Apparently the Hawks the most mediocre defending champions in the playoffs!

Looks like you guys are in for more of the same opposing team media coverage, at least here at HB! Jason Lewis writing how the Kings outplayed, outshot, outchanced, outworked and pretty much out did the Hawks in every category except out scoring!

Sounds vaguely familiar!
- MnGump

Hawks 2014 playoff MO. Get outplayed and win.

ETA: and #Crawfordselitegoaltending

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.
- PancakesPenner

So...it's okay for you and your buddies to post your bromance for the Kings over here, but no one is allowed to do the opposite in the Kings thread, right?

Everything is an asset, and you don't give up an asset unless you get something back of equal value. And there is zero benefit to trading for the rights of a guy who is a UFA in a couple weeks anyway. So giving up an asset (any asset) for zero is less than smart.

Iginla has already had a talk with his agent about planning for next year, and both know where he's like to go and for how much. If the Hawks are not on that list he won't sign here even if the Hawks have an extra week or two of "exclusive" negotiating time. If there is a deal to be made with the Hawks, the extra time means squat.

A pick in a weak draft could become Andrew Shaw, my friend.
- mohel

and after pick 24 in this one, you will be taking that exact same chance that you would in that fourth round of Sahw's draft and every other draft in the last decade, but in the late first.EXCEPT THIS one.
Lots of unproven players with warts and more warts on them...

but someone will find a guy who in a four years is a player late in this draft...or in four years the guy New jersey picks at 30 will be a role player for them...but no stars are emerging later ...let me rephrase: I would be shocked if a real impact guy gets picked after the first round and develops to the point teams are worrtied about playing against him in all phases...

Hawks 2014 playoff MO.
- stljam

Blues MO : lose because the intimidation didn't help win battles to loose pucks and the Shoot out stars where overtime shiitouts

ETA: and #Crawfordselitegoaltending

How's your goaltender situation working out with the rebuild, whinny?

So...it's okay for you and your buddies to post your bromance for the Kings over here, but no one is allowed to do the opposite in the Kings thread, right?
- MartiniMan

Notice I haven't said a word about the Hawks fans in there? I guess it's just incredibly odd for me to see someone claim to be a fan of a team, then immediately sing the praises of the team they lost to. Similar to a Leafs fan coming in here and talking up the Kings. It's just too weird for me.

So...it's okay for you and your buddies to post your bromance for the Kings over here, but no one is allowed to do the opposite in the Kings thread, right?
- MartiniMan

Jesus, posting something of the likes of "keep the Kings thread clear of this" in the Hawks thread is just an invitation for the lot of us to go over there and troll.

This one is not too bright.

It's just too weird for me.
- PancakesPenner

It is weird that you are not a San Diego Gulls fan, because you clearly are looking through Mr. Peabody's way back machine...

Didn't see this posted anywhere yet -- heard it on the radio and found the link. Nik Hjalmarsson was cleared to talk today by the doctors and this is the 2+ min video to that interview. Some really great lines in it but this one was best (at about the 2:17 mark), Hjalmarsson:
"The doctor said 'don't talk unless it makes you money'."


#realblackhawkwarrior

Me loves me some Hjalmarsson!

Notice I haven't said a word about the Hawks fans in there? I guess it's just incredibly odd for me to see someone claim to be a fan of a team, then immediately sing the praises of the team they lost to. Similar to a Leafs fan coming in here and talking up the Kings. It's just too weird for me.
- PancakesPenner

Similarly weird?
having a screen name with an opponents player's name in it.

Notice I haven't said a word about the Hawks fans in there? I guess it's just incredibly odd for me to see someone claim to be a fan of a team, then immediately sing the praises of the team they lost to. Similar to a Leafs fan coming in here and talking up the Kings. It's just too weird for me.
- PancakesPenner

Since our board makes you uncomfortable, maybe you should just say thank you and go get some pancakes.

Jesus, posting something of the likes of "keep the Kings thread clear of this" in the Hawks thread is just an invitation for the lot of us to go over there and troll.

This one is not too bright.
- EKolb13

He's so bright his mother calls him son (RIM SHOT)

Jesus, posting something of the likes of "keep the Kings thread clear of this" in the Hawks thread is just an invitation for the lot of us to go over there and troll.

This one is not too bright.
- EKolb13

Yes, I have a feeling this is not going to end well.

I'm not one for conspiracies but I don't know what to make of the start of this series. Including the scheduling.

For the Kings to have only 3 games in a week after being pushed to 7 games is pure BS on the NHL's part. If anything this series should have game 2 tomorrow, and then game 3 and 4 on Friday/Sunday to give teams the extra day of rest after flying across 2 time zones. A helluva lot more straining on the body/mind then the cush travel the east has. So the Hawks are rewarded for finishing their series early....with game 1 and that's it.

I also have no clue what the hell those clowns were doing on the Toews disputed goal. Fine....contact. Blow it dead as the rule states and move on...yet they reviewed to see if the puck from the initial shot went in? Why? That was as bad as it gets...NBC had no clue, and the explanation was even worse. A huge black eye for the league who is consistently having 4 paid professionals miss basic calls of too many men far too often this postseason. I used to criticize the NBA for their "wink-wink" bs, but after these playoffs....Gary Bettman and friends are pulling some huge strings back in the war room.
- SteveRain

All good points. I'm just starting to read this blog so you'll have to excuse me if this point gets discussed later but I keep noticing something and haven't heard any of the commentators even bring it up.

