Dude, ease up, I'd hate to see you get banned. I agree with your analysis. Not a dirty hit. Kane was wise not to throw. But thats the kind of play that gets the whole League's attention when everyone's trying to stop a major skill and skating binge. The borderline hits will keep coming and get worse; standing pat and relying on some Band-of-brothers code of gallantry to protect skill players is more an "imaginary tale" than anything I posted. Bickell is not scaring anyone. Richards will never hold as 2C. Recent streak proves Crawford and Sharp are expendable. Hawks need cap relief. Ducks need sniper fwd w Perry hurt anf goalie help. What of this tale doesnt ring true. The happy ending to my tale? Kesler!
- meta_puck_luck

Is this guy serious?

McCaskeys care about money. that's it. Always have, always will. No care in the world about winning. That's why they won't fire Trestman or cut/trade (eat salary) of Jay.

Just awful. Biggest laughing stock in Chicago. Worse then the Cubs.
- SteveRain

And the Cubs are about to make a huge turnaround, IMO. Somewhat like what the Hawks did 7-8 years ago. And no one in Chicago will be paying attention to football for a number of years.

Thats what i dont understand. The fans in Chicago, diehard or otherwise, are still going to watch the games/go to the games and buy merchandise. The Bears are a business that you or I could run simply by sitting back and watching the money pour in.

So with that in mind, why not blow this dumoster fire up in an attempt to put a winning team together and make EVEN MORE money.
- BlazinMike

I don't know...Fans are getting tired of the same old story year after year...season ticket holders are bailing. Might not be the cash cow for much longer.

Every season has a game, sometimes a single play, where the tides of fortune turn. Last night was exactly that for the Hawks. Toews gets pushed 10 feet, like shovelling rink snow, into the boards head first AGAIN! Little Patty glides up to accept a hug of consolation from the perp still standing over the fallen captain. NO ONE else! A timid team with a lowsy power play will never stay on top for long in the NHL. The writing is on the wall for teams game-planning the Hawks - take big free runs at Toews and Kane, there's no reason not to. Only a matter of time till the grinding on gimpy old Versteeg, Richards and Hossa starts neutralizing them too. Rosi? Already gone. Time to be proactive. Kesler was and still is the answer. Fights and will be a legit 2C that will still be there in May. Young emerging depth at goalie makes it possible to make it happen: Crow and Sharp for Kesler.
- meta_puck_luck

The time to get Kesler was over the summer. Why would Anaheim do that deal now, especially when it helps the Hawks?

The Hawks don't need a "fighter." But Kesler would be great.

Not sure about your game plan theory either, because why hasn't that worked for the last several years, i.e. target 19 and 88?

Is this guy serious?
- BlazinMike

I guess.

This poster did mention that they needed another sniper to replace Perry for the time being. There are guys on the Ducks who could fill that roll, and Dany Heatley should be back soon.

I believe the Ducks will be fine without Perry for a while.

And the Cubs are about to make a huge turnaround, IMO. Somewhat like what the Hawks did 7-8 years ago. And no one in Chicago will be paying attention to football for a number of years.
- ChadBot

Where have I heard that before?!

I don't care that Myers said that about Hayes. She got a scoop she ran with it.

What is BS is that a team that touts and rolls out some doctor like he's a celebrity, Dct Michael Terry, his staff wouldn't force Toews to come off. I could care less what line he sold. This is a December game against an Eastern Conference opponent. The points mean jack. HE should have been pulled off for precautionary reasons and everything should have been fine.

Instead he takes the draw, is damn lucky he didnt' get smoked again, took a penalty and was showed shaking off the effects in the box. NOT surprising was AFTER that motion, he goes to the tunnel.

Hawks can't have it both ways....can't tout your medical group as some top tier group and then NOT held them accountable when they allow your franchise star to take the ice with maybe 2 mintues in between from having his skull and face crash into the end boards. At worst he had some whip lash.........
- SteveRain

First the coaches and the Trainer have to be responsible. Gapski went out on the ice, he should have pulled him, then Q should have pulled him. Bunch of layers before it even gets to Dr. Terry or whomever is travelling with them.

What's dirty or not.

No one loves Toews more than I do.
Not AT ALL A dirty hit.

