If he could teach them how to pl;ay defense with actual offense in front of them...that could be a very good thing. But you are 100% right.
- Return of the Roar

The 7 year contract to Phaneuf was a bad idea before it was signed and looks even worse now. That guy is clown shoes back there. I would expect the Leafs to give the captaincy to someone else in the offseason.

Problem with Trotz going to a place like Toronto is that it might marginalize the offensive talent they do have. I think on the broadcast the other night (Saturday), the announcers said only two guys have ever scored 30+ goals under Trotz. Result of the system or the lack of talent?

http://espn.go.com/nhl/pl...id/10730797/experts-picks

Lebrun always loves him some Blackhawks

#freeogi.

#freeogi.
- mohel

What happened? did he get banned?

What happened? did he get banned?
- SteveRain

For calling Backes what he is, he got three days in the hole.

What happened? did he get banned?
- SteveRain

He got three days for referring to Backes as a douchenozzle in the Blues thread.

He got three days for referring to Backes as a douchenozzle in the Blues thread.
- mohel

He's the Sean Avery of hockeybuzz.

He's the Sean Avery of hockeybuzz.
- SteveRain

Some bad luck involved - there's a ref on that board who is a Blues fan.

#freeogi.
- mohel

I hope he comes back better than ever.

Some bad luck involved - there's a ref on that board who is a Blues fan.
- mohel

the worst luck is being from St.Louis

Some bad luck involved - there's a ref on that board who is a Blues fan.
- mohel

Fool!

He got three days for referring to Backes as a douchenozzle in the Blues thread.
- mohel

Again? He should know by now what's going to get him hosed. The hockeybuzz refs don't seem to care that in journalistic law, it isn't libel if it's true.

Some bad luck involved - there's a ref on that board who is a Blues fan.
- mohel

Yeah, I really try not to invoke the mods. They are always lurking. The Canucks had some beauties who deserved a good volley of verbal jabs.

However, I'm not going to talk $hit about the Blues until we beat them. Yeah, they have had some tough years, but for a vast majority of this year...they were the best team in hockey.

Going to be a fun series...

Again? He should know by now what's going to get him hosed. The hockeybuzz refs don't seem to care that in journalistic law, it isn't libel if it's true.
- Lash8

Very true!

Yeah, I really try not to invoke the mods. They are always lurking. The Canucks had some beauties who deserved a good volley of verbal jabs.

However, I'm not going to talk $hit about the Blues until we beat them. Yeah, they have had some tough years, but for a vast majority of this year...they were the best team in hockey.

Going to be a fun series...
- SteveRain

I think they are going to play more like the team they were all year than the one seen the past 6 games. Hawks can win, but they'll have to earn it, as it should be.

I think they are going to play more like the team they were all year than the one seen the past 6 games. Hawks can win, but they'll have to earn it, as it should be.
- mohel

I agree.....That's a veteran team with a proven winning coach. Not a young team with barely any playoff success (see Colorado).

Oh well....bettman got his wish and got some dandy 1st round matchups....Hawks-Blues, Wings-Bruins, Flyers-Rangers, and Kings-Sharks.

John Jaeckel: 5 Key Hawks In The Playoffs
- John Jaeckel

Excellent article, but I'm not sure by what criteria you chose the exact 5 key players you did, mainly because if you're talking about "if they come up huge" players, Hoss doesn't belong in that group any more than 19 88 10 or 2. He's already a more than proven asset. The biggest keys are the health and readiness of Batman & Robin, but I guess that goes without saying...

... This most critical core question mark IMHO is good Bickell instead of ineffectual Bickell, and a better, more fluid skate/pass on the fly Versteeg would be a huge plus, too.

... Role player dark horses are Morin, if he gets to play (and I hope he does) and Smith. Also Leddy, who too often is great at moving the puck and gaining the zone, but then doesn't know what to do when he gets there. If 8 can show a capacity to make better decisions on both ends of the ice, this could be key too.

Excellent article, but I'm not sure by what criteria you chose the exact 5 key players you did, mainly because if you're talking about "if they come up huge" players, Hoss doesn't belong in that group any more than 19 88 10 or 2. He's already a more than proven asset. The biggest keys are the health and readiness of Batman & Robin, but I guess that goes without saying...

... This most critical core question mark IMHO is good Bickell instead of ineffectual Bickell, and a better, more fluid skate/pass on the fly Versteeg would be a huge plus, too.

... Role player dark horses are Morin, if he gets to play (and I hope he does) and Smith. Also Leddy, who too often is great at moving the puck and gaining the zone, but then doesn't know what to do when he gets there. If 8 can show a capacity to make better decisions on both ends of the ice, this could be key too.
- Tugboat

My keys are Bickell, Shaw and Saad: the "go to the net" guys - if they aggressively put pressure on Miller, Hawks should be OK.

Let me repeat again: Thank God it is playoff season!

Stoked.

Excellent article, but I'm not sure by what criteria you chose the exact 5 key players you did, mainly because if you're talking about "if they come up huge" players, Hoss doesn't belong in that group any more than 19 88 10 or 2. He's already a more than proven asset. The biggest keys are the health and readiness of Batman & Robin, but I guess that goes without saying...

... This most critical core question mark IMHO is good Bickell instead of ineffectual Bickell, and a better, more fluid skate/pass on the fly Versteeg would be a huge plus, too.

... Role player dark horses are Morin, if he gets to play (and I hope he does) and Smith. Also Leddy, who too often is great at moving the puck and gaining the zone, but then doesn't know what to do when he gets there. If 8 can show a capacity to make better decisions on both ends of the ice, this could be key too.
- Tugboat

I'm awfully curious to see how Q uses Leddy this post season vs. last....

I'm awfully curious to see how Q uses Leddy this post season vs. last....
- CaptainBlackhawk

Not going to see him on the ice against many physical forwards at all.

Let me repeat again: Thank God it is playoff season!

Stoked.


- CaptainBlackhawk

Agreed.

My pick for unsung here....if he plays Jeremy Morin....if he doesn't Ben Smith.
- UnnamedSource

Definitely Smitty.

That guy has risen to the occasion before, and will probably do it again.

Definitely Smitty.

That guy has risen to the occasion before, and will probably do it again.
- EKolb13

I expect Kruger and Smith to have a solid post season, but the guy I expect to stand out is Versteeg. I know he hasn't lived up to expectations, but he'll come alive in the playoffs.

I will just add to JJ's list...

Saad, Shaw and Versteeg need to be better than they have been over the last few months....Rozsival as well.

The Hawks won't go far without a 3rd line and those two need to contribute....That is true even if Shaw stays on the 2nd line.