When I'm watching Toewes going to the net, he slams on the brakes and is on his tiptoes right on the edge of the paint and then falls forward onto Quick.

If you watch the replay that they showed right after the play, you can see the defensemen put his hand on Toewes's butt and shove him into Quick which causes him to kick the puck into his own net. I always thought that if a player is shoved into a goalie that play goes on. I really feel like we get shafted constantly on these overturned goal calls.

I always th

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.
- PancakesPenner

The team is on the verge of back to back cups, 3rd in 5 years. No boner, just in awe of a great team.

My only real point was that the Wild bloggers as well as the Minnesota media pretty much said all the same things that Lewis said today in his post loss blog.

Outplayed the Hawks, could have won, out shot 'em, out chanced 'em, had the better scoring opportunities etc... etc...

Yet here the Hawks sit once again on the winning side.

I think the Hawks organization knows something the rest of the Hockey loving world doesn't. Because they can play as mediocre or as dominant as they want and they continue to win.

I just don't think there's anyone that can stop them, and that's not slighting the Kings, I just don't think the Kings (or anyone for that matter) are good enough.

The team is on the verge of back to back cups, 3rd in 5 years. No boner, just in awe of a great team.

My only real point was that the Wild bloggers as well as the Minnesota media pretty much said all the same things that Lewis said today in his post loss blog.

Outplayed the Hawks, could have won, out shot 'em, out chanced 'em, had the better scoring opportunities etc... etc...

Yet here the Hawks sit once again on the winning side.

I think the Hawks organization knows something the rest of the Hockey loving world doesn't. Because they can play as mediocre or as dominant as they want and they continue to win.

I just don't think there's anyone that can stop them, and that's not slighting the Kings, I just don't think the Kings (or anyone for that matter) are good enough.
- MnGump

Fair enough, I suppose.

Ok, seriously, what's up with your boner for the Hawks? I've been seeing it constantly in Hawks threads, and I just don't get it with you being a Wild fan. Let's try and keep the Kings thread clear of it, please.
- PancakesPenner

This is more proof that you were the valedictorian of your home school The only question left is did you bring your mom or sister to prom?

Fair enough, I suppose.
- PancakesPenner

Well your back, that's nice.

Blues MO : lose because the intimidation didn't help win battles to loose pucks and the Shoot out stars where overtime shiitouts

ETA: and #Crawfordselitegoaltending
- wiz1901[]

How's your goaltender situation working out with the rebuild, whinny?

You misinterpret my tone and the direction of the post, which is easy to do with writing. Not whining at all.

Hawks and playing bend don't break, resilient hockey. Finding ways to win games and whatever other cliche you want to use mostly all based on very good goaltending, timely goal scoring and some key defensive plays (Seabrook has really surprised me some of his defensive plays). Good teams find ways to win games, whether that is dominating a game or whether that is hanging in a game while being outplayed to win it later.

Last I checked, the only stat I give a steamy pile about is W vs L.

The Blues get confused or distracted too easily, Backes being one of them. They need to keep up a relentless, aggressive forecheck. Sure that means throwing a hit here and there but the hit has to be secondary to the forecheck. When they go looking for hits, they are a lot less effective.

Our goaltending situation has been mediocre for a long while. it's a staple at this point.

This is more proof that you were the valedictorian of your home school The only question left is did you bring your mom or sister to prom?
- waitforawhistle

Well your back, that's nice.
- Canardhawk

*You're. If you're going to call me an idiot, at least use proper grammar when doing so.

*You're. If you're going to call me an idiot, at least use proper grammar when doing so.
- PancakesPenner

Don't worry I know an idiot when I see one but I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Outplayed the Hawks, could have won, out shot 'em, out chanced 'em, had the better scoring opportunities etc... etc...

Yet here the Hawks sit once again on the winning side.
- MnGump

Add the Blues to that list of yours.

Hawks know how to win and do it.

For me, the idea of outplaying another team is a joke when you lose. You obviously didn't outplay them because they scored more goals than you

Fair enough, I suppose.
- PancakesPenner

Not trying to start anything PP, just making an observation. Also had a lot of fun during the CHI/MIN series with the Hawks fans, some solid folks in their threads.

No disrespect to your team bro. Just having fun.

Add the Blues to that list of yours.

Hawks know how to win and do it.

For me, the idea of outplaying another team is a joke when you lose. You obviously didn't outplay them because they scored more goals than you

- stljam

Yep, was thinking it, just forgot to add it to the list...

I am really overly down on this class.

You know that many of the lower teams in need will keep kids up if there is any chance they have scoring in place.

I really think none are ready.

Ekblad is a real big kid and could stya b/c of his skating.
I don't think he makes any impact...heck he didn't have enough of his game in place to help the Canada Junior teams win with him as a solid part of any five man units.
But he may stay.

The big German kid, Leon Draisaitl, is a candidate too only because he is big horse. There are other big bodied forwards in my top ten who teams might keep around.
Next year, 2015, you will get a better chance at plug n' plays...
- wiz1901

Nick Ritchie's got a chance to be SPECIAL....a real good chance.