What was dirty a certain Comcast Tracey Myers decided to tweet here feelings about what happened. (Hey I have no problem with she having an opinion though rather odd since she has contributed LITTLE to Chicago hockey scene except for in game quotes the payers gave her earlier...no real hockey understanding or knowlede just regurgitation. Wait she did leak that Hayes was moving on and after the Hawks let her know they weren't pleased with thepreading of that news, she basically refused to EVER sya or tweet another word. Real hockey journalist stand by their leaks and liv or die by what management and fans think when the dust settles.)
What is even DIRTIER: the media especially the hammer heads on NHL Sirius radio for using Myer's tweet as the basic for reporting the incident.

I just know what I saw. A clean hard hit where the hitter if he truly was worried about head hits would have let up.
I saw Johnny Toews go to his bench from the ice answer questions about his health.
I am not a lip reader but he sold it.
I think probably we can get a consensus that we all KNEW when he committed the dumber that Johnny hook, that he was not in fact right.
Right after the penalty he was amde to go to the quiet room.

All day wrong heard everyone saying management should have "called down" to the bench and TOLD then to get him to the room right after.
That the Hawks were selfish in not making him come off right then and there, because they knew his history and saw the ferociousness of the pop.

I think the bench tried, and they bought the bull, and the fact their captain was ready to avenge the hit with a scoring play more than they were being selfish.


But if you look at what is tragically dirty, it is that the league can simply come up with league wide protocol so all the players, see colissions as like it is their brother on the receiving end, and there is less intensity there. I would love to see the same players bashing bodies inmid ice where the boards don't act as the third man in.
- wiz1901

What did Myers tweet?

Thats what i dont understand. The fans in Chicago, diehard or otherwise, are still going to watch the games/go to the games and buy merchandise. The Bears are a business that you or I could run simply by sitting back and watching the money pour in.

So with that in mind, why not blow this dumoster fire up in an attempt to put a winning team together and make EVEN MORE money.
- BlazinMike

I agree and they should. They just won't Too expensive.

The reported conflict is priceless. If you haven't already go listen to Buffone on the score this morning. My goodness.....that poor guy may keel over.

Where have I heard that before?!
- John Jaeckel

I know, I know, but They are doing things right for a change. They stocked up on prospects and got rid of the old riff raff (Cubs farm system voted the best in baseball), and now are acquiring some great pitchers. I think things are going to be different this time.

And the Cubs are about to make a huge turnaround, IMO. Somewhat like what the Hawks did 7-8 years ago. And no one in Chicago will be paying attention to football for a number of years.
- ChadBot

I have a bet with a buddy. He bet the Cubs will win a WS in the next 5 years.

Nope. Wont happen.

1. You don't even know if all these prospects are PROVEN clutch playoff players. Do the Cubs have a Toews/Kane who rise up in regular and postseason?

2. They have lester on pitching staff and that's it.....still behind Cardinals, Nationals, Giants, Dodgers.

3. See 2003 when they hired a mellow Dusty Baker who ended up imploding. Same will happen with maddon.

Sorry.....the pressure to win will eat at this team and NOT every prospect will be a hit. If given 600 ABS, Javier Baez will K 400 times.

I don't know...Fans are getting tired of the same old story year after year...season ticket holders are bailing. Might not be the cash cow for much longer.
- ChadBot

NFL is king of ratings....WHat IS interesting is that baseball has dipped down by hockey. NFL is in double digits, NBA is low 2s, Baseball is mid teens, hockey is like 0.2 behind.

Bears will always be king.....would love to see another NFL franchise here.

I don't know...Fans are getting tired of the same old story year after year...season ticket holders are bailing. Might not be the cash cow for much longer.
- ChadBot

I believe it when i see it. How many consecutive seasons have the bears sold out every home game?

Virginia doesnt have a damn thing to do with the coaching personell or player personell. Top to bottom, like you said, there needs to be a reset.

Its (frank)ing hopeless right now. Maybe Virginia dying would bring about some kind of change, but i really dont think she does a damn thing when it comes to players or coaches.
- BlazinMike

The McCaskeys need to go. Hear a lot of BS how they spend on the team. They are spending on the roster but nowhere else. They cut corners anywhere they can in order to support the McCaskey ashram - which is essentially what the organization is. Why do they draft so badly no matter who is there? They consistently spend less than 3/4s of the league on college scouting.

