than the other 13 left on the schedule, and none of them are "must wins". They need to get their s h i t together and play 60 minutes ( even 40 would be good) and the wins will come.

Are you losing faith in the advanced metrics? They say that COL and TOR will flame out, and the Hawks will prosper. BTW, Crow's deal ain't huge now (especially since it doesn't go into effect until next season) and will be much less so within a year or two.
- mohel

give the kid a break. He is aggravated.

Yeah I hope. I'm sure they are drained both physically and mentally. A lot of these guys played a lot of hockey the last 5 years. The only thing left to determine is who gets home ice against the Avs
- tomcat24

More or less they are tired.......the signs are there gentlemen.

Bad penalties
Flat at the end of games
No OT wins


But some people think I'm giving them an excuse....there is a reason why repeating in the NHL is difficult....

It's a must win because if the Hawks cannot gain any traction or momentum heading towards the playoffs, it's going to end up being a real short post season.
- EKolb13

I agree that they need to gain some consistent play before the playoffs start, but this game is no more important than the other 13 left on the schedule, and none of them are "must wins". They need to get their s h i t together and play 60 minutes ( even 40 would be good) and the wins will come.

He also hasn't played nearly as much hockey in the last year and had 3 weeks off.
- Elbows15

he did just come off back to back games vs pittsburgh this weekend - so that counts for something, right?

You can't compare.....Bad teams have to score and yes they are doing well but no way would I rather have Olsen than BBank....and Hayes is Shrek on skates. C'mon now.....
- UnnamedSource

bad teams have to score?? what exactly does that mean?? im pretty sure bad teams score much less than the #1 offense in the league and last time i checked EVERY team has to score....

No expectations Sage. Less aggravation.
- Elbows15

That's about right 'bows. I remember many a casual day at old Comiskey, enjoying the weather, havin' a polish sausage or two, lounging in the cheap seats...

...maybe they win, more than likely they lose. Whatever...had a nice day.

especially if Q isnt even going to give him a real chance at playing
- EnzoD

Why would he? He's just extra depth at defense at this point. That's the impetus in acquiring him.

Maybe he's in the mix for the 7th defenseman spot next season with his affordable cap hit? Maybe...

Not quite Mo. Crawford hasn't a great season. He is better than he has played this year.
- Elbows15

Probably so, but don't you think that applies to quite a few Hawks?