Bears fans need to do what Hawks season ticket holders did during Dollar Bill's last years - walk away. When they see those gate receipts drop they will get the message. Instead, they have a waiting list.

Hawks can't have it both ways....can't tout your medical group as some top tier group and then NOT held them accountable when they allow your franchise star to take the ice with maybe 2 mintues in between from having his skull and face crash into the end boards. At worst he had some whip lash.........
- SteveRain

Yes! Thank you! This is worse than the Brady Hoke scandal with that poor battered quarterback. Hope Sports Center doesn't get rolling with all the pious talking heads on this one. " Protect your players Stanbo!"

And re the Ducks and Crow...they would gobble that right up. Everyone admires and envies what the Hawks have. Cups and conf finals. A proven SC goalie is what they need to get over the hump. Not Gibson, shelled in very 1st game of season. Would you feel good about facing the Kings in 1st round w Anderson in net? Honestly? They can dump Anderson and keep Perry on LTIR (word is his knee is worse than initially thought) or move him too, to make the cap #s work.

Dude, ease up, I'd hate to see you get banned. I agree with your analysis. Not a dirty hit. Kane was wise not to throw. But thats the kind of play that gets the whole League's attention when everyone's trying to stop a major skill and skating binge. The borderline hits will keep coming and get worse; standing pat and relying on some Band-of-brothers code of gallantry to protect skill players is more an "imaginary tale" than anything I posted. Bickell is not scaring anyone. Richards will never hold as 2C. Recent streak proves Crawford and Sharp are expendable. Hawks need cap relief. Ducks need sniper fwd w Perry hurt anf goalie help. What of this tale doesnt ring true. The happy ending to my tale? Kesler!
- meta_puck_luck

Ummm...Richards has been great as our 2nd line center once Q finally put him there...So what is your reasoning behind saying that he won't stay there...he has been getting better as the season has progressed (needed time to adjust to the Hawks style of play and figure out his role), so not sure where you are coming from.

I agree and they should. They just won't Too expensive.

The reported conflict is priceless. If you haven't already go listen to Buffone on the score this morning. My goodness.....that poor guy may keel over.
- SteveRain

I heard it. Honest to god, what is the big (frank)ing deal with the secrecy and corporate style smoke blowing? Why cant they just tell the truth. Trestman wants to keep his job right? So shouldnt he explore every possible option to make the team succeed? Thats what his job is, get positive results. And if Kromer is doing this poop that gives you negative results, he needs to be canned.

Tucker obviously should have been gone last season. Everyone from the GM to the (frank)ing punter has failed at their jobs.

Dude, ease up, I'd hate to see you get banned. I agree with your analysis. Not a dirty hit. Kane was wise not to throw. But thats the kind of play that gets the whole League's attention when everyone's trying to stop a major skill and skating binge. The borderline hits will keep coming and get worse; standing pat and relying on some Band-of-brothers code of gallantry to protect skill players is more an "imaginary tale" than anything I posted. Bickell is not scaring anyone. Richards will never hold as 2C. Recent streak proves Crawford and Sharp are expendable. Hawks need cap relief. Ducks need sniper fwd w Perry hurt anf goalie help. What of this tale doesnt ring true. The happy ending to my tale? Kesler!
- meta_puck_luck

The Kesler ship has sailed, let it go. The Ducks aren't giving him up for what you're offering. Assuming you could make the numbers work, exactly why would they trade him to a team in the West to make them better/stronger? You do realize they would have to beat the Hawks to get to the SCF.

Also, drop this silly notion that retaliating or having an enforcer on the ice somehow limits the amount of borderline hits the Toews and Kanes may take. Scott, Bollig, etc. were no deterrent to the crap. The Hawks play bigger and tougher than people give them credit for. Sure there are games where they stay on the perimeter and seem like they are not willing to work, but they are not going Balls out for 82 games a year, 60 minutes a game. It's just not going to happen. LA didn't beat them last year because they were tougher.

The Hawks play the way they do because that is how Q wants them to play. They don't go to "finish their checks" because they are coached not to. Q would rather have them in the correct positions on the ice as opposed to going for a big check and taking themselves out of the play. I have heard multiple interviews with players where they more or less said exactly that.

Isnt anyone else starting to get disgusted with these " Mighty " BLackhawks ?
Once again our 10 million dolar captain gets cheap shotted with no response by his teammates. How many Seidenbers or Orpiks or Backes or Jackmans or Kronwalls or THorntons or ( fill in the blank ) cheap shots does it take to get them pissed off ?
Players on others teams have no fear what-so-ever when chasing down a puck or giving a HAwk " the business" because they know there will be no retaliation. Other teams stars can free-lance all over the rink with-out concern. Yes, the Hawks are a "puck possession" team........but sometimes you have to take the damn puck away....why is the power play so bad ? No physicality at all... No BAlls....Dont get me wrong, I love the cups.....I just saddens me when these grown men dont stand up for each other. Toews is going to end up watching the game he loves from a rocking chair one day soon if his brothers dont start defending themselves..........Just sad to watch sometimes......
- Gary0301

The only retaliation that matters is winning the game and taking the points.

I have a bet with a buddy. He bet the Cubs will win a WS in the next 5 years.

Nope. Wont happen.

1. You don't even know if all these prospects are PROVEN clutch playoff players. Do the Cubs have a Toews/Kane who rise up in regular and postseason?

2. They have lester on pitching staff and that's it.....still behind Cardinals, Nationals, Giants, Dodgers.

3. See 2003 when they hired a mellow Dusty Baker who ended up imploding. Same will happen with maddon.

Sorry.....the pressure to win will eat at this team and NOT every prospect will be a hit. If given 600 ABS, Javier Baez will K 400 times.
- SteveRain

Spoken like a Sox Fan.

The only retaliation that matters is winning the game and taking the points.
- fattybeef

This.

I know, I know, but They are doing things right for a change. They stocked up on prospects and got rid of the old riff raff (Cubs farm system voted the best in baseball), and now are acquiring some great pitchers. I think things are going to be different this time.
- ChadBot

That's what most of us Cubs fans are hoping for. I'll get excited about the Cubs' chances once they make it to the post-season again. Otherwise, I'll just keep saying "wait until next year" to myself at the end of August and dive right back into hockey.

Spoken like a Sox Fan.
- TheTrob

Nope. I just hate baseball, after the Cubs choked in 2008 I gave up on the Cubs. If you notice, my screen name here, like the DH, was based off of a horrific Cubs reliever back in the mid 90s who I swear to god every time he came in, or at least when I watched, gave up a some monster homer.

Now, I just outed myself....my name is NOT Steve Rain.....

I have a bet with a buddy. He bet the Cubs will win a WS in the next 5 years.

Nope. Wont happen.

1. You don't even know if all these prospects are PROVEN clutch playoff players. Do the Cubs have a Toews/Kane who rise up in regular and postseason?

2. They have lester on pitching staff and that's it.....still behind Cardinals, Nationals, Giants, Dodgers.

3. See 2003 when they hired a mellow Dusty Baker who ended up imploding. Same will happen with maddon.

Sorry.....the pressure to win will eat at this team and NOT every prospect will be a hit. If given 600 ABS, Javier Baez will K 400 times.
- SteveRain

Let me guess...you are a White Sox fan...

You don't really know if your prospects are clutch until you are in the playoffs and need them to be. Toews and Kane weren't proven clutch playoff players before 2010. I think with all of the top prospects they have, they will find a couple out of the bunch that will be clutch playoff players.

I heard it. Honest to god, what is the big (frank)ing deal with the secrecy and corporate style smoke blowing? Why cant they just tell the truth. Trestman wants to keep his job right? So shouldnt he explore every possible option to make the team succeed? Thats what his job is, get positive results. And if Kromer is doing this poop that gives you negative results, he needs to be canned.

Tucker obviously should have been gone last season. Everyone from the GM to the (frank)ing punter has failed at their jobs.
- BlazinMike

Last years defense was historically bad and yet he was given a pass with a bunch of excuses for why. This years D has managed to be even worse. There are so many times where, when the game ended they should have just walked him to his car and told him to never come back. Someone over at Halas Hall needs to find the key to the jar of testicles and hand them